Although Robert didn't get to spar with Diana, occasionally practicing with Clark was still quite satisfying. And Kara, though she was attending university, could easily travel back and forth without much effort, given her speed.
Compared to Peter Parker and the others, university studies were no challenge for Kara. As a Kryptonian, if she wanted to learn, she could do so incredibly quickly. It was clear Kara was more inclined towards studying than even Clark.
"Ring ring!" One day, while Robert was training alone, his phone rang. It wasn't the communication device from Tony Stark, but his seldom-used personal phone.
Robert thought it might be Diana and answered happily, but it turned out to be a call from Jackie Chan and Jade.
"Uncle Jackie?" Robert answered with a smile. "We haven't been in touch for so long. If you hadn't called, I would've come looking for you!"
"Hehe, no need for that. Jade and I are back now, at Uncle's shop. Do you have time to come over and catch up?" Jackie's voice was filled with excitement, as if something good had happened.
"Yeah, Master! We haven't seen you in so long, I really missed you!" Jade's playful voice chimed in.
"Jade, I have a question. You've been gone for so long, don't you need to attend school? You came to America because you were not focusing on your studies back home, right? Or am I remembering wrong?" Robert teased with a laugh.
"Ah! Master, you're so mean! I just got back, can't I be happy for a few days?" Jade exclaimed, sounding both surprised and annoyed.
"Happy? You're still a student, a child. Isn't attending school what you're supposed to do? Do you want to just hang around with Jackie all the time?" Uncle's teaching voice quickly cut in.
"Besides, even Jackie has a proper degree and is a legitimate archaeologist. What about you, Jade?"
"Boohoo! I was wrong! I'll go back to studying as soon as I see Master…" Jade turned into a whining, playful creature, begging for mercy.
Jade knew there was no way she could skip school completely. Despite her special training and newfound abilities, she still needed time to grow. The training had also emphasized the importance of education, and Jade might even be more studious now than Robert and Clark.
"Alright, I'm coming over now, so Jade can get back to school quickly!" Robert laughed as he hung up, then disappeared from where he was, reappearing shortly at Uncle's Antique Shop.
"Wow, you both look quite different!" Robert said with mock surprise when he saw Jackie and Jade.
"Hehe, you noticed?" Jackie scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed but excited. "The abilities we've gained are somewhat similar to your Ki, though not exactly the same. Your teachings were really helpful during our training…"
"So, your organization also teaches something like Ki magic?" Robert asked, surprised.
"Kind of. The abilities we learned are related to the eight gods who once sealed Shendu. But now, this organization is under the control of the Chinese government…" Uncle explained, nodding.
"I see. Uncle Jackie, you didn't just call me over to show off your new abilities, did you?" Robert's eyes glinted knowingly. He didn't ask why someone with Jackie's official background would operate in America, suspecting it was due to the strategic games between major powers.
Robert wasn't very interested in those aspects; he was more concerned about finding strong opponents to spar with. With Jackie's newfound abilities, perhaps there would be some surprises.
"Hehe, of course not. I wanted to show you my new abilities. I can fly now, without the need for a hover charm or Chicken Talisman!" Jackie laughed, summoning a mysterious power that made him float.
"You still remember when I left you in the wilderness? That was to avoid scaring you!" Robert laughed helplessly. When they first met, Robert and Clark hadn't escorted Jackie home, not expecting him to remember it so well.
That incident had piqued Jackie's interest in Ki and the hover charm. He had diligently trained in Ki until being taken for other training. Fortunately, he ended up with flying abilities.
"Not just Uncle Jackie! I can fly too!" Jade exclaimed, quickly levitating with the same power as Jackie's, making Robert suspect they were the same.
"Smack!"
"Smack!"
Just as Jackie and Jade were proudly showing off, Uncle's face darkened, and he whacked both their bottoms with a stick, grounding them.
"Did you gain these powers just to show off?" Uncle scolded. "Where is the discipline I taught you?"
"Master isn't an outsider!" Jade rubbed her backside, feeling embarrassed. It didn't hurt much, but being spanked at her age was humiliating. Seeing Jackie punished too made her feel better.
"Alright, if you're going to spar, do it away from my shop. Don't damage my treasures!" Uncle glared at Jackie and Jade, then stormed off.
"Let's go find a place to spar!" Jackie knew he wasn't a match for Robert, but he wanted to gauge his abilities and get some pointers.
"Alright, let's go. Since you can fly now, follow me!" Robert nodded, flying ahead at a moderate pace.
"Hmph! Everyone can fly except me! No respect for Uncle's pride!" Uncle grumbled as the three flew away.
To be honest, Uncle could fly with the right spells or tools, but he was a pure sorcerer and couldn't fly without external help. Jackie, Jade, and Robert could fly with a thought, making it simpler for them.
"Pfft!" Flying ahead, Robert couldn't help but laugh. Uncle's reason for spanking them was to save face, and he gave them an excuse they couldn't refute. Typical Uncle.
"Robert, what are you laughing about?" Jackie asked, puzzled.
"Hmph! You don't get it, do you?" Jade sneered at Jackie, feeling superior for understanding Uncle's real reason.
"What don't I get? What happened?" Jackie looked at Jade, bewildered, wanting an explanation.
But Jade just rolled her eyes and kept silent, thinking to herself: "How could Uncle Jackie get dumber after gaining the Dragon Power? If I stay around him too much, will I become dumb too? Better keep some distance..."
"We're here." Robert, ignoring their banter, led them to a deserted area he had thoroughly checked for any hidden bases or observers.
"Phew!" Jackie exhaled deeply after landing, then looked seriously at Robert. "I've been waiting for this day ever since I gained and started mastering the Dragon Power. I want to know my real level and if our Dragon Power has as much potential as the elder said."
During their training, Jackie and Jade were nearly brainwashed. The elder who taught them claimed that Kunlun was the most powerful organization, unmatched worldwide. If not for constraints from the government and higher powers, they would have already proven their dominance.
He also said that Jackie and Jade, inheriting the Dragon Power, were their representatives in the outside world, calling them "Iron Fist."
Jackie didn't understand why it was called Iron Fist instead of Dragon Fist. He was excited about the name Dragon Power, feeling it was tailor-made for him.
In such an environment, Jackie and Jade were constantly told about Kunlun's invincibility. While it wasn't intentional brainwashing, the elder's confidence was contagious.
However, Jackie and Jade didn't fully believe it, having seen many powerful beings before going to Kunlun. They knew about the Twelve Talismans and had met monsters like Robert and Clark, who they doubted the elder could defeat.
So, after leaving Kunlun, they were unsure about their actual strength and eager to verify it with Robert.
"Show me what you've got." Robert nodded, smiling as Jackie prepared.
With a buzz, a mysterious power surged around Jackie, forming a dragon shape that coiled around him, finally concentrating in his fists. His fists glowed red, dragons swirling around them, and a faint dragon roar could be heard as if he had special effects and background music.
"Whoosh!" As Jackie's energy peaked, he vanished, reappearing beside Robert with his glowing fist aimed at him.
"Bang!" Robert raised an eyebrow, reaching to grab Jackie's fist, but Jackie swiftly changed his move mid-air, trying to bypass Robert's hand.
Naturally, Robert reacted just as quickly, switching his move without attacking. He wanted to see Jackie's full capability in defense…
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