NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 336 : Punch me..!!
At the heart of the vacant palace training grounds, Das positioned himself before the one-eyed elder. The old man's gaze seemed distant, lost in the depths of memories that only he could access.
Although Das remained uncertain about the thoughts occupying the elder's mind, he maintained his patience, attuned to the unfolding situation.
A sense of curiosity lingered in the air as Princess Serena, Ruth, and Sana observed the tableau. Each held their own thoughts, intrigued by the meeting between Das and the enigmatic elder. The anticipation was palpable, the atmosphere charged with the promise of an imminent interaction.
The span of several more minutes passed, the old man seemingly engrossed in introspection. His features shifted through a range of expressions, revealing a journey into his past.
Finally, as the seconds ticked away, the old man's attention pivoted toward Das. His one-eyed gaze locked onto Das's crimson red eyes, a moment of shared intensity that held significance beyond mere words.
Abruptly, the old man's tone shifted, his words echoing in the air. "Punch me," he commanded, a demand that caught Das off guard. Confusion flickered across Das's features, mirroring his inner bewilderment at the unexpected request.
His patience waning, the old man's stern tone held no room for misunderstanding. "Are you deaf? I said punch me." His demand was resolute, his demeanour unyielding.
Das's expression transitioned from confusion to seriousness as he complied with the old man's order. His right hand propelled forward, executing a punch that, to him, felt like a routine action. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the old man demonstrated his prowess by intercepting the punch with two fingers, a display of skill that defied Das's expectations.
Staring at the old man, Das couldn't help but be impressed by his deftness. However, the old man's response was far from approving.
"What are you? A girl?" he chided, a disappointed smirk curving his lips. The remark stung, yet Das chose to channel his reaction constructively.
The next punch he unleashed held a renewed determination, a manifestation of his frustration and the old man's taunts. This time, his movements embodied the ferocity of a pouncing tiger. The punch resonated with impact, a powerful boom that reverberated through the air.
The old man countered the intensity with a single palm, showcasing his technique and experience. Yet, the outcome only seemed to spur him on. "More," he bellowed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm, a challenging smile gracing his features.
Unyielding, Das continued to unleash his punches, his strikes becoming a relentless torrent of aggression. Some punches were evaded with deft footwork, while others were met with the old man's palm blocking the impact. The exchange was an intricate dance of skill and determination.
Minutes passed as the punching sequence evolved into an intense training session. Over twenty punches were delivered by Das, each one showcasing his growing understanding of the art of combat. Yet, the old man's demand for more persisted, his unwavering spirit inspiring Das to delve deeper into his reservoir of strength.
In a climactic moment, Das abandoned caution and unleashed a flurry of punches, his crimson-red eyes blazing with fierce determination. The training grounds became an arena of relentless effort, a collision of strength and technique.
The tension between Das and the old man continued to escalate as Das maintained his relentless assault of punches, displaying remarkable endurance without a single bead of sweat. The intensity grew, culminating in the thirty-third punch, a strike that forced the old man to retreat a step to maintain his defence.
Breathless and a touch fatigued, the old man called a halt. "Stop... stop... that's enough," he managed between gasps, his aging body revealing the toll of the exchange. With an almost rueful expression, he muttered, "Ooff... old age is truly a curse."
Das's stamina had proven impressive, but it was the manner in which he had approached the challenge that truly caught the old man's attention. "You passed my test," he admitted, his tone laced with genuine appreciation. "I thought you will use the innate spirit energy from the spirit animal inside you, after a bit of provocation. Yet, you defied my expectations."
In his straightforward manner, Das brushed aside the old man's praise and cut to the chase. "So, when does the training begin? Are there any conditions?"
The old man's response was measured, his words reflecting the gravity of his assessment. "Ordinarily, I offer one month of training to those already skilled in combat, imparting specialised knowledge. But you deviate from the norm."
"For you, I recommend an intensive seven-day training regimen focused on refining your fundamental fighting skills. Your proficiency in the basics is where you lack, and that is what we will concentrate on."
"Starting tomorrow, you shall be here by 6 in the morning, and your departure will be permitted only after you've mastered that day's technique," the old man stated, his voice resonating with authority.
"Ensure you're equipped with the necessary training resources from the hidden families. If you find yourself lacking anything, don't hesitate to approach Princess Serena. She'll arrange whatever you need within a day's time."
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The old man's conditions were laid out meticulously, leaving no room for ambiguity. "Keep in mind, I won't repeat a lesson if you fail to adhere to the schedule. The responsibility for maintaining the discipline of the training rests solely on your shoulders. Missing out will be your own loss," he declared firmly.
While the prospect of rigorous training seemed daunting, the old man had his own limits. "I shall dedicate seven days exclusively to your training," he asserted, drawing a clear boundary to the endeavour.
Das absorbed the details, recognising that his commitment would determine the success of this undertaking. Yet, the old man had not revealed the entirety of his conditions.
"As for the other conditions," he began, an air of mystery permeating his words, "I'll elucidate them once you've completed this training to my satisfaction."
With his instructions imparted, the old man took his leave, departing the training grounds. But before he left, he cast a glance at Princess Serena, his granddaughter, with emotions that transcended his stern exterior. The bond between them was layered with history and sentiment, a relationship that underscored the nuances of their interactions.
As the old man's presence receded, the training grounds stood as a space of impending transformation. Das's journey was poised to intertwine with the tutelage of the enigmatic old man, the challenges ahead emblematic of the strength he sought to attain and the destiny he aspired to shape.
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PeterPan :-)