"Retreating is to launch a better attack. A fist, to strike with greater force, must first be retracted before being thrown."According to Gē Wú's account, Stone City was erected in a spacious clearing nestled within the forest, its sturdy edifices hewn from stone quarried from the looming mountain that served as the city's backdrop.

　　At the heart of the city loomed a majestic stone pyramid, the pinnacle of Stone City's architecture, ascending skyward with its five tiers.

　　This trapezoidal pyramid, oriented from north to south, boasted several hundred steps ascending directly to its zenith, where an altar dedicated to the Yellow Clan celestial gods resided.

　　Within the chief's banquet hall, Night Bright Flowers adorned the walls, casting a warm glow throughout the room.

　　Upon the banquet table, a grand basin brimmed with Thorn Tiger meat, expertly prepared in a variety of styles—grilled, boiled, or roasted—fills the hall with a mouthwatering aroma.

　　Accompanying the feast was fruit wine, its robust fragrance permeating the air. Minstrels serenaded from the sidelines, their melodies weaving through the lively ambiance.

　　Gōng Diǎn, Gé Xiōng, and their companions reveled in the culinary delights and spirited conversation, fostering a jovial atmosphere.

　　The discourse around the table was punctuated by tales of valor from the hunt. The stories of their bravery and resilience echoed through the hall, adding to the rich tapestry of their shared experiences.The survivors of the Thorn Tiger hunt, having witnessed the tragic demise of many comrades, found themselves pondering the unpredictability and brevity of life. As alcohol-fueled their emotions, they shifted from somber reflection to lively debate, engaging in endless discussion.

　　Yī Wú gave a thumbs-up in agreement, exclaiming, "Gōng Kāng took down two Thorn Tigers bare-handedly, undoubtedly the bravest warrior around!"

　　However, Gē Wú disagreed with Yī Wú's assertion, pointing towards Huá Měi. "While Gōng Kāng is brave, claiming he's the best? I have my doubts. There's this expert from the Divine Forsaken Clan," Gē Wú hesitated briefly before continuing, "who ripped off two front paws from a Thorn Tiger bare-handedly. In my opinion, he's the real contender for the title."

　　Gē Wú was bound by strict orders not to reveal any information about these celestial gods.

　　Dīng Wén chimed in, pointing at Dōng Yī Fēng, "Neither of you is correct. Dōng Yī Fēng stood firm, waved his hand, and killed two Thorn Tigers!"

　　"He used magic from the Divine Forsaken Clan, not divine power!"

　　"Nonsense, you're mistaken!"

　　"You're the one talking nonsense!"

　　Different factions had their supporters, each steadfast in their opinions and unwilling to concede.

　　As alcohol consumed them, their arguments escalated into drunken bickering, with fingers pointing and insults flying, almost escalating to physical confrontation.

　　Initially indifferent to these petty disputes, Gōng Kāng suddenly rose to his feet, his head throbbing from the cacophony. "What's your aim here? You all boast about your capabilities, so why not prove it by hunting down a few more Thorn Tigers? All you do is squabble amongst yourselves!"

　　Gōng Kāng's outburst immediately silenced the arguing factions.As the tension in the hall subsided, Gōng Kāng approached Huá Měi with a casual demeanor. "You know, titles like 'the best in the world' don't really do it for me. Just sitting around drinking tonight isn't my idea of fun. Since everyone seems curious about who's stronger, why don't we settle it with a little friendly competition? What do you say?"

　　This time, Gōng Kāng opted not to use the title "god" when addressing Huá Měi. Gōng Diǎn had discreetly cautioned him on their way back not to reveal Dōng Yī Fēng and Huá Měi's identities in front of others.

　　Gōng Kāng's eagerness to challenge Huá Měi wasn't solely influenced by peer pressure. Having witnessed Huá Měi's impressive feat of tearing apart the Thorn Tiger, Gōng Kāng, being a hero himself, couldn't resist the urge to test Huá Měi's strength.

　　The atmosphere in the hall instantly reignited. What started as a casual debate out of boredom quickly escalated when Gōng Kāng unexpectedly challenged Huá Měi. All eyes turned to Huá Měi, awaiting his response.

　　Huá Měi couldn't help but chuckle at Gōng Kāng's proposition. As an android, he was intrigued to test the strength of this self-proclaimed "top warrior" from the Gōng clan.

　　"Young Master, count me in."

　　"Alright then, let's make it best of three rounds. How about we kick things off with an arm wrestling match?"

　　The crowd eagerly gathered around, some placing their bets on Gōng Kāng, while others favored Huá Měi. Amidst the lively cheers and encouragement from the onlookers, Gōng Kāng and Huá Měi took their seats to begin their arm wrestling match.

　　Gōng Kāng's bulging biceps spoke volumes, clearly surpassing the average person in terms of muscular strength.

　　Huá Měi, with his humanoid appearance hiding a complex network of steel components, exuded an air of sophistication and refinement. Despite his slender frame, which seemed fragile compared to Gōng Kāng's robust physique, many still placed their bets on Gōng Kāng."Ready!" With referee Yī Wú's command, the two men clasped hands.

　　Gōng Kāng exerted himself fully, his bulging biceps and popping veins betraying his intense effort, his face flushed with exertion. Meanwhile, Huá Měi remained composed and collected.

　　The sturdy wooden table groaned under the strain of their arms, threatening to collapse at any moment.

　　Huá Měi admired silently, "Gōng Kāng's strength is truly unparalleled. His wrist power alone is easily ten times that of an average person."

　　The sheer force emanating from Gōng Kāng's arm was staggering. Huá Měi adjusted his own arm strength data on the fly, matching Gōng Kāng's level effortlessly.

　　Yet, humans aren't machines, and in terms of endurance, there was no comparison. Despite Gōng Kāng's valiant efforts, he couldn't move Huá Měi's arm an inch. The realization dawned on Gōng Kāng that his opponent's strength far surpassed his own.

　　As time wore on, Gōng Kāng contemplated conceding. Sensing his opponent's easing grip, he did the same.

　　Their hands loosened almost simultaneously, and Gōng Kāng rose to his feet. "I concede this round."

　　"Young Master, it's a draw. Neither of us has won or lost."

　　It was a stalemate, eliciting a collective sigh of relief from the spectators who had placed bets.

　　"I must admit, your strength is truly impressive. Now, I'd like to learn some combat skills from you."

　　"Young Master, I'm not versed in combat."

　　"You're too modest. You were able to grab the Thorn Tiger's front claws with perfect precision and strength."

　　Now regretting his challenge to Gōng Kāng, Huá Měi thought to herself, "I was merely curious about Gōng Kāng's strength data, but I didn't anticipate his seriousness. Where am I supposed to learn combat skills?"

　　"Young Master, how about we spar with our fists? Let's refrain from using weapons, as they could easily cause harm. Let's keep it friendly with hand-to-hand combat."

　　"Agreed." "Wait a moment," Huá Měi interjected, breaking the tension. "Before we begin, I need to prepare myself."

　　Gōng Kāng nodded understandingly. "Of course, take all the time you need. I want this to be a fair match."

　　As the spectators eagerly resumed their betting, the anticipation for the impending showdown grew, with more wagers now placed on Huá Měi.

　　Initially, Gōng Diǎn hesitated when Gōng Kāng proposed the match against Huá Měi. However, caught up in the excitement of the crowd and fueled by his own curiosity about the capabilities of these "human gods," he reluctantly agreed to let the bout proceed.

　　Gé Xiōng, well aware of Huá Měi's abilities, had listened intently to Gōng Wú's detailed account of the hunting expedition, which only piqued his curiosity further. With bated breath, he observed every move on the field.

　　With the hall cleared of tables and chairs, creating a makeshift arena, Gōng Kāng began his warm-up routine.

　　Meanwhile, Huá Měi sat calmly in the center, eyes closed in deep concentration. His preparation wasn't about physical warm-up but rather mental readiness, as he quickly reviewed combat techniques stored in his memory.

　　Observing Huá Měi's meditation, Gōng Kāng suppressed his impatience, reminding himself of the importance of patience in combat.

　　Finally, Huá Měi felt prepared and opened his eyes. "I'm ready. Let's get started."

　　With determination, the two men faced each other, ready to engage in combat.

　　Among the spectators, Dōng Yī Fēng watched anxiously. Unlike during the arm wrestling match, where he had been confident in Huá Měi's strength, this scenario was entirely different. Combat required a different set of skills, and Gōng Kāng was proving to be a formidable opponent.

　　As the battle commenced, the movements of the combatants seemed almost playful at first. Gōng Kāng made calculated advances, while Huá Měi evaded with swift movements, neither landing the first blow.

　　Gōng Kāng's strategy was methodical, relying on control and precise strikes, while Huá Měi countered with a modern boxing approach, surprising even Professor Dōng Yī Fēng with his agility.

　　"Let's see some action!" The crowd urged impatiently, their chants filling the air.

　　With a burst of energy, Gōng Kāng launched a punch toward Huá Měi's face, igniting the full intensity of their clash.

　　In the realm of martial arts, speed often determines the victor.Gōng Kāng's punches sliced through the air like lightning, accompanied by a faint whooshing sound. He targeted both high and low, each strike carrying the potential for serious harm if his opponent made even the slightest error.

　　Huá Měi's response was fluid and graceful, moving with agility to evade Gōng Kāng's attacks while searching for opportunities to counter. Each counterstrike was punctuated by a unique yell, showcasing his focus and determination.

　　Professor Dōng Yī Fēng couldn't help but smile. Huá Měi had clearly mastered the techniques of Bruce Lee, executing them with precision and finesse.

　　Huá Měi's strategy was swift and unconventional, blending defense and offense seamlessly to counter Gōng Kāng's assaults. His movements made it difficult for Gōng Kāng to fully utilize his speed and strength advantage, a situation unfamiliar to Gōng Kāng in previous matches.

　　As the fight progressed, Huá Měi observed Gōng Kāng's movements slowing down, recognizing the limits of human endurance. Sensing an opportunity, Huá Měi launched a counterattack, surprising Gōng Kāng with his speed and precision.

　　Gōng Kāng cleverly seized Huá Měi's incoming fist, using the momentum to deliver a powerful kick, causing both combatants to fall to the ground amidst the confusion of the spectators.

　　Unbeknownst to the crowd, Huá Měi had anticipated Gōng Kāng's move, delivering a forceful counterattack that left Gōng Kāng reeling.

　　As they both regained their footing, Huá Měi extended a hand to help Gōng Kāng up, showing respect for his opponent's skill and resilience.

　　With a bow, Huá Měi conceded defeat, acknowledging Gōng Kāng's prowess.

　　The spectators debated the outcome of the match, with those who had supported Huá Měi celebrating his victory based on the rule that the first to stand wins.

　　Gōng Kāng, rubbing his shoulder, praised Huá Měi's martial arts skills and resilience, impressed by his opponent's abilities.

　　Huá Měi explained his technique, the inch punch, and the martial art Jeet Kune Do, attributed to Bruce Lee, showcasing his knowledge and expertise.

　　"Is that so? It would be a great honor to learn from him if I ever had the chance!" Gong Kang walked over to Huamei, patting his shoulder. "However, there's one more round I'd like to challenge you to."

　　"Oh, Young Master, as I mentioned before, we agreed not to use weapons in our match."

　　"Haha, don't worry. I'm sure to win this round. Let's make it a drinking competition instead!"