Chapter 455: Tiger-Crane Fist

Tiger-Crane Fist, one of the top-tier martial techniques of the Four Poles Sect, was a branch of the Form-Emulating Fist style.

Form-Emulating Fist had ancient origins. It was no exaggeration to call it the ancestor of all martial arts. It was said that in ancient times, there was a game called Three Men Wielding Ox Tails in dance, and during the Han and Wei dynasties, there was the Five Animals Frolic. The tradition ran deep.

Depending on the style and school, it included Monkey Fist, Snake Fist, Eagle Claw Fist, Praying Mantis Fist, Drunken Fist, and others.

Among ordinary people, these were widely known and extremely popular.

However, most only grasped the superficial forms. Lacking the corresponding internal formulas and orally transmitted secrets, even practicing for a lifetime would result in nothing more than improved health.

But An Baichen received the true technique. The moment he launched the Tiger-Crane strike, it was packed with power and stunning momentum.

This move was released in anger.

Before the fist even reached Lin Xiao’s body, the fierce wind of the punch came rushing in, whipping his clothes violently as if a storm had just swept through!

An Baichen’s body, at this moment, seemed to become a tiger pouncing on prey—ferocious and wild. Yet it carried the lightness and agility of a crane. The punch he unleashed was like the claws of a tiger, seeking to kill Lin Xiao, the prey, on the spot.

The tiger’s might, the crane’s finesse—at this moment, they fully fused in An Baichen’s form.

Gasps and exclamations erupted among the watching crowd.

“Incredible!”

“That’s the Tiger-Crane Strike!”

“From this move alone, it’s clear An Baichen has thoroughly mastered the Tiger-Crane Fist. His technique even carries his own unique spirit and intent.”

“As expected of Blazing Sun Martial Hall’s senior disciple. So young, yet he’s trained the Tiger-Crane Fist to such a realm. In the future, he may not even lose to his father!”

“An Baichen stepped into the Dark Force stage three years ago. He’s surely stronger now. Not even thirty years old yet. Reaching the peak of Dark Force in the future isn’t out of the question!”

“Faced with such a fierce move, how will that young man named Lin Xiao respond?”

Hearing the praise for An Baichen, the students of Blazing Sun Martial Hall wore proud expressions, basking in reflected glory.

“Daring to provoke our senior disciple? Let’s see how you die!” they thought viciously as they glared at Lin Xiao.

Faced with An Baichen’s punch, which combined both speed and power, Lin Xiao remained expressionless. Just as the punch was about to reach his body, he took a single step back.

That step—neither early nor late, neither fast nor slow—perfectly dodged An Baichen’s punch. The timing was so precise, it was as if the two had rehearsed it countless times together.

To those without keen eyes, Lin Xiao’s retreat seemed like cowardice. Thinking he was afraid to take the hit, they burst into boos.

The Blazing Sun students immediately seized the opportunity to mock him, throwing jeers and ridicule.

“He was acting all arrogant before, I thought he had real skill! Turns out he’s just trash who doesn’t dare take one hit from senior disciple!”

“Yeah! Said our senior disciple wasn’t his match. What a joke! Doesn’t he worry he’ll bite his own tongue spouting nonsense like that?”

“I bet he’s just a backwater bumpkin who thinks he’s somebody because he’s got a few tricks. I bet he’s regretting everything now…”

“Senior disciple, go get him! Flatten that clown!”

The Blazing Sun students shouted in unison, cheering An Baichen on.

They all thought An Baichen had the upper hand, but An Baichen himself knew otherwise.

Lin Xiao’s single retreat not only avoided his strike but completely disrupted his rhythm, leaving him so uncomfortable he nearly wanted to vomit blood.

An Baichen’s face was dark, jaw clenched. He forced himself to suppress the discomfort and rushed forward again, launching a flurry of attacks like a sudden storm.

In an instant, fists howled. Internal energy surged.

Two-Star Sweeping Hammer, Chain-Face Blow, Continuous Elbow Strikes, Arrow Fist to the Cheek, Hooking Kick Technique, Starving Crane Seeking Shrimp, Right Crane-Top Technique—all classic Tiger-Crane moves—poured out from An Baichen’s hands one by one. Each move was refined and powerful, dazzling the crowd with its ferocity and precision.

Lin Xiao was completely enveloped in the onslaught, like a tiny boat in a raging sea.

It looked precarious. Every moment seemed like it might end in disaster. But every time the audience thought he’d be hit, he slipped away just in time.

After more than a dozen aggressive moves, even though An Baichen had great stamina, he started to pant slightly. Though it looked like he had the upper hand, suppressing Lin Xiao with overwhelming force, in reality, he hadn’t even touched the corner of Lin Xiao’s clothes.

All his attacks had landed in empty air, wasting strength without effect.

Slowly, the audience began to realize something wasn’t right.

The scene reminded them of one word: performing with a monkey.

And it was very clear—who was the handler, and who was the monkey.

The mocking and jeering at Lin Xiao faded unknowingly. All eyes became complicated, serious.

To make a Dark Force expert look like a monkey, there could only be one explanation. Lin Xiao’s strength far surpassed An Baichen’s. Otherwise, such dominance would be impossible.

Among Blazing Sun Martial Hall’s students, some had sharp eyes. They fell silent one by one, their expressions turning grim.

“Cowardly weakling, can’t do anything but dodge?!”

After another wasted punch, An Baichen finally lost patience. He abruptly stopped, face flushed, hair disheveled, sweat dripping from his forehead—unclear if from exhaustion or rage—and pointed at Lin Xiao, cursing:

“If you’ve got guts, try taking one of my strikes head-on!”

Compared to An Baichen’s flustered state, Lin Xiao remained calm and composed, not a drop of sweat on his face. One hand was even stuffed casually in his pocket.

“Don’t stop now,” Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, a faint smile at his lips. “I was hoping you’d finish the full Tiger-Crane Fist. It’s truly a profound style. Balanced in hardness and softness, both offensive and defensive. I’ve learned a lot.”

The moment he spoke, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar.

“What does he mean by that?”

“Don’t tell me… he was dodging just to observe the Tiger-Crane Fist?”

“If that’s true… everything he did before makes sense now.”

“You guys believe that crap? I think he’s just trying to save face. Maybe he’s just fast. Being quick doesn’t mean he’s strong.”

“Speed breaks all techniques. If someone’s that fast, how could their skill be lacking?”

Another person jumped in. “If it were you up there, could you dodge An Baichen’s attacks?”

The skeptic opened his mouth, but said nothing.

As the crowd debated, An Baichen didn’t hear a word. At this point, his eyes held only Lin Xiao, and his ears echoed only Lin Xiao’s voice. His hatred boiled up like wildfire, raging and unstoppable.

“Utter nonsense! I’ve got you scrambling and on the run, unable to even counter, but you dare say such big words?”

An Baichen stared daggers at Lin Xiao, eyes like knives. He looked like he wanted to carve Lin Xiao into pieces, but his mouth still refused to admit defeat.

“You piece of trash! Stop dodging and running, is that all you can do?”