"Now that you have grasped the basics of Ninjutsu, I will slowly teach you new Ninjutsu later. Starting today, we will begin practicing actual combat.
As a Ninja, Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu are merely means of combat. Our ultimate goal in learning these is to defeat opponents.
Therefore, learning to fight is the most important thing."
After testing Li Chuan's Three Body Technique, Chiriku brought him to the training ground of Fire Temple.
Actually, originally, Chiriku's teaching plan for Li Chuan did not include practical combat. If the esteemed Prince were to get injured, Fire Temple would be in a lot of trouble.
Teaching some flashy Ninjutsu to amuse the Prince was the safest approach.
However, his thoughts had changed, and practical combat training naturally could not be omitted.
At this moment, the Ninja monks of Fire Temple were conducting their daily Taijutsu training on the training ground. Under the enhancement of the Immortal Clan Talent within their bodies, the level they displayed was not low.
Chakra can vitalize cells and improve physical functions, especially Lightning Release Chakra, which has a particularly noticeable effect.
The Immortal Clan Talent of Fire Temple also has a certain advantage in this regard, so most of the Ninja monks of Fire Temple mainly fight with Taijutsu.
Of course, part of the reason is also that Fire Temple is not like Konoha, which has so many Ninjutsu for Ninja monks to learn.
"Chuan, have you learned basic combat techniques before?"
Chiriku asked, bringing Li Chuan to a corner of the training ground.
Most nobles, although they do not learn Ninjutsu, will learn some simple combat techniques from a young age, most of which are swordsmanship and blade arts.
Before actual combat, he also needed to understand what level Li Chuan was at, so he could formulate a training plan for him later.
"Master, I have learned some and often practice at home."
Li Chuan smiled slightly. Although his words were humble, the confidence in his tone still made Chiriku notice something.
"Kukai, come here for a moment!"
After thinking for a moment, Chiriku turned his head and called over a young monk who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old.
"This is Kukai. He has the strength of a Genin. You can spar with him."
After speaking, he instructed Kukai:
"Kukai, do not use Ninjutsu, and do not use Chakra. Be mindful of the limits."
He just wanted to get a general idea of Li Chuan's combat level. If Kukai used Chakra and Ninjutsu, he was afraid Li Chuan would not even be able to take a single hit, which would be too much of a blow to his self-confidence.
Kukai bowed to Chiriku with a Buddhist Rei:
"Understood, Abbot."
The other party was the Prince of the Land of Fire. Even if he had more courage, he would not dare to truly injure him.
However, being able to beat up the esteemed Prince would be something worth showing off in the future.
The Ninja monks in the temple all knew about Li Chuan's identity as the Prince of the Land of Fire. However, due to Li Chuan's noble status and his usual closed-door cultivation in the training room, everyone had barely spoken a few words to him.
In their hearts, they, like Chiriku at first, also thought that this Prince was just here to play around.
The older Ninja monks were fine, but the younger ones like Kukai inevitably felt some jealousy.
Only Kukai had received such treatment of being personally guided by the Abbot in his cultivation before.
Seeing Kukai about to spar with Li Chuan, the Ninja monks who had been paying attention all stopped their training and gathered around with somewhat schadenfreude expressions.
Chiriku saw this and said nothing, only asking everyone to clear the middle area for Li Chuan and Kukai.
Although he told Kukai not to be too harsh, letting Li Chuan realize his shortcomings and thus motivate him to continue working hard was also a good thing.
Guiding a disciple's cultivation is like this: one cannot suppress them excessively, but also cannot give them no pressure at all. The balance must be well maintained.
"Master Brother Kukai, please enlighten me."
Standing in the center of the training ground, Li Chuan rarely showed a hint of excitement on his face.
He also wanted to see what kind of strength a Genin-level Ninja possessed, and at what level his current strength placed him in this World.
"Junior Brother is too polite. I am about to make my move."
After a reminder, Kukai assumed an offensive stance, and with a flash of his figure, he quickly rushed towards Li Chuan.
Facing the rapidly approaching Kukai and his raised fist aimed at his abdomen, Li Chuan frowned slightly, then relaxed.
"Yes, this is not Konoha after all. How could a Genin's strength compare to Sasuke and Naruto, especially without the use of Chakra enhancement?"
Yes, in his eyes, this young Ninja monk named Kukai was full of openings at this moment, and his movement and punching speed were much slower than he had anticipated.
Of course, in the eyes of outsiders, Li Chuan looked more like he was scared stiff. Only Chiriku seemed to have noticed something from Li Chuan's expression.
"Pardon me, Junior Brother!"
Seeing Li Chuan standing dumbfounded, Kukai did not stop. His fist still went straight towards Li Chuan's abdomen, only slightly holding back three tenths of his strength.
However, the anticipated scene of Li Chuan being hit and kneeling while clutching his stomach did not occur. Instead, his hand met empty air, and Li Chuan's figure actually disappeared before his eyes.
"Substitution Technique?"
Kukai's first reaction was that Li Chuan had used the Substitution Technique to evade the attack, a Ninjutsu commonly used in Ninja combat.
But he quickly realized something was wrong, because there was no object left behind from a Substitution, and instead, Li Chuan's faint voice came from behind his ear.
"Master Brother Kukai, you can use both Ninjutsu and Chakra, otherwise you are no match for me."
It turned out that just as Kukai leaned in to punch Li Chuan, Li Chuan sidestepped and jumped, his toes lightly touching the ground like a swallow skimming Water, and he had already moved behind Kukai.
If he were to counterattack at this moment, Kukai would already be on the ground.
"Impossible!"
Hearing Li Chuan's voice, Kukai's pupils immediately contracted, and he instantly turned around with a whip kick.
Unfortunately, it was easily dodged by Li Chuan again.
Entering the temple at nine and cultivating diligently for seven years to become a Genin, he refused to believe that his combat level was inferior to a pampered Prince.
Punching and kicking, Kukai continued to launch a storm-like attack on Li Chuan without using Chakra.
At this moment, in everyone's eyes, Li Chuan seemed to have transformed into a swallow, light-bodied and agile. No matter how Kukai attacked, he could easily dodge from various incredible angles.
After continuous fierce attacks, Kukai had started to pant, while Li Chuan remained calm and composed, as if he were taking a stroll.
"Kukai, use your full strength!"
Chiriku, who had been observing from the side, now had glowing eyes. He never expected Li Chuan to possess such superb combat skills.
Was Kukai weak?
At least among the Genin of Fire Temple, he was not weak. Yet, in the battle, he could not even touch Li Chuan's clothes. Their combat levels were simply not on the same plane.
Indeed, Kukai did not use Chakra, nor did he use Ninjutsu, but Li Chuan also did not use Ninjutsu or Chakra.