I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1762 - 196: Clothes Not as New

Chapter 1762: Chapter 196: Clothes Not as New

Yun Xiaoxiao never expected Yang Fan to strike so decisively. Before he could even adopt a stance, Yang Fan had already closed in like a beast lunging at its prey.

Clearly, the opponent was not interested in talking and only wanted to bring him down as quickly as possible. This, however, ignited Yun Xiaoxiao’s pride, and he raised his palms to meet the attack head-on.

As an outstanding disciple of the Xinyun Clan, Yun Xiaoxiao had been practicing martial arts since childhood. His solid foundation and extraordinary talent allowed him to enter the "Transcending Mortality" stage at fifteen, making him almost unmatched among his peers.

Although Yang Fan was about the same age as Yun Xiaoxiao, the latter’s advantage in physique and aura was undeniable. Even in the face of a hasty response, Yun Xiaoxiao’s pair of "Cloud Palms" successfully deflected the fierce incoming fists.

Unexpectedly, Yang Fan used the force of the deflection to reverse his attack, shifting from Tiger Form to Crane Form. His fists transformed into claw-hooks, flicking with the elegance of wind brushing willow branches. Utilizing the force of Yun Xiaoxiao’s Cloud Palms, his claw-hooks descended with a motion like striking water mid-air—grand and divine like a golden dragon’s five claws. It was an exquisite display of martial brilliance.

In Yun Xiaoxiao’s eyes, the revolving claw-hooks came faster than lightning. He didn’t even have time to return his palms to parry and could only hurriedly fold his arm to block, hoping to use the force of the defense to create some distance for better strategy.

However, to a close-range combat expert like Yang Fan, a defensive block meant a loss of positioning, and losing positioning was equivalent to defeat.

Yang Fan, with his exceptional combat intellect, knew his strengths well. He also understood what challenges he would face if Yun Xiaoxiao successfully created distance. So he abandoned the idea of landing a swift decisive strike and instead controlled the frequency of his attacks—timed precisely to interrupt the gathering of Spiritual Energy without leaving gaps for retaliation. His continuous Tiger and Crane forms struck with an intensity akin to an old monk in deep meditation, seemingly endless.

Crane Wings as swift as the wind, Tiger Claws as sharp as lightning—the dual forms advanced relentlessly.

With moves like casting, hooking, stabbing, and seizing, paired with the agile "Swallow Step" footwork, Yun Xiaoxiao was forced into retreat again and again, never fully escaping Yang Fan’s control over the momentum of the fight.

After blocking a "Phoenix Eye Fist" aimed at his right temple, Yun Xiaoxiao suffered a heavy blow to his left flank. This wasn’t the first time his body had been hit during this match, but he had already lost count of how many times it happened. Although none of the strikes targeted vital areas, they left Yun Xiaoxiao feeling utterly humiliated.

Being suppressed by someone whose realm and physical strength were inferior to his own made it increasingly difficult for Yun Xiaoxiao to control his emotions.

Clearly, as long as he could create distance, a single Spirit Art would defeat Yang Fan. Yet, the situation kept forcing him into desperation.

Yun Xiaoxiao grew increasingly eager to regain control of the duel, his intentions to disengage becoming more obvious.

The more apparent his intentions, the more flaws he showed; the more flaws he showed, the more attacks he suffered. In just over ten breaths, Yun Xiaoxiao was covered in bruises. The injuries weren’t deep, but they undeniably depleted his strength.

Knowing he was heading toward certain defeat if this continued, Yun Xiaoxiao decided to take a risk. After dodging an elbow strike from Yang Fan, he pushed off with both legs, attempting to escape.

Completely focused on fleeing, Yun Xiaoxiao didn’t notice the deadly punch Yang Fan had concealed behind his elbow strike.

The moment of retreating euphorically hadn’t even come when Yun Xiaoxiao heard the faint roar of a tiger. Mid-air, it felt as if an enormous battering ram had struck his chest. His consciousness instantly blurred, and his body flew over ten zhang before crashing onto the rocky shore.

The commotion finally startled those in the back garden. They heard the sudden pause in the reading voices, followed by the creak of the courtyard door opening. Out stepped a tall, dignified middle-aged scholar, followed by a group of curious children peeking from behind him.

The scholar’s gaze was gentle yet firm. Waving his hand, he ushered the children back inside. After closing the door, he turned to look at Yang Fan, standing shirtless nearby, and the unconscious stranger lying farther away on the rocky shore.

Though Yang Fan had grown into a fierce martial artist, in front of Mi Bai, he still resembled a naive youth. Seeing Mi Bai step out, he quickly tried to impress him, saying, "This guy must be an Evil Tiger Gang thug. He suddenly showed up, so I knocked him out!"

Looking at the unconscious figure’s obviously superior clothing material, Mi Bai smirked and shook his head. Rolling up his sleeves, he approached and said, "People from the Evil Tiger Gang don’t wear fabric this fine. You, ah, were too reckless."

"Ah!?"

Prompted by Mi Bai’s remark, Yang Fan panicked and turned around, finally noticing his mistake. He hurriedly stepped forward to assist.

Together with Mi Bai, they carried the unconscious Yun Xiaoxiao to the medicine pavilion. Still a young maiden, Lu Xuening took one look at the patient and curiously remarked, "This person’s energy channels are long, and his physical strength robust—how did someone manage to knock him unconscious?"

Yang Fan scratched his head, unsure of how to explain.

Seeing her disciple’s awkward expression, Lu Xuening immediately grasped the situation and sighed, "These are just surface injuries. Wrap them up, and he’ll wake up on his own soon enough."

Having said that, Lu Xuening returned to the front hall to tend to other patients. Such chaos was the nature of the land—there was a shortage of everything except suffering and sickness.

When Yun Xiaoxiao regained consciousness, he found himself in a place filled with the scent of herbs. As a Wind Media agent, his instincts made him keep his eyes shut, quietly waiting for all his senses to return to his body while contemplating his current predicament.

Lost in thought, he suddenly heard a clear voice ring out in the room.

"Hey! If you’re awake, open your eyes—I saw your fingers twitch!"

Yun Xiaoxiao, who initially wanted to assess his situation further, had no choice but to concede. Gritting his teeth, he opened his eyes—and immediately found the young man who had heavily injured him sitting at his bedside.

Startled, he instinctively lashed out with a palm strike, but it didn’t even graze Yang Fan.

"How rude! I just finished dressing your wounds, and the first thing you do is try to hit me?"

Yang Fan protested indignantly as he jumped back.

"These wounds are all your doing!"

Yun Xiaoxiao angrily retorted through gritted teeth.

"Ah, then let’s call it even—we owe each other nothing!"

Yang Fan waved magnanimously. "Now, tell me—what’s a pampered young master like you doing in the Jiejing City Commoner Slum?"

"I’m looking for Mi Bai, sir!"

Recalling his urgent mission, Yun Xiaoxiao suppressed his anger and replied in a grave tone.

"Hmm? What business do you have with my master?"

Yang Fan’s initial goodwill instantly faded, and he frowned as he asked.

"By Unparalleled Institute’s request, I’m here to invite Sir Mi to Unparalleled City!"

Yun Xiaoxiao explained his purpose directly.

"Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

Upon hearing "Unparalleled City," Yang Fan’s eyes lit up as he grumbled.

"I barely stepped out when you attacked me!"

Yun Xiaoxiao exploded with fury.

"Coming from such a sacred martial arts haven, getting knocked out cold is your own fault!"

Yang Fan widened his mouth in mock disbelief, "Truly astonishing!"

On the verge of fainting from anger again, Yun Xiaoxiao decided not to engage with Yang Fan further. Wrapping his tattered clothes around himself, he went directly to see Mi Bai.

After explaining his purpose, the middle-aged scholar seemed puzzled and asked, "Mi Bai does indeed share history with the Void Grandmaster, but he’s never met the Unparalleled Institute’s headmaster. What’s the reason for this invitation?"

"That... I don’t know either. But the headmaster instructed me to deliver a message, saying that hearing it would make Sir Mi understand."

With that, Yun Xiaoxiao stood up and solemnly recited, "Scaling the absolute peak, surveying the myriad mountains. Long-cherished dreams of the Cloud Platform, seeking old friends to revel in shared drink."

Upon hearing these words, Mi Bai fell silent for a long time. His mind seemed to drift back to those uninhibited, youthful days—when young men in splendid attire rode to the mountain tops, intoxicated, while spouting fanciful dreams and vows.

Over a decade had passed, and he thought those memories had faded. But now, they surged back vividly, as if brought to life once more.