The battle was nothing short of earth-shattering.
Just like in the original plot, after Sing was reborn through Nirvana, his Ren and Du meridians connected, causing his power to surge sky-high!
In his normal state, Fire Cloud—once hailed as unstoppable—was utterly overwhelmed by Sing!
Fenric observed calmly. Even though Sing hadn't yet grasped the "Buddha Palm Technique," his overall strength was already approaching A-rank. He was catching up—fast.
Meanwhile, the Landlord and his wife stood frozen, staring at the battlefield in disbelief, almost questioning their very existence.
They had retired from the martial world after reaching the peak of their skills. By their own reckoning, only Fire Cloud stood above them.
And yet—
Not long ago, Fenric had defeated them with ease.
Now, before their eyes stood another young man—stronger even than Fire Cloud.
The couple couldn't help but wonder: Is this still the martial world we once knew?
BOOM—!
Sing sent a devastating kick that knocked Fire Cloud to his knees.
The ground cracked beneath him, twin pits forming beneath his knees.
It was the second time—
Twice now, the infamous Fire Cloud had been forced to kneel.
The first time was at Fenric's hands. This time, it was Sing.
At first, Fire Cloud looked dazed. Then, his fury erupted.
The mighty Fire Cloud, the ultimate killer, brought to his knees by two younger men? Unthinkable!
But instead of rising again, Fire Cloud dropped flat onto the ground.
Fenric narrowed his eyes. He knew what was coming.
"Toad Gong…"
"Gu-gua—!"
A thunderous toad cry echoed across the arena.
Fire Cloud's body began to inflate, ballooning like it had been pumped full of air.
"The Toad Magic of Kunlun Sect!?" the Landlord exclaimed in shock.
His wife gasped. "That school was supposed to be extinct!"
"Gu-gua—!"
The cry rang out again.
In the blink of an eye, Fire Cloud launched forward like a cannonball, aiming his head straight at Sing.
"Pfft!"
Fast.
Incredibly fast!
So fast it created a sonic boom in his wake.
Fenric remained composed. He had already deciphered the fundamentals of Fire Cloud's Toad Gong.
BOOM—!
Sing was struck and sent flying, crashing into the ruins beyond.
The Landlord and his wife broke into a cold sweat.
As expected of the so-called ultimate killer and once "invincible under the heavens"—Fire Cloud was terrifying.
Suddenly, they recalled what the Axe Gang's new leader had once claimed:
He had defeated Fire Cloud!
Now they truly understood just how terrifying Fenric really was.
Quietly, the couple took several steps away from him.
The battle raged on.
Empowered by Toad Gong, Fire Cloud reversed the tide, pressing Sing hard.
In the chaos, Sing was caught off guard and launched skyward.
Just like the original plot!
Soaring high above, Sing glimpsed the Buddha-shaped clouds and blazing sun overhead. A buried memory surfaced—then everything clicked.
Years ago, he had been tricked by a beggar into trading all his money for a martial arts manual.
Its name: Buddha Palm.
Floating in the air, Sing folded his hands and closed his eyes.
Then he dropped—fast.
Headfirst, like a comet, flames igniting along his body as he accelerated.
The Landlord's wife's eyes widened. "Dear, do you remember the legendary move where someone falls from the sky?"
"Yes," the Landlord replied solemnly. "That's the long-lost technique of the Buddha Palm Technique!"
Fenric's eyes lit up, a grin spreading across his face.
He did it!
Sing had finally comprehended the "Buddha Palm."
Truly, he was the Son of Destiny.
What belonged to him—no one could take away.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Sing pierced through the sky, faster and faster.
His clothes burned away from the sheer speed, leaving behind trails of flame.
A crushing aura erupted from his falling figure.
Sensing danger, Fire Cloud let out a panicked toad cry and prepared another Toad Gong strike.
But the moment he tried to leap—his body refused to move.
Too late.
BOOM—!!
Sing slammed down with a single palm.
The force was apocalyptic. The ground split open into a colossal five-fingered crater.
Fire Cloud was pinned at the center, unable to move.
With just one palm, Sing shattered the Toad Gong technique and crushed Fire Cloud.
Everyone around the battlefield was stunned speechless.
Even the Samsaras watching from a distance felt their souls tremble.
Some nearly wet themselves.
At that moment, a single thought consumed them all:
This world is too damn deep! Once the mission timer is up, I'm out of here!
Even Fenric was briefly speechless, shaken by the sheer destructive power of the Buddha Palm.
But soon enough, excitement returned to his face.
With his relationship to Sing, learning this technique wouldn't be too hard!
In the original story, Sing had spared Fire Cloud and even offered to teach him.
Clearly, Sing was a generous person.
Although Fenric had been rough with Sing in recent days...
Overall, he had treated him well.
Besides, Fenric reasoned, even if Sing refused, I could always pressure him a little.
Now that Sing had broken into the A-rank...
Fenric still had Mjölnir.
And with the hammer in hand, who would really win or lose? Nothing was certain!
"Sing! Go easy on him!"
Fenric called out loudly.
Fire Cloud hadn't done anything unforgivable lately. In fact, he had helped Fenric on several occasions.
Sing, hearing this, immediately pulled back, unwilling to take the old man's life.
Fenric strode toward the crater and extended a hand to help Fire Cloud up.
"I—I haven't lost yet!" the old warrior growled through clenched teeth.
Fenric patted his shoulder.
"Senior, no need to deny it. Sing isn't a normal person—you know that. Don't compare yourself to that kind of monster."
Fire Cloud's face flushed red, then turned pale.
He had lost to Fenric.
Now he had lost to Sing.
His invincible will had taken a heavy blow.
Then, all of a sudden, Fire Cloud turned to Fenric and asked the question everyone wanted to know:
"Leader... if you fought this boy, who would win?"