The early morning light filtered through the trees as Adrian Whitlock stood before , his weathered face revealing nothing. My question hung in the air between us.
"Defeat first," Adrian finally replied, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Then I'll answer your question."
I clenched my fist, frustration bubbling inside . "That wasn't our agreent."
"Plans change." Adrian planted his wooden staff into the ground. "Show your father's legacy flows through more than just your appearance."
The revelation that this man knew my father sent a jolt through . After years of emptiness, here stood soone with actual knowledge of my origins. I couldn't walk away.
"Fine." I rolled my shoulders back, preparing myself. "Let's begin."
Adrian nodded, his expression turning serious. "I'll suppress my cultivation to match yours—Foundation Establishnt Stage Peak. No higher."
I felt the shift in the air as his overwhelming aura receded, pulling back like a tide until it matched my own level. Even at this reduced power, his presence felt dangerous.
"Begin!" Adrian called out, taking a defensive stance.
I didn't hesitate. Pushing off with explosive force, I closed the distance between us in a heartbeat, my fist already glowing with the concentrated energy of the Tyrannical Body technique.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly at my speed, but he moved with practiced precision, palm rising to et my attack. Our limbs collided with a thunderous crack that sent ripples through the clearing.
Pain shot through my arm, but I felt his body give way more than mine. First blood to .
Adrian stepped back, shaking his wrist. "Impressive physical strength," he murmured, a hint of surprise in his voice.
I pressed my advantage, launching into a flurry of strikes. The Enlightennt Tea heightened my awareness, allowing to see openings I might normally miss. Three successive punches drove Adrian backward, the third landing solidly on his chest.
He grunted, eyes narrowing. "Enough testing."
His hands suddenly traced glowing patterns in the air. "Light Needle Formation!"
Dozens of thin, brilliant beams materialized around him, hovering like suspended spears. With a flick of his fingers, they shot toward from all directions.
I roared, summoning my protective energy layer, but the needles pierced through it like it wasn't there. Sharp pain erupted across my body as they penetrated muscle and bone, then dissolved inside , wreaking havoc on my ridians.
"Distance combat is different from brute force," Adrian lectured, stepping backward with each word. "Your father understood this well."
Gritting my teeth through the pain, I charged again. Adrian simply gestured, and another volley of light needles struck mid-stride. My legs buckled as the foreign energy disrupted my circulation.
"You rely too much on close combat," Adrian continued, maintaining his distance. "Admirable strength, but limited strategy."
I spat blood onto the ground, forcing myself back up. "I'm not done."
Adrian's expression remained impassive as he launched wave after wave of attacks. Each ti I tried to close the distance, he would retreat and strike from afar. My body was becoming a pincushion of pain, internal damage mounting with each hit. Content sourced from * – My Virtual Library Empire.
After what felt like hours but was likely only minutes, I collapsed to one knee, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth. My vision blurred as Adrian approached cautiously.
"You fought well," he said, raising his hand for a final strike. "But you lack—"
The mont he ca within range, I sprang up with every ounce of strength I had left, my hand forming the unique seal I'd discovered months ago but rarely used. The Absolute Beginning Sacred Fist—my most powerful technique.
"What?!" Adrian's shock was visible as golden energy exploded from my fist.
In that instant of surprise, instead of dodging, Adrian's hands reflexively ford the exact sa seal, eting my attack with an identical technique. Golden light collided with golden light, creating a blinding flash that temporarily illuminated the entire clearing.
The backlash sent us both staggering. Adrian recovered first, blood now staining his lips as well. His eyes were wide with disbelief.
"The Absolute Beginning Sacred Fist," he whispered. "How do you know this technique?"
I didn't answer, gathering energy for another strike. With a roar, I unleashed a second attack, pouring everything I had into it.
This ti, Adrian was prepared. His expression hardened as he abandoned his power suppression, his aura exploding outward as he blocked my strike with one hand. The difference in our true power beca imdiately apparent—like a child attacking a mountain.
"Enough," Adrian commanded, his voice carrying the weight of his unleashed cultivation. "You've proven yourself."
I stumbled backward, barely able to stand. "I won't... yield..."
"You've already won," Adrian said, lowering his hand. "That technique—it's impossible for you to know it unless..." His voice trailed off, his eyes searching my face.
"I found it within ," I replied between ragged breaths. "It felt... natural."
Adrian nodded slowly, as if confirming sothing to himself. "Of course it did. It's in your blood."
I straightened as much as my injured body allowed. "You promised answers. How do you know my father? How do we share the sa technique?"
Adrian wiped the blood from his mouth, studying with new respect. "It was taught to by your father; even my na was given by him."
The words hit like a physical blow. This man—this powerful elder—had been ntored by my father? My mind reeled with implications.
"My father... gave you your na?" I repeated, struggling to process this information.
"Yes," Adrian confird, his expression softening for the first ti. "I was once naless, a disciple without identity or purpose. Your father took in, trained , renad . I owe him everything."
I stared at Adrian, seeing him in an entirely new light. "Who was he? What was his na?"
"Your father," Adrian said solemnly, "was known as—"
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