Chapter 47: The Master (Part Two)

The creator of the Bird Flow? Ye Ran looked in surprise at Elder Sun, who was dressed in simple cloth attire, exuding a true aura of a grand master.
“Focus your mind, don’t be distracted,” Elder Sun reminded him. With four fingers together, his body vanished into thin air.
Yes, vanished—without any movement, without a trace, not even a shadow left behind. Ye Ran only caught a slight motion at Elder Sun’s feet before instinctively crossing his hands in front to defend.
A soft thud sounded as Elder Sun flashed forward, pressing his palm gently against Ye Ran’s elbow. The touch was gentle and powerless. Ye Ran was startled, then his tensed muscles relaxed. But at that moment, Elder Sun’s wrist pulled back, hand forming a fist, and struck Ye Ran in the chest. Ye Ran groaned and was sent flying backward.
When Ye Ran looked again at Elder Sun, his eyes were filled with admiration.
He had never seen a master who, without using inner energy, could completely overpower him with pure physical technique.
The creator of Bird Flow had merely dipped his toes into the fight, not exerting any force at all.
The advanced class students exchanged bewildered glances.
Elder Sun had actually taken the initiative to attack—could their eyes be deceiving them?
Ye Ran stepped forward again, flicking his wrist to release surging energy. “Senior, I have a few more moves. Please be careful,” he said, his address changed, his respect for the elder now sincere and deep.
Elder Sun smiled, gesturing politely for him to begin.
Silence fell, broken only by the screech of shoes on the floor as Ye Ran took two strides forward, launching a cannon punch at Elder Sun’s chest. Elder Sun didn’t move, casually deflecting his fist. Ye Ran spun, unleashing his most ferocious close-range strikes—punches, palms, grabs, hooks—shifting unpredictably. Elder Sun responded to every move, either countering or dissolving it, each physical exchange producing a resounding thud and sending energy swirling through the air.
Both leapt into the air, exchanging blows mid-flight. After twelve moves, they landed, and after a final punch and palm collided, each retreated two steps, faint waves of energy rippling outward.
The students were stunned. Ye Ran truly was formidable; he had pulled himself from utter disadvantage to an even match in no time.
“Excellent, excellent, excellent,” Elder Sun said, his face alight with joy after the exchange, his heart exhilarated. He could barely remember the last time he’d had such a satisfying physical duel.
“Ye Ran, bring out your most guarded techniques. After this match, I’ll have a great gift for you.”
Ye Ran nodded, taking a bow stance, fists clenched, body stretched, energy erupting. A tiger’s roar sounded from within him as his entire demeanor transformed.

“A fierce tiger descending the mountain—youths are indeed impressive,” Elder Sun drew an arc with one foot, hands forming a circle, the energy in his sleeves rippling like water.
Ye Ran was fully absorbed in the bout, his body suddenly taut, knees bending as he shot forward with a ferocious momentum, like a tiger charging down a slope.
Elder Sun chuckled, countering speed with slowness, strength with softness. His hands caught Ye Ran’s attacking fists, and a tap of his toes sent Ye Ran off balance.
Ye Ran quickly changed tactics, pressing his palm hard against Elder Sun’s arm and using the force to slide sideways, skidding across the floor with a screech. He steadied himself, stamping his feet as his entire body swept backward, a surge of energy rising around him. His speed shifted from fast to slow, gradually ascending, energy gathering outside his body. Everyone could see clearly—he was suspended in midair, supported by streams of energy, with two powerful flows behind him like immense, transparent wings.
What a brilliant transformation. Elder Sun’s eyes shone with appreciation.
As the creator of Bird Flow, he recognized Ye Ran’s use of its ultimate technique—a final killing move.
What impressed him wasn’t Ye Ran’s mastery of the move, but the seamless transition from Tiger Style to Bird Flow.
A sharp whistle—a rush of air—before Elder Sun could ponder further, the “wings” behind Ye Ran suddenly spread wide, and Ye Ran himself swooped down like an eagle from the sky, the overwhelming energy pressing down and enveloping Elder Sun.
Elder Sun stepped forward, thrusting his hands straight into the energy flow, gently parting it so it split to either side. The surge struck the floor with a dull boom.
He stepped forward again, his palm clamping Ye Ran’s fist like iron pincers, using his waist to spin Ye Ran’s body. Ye Ran felt the force—subtle at first, then suddenly immense. He sank his energy deep, but even so, his feet nearly traced a semicircle on the floor. His body was immobile.
Elder Sun had locked his hands firmly.
Ye Ran let out a breath, gazing at the elder with white hair and childlike face. “I am humbled by your skill, Senior. I truly admire you.”
A moment of silence, then thunderous applause erupted around them. Xu Nan’s face flushed with excitement.
“Ye Ran really is amazing, to spar with Elder Sun for so long.”
“That’s right. When Elder Sun taught us physical techniques before, he was always so lazy, barely willing to instruct us.”
“Haha, now he’s even more reluctant to teach.”
…
Elder Sun released him, his gaze filled with admiration.
“Ye Ran, who taught you your physical techniques?”

Ye Ran replied, “No one taught me. I taught myself.”
The crowd was excited, but Ye Ran couldn’t share their joy—he even felt a touch of melancholy.
No matter how much the elder praised him, he was still just a struggling resident of Clay Tile Street, an employee at a shoe store.
Elder Sun was even more impressed by his answer. “Youthful talent, truly impressive. It would be a shame to waste your potential.”
“I know all about the Red Leaf Academy situation. Go back for now—I’ll speak with the principal and make sure your wishes are fulfilled.”
He patted Ye Ran’s shoulder and walked off cheerfully.
Ye Ran was stunned at first, then understood.
“Senior…”
“Ye Ran, are you really the one who defeated Zhao Ziyang?”
“I’ve heard about you for a long time.”
As Elder Sun left, the advanced class students immediately surrounded Ye Ran, several girls chattering nonstop until his face turned red. With Xu Nan’s help, he finally escaped the gymnasium.
Both were flushed and exhilarated.
“Xu Nan, did Elder Sun mean to let me enroll?”
Ye Ran’s heart was pounding, happiness arriving so suddenly.
Xu Nan glanced at him and smiled. “Yes, and Elder Sun is very likely to personally teach you. Congratulations, Ye Ran.”
She was genuinely happy for him. After the underground nest incident, she’d asked Mars about Ye Ran’s background, and the more she learned, the more she felt compassion for him. The martial exam at Red Leaf Academy had infuriated her further, but now he had finally prevailed.
Ye Ran laughed in delight. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so happy…

A reader pointed out an issue with the synopsis—I’ve already seen it, changed the punctuation, and it should refresh soon.