Chapter 34 - Be My Target

Chapter 34 Be My Target

Freestyle sparring was a combination of rules and freedom. There were high requirements for the combatants’ physical fitness, resistance, tactical abilities, willpower, and many other abilities.

Chen’an had signed up for a fitness course, but Han Ya’s request was more akin to that of the combat course. She had asked Chen’an to be her target from the outset to see if he had a passable resistance to beatings. Otherwise, she might have to hold back during their subsequent training sessions.

Inside the arena, Han Ya’s punches became faster and stronger. Even with his defensive equipment, Chen’an could clearly feel the increasing vibrations.

Of course, most obvious was the gradually rising stream of system notifications.

(You have been attacked by Kickboxing Goddess. Current Lifeblood: -5]

(You have been attacked by Kickboxing Goddess. Current Lifeblood: -6]

(You have been attacked by Kickboxing Goddess: Current Lifeblood: -7]

Seeing that his healthbar was rapidly decreasing, Chen’an had no choice but to take a mini health potion in advance.

[Mini Health Potion: Available at Level 1. Allows you to recover 30 drops of Lifeblood in 10 seconds.]

Due to his equipment’s defense doubling, his 1 point of Vitality from receiving ‘Hong Zhou’s Ancestral Whistle’ had also risen to 2. As such, his Vitality was currently worth 8 points-6 from his basic attributes, 2 from his equipment-boosting his Lifeblood to 80 drops.

Although the five or six points of damage from Han Ya’s punches hurt a little, Chen’an’s healthbar remained stable with the aid of the mini health potion.

Han Ya finally stopped. She nodded to herself as she watched Chen’an frown wordlessly. His willpower wasn’t half bad, and his resistance was passable.

“You’re in pretty solid shape overall, and your fitness has improved a little in the past three days. I’ll teach you some basic combat skills today.” She gestured for Chen’an to take off his protective gear.

(You successfully survived the mandatory trial issued by Kickboxing Goddess.)

Chen’an breathed a sigh of relief.

That alone had cost him 11 bottles of mini health potions. If this went on, he would run out of money. The thought made his brows pinch together.

“Come with me.”

Han Ya led him to an upright sandbag.

“We’ll begin by learning the most basic of punches.” She handed him a pair of boxing gloves. “One must exercise care when punching. The right technique can maximize the force of the blow-and the overall power of your attack. For now, watch and learn.”

As she spoke, Han Ya assumed a stance beside Chen’an, who positioned himself in a passable imitation of her.

“Now try punching the sandbag.”

Chen’an obeyed. He had the necessary momentum, although his strength could be better.

Han Ya came behind him to adjust his stance. “Open your legs a little more and lower your waist. This will help increase your force when punching forward. Punch hard. Concentrate all your strength. Imagine that there’s a huge build up of energy in your body, and you need to find a hole to vent it.”

She instructed, “Again!” and Chen’an’s fist struck out.

There was a dull thud as the sandbag in front of him shook slightly.

Her feedback worked!

Chen’an was pleasantly surprised; just following her instructions had increased the strength of his punches so noticeably.

Han Ya nodded in satisfaction; Chen’an had been smart enough to remember the gist of the technique after his first try. “Try it again, the way I told you. Don’t rush. Take your time.” She walked to the side.

Chen’an nodded, held his breath, and punched again-maintaining the strength behind his previous attempts.

Han Ya nodded again, satisfied.

“Keep going!”

Thuds rang out as Chen’an swung his fists at the sandbag-once, twice, again and again, until his irregular tempo turned consistent.

His blows became faster, louder, attracting the attention of the Weaklings and Amateurs.

“Damn! This kid just learnt how to punch from Coach Han earlier. He sure picks up fast!”

“What a strong young man!”

“Chen Guifen, you’re already 36 years old. Have you no shame?”

“It’s none of your business. I’m 18 years old at heart-I want to feel the strength of all that

youth!”

“Mind if I watch?”

“Screw off.”

Chen’an was so busy practicing boxing that he didn’t notice the notification from the system. His eyes were rooted on the sandbag in front of him.

Straighten. Muster. Punch.

Every time he repeated the routine, Chen’an’s sharp senses picked up on his areas for improvement; if his proficiency had been 60% when he began, he was getting better with every punch. Relying on his extraordinary focus and heightened reflexes, his speed increased, and his posture became more natural.

Finally, when Chen’an had more or less perfected his technique, he swung hard at the sandbag.

A muffled thud echoed through the room, attracting the attention of everyone present.

Chen’an looked at the sandbag, which wasn’t swaying as hard as it used to. He gave a silent sigh. He was still a little lacking in Power; even with all his might, the noise he produced upon impact still wasn’t as loud as it could be. But that didn’t mean his audience wasn’t satisfied.

Han Ya, for that matter, was overjoyed.

Once again, Chen’an’s performance had surprised her.

“You’re a fast learner. I’ll teach you some basic footwork next…”

***

Just like that, Chen’an learned punching and footwork from Han Ya.

His progress was so fast that she was a little stunned.

It was the first time Han Ya had felt that her talent was far beneath that of someone else-her disciple, nonetheless!

Just as she was about to give Chen’an a break, he made a request.

“Master, why don’t you be my target?”