Chapter 12: Rapid Growth
"That... that kid actually... actually blocked the boss's punch! How... how is that possible? Even I can't block the boss's punch, yet this kid did!" Pan Hu exclaimed in shock, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
"What a powerful kid. He looks like he's only in his teens, how can he have such incredible strength?" Another bandit was equally stunned, his face frozen in disbelief.
"This... this can't be possible! You... you actually blocked my attack!" Zhang Zhen finally spoke after being stunned for a long time, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Hehe! I am now filled with a desire to fight. My heart is extremely excited, I can't stop. My whole body feels like it's going to burst with power. Let's continue." Xiao Chen laughed, becoming excited after blocking Zhang Zhen's attack. The feeling of battle made him feel very comfortable.
"Kid, are you sure you're human?" Zhang Zhen's tiger-like eyes blinked as he looked at Xiao Chen.
His punch could knock down trees bigger than Xiao Chen, yet he couldn't even push Xiao Chen back a step. This was something he couldn't believe or accept. Could Xiao Chen's body be heavier than a tree? Absolutely impossible!
Could Xiao Chen's strength be greater than his? In Zhang Zhen's eyes, this was even more impossible. A teenager couldn't possibly have such immense strength! Plus, Xiao Chen's small frame gave the impression that he could be shattered with a punch, making it hard to believe he possessed such power.
But everything was happening right in front of Zhang Zhen's eyes. The kid seemed to defy nature! He began to wonder if Xiao Chen was even human.
Hearing Zhang Zhen's question, Xiao Chen looked at his hands and feet in confusion, then checked his back and touched his face. "Why do you ask that? Do I have something non-human growing on me? No, I don't see anything."
"Uh... no, nothing!" Zhang Zhen replied, now feeling a bit apprehensive, cold sweat trickling down his back.
"Then let's continue. This time, I will attack!" Xiao Chen smiled, his eyes filled with determination and a desire for battle. He looked like a combat maniac!
"Boom!"
This time, it was Xiao Chen who launched the attack. He stomped on the ground, creating a spider-web-like crack with the force, and quickly charged towards Zhang Zhen, mimicking Zhang Zhen's previous move perfectly.
"Boom boom boom!"
Zhang Zhen had to get serious now, realizing Xiao Chen was not simple. His face lost its previous sneer and contempt. They soon clashed, exchanging rapid attacks and defenses with fists, feet, knees, elbows, claws, and chops, changing moves swiftly.
"That kid can actually hold his own against the boss! He was scrambling a moment ago, but now he can launch such a high-level attack!" One bandit said in shock, sweat rolling down his face.
"The boss's fast attacks are being blocked, and he's even counterattacking at this speed. Incredible! I can't believe a kid can do this!" Pan Hu was horrified, having never seen such a powerful youngster.
As Xiao Chen and Zhang Zhen's fight continued, Xiao Chen's speed and strength grew at a terrifying pace. Zhang Zhen became increasingly shocked as they fought.
"This kid is a monster! At first, my attacks gave him trouble, and he could hardly evade or block them. Now, I'm the one struggling to avoid his attacks. This kid's strength is making my limbs numb! And he's not even hitting me with full force." Zhang Zhen was shocked, as the power Xiao Chen exhibited at his age was beyond his imagination.
"Boom boom boom!"
After about half an hour, the fight intensified, reaching a fever pitch. The speed of their punches and kicks increased, creating continuous thudding sounds. Zhang Zhen struggled more, while Xiao Chen grew more excited and delighted.
In the midst of the battle, Xiao Chen's youthful face wore an excited smile. Despite sweating heavily, he felt great! Perhaps it was the years of yearning for power being unleashed, but he couldn't stop.
"Boom!"
Xiao Chen's increasing strength and speed led him to unintentionally push Zhang Zhen back several steps with a powerful punch.
Zhang Zhen nearly fell, looking at Xiao Chen with fear. He couldn't speak, his body trembling, not from fear but from the overwhelming exhaustion and pain.
"Great! Great! Fighting is such an exhilarating thing!" Xiao Chen laughed excitedly, feeling his energy was endless. Despite fighting for half an hour, his strength seemed inexhaustible.
Pan Hu and the other bandits were speechless with shock, staring at Xiao Chen as if he were a monster.
"I can now fully see his attacks and easily dodge them. I feel like there's a fire burning inside me," Xiao Chen thought with joy, having made rapid progress.
"Hey, mister, are you okay?" Xiao Chen asked upon seeing Zhang Zhen's terrified expression.
Zhang Zhen didn't speak, just shook his head in fear. He was afraid his voice would betray his fear.
"Glad you're okay. Mister, I haven't even used my true essence yet. This time, I want to try it and see how strong I am. Are you ready?" Xiao Chen said with a smile, not seeing the bandits as enemies but as stepping stones for his progress.
Hearing this, Zhang Zhen's eyes widened with terror. Xiao Chen said he hadn't used his true essence during the fight, which was terrifying.
Without using his true essence, Xiao Chen had already made Zhang Zhen's limbs numb. If he used his true essence, wouldn't he completely destroy Zhang Zhen?
Unable to bear it any longer, Zhang Zhen turned and fled in fear. Seeing their leader run, Pan Hu and the others also quickly fled, not daring to stay.
Seeing the bandits flee, Xiao Chen was momentarily stunned, then bitterly smiled, "I just wanted to learn to fight from you. I didn't say I would beat you up. Was there really a need to run away in fear?"