Chapter 026: The Mightiest and Most Powerful
From this day onward, the Hero Pool Hot Spring Cave—an exclusive secret training ground for miscellaneous disciples—became Lin Zhan’s place for diligent practice.
Hah!
The countless half-inch-deep fist marks on the icy stone wall were the best testament to Lin Zhan’s progress over the past half month in mastering the Blazing Fist Technique.
Centuries-old ice, unbreakable and solid, yet this wall, several zhang high and nearly a hundred zhang long, was covered with innumerable such imprints.
The feeling of the fist technique and the control of its force held no shortcuts; only through relentless repetition, punch after punch, blow after blow, could one grow stronger and more adept.
Looking at the resolute figure before the ice wall, it was clear that Lin Zhan’s physique had undergone a qualitative transformation compared to when he first entered the Blue Ice World. His previously rugged, sharply contoured build had not changed in height, but his muscles were now tighter, his body lines more harmonious. Broad shoulders, a triangular upper torso, a flexible waist, and explosive legs made Lin Zhan faster and stronger than ever.
“Heh, my spiritual power reserves now allow me to unleash my full strength a hundred and sixty-five times, thirty more than yesterday!” Lin Zhan finished another round, his inner energy temporarily depleted, but the progress made him smile with satisfaction. “The first form of the Blazing Fist Technique is finally taking shape.”
But of course, this would never satisfy Lin Zhan. Punching half-inch-deep dents into the ice wall was nothing yet—not even half a zhang deep.
Not enough! Still not enough!
Lin Zhan soaked in the hot spring beneath the Hero Pool for half an hour, replenishing his spent spiritual energy, then sat cross-legged and activated the Nine-Star Map.
The Nine-Star Map, for reasons unknown, kept the energy stored in its first star jealously guarded, never letting Lin Zhan draw from it—like a miser hoarding his treasures. The second star, meanwhile, absorbed and accumulated spiritual energy endlessly, like a bottomless pit, requiring Lin Zhan to invest considerable effort each time he replenished his energy.
Yet Lin Zhan firmly believed that this investment of time would ultimately prove worthwhile. This reserve of spiritual energy would one day serve a crucial purpose.
He suspected that in the not-too-distant future, when his mastery of the Blazing Fist Technique demanded even more energy per punch, the spiritual power stored in the Nine-Star Map would come into play.
In the quiet solitude of the secret cave, Lin Zhan closed his eyes, regulating his breath, immersing himself wholly in a world of oblivion.
About an hour passed when a faint, ethereal fragrance drifted through the cave, slowly seeping into Lin Zhan’s nostrils.
He wrinkled his nose slightly, his consciousness jolted as if stumbling, and he awakened.
Opening his eyes, he found himself standing upon an endless expanse of frozen lake.
The snow-white surface was layered with thick, deep-blue ice, smooth as a mirror, radiating gemstone-like brilliance.
All around was emptiness, save for a figure in the distance—a woman in white with long hair, her back turned, her features obscured by icy mist.
Judging by the graceful silhouette and the fragrance permeating the air, she could only be a beauty of unrivaled allure.
True beauty is not just in face or form, but in the transcendent aura she exudes.
A woman—alive!
“Heh, I must be dreaming!”
Lin Zhan bit his tongue and pinched his thigh, finding, as expected, no sensation of pain.
If this were reality and Lin Zhan saw such a stunning stranger with her back to him, he would simply admire her quietly. But in a dream, his courage grew—greeting her wouldn’t cost him anything.
Besides, with only two people here, dream logic dictated some form of interaction.
So Lin Zhan stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Hello, beautiful sister!”
A crisp, clear laugh rang out as the mysterious figure stirred, turning around amidst Lin Zhan’s nervous anticipation.
“Lin Zhan!”
“Ah, fairy sister!”
He instantly corrected himself, for she was far above mere beauty; her ethereal grace could only be described as fairy-like.
Her bright eyes glanced lightly, lashes fluttered, a delicate nose, and tender, rosy lips—all perfectly combined on her flawless, pale face—so stunning it took one’s breath away.
Such unblemished beauty made Lin Zhan shy to meet her gaze, forbidding any disrespectful thoughts.
“Show me your strongest, most formidable fist technique!”
Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The fairy sister commanded sharply, her brows knit, eyes focused, striking a fierce pose as her figure split into three shadowy forms, each closing in on Lin Zhan.
Trouble brewed—a crisis only felt in the face of death surged within Lin Zhan.
Oh no, I don’t want to hit a woman!
The three beautiful shadows pressed in, seemingly impossible to defend against from any angle.
Strongest, most formidable fist!
Blazing Fist Technique, First Form—Fist Burst!
If defense seemed futile, attack would be his best defense. He didn’t want to strike a woman, but he certainly didn’t want to be struck by one either!
With the Blazing Fist Technique augmented by Wind Spirit footwork, Lin Zhan’s massive fist swung toward the leftmost shadow.
Even the shadow was slender and delicate—he hesitated to strike. Yet the fairy’s aggressive stance meant this was a battle for life and death.
Even if Lin Zhan believed this was only a dream, he couldn’t simply let himself be destroyed. He had to fight back!
He had mastered the first form of the Blazing Fist Technique well enough to unleash dozens of rapid blows in a single breath.
If his power was limited, speed would make up for it; accumulated damage could break the shadow.
Fast, ruthless, fierce!
That was Lin Zhan’s strategy—if he could break the leftmost shadow first, he’d gain precious time to deal with the other two, perhaps avoiding total defeat.
Boom!
With fists flying in dazzling succession, Lin Zhan struck dozens of blows. The leftmost shadow, almost tangible, shattered and dissolved into light.
Success!
No time to admire the fairy’s beauty now; Lin Zhan attacked the central shadow without mercy.
Destroying one of three filled him with confidence. If he kept up the effort, he would break free from their encirclement.
Throughout the process, soft laughter echoed in his ears, and the elegant fragrance continued to invade his senses, gnawing at his very bones.
“Haha, done!” Lin Zhan unleashed a final punch, scattering the rightmost shadow. Relief washed over him.
“Not strong enough, not fierce enough!” came a melodious voice.
He turned, and saw the vanished shadows reappear, more enchanting than ever—three of them.
Each covered her mouth, laughing, beautiful yet infinitely dangerous.
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