Li Yundong, being young and hot-headed, delivered a remark that instantly flushed Shi Neng’s face crimson. Shi Neng, having transitioned from a Shaolin lay disciple into the film industry, possessed both a handsome appearance and formidable martial arts skills.

Though he started as a fight choreographer, he was quickly noticed by directors who saw him as a potential rising star in the martial arts film genre. Losing an intellectual spar at a banquet wasn't a major issue for him, but being spoken to in such a manner was utterly unacceptable.

Everyone in the entertainment industry had long tongues; a single word spoken here today would spread to every ear by tomorrow. Shi Neng thought to himself: If this gets out, how can I possibly survive in this circle?

No, I absolutely must reclaim my honor here and now! Although the Qi Condensation realm displayed by Li Yundong had deeply shocked Shi Neng, he still didn't believe Li Yundong could defeat him.

After all, there was an old saying in the martial world: those who can talk aren't necessarily skilled practitioners, those who can practice aren't necessarily good fighters, and those who can fight aren't necessarily good speakers, much less practitioners! A few years ago, domestic masters were sent to Thailand for exchanges and sparring, only to return utterly humiliated.

Where were the so-called Grandmasters who claimed they could turn the tide? Today's Grandmasters talk a better game and practice more diligently than ever, but they are all too concerned with protecting their reputations—not a single one is actually a capable fighter!

At the last highly publicized martial arts gathering, a fighting enthusiast who had studied Sanda for only three years challenged a so-called Grandmaster, only to end up leaving the master bruised and swollen after just three kicks and two punches! This clearly showed that daily drill practice and real combat were two entirely different things!

Some masters practiced Tui Shou and Qigong to the point of seeming like immortals, but once a real bout started, they were often worse than those who had only studied wrestling or Sanda for a few years. Shi Neng felt that with his actual combat experience, he might very well win a martial contest against this young man before him!

With his mind made up, Shi Neng immediately took a deep breath, purging the shock and fear from his mind. He composed himself and said in a deep voice, "I may not be a match in the literary bout, but how about we test each other in a martial one?" As he spoke, he extended his hand, reaching for Li Yundong’s hand which was steadying the teacup.

Shi Neng’s grab looked simple, but it was loaded with malicious intent. His thumb was tucked into his palm, his index finger slightly curved, and his ring finger pulled in.

Once he gripped the opponent's wrist, his thumb, index, and ring fingers were set to strike the three pressure points on Li Yundong's wrist: Yanggu, Yangchi, and Yangxi! Yanggu, Yangchi, and Yangxi—as their names suggested—were the 'valley,' 'pool,' and 'stream' where Yang Qi flowed.

The capacity of the Yang Qi that could pass through these three points varied, hence the distinctions of valley, pool, and stream. If these three points were seized, the body's Yang Qi could not reach the hand, meaning neither physical strength nor internal energy could be transmitted to the wrist.

The rattan teacup on Li Yundong’s fingers would immediately drop, the hot water would spill, and Li Yundong would suffer a massive public embarrassment, thus restoring Shi Neng’s lost face. In that fleeting moment, Shi Neng’s calculated plan was quite exquisite: he could regain face without making an overt move to injure the opponent, thereby preserving his own decorum.

Yet, the one thing he failed to anticipate was that Li Yundong had already survived several brawls with thugs, endured threats from firearms, and then engaged in two major battles with Lin Youfa. In the sum of these experiences, Li Yundong’s practical combat knowledge far exceeded Shi Neng’s!

Seeing the hand rushing toward him, Li Yundong flicked his fingers slightly, sending the teacup airborne, then instantly reached out, his index finger shooting out like a javelin toward the Laogong point in the center of the opponent’s palm. If the Laogong point was struck, given Li Yundong’s level of Qi refinement, Shi Neng would not be able to lift that arm for at least an hour.

Shi Neng was slightly startled by Li Yundong’s swift counter-reaction. He quickly converted his move from a tap to a grab, his hand instantly shifting from soft, hidden internal force to a vigorous, powerful Eagle Claw.

His five fingers curled like iron hooks, aiming to seize Li Yundong’s fingers. If this strike connected, Shi Neng only needed to apply a little force, and Li Yundong’s fingers would snap with a distinct crack!

Li Yundong acted as if he had foreseen the opponent’s move. Almost simultaneously, he flipped his palm over, his five fingers meeting the opponent's five fingers.

This exchange happened too quickly for Shi Neng to react; the five fingers of both men collided. Li Yundong possessed a body remade by the Golden Core stage; he had jumped from the fourth floor while carrying a living person and survived without a scratch, demonstrating the terrifying resilience of his flesh.

His hands appeared fair and refined, but the moment he channeled his internal energy, his five fingers seemed to swell instantly, becoming as solid and hard as steel rebar! With a sharp crack, a sound of fractured bone echoed from Shi Neng’s fingers.

At that exact moment, the teacup Li Yundong had flicked up began to descend. He cupped his palm beneath it, rotated his wrist, and a surge of gentle force arose.

The teacup began to spin gracefully in his palm. Li Yundong then tapped it with his finger, balancing it perfectly on his fingertip like a juggler, not a single drop of water spilling out!

The entire exchange lasted mere seconds, yet Shi Neng suffered a major loss, his finger bone deliberately broken by Li Yundong’s impact! However, being tough of character, he betrayed no sign of pain, merely staring at Li Yundong with a wooden face and eyes filled with terror.

“How is this possible!” Shi Neng cried out internally in horror. “Even my own Master wouldn't dare to meet my fingers head-on.

In the entire Chinese martial arts world, there are few masters who could break my finger bones in a direct clash like that!” Shi Neng had trained in both Iron Sand Palm and Eagle Claw techniques; his hand skills were extraordinary. He could crush a glass cup with his bare hands, perform the Two-Finger Zen, or even shatter a ten-centimeter thick wooden board with a single finger.

Even if someone struck his fingers with a wooden stick, they likely wouldn't cause the slightest injury! Yet, despite all that, he was instantly felled by Li Yundong’s collision, as if a speeding sports car had slammed head-on into a freight train!

The brief confrontation between Li Yundong and Shi Neng had already drawn the attention of many at the banquet. Numerous guests applauded Li Yundong’s dazzling display, completely unaware of the profound martial knowledge and lethal intent hidden within those two swift exchanges, nor did they grasp how terrifying this young, handsome man was in Shi Neng’s eyes.

“This man is so young, yet his skills are so formidable. I wonder what style of martial arts he practices, and which master taught him!” Shi Neng kept his arm lowered, using the voluminous sleeve of his Tang suit to conceal the slight trembling of his injured finger.

Li Yundong was fully aware of the seemingly casual yet utterly merciless attacks Shi Neng had launched in those two brief moments. He glanced at Shi Neng and stated calmly, “Well?

Are you convinced now? In the literary bout, you failed.

In the martial bout, you also fail!” With that, Li Yundong turned toward Guo Peng, whose expression had become unnatural, and sneered mockingly, “Do you see now if I possess genuine skill? Or perhaps, would you like to try it yourself?” Guo Peng’s face was ashen, his lips moving wordlessly.

Tan Xue smiled, stepping in to smooth things over. She deliberately moved close to Li Yundong, adopting a manner of yielding herself to him, and giggled, “Handsome, you truly are amazing.

I can’t believe someone so young has achieved such mastery in the martial arts! Do you have time to teach me sometime?” As she spoke, the snow-white skin of her thigh, revealed by the high slit of her qipao, intentionally brushed past Li Yundong’s leg.

Cao Kefei, standing not far away, had been keeping an eye on Li Yundong’s movements. She hadn't intervened when the minor conflict erupted between Li Yundong and Shi Neng, believing it would actually benefit her in promoting Li Yundong.

Indeed, the director she was currently chatting with also noticed the tension between Li Yundong and Shi Neng. Director Zhang, a minor figure of renown in the industry, chuckled, “The young friend you brought seems to be having a bit of a spat with Shi Neng!” Cao Kefei laughed, “Young people, it happens!” As the two spoke, Li Yundong had already defeated Shi Neng twice.

That display of near-magical skill left Director Zhang speechless for a long moment. After a while, he slapped his thigh in sudden realization and regret, “Why didn't we have a camera rolling just now!” He then turned excitedly to Cao Kefei, “Who is this young man?

What is his name? If he joins my crew, I will tailor a role specifically for him—guaranteed to make him a massive star!” Cao Kefei was inwardly overjoyed, but she maintained a poised smile: “Director Zhang, please calm down, calm down, the man isn’t running away!” Director Zhang realized he had lost his composure.

He took a sip of wine, using the gesture to mask his emotion, but his eyes remained fixed on Li Yundong, as if gazing upon a peerless treasure. Meanwhile, the other guests who had noticed Li Yundong began whispering among themselves: “Who is that?

He’s quite handsome!” “Yeah, he looks like he knows a thing or two about martial arts, quite strong.” “Not just looks strong, he is clearly very strong!!” Li Yundong was oblivious to the buzz and pointing fingers around him. He awkwardly dodged Tan Xue’s advances, stepping back and bumping right into a young girl.

Su Chan poked her head out from behind Li Yundong and pouted playfully, “You stepped on me!” The sight of Su Chan’s exquisitely beautiful face, capable of shifting between charming indignation and pure joy, instantly stunned Tan Xue! Before Su Chan, this unparalleled stunner, only top-tier beauties like Zhou Qin and Cao Kefei could vaguely compete.

The young girl’s heavenly looks and unique aura were enough to instantly eclipse all rivals, even those holding the title of ‘Screen Goddess’ in the film world. Li Yundong seized the opportunity to pivot away from Tan Xue’s harassment, turning back to gently pinch the little girl’s nose.

“It wasn't on purpose, my apologies!” The girl made a funny face at Li Yundong, wrinkling her nose and smiling sweetly, “I’m hungry!” Li Yundong turned back to Tan Xue with a smile and offered a greeting, “Excuse me, I’m taking my girlfriend to get something to eat.” Tan Xue’s heart skipped a beat: Such a beautiful girl was his girlfriend! Tan Xue managed a strained smile for Li Yundong before watching him and Su Chan walk