In the gym, groups of students clustered together while Yang Boyi gave guidance on their training nearby. As a teacher at Huada Affiliated High School and former runner-up of the 70th Fighting Championship, Yang Boyi’s skills were highly proficient. Negan, who had lived two lifetimes, might not be inferior to Yang Boyi in fighting experience, but he was far behind in physical strength. Whether it was punches or kicks, he was not at Yang Boyi’s level. Since he was still in the growing phase, once his physical abilities fully developed, his strength would surely surpass Yang Boyi’s.
Seeing Negan enter, Yang Boyi smiled and nodded at him, asking, “Interested in sparring with me?”
He wanted to know exactly how skilled Negan was. Although he had heard that Negan knocked Liu Rui down with a single move, he hadn’t seen it himself. Testing Negan’s abilities would give him a better understanding.
The students became excited when they heard Yang Boyi would personally spar. Some of Liu Rui’s circle secretly rejoiced, thinking Negan would suffer a humiliating defeat. They wondered how many moves Negan could endure.
Negan understood that Yang Boyi had no malice; as a teacher, he naturally wanted to assess his students’ abilities.
“Please guide me, Teacher,” Negan bowed to Yang Boyi.
Yang Boyi nodded slightly. Negan’s politeness gave him a favorable impression.
Everyone moved outside the training area, where Yang Boyi and Negan faced each other, bowing before assuming their starting stances.
Onlookers surrounded them. Xie Yao, dressed in a martial arts uniform, stood among the crowd, her bright eyes showing surprise. Negan’s determined expression and aura were not inferior to Yang Boyi’s. After all, Yang Boyi was a former champion, renowned in the entire fighting community.
Negan took a deep breath. Yang Boyi was indeed one of the strongest people he had ever encountered.
“Come on, you attack first,” Yang Boyi said generously.
“Yes, Teacher Yang,” Negan replied, suddenly accelerating as he charged toward Yang Boyi.
The two engaged in combat, exchanging blows in a dazzling display. Negan suddenly launched a side kick aimed at Yang Boyi’s neck. Yang Boyi blocked with his forearm, the impact producing a loud thud. The powerful force sent both fighters stepping back several paces.
Yang Boyi was slightly surprised. Negan’s strength was truly impressive. He had initially thought that using half his strength would be sufficient to counter Negan’s attacks, but unexpectedly, Negan forced him to use his full strength to barely maintain an advantage.
For a growing youth whose strength had not yet peaked, this was already extraordinary. Moreover, Negan’s ruthless techniques demonstrated a true fighter’s mindset, which thrilled Yang Boyi. This was a promising talent; with proper training, winning a fighting championship was not out of reach. Negan only needed more strength.
The onlookers were stunned. Negan lasted much longer against Yang Boyi than expected. They had assumed Negan was merely slightly stronger than his peers, most of whom still viewed martial arts as flashy techniques. Negan had already surpassed their current level, far exceeding Liu Rui’s abilities.
Even Liu Rui’s circle was left speechless.
“Ruthless enough, but lacking momentum and power—needs improvement,” Yang Boyi blocked Negan’s downward kick with his left arm, slightly startled as a numbing sensation traveled up his arm. If that kick landed on an ordinary person’s chest, it could easily break their ribs. Yet, for professional fighters, it still fell short.
Yang Boyi launched a kick directly at Negan’s chest. Negan quickly blocked with both arms, but the impact sent him flying backward five or six steps before he stabilized.
Negan felt a surge of internal discomfort. The power behind that kick was indeed formidable, befitting a runner-up of the Fighting Championship. He would need at least two more years to reach that level. Although Negan’s physical development had accelerated recently, he still lagged behind professional fighters.
“Overall, you’ve done exceptionally well. Let’s stop here for today. We can spar again later,” Yang Boyi praised, turning to address the team, “When I’m not around, Negan will be your coach. Feel free to consult him for any questions.”
Yang Boyi had acknowledged Negan’s abilities.
“Negan, come here,” Yang Boyi called him aside.
Negan followed.
“Do you want to participate in fighting competitions? I can register you. Winning a title would be quite straightforward,” Yang Boyi said, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm at the mention of fighting competitions.
Negan shook his head, “I’m still a student; I’m afraid participating in such events isn’t suitable for me.” Negan remained calm, indifferent to fame and recognition.
“You don’t want to go?” Yang Boyi paused, reflecting. After all, which student at Huada Affiliated High School didn’t come from a wealthy or influential family? Who would care about winning a fighting championship title?
Negan nodded.
Seeing Negan’s refusal, Yang Boyi felt somewhat disappointed.
Noticing Yang Boyi’s disappointment, Negan wanted to say something comforting, as Yang was indeed a commendable teacher.
Yang Boyi waved his hand, “Go back. Guide the other students more. If you have any questions, feel free to come to me.”
Negan returned, determined not to participate in such competitions. Securing teaching authority over the students from Yang Boyi excited him. He could interact more with Xie Yao under the guise of duty, a satisfying prospect.
Seeing Negan endure so long against Yang Boyi, the students were convinced of his superiority. None among them could match him. Some even approached him for guidance, which Negan patiently addressed. Finding Negan approachable and not arrogant like Liu Rui, the students quickly warmed up to him. Even Zhai Hao’s group began to regard Negan as their leader.
Among these students were those with influential family backgrounds, making establishing good relationships beneficial.
Negan briefly served as an instructor, leaving the students feeling enriched.
Later, Negan approached the girls’ side.
“Hello,” Negan greeted the girls, many of whom appeared shy.
“Assistant, hello,” the girls responded.
Negan looked ahead, observing Xie Yao sparring with another girl.
Watching female fighters, especially Xie Yao, was visually pleasing, with her graceful kicks.
Noticing Negan watching, Xie Yao’s steps faltered slightly.
“Your movements are too wide, lacking power! Speed up your footwork,” Negan commented.
Hearing Negan’s critique, Xie Yao’s technique became increasingly flawed, eventually getting hit by her opponent and falling to the ground.
Getting up, Xie Yao pouted. If Negan hadn’t suddenly appeared, she wouldn’t have lost. Scanning the crowd, she found no trace of him—he had slipped away quickly!
Throughout the day, Negan joked and interacted with classmates, becoming well-acquainted with everyone.
Seeing Negan manage well, Yang Boyi happily took a break. Once free activity time began, he left.
Until afternoon dismissal, everyone changed back into their regular clothes, preparing to leave.
Negan gathered everyone in formation, their eyes collectively turning to him, awaiting his words.
Negan hesitated, then said, “I had a pleasant time with everyone today. Well, that’s all.”
“Come on! I thought he had something important to say. He struggled so long just to say that?”
“Assistant Negan, we’re off then.”
Everyone bid farewell, gathering their belongings to leave.
Negan approached Xie Yao, “Let me walk you home.”
Xie Yao hesitated but finally nodded.
Negan was surprised Xie Yao agreed, a surge of joy overwhelming him. This indicated Xie Yao had accepted him to some extent.
In the distance, Xia Ling made a face at Xie Yao and left with her close friends.
On the campus’s tree-lined paths, occasional groups of students passed by, casting curious glances. They never imagined the distant goddess-like figure, Xie Yao, would walk with a boy. This news would undoubtedly break many hearts if it spread.
The campus remained peaceful and serene.
The two walked silently, occasionally exchanging words, a subtle affection gradually developing.
An endless feeling of wanting the journey never to end.
Negan gazed at Xie Yao ahead, her figure deeply etched in his mind. Across two lifetimes, his feelings for her grew more profound. Previously, he could only admire her from afar, but in this life, he could finally interact closely with her.
Recalling Xie Yao’s melancholy at their class reunion in his previous life, Negan hoped that this time, under his protection, Xie Yao wouldn’t suffer the same fate.
Time spent together passed quickly, soon reaching the school gate as Xie Yao’s car arrived.
Xie Yao smiled sweetly, turning to Negan behind her, “Negan, thank you for walking me home.”
Her serene smile momentarily stunned Negan, stirring emotions across two lifetimes.
“You’re welcome,” Negan replied. Being with Xie Yao brought an unprecedented calmness to his restless soul, a sensation of gradually settling down after experiencing chaos. To Negan, Xie Yao’s smile was like a ray of light in endless darkness.
“Negan, I had a really good time today,” Xie Yao waved at Negan before entering the car.
Negan waved back, watching the car disappear around the corner. A sense of longing mixed with excitement filled him. He could feel the barrier between him and Xie Yao slowly dissolving, a growing sense of harmony developing between them.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage