C468 Dragon Defying True Meaning(1)
As soon as the fight began, Woo Zhengyang kept retreating, which left Yu Xiaoshui and the others frustrated with his earlier arrogant decision. Although Woo Zhengyang eventually made a move, everyone felt it was only because he was about to be pushed to the edge of the ring and had no choice.
It seemed like he was forced into action, and defeat seemed imminent for Woo Zhengyang. Especially when Zhan Yifei's Ape Strike Technique was flawlessly executed, hope dwindled among the spectators. Such an impressive martial skill seemed impossible for Woo Zhengyang, who appeared to be in over his head, to evade.
Yet, Woo Zhengyang managed to dodge it, and no one could quite see how he did it. It felt as though, when their figures collided, there was a sudden blur, and Woo Zhengyang appeared behind Zhan Yifei, as if he had passed right through him.
Aside from Woo Zhengyang, only Zhan Yifei, who was directly involved, understood what had just happened. When Woo Zhengyang approached, there were no signs of any martial technique being used. It wasn't until Zhan Yifei's Ape Strike Technique was perfectly unleashed, and it seemed Woo Zhengyang was about to be caught, that Woo Zhengyang finally moved.
Typically, a fighter's movements start with their feet. However, Woo Zhengyang's movement began with his body.
At that moment, his feet seemed rooted to the ground, while his body moved like a soft ribbon, gliding past Zhan Yifei. Only when his upper body was out of danger did Woo Zhengyang, standing in an unusual posture, finally step forward.
Though it sounds complex, it all happened incredibly fast. From the moment Woo Zhengyang made his move to when he stood firmly on both feet, it was just a fleeting instant, leaving many unable to catch his actions. Zhan Yifei saw it clearly but was helpless to respond.
If Woo Zhengyang had started by moving his feet, Zhan Yifei believed he could have stopped him. Without a solid footing, one's strength and speed are significantly reduced. But Woo Zhengyang did the opposite. Using the power from his feet, his body became extraordinarily flexible yet maintained strength and speed, perfectly evading all of Zhan Yifei's attacks.
Everything happened in a heartbeat, with the two of them so close, fully engaged in their martial skills, creating a misty aura around them. To onlookers, it seemed as if Woo Zhengyang had passed right through Zhan Yifei.
After brushing past each other, they stood back-to-back. Including the step he just took, Woo Zhengyang had already taken his second step. Resolutely, he turned and took the third step of the "Dragon Countering Nine Steps."
Woo Zhengyang, transformed into an ape-like form, rolled forward along the ground...
"Thud..."
A dull sound resonated from beneath Zhengyang's feet, leaving everyone even more bewildered. They still couldn't grasp what had just happened or how the situation in the ring had flipped so suddenly. How did Woo Zhengyang, who was being forced to retreat, suddenly start attacking? And why was Zhan Yifei, who had been so aggressive, now on the defensive?
"Impressive!" Zhan Yifei exclaimed in awe as he sprang to his feet, having dodged to the side.
After taking a third step in the air, Woo Zhengyang didn't pursue further. He simply smiled without saying a word. It was his first attempt to immerse himself in the "Dragon Countering Nine Steps," and he wasn't particularly adept at it. However, having practiced it before, Woo Zhengyang had some understanding, even if his method wasn't perfect. Combined with the momentum, it allowed him to hold his own against Zhan Yifei's "Ape Strike Technique."
Yet, by the third step, Woo Zhengyang's offensive had stalled, which was the main reason he didn't continue the attack. Unaware of this, Zhan Yifei thought Woo Zhengyang had deliberately held back, which to his proud nature, felt like an insult. So, after his initial exclamation, Zhan Yifei charged again, still using the "Ape Strike Technique," but this time with the ferocity of a raging ape.
In a powerful leap, Zhan Yifei's feet hit the ground with a force that seemed to shake the entire arena. His fists pounded the air with such intensity that the whole place trembled slightly.
The same martial technique, yet a completely different style. This realization elevated Woo Zhengyang's assessment of both the Ape Strike Technique and the Dragon Countering Nine Steps. Amidst his awe, Woo Zhengyang kept learning and pondering how he could make his Dragon Countering Nine Steps just as versatile.
In a flash, the seemingly frenzied Zhan Yifei was upon him again. This time, all of Zhan Yifei's energy was focused on destruction. Though nothing was in front of him, Woo Zhengyang imagined him splitting a river with one hand and crushing a mountain with his feet. And here he was, just a frail human standing in the wilderness, wondering how he could withstand such power capable of breaking mountains and rivers.
In that moment, Woo Zhengyang felt an urge to give up resisting. Instantly, he was drenched in sweat, feeling both alarmed and thrilled. He finally understood that when facing Zhan Yifei, he had been so overwhelmed by the display of strength that he had completely retreated.