Su Chen was stunned.
Isn't Kanzaki Aoi the referee? he thought. How can she just start?
Caught off guard, Su Chen's eyes widened. Relying on the body coordination he had learned yesterday, his body reacted a step faster than his brain. With astonishing flexibility, he managed to twist his body and dodge the medicinal soup flying at him.
"So amazing!" Xiao Qing widened her eyes as she watched.
"Wow, wow, as expected of Brother Su Chen!" the other two little girls cheered, their faces full of admiration.
Even Kanzaki Aoi had a surprised expression. She hadn't expected Su Chen to be able to react when Kanao made an early move. His reaction speed was already almost as good as Kanao's!
Lady Shinobu must be planning to train Su Chen as a Tsuguko, Kanzaki Aoi thought. He's another absolute monster of a talent!
Just as everyone was exclaiming, Kanao's second attack came.
Su Chen tried to dodge again, but this time, some of the medicinal soup splashed onto his collar.
The duel between the two began in full swing.
Their hands moved so fast that they left afterimages. The people watching couldn't even see their movements clearly.
Kanao's speed was very fast. Although Su Chen dodged her first attempt, she quickly seized the opportunity and splashed several cups of medicinal soup on him.
Everyone thought Su Chen would be defeated, but then something unexpected happened.
A black, cloud-like pattern appeared on Su Chen's neck.
The next moment, Su Chen's speed also picked up.
He quickly caught up to Kanao. His speed was almost matching hers!
You observed Kanao's movements, felt something, and imitated them. Your speed ability has increased.
You observed Kanao's cup-pressing movements, gained insight, and imitated them. Your reaction ability has increased.
You marveled at Kanao's method of attack, copied it, and performed a large number of repeated imitations. You comprehended the fast-hand skill - Shadowless Hand.
The afterimages of their arms crisscrossed on the table. The medicine cups were pressed and released, one after another, at a dazzling speed.
"This... this is too strong!"
Kanzaki Aoi clenched her fists, her eyes fixed on their movements, afraid of missing a single moment.
To be honest, she had already lost count of the scores. The speed of their exchange was too fast; she couldn't see clearly after the fifth cup.
"Go, Brother Su Chen! Go, Sister Kanao!"
Xiao Qing, Xiao Cheng, and Xiao Cai Sui, who knows when, had taken out pom-poms and started cheering for the two.
Clap, clap, clap!
The clattering sound of cups on the table continued.
Su Chen once again pressed down the medicine cup that Kanao had lifted. He was gradually getting used to her movements.
Kanao would subconsciously press the left medicine cup first, then the right. When Su Chen pressed down both of those, she would raise the middle cup to launch an attack.
Su Chen had figured out the way to defeat her!
Splash!
Kanao launched another attack.
However, this time, her movements appeared incredibly slow in Su Chen's eyes.
Almost instantly, Su Chen raised his left hand. He made his move a step before Kanao.
Slap!
Su Chen pressed down Kanao's palm for the first time.
Slap!
Su Chen pressed down Kanao's palm for the second time.
And just as Kanao was about to grab the third medicine cup...
Su Chen suddenly burst forward!
His other hand, which had been clenched, suddenly bared its fangs.
Kanao was a step too slow. Her hand had not yet touched the medicine cup. She was wide open!
I can do it!
Su Chen's expression brightened. He immediately activated his new skill: Shadowless Hand.
He picked up a medicine cup with lightning speed.
In Kanao's eyes, Su Chen's hand suddenly blurred, looking like three hands at once. The next moment, the cup was right in front of her face.
Su Chen did not splash the medicinal soup in his hand at Kanao. This action was enough; there was no need to splash it out.
Su Chen had won this battle.
But then, an unexpected scene occurred.
Because Su Chen's speed was so fast, Kanao's eyes recognized that she had lost, but her body couldn't stop its own attack in time.
Splash!
Her medicinal soup splashed directly onto Su Chen's face.
Kanao's small mouth moved, and her expression changed for the first time. She subconsciously wanted to apologize but couldn't speak.
Just as she was struggling, Su Chen stopped her in time.
"I'm fine." Su Chen wiped his face. He looked at Kanzaki Aoi, who was still in a daze, and said, "I won this match, didn't I?"
"Oh... huh?" Kanzaki Aoi was stunned, not having fully recovered from the match.
Is it over already? But I thought I just saw Su Chen get splashed in the face?
Kanzaki Aoi glanced at Kanao for confirmation.
Kanao nodded obediently.
This time, it was Kanzaki Aoi's turn to be completely surprised.
Su Chen... he actually defeated Lady Shinobu's Tsuguko in reaction speed!
When Kanzaki Aoi announced Su Chen's victory, her mind still hadn't fully processed this fact.
The three little girls quickly gathered around.
"Brother Su Chen, you're so amazing!"
"To actually be able to defeat Miss Kanao! She's Lady Shinobu's Tsuguko!"
"Is Brother Su Chen also Lady Shinobu's Tsuguko?"
The three girls chattered incessantly with questions.
Even Kanao, who was still sitting opposite him, was blinking constantly, staring intently at Su Chen. Her large eyes were filled with confusion.
Su Chen reached out and couldn't help but rub the heads of the three little girls.
"I'm not Shinobu's Tsuguko," he said. "I'm just staying here for a while."
"Oh..." Hearing this, the three little girls immediately showed disappointed expressions. They had seen Lady Shinobu personally bring Su Chen over and thought he would stay indefinitely.
In such a short time, the three little girls had grown fond of Su Chen. Now, learning that he would eventually leave, they all looked reluctant.
Su Chen affectionately pinched their little faces and said with a smile, "Why so disappointed? I'm not leaving right now."
The three little girls remained silent, seemingly unable to digest the news in a short time.
Su Chen raised his hand, sensing the skill he had just acquired.
Shadowless Hand.
He had just used this move to defeat Kanao. It must be said that his speed just now had surprised even himself; it was truly too fast.
What would happen if this skill were combined with a Nichirin Sword?
Before Su Chen could finish his thoughts, Kanzaki Aoi's voice interrupted him.
"Mr. Su Chen, you have passed the second stage. Now, let's begin the third stage!"
Kanzaki Aoi stood in the central area of the room.
Just as she was about to introduce the rules, Kanao suddenly got up and left.
She didn't say a word, and her facial expression didn't even change.
A moment later, they could see her in the courtyard, diligently practicing her sword forms.
Everyone was collectively dumbfounded. Only Su Chen raised an eyebrow, understanding Kanao's intention.
Kanzaki Aoi said somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Su Chen. I'll go call Kanao back right away."
"It's fine," Su Chen said, waving his hand. "I'll go take a look."
He grabbed a wooden sword from inside the house and walked directly towards Kanao, who was practicing her sword.