In that fraction of second, Zhyho beheld Rafe struck by a fist that hit eight times.
Two fists broke both the knees, another two shattered his two shoulders, one to the chest and another three to Rafe's face.
'Fist of Destruction!' Zhyho clenched his fist. He couldn't believe that Alfin let a futureless Physique cultivator practice in it. 'What a waste'
Two of the youngsters rushed forward, they couldn't believe Rafe who's second strongest of their group would be defeated. And that too, by a single fist strike.
"Good, little Gin." Meylin and Nixa cheered while a slight smile surfaced on Alfin's face.
"Preceptor Zhyho, his injuries are severe. If we don't treat him soon, some of his injuries may become permanent." One of the youth uttered while Zhyho took out a peanut-sized pellet, diluted it with water and fed to Rafe.
As soon as he fed the pellet, color returned to Rafe's face while the injuries in his face recovered at a pace visible to the naked eye.
--
Only then Zhyho blew a relieved breath. If something happens to the youngsters, he can't answer the head representative since their safety is his sole responsibility.
He will be held accountable.
In truth, a few days ago everyone from the core region learned about a new ruin that discovered near the Silver mist region.
They soon received an order from higher-ups, 'Bring some of the best youngsters at Physique Enrichment stage and let them temper themselves in the ruin."
Like the Silver Dragon domain, the other domains also sent some of the best youngsters to this barren place.
Why particularly the 'Physique Enrichment stage' practitioners? Zhyho doesn't know as it's the Human Union's order.
At dawn, they reached the silver mist region. Just as they planned to let the youngsters enter the ruin, they were hindered by peoples of the human union.
"The Ruin opens to the public the day after today. No one is authorized to enter until then."
It was a simple statement, but no one questioned it.
Zhyho already knows Alfin's academy is located here, so he couldn't control his desire and wanted to trouble Alfin a little in the meantime. And so, he arrived here with the youngsters.
He thought, at least 100 or so students would study at the academy and it would be worth his trip to humiliate Alifin in front of his students. But, he was disappointed by the number of students present.
--
With one look, Meylin and Nixa could tell the medicine Zhyho used is way better than the potion Gin used on Zev.
"Lad, I will remember you!" Zhyho gave a fierce glare while the youngsters quickly carried Rafe out of the combat ground.
"Rodrix," Zhyho turned up to a youngster and whispered. "Kill him if possible."
The youth named Rodrix looked around the same age as Gin, a little taller and muscular. Ash blond hair and silver eyes separated him from the crowd.
"A worthy opponent in such a barren region, what a surprise!" Rodrix commented while a smirk is apparent on his oblong face.
"It's a pity, you weren't born in the core region of the continent. And, you were doomed to be defeated in my hands, today."
Gin could tell the youth in front of him is slightly dangerous, as he senses a threatening vibe from him.
He could tell, his opponent Rodrix already discovered 10 hidden seals. Furthermore, his strength is vastly different from the youths who came with him.
"Come, you better entertain me well!" Rodrix roared.
"For sure" Gin streaked towards his opponent while Rodrix did the same.
Rodrix right arm was covered in silver energy while black scales grew on his skin. In no time, his entire hand mirrored that of a dragon – impervious scales, glistening claws.
No one expected such a change, even Dean Alfin squinted his eyes. 'Silver Dragon transformation!'
Noticing Dean Alfin's countenance, Zhyho displayed a smug look. Rodrix is a genius he discovered, and he was training him from the small age.
Even some of the top talents in the Silver Dragon domain can't defeat him at the same level. He's the secret weapon Zhyho nurtured and his ticket to becoming a 'Silver Dragon Protector'.
"What kind of skill is that?" Nixa questioned.
"Who knows, it's bad news for Gin!" Meylin responded.
"It's a secret technique, not a martial skill. Only persons who awakened or born with the dragon based spirit seal can practice in it." Dean Alfin explained.
"Using the secret technique, they can draw the power from their spirit seal."
"What?" Both Meylin and Nixa exclaimed hearing it.
It's an iron rule that only Seal destruction masters can fight using their spirit seal. But now, their world view completed changed.
"Dean, then, will little Gin be okay?" Meylin worriedly asked.
"I don't know," Dean Alfin evasively replied.
It's the truth, as he knows the true power of the persons who practice the 'Silver Dragon transformation'.
No one can fight as their equals on the same level, apart from some of the geniuses from other domains.
'Boom!!'
Both fists collided in mid-air, creating a shockwave. Gin stood like a mountain without moving but the same couldn't be said for his opponent.
Rodrix was pushed back, his body skidded before steadying. He was astonished, his proudest and strongest offensive skill was knocked back.
"What?! did my eyes see clearly?" One of the youth commented.
"Rodrix got knocked back by a nameless person in such a backwater region!"
"Didn't you notice? Rodrix didn't use any kind of skill, it's just an exchange of pure strength."
"You are right, no one can block the Silver Dragon fist."
'Such a strong physique cultivator. It's a pity, he has no future' Zhyho mused.
At that moment, Drez and Nyd came back dropping Zev in the infirmary while Klin stays behind to look after Zev.
"What happened?" Drez asked and Nixa recounted everything that happened.
"Haha, I know it! None can defeat Gin in the Physique Enrichment stage." Drez laughed, his former anger gone in the wind.
"Kick their arses, Gin" Nyd screamed, "Spare no one"
"Silver Dragon Fist!" Rodrix roared.
Unlike before, his dragon scaled fist carried a strange momentum. The attack was swift and fast, it appeared before Gin's chest before he could even respond.
Gin quickly blocked the attack by crisscrossing his forearms; the impact still flung his entire body a few meters back.
Both his arms were bruised and throbbed in pain. His arms would have been broken if the force of the attack was slightly high.
He wasn't injured by the superior strength of his opponent, but by some kind of foreign force. The force was violent, powerful and wild.
'What kind of skill is this, it's different from all the skills I have ever faced.' Gin thought and quickly executed his movement skills.
If he once again confronts the strange attack head-on, he may suffer and probably lose the battle.
'If I can't block it, I won't let it touch me.'
Rodrix also noticed Gin shifted his combat style to the defensive. Even so, Gin's tactics didn't affect Rodrix in any way.
Soon, both Gin and Rodrix engaged in a heated battle. Both of them were fast, but Gin is slightly faster than Rodrix.
That small gap in speed hindered Rodrix from landing a good strike. Most of his attacks were easily evaded by his opponent.
What frustrated him further is, his opponent's hit and run tactics. He already suffered and experienced a few of his opponent's blows.
Every blow of Gin hurt and wounded him to some extent. Both of their strength was almost equal, so their fight reached a deadlock.
But, Rodrix knows the current momentum is a disadvantage to him. His opponent is Physique cultivator so his stamina and endurance will be better than him.
He has to end the fight before his stamina hits the limit as the Silver Dragon transformation drains his strength faster.
"Rodrix, what are you waiting for? Use your strongest secret technique and finish him off." Zhyho exasperatedly yelled.
Just the thought of losing to Alfin maddened his thinking. He hasn't thought of encountering a strong physique cultivator in such a barren region.
Rodrix frowned upon hearing Zhyho words, he too doesn't want to lose.
But, if he used that technique, his body will be severely weakened or worst, it would affect his inherent talent.
He doesn't know why his master Zhyho was hellbent on gaining victory. After all, even if they lose, no one may come to know about it.
Even so, he has no choice if he doesn't do as ordered by that madman Zhyho, his resources may very well be cut short.