Huang Di and the Mad Dog were locked in a fierce battle. The crowd formed a tight circle around them, their cheers and gasps blending with the sounds of clashing strikes and the labored breathing of the fighters.
Confident in his superiority, Mad Dog advanced with heavy blows. He wore gray wolf-leather armor that gleamed under the sun, its small spikes tearing Huang Diâs skin with every impact, leaving red streaks across his arms and hands. Huang Di knew he had to end the fight quickly before exhaustion and blood loss overwhelmed him.
The crowd, once divided, began to favor Mad Dog, and the betting intensified. ManyâElder Meng Lu includedâwagered on the Mad Dog, convinced of his imminent victory. Odds stood at two to one for Mad Dog, and five to one against the ragged underdog. A brave few believed in an upset and placed bets on the dark horse.
Meanwhile, two elders watched the spectacle from above the clouds. One was Elder Emerald, Huang Diâs unofficial master; the other, his disciple Lu Feng, now the sectâs current leader. Lu Feng criticized his master for not preparing his chosen one betterânot even giving him decent clothes. Elder Emerald, however, chuckled softly.
âI want to see how long it takes for him to reveal his true strength,â he said, his eyes narrowed with interest.
Realizing that the odds had soared to ten to one, Huang Di pulled out a pouch containing fifty medium-grade spirit stones and handed it to a young girl in the crowd who supported him. Surprised by the amount but trusting him, she hurried off to place the bet.
Despite the disadvantage, Huang Di remained calm. He recalled the elderâs teachingsâespecially the âlight stepsâ technique, which boosted his reaction speed and agility. At first, he used it with only modest success, but as the fight progressed, it evolved, becoming remarkably effective.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
With a swift motion, he dodged a direct strike, spinning his body lightly. Mad Dog, surprised by Huang Diâs newfound agility, hesitated for a moment. It was the opening Huang Di had been waiting for.
With a rapid, precise sequence, Huang Di began targeting the Mad Dog weak spots. He struck between the armor plates, pressing into acupuncture points with the tips of his fingers. Feeling the shift in momentum, the Mad Dog tried to recoverâbut Huang Di was relentless.
The crowd, once sure of the Mad Dog victory, now began to witness the raw talent of the ragged youth. The odds began to balance. Some in the audience even started cheering for Huang Di.
Sensing the perfect moment, Huang Di decided to end the fight. He focused, channeling all his energy and concentration. He delivered a powerful combo: a punch to the stomach to knock the wind out of his opponent, followed by a strike to the chin that caused Mad Dog to bite his tongue.
Staggering, off-balance and dazed, the Mad Dog swayed. Huang Di seized the chance and unleashed a spinning kick that struck the side of the Mad Dog head. The impact was so fierce it sent him crashing to the ground, unconscious, foam bubbling from his mouth.
For a moment, silence fell over the crowd. Then, like a crashing wave, applause and cheers erupted through the plaza. The little girl beamed as she ran up to Huang Di, holding the pouch full of winnings.
In the sky, Elder Emerald and Lu Feng wore contrasting expressions. The elder, smiling proudly, said,
âI knew he had it in him. All he needed was a little pressure to awaken it.â
Panting, Huang Di looked around. He knew he had earned more than just a victoryâhe had won the respect of those who had once looked down on him. The girl handed him the pouch with a bright smile.
âThank you,â Huang Di said, accepting the reward.
He knew that though this was only the first battle, the road ahead had only just begun.