C16 of Profound Meaning!

Milesio called out, "Midstream Strike!" as he surged forward, leaping onto a stick with formidable power and chopping straight down. Rupert swiftly rotated his hands, gripping the stick firmly, ready to absorb the incoming force. "I just slipped and managed to catch that move, Coach Miles. Feel free to put a bit more power into it. Don't hold back now..."

Milesio chuckled and replied, "Take it one step at a time, Mr. Owens. No need to rush; that was just the first move... Alright, let's go again!"

As the stick released its full force, Milesio's eyes darted, and he quickly adapted his technique, sweeping the stick low in an attempt to force Rupert into a leap, leaving him with no footing. Predictably, Rupert jumped. Milesio seized the moment to switch to the fifth move, "Dragon Strike!"

This maneuver required a swift change in the direction of the stick, using the strength of one's arms before the second form was fully executed. Quick reflexes were essential to anticipate the opponent's position and redirect the attack. Inexperienced foes often found themselves injured and tumbling to the ground. Milesio, true to his role as an instructor, could resolve such nuisances in just a few moves. But sometimes, the tables turned. Hadn't Milesio just aimed a "Dragon Strike" at Rupert?

Yet, Rupert only staggered back a few steps. Wasn't he supposed to have leapt upwards? Moreover, he countered by matching the tip of his stick against Milesio's with pinpoint accuracy. "Be alert, I slipped forward before, but now I'm leaning back. Watch yourself..."

Milesio, undeterred and recognizing a worthy opponent, knew this was no ordinary street runner. This man had a solid foundation in martial arts. How profound could his skills be? Milesio pressed on with "Luring the Snake from Its Hole."

Dragging his stick, Milesio attempted to bait Rupert into reacting. Rupert, discerning Milesio's intent to delay, refused to be outmaneuvered and executed "Strike the Snake Along the Stick." The stick moved with serpentine agility, requiring quick and precise movements. Anything less would be no better than a mere earthworm.

Milesio was thrilled, recognizing the man's martial prowess and the potency of his stick technique. Yet, he wondered if he had been duped. "You've taken the bait!" he exclaimed.

Milesio effortlessly transitioned into the Finger-Twisting Snake technique. His stick work was impeccable, weaving tightly around Rupert's own weapon. It was a risky maneuver, for if one wasn't careful, they could easily become the prey rather than the predator. The Finger-Twisting Snake was one of Milesio's most advanced techniques, his stick slithering and coiling like a serpent through the branches.

Rupert's reflexes were unexpectedly sharp, catching Milesio and the others off guard. With a forceful shout, "Snake Strikes Three Inches," he thrust powerfully at the core of Milesio's stick. This precise blow swiftly dismantled Milesio's aggressive onslaught. A shadow fell over Milesio's face; he was considered a master in his village, even a trainer of others, and yet here he was, humiliated by a few simple moves from an outsider.

Milesio, feeling the sting of defeat, refrained from unleashing his most devastating techniques. Instead, he offered a courteous heads-up, a gesture to ensure his victory would be seen as honorable. "Mr. Owens, your martial arts are truly profound. Be warned, the next move I've learned is a life-saving technique from my master. It's dangerous, especially directly in front of you. Out of respect for your toughness, I'm giving you a fair warning..."

Rupert stood ready, his stick poised horizontally in opposition. "Excellent! I anticipate it packs quite a punch. I have my standards, and I appreciate the heads-up. Let's proceed..."

"The Profound Meaning of the stick! The Wind Mantra... 'A Stick to Settle the Land!'" Milesio's stick began to move slowly at an angle, then suddenly plunged downwards with great speed, burying itself into the earth. Rupert, mirroring the action, managed to perform the move simultaneously. A fierce wind kicked up, swirling dust around the epicenter where the ground had split, revealing two sticks standing upright at the exact same spot. How could two sticks have found their way there?

Milesio's face turned ashen as he shook his head in disbelief. "I've dedicated decades to perfecting this martial art. Aside from my master, the King's Shield, few can match such skill. How could he rival me?" he lamented.

Kim addressed his master, "The two sides are evenly matched. Why do you say we lost? We should continue the competition. We haven't lost anyone..."

Milesio's expression shifted. He not only reprimanded his disciple but also conceded defeat, "In the martial arts world, there's no need for a fight to the bitter end. We're outmatched, so it's best to let them pass..."

River chimed in, "Exactly, Master. There's no clear winner or loser here. We're not as shameless as they are. If that's the case, why not have another go?"

Milesio shook his head and responded, "You both need to put in more effort and study the staff techniques. I once shared your misguided beliefs until the King's Shield corrected me, making me realize my errors. Our opponent was unscathed, their superiority clear. However, I must remind you that failure is not disgraceful. Acknowledging and correcting mistakes is a responsible attitude. Do you understand?"

Kim and River nodded vigorously, "Mr. Owens's skills are incredibly profound. We hope he doesn't come to Ofanlenor as an adversary. If so, Milesio will surely sacrifice himself to protect Ofanlenor to the very end..."

Rupert was inwardly shaken. Of course, this was just a regular martial arts match, not necessarily about winning or losing. However, if it threatened his village, he would set aside victory and focus solely on defense. "Instructor Miles! I won't cause trouble here. Moreover, I sense you've been holding back out of kindness. Those people distracted you, and had you unleashed your full strength, this place would have been in ruins, right? I'm well aware of the depth of your power..."

Milesio, aware that Rupert was trying to preserve his face as an instructor, played it down. "Forest, please ensure Mr. Owens gets some rest. We might face a tough fight tomorrow. And Mr. Owens, avoid wandering at night; there are always large insects out hunting. My disciples and I need to guard this checkpoint, so we'll leave it at that."

"Thank you. Please take care of yourselves," Rupert said with a gesture of his hand. Forest and Mileson guided Rupert into Ofanlenor. The area was engulfed in a lush forest, yet there seemed to be no residents in sight.

"Rupert, even though Ofanlenor is called a village, it takes a good half day to traverse it. So, any intruders would spend a considerable amount of time getting through. But you're the first person that our drill instructor, Milesio, has specifically instructed to rest," Forest said, looking ahead. "Let's go! I'll take you to a halfway resting spot we call the treehouse, built atop the trees."

"This... Staying overnight in a tree, is that common? Isn't there a risk of falling? And Brother Forest, you mentioned the sun had addled our drill instructor's brain. But the sun isn't even setting yet, so how can it be evening?" Rupert asked, tilting his head in curiosity.