I Contracted Myself

Nighttime.

Beast King Boxing School.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Bai De scanned the room full of students and said, "Phoenix Claw Form requires the use of a special ointment for training. Zhang Ping, come up and distribute the ointment to everyone."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping stepped forward and handed out the ointment from the table.

This was a paste-like secret ointment. The ingredients weren't expensive, but the Beast King Boxing School sold it at a steep price—a jar that cost 5 Mingzhu Currency to make was sold for 200 Mingzhu Currency.

If it weren't for the fact that it was covered by public funds, Zhang Ping wouldn't even touch it.

"Apply this ointment to your fingers every morning. Do not touch water for an hour after application. Alright, now let's go over the moves of the Phoenix Claw Form. Pay close attention." Bai De said after Zhang Ping finished distributing the ointment.

He then explained the moves and force application of the Phoenix Claw Form in detail, demonstrating the techniques himself.

The Phoenix Claw Form was somewhat like the Nine Yin White Bone Claw from martial arts novels. Once mastered, its finger strength was astonishing, capable of easily piercing an enemy's skull, even the hardest forehead bone.

If one could achieve mastery, the Phoenix Claw Form would undergo a transformation, allowing the practitioner to easily pierce through ordinary rocks and steel.

"Did everyone understand the techniques and moves?" Bai De asked after a half-hour explanation, scanning the room.

Most of the students nodded in understanding, except for Wang Jieming, who looked distressed. He hadn't even mastered the Crocodile Form yet.

Zhang Ping had been out of Mingzhu City for a few days, so Wang Jieming had been practicing the Ape King Form continuously, waiting for Zhang Ping to help him break down the Crocodile Form.

The Phoenix Claw Form was too advanced for him.

"Alright, now practice with each other freely."

Seeing that most of the students understood, Bai De sat down on a chair, picked up a teacup, and took a break.

The students, now familiar with each other, paired up with their usual partners for one-on-one practice.

Zhang Ping intended to practice with Zhou Jielin, but after looking around and not finding him, he reluctantly approached Wang Jieming. "Let's practice together."

"Zhang Ping, I didn't understand the Phoenix Claw Form at all. I don't think I can help," Wang Jieming said apologetically.

Zhang Ping had anticipated this and smiled, "I know. I'll help you break down the Crocodile Form later. Once you master that, the Phoenix Claw Form should come quickly. Besides, we haven't started applying the ointment yet, so let's just give it a try."

"Thanks," Wang Jieming said gratefully.

He had suffered quite a bit while Zhang Ping was away from the Beast King Boxing School.

Most adventurers weren't known for their patience. Because he was slow to learn, practicing with others often felt like they were feeding him moves, which led to frustration and heavier blows from his partners.

His body was still covered in bruises that hadn't healed.

...

After class.

The two left the Beast King Boxing School.

Zhang Ping looked up at the stars and suddenly asked, "Wang Jieming, has your mom been home these past few days?"

He remembered Wang Jieming mentioning that he suspected his mom had been eaten by the Tianchang Fox.

"My mom hasn't been home these days. Do you want to come over?" Wang Jieming asked, understanding Zhang Ping's implication.

That night, he had stayed at Iron Soul, planning to ask Zhang Ping to come home with him the next day to help identify if his mother was indeed the Tianchang Fox.

But plans never keep up with changes.

The next morning, as he left his room, he ran into Liu Sishan, who was waiting outside Zhang Ping's door. She ordered him to take a leave of absence for Zhang Ping and cover for him.

Under Liu Sishan's sharp gaze, he couldn't refuse.

After breakfast at Iron Soul, he mustered the courage to go home alone, only to find his mother not there.

It felt like punching cotton; all his built-up courage deflated instantly.

For the next few days, he was home alone.

But deep down, he knew his mother was probably in grave danger.

Zhang Ping understood Wang Jieming's feelings and sighed, patting his shoulder in comfort.

"Wang Jieming, can I join you in 'boxing'?" Wang Jieming asked after a moment of silence.

He wanted revenge.

But he didn't even know where his enemy was.

Zhang Ping remained calm, "Training with me will be tough. I'm worried you can't handle it, and you're too weak right now."

"Weak? Let's see about that," Wang Jieming said, unwilling to accept it.

Zhang Ping was curious to see Wang Jieming's strength and nodded, "To the open space ahead?"

"Let's go!" Wang Jieming walked quickly ahead.

When they reached the open space, Zhang Ping signaled for Wang Jieming to make a move.

"Be careful. I may learn slowly, but I've mastered the Mingzhu Three Punches," Wang Jieming warned.

Zhang Ping waved him on with a smile, "Come on."

Previously, he might not have been able to beat Wang Jieming, but now he was at Level 9, while Wang Jieming was still at Level 5. How could Wang Jieming compete with him?

Wang Jieming took a deep breath and began circling Zhang Ping with small steps.

Racing Wolf!

Suddenly, he lunged forward, aiming a punch at Zhang Ping's spine.

The Racing Wolf form of the Mingzhu Three Punches targeted vital points like the eyes, ears, and spine, aiming for a single decisive blow.

Many Awakeners liked to start with the Racing Wolf form, especially in combat, as it was the most flexible and varied.

Facing this punch, Zhang Ping turned and stepped into the Ape King Form, dodging Wang Jieming's attack. His face nearly touched Wang Jieming's arm as he leaned towards Wang Jieming's chest. If this hit landed, it could cave in Wang Jieming's chest.

Zhang Ping expected Wang Jieming to retreat, but instead, Wang Jieming's fist turned into a claw, aiming directly at his eyes.

With his Pure Water Body, even if Wang Jieming blinded him, he could quickly recover by transforming. But if he landed this hit, Wang Jieming would be severely injured or worse. So, he abandoned his attack and blocked Wang Jieming's claw, then quickly retreated.

As he retreated, he noticed that Wang Jieming's feet weren't firmly planted but were on his toes, allowing him to quickly absorb the impact.

He realized that his previous attack might not have severely injured Wang Jieming, as Wang Jieming could quickly absorb the force, resulting in only minor injuries.

"Again!"

Wang Jieming shouted, launching a continuous attack like a monkey.

Ape King Form!

Zhang Ping's interest was piqued, and he used the Ape King Form to counter Wang Jieming. They exchanged blows rapidly, matching each other's moves for over ten minutes before stopping.

In terms of pure boxing technique, they were evenly matched.

Once Wang Jieming learned a form, his progress was rapid as long as he practiced consistently.

"Old Wang, do you know your main attributes?" Zhang Ping asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Wang Jieming was in worse shape, covered in sweat, and answered while panting, "My main attributes are stamina, strength, and speed."

"Three attributes, so you're balanced." Zhang Ping nodded.

In Mingzhu City, scholars had studied that most summoners and beast tamers had stamina and mental strength as their main attributes, while pure spellcasters had mental strength as their main attribute.

For those who enhanced their physical bodies, the main attributes varied.

For example, explosive types had strength as their main attribute, endurance types had strength and stamina, balanced types had strength, stamina, and speed, and agile types had strength and speed.

There were also some unusual cases.

For instance, those with stamina as their main attribute were like tanks, and those with speed as their main attribute were like super-fast assassins.

Interestingly, Awakeners with the Eagle Eye talent were also considered physical enhancers, but only their eyes were enhanced.

Zhang Ping's level was higher than Wang Jieming's, and his main attributes were stamina and mental strength, so his stamina recovery was much faster.

In just two minutes, he was fully recovered and asked with a smile, "Want to go again?"

"No, Zhang Ping, what are your main attributes?" Wang Jieming quickly refused. He had barely kept up during their fight, and if Zhang Ping hadn't stopped, he would have lost.

Although their boxing techniques were on par, his endurance was far inferior.

"Stamina and mental strength," Zhang Ping replied.

Wang Jieming immediately doubted, "Impossible. Your strength and speed are similar to mine. How can it be just stamina and mental strength?"

"That's the result of my hard work. If you do five thousand push-ups and two thousand sit-ups every morning, you can achieve it too," Zhang Ping said with a smile.

His potential was now six stars, making his training highly effective.

During the day, he constantly tested his limits. But with stamina and mental strength as his main attributes, his recovery was rapid.

After a few minutes of rest, he was full of energy again, ready to continue training.

So even he didn't know his own limits.

In fact, if it weren't for the need to eat, drink, sleep, and defecate, he could train non-stop all day.

"Sigh, it's getting late. Let's head back," Wang Jieming said, sighing again.

He knew Zhang Ping had a fire-releasing ability. If Zhang Ping used that, he wouldn't stand a chance.

"Let's go. You need to train hard. One day, you'll surprise everyone," Zhang Ping said, comforting him.

Previously, he would have wanted Wang Jieming to join him in fighting the Tianchang Fox.

But things were different now.

After his trip out of the city, his strength had soared, and he had a better understanding of Mingzhu City's situation.

Besides the Tianchang Fox, there was also the Zhu Family of Beast Tamers lurking in the shadows. Bringing Wang Jieming along would only put him in danger.

At the crossroads, they parted ways.

Zhang Ping didn't return to Iron Soul but went to an inconspicuous corner. After confirming that the coast was clear, he quickly put on the Assassination Ring and took out the Ghost Lantern.

The Ghost Lantern emitted a grayish light, turning everything it illuminated into black and white.

Zhang Ping covered himself with Nether Mist, and under the long black cloak, the mist rolled, transforming him into a two-meter-tall reaper.

In fact, he was hovering about twenty centimeters off the ground, making him appear taller.

He took out a mirror to check his appearance and was very satisfied.

Putting away the mirror, he let out a cold laugh and swiftly floated away.

Tonight.

He had a mission to complete.