Chapter 2: Awakening in Battle

The air in the training ground grew tense as Li Tianming and Wu Jian stepped forward, their eyes locked in a battle of wills before the fight even began. Wu Jian, the son of a sect elder from the Ironclad Tiger Sect, exuded confidence, his muscular frame radiating power. He had every advantage—superior resources, powerful martial techniques, and abundant spiritual energy. In contrast, Tianming had basic martial arts and came from a poor background.

The instructor raised his hand. "Begin!"

Wu Jian wasted no time, launching forward with a speed that belied his large frame. His fist tore through the air, a manifestation of his sect's famed Raging Tiger Strike—a technique known for its ferocity and overwhelming force.

Tianming sidestepped at the last moment, the punch grazing past his shoulder. Wu Jian followed up with a sweeping kick, but Tianming twisted his body, allowing the force of the attack to flow past him, using Yin-Yang Fist to subtly redirect the energy. His footwork was precise, his movements honed by years of surviving on instinct rather than raw power.

"Slippery rat!" Wu Jian growled, attacking relentlessly.

Tianming remained calm, dodging and countering with short, efficient strikes using the Military Boxing Technique. His punches lacked overwhelming force but struck at precise angles, disrupting Wu Jian's balance.

The fight continued, with Wu Jian pressing his advantage in raw strength while Tianming outmaneuvered him with cunning. But the gap in their physical prowess was undeniable. Each time Wu Jian's attacks landed, they left bruises. Tianming knew he couldn't hold out forever.

And then, it happened.

Wu Jian feinted, drawing Tianming into a false sense of rhythm before delivering a devastating Raging Tiger Strike to his chest. The impact sent Tianming crashing into a nearby tree, his vision blurring as pain exploded through his body. Blood dripped from his forehead and lips, but sheer willpower forced him to stand.

Then, something stirred within him.

A strange power coursed through his veins, raw and untamed. For a split second, golden-white scales shimmered over his left arm before vanishing. His entire body burned with an overwhelming surge of strength.

Wu Jian lunged forward for the finishing blow.

With newfound power, Tianming met him head-on. His fist connected with Wu Jian's stomach, sending shockwaves through his opponent's body. Wu Jian's eyes widened as he coughed up blood before collapsing unconscious onto the ground.

Tianming barely registered the gasps of the crowd before his vision darkened. Just before losing consciousness, a memory flickered in his mind—the white-scaled snake he had eaten that morning. A strange sensation had overtaken him after consuming it, as if something deep within him had been awakened.

"Is this… because of that snake…?"

And then, everything went black.

Tianming woke up in the school infirmary, blinking at the ceiling. He expected to be wrapped in bandages, his body aching from the fight. Instead, his wounds had nearly vanished, leaving behind only minor bruises.

"You reckless fool!"

The sharp yet melodious voice belonged to Nurse Su Mei, the academy's head nurse. She was a striking woman in her early twenties, known for her beauty and sharp tongue. Her arms were crossed as she glared down at him.

"What were you thinking, pushing yourself like that?" she scolded. "You should have been bedridden for months, yet all I found were a few shallow cuts and bruises. It doesn't make sense."

Tianming sat up, his mind racing. His injuries should have been severe, yet they had healed as if they were nothing. What had changed?

Before he could ponder further, the doors burst open, and Zhou Feng entered.

"There you are!" he said, grinning. "Why'd you leave without me?"

Tianming shook his head, forcing a small smile. "Didn't want to keep you waiting."

Zhou Feng slapped him on the back, nearly making him stumble. "Well, come on! Let's go home."

As they walked, Tianming's thoughts lingered on the strange surge of power, the dragon-like scales, and the miraculous healing. Something inside him had awakened that day.

And he would find out what it was.