Zong Ping's hair stood on end instantly, even the yellow hair on his head stood up straight.
He had some understanding of Cannon Fist, and thought to himself that things didn't look good.
"This move is powerful, it's probably close to Perfection! Can't fight it head-on!"
In people's knowledge, Tiger Form is also known for its fierceness, and those who don't practice Tiger Form rarely know about the tiger's agility.
In a flash, Zong Ping's hands formed into tiger claws, alternately guarding his chest, preparing to use the gentle force of "four ounces to move a thousand pounds" to deflect the strike.
Inch Step is the best partner of Cannon Fist, Zong Ping only understood Cannon Fist but not Inch Step, a grave mistake!
The opponent didn't dodge but prepared to take this strike, which delighted Meng Chuan internally.
Charging Inch Step requires time, and the opponent's approach was precisely what he hoped for!
"It's almost ready, any more charging and someone will die."
The rear foot stomped on the ground with a bang! The terrifying explosive force almost left a pit on the stage by Meng Chuan.
Like a gust of wild wind sweeping in front of Zong Ping, before the man arrived, the sound did!
In the air came eight dull explosions, exactly the Sign of the Eight Explosions of Cannon Fist!
"I guessed correctly, it's nearly the Perfect Nine Explosions."
"But why is this explosive force so strong?"
Zong Ping was petrified by the momentum, the gust made it hard for him to open his eyes, he felt like he might die from this punch.
"Uncle, save me!"
The principal had been waiting on the side all along, being a master of Transformed Strength with nine Qi Blood, naturally intercepted Meng Chuan's heavy punch with ease.
The punch wind recklessly swept backwards, blowing Zong Ping's bangs.
"Damn, the principal is your uncle?"
The wind from fists and feet on stage was too loud, only Meng Chuan heard this little secret.
Thinking of the principal's surname being Zong, and this kid's surname being Zong as well, it was evidently not a coincidence.
Zong Ping gave a wry smile and nodded:
"Truly there's always someone stronger, I admit defeat."
His talent was enough to enter the elite preparatory class of Yong'an Martial Arts University, but he unexpectedly stumbled at the small Ping'an Middle School.
Meng Chuan cupped his fists and said:
"I concede!"
Then he turned to the crowd below the stage, recalling his master's expectations for him, and said loudly:
"Xingyi is the ultimate!"
Those practicing Xingyi below the stage were thrilled, cheering with raised hands:
"Meng Chuan is awesome!"
"Xingyi Martial Arts is the best in the world!"
Meng Chuan watched this scene, for the first time deeply feeling the atmosphere of victory in martial arts, he was delighted by it.
Qi Fei also awkwardly cupped his hands to congratulate:
"Impressive, Meng Chuan."
Seeing this, Meng Chuan smiled in response, it was just student rivalry, no need to take it too seriously.
The principal called Qi Fei to join him on stage, then formally announced:
"Firstly, starting next semester, these two strong underclassmen will be joining you all in class, let's give them a warm welcome!"
This time the applause was no longer sparse, the students had fewer schemes, Meng Chuan and Zong Ping's strength earned everyone's respect.
"Awesome, awesome!"
The martial arts dojo was immediately filled with thunderous applause and cheers.
"Secondly, the school will sponsor the top prize winner Meng Chuan with a 100,000 yuan scholarship, second place Zong Ping with 50,000 yuan, and third place Qi Fei with 10,000 yuan!"
Hearing about the school rewarding him with a 100,000 yuan bonus, Meng Chuan was genuinely surprised.
"Does the school have this much money? Rewarding so much for a final exam?"
The principal paused, then continued:
"Finally, the top three in this exam, Meng Chuan, Zong Ping, and Qi Fei, will represent Ping'an Middle School in the [Twenty-Four School Joint Exam] in Yong'an City in early October; we hope you make the school proud and achieve further glory!"
In the end, Meng Chuan's first competition in life concluded amidst applause.
...
Ape God Martial Arts Dojo.
Inside the secret chamber.
An old man sat opposite a man in a black trench coat, the atmosphere in the room was strange and turbulent.
The man in black wore a mask patterned with voids on his head, the corner of the mask's mouth seemed to be smeared with paint.
The large white V-shape at the corner of the mouth was like a maniacally laughing clown.
"Yuan Huan, have you thought it over?"
The old man remained silent.
The masked man extended his right palm, black smoke gradually emerged from the palm, then it split open like a giant tooth, emitting a jarring grinding sound.
Like a seed in shape, an odd item emitting a purple-black luster slowly emerged from the crack in the palm.
The man in black had a sincere expression, murmuring a mysterious incantation.
As the incantation was recited, the seed slowly changed, the black light around it growing stronger.
The old man opposite had a somber expression, watching it all with lowered eyes, the wrinkles on his forehead furrowed into a dual-lane four-lane road.
Finally with a sizzling sound, the seed cracked open, and a tiny black gourd-like object hatched.
Once the little gourd emerged, it became still, and the black and purple light completely disappeared.
"See that, Yuan Huan, this is the [Seed of Fear]."
"As long as you take it, you can have the powers of a Celestial Demon with us, relying on the power of fear to enhance your strength, gaining more longevity."
"You don't have many years left, Yuan Huan; the famed martial status in the grand martial arts dojo with tens of thousands of admirers, don't you want them?"
The old man waved his sleeve, knocking over the tea table, angrily scolding:
"Who am I?"
"I've fought my way in and out of danger multiple times, venturing deeply into the Demon Nest slaughtering countless Celestial Demons. Though old now, I still have students everywhere, known as the illustrious [Heaven-Supporting Arm·Yuan Huan]!"
"What's so scary about death? How could I align with you vile beings!"
The masked man listening to Yuan Huan's words of righteousness laughed heartily.
"Hee hee hee, Yuan Huan, you're going to kill me with laughter, stop pretending, if you didn't want to align, what are you doing sitting calmly with me here?"
"You're not any good yourself! At 22, you first descended into the Demon Nest with classmates, only you with subpar strength came out alive.
At 28, you killed your own brother just to inherit the martial arts dojo, at 38, you betrayed your benevolent master to seize True Martial.
At 70, your wife of forty years discovered your little secret, and you killed her with a single emotionless palm strike.
Countless strangers who hindered your interests were ruthlessly killed by you as well."
"You're worse than a beast! Why pretend to be a saint here?"
Yuan Huan broke out in a cold sweat, his expression changed dramatically!
How did he know those deeply hidden secrets within him?
"Our methods go far beyond your imagination, we've pried all your secrets, cooperating honestly is your best option."
The masked man gave the other some time to think.
Then, his tone softened, speaking slowly:
"But these facts just demonstrate that we are kindred spirits, now, meeting as old friends on a similar path."
"Join us."
"Join... the evolution of light!"
After the words fell, the room fell silent as death.
In an instant, Yuan Huan nodded heavily as if relieved of a burden.
A strange expression appeared on his face, never shown to outsiders before.
"But first, I need to find a test subject..."
...