Chapter Fifteen: The Terrifying Power of the Fist—Defeating the Enemy with a Single Palm!

"Is it the Four Great Families, or the Ocean-Overturning Martial Hall?" Wang, the instructor, frowned.

He was not intimidated by the so-called Four Great Families. Apart from their true core members, the collateral branches probably numbered in the tens of thousands. As long as their opponent's strength hadn't reached a certain level, his own two breakthroughs in vital energy and blood made him far from easy prey.

Bai Xuan gave no reply.

His pace quickened, the energy and blood surging within him, heat blazing forth, and beneath his skin, a sheen of azure scales appeared.

With a forward step, he charged ahead, and in the blink of an eye, he resembled a colossal blue shark bursting from the depths, rushing straight toward his foe!

"Azure Scale Technique!"

Wang's expression changed drastically.

Though both had achieved the second breakthrough in energy and blood, the instant he felt Bai Xuan's explosive power, he knew—

He couldn't withstand it!

"Retreat!"

Wang reacted swiftly, his body darting backward, while his palms turned a deep black, as if smeared with soot.

"Black Sand Palm!"

He struck out with both palms, muscles swelling, energy and blood roaring, aiming to meet Bai Xuan's incoming fist.

This Black Sand Palm was the true transmission of the Yang Martial Hall, akin to the Iron Sand Palm, but with an added venom, imbuing the strikes with poisonous force.

Bang!

Wang's palms met the attack, and he felt a terrifying force surge through, sending a thunderous tremor that numbed his hands. The black hue faded, his energy and blood shattered!

"What monstrous power!"

Wang's face twisted with shock. Not only that, but he sensed the venom within his Black Sand Palm failed to penetrate Bai Xuan's fist, stopped cold by the azure scales, leaving him unscathed!

The next moment, he saw Bai Xuan's vital energy erupt, and in a flash, Bai Xuan was upon him!

"Too fast!"

Bai Xuan's speed was augmented by the "Shark Duel" technique; in short bursts, he could shift instantly, evading even great sharks in the water.

At this distance, Wang had no hope of dodging!

Crash!

Wang was struck by a palm, the force like a mountain falling, as if a raging bull had crashed into him. With a crack, several ribs broke, and his body was flung sideways!

"How can this be?"

A single punch and palm had defeated him?

Such terrifying strength greatly surpassed the usual second breakthrough in energy and blood!

Power, speed... both were overwhelming, like a wild beast from primordial times. He struggled to accept the reality.

In the blink of an eye, Wang crashed to the ground, unable to rise, and as he lifted his head, Bai Xuan towered over him, vital energy surging, azure scales on his arms coiling like giant serpents, emanating a dreadful pressure.

"I ask, you answer!"

...

Some time later.

"The harvest was not bad," Bai Xuan returned under the moonlight.

After his interrogation, the opponent not only returned the pearl, but surrendered all the twenty taels of broken silver and two throwing knives he carried.

In addition, this Wang brought forth a hand-copied manual, the fruit of many nights—the "Flying Knife Technique."

It turned out his skills were split: half in his palms, and half in throwing knives. Bai Xuan's speed had simply been too great for him to use them.

As for the Black Sand Palm, Bai Xuan chose not to press for its secrets—it seemed rather mediocre.

Besides, the Black Sand Palm was the Yang Martial Hall's true transmission, not Wang's personal property. Practicing it would likely invite trouble from the Hall.

That would be a problem.

"This time, I also learned something about the Sea Market."

The so-called Sea Market was twenty miles offshore, on a small island. Every three months, there was a gathering where rare treasures and secret manuals could be bought, sold, or traded.

It was, in truth, a pirate's den for fencing stolen goods.

Pirates roamed the seas, plundering many things; disposing of their loot was a major headache, and thus a market gradually formed.

Many powers who lost goods and treasures, if they lacked the strength, could only swallow their pride and buy back their stolen items at the Sea Market.

The black pirates, though ruthless, believed in making peace for profit. Over the years, the Sea Market grew into a vital trading hub in the region.

"If one wants to obtain unclaimed true transmissions, the easiest way is to buy them at the Sea Market."

Bai Xuan now knew.

Because most goods were stolen, prices were very cheap.

For example, a common true transmission like Iron Sand Palm could be acquired at the Sea Market for just fifty taels of silver.

"This Wang was far too weak."

In truth, Bai Xuan had been very cautious.

Both had the second breakthrough; it was possible the opponent had some technique, perhaps not inferior, maybe even superior, to his own.

Thus, he carried the cold iron fish-spear on his back.

If the opponent proved stronger than expected, he would draw the spear and unleash his Shark Duel strike, killing him by surprise!

As it turned out, Wang was much weaker than anticipated.

Just two punches had been enough to defeat him with explosive force.

"Too weak."

Bai Xuan shook his head inwardly.

The opponent's true transmission was much diminished in his eyes.

Though the Black Sand Palm contained venom, Bai Xuan's Azure Scale Technique protected him beneath the skin, leaving not a trace vulnerable.

The venom, in fact, hindered the condensation of energy and blood, making it rather useless.

"When I go to the Sea Market, I hope to find a truly superior true transmission. Something like Black Sand Palm is better left unpracticed."

...

In the small courtyard.

"Hiss... That instructor Wang has been famous for years, and you defeated him so easily?" Old Li was dumbfounded.

He had watched Bai Xuan grow from a diligent fisherman, still young.

And now, in such a short time...

To defeat a martial hall instructor—such strength would make him more than qualified as third mate on an ordinary whaling ship!

"Never thought I'd live to see a young genius rise; the river’s waves push the old ahead," Old Li exclaimed.

"Too bad my granddaughter is only seven, otherwise I'd marry her to you."

"I wouldn’t dare accept," Bai Xuan replied, speechless.

Seven years old?

In fact, he himself was only fifteen in this life, still far from the age of marriage.

"You want to buy a black-canopy boat?"

After a moment’s reflection, Old Li turned to business.

"That's right."

Bai Xuan had long considered buying a boat.

Though fishing with a rod could cultivate a fisherman’s Dao, it was slower than netting fish; over time, the difference became clear.

No wonder—what fisherman uses a bamboo pole?

It was best to have one's own boat, to go out to sea and fish, to maximize the growth of Dao insight.

Moreover, Bai Xuan was preparing to go to the Sea Market, making a boat even more necessary.

"It's not expensive, five strings of copper coins."

Old Li was experienced. "But the black-canopy boat can only fish in inland waters and near the coast, not in the deep sea."

"I know," Bai Xuan said.

To fish in deep waters, one needs an ocean-going vessel and the appropriate crew.

Bai Xuan had never considered that.

"Good, then it's simple."

Old Li hurried off.

Seven days later.

"Well, this black-canopy boat is nice, isn’t it?" Old Li said proudly.

Last time, he’d tried to arrange a martial hall true transmission for Bai Xuan, but failed, losing face.

This time, he was determined, scouring his contacts, and finally obtained a newly built black-canopy boat.

"The hull is made of fine ironwood, unlike ordinary pine; even if it strikes rocks or faces the greatest storms, it won’t capsize."

"The canopy has been coated with lacquer and tung oil; even in a torrential downpour, not a drop will seep in!"

Old Li was brimming with pride.

"It truly is a fine boat," Bai Xuan could not help but praise as he examined the vessel before him.