Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted.

Although Chun-Li has not yet reached the status of Bronze Ang, she has learned a lot of information that ordinary members would not know because of her impeccable lineage.

Although she initially neglected some things because her mind was entirely focused on Yuan Chen, Chun-Li has now calmed down and remembered the many superpowered individuals recorded in the ICPO logs.

Similar superpowers are considered to be different forms of ki, but with unique characteristics based on certain mental properties.

Those specializing in healing often have weaker combat abilities.

Especially considering Ingrid's thin and small appearance, although she scolded Yuan Chen quite a bit during their conversation, it was clear from Yuan Chen's demeanor that he only momentarily lost his composure before quickly adjusting, indicating that Ingrid couldn't cause any real harm at all...

Hearing Chunli's words, Tong Ang nodded and chuckled as he sipped his tea, teasing her:

"You old codger, didn't you say you'd retired from the martial arts world? How come you want to spar with every young girl you see now..."

Tong Ang's tone was initially somewhat teasing, but upon noticing the seriousness and depth in Yuan's eyes, he paused briefly before frowning and saying:

"Wait... old man, are you serious?"

"……Um."

Yuan nodded calmly, then stroked his beard and said, "This is precisely what I'm pursuing now..."

As he spoke, Yuan glanced at Yuan Chen beside him and said:

“Achen, you should know what I’m pursuing now… I feel it, and it’s never been clearer.”

“You’ve misunderstood.” Yuan Chen shook his head in denial almost without hesitation, his speed and decisiveness surprising even to himself.

Facing everyone's gaze, Yuan Chen leaned back in his chair after a brief silence and said, "The kind of deathmatch you seek is impossible to achieve with Ingrid."

"A deathmatch?!" Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Chun Li exclaimed and stood up, then looked at Yuan and said, "Wait! Grandpa Yuan! What deathmatch?! With Ingrid?"

Compared to Chun-Li's astonishment, everyone else remained silent. Only Ingrid looked at Yuan and Yuan Chen with great interest, showing little anger or tension, but simply finding it amusing.

As for the doubts of the crowd, Yuan Chen simply looked at Ingrid beside him, and his previously casual face became serious.

“I know this request is somewhat presumptuous, but I owe all my achievements to his guidance…”

In response, Ingrid simply snapped her fingers, and the surrounding space froze.

After that, Ingrid simply looked at Yuan Chen with amusement.

Clearly, Ingrid simply didn't want others to overhear her conversation with Yuan Chen. Or perhaps, she didn't want this kind of thing to ruin the 'fun' she might encounter in this world.

Having already gained some understanding of Ingrid's personality, Yuan Chen paused for a moment, then took a deep breath and looked earnestly at Ingrid, pleading, "So if possible, please be as quick as possible. And... be as dignified as possible."

So, what are you prepared to give in return?

Ingrid looked at Yuan Chen with a mischievous grin.

Although with Yuan Chen's current abilities, he can't give Ingrid anything of value.

But it doesn't matter, Ingrid simply enjoys teasing her juniors who are very relaxed and natural when they are with her.

"The question is, what do you want?" Yuan Chen said frankly, spreading his hands. "I don't know what you could possibly want from me."

"That's true~" Ingrid nodded thoughtfully after hearing Yuan Chen's words, and then said:

"Then this bento is a gift from me. After all, I was able to meet such a 'cute' junior like you thanks to this human~"

As she said this, Ingrid seemed to remember something, stroked her chin, and then said:

"Hmm, if you'd like, cook for me every day... There's a really unique flavor to your energy~"

“No problem.” Yuan Chen nodded.

Having received a satisfactory answer, Ingrid was thus released from the eternal moment.

As time began to move forward again, everyone subconsciously turned their gaze to Yuan Chen.

Their thoughts and memories were still stuck on the moment Yuan Chen made his request to Ingrid, and as for other things... Yuan might be able to sense something was amiss, but that was all.

From those bewildered eyes, it was clear that although Yuan had sensed something, she couldn't understand it at all, and then she turned her gaze to Yuan Chen.

Yuan Chen then gestured with his chin toward Ingrid, who was standing to the side.

Almost the instant Yuan's gaze met Ingrid's, those cloudy white old eyes suddenly froze, and Yuan's entire thought process came to a standstill.

It wasn't oppressive, nor was it murderous intent; there wasn't even any perceptible energy fluctuation.

Just as humans look down upon an anthill, just as stars look down upon dust, just as the concept of eternity looks down upon a moment that is about to fade away.

Then Yuan... saw it.

His soul was ripped from his body and thrown into an endless river of light.

He saw the purest nothingness, and a pair of eyes, like rubies, that had opened at the very beginning of nothingness's birth...

Then he came back.

Yuan found himself still sitting at the dining table, his forehead covered in a fine layer of sweat.

Looking down at his palms, Yuan noticed his fingers were trembling. Then he looked up at Ingrid.

The silver-haired girl was holding a fresh bowl of fried rice, her cheeks bulging from eating, and she was looking at Yuan Chen with a mocking expression—she wasn't even looking at him, as if that glance just now was just an unintentional look up while eating.

Yuan remained silent for a long time.

Then he remembered his request and smiled with relief.

I'm attacking Ingrid?

Volume 1: Chapter 36 - Lao Yuan's Network

Looking at Yuan, who suddenly lowered his head and laughed, Chun-Li's memory was still stuck on the time when Yuan Chen made his request to Ingrid. She said with a helpless expression:

"Grandpa Yuan, you're still laughing. Don't you find it strange? You're so old, yet you still want to challenge children."

"Yes." Hearing Chun-Li's words, Yuan smiled and said with some relief, "It is indeed laughable..."

As she spoke, Yuan handed the plate in front of her to Yuan Chen, saying, "Please serve me some more; I'm especially hungry today."

"Ok."

Yuan Chen nodded, indicating that there were no problems.

Seeing that the potential conflict had suddenly disappeared, the people standing by were completely bewildered, having no idea what had happened.

Sagat glanced at Yuan again, and then at Ingrid, who was leaning back in her chair, squinting in the sun after eating.

But in the end, he just glanced at it and didn't say anything more.

Upon arriving at the backyard, we found that Yuan Hanting Restaurant was temporarily closed for the next two days because Yuan Chen was leaving.

During his time away from Hong Kong on his way to the fighting world, although his meridians and veins had been fully restored with Ingrid's help, Yuan Chen still planned to study modern combat techniques.

"Although the development of modern martial arts is relatively recent, thanks to the arrival of the information age, the development of modern martial arts is much more rapid than that of ancient martial arts."

Seeing that Yuan Chen could already use his Muay Thai limbs and arms to strike with incredible fluidity, Sagat didn't know what he had to teach him, so he simply started talking about some theoretical things.

"Mainly, it's a spiritual tempering."

Sagat crossed his arms and said in a deep voice:

"Ancient martial arts emphasize inner cultivation. Whether it is the Qi of the Tang Dynasty, the Prana of India, the Punuma of ancient Greece, the Chakras of Yoga, the Mana of Oceania, etc., they are all essentially summaries of the theory of vitality and life force."

"According to the Bangkok Boxing School's experiments, this kind of inner training is to maintain a full spirit. Similarly, modern martial arts can also be honed through the ring and professional matches."

"Especially for those accomplished fighters, when they take the stage, the overwhelming cheers and shouts of 'I am the same as when I am shooting,' have an even greater exhilarating effect on their spirit and body than shooting."

Upon hearing Sagat's words, Tong Ang nodded and said, "That's true. If you find that hard to understand, it can be roughly divided into seeking power internally and seeking power externally."

Because it was an open-air setting, Tong Ang lit a cigarette with a forced smile, despite Chun Li's disapproving gaze.

Cigarettes are not a good thing. Tong Ang didn't have this habit before. He only got into it gradually when he was undercover in Yingluo. For spies, mental pressure needs a suitable outlet.

While slowly inhaling his cigarette, Tong Ang said unhurriedly:

“In the past, seeking strength from within was considered the right path, but with the development of the times and the arrival of the information age, seeking strength from without has also become a definite fact.”

While some traditional martial arts practitioners still believe this is meaningless, a considerable number of young, emerging traditional martial arts practitioners are indeed attempting to integrate the two approaches.

After saying this, Tong Ang paused, then said with an expression that showed he was not surprised at all:

"After all, what young person doesn't have a desire to stand out?"

“Indeed.” Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen wholeheartedly agreed.

"After all, if I don't fight, how will the world know about my boundless ambition for dominance?"

"We should focus on our inner qualities!"

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Chun-Li, who had changed into sportswear and was warming up with him, couldn't help but complain:

"It's precisely because there are too many fighters seeking power from the outside that organizations like Interpol exist... They can easily go astray if they're not careful, just like Sagat did before."

Upon hearing this, Sagat simply shrugged and remained silent.

Chun-Li didn't mean to target Sagat; she simply pointed out that focusing too much on reputation could lead one astray.

After Yuan Chen finished exercising, she took a towel and went over to help him wipe his sweat.

"But compared to this..."

Listening to Yuan Chen and Chun Li's discussion about whether seeking power internally or externally was better, Tong Ang chimed in:

"Whether you go inward or outward, the Battle Realm is a place that every martial artist must go to... Now that you've decided to go, Yuan Chen, how are your preparations going?"

Have you found a host family yet? Entry requirements for the Fighting World have become even stricter lately, so if you don't arrange it in advance, it might cause some trouble later.

"Homestay families..."

Upon hearing Tong Ang's question, Yuan Chen nodded thoughtfully.

Actually, it's possible to sneak into the Battle Realm.

After all, in that place where, apart from ordinary people, the fights between martial artists are almost completely ignored regardless of death or injury, as long as you can enter the fighting realm and stay there, basically no one will investigate or drive you away.

However, Yuan Chen's identity is rather special—regardless of whether Yuan admits it or not, Yuan Chen entered the martial arts world under his tutelage.

As a once-illustrious and legendary assassin, his information is often separately marked and recorded within large multinational organizations such as governments and Interpol.

If it were before, it wouldn't be a problem, but the issue is that Yuan Chen ruined Ying Luo's plans in Hong Kong, causing Ying Luo to lose a key general, Shagat. In addition, that guy Vega has planted countless spies in the Dou World through mind control...

To be honest, Tong Ang didn't want Yuan Chen to go to the Battle Realm.

But there was nothing he could do; even without asking, Tong Ang could sense Yuan Chen's fierce fighting spirit.

Such fighting spirit is unstoppable. Instead of getting stuck here, we should make arrangements for getting in in advance.

Homestay is a good option, as it allows you to avoid many unnecessary scrutiny by changing your immigration status.

Although given Yuan Chen's personality, it was only a matter of time before he was exposed... but once he got through the initial problems, the rest should naturally be left for Yuan Chen to figure out on his own.

Having understood Tong Ang's meaning, Yuan Chen didn't dwell on it. He simply pointed to Yuan, who was leisurely sunbathing nearby, and said, "This matter was arranged by the old man through someone. I don't know much about it either."

Upon hearing this, Tong Ang looked at Yuan with some surprise.

Yuan smiled nonchalantly and said, "Don't look at me like that. I do have some connections in the assassination world."

"Then why did you say you'd retire from the martial arts world..." Tong Ang said helplessly.

He knew that, given Yuan's personality, it would be impossible for him to completely sever ties with the fighting and assassination worlds.

Just as Tong Ang was speaking, two youthful and beautiful girls' voices came from outside the door.

"Hello? Is anyone there? The Wu clan has arrived as promised!"

Volume 1: Chapter 37 - It turns out we are...their true love.

几分钟前。

"No news...can't find...Feng Shui, is it really true that you haven't found any news about that man?"

Holding his phone, Wu Jialouluo was on his way to Yuan Hanting, his face filled with resentment.

"Logically speaking, as a fighting world, Hong Kong should have abundant intelligence channels, right? Finding someone shouldn't be difficult. Could it be that someone is deliberately obstructing us?!"

Hearing his best friend's words, Wu Fengshui's face showed a hint of helplessness, and then he reminded her:

"Although I can understand your thoughts, Garuda, please calm down. The Asian fighting world has now shifted to Japan. Hong Kong has not been the fighting world for several years."

"Moreover, according to family sources, the defeated martial artist we saw a few days ago should be Sagate, the Muay Thai emperor of the Chiang Mai Ancient Boxing School in Thailand."

Holding a satellite phone that looked like an old Nokia in his hand, Wu Fengshui flipped through the records while clicking his tongue in amazement, saying: