Starry Sky Professional

Although Fang Xing never missed a martial arts class, he didn't always get guidance from Xia Long, especially when it came to hands-on practice.

He seized every chance, carefully experiencing the nuances.

After half an hour practicing the Grand Dragon Stance, they moved on to study the twelve forms of the military-style boxing.

Fang Xing practiced attentively, hoping to receive Xia Long's guidance.

Sadly, this time Xia Long merely glanced at him, nodded, and then shook his head, “Everyone has made progress, which is great, but the essence of martial arts lies in real combat. If it works in practice, it will work regardless of theories; if it doesn't work in practice, then any talk is just nonsense. Now, the class will pair up in twos to start real combat exercises...”

He tapped his wristwatch, immediately bringing up a blue holographic screen in front of him.

Names, including Fang Xing’s, shifted across it until they stopped.

“First group, Bai Lang versus Qian Xun!” Xia Long announced impassively.

“Everyone else, clear the area.”

“Please advise!”

Bai Lang, tall with a short crew cut, respectfully bowed first.

“Please advise!”

Qian Xun, wearing a green martial arts outfit and sporting a pumpkin haircut, returned the bow.

Snap!

In the next instant, Bai Lang moved like an arrow, covering several meters to reach Qian Xun.

His fingers clenched, launching a cannon punch.

The air echoed with a sharp crack, demonstrating his proficiency in the attack.

Bang!

The punch missed as Qian Xun bent backward into an iron board bridge pose, showing surprising flexibility in her slender waist, curving to ninety degrees.

Then, Qian Xun placed her hands on the ground, her long legs wrapping around like pliable serpents, executing the ‘Double Serpent Legs’ from the twelve forms of military-style boxing.

In the next second, Bai Lang was trapped tightly, falling to the ground like prey constricted by a giant python.

Rear choke! “I concede!”

Bai Lang's face was flushed red, either due to lack of oxygen or sheer excitement. Regardless, Fang Xing didn't think he seemed too discouraged or disappointed.

"Wow… this kid scored big."

Beside him, Liu Wei slapped his thigh in regret: "Why wasn't it me up there?"

"Next pair, Yi An versus Cole!"

Xia Long remained expressionless as he gestured for the next group to step forward.

Yi An was small and thin, with dark skin, while Cole had the typical features of a Caucasian, nearly two heads taller than Yi An.

As he heard the instruction, a sinister smile emerged on Cole's face. He pulled his right fist back and launched it like an arrow.

Bang!

The punch was too fast for Yi An to dodge. He was knocked back and soared through the air, and even the hurriedly raised arms emitted a bone-chilling crack.

"One punch…"

The surrounding classmates were a bit shocked: "Cole's punch… is nearly at the level of 'a punch worth a thousand gold'…"

The stepping punch, the ‘pao’ character truly embodies the essence!

"Incredible… This big guy really takes advantage of his size and strength, just like those talented people in ancient times…"

Liu Wei muttered to himself.

"Even though the Martial Arts Routine in twelve forms is merely a C-level technique, reaching this stage in the first year is commendable."

Xia Long folded his arms, nodded silently, considering to put Cole on his watch list, but showed little reaction otherwise, calmly saying, "Can two students please take Yi An to the medical room? Next group… Liu Wei against Bai Lianyi!"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xing immediately looked to the side.

Liu Wei, suppressing his excitement, calmly stepped up: "Student Bai, please guide me!"

Bai Lianyi nodded gently, looking as elegant as a white lotus, her voice soft and delicate, reminiscent of the Jiangnan lotus: "Be careful, Classmate Liu!"

Before she finished speaking, her figure blurred as she appeared right in front of Liu Wei!

"So fast!"

Fang Xing observed coldly, astonished in his heart.

This Bai classmate's speed is likely the fastest in the class!

As a cyborg, exceeding many natural classmates in martial arts progress is truly unbelievable.

Even more astounding is the terrifying Feng Ming that followed!

Swoosh!

Bai Lianyi's right leg rose high, the white training outfit swishing audibly.

The air seemed to be torn apart by a giant axe, that axe being Bai Lianyi's long leg!

Military Boxing Twelve Forms—Battle Axe Leg!

Crack!

Fang Xing heard the piercing sound of cracking bones, then saw Liu Wei seemingly struck and sent flying by a high-speed train engine, screaming in mid-air: "My hand..."

"It's nothing, just a broken hand, right? Someone, take him to the infirmary!"

Xia Long furrowed his brow.

He wasn't aware that even if the school's infirmary was cheaper, there was still a charge.

"Next group... Fang Xing vs. Ouyang Qianqian!"

Fang Xing originally intended to take his deskmate and friend to the infirmary, but upon hearing his own name, he could only give Liu Wei an apologetic look and head to the battlefield.

Liu Wei, now silent, refused assistance to the infirmary, watching from the side.

After all, one was his best buddy, the other was his secret crush.

He pondered for a moment but still shouted, "Go A-Xing, you can do it!"

Cheering on his friend was perfectly justified.

Though he cheered, he didn't see much chance for Fang Xing to win.

"Please guide me!"

Fang Xing maintained a good mindset, giving Ouyang Qianqian a carefree smile, setting up the military boxing stance while deactivating the nano-suit's defense.

It was just a classroom exercise after all, no need for cheating.

"Please!"

Ouyang Qianqian's hands floated like orchids, gracefully poised, swiftly descending, not following the twelve styles of military boxing.

This was her family's martial art—Flying Orchid Finger!

The martial art was classified as a C-level technique, particularly effective in enhancing finger agility and flexibility.

"Hmm, quite a bit weaker than Gu Yun... Even though both come from civilian families, if Gu Yun is considered middle-class, Ouyang Qianqian could be seen as modestly lower. But of course, being natural humans, we're still better off than those bio-engineered individuals. We were burdened with debt right from birth."

Fang Xing subtly shifted his stance to evade Ouyang Qianqian's probing finger, then smoothly brought his five fingers together, forming his most familiar punch.

"Bow Step Cannon Punch!"

With the posture of a pine, steps like a drawn bow, and fists like a cannon!

Boom!

A muffled thunder echoed through the air as Fang Xing's punch landed with immense force, aiming directly for the heart.

Yet Ouyang Qianqian moved as if she were a willow catkin, gently swaying backward with the breeze, narrowly dodging the blow.

"Willow Catkin Technique!"

She twisted gracefully, shifting to Fang Xing's right side, her jade-like fingers lightly tapping and stirring the air with a gust.

Despite the intensity and danger of her moves, her elegance made it feel like a refreshing breeze of spring.

In response, Fang Xing twisted his waist, moving forward rather than retreating.

"Snap!"

He felt a sharp pain across his back, yet without hesitation, he spread his arms wide for a firm embrace.

"Ah!"

With Liu Wei's startled cry, he and Ouyang Qianqian were brought to the ground together.

"It doesn't matter if you're stronger than me. I can pull you into an area where I'm strongest and use my extensive experience to defeat you."

Fang Xing grinned inwardly, the situation now markedly in his favor.

After all, in terms of grappling on the ground, girls typically have a slight disadvantage.

Liu Wei was likely envious enough to lose his composure.

But observing Ouyang Qianqian's determined gaze, he patted the ground softly, declaring, "I concede!"

Even though the level had been equalized and he had gained some advantage.

Still, this female classmate had refined her physique to a greater degree, boasting a stronger physical foundation!

She might hesitantly hold back during ground combat due to gender dynamics, yet capturing a victory would still require effort.

"Why put yourself through such embarrassment and injury?"

After all, this was just a harmless classroom sparring session.

"Alright, stop!"

Xia Long nodded and addressed the reluctant Ouyang Qianqian, who was getting back on her feet. "I've already told you all, don't rely too much on so-called family-inherited martial arts. No matter how good it is, can it really compare to what's taught in schools or even the Federation Alliance? Ouyang's martial arts clearly carry the imprint of ancient techniques, focusing on grace even during combat. This gave Fang an opening... The twelve forms of military boxing were developed specifically for battlefield efficiency, with absolutely no superfluous movements, even if the postures are somewhat ungainly. Victory and survival are what truly matter... If Fang had followed up with the 'Boar Dragon Flip' just now, the chance of winning would have been high..."

As he spoke, Xia Long analyzed the strategies and responses, leaving Fang Xing deeply enlightened.

"Indeed, if it weren't for Ouyang Qianqian's initial mistake, I wouldn't have been able to take her down."

"Next pair..."

After offering guidance, Xia Long had the next pair of students step up. He thought to himself with interest, 'This Fang Xing is quite promising...'

For him, the fact that Ouyang Qianqian—coming from a natural human family with substantial resources—had refined her physical body beyond that of cyborgs, yet was pushed to such a degree, indicated her severe lack of practical experience. There was little else to say.

But Fang Xing was intriguing. His battle instincts were commendable, clearly seasoned by real combat experience, and he demonstrated wisdom by gracefully conceding defeat, recognizing when to advance or retreat. Moreover, progress was visible even in minor ways with every class!

This was rather remarkable.

Xia Long recalled earlier occasions.

Even top students like Bai Lianyi and Cole didn't improve every single session. Occasionally, they would be thrown off by minor distractions.

Fang Xing was different. Despite his low skill level and inexperienced techniques, he moved forward with firm and steady steps.

'Maybe Fang Xing is just in an exceptionally good state these days. I'll keep watching... '

Xia Long quickly decided to set aside Fang Xing's matters for now, resolving to observe him further.

"Ah Xing..."

Approaching Liu Wei, Fang Xing was greeted by a resentful gaze from his deskmate. "You actually took down Qianqian..."

“Ahem, didn’t I concede? If the fight had dragged on, it would have become ugly..."

Fang Xing coughed, mainly wanting to make an impression on Xia Long.

"Our years of friendship might just topple over... But you'd better take me to the infirmary first."

Liu Wei quickly let go of his persistent grip, and the two headed towards the school's infirmary together.

Just as they passed by a flowerbed, Fang Xing suddenly halted his steps.

Ahead stood a young girl, dressed in a pure white training outfit, her presence as graceful as a lotus from Jiangnan. It was none other than Bai Lianyi!

(End of Chapter)