32: Chapter 32 Improvement in Battle

The path of martial arts is difficult, and footwork is even more so.

For those with ordinary talent, it is common to spend a year or two reaching proficiency in a footwork technique; even with superior talent, one could not hope to even touch the threshold without months of hard work.

Someone like Lin Tian, who had practiced the "Step-Pile" to the Entry-Level in half a month and could apply it in actual combat...

Only one thought remained in Wang Yu's mind: Monster.

Of course, Lin Tian knew clearly that he was not relying purely on Comprehension Ability, but rather on that "Proficiency" deep within his mind that no one else could see.

Every practice, every application, that cold and precise progress feedback was the root of his rapid advancement.

On the wooden piles, two figures crisscrossed and moved, stirring up a faint wind.

Wang Yu put away all his contempt and pushed his Entry-Level "Wind-Chasing Footwork" to the limit, his figure moving swiftly between the wooden piles, sometimes like wind brushing against willow branches, sometimes like an ape climbing a branch.

His palms flew, no longer attacking, but only using exquisite positioning to squeeze and pressure, attempting to disrupt Lin Tian's rhythm and force him down by finding an opening.

Lin Tian's initial response was still slightly rusty, and he had several narrow escapes where he barely stabilized his footing on the edge of the pile.

Wang Yu's footwork was more mature, his changes more seasoned, and his application of Momentum was also stronger than his.

After dozens of rounds, Lin Tian was slightly slow on a side-step and had his path blocked by Wang Yu.

His shoulder was lightly tapped by the back of the other's hand, and suddenly his footing was gone, causing him to fall off the pile.

"I accept your courtesy."

Wang Yu leaped down, exhaling a long breath, a light sweat already visible on his forehead.

This victory was by no means easy, and he was even a bit fearful; if the opponent had been more experienced, it might not have been he who won.

Lin Tian, however, felt no frustration at all; instead, his eyes lit up.

Just as Master Huang had said, sparring with opponents of the same level or even a notch higher was immensely beneficial!

During the exchange just now, he immediately realized his own shortcomings: his grasp of the timing for switching footwork was not precise enough, and he also lacked experience in guiding and resisting the opponent's Momentum.

He adjusted his breathing slightly, replaying every detail from just now in his mind, thinking about how to compensate.

After a moment, he looked up and said: "Senior Brother Wang, again?"

Wang Yu was also stirred with interest: "Good!"

The two leaped onto the wooden piles once more.

An afternoon passed amidst the light "thuds" and "slaps" of footsteps on the wooden piles and the sound of clothes tearing through the wind.

For the first few times, Lin Tian was found with flaws within fifty moves and forced off the piles.

But the time he spent deep in thought after each defeat grew shorter and shorter, and when they sparred again, his footwork became visibly more harmonious, and his responses became increasingly tricky and difficult to deal with.

When the sun tilted to the west, it was time for the final spar.

The two figures had become two blurred shadows, exhausting all their ability to maneuver within the narrow space of the wooden piles.

Wang Yu had fought for a long time without success and felt a bit agitated.

Seeing a gap when Lin Tian was switching piles, he suddenly increased his speed and rammed into him, wanting to break technique with force.

Who would have thought that Lin Tian seemed to have anticipated this?

The footwork that seemed to have been used up suddenly paused, and the wooden pile beneath his feet let out an unbearable "creak."

Utilizing this tiny bit of force, he slid half a foot away along the momentum of Wang Yu's charge, as slippery as a loach, while simultaneously silently thrusting his elbow backward.

Wang Yu's force was spent, and his new strength had not yet arisen.

He was struck right in the ribs by this perfectly timed thrust.

Though it didn't hurt, it completely disrupted his balance, and with a cry of surprise, he fell off the pile again.

This time, he was convinced of his defeat.

Wang Yu stood on the ground, brushed the dust off his clothes, and looked at the calmly descending Lin Tian, shaking his head and sighing: "Junior Brother Lin... you truly are a peerless Genius. After half a day of sparring, you can already defeat me; I am convinced."

Lin Tian cupped his hands: "Senior Brother is too kind; it was Senior Brother letting me win and providing such thorough practice."

"Practice?" Wang Yu smiled bitterly, "I didn't hold back during those last few moves. Forget it, let's not talk about that. Today was satisfying!"

"I will treat you to a meal, as a token of my thanks," Lin Tian said with a smile.

Liu Yunfeng, who was to the side, naturally accompanied them.

The three found a decent restaurant near the martial arts hall.

After a few cups of wine, the atmosphere at the table became increasingly warm.

Wang Yu no longer viewed Lin Tian as an ordinary newcomer, and there was a bit more equal respect in their conversation.

Liu Yunfeng interjected here and there with jokes, and the host and guests were all happy.

After the meal, the three agreed to spar often in the future, and then they went their separate ways.

Lin Tian went straight back to Sifang Pavilion, closed his door to digest what he had gained today, and continued his hard training without pause.

Liu Yunfeng, however, did not return to the martial arts hall, but instead turned toward the Liu Family residence in the city.

Upon returning to the residence, he went straight to the study.

Patriarch Liu was frowning and deep in thought while looking at a stack of account books.

"Father, the business matter... has it not been resolved yet?" Liu Yunfeng closed the door and asked in a low voice.

Patriarch Liu looked up, and seeing it was his son, the fatigue on his face grew heavier.

He sighed: "The Ding Family is biting tight. We've had two more skirmishes, lost a few good hands, and two of our shops were smashed, all without gaining any advantage. If we continue to waste away like this, both families will suffer severe damage."

"Then..."

"If the next round still doesn't determine a winner," Patriarch Liu's voice sank, "then we can only follow the rules and have a Ring Match."

"A Ring Match?!" Liu Yunfeng gasped.

The so-called "Ring Match" meant setting up an open stage where both involved parties would each invite a Martial Artist to fight to the death, using the final outcome to settle grievances and divide interests.

Like the deadly struggle in business between the Liu Family and the Ding Family, if skirmishes could not determine a result, the Ring Match was the final and most cruel way to resolve it.

On the stage, there were no limits to the methods used; one only distinguished between life and death, or until one side completely conceded.

This match was not a private brawl; it often invited prominent figures in the city to observe, and even requested experts from the City Lord's Mansion to witness and adjudicate.

Once the outcome was decided on the stage, the result became an ironclad case.

No one dared to openly renege, otherwise, it would be a slap in the face to the City Lord's Mansion, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

Precisely because of this, the choice of the Martial Artist to take the stage was of vital importance, almost determining the success or failure of the Family in this struggle, and even its subsequent Luck.

"Father, do you have a suitable candidate?" Liu Yunfeng's tone was heavy.

Patriarch Liu slowly shook his head, looking troubled: "The few we support in the Family are likely only on par with those on the Ding Family's side, so there is no certainty of victory. Hiring someone from outside at a high price, it is difficult to find a reliable and powerful expert on short notice..."

He looked at his son, "Feng'er, you are at the martial arts hall, you have a wider circle. Keep an eye out and see if there is any Senior Brother... willing to take action? Regarding the price, as long as it is not excessive, the Family can negotiate."

Liu Yunfeng understood that this matter concerned the rise and fall of the Family, so he nodded heavily: "Alright, I will keep an eye out."

But his heart was heavy; although there were many Disciples in the martial arts hall, were those willing to step onto the Life-and-Death Ring for money easy to find?

This matter was difficult.