Chapter 2: Master of Xingyiquan

Chapter 2: Master of Xingyiquan

"Bang!"

In an instant, Ye Han's speed was astonishing.

Before some people in the arena could even see clearly, he had already arrived in front of Commander Hunter, clenched his fist, turned his body, and threw a punch.

"Good move!"

Commander Hunter stood firm like a mountain, his remaining single eye gleaming. Seeing the punch coming, he was not startled but instead delighted, and shouted.

At the same time, instead of retreating, he advanced, clasped his hands, stretched out his arms, and his massive fist, like a mountain pressing down, carried an unstoppable heavy momentum as it smashed down.

"Mid-level combat technique, Thunder Clap!"

Ye Han exclaimed but did not panic. He took a deep breath, and at the moment the fierce force arrived at his head, he made a strange movement.

It was as if he drew a circle, and his entire body suddenly went from extreme motion to a state of stillness.

But just this strange movement, incomprehensible, made the battle-hardened Commander Hunter feel like he was about to spit blood.

To outsiders, it appeared very natural. Ye Han used an effortless movement to completely deflect Commander Hunter's thunderous strike.

This strange yet natural opposition, contradictory yet unified.

"What combat technique is Young Master Ye Han using? How strange! So simple, how could it have deflected Commander Hunter's Thunder Clap?"

On the sidelines, a young minotaur named Sullimer exclaimed.

"I don't know? I've never seen it before either."

Karr shrugged beside him.

The rest of the people all turned their gaze to Old Karl, the most respected elder, causing his old face to turn slightly red, and then he looked very solemnly towards the arena.

"There is no such move in the tribe. Just like the Three-Body Stance you learned before, it's probably another self-created combat technique of Young Master Ye Han."

"A… another self-created one?"

Karr exclaimed.

"That’s unbelievable. I heard that since Young Master Ye Han promoted the Three-Body Stance within the tribe last time, the tribe's combat strength has significantly improved. It hasn't been long, and yet Young Master Ye Han has... has... created another combat technique."

"Yes! I've heard some clan elders say that such a terrifying combat technique, even battle-hardened level-nine warriors might not be able to comprehend it, let alone create it. That’s something only a grandmaster could do. Young Master Ye Han is truly our tribe's number one genius!"

Sullimer said.

His words were taken for granted, and the other clansmen looked at the young figure in the arena with even more fervent eyes.

"I wonder when I'll be as powerful as Young Master Ye Han?"

A young clansman next to them envied.

"Don't even dream about it."

Old Baal said bluntly, "Just focus on your own training and stop thinking about unrealistic things. After all, a fifteen-year-old level-six warrior isn't like a commonplace cabbage you can find everywhere."

As they were talking, the battle in the arena had reached a fever pitch.

With his stance steady, Ye Han did not pause. He shifted his feet, and at such a close distance, delivered a powerful elbow strike.

The strike was like a thunderclap, unstoppable and forceful.

At this short distance, dodging was impossible.

Commander Hunter, seasoned in battle, did not attempt to evade. With a roar, he unleashed the full strength of a level nine warrior as a burst of black light blocked Ye Han's powerful elbow strike.

However, Ye Han's attack was not finished. As soon as he closed in again, at point-blank range, he suddenly accelerated and delivered a short-range punch.

The force was so great that a low, explosive sound of air could be heard.

Any true expert would have cried out in surprise. The apparent simplicity of the move masked its hidden intricacies. In such a confined space, it was nearly impossible to gather strength or leverage momentum to produce such a sound.

Yet Ye Han had achieved it. In an incredibly short time, he had completed the process of gathering momentum, storing power, and releasing it all.

In that brief moment, he had actually completed three stages of power accumulation, from shoulder to elbow, then forearm to wrist. The terrifying power was released all at once, like a volcanic blast.

However, these seemingly simple steps were incredibly difficult to execute. Xingyiquan, an internal martial art, emphasizes direct advance and retreat, fighting while moving, with overwhelming force.

Who would have thought that this seemingly fifteen- or sixteen-year-old minotaur youth was actually an ancient martial arts grandmaster?

Moreover, he was using one of Huaxia's three great internal martial arts, Xingyiquan.

Mastering Xingyiquan to this extent usually requires decades of practice.

Yet this minotaur youth wielded it with such skill and dominance that even lifelong martial artists could not match him.

This punch was extremely fast and fierce, as if condensing vast amounts of energy and blood.

Commander Hunter's expression changed. He yelped and unleashed an even more formidable aura, blocking his front with a punch.

A loud bang echoed like a thunderclap in the square, sending dust into the air.

Ye Han retreated, sliding back seven to eight meters. Commander Hunter, with only half a horn left, stood like an iron tower, but his legs were deeply sunk into the sand.

A strange silence fell over the square. The spectators stood with wide eyes and gaping mouths.

They were not blind; how could they not see that what had just transpired was less of a fight and more of Ye Han overpowering the level nine warrior, Commander Hunter?

"Well done, kid. You hit so hard. If I didn't have a few tricks up my sleeve, you might've killed me!"

After a long pause, Commander Hunter's laughter finally broke the silence.

"Uncle Hunter is joking. With your strength, I was still at a disadvantage in this match!"

Ye Han's laughter carried through the wind.

"Nonsense! Losing is losing. I, One-eyed Hunter, can still take it. Good kid, if I hadn't cheated and unleashed my level seven combat strength, you would've made me look bad, huh?"

Commander Hunter glared with his remaining left eye, unashamedly admitting his earlier foul.

The beastmen of the Beamon Empire were mostly straightforward and honest, a trait especially evident in the Keter minotaurs.

This made Ye Han, who had initially intended to go through the motions, smile wryly. He had forgotten the nature of the Keter minotaurs.

Still, this mutual trust and straightforward nature were indeed commendable.

Ye Han touched his nose and a smile appeared on his face.

……

In the square, all the minotaurs were in an uproar.

"Goodness gracious, when did Young Master Ye Han become so formidable?"

The first to voice his astonishment was the big-mouthed Karr.

"Yes! Am I seeing this right… Young Master Ye Han actually defeated Commander Hunter? After all, he is a ninth-level warrior!"

Sullimer was stunned, and it wasn't without reason. Almost all the youngsters from the Ironhoof Tribe had been harshly trained by Hunter's devilish coaching, so they knew how formidable he was.

"Yes, how is it possible?"

"Am I hallucinating?"

All the young minotaurs who were training in the square were drawn to the spectacle, and one by one, they were left stunned, mouths agape at the outcome.

In the earlier fight, although Commander Hunter had suppressed his strength, a loss was still a loss! For the straightforward beastmen, there’s no difference!

……

While the square was in a noisy uproar, on a massive rock several miles away, atop a mountain, stood a gigantic stone fortress exuding a rugged aura.

A tall, middle-aged minotaur stood there, his deep gaze seeming to pierce through all appearances.

"Congratulations, Lord Reilly! Young Master Ye Han is truly surpassing expectations more and more! To actually force Commander Hunter to reveal his seventh-level combat strength, this is indeed cause for celebration! Among this generation, even if we look beyond the secretive figures within the Rhine Lion Clan and Tygor Tiger Clan, there are few in the entire Beamon Empire who could rival Young Master Ye Han!"

Behind the middle-aged minotaur, Reilly, followed a mysterious figure shrouded in black robes.

"The Rhine Lion Clan and Tygor Tiger Clan?" Reilly seemed to recall something, his deep voice murmuring.

Then he took another deep look at the square before shifting his gaze back to the black-robed figure. Looking at him, he said, "Do you really think that young fellow Ye Han has only shown his full strength?"

"Only? Could it be that you mean…"

The exposed eyes of the black-robed figure flashed with surprise, shocked.

"Eyes can often deceive you! I can only tell you that if I were to suppress my strength to match Ye Han’s, I cannot guarantee I would defeat him!"

The calm voice of the middle-aged minotaur Reilly resonated like a clap of thunder, startling the black-robed figure behind him almost into a cry of disbelief. "How is it possible? Lord Reilly, you are a battle realm…"

"Nothing is impossible," the middle-aged minotaur Reilly's expression remained unchanged as his voice continued.

"I can only tell you that this young fellow Ye Han hides his depths well. Although I can see that his combat strength is only at the level of a sixth-level warrior, I can faintly sense that this young fellow harbors another power. Though it is deeply hidden, once unleashed, it would erupt like a volcanic explosion, unleashing terrifying power."

These words struck like a series of thunderclaps, leaving the black-robed figure incredulous.

"Since you know, then why…" He looked at Reilly in front of him, his tone uncertain as he asked.

"There’s nothing to worry about," Reilly did not answer the black-robed figure's question directly, then he seemed to recall something and said, "Let him join the other clan youngsters in the Spirit Summoning Pool. Hopefully, he will benefit from it."

"So soon? The elders of the Minotaur Ancestral Court have strongly opposed Young Master Ye Han entering the Spirit Summoning Pool!" the black-robed figure said.

"I understand your concerns!" Reilly's gaze was unquestionable as he looked at him. Looking back at the square, he said, "I will deal with the elders. Although I don’t particularly favor this son of mine, I won’t let a bunch of pampered old fools decide his fate."

"But…" The black-robed figure still wanted to say something.

"No need. Gores, it’s decided! In three days, have Ye Han enter the Spirit Summoning Pool."

Reilly waved his hand, no longer looking at the square, and turned to walk into the stone fortress.