In the evening, as the streetlights began to illuminate the city, Sun Sheng rode his old bicycle to the Zhenwei Martial Arts Gym.
Located on the second floor of an old commercial street, the sounds of 'thump, thump' and roars from upstairs could be heard from below.
He pushed open the slightly worn glass door of the gym, and a wave of heat mixed with sweat, leather, and disinfectant washed over him.
Inside, the gym was bustling with activity; a dozen muscular men were sweating profusely.
Sun Sheng, in his school uniform and slender build, looked out of place.
At the front desk, a burly, middle-aged man with a buzz cut looked up.
"Looking for someone, student?"
Sun Sheng recognized him: Zhang Lei, the gym's owner and head coach.
Sun Sheng's gaze went past Zhang Lei and into the gym, a fire burning in his eyes.
"Coach, I want to learn to fight."
His voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally firm.
"Can I practice now?"
His tone surprised Zhang Lei a little.
He sized up Sun Sheng, this 'bean sprout' who was as thin as a bamboo pole.
"Young student, training here is very tough; it's not a game."
"I'm sure."
Sun Sheng's reply came without a hint of hesitation.
Zhang Lei stared into his eyes for a few seconds, seeing an unyielding determination that belied his age.
"Alright, follow me. Let's start with the sandbag."
He led Sun Sheng to the lightest sandbag and handed him an old pair of boxing gloves.
Sun Sheng put them on skillfully, stood before the sandbag, and took his stance.
Initially, his movements were a bit rusty.
But after just a few punches, memories from his previous life quickly resurfaced.
His jabs were fast and precise, his rear straight punches flowed smoothly, and his movements were as textbook-perfect as they come.
Although his power was lacking, producing only muffled 'thump, thump' sounds, the rhythm made Zhang Lei, who was observing nearby, subtly change his expression.
This kid... he doesn't seem like a beginner.
"Come on, try the pads!"
Zhang Lei's interest was piqued; he picked up a pair of focus mitts and stood in front of Sun Sheng.
No sooner had he spoken than his right-hand mitt flashed.
"Snap!"
A crisp, explosive sound!
Sun Sheng's left fist had already accurately struck the center of the mitt!
Zhang Lei was startled, then quickly sped up, alternating his left and right mitts, varying the rhythm and direction.
"Snap! Snap! Snap snap!"
The crisp sounds of striking the mitts were like a rapid drumbeat.
Everyone around them looked over curiously.
They were shocked to find that no matter how fast or tricky Coach Zhang's mitts were, that tall, slender kid always reacted in advance!
Every punch landed squarely in the center of the mitt!
He seemed able to predict the coach's mitt placement beforehand!
Zhang Lei's heart was no longer merely surprised; it was shaken.
He stopped, shaking his numb wrist.
"Kid, have you trained before?"
"Just messed around by myself," Sun Sheng replied casually.
"Messed around to this extent?"
Zhang Lei clearly didn't believe him, his interest growing even stronger.
"Come on, get in the ring, put on the protective gear, let's spar a bit."
This was a true test!
Without a word, Sun Sheng took off his school jacket and climbed into the ring.
Zhang Lei also put on his helmet and gloves, standing there like a wall.
"Ready? I'm coming at you!" Zhang Lei reminded him in a deep voice.
He threw a probing left jab.
In Sun Sheng's eyes, this fast punch looked like it was in slow motion.
He tilted his head slightly, and the fist whizzed past his cheek.
Immediately after, Zhang Lei followed up with a rear straight punch!
Sun Sheng subtly dipped his body, again easily dodging it.
At the same time, his left hand, like a persistent shadow, lightly tapped Zhang Lei's exposed ribs.
Although there was no power, the timing and placement made Zhang Lei's heart tighten.
Zhang Lei, somewhat disbelieving, increased his attack frequency, unleashing combination punches, low kicks, and high kicks in succession!
The scene in the ring became bizarre.
The bear-like Zhang Lei's fists and feet moved like the wind, powerful and imposing.
And the lean Sun Sheng was like a fallen leaf in a storm.
He weaved and dodged through the airtight attacks, always narrowly avoiding every blow.
He could even feel the wind of Zhang Lei's punches brush his skin, but they just couldn't touch him.
What made Zhang Lei even more unnerved was that Sun Sheng not only dodged but also, in the gaps of his evasions, 'tapped' his defensive openings again and again with terrifyingly precise counterattacks!
Sun Sheng became more and more immersed as he fought, the feeling of controlling everything in the Octagon from his previous life quickly returning!
He instinctively executed a beautiful side-step.
After dodging Zhang Lei's hook, his body twisted with the momentum.
A rear straight punch, like a javelin, gently stopped one centimeter from Zhang Lei's chin, the wind from his fist making Zhang Lei's stubble tremble.
All the hairs on Zhang Lei's body stood on end; he sharply took a step back and raised his hands to call a stop.
He took off his helmet, his forehead already covered in fine beads of sweat.
He looked at the calm and composed Sun Sheng as if he were a monster, his mind in turmoil.
This kid... he's no beginner! This reflex! This awareness! He's a monster!
"You..."
Zhang Lei opened his mouth, but in the end, it only became a sigh, "You kid, you're a natural-born fighter!"
...Stepping out of the Zhenwei Martial Arts Gym, Sun Sheng took a deep breath of the cool night air.
The 'sparring' just now had thoroughly confirmed it for him - Godlike Reflexes + the top technical framework from his previous life = he possessed the ultimate weapon to climb to the Peak of combat!
Although this body was weak, it didn't matter; strength could be trained, stamina could be trained!
But this Divine Rank reaction speed was something no one could train for!
He looked up at the flashing neon lights of the gym, clenching his fists tightly.
In his eyes, a flame called ambition burned.
"UFC... Championship Belt... Triple Crown! Even Quadruple Crown, Quintuple Crown--"
"In this life, I, Sun Sheng, have arrived!"
"Financial freedom is the chips to get to the table; the Peak of combat is my ultimate destination!"
He looked up at the deep night sky, dotted with stars.
In his vision, that starry sky seemed to gradually transform into an Octagon illuminated by spotlights.
And he stood in the center of the cage, awaiting the cheers of the world.
Tomorrow, he would first get his chips!