Xuan Wu didn't seem to mind the cut. He knew it would happen when he had seen the name of the opponent. He just had to do what he did every time, attack.

Looking towards the man he had faced countless times in a battle, He said,

"Brother Dong, although I have lost a lot against you. I don't think you will have a chance to defeat me in the future. In this battle, I'll show you my growth."

Lin Dong didn't respond, he just set his eyes on Xuan Wu, observing his every single move. His nervousness was palpable, his leg twitched when idle, even in the heat of the battle.

Displeased by Lin Dong's lack of response, Xuan Wu drew in with a dash once again. He punched and kicked, using all his limbs perfectly in a flurry of blows targeted at Lin Dong's small body.

Lin Dong was clearly a master at utilising everything he had. He stuck very close to the ground. His knees were always bent and his back always hunched.

This made him a target very hard to hit. Even with the perfect barrage of kicks and punches thrown at him, he still hadn't been touched by anything more than a graze.

The tension was steadily climbing up along with Lin Dong's flawless dodge record. Even Xuan Wu's supporters were enraptured by this fabulous display of athleticism and awareness.

Since long ago, Lin Dong had been described as many things but never brave. Many people had actually advised him to give up cultivation saying things like,

"Brother Dong, you don't have the personality of someone who can succeed in battle. If you are so scared of the danger, you should leave that to the others and become a merchant instead."

These people and many others had made this mistake, what Lin Dong lacked was not guts but imprudence.

That is not to say that he did not fear fists and stones, he cringed at the pain they dealt. But he understood the need for certain overtures, accepting challenges, fighting his best, maintaining a reputation.

He thought long and hard about the pros and cons of his actions but never failed to gather his courage when something crucial needed to be done. He read his odds with an objective mind but he did not allow it to defeat him before his attempt.

The fear of pain and injuries, which had been drilled into him from his childhood due to having an exceptionally weak body was the thing that gave him the impetus to develop his dodging abilities to such a degree.

Afterall, if he wasn't injured, he wouldn't have to spend a lot of time recuperating. He wouldn't have to spend the extra money on medicines because his body couldn't take the injuries.

At this point, he had transformed his intuition and movement of dodging into an art. He ducked and swerved, skimming attacks by a centimeter.

He could do this not because he wasn't afraid of them or held some aversion towards moving further- but because he was deathly afraid of being caught unstable by any follow-up.

So afraid was he of missing his dodge, that he furiously calculated each possible outcome in an almost instinctive manner.

Since Yun Fei had something like a pseudo divine sense, he was one of the people who could appreciate the genius in Lin Dong's movement completely. If Yun Fei was like a rat when dodging Long Long's blows, he felt like Lin Dong was the rat master.

That's just how good he was at dodging. And unlike Long Long who was sloppy and telegraphed his blows, Xuan Wu only displayed the minimum possible precursors.

Contrary to what his body size and attitude would suggest, Xuan Wu was a technical genius. He seemed to have predicted that his blows would be dodged.

Except some, all of his moves were there to make Lin Dong take up the most energy to dodge. His compact punches and kicks would rhythmically push Lin Dong to a particular position where he would bring out the big guns. Trying to capitalise on his hard won advantage.

Even the strongest, most well placed attacks by Xuan Wu barely fanned Lin Dong as they passed him by.

It was like a joint performance. Yun Fei held no doubts that this had been the best battle of round one. In fact, he suddenly realised that his own fight looked like a cheap copy of the one happening right in front of him.

It was like they had been third rate actors in a play, who had been hired to play Lin Dong and Xuan Wu's roles. He didn't think too much about it, he had to concentrate to learn as much as he could from the fight.

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If it had been a competition of who could land the most blows, Lin Dong would be at an overwhelming lead. Many times, he had been able to leave a shallow cut as he rolled and leaped.

However, these cuts couldn't even slow Xuan Wu down. They barely had an effect on the fight. If they had, it would be a negative effect for Lin Dong. He could slip on some drops of blood and then get completely decimated.

"I just asked around. It seems that both Xuan Wu and Lin Dong have fought numerous times in the underground arenas of Jiang city.

Almost all their fights devolve into a spectacle like this one and then ends with a bang. This is the reason that their matchup is very famous."

"So this is the reason why the crowd is so stoked and both of them look familiar with each other's styles."

Looking towards the magnificent performance at the stage Yun Fei continued,

"The end of the fight is near."

Intrigued Devanshu asked,

"It looks like they are still in their best forms, why do you think it will end soon?"

"It's about stamina. Lin Dong should be making a move soon enough."

As if determined to prove Yun Fei right, Lin Dong dodged into an unguarded side of Xuan Wu. His movements showcased the courage that he had mustered.

Like Yun Fei had predicted, the stamina built by Xuan Wu outstripped Lin Dong's resistance. No matter how efficient, he could not maintain this pace.

It was inevitable. He couldn't keep dodging indefinitely. He had to pull off a damaging attack while he still had stamina remaining or he would be finished when he slowed down.

Moving towards Xuan Wu with all his speed. Lin Dong stabbed his knife into his side. However, just as his knife was about enter deeper from a shallow wound into a serious injury, Lin Dong felt a crushing pain in his chest.

He coughed up blood as he bounced off the platform, unable to stop himself. Just like that, Lin Dong crashed out of bounds, in no condition to even stand.

Xuan Wu's eyes followed Lin Dong's figure as he crashed out of bounds. To him, this fight signified him surpassing Lin Dong completely.

Although he had learned a lot from Lin Dong and originally lost a lot against him. Lin Dong just couldn't manage to compete after he had recieved the inheritance. Lin Dong's weak body was becoming his fatal weakness.

Just before Lin Dong fainted after having his chest collapsed by Xuan Wu's blow. He thought to himself.

'Even the people originally weaker than me are surpassing me. Just what did I do wrong? I've worked my hardest to increase my strength.

I've spent hours after hours to perfect my skills. Why do I have to live with this defective body? Why is it so unfair? If I just had a normal body....'

As he Lamented, his vision faded into darkness.

The fight satisfied the audience. The fast dodges and the explosive finish made for perfect entertainment. However, the people who had watched Lin Dong and Xuan Wu fight each other for a long time felt a little bitter for Lin Dong.

Almost everybody was aware of Lin Song's birth defect and Xuan Wu's rapid growth. Although it was inevitable, people couldn't help but feel that it was unfair for someone as talented and hard working as Lin Dong.

The Referee declared Xuan Wu the winner. He also got Lin Dong hauled off to be treated. His name was removed from the people fighting in round two. He would be fortunate if he got off with all of his crushed ribs, he wouldn't be in any condition to move for a week or two.

Still reminiscing the fight, Devanshu said,

"I understand now, Lin Dong had a glaring weakness. His great sense couldn't make up for his dismal strength and weak physique.

Xuan Wu may have his own weaknesses but they were nothing as exploitable as Lin Dong's. I finally get why he was so scared the whole fight."

Yun Fei nodded

"Lin Dong was scared of exactly the same outcome as the one that has happened. However, he still chose to attack when he had the best chance to win. He didn't surrender and went off with a fight."

Devanshu agreed,

"Although he looked so scared. His courage cannot be underestimated. I think he just didn't want to surrender in front of someone that was his rival.

After asking around some of the people who know about them, I got some information.

It seems that Lin Dong is an old veteran at these fights, but Xuan Wu has only really gained prominence in the past year or so. He grew with every fight, finally catching up to Lin Dong.

Recently Their fight record has started skewing in his favor, most probably because of the inheritance he has received. But apparently, Lin Dong still has the greater number of wins."

Yun Fei sighed,

"The heavens are ruthless. While some people enjoy the most privileged of conditions right from their birth, others struggle in the dirt with massive disadvantages.

The only way to succeed is to take what you want through your own hands."

"And if you can't?" Asked Devanshu.

"And if you can't. You die trying.", Replied Yun Fei with conviction.

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In the Yun household in the hamlet by the knull river.

Yun Zian had grown into a cute toddler that was earnestly loving and selflessly helpful. He tried his very best to help around the house.

Waddling away on his short legs, delivering water and food and setting things just right around the house. His only response to a request was a beaming smile.

He was three years old when Yun Moxie was born. Little Yun Zian carried no hint of sibling rivalry. In contrast, he loved his little brother very much and took care of him like a responsible older brother.

Unlike Yun Zian who had been a very lively and energetic child who kept his parents busy all the day, Yun Moxie was a quiet child who was very easy to take care of. He grew up under the endless love of his parents and older brother.

As Yun Moxie was growing up. The Yun family was surprised by his intelligence and interest in the world around him. Unlike his older brother who liked playing a lot, Yun Moxie seemed to prefer learning instead of the other activities.

Instead of his curiosity and thirst for knowledge dying down It only increased as Yun Moxie turned four. Other than observing different things, his favorite game was to ask and learn about different things from his elders.

"Why is mother's stomach so large?"

Yun Zhilan smiled as she answered him patiently.

"This is because your little sibling is growing inside of me."

"Little sibling? What! Am I going to be a big brother like big brother too?"

"That's right. And you must take care of your little sibling like your big brother takes care of you. Do you promise me?"

"I promise.",

The little Yun Moxie said as he smiled widely.