Chapter 11: One Against Thirteen, Still Crushing Them! What a Display!
The man in black advanced step by step.
Xiang Nan hesitated not for a moment. He seized a long pole from a roadside billboard and charged straight ahead.
[Ding! Skill "Wu Lang Ba Gua Staff" triggered. Initial skill points +10, compatibility +2%.]
As the saying goes, "An inch longer, an inch stronger." When facing ten foes alone, the quality of one's weapon becomes a decisive factor.
Xiang Nan wielded the staff with such vigor that even the air trembled around him.
With a swing of the staff, he swept through his enemies like a whirlwind!
A series of thuds resounded as the four or five men at the front were sent flying.
In his mind, skill points accumulated rapidly.
Though Xiang Nan’s mastery of the Wu Lang Ba Gua Staff was not yet profound, with the spiritual energy between his brows as his backing, every strike radiated with unstoppable force.
Xu Jiya followed closely behind. Seeing Xiang Nan grow more formidable with every clash, his staff technique becoming ever more exquisite, her face was filled with astonishment, stars twinkling in her eyes.
She had thought his boxing skills unmatched, never expecting his staff work to be so refined!
In the encirclement on the wide street, one man and one staff, every movement precise and purposeful.
King’s Toast!
White Snake Flicking Its Tongue!
Meteor Chasing the Moon!
The staff in his hands seemed to come alive—not only were its forms graceful, but its power was astounding.
A dozen men in black could not even approach him.
In less than five minutes, several already lay sprawled on the ground.
Those still standing had tasted the wrath of the staff and dared not draw near again.
His magnificent display drew a crowd of onlookers.
“Where did this young man come from? His staff technique is out of this world!”
“One against thirteen! And he's dominating! Incredible!”
“He must be an atavist—at least second tier, but judging by his age, how could he have undergone a second awakening?”
“Wow! He’s so handsome! Just my type!”
Xiang Nan was utterly immersed in the flow of combat. With every strike, his technique honed itself further.
His blood surged, growing ever more fervent. The spiritual energy at his brow responded as if ready to burst forth.
This exhilarating sensation only heightened his excitement. Each blow was delivered with full force.
Soon, twelve men in black lay defeated, leaving only their leader still stubbornly holding out.
A cold glint flashed in Xiang Nan’s eyes as he leapt into the air.
Dark Clouds Overhead!
His staff descended, trailing heavy afterimages and a mighty aura, the force bearing down like an avalanche.
The staff was about to strike the last man when—
Suddenly, a flash of golden light.
The wooden staff slammed against the golden glow. Sparks crackled, accompanied by a harsh metallic clang.
Xiang Nan’s hands tingled from the impact. Using the recoil, he spun a full 360 degrees and landed beside Xu Jiya.
He looked to the spot where his blow had been intercepted. There stood a man in his forties, eyes blazing, who had caught the staff barehanded.
His hand had become entirely metallic, yet Xiang Nan’s full-strength strike left him unscathed.
Xiang Nan’s heart skipped a beat, palms sweating.
Judging by his aura, this man was at least third tier.
Third tier—one must undergo a third atavistic awakening to reach such a state.
The third awakening spans back to the high-martial era, a thousand to three thousand years ago, when ancestors wielded extraordinary powers.
With Xiang Nan being only first tier, five stars, facing a third-tier martial artist, the gap was insurmountable.
The men in black, battered and bruised, retreated to the older man’s side. The one Xiang Nan had nearly struck bowed respectfully.
“Incredible! Absolutely brilliant!” Xu Jiya cheered beside him, clapping her hands in delight.
Xiang Nan was exasperated. Was this really the time to cheer? Shouldn’t she be trembling before such a powerful foe?
No matter how hard Xiang Nan’s fists, he couldn’t match a third-tier’s supernatural abilities!
The disparity was too great. How could one bridge such a gap?
Meanwhile, the middle-aged man scrutinized Xiang Nan with a piercing gaze.
His name was Xu Qingshan, one of the four deacons of the Eagle League.
He had completed three atavistic awakenings, reaching third tier, two stars in strength.
Xu Qingshan was deeply puzzled. By all appearances, this youth was only first tier, so how could he be so formidable?
Even Xu Qingshan himself had needed all his strength to block that last staff strike!
It was bizarre—utterly beyond reason.
After a moment’s silent regard, Xu Qingshan shifted his gaze from Xiang Nan to Xu Jiya.
At the sight of her, the coldness in his eyes faded, replaced by stern authority.
“Jiya, how long do you intend to keep this up?”
“Dad, I don’t want to go back!” Xu Jiya pouted, her tone coquettish.
Xiang Nan: ???
What was this—father and daughter?
Xu Qingshan’s voice softened. “You ran away and won’t answer our calls. Your mother is so worried she’s fallen ill!”
“What? Mom’s sick?” Xu Jiya’s eyes darted, suspicion flickering in her gaze.
“Come on, let’s go home,” Xu Qingshan urged.
Xu Jiya considered. “I’ll go back, but you have to promise me one thing!”
“What is it?”
She glanced at Xiang Nan. “Let Brother Xiang Nan join the Eagle League!”
Xiang Nan was startled. “When did I say I wanted to join the mob?”
“The mob?” Xu Qingshan’s face darkened. “Boy, do you look down on the Eagle League?!”
As he spoke, a fierce wind rose at his back, pressing down with overwhelming might.
A third-tier martial artist was indeed formidable!
But Xiang Nan did not falter. The stronger the opponent, the less one could show fear.
He replied with composure, “Our paths are different. We are not meant to walk together.”
With such talent, why not pursue a bright future? Why join the underworld?
Yet the next moment—
[Ding! System Task: Join the Eagle League. Reward: 10% compatibility.]
What?!
Tempting...
But he had just refused—could he take back his words now?
Just then, Xu Jiya pulled him aside.
“Brother Xiang Nan, the Eagle League might have started as an underworld group, but in the past decade, it’s become more corporate. All the old shadows have been washed away…”
“Even the police and military cooperate with the League to combat monsters and outsiders, since the League has the best arsenal…”
“Kyoto’s Lingwu University, where you study, is full of aristocrats’ children. The Eagle League can be your strong backing…”
Xu Jiya chattered on, argument after argument, each hitting the mark.
Xiang Nan was increasingly convinced this girl was no ordinary person.
She was a master of persuasion, never missing a chance to offer a way out.
He waved his hand. “You don’t need to say more…”
At that, Xu Jiya’s face paled, lips trembling, her eyes fixed nervously on him.
“I’ve decided to join!”
“Yes! Wonderful!” Xu Jiya jumped with excitement, then happily scampered back to Xu Qingshan.