His strides were quick, the bushes rustling in a series of dashes, sounding exactly like a true Demonic Ape launching an attack. The surge of martial energy from the Third-Level Warrior’s confrontation brought a sharp whoosh of wind in the wake of his punch.

Several senior warriors let out quiet gasps. They hadn't expected that among this year's freshmen, someone who hadn't fully mastered the Warrior’s Clash could execute the bestial combat skill, the Demonic Ape Technique, with such proficiency. With this level of ability, he stood a high chance of winning against a Fourth-Level Warrior by leveraging his superb Demonic Ape skills to fight above his rank.

“Speed, power, angles—he’s far superior to Celsus. Truly worthy of being the eighth-ranked warrior student in the year.”

Qian Jin stared at Zuo Luntianren’s Demonic Ape Piercing Tail. A faint gust from the oncoming punch preceded it, carrying the aura of a murderous beast, which instantly spurred the martial energy within him to rise. He knew this opponent had put serious effort into mastering his bestial combat skill.

“Judging by his aura, he seems to be on the verge of reaching the peak of Third-Level Warrior energy. He’ll probably break through to the Fourth-Level Warrior energy state soon enough. No wonder he’s so arrogant.”

Thwack! Qian Jin swept his left arm across his body, blocking Zuo Luntianren’s forearm. He instantly deflected the ferocious strike, the collision between their arms producing a crisp sound of strained muscle.

“Fourth-Level energy? Qian Jin actually has Fourth-Level energy? And his strength…”

Under the impact, Zuo Luntianren’s arm burned with sharp pain, and his feet, rooted to the ground, suddenly felt unstable. His balance was instantly compromised. He hastily pulled his forward-thrusting legs back to readjust his center of gravity, his eyes fixed on the pursuing Qian Jin with utter astonishment. How was this Qian Jin so different from the rumors? Fourth-Level energy? Was he only a month younger than me? And his strength—even Rudy wasn't this powerful, right?

“He seems to prefer direct confrontation. I’ll use the agility of the Demonic Ape bestial skill to evade his charge first, drain his energy and strength, and strike when I find a weakness!”

The moment Zuo Luntianren retreated, he immediately adjusted his mindset, discarding any contempt for Qian Jin. His hands and feet blurred, shifting rapidly on the ground, feinting in various unpredictable ways.

“Huh? My martial energy?” Qian Jin himself was startled. His pursuit had slowed slightly. He was sure he only had Third-Level energy before sleeping; how had it jumped to Fourth-Level after a single night’s rest? Could it be that while hammering away in the Endless World, he had unconsciously used his energy as a supplement when he was running low, and in his focus on smithing, he hadn't noticed the breakthrough?

This works? Qian Jin smiled in disbelief. It seemed that the hat slap that earned him a terrible nickname had also brought unexpected benefits. He wondered what would happen if he continued training in there?

Zuo Luntianren launched himself forward like a wolf charge, utilizing all four limbs, and swept a whirlwind kick toward Qian Jin’s waist. The air hummed with the sound produced only when a staff is swung in a full circle.

“Beautiful!”

A senior warrior student exclaimed in admiration. Although Zuo Luntianren’s energy level was slightly lower and he should have been at a disadvantage, he had seized the upper hand by relying on movements that truly mirrored a Demonic Ape.

“Once this kid’s energy breaks through again, he’ll be aiming for the seventh, maybe even sixth rank in the year.”

Qian Jin evaluated Zuo Luntianren, who was currently low-crouched and charging, while simultaneously sinking his stance, dropping his right arm, and swinging it horizontally to intercept the whirlwind kick.

An arm against a thigh? The senior warrior students gasped. Even if you are now a Fourth-Level Warrior and can use Fourth-Level energy, the advantage in a direct collision between an arm and a fully rotated leg still belongs to Zuo Luntianren. The inherent difference between a leg and an arm is…

Bang! The arm and the whirling leg collided with another solid crack of muscle impact. Zuo Luntianren’s arms, bracing against the ground, were jolted off the surface by the recoil. In mid-air, he stared in disbelief at Qian Jin’s rugged right arm. That strength, he thought, might rival that of the first-ranked powerhouse in the year, the one possessing one-sixth of a Barbarian’s might?

Before the crowd could utter their cries of shock, Qian Jin closed the distance with a step, instantly raising his arm high. Fourth-Level energy flooded it, his skin tightening over bulging muscle, and his tightly clenched fist smashed downward rapidly.

As Zuo Luntianren watched the descending fist, he suddenly felt as if his vision was playing tricks. What was falling wasn't a fist, but a sledgehammer! What Qian Jin was swinging wasn't his arm; it looked as if he were wielding a blacksmith’s hammer! Yes! Just like the smithy where he once applied for a job—the way the blacksmith swung his hammer!

At almost the same instant, several senior warrior students also froze. What kind of Warrior Skill was this? Why did it look somewhat like the crude swing of a blacksmith hammering metal?

“This is…” The wizened old principal, perched in the tree, saw the sliver of his eyes widen slightly, and he blurted out, “Isn't that the motion of a blacksmith swinging a hammer? What is this boy doing?”

Zuo Luntianren quickly retracted his right leg, which was numb and aching, and simultaneously kicked upward fiercely with his left leg. He was extremely skilled in the Demonic Ape Bestial Skill; this was a self-defense kick utilized when a demon ape is knocked down by an opponent. The angle was tricky, using the advantage of his leg being longer than his arm to counterattack.

The kick rapidly expanded in Qian Jin’s pupils. Unaffected by the feint, he struck instinctively, recalling the thousand times he had practiced swinging a hammer in the Endless World. That incoming leg was, in his eyes, a piece of glowing red-hot iron.

Bang! Crack…

Fist met foot. Zuo Luntianren’s body, previously airborne, slammed heavily back onto the ground. His entire left leg emitted several sounds of dislocated bones. He used one hand to brace himself, attempting to rise, but Qian Jin’s foot was already aimed at his lower abdomen, kicking him fiercely sideways over a meter away. After rolling twice on the ground, his retreat stopped, and a mouthful of yellow bile sprayed from his mouth.

Lying there, his muscles convulsed uncontrollably—a reaction to the agonizing pain in his leg and abdomen. He forced his head up to watch Qian Jin turn and walk toward Celsus, his eyes full of disbelief. How could this man be so strong? With such ability, why was he only ranked tenth in the year? What Warrior Skill was that final attack? Why did it look so much like hammering iron?

“This actually worked?” The gaunt principal looked toward Rodriguez nearby, his questioning eyes wide. “That was the motion of a blacksmith swinging a hammer. I knew he could win, but winning this way is too bizarre, isn't it? He didn't even need to use his signature combat skills. This is rather surprising.”