56: Let's fight!

The conditions offered by Duan Tianba were very enticing.

In Jinling City, the Jingtao Martial Arts School was one of the top powers.

Becoming a Personal Disciple of Duan Tianba was something many people dreamed of.

He believed that a poor kid of unknown origin could never refuse such a temptation.

Furthermore, what he valued even more was the secret behind Li Qing's ability to heal Xiao Chen's old injuries.

That prescription was worth a fortune.

Xiao Chen grew nervous.

He worried that Li Qing might be tempted.

After all, the Iron Bone Martial Arts School was currently destitute and could offer Li Qing nothing.

The courtyard fell silent.

Everyone looked at Li Qing, waiting for his answer.

Li Qing looked at Duan Tianba, his expression unchanged.

"Not interested."

Duan Tianba's smile froze on his face.

He thought he had misheard.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I'm not interested," Li Qing repeated.

"I have already joined the Iron Bone Martial Arts School."

Duan Tianba's expression darkened.

As the prestigious Master of the Jingtao Martial Arts School, his personal recruitment offer had been rejected by a mere brat.

This was a blatant slap in the face.

"Kid, don't be ungrateful."

Duan Tianba's voice turned cold.

"In Jinling City, offending my Jingtao Martial Arts School never ends well."

"I'll give you one last chance. Kneel and take me as your master, and I can let bygones be bygones."

Li Qing rolled his wrists.

He felt that with his Great Strength talent, he could still hold his own against someone in the Meridian Opening Realm.

Ever since he had stopped being an attendant and come out into the world...

He had encountered trouble at every turn.

He felt like he was a jinx.

Wherever he went, conflict followed.

Since that was the case...

Then he would fight!

"You're just like Wang Meng—you talk way too much."

"If you want to fight, then fight. If not, get lost."

"Presumptuous!"

Duan Tianba was furious.

He was completely enraged.

"Since you're looking for death, I shall fulfill your wish!"

Boom!

A powerful Aura erupted from Duan Tianba's body.

Late Stage of Meridian Connecting Realm!

His Internal Energy was far more profound than Wang Meng's, and the energy formed a faint layer of Protective Aura on the surface of his body.

The stone slabs in the courtyard began to crack under the pressure of this Aura.

Xiao Chen was forced back repeatedly, finding it difficult to breathe.

"Surging Waves Palm!"

Duan Tianba let out a low shout, his figure lunging forward as he struck a palm toward Li Qing.

The wind from his palm carried a whistling sound, as if river water were flooding back, unstoppable.

In this strike, he used eighty percent of his power.

This single palm!

Carried a full sixty thousand catties of Great Strength.

Combined with the Internal Energy of his Surging Waves Palm...

The power was staggering.

He wanted to cripple Li Qing with one blow, to show him that Innate Divine Strength was fragile before a true Martial Artist.

If a Genius could not be controlled by him...

Then they must be destroyed!

Facing this ferocious palm strike, Li Qing did not retreat; he stepped forward.

The blood and Qi in his body instantly began to circulate according to the methods of the Iron Body Art.

His body became like cast iron!

His Great Strength talent erupted!

One hundred and twenty thousand catties of force surged from his body!

He used no specific Move, just a simple, straightforward punch.

Punch met palm.

Crack!

A crisp sound rang out.

It wasn't the sound of bones breaking, but the sonic boom of air being compressed by sheer force at the point where Duan Tianba's palm met Li Qing's fist.

The ruthlessness and confidence on Duan Tianba's face froze in an instant, replaced by a look of sheer horror.

A terrifying Great Strength that defied all common sense surged through his arm and into his body like a crushing tide.

The Protective Aura he took such pride in was as thin as window paper before this force, tearing apart instantly.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Duan Tianba retreated seven or eight steps uncontrollably, each step leaving a deep footprint in the hard bluestone ground.

His entire right arm felt numb and stinging, his blood and Qi were in turmoil, and a metallic taste rose in his throat.

He forced himself to swallow the blood that welled up, his face filled with disbelief.

How is this possible!

He was at the Late Stage of Meridian Connecting Realm!

The Surging Waves Palm was one of the top martial arts in Jinling City; the power of a single strike was more than enough to shatter stone monuments.

But the kid before him had no Internal Energy fluctuations and no Move techniques—just a plain, ordinary punch.

And it had actually forced him back!

Furthermore, the bones in his arm were aching.

"School Master!"

The Disciples of the Jingtao Martial Arts School cried out in shock, their arrogant bluster vanishing, replaced by profound horror.

Xiao Chen's eyes widened, and his heart pounded wildly.

He had expected Li Qing to be strong, but he hadn't imagined he would be this strong.

Even Duan Tianba, the nightmare that had weighed on his heart for three years, had suffered a setback at Li Qing's hands!

"You're looking for death!"

Duan Tianba felt an unprecedented humiliation; being forced back by a brat in front of his own Disciples was more painful than death.

Suppressing his internal injuries, he went completely mad.

"Triple Surging Waves!"

Duan Tianba roared, thrusting both palms out. This time, he held nothing back.

His Late Stage of Meridian Connecting Realm Internal Energy erupted without reservation, green energy condensing between his palms as if truly turning into surging waves.

As he struck, the wind from his palms carried three continuous layers of force, each wave higher than the last, sealing off all of Li Qing's escape routes.

The air in the entire courtyard became thick, as if they were submerged in a stormy sea.

However, Li Qing remained where he stood, not moving an inch.

Facing this palm force that could flatten refined iron, he simply raised his fist again.

Still just as simple, still just as direct.

Boom!

The first layer of palm force was easily torn apart by his fist.

Boom!

The second layer made Li Qing's clothes flutter, but his figure remained motionless.

Boom!

The third and strongest layer of palm force collided head-on with Li Qing's fist.

This time, it wasn't a dull thud.

But a deafening explosion!

With the two of them at the center, a violent shockwave swept out in all directions.

Dust fell from the courtyard walls, and the Disciples of the Jingtao Martial Arts School were blown about, unable to stand steady.

Xiao Chen was also forced back by the gale, barely able to open his eyes by shielding them with his arm.

As the dust cleared...

The scene in the center made everyone gasp.

Li Qing still stood in his original spot, his fist still in its punching posture.

But Duan Tianba had slid back several meters again, his feet carving two deep furrows into the ground.

His face was deathly pale, and his arms trembled slightly.

His brocade robe had been blasted into shreds, revealing his undergarments.

The faint layer of Protective Aura on his body flickered unsteadily, like a candle flame about to go out.