As the last drop of cola went down his throat, a sudden tension spread through Lin Yijun’s body.
A mysterious energy was making its way within his limbs. It wasn’t qi, yet it flowed smoothly through his meridians, strengthening them.
His senses became unnaturally sharp.
He could see clearer, every detail around him becoming crisp.
His hearing sharpened. The bubbling of hot water, the rustle of fabric, even the sound of Xiao Lianfeng blinking Lin Yijun could hear.
But what truly startled him was his body’s response.
His muscles felt lighter, more responsive. When he raised his hand, it moved faster than expected, as if his body was reacting before he even finished the thought.
His qi circulation had nearly doubled in speed.
If Lin Yijun entered a fight right now, he was sure he could react before his opponent even finished their attack.
He stared at the empty can in his hand.
This drink… what exactly did he just consume?
Lin Yijun placed the empty can down and stood up.
“Brother Lianfeng, let’s spar. Close combat, no qi.”
Xiao Lianfeng blinked. “Hah?”
Xiao Lianfeng glanced at Lin Yijun like he had just grown another head. Was Lin Yijun serious? Even without qi, Lin Yijun wasn’t his match in pure hand-to-hand combat. Did drinking that strange liquid mess with his head?
Still, Xiao Lianfeng wasn’t one to refuse a good fight, especially when he needed something to vent his frustrations on.
He clenched his fists, recalling the pain of being told he had to wait until tomorrow to buy another cup of Beef-Flavored Instant Noodles.
“Fine. Don’t cry after losing.”
Lin Yijun didn’t reply. Instead, he walked straight to the door. Xiao Lianfeng clicked his tongue, strerching his shoulders as he followed Lin Yijun outside.
Through the glass wall of the store, Hao, Hua Feixue, and Yue Xueyan watched the two step into the open space.
Hua Feixue watched them take their positions and scoffed.
“What is Lin Yijun thinking? He’s just going to get beaten up for sure, right, Senior Sister?”
Yue Xueyan didn’t answer immediately.
Logically speaking, she should agree with Hua Feixue. Under normal circumstances, Lin Yijun had no chance of beating Xiao Lianfeng in close combat. The gap between them was obvious.
But for some reason, Yue Xueyan hesitated.
Her gaze flickered to the empty red can on the table.
Could it be because of the new product?
Something had changed in Lin Yijun after he drank it. Yue Xueyan had sensed it. The way his aura subtly shifted. There was no way Lin Yijun would suddenly request a spar if he knew he was going to lose.
Hua Feixue, seeing Yue Xueyan deep in thought, tilted her head. “Senior Sister?”
Yue Xueyan shook herself from her thoughts and turned back to the spar.
“Something’s different.” Yue Xueyan murmured.
Hua Feixue: “…”
Yue Xueyan didn’t elaborate. “Let’s watch.”
Outside of the Dimensional Convenience Store.
“Brother Yijun, I don’t want people saying I bullied you. How about I give you a handicap?”
Lin Yijun’s eyes twitched. “…I don’t need it.”
Xiao Lianfeng grinned. “Are you sure? I just broke through to the Saint Realm. My strength has risen quite a bit. Even without qi, my body is much tougher than yours.”
Lin Yijun remained silent.
Xiao Lianfeng smirked. “Alright, alright. No need to get all serious. How about this? I won’t attack with my full strength – ”
“No need.”
Xiao Lianfeng paused.
Lin Yijun calmly took his stance. “Just fight me seriously.”
Xiao Lianfeng sighed. “Fine, fine. But don’t blame me if you go flying.”
He stepped forward and cupped his fists. Lin Yijun returned the gesture.
The spar had began!
Xiao Lianfeng didn’t hesitate. His foot slammed into the ground, and he lunged forward, fist swinging toward Lin Yijun’s chest.
His Breaking Current Fist Art was relentless. A single punch would be followed by another, flowing like crashing waves, drowning the opponent in force.
But the moment Xiao Lianfeng’s punch was about to land –
Lin Yijun moved.
His body twisted at an unnatural speed, flowing like water. His shoulder barely avoided the strike, and before Xiao Lianfeng could chain his next attack, Lin Yijun was already repositioning, circling around him.
Xiao Lianfeng’s pupils shrank.
What was that speed?!
Xiao Lianfeng pivoted, throwing another punch. Lin Yijun dodged again, weaving through his attacks with almost inhuman precision.
Lin Yijun footwork was light. Unpredictable.
It was like trying to punch a shadow.
Lin Yijun’s Flowing River Fist Art was always difficult to counter, but right now, it felt downright slippery.
Xiao Lianfeng gritted his teeth and increased his speed. His fists became a blur, a relentless barrage of blows meant to corner Lin Yijun.
Yet –
Dodge.
Dodge.
Dodge.
Lin Yijun flowed between the attacks like a river slipping through cracks.
His mind barely had time to process it, but his body reacted on its own. The strange energy from the cola sharpened his senses beyond normal limits.
Xiao Lianfeng’s muscle tensed before a strike? He already knew where the attack would go.
The angle of Xiao Lianfeng’s step shifted? Lin Yijun’s body moved before his mind even registered the danger.
His reaction time was halved.
It was like seeing the fight in slow motion.
And then – Lin Yijun countered.
His fist shot out like a whip, striking Xiao Lianfeng’s side.
Bang!
Xiao Lianfeng staggered. His face twisted in shock. Lin Yijun had never hit him that hard before.
Lin Yijun didn’t let up. He pressed forward, his fists flowing like an endless current. His strikes weren’t as powerful, but they were relentless, one after another, pushing Xiao Lianfeng back.
Xiao Lianfeng quickly steadied himself and raised his arms, blocking Lin Yijun’s punches. Even though Lin Yijun was faster, the sheer strength of a Saint Realm cultivator gave Xiao Lianfeng an advantage.
A fist came toward his face. Xiao Lianfeng tilted his head, barely avoiding it. His hair ruffled from the force.
He narrowed his eyes.
If this kept up…
Lin Yijun was actually going to win.
Xiao Lianfeng clenched his fists.
No way.
He planted his foot into the ground and twisted his body. His fist roared forward like a crashing wave.
Lin Yijun reacted. His body moved to dodge –
But this time, it wasn’t fast enough.
Boom!
Lin Yijun’s world spun. The next thing he knew, he was skidding across the ground, rolling until he finally stopped. Dust settled around him.