A Single Blow

Matthew ignored the gazes directed at him from all around. At this moment, the astonishment in his heart was far greater than anyone else's.

Although he had not used his full strength in that punch just now, it was definitely not something an ordinary strong man could withstand.

The opponent's reaction speed when blocking, the solid force transmitted from his arms, and the slightly unpolished yet very real energy fluctuations instinctively mobilized in that instant all clearly and unmistakably indicated one thing—this man had already touched the threshold of a Class holder!

This made Matthew even more surprised.

To think that just a month ago, not a single trace of life energy could be found on this black-haired youth, and his breathing had been completely erratic, clearly showing he had never practiced any breathing technique. Yet at this very moment, he was actually able to touch the threshold of a Class holder. This was simply a mind-boggling leap!

But this thought only flashed by. Matthew immediately realized that this was by no means achievable through the other party's own talent. The only explanation was the rumored potion.

He had originally thought that the so-called "Blood-Burning Potion" was merely a crude substance used by the gang to win people over, doing more harm than good.

However, the living example before his eyes completely overturned his expectations. The strength of the efficacy and the speed at which it took effect had already exceeded his understanding of low-level alchemical products.

There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. A force so forcibly stimulated would inevitably have a shallow foundation and harbor deep hidden dangers.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Matthew's brow twitched slightly, and a hint of an intrigued curve could not help but play at the corner of his mouth.

Interesting.

With a shift of his mind, the power in his fist quietly rose. His moves remained direct and simple, but his speed suddenly quickened by a margin, and his strength reached the level of a mid Black Iron Rank!

Amidst the whistling sound of the wind, a succession of strikes attacked like a sudden storm, either aiming straight for the center or sweeping toward the ribs.

Jasper gritted his teeth, blue veins bulging on his temples as he struggled to block and dodged in a disheveled manner.

He had never imagined that after consuming the "Blood-Burning Potion" and experiencing a surge in strength, he would actually fall into such a desperate situation.

His initial shock and anger had quickly been replaced by sheer terror.

As each punch smashed down, the sharp pain in his arms and the terrifying power that far exceeded his expectations felt like heavy hammers, completely shattering the false confidence he had just built up.

He roared in shock and horror within his heart.

Every block felt like using a body of flesh and blood to slam hard against a red-hot anvil.

The muffled thuds of the collisions made his eardrums go numb, a groan of being overwhelmed echoed from deep within his bones, and his muscles spasmed and twitched under the massive impact, almost tearing apart.

At the same time.

Matthew was also equally astonished that the other party could barely block mid Black Iron Rank strength.

But seeing Jasper gritting his teeth and hanging on with an overwhelmed expression, he knew in his heart: this was likely the limit under the stimulation of the potion.

But this was also equally astonishing.

It was just like a weak, helpless patient who, after taking some powerful medicine, could actually trade a few blows with a robust soldier who had undergone years of systematic training.

Even if he would quickly exhaust his strength and become full of openings, this "potion effect" itself was already enough to turn heads.

To cross from being an ordinary person to stepping onto the threshold of a Class holder should have been a chasm that required years of sweat and even a certain amount of talent. Yet, this "Blood-Burning Potion" was like a dangerous temporary rope bridge, forcibly dragging a person from one side of the cliff to the very edge of the opposite shore.

Jasper's performance at this moment, though disheveled and superficial, truly put him on that threshold.

This could no longer be described as "making rapid progress"; it was almost a violent breakthrough of conventional understanding.

And this was just an ordinary person. What if a Class holder drank it?!

With his thoughts reaching this point,

Matthew had already made up his mind.

His action this time was only to test the reality of the "Blood-Burning Potion," not to make an enemy of the Blood Hand Gang.

Now that he had figured out the other party's actual strength, his goal was achieved.

Furthermore, other than the slight impatience when being scrutinized initially, Jasper had not shown any substantive rudeness or offense toward him.

Matthew held no deep hatred toward him personally, so there was no need to deal a fatal blow here.

For one thing, killing a gang member in broad daylight would inevitably bring a stream of subsequent troubles, inviting unnecessary disputes;

For another, he was actually quite interested in this person's "lifespan" after taking the potion. Just how long could this forcibly stimulated power burn a person's life?

With his mind made up, Matthew's movements suddenly changed.

At the instant Jasper was sent stumbling and wide open by another heavy punch, Matthew directly increased his power and slapped him.

Before Jasper could even let out a cry of surprise, his vision went black, and he slumped limply to the ground, completely losing consciousness.

Without so much as a glance at Jasper on the ground, Matthew bent down to pick up his cloth bag from the corner, slung it casually over his shoulder, and turned to walk out of the corridor. His steps were steady and calm, as if he had only finished a trivial matter.

Outside the corridor, the crowd who had witnessed this brief clash in its entirety fell into a dead silence.

All eyes were frozen on Matthew's departing back. Only when he disappeared outside the main gate of the training ground was the silence suddenly shattered, erupting into uncontrollable, horrified whispers.

“He... he just knocked Jasper unconscious like that?”

“One slap! He only used one slap!”

“Jasper's strength is terrifyingly huge... yet he didn't even have the power to fight back?”

“Just what is this guy's background? Isn't he afraid of the Blood Hand Gang's retaliation?”

Shock, doubt, and fear rapidly spread through the crowd. Quite a few people instinctively shrank their necks, as if that slap had landed on their own faces.

Looking at the direction where Jasper lay slumped, and then at the empty entrance of the corridor, a single thought arose in their minds in unison: this youth must absolutely not be provoked!

...

In the evening, on the second floor of the Stone Oak Inn, inside the room.

After the servant poured the last bucket of hot water into the wooden tub, a soft click followed.

The wooden door closed gently, and the murmurs in the corridor along with the servant's footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

The room fell quiet.

Matthew stripped off his clothes and stepped into the wooden tub. The warm medicinal liquid instantly enveloped his entire body, carrying a rich, bitter herbal scent. He slowly sank down, letting the medicinal broth submerge him up to his neck.

“Ah, comfortable...”

He could not help but let out a low sigh. Closing his eyes, he felt the medicinal power seep into his muscles through his skin like countless fine, warm currents.

...