MTLNOVEL Chapter 60: A spar
One year later…
At the same place—the Blade-Testing Cliff—Lang Tian was no longer the boy he once was.
Through relentless daily training and consuming vast amounts of demonic beast flesh, his physique had transformed remarkably. He stood half a chǐ taller (15 cm), his muscles toned and balanced, radiating strength. His once-youthful face had shed its innocence, now strikingly handsome.
He stood still amidst heaven and earth, eyes closed, heart calm, sensing each breath of the world—not just its sounds, but also the subtle ripples of spiritual qi.
The Lotus Heart Sutra of Tranquil Dao, now at its second layer, Lotus Sprout Awakening, greatly enhanced the speed and stability of his true qi flow. More than that, it sharpened his perception, allowing him to pierce through dreamscapes and illusions or sense danger from afar.
And so…
A faint breeze brushed past.
Yet Lang Tian reacted instantly!
He spun around, unleashing a palm strike!
"Lotus Shadow Blooming Beneath the Moon!"
His strike met an identical one, another Lotus Shadow Blooming Beneath the Moon!
The two palm forces collided, unleashing a wild surge of qi that forced both figures back!
Lang Tian staggered, retreating two steps.
His opponent, however, was pushed back entirely!
"Well done, Junior Brother!" Yue Ling said, gracefully landing on the ground, her face alight with approval.
Lang Tian panted, his expression radiant with excitement. His heart pounded with exhilaration.
'Finally… I've blocked one of Senior Sister's strikes!'
Over the past year, he'd been knocked down countless times, his body bruised and aching.
But now—his reflexes, strength, and instincts were sharp enough to withstand a direct blow from his Senior Sister!
"Alright, here comes the next!" Yue Ling said softly, her eyes flashing red.
In an instant, her figure vanished!
No, not vanished! Her movement technique was simply too swift!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Yue Ling moved, weaving around Lang Tian like dappled shadows in a misty haze.
Lang Tian spun repeatedly, his eyes sharp with tension, scanning every direction.
His heart raced, sweat soaking his back.
'Those whooshing sounds…'
'Senior Sister's trying to trick me!'
'Where would her next strike come from?
'Left?
'Right?
'Or… above!'
As expected, Yue Ling descended from the sky, her form ghostly, aiming a direct palm strike at his shoulder!
But Lang Tian had sensed it.
He whirled like a gust of wind, one hand unleashing Lotus Shadow Blooming Beneath the Moon to meet her strike.
His other hand struck back instantly!
"Heart-Chaos Lotus Blossom!"
The palm force grazed Yue Ling's robe, barely brushing its hem.
But that was enough!
For the true aim of Heart-Chaos Lotus Blossom was never the opponent, but the space around them!
The moment the move was unleashed, the air beside Yue Ling trembled. Ethereal lotus petals bloomed, spinning like dreamlike illusions.
As the petals brushed her, Yue Ling faltered for half a beat, her form wavering, her trajectory disrupted.
'Now's my chance!'
Lang Tian seized the moment, launching a decisive palm strike straight at his Senior Sister's back!
Earler, Yue Ling previously stated that he would win if he managed to hit her!
So if this hit, he would win!
But—
Suddenly…
Lang Tian's body stiffened!
One final step—just a hair's breadth from reaching his opponent—and yet Lang Tian's hand froze, unable to extend!
'What in the world is happening?!'
'Since when have I been struck?'
'My pressure points?'
His body stiffened like a stone statue, utterly immobile!
Yue Ling turned leisurely, a triumphant smirk curling her lips.
"Not bad, Junior Brother."
She shifted her stance, gliding forward with ease, her hand rising behind her, poised to deliver the finishing blow.
Lang Tian's eyes widened in panic, and he shouted:
"AHH! Senior Sister! Mercy! Have Mercy please! Spare meeee—!"
But it was too late!
THWACK!
A palm strike landed squarely on his abdomen!
Not strong enough to cause serious harm, but enough to make him grunt, a surge of bile rising as his body hurtled back thirty zhang, his insides churning.
Lang Tian sprawled on the ground, eyes rolling back, muttering weakly, "Ugh… as expected… of Senior Sister…"
___________________
A moment later…
"Ow…" Lang Tian clutched his stomach, groaning and still wincing.
Thankfully, he hadn't eaten much before training, or that palm strike would've made him spew his meal across the ground.
"Senior Sister!" he called out loudly. "Why are you so ruthless today? I already surrendered! That move… it hurt!"
"Hehe," Yue Ling giggled, stepping over to pull him to his feet.
"Hmph, who told you to eat my candies?"
"Huh?" Lang Tian blinked, dumbfounded. "W-what? You are mad at because of... those candies? But it was already a month ago!?"
"Hmph!" Yue Ling pouted.
"Aaa… I'm sorry!"
It all started roughly a month ago. It happened on a random evening, when Yue Ling had completely forgotten about a few candy sticks that she had left in his room. Lang Tian, assuming they were for him, happily gobbled them all up without leaving a single one!
Only when he saw his Senior Sister frantically searching for them did he realize… he'd committed a grave sin!
He thought she'd forgiven him long ago, but now, it seemed her wrath had flared again?!
'Aaaaa… it's true… The hearts of women are impossible to fathom…' he groaned inwardly.
"Senior Sister, I'm really sorry!" he pleaded, clasping his hands.
"Fine, I'll let you off this time," Yue Ling said, half-smiling, half-pouting. "But don't do it again!"
"Yes! Yes! Never again!" Lang Tian nodded frantically, flashing an awkward, cheeky grin.
__________________
In truth…
The real reason why Yue Ling had punished him were not actually because of those candies.
The real reason… well… even she wasn't entirely sure.
Lately, her junior brother had just seemed… a bit too annoying for some reason. Sometimes, there's an inexplicable feeling inside her chest when she's with him.
So… her hand slipped!
But if she admitted, "I hit you because you were getting on my nerves," how could he possibly accept that?
So, she had no choice but to blame it on the stolen candies instead!