Chapter 26: Sparring

Page 1/3

In front of the training machine, Zhang Ji’s entire body was flushed red from the repeated strikes. When he came over, he had brought the machine along with him. This was not difficult, as it could be easily folded and did not occupy much space, fitting perfectly into the trunk of his vehicle.

After finishing his exercises, Zhang Ji soaked in a medicinal bath for a while before starting to practice the Dragon Form Fist. Once he got the basics down, refining his primordial energy became much easier. Correspondingly, the Iron Shirt technique showed clear improvement, and the redness on his body rapidly faded—a sign that his primordial energy was healing him.

This meant he could train Iron Shirt for a little longer every two days on average. He had already made a rough estimate in his mind: it was mid-September, and he should be able to reach the Grandmaster level by early October.

...

About twenty miles away from the Golden Hook Pharmaceutical Factory, in a remote area, a camouflaged off-road camper van was parked.

Inside the camper were four people—three men and one woman—all bearing Western features, not natives of Dongji Country. This small unit was a somewhat renowned international mercenary squad. They had taken a mission to trouble the pharmaceutical factory and steal information on the side.

“Wow, the power behind Golden Hook Pharmaceuticals is really strong. Their security personnel are actually armed!” said the woman. She was petite, code-named Bee, responsible for reconnaissance, drone operation, and some mechanical work.

Fox, watching data from the miniature bionic reconnaissance drone, looked serious.

“They’re backed by the Five-Form Sect, a grand martial arts school with nearly a thousand years of heritage. Getting a firearm license isn’t a big deal for them. Those idiots before made a scene, which is why the Five-Form Sect sent this team. These are professional-level fighters. While their highest rank is about professional level five, that’s enough to dominate in some backward regions. Their foundation is really impressive...” Fox, a slender black-haired man, spoke. He was the team’s sniper, hacker, and the key strategist.

“Click!” The sound of a magazine being loaded echoed.

“Just tell me if this job is doable or not,” said Black Hawk, wearing sunglasses. He was the driver of the team, skilled in piloting planes, tanks, and mechs, and also responsible for weapon and vehicle maintenance.

“It is, definitely. They don’t have heavy weapons, and their internal network security isn’t strong. There are obvious vulnerabilities. The attack program I set up combined with that gadget from Roman Country can cripple all electronic devices within a three-kilometer radius in a short time...” Fox explained.

“Then let’s make a plan, Fox,” said the team leader, a burly man standing about two meters tall.

His name was Water Monster, the main combatant of the team. He was a former mid-level officer of New Furloss’s military and a professional ninth-rank fighter. He had fallen out of favor with powerful figures in his country, landed in prison, and was eventually rescued by comrades, but had to go underground and become a mercenary.

He wore a discarded old model of military combat armor with no outstanding intelligent systems, no heavy weapons, and no flight modules. It simply enhanced the wearer’s strength and protection. For a professional ninth-rank fighter, this exoskeleton was enough to make a name for himself in the outside world.

Fox nodded and said, “No problem, boss. Bee, send me the terrain map.”

“Sent,” Bee replied.

“Okay, let me see. This should be the main power system. Bee will drop the plasma paralysis device here to disable most of their power. Only the backup system will remain, and during the switch, there will be a brief window for me to gain backend access and open their base. Then, just like before, Bee’s drone swarm will cover, boss and Black Hawk will enter from here, reach the pharmaceutical room, take photos, collect samples, plant timed explosives, and finally escape under my and Bee’s cover...”

“They’re so strong, this plan seems too simple. Will it work?” Black Hawk asked.

“Complex plans have more loopholes and are harder to execute. With our strength, many things are easy, especially small sabotage and stealing stuff,” Fox shot back.

“Trust Fox, Black Hawk. He’s never been wrong,” Water Monster said with a smile, patting Black Hawk on the shoulder.

The teammates were used to bickering playfully to maintain camaraderie. At these moments, Water Monster always acted as the peacemaker, giving both sides a way out to avoid real conflict. He liked this environment; it reminded him of the time with comrades in the military.

...

Page 2/3

“Knock, knock, knock!” Zhang Ji opened the door. Zhou Hao saw the sweat on Zhang Ji’s body. He entered the room without waiting and said, “Big Brother has been telling me you’re working really hard. I didn’t expect it to be this intense. You finally come down the mountain and you’re already training again? You need to balance work and rest. You’re so young—what’s the rush?”

“The world is changing fast. If you don’t grow quickly, it’s hard to stand firm in the worldly currents,” Zhang Ji replied.

He knew what the future held, and it wouldn’t take even ten years. Dongji Country’s current elevated status wouldn’t last even five more years. When that time came, nothing could be relied upon except one’s own strength.

That was why he had to use his time as efficiently as possible to become powerful.

“You’re purer than I am. I’m not like you. The future world will depend on you young people,” Zhou Hao smiled and shook his head.

He had grown up in the Five-Form Sect and once held martial arts in the highest regard. But after witnessing modern weapons that could break mountains and exoskeletons enabling ordinary people to lift thousands of pounds easily, his mindset began to change.

To this day, he hardly trained anymore. His focus shifted mostly to managing the sect’s business.

“Uncle Zhou, is that all you wanted to say?” Zhang Ji asked, already thinking about sending him off. Coming by late at night to chat wasn’t exactly helping his training.

“No rush. Come spar with me at the gym. Big Brother said you apprenticed with the Diamond Sect. I’ve never seen their martial arts in action,” Zhou Hao said.

Sparring was common among Five-Form Sect disciples to build camaraderie. Even among strangers, fighting a bit helped familiarity.

Zhang Ji wanted to refuse but then thought Zhou Hao was a true disciple and probably had some skill, even if not as good as Li Long. Sparring might teach him something.

So he nodded, “Alright.”

Soon, they arrived at the indoor gym of the pharmaceutical factory.

The Golden Hook Pharmaceutical Factory was like a small city, complete with a cinema, supermarket, internet café, gym, and stadium—small but well-equipped.

These facilities were for the workers, who, unlike machines, needed relaxation after work. Beyond basic needs, their entertainment was also considered.

Many people knew Zhou Hao, and upon arriving, many workers greeted him. Among the workers were many handpicked from the Five-Form Sect—outer disciples without much talent, at best amateur fighters.

“Brother Zhou!” A worker playing basketball called out.

“Xiao He, this is my nephew apprentice. We want to spar here for a while. Can you clear the basketball court for us?” Zhou Hao asked.

“No problem. We can play anytime, but seeing you professionals spar—that’s rare,” the worker waved and dispersed the crowd.

Others in the gym also stopped and gathered around, focusing their eyes on Zhang Ji and Zhou Hao.

At the center of the basketball court, Zhou Hao took off his jacket and placed it aside. He adopted the starting posture of the Snake Fist and said, “Nephew, don’t hold back.”

“I don’t have such a bad habit,” Zhang Ji replied. Stretching out, he struck a pose opening with the Dragon Form.

Zhou Hao smiled and suddenly glided forward. Yes, glided—the steps as if the ground was oiled, and in an instant, he reached Zhang Ji.

“Whish-whish!” The sound of wind accompanied Zhou Hao’s palm strike. Zhang Ji instinctively raised his hand to block, but Zhou Hao bit onto his arm and twisted his wrist at a strange angle.

Following the stick with the snake.

The Snake Fist focused on neutralizing force and grappling techniques. Against Snake Form Fist, using brute strength was the worst choice.

In their match, Zhang Ji was at a slight disadvantage.

Zhang Ji struggled to break free, but Zhou Hao gently pulled, redirecting the force and nearly knocking Zhang Ji off balance. Zhang Ji staggered back two steps before steadying himself.

Before he could regain composure, Zhou Hao glided in again, his curved palm striking like a venomous snake’s tongue aimed at Zhang Ji’s face.

“Whoosh!” The attack’s sound preceded the strike.

This move was both a piercing attack and a grappling technique, adaptable to the opponent’s moves. Zhang Ji had seen inner disciples use it but never with such speed and threat as Zhou Hao displayed.

Zhang Ji swept out his claws, fingertips also cutting the air.

Their palms and fingers clashed. Just as Zhang Ji thought he would land a solid hit, Zhou Hao’s hand slipped, turning the move into a grappling hold. He lightly bit Zhang Ji’s wrist, forcing him to change tactics, using less than sixty percent of his strength.

They exchanged moves rapidly. For the first time, Zhang Ji felt genuinely annoyed.

He had faced speed and leg-based fighters before without discomfort, but sparring with Zhou Hao was truly vexing.

He couldn’t fully release his strength; even when he did, it was easily neutralized. Trying to counterattack was futile as Zhou Hao’s techniques were mostly joint locks and grappling, using soft power that didn’t shake him. As soon as Zhang Ji showed signs of countering, Zhou Hao disengaged.

They were truly a pair of opposing forces.

Page 3/3

Yet Zhou Hao was deliberately teaching Zhang Ji. During their exchanges, Zhang Ji clearly sensed Zhou Hao’s weaknesses: insufficient power, weak burst techniques, requiring more movement to neutralize attacks, high stamina consumption, and the need for a spacious area to fully utilize his style.

Most importantly, his techniques depended heavily on the ground.

From the start until now, Zhou Hao had been avoiding Zhang Ji’s leg strikes, unwilling to clash feet.

Zhang Ji understood why.

The key to neutralizing force lay in the ground.

Much of Zhang Ji’s power was transferred to the earth by Zhou Hao’s feet. Therefore, if Zhang Ji attacked Zhou Hao’s lower body, Zhou Hao would struggle to neutralize the power.

“Whoosh! Swish!” Zhang Ji swung a mighty Dragon Tail sweep at Zhou Hao’s lower body. Zhou Hao gracefully glided back several meters.

“Oh, my weakness has been exposed!” Zhou Hao smiled.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Clap, clap, clap!” Zhang Ji unleashed a chain of sweeping kicks at Zhou Hao, each strike bursting with explosive sound, using the full power technique. If these kicks landed on a normal person, the leg bones would shatter.

Zhou Hao retreated, cornered against the basketball hoop.

Zhang Ji’s kick struck the base beneath the hoop.

“Bang! Creak!” The huge base shifted several meters, scraping against the ground with a creaking noise. The spot where Zhang Ji kicked even dented deeply, leaving a clear mark.

The nearby workers hurried back, fearing being hit.

“Wow! The basketball hoop weighs over seven hundred kilograms!”

“Are these professional fighters monsters?”

...

Zhou Hao retreated further, trapped in a corner by Zhang Ji.

“Whoosh!”

Blocked from retreating, Zhou Hao leapt to evade.

This was exactly what Zhang Ji wanted. He recoiled like a dragon raising its head, bent his knees, and exploded forward with a full-strength punch aimed at Zhou Hao’s chest.

In theory, this strike should have landed.

But Zhou Hao smiled subtly.

Zhang Ji’s fist touched Zhou Hao, but the next moment, Zhou Hao’s body went limp as if boneless. He wrapped around Zhang Ji’s arm, inverted himself, and swiftly locked his legs around Zhang Ji’s neck.

A strangling hold!

The exposed weakness underfoot was a deliberate trap!

As expected from an old-timer, his combat experience was indeed rich.

However!

“Buzz!”

“Bang!”

With a metallic humming sound, Zhou Hao was thrown back by the power Zhang Ji had accumulated within his muscles from the exchanges. Zhou Hao adjusted himself mid-air and landed on the ground over ten meters away.

With the improvement of his Iron Shirt technique, Zhang Ji’s ability to accumulate and release power upon impact had become more pronounced. Now, he could even store energy while being attacked and then unleash it all at once.

He was essentially building up his rage meter.

Clenching his fist, Zhang Ji prepared to strike again, but Zhou Hao quickly raised his hand to stop him.

“Stop! Stop! Enough. I’m just an old bone now. If you keep going, I’m afraid I won’t hold up!”

As he spoke, he exaggeratedly rubbed his waist, acting injured.

Seeing this, Zhang Ji also held back and cupped his fists. “Uncle, I yield.”

“I didn’t let you win. With your power, even Big Brother and you being the same age can’t match you. Truly, each generation surpasses the last!” Zhou Hao came forward, patting Zhang Ji’s shoulder with admiration.

Regarding Li Long, Zhang Ji didn’t know how to respond.

Zhou Hao then treated everyone present to drinks and led Zhang Ji to the rest area.

“Life on Shanli Island isn’t easy, is it?”