Chapter 14 – Sanda Special Training and Actual Combat (Four)

With less than five months remaining until the competition, Ye Kuang rarely chose to rest at this moment, solely to maintain peak condition for the actual combat five days later.

Having nothing better to do, he wandered through streets and alleys, soaking in the neon lights and the joys of urban life…

Strolling along the bustling streets, his heart grew increasingly tranquil.

After experiencing the boundary for the first time, Ye Kuang had become increasingly fervent about that state.

Just as he passed a crossroads, a middle-aged Taoist priest approached him quietly—an unexpected encounter.

This man was exceptionally robust, with sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, a long braid coiled around his neck like a ring, adding an ethereal and transcendent aura.

His intimidating eyes occasionally gleamed with a sharp light, and his gait exuded the vigor of a dragon and tiger.

Ye Kuang couldn’t help but take an extra glance out of curiosity. In this era, though retro trends were gaining popularity, he never expected to see someone still wearing Taoist robes.

“Young friend, please wait!”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang paused and turned to look.

It was the middle-aged Taoist priest!

Ye Kuang: “Master, are you calling me?”

Middle-aged Taoist Priest: “Young friend, I observe that your forehead glows with purple energy, radiating intense vitality. I wish to form a connection with you.”

Without waiting for a response, he continued, “I forgot to introduce myself. I am Sage Qiankun, Chief Disciple of the Jade Void Palace… May I ask your name, young friend?”

Ye Kuang felt slightly unnerved by the question.

This person was peculiar. Not only was he dressed in ancient attire in this day and age, but his name was also strangely archaic, and his tone was equally retro.

He couldn’t help but wonder inwardly: Had the trends already shifted so drastically?

Still, one shouldn’t strike a smiling face, especially since this man exuded an inexplicable familiarity that made Ye Kuang want to draw closer.

Ye Kuang: “Wolong of the Ye Family, Ye Kuang.”

Sage Qiankun: “Excellent! Excellent! Truly brimming with vitality, as wild as your name implies! A hidden dragon among men, destined to become a dragon among mortals in this lifetime!”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang felt a faint blush rise to his cheeks, unsure whether it was from shyness or embarrassment at such lavish praise.

Sage Qiankun: “Might I ask where your family resides, young friend? I shall pay a visit another day.”

At this point, Sage Qiankun seemed to have urgent matters to attend to, and in his haste, his questioning became somewhat abrupt.

Ye Kuang grew slightly more cautious. Though one should not harbor ill intentions in this world, it was also wise to guard against potential harm.

Unwilling to say too much, he fabricated a response: “I live in a residential area at South City Court…”

Upon hearing this, Sage Qiankun immediately handed him a business card and smiled. “This is my card… I have matters to attend to now, so I must take my leave.”

With these words, Sage Qiankun turned and disappeared into the crowd.

As for Ye Kuang, holding the card, he was unsure whether to discard it or keep it. For the moment, he decided to hold onto it, just in case.

Little did he know that his fate had already begun to unfold, with the threads of cause and effect intertwining.

And this predetermined encounter would forever alter the course of Ye Kuang’s life.

Of course, it was still too early to speak of such things.

As soon as Ye Kuang returned home, he eagerly dialed Lin Qi’s number.

“Brother Kuang, what’s the order…”Ye Kuang: “Cut the crap. I never see you taking the initiative to call me either. How dare I give you instructions? I’m just letting you know that the compensation money from before has been sorted out. Just reporting to you so you don’t have to worry about it.”

With that, he explained the whole story from beginning to end.

Lin Qi was deeply shocked upon hearing this and couldn’t help exclaiming in alarm: “Brother Kuang, have you gone mad? How could you agree to that? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Though warmed by these words, Ye Kuang responded with a bitter smile: “If I didn’t do this, how else could I repay that 300,000? Should I just ask my family for money? This matter can’t be compared to other things. As a son, I can’t bring myself to open my mouth and ask for money.”

“Ah…” Lin Qi sighed, feeling equally troubled. He lamented: “I’ve mobilized all available connections and am trying to raise funds, but 300,000 is such a huge amount. It’s really difficult to gather that much in a short time…”

Ye Kuang could clearly hear the helplessness in his friend’s voice. Surprisingly, he laughed: “You don’t need to get involved in this matter. In some time, as long as I can win the competition, everything can be resolved.”

At this moment, he radiated immense confidence!

Lin Qi: “Brother Kuang, I believe in you!”

Lin Qi’s voice carried unwavering conviction.

Had these words come from anyone else, Lin Qi would have undoubtedly scoffed at them. But when it came to Ye Kuang, whom he’d grown up with since childhood, Lin Qi trusted him completely.

This wasn’t blind obedience, but absolute certainty born from thorough understanding!

After hanging up the phone, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

His main focus now was to fully prepare for the upcoming competition, while also training desperately for the combat practice in five days…

The pressure he faced was unimaginable.

But for now, he just wanted to sleep soundly, regardless of what hardships tomorrow might bring, seeking only to surpass his former self today.

Ye Kuang’s previous life could be described as extremely monotonous, devoid of any clear goals. He had drifted through his days in a muddled haze, and before he knew it, he had reached eighteen years of age.

Now that he had finally found a purpose, he was determined to forge ahead toward it.

With this thought, Ye Kuang began to snore, appearing to be sleeping deeply.

Of course, this was hardly surprising. After undergoing over a month of intense training, even an iron man would be exhausted.

The night passed uneventfully until noon the next day.

The sun hung high in the sky, its rays seeping through the window edges and illuminating a corner of the bed. The glaring light was hard to bear.

Ye Kuang woke with a start, secretly stretched his limbs, and then checked the clock.

He quickly washed up, had some breakfast, and was about to open the door.

Unexpectedly, the doorbell rang at that very moment. He couldn’t help but wonder: Who could it be at this hour?

When he opened the door, he found a Taoist priest standing before him.

Ye Kuang couldn’t conceal his surprise: “Why is it you again?”

This was none other than the middle-aged Taoist priest he had met yesterday—Sage Qiankun!

“Young friend, you certainly know how to have fun. I went through great trouble to find you,” Sage Qiankun said with a bitter smile. His eyes then swept around, taking in the room’s interior, and he added with a chuckle: “Aren’t you going to invite me in for a chat…”

Ye Kuang was about to refuse, but Sage Qiankun had already stepped around him and walked confidently through the doorway.”Little friend, do not misunderstand, this humble Daoist is no villain.”

As soon as the words fell, Sage Qiankun stated his purpose: “Yesterday I mentioned your radiant purple glabella. Today I come to bestow upon you a creation opportunity!”

“Oh…” Ye Kuang couldn’t help being startled upon hearing this. The man’s words concealed profound meaning – leaving aside whether it was truly a creation opportunity, just his extraordinary bearing alone was incomparable to ordinary people.

He then began speaking with ease: “Might I ask what kind of creation Grand Master refers to? This junior will listen with utmost attention.”

Upon saying this, Ye Kuang showed no prejudice toward Sage Qiankun’s uninvited visit, instead treating it like old friends exchanging pleasantries.

Hearing this, Sage Qiankun secretly nodded in approval before suddenly asking seriously: “Have you ever experienced a life-death calamity?”

Ye Kuang was taken aback but maintained his composure: “Those who have heard of it naturally know this matter well. It’s nothing particularly rare. Since Grand Master asks this, you must be aware… why bother with unnecessary questions?”

At this point, he had clearly begun growing wary of the former.

Seeing this, Sage Qiankun didn’t respond directly, as if confirming some fact.

Then he spread his palm open, and a flame spontaneously ignited in midair. Walking while smiling, Sage Qiankun asked: “Do you know what this is?”

Witnessing this, Ye Kuang’s eyes changed dramatically, inwardly feeling somewhat horrified.

This person before him was like a primordial beast – appearing in human form but containing invincible and terrifying capabilities.

Sage Qiankun paid this no mind, then asked with a laugh: “Have you heard of the Nine Yin Manual?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang’s heart surged with towering waves.

The Nine Yin Manual – that was a legendary martial arts mental cultivation method!

Incorporating nine extreme yin and venomous techniques, it unified all martial arts secrets. One could say this was an unorthodox supreme martial study.

Those who obtained this manual could dominate the martial world!

How could he not have heard of it?

For a moment, Ye Kuang was visibly too excited for words.

Seeing this, Sage Qiankun couldn’t help laughing heartily and explained: “Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, Nine Yin White Bone Claw, Body Concealment Art, Lingbo Steps, Thirty-Six Heavenly Legs, Seventy-Two Earthly Punches, Ethereal Art, Jade Void Creation Art, and this final secret technique for tempering the physical body!”

With each divine technique Sage Qiankun named, Ye Kuang’s eyes couldn’t help shining brighter.

This scene was utterly breathtaking!

The world only knew the manual’s name, but who had ever explored its inner mysteries?

And now, Ye Kuang actually learned the names of the Nine Yin Manual’s Nine Heart Methods from another person. One could imagine his state of mind.

“Want to learn?” Sage Qiankun asked.

Ye Kuang nearly blurted out “Yes!” upon hearing this.

But where in this world are there free lunches?

Therefore, he suddenly asked: “What do you want?”

Hearing this, Sage Qiankun secretly nodded and smiled: “And what can you give me?”

Ye Kuang: “……”

He suddenly felt somewhat awkward – he had no money, couldn’t offer his life, so what else could he exchange?

For a moment, he could only remain silent.”Hahaha…” Seeing this scene seemed to evoke old memories for Sage Qiankun as well. He suddenly laughed and said, “Just teasing you… I can present this manual to you with both hands, but you must meet one requirement: break through the heavens in the most rapid manner. Should I ever discover you’ve disgraced this manual, I will inevitably take it back. If you’ve considered this clearly, you may choose to nod or shake your head.”

After speaking, Sage Qiankun immediately produced nine thin blue-covered manuals from nowhere!

It was unmistakably the “Nine Yin Manual”!