However, Li Chong was facing none other than Duan Rong.
His strength indeed seemed better maintained than Duan Rong's.
After all, Duan Rong had only gained Entry Level experience with the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber by devouring the Artifact Spirit three days ago.
Before devouring the Artifact Spirit, Duan Rong hadn't grasped the essentials of practice, practicing blindly and ineffectively.
Nevertheless, Duan Rong's efforts over the past three days were not in vain—he trained diligently every day.
The way he trained in one day equaled what Kong Bin and others did in ten days.
More importantly, Duan Rong had already assimilated Entry Level experience of the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber, which included not just training experience but also real combat experience.
Without it, he wouldn't have instinctively executed the improved Leopard Drilling Forest that earned Zhao Mu's reprimand.
Thus, Li Chong's Fierce Tiger Jumping Over the Stream, although executed with full force and without reservation, seemed full of flaws to Duan Rong.
While sheer strength may overcome technique, when faced with hundreds, thousands of techniques, what then?
Power and skill are like the wings of a bird, the wheels of a chariot; neither should be neglected!
Seeing Li Chong execute Fierce Tiger Jumping Over the Stream on the first encounter, Kong Bin's eyes lit up, and a hint of excitement appeared on his stern face.
Even against Li Chong's move, he had to anchor his stance with a bow, raise his saber defensively, and brace for the blow—provided he had greater force and physique than Li Chong, which Duan Rong lacked.
As Li Chong's saber swung horizontally, Duan Rong's gaze remained indifferent, stepping diagonally with his right foot, wielding his saber with his right hand and pointing casually in the air.
With a sharp "ding," Duan Rong's saber tip touched Li Chong's saber's flat side!
"This..." As Duan Rong moved, Kong Bin was startled,
What seemed like a casual point was undoubtedly an integration of speed and skill!
Li Chong's body was spinning rapidly, right foot lifted, standing on one leg, Duan Rong's casual point disrupted Li Chong's balance instantly.
Li Chong's body lost balance immediately, falling backward!
At the instant Li Chong lost balance, Duan Rong stepped swiftly, sidling up to him, using the saber like a palm to deliver a sharp slap mid-air.
Li Chong crashed to the ground, coughing out three teeth and a mouthful of blood, his left cheek swelling high with a red triangular saber mark like a birthmark covering half his face.
Duan Rong's two strikes, seemingly ordinary, were succinct and precise, with minimal excess movements. The timing and control of strength left Kong Bin and Zhang Zheng, watching from the side, utterly shocked!
Compared to Duan Rong, they felt their last three months were a waste.
Duan Rong stepped on Li Chong's chest, pointing the tip of his broken saber at Li Chong's face, angrily saying, "Don't howl in front of me again! If it happens again, I'll cripple you!"
Li Chong felt his mouth filled with a metallic taste, Duan Rong's icy gaze even more terrifying, overwhelmed by fear and shame instantly.
After speaking, Duan Rong cast a glance at the panicked Li Chong, tossed aside the broken saber, which landed with a clang, inserted into the weapon rack.
Duan Rong walked out of the courtyard without looking back. "I just want to practice quietly, can't there be some peace?"
Kong Bin stared at Duan Rong's departing figure, speechless.
Li Chong struggled to stand up, his face was swollen, but the physical pain was far less than the emotional blow.
Li Chong stepped before Kong Bin, spat blood, muttering, "Brother Bin, that brat is too arrogant. We should..."
"Shut up!" Kong Bin suddenly glared at Li Chong, "Don't you feel you deserve it? Besides, you're you, I'm me, there's no 'we'!"
After speaking, Kong Bin left the courtyard with Zhang Zheng.
In truth, Kong Bin never liked Li Chong, a man wearing earrings, looking neither masculine nor feminine.
If not for Li Chong's insight into moves and routines, which stimulated his thinking and provided inspiration, he wouldn't have involved him.
With the six-style routine already learned, Li Chong's value diminished.
Kong Bin, a refined egoist, would inevitably abandon those devoid of practical value and only harboring negative emotional value.
Li Chong stood there acting foolish, even when Kong Bin and Zhang Zheng had long exited the courtyard, he remained immobile, his gaze vacantly dull, entirely unfocused on the swollen pain on his face.
Kong Bin and Zhang Zheng walked out of the courtyard at a leisurely pace, Kong Bin's expression fluctuating.
"Did you notice which routine he used?" Kong Bin abruptly inquired.
"It didn't seem like a routine?" Zhang Zheng replied hesitantly.
"It indeed wasn't a routine!" Kong Bin halted suddenly, pupils constricting.
Knowing what it means for something not to be a routine, Kong Bin was clear. Recalling Zhao Mu's hesitation earlier, asking him to learn about Duan Rong's practice pauses, with no clarity on its essence.
All indicated that Duan Rong's understanding of saber techniques far surpassed his own.
It was something Kong Bin absolutely couldn't tolerate!
Usually, from a batch of Servant Disciple, only one or two would qualify as Apprentices.
Kong Bin originally envisioned himself qualifying for sure, hopefully, along with Zhang Zheng. Yet suddenly Duan Rong emerged, possibly surpassing him.
He wasn't clear on the specific standards of selection, but Duan Rong's presence posed an inherent threat.
Kong Bin never favored chances and luck, preferring strategy!
If there's a crisis, one must find a way to nip it at its bud.
Kong Bin turned to Zhang Zheng, "Get close to him."
Upon hearing, Zhang Zheng's eyes flickered, nodding.
Zhang Zheng was agile and crafty, perfect for such tasks.
Both fathers were minor gang members, Kong Bin and Zhang Zheng mixed together since teenage years, understanding each other's silent agreements.
Duan Rong walked out of the courtyard, seeking solitude for stance training.
Practicing until dinner, breaking his stance, wiping his brow's sweat, heading to the dining area.
Duan Rong fetched two cornbreads and a bowl of cabbage soup, sitting crouched on stone steps, sipping the soup alongside the cornbread.
Having eaten a couple bites, Zhang Zheng suddenly crouched beside him, holding a small Black Pottery Jar, smiling, "Brother Rong, I've got some chili, want some?"
Duan Rong stared at Zhang Zheng's bright, sunflower-like smile, pausing momentarily as Zhang Zheng opened the jar, used chopsticks to scoop some chili, dropping it in his bowl, stirring vibrant red oil blooms...
Zhang Zheng drank the soup...
Gazing at the chili mixed with cabbage soup, Duan Rong felt an appetite, using chopsticks to scoop it into his own soup.
Zhang Zheng saw Duan Rong accept the chili, eyes twinkling, seizing the chance to say, "Brother Rong, how did you suddenly master routines so well recently? Even Escort Master Zhao Mu praised you!"
Duan Rong nodded, focused on eating.
Zhang Zheng was speechless at Duan Rong's feigned ignorance.
Even the craftiest fox, faced with a curled-up hedgehog, struggles for an opening!
Duan Rong drained the last of the soup, exhaling contentedly, realizing the spicy cabbage soup really hit the spot.
Holding the empty bowl, seeing Zhang Zheng's eager gaze, somewhat awkward for ignoring him entirely, he remarked, "I'm not sure, maybe I suddenly had a breakthrough."
"Really?" Zhang Zheng cast a suspicious glance at Duan Rong, quickly following up, "Then Brother Rong, if available, would you be willing to guide your little brother? My understanding of some moves and routines aren't as profound as yours."
Smiling, Zhang Zheng flattered, awaiting Duan Rong's response.
Knowing they're teenagers, Zhang Zheng guessed everyone loves flattery, add some small incentives, and they'd fall for it.