Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 420 - 64 Ripples and Sparks

Chapter 420: Chapter 64 Ripples and Sparks

Xiang Shan had never looked down upon competitive martial arts. In fact, the highest ranks of martial artists were often found in the arena.

The reason was simple, the amount of combat and training that a competitive fighter experiences is much greater than that of other martial artists.

The so-called "kung fu" requires time to cultivate. No matter what martial arts one practices, effort must be invested. A civilian martial artist, with months of training, may not compare to a professional athlete’s weekly training. On different individuals, "ten years of kung fu" could mean vastly different levels of expertise.

An amateur martial artist could never be the opponent of a professional athlete.

Meanwhile, those martial artists who truly practice lethal techniques could never endure such high-density, high-intensity combat because each battle comes with extremely high risks. Even combat soldiers in the battlefield have a lower frequency of combat compared to professional athletes in the arena.

If it were to be compared to a game, ordinary street martial artists could maybe reach level twenty or thirty. Although they possess moves targeting vital areas and some "forbidden techniques" as high-damage skills, a level seventy arena fighter could use their overwhelming base attributes to dodge these lethal moves and then strike a decisive, non-lethal blow.

Just as scientists use simplified models like "perfect planes" and "rigid bodies" to reason theories, real martial arts masters also discern the principles of boxing from the highly controlled variables of arena battles.

Like those fighters who learn tactics, strategies, and techniques under extreme conditions in the arena, something Xiang Shan had also done when he first created martial arts. He now learns boxing technique from Hiroshi Matsushima.

But the current contest did make Xiang Shan feel... slightly bored?

If one were to say the kind of arena competition Hiroshi Matsushima usually participates in is a simplified combat environment where some offensive and defensive actions are restricted to pursue the ultimate in technique within that constrained scenario.

Then, the current battle is about exploiting the upper limits of manipulation strategies after restricting operations, even if it allows one to fully display the coherence of the boxing technique. However, the manipulative upper boundary of this single set "model duel" is greatly compressed.

For the younger disciples, however, it was an excellent teaching demonstration.

They could clearly witness the different strategies executed by the two boxing techniques under different circumstances and against an "incompletely informed" opponent.

But Xiang Shan’s realm had long surpassed this.

By the fifth minute, he had already deciphered the "personalized settings" Gaoqiao Ziyi made to the Martial Ancestor Fist.

Then, after another ten minutes, he roughly grasped the design philosophy and counter-strategy of the unnamed boxing technique used by Kiambang. Given his special footwork, it seemed to be a boxing technique used in narrow but level environments.

In the Old Era, it would probably correspond to places like "the rooftop of a building."

It could also have originated from Martial Ancestor Xiang Shan’s designs.

At this moment, both Gaoqiao Ziyi and Kiambang were still waiting for the other to make a mistake.

So Xiang Shan diverted some of his attention and began writing code in his mind.

Many disciples, however, did not find it tedious but instead were fully engaged.

This contest between the two elders undoubtedly opened the door to higher ranks of martial arts for them.

Suddenly, from the group of disciples, someone exclaimed, "Ah!"

Chaotic Blade Sect’s Brady turned his head and said in a low voice, "What are you yelling for? Don’t you know to concentrate?"

"It’s not... I..."

The disciple didn’t know what to say.

Just then, the drone he was controlling had silently veered off course. He quickly issued commands, but the drone responded only after a moment, as if its program had bugged.

This wasn’t really a big deal, not a malicious bug. He would just report it to his senior later.

But his first reaction was that it was caused by an enemy’s Inner Strength, so he instinctively cried out. After attracting the attention of Big Senior Brother and then realizing the system was fully responsive to his commands and showed no signs of being affected by Inner Strength, he felt overconcerned but found it awkward to explain.

Brady glanced at the competition area and saw that although the two fighters had been momentarily distracted, Gaoqiao Ziyi had not suffered for it. He then pulled the disciple aside and said seriously, "What’s wrong? Did you feel something? Is there a Houndhawk?"

The disciple hesitantly voiced his concerns, "That old master Ai Tielang said he had been trailed by a Ranger. So..."

"We can’t be too careful..." Brady mused for a moment. To be honest, he was a bit hesitant.

The aberration had been fleeting, and afterward, this junior felt nothing unusual. It might just be a daily occurrence for a novice. But the possibility of a Houndhawk causing trouble couldn’t be entirely dismissed either.

However, if they were to stop the match rashly now... according to the rules of Jianghu, they might have to settle the exchange based on the current scores.

Kiambang’s score was slightly higher than that of Gaoqiao Ziyi.

This made him hesitate a little.

But at that moment, Yadali’s gaze also shifted over.

Brady clenched his teeth, about to speak.

But just then, Xiang Shan suddenly patted his shoulder and said, "Sect reputation and interests are less important than the lives of our fellow Jianghu. I see you’ve made a resolute decision, which is good. But remember to be quicker next time."

"How did..."

Before he could finish asking, Xiang Shan pulled out two sections of a short stick from behind, fitted them together, twisted and spun, and joined them into one.

"First, we need to separate those two, right?"

Saying this, he joined Ai Tielang’s simulated process and then slowly approached the field. His long stick lightly touched the ground, emitting a "ping" sound.

This seemed to be a starting stance.

Then, several figures separated from him, starting from this stance, spreading out in all directions like circular water ripples.

Initially, Ai Tielang only thought it strange and wanted to drive this unfamiliar hero out of the duel. But, to his horror, he discovered that the opponent’s Inner Strength was far superior to his own, and there was nothing he could do in the process.

However, Gaoqiao Ziyi and Kiambang felt differently.

Although Xiang Shan had merely touched the ground lightly, bringing forth ripples,

the oncoming force of the stick felt to them like facing a tsunami...

No, more than that...

Each one felt as if they were facing attacks from all directions. Yet, each was pairing two against one model of Xiang Shan...

The virtual and real long sticks split the two apart.

By the time they regained their senses, Xiang Shan was already standing between them with the long stick in hand.

"Now I suppose I’m the center of attention,"

said Xiang Shan, tilting his head slightly.

Then, a cluster of electric sparks burst in the distance.