"We don't need to say such things between us."

Chang Shoushang waved his hand.

The two chatted casually for a bit, and Chang Shoushang also mentioned some amusing anecdotes he heard at the dinner party earlier.

One of them was about the Kung Fu Snail.

It's said that it sheds its shell after a certain number of years.

Perhaps the snail shell in the school's Wind Listening Hall came from such a source.

Li Pu wasn't particularly interested in this information.

Because if the snail shell in Wind Listening Hall is from the Kung Fu Snail, his Friend of Magical Beasts cannot be triggered again.

If not, and the Kung Fu Snail and the Tai Chi Snail are two different species, then maybe he could try to acquire a shell shedding from the Kung Fu Snail.

If he had the chance, he would quite like to meet that Kung Fu Snail.

The other piece of information was about the Kung Fu Wells.

According to a few Kung Fu Kings, the first person to soak in the Kung Fu Wells would gain significant benefits.

Some experienced a significant increase in physical strength, some attained the true essence of Kung Fu, and the most direct was an enhancement in cultivation technique (grade).

It varies from person to person, but the benefits are substantial.

Most importantly, each reigning Kung Fu King has the authority to allow a limited number to enter the wells.

Typically, besides the reigning king soaking in it himself, he would also arrange for a few family members or subordinates to soak in the wells.

For instance, the white-headed langur next to the Round Penguin had soaked before.

It improved its Kung Fu cultivation as well as advanced its grade, jumping directly from C-level to B-level.

"In that case, we should strive for this opportunity."

It was clear that Li Pu was more interested in the Kung Fu Wells at this point.

"But... have you calculated the score?"

"If the Penguin senior wants to win this month..."

Chang Shoushang thought there was only a theoretical possibility.

"What if it's a total victory?"

Li Pu did the math.

If both he and the Scarecrow secured total victories, they would have a total of 14 points, plus the Round Penguin's 4 points, making it 18 points in total.

On the other side, the two from Venerable Panda's team would need to win just 8 out of 14 matches to tie with this score.

Therefore, the more victories he and Scarecrow achieve, the greater the potential grows.

Then he'd have to observe others' reactions, especially the current top three Kung Fu Kings.

Right now, still eating heartily at the banquet, the Round Penguin certainly wasn't considering that it had already abandoned the position of Kung Fu King.

Instead, the "subordinates" were beginning to strategize.

...

Early the next morning, everyone gathered by the ring once again.

Unlike yesterday, where each brought only two subordinates, today there were more spectators, and even new stands were erected.

Among the audience were family members and younger generations of the Kung Fu Kings, as well as magical beast subordinates.

Li Pu and his group mingled with the audience, surrounded by all kinds of beings.

Humanoids or half-human different races, various forms of magical beasts.

As for the eight Kung Fu Kings, they sat on an elevated platform.

The Round Penguin had regained its chubby stature after the previous night's binge eating, with a speed of consumption and transformation that was truly remarkable.

Sitting on either side were Kung Fu Crane and Venerable Panda, the closest of the Kung Fu Kings to the Round Penguin.

Especially Venerable Panda, as the Round Penguin frequently visited its residence and was even quite familiar with its wife (?).

"Congratulations in advance, clumsy Panda."

Looking at the gradually assembling subordinates, the Round Penguin was a bit downcast.

It had been over a year since being the Kung Fu King.

If this continued, it wondered if someday a new king might suddenly oust it.

"Hehehe, not at all."

"You still have a chance this month, don't be so downhearted."

Venerable Panda scratched its head, giving a naïve smile.

Its situation was slightly better than the Round Penguin, having last won the King title six months ago.

"I suspect you're just jinxing it."

The Kung Fu Crane glanced at the Round Penguin.

"Enough with the talk, let's draw lots."

The Round Penguin, seeing through their intention, quickly changed the subject.

The subordinates' matches were determined by lot drawn by the Kung Fu Kings.

So the eight gathered, and soon completed the draw.

The first match had the subordinates of Venerable Panda facing off against those of Kung Fu Frog.

The competitors sent by both sides were decided in advance, so it didn't affect fairness.

In the first segment of the first match, the Venerable Panda team sent in Venerable Panda's disciple, also a panda.

On the Kung Fu Frog side, they sent in the black-and-white-striped snail.

This kind of matchup from the start sparked discussions in the audience seats.

"Panda's side didn't make the right bet."

"If Brother Rhino had gone up, it likely would have been easier against that snail."

"Indeed, Brother Rhino would have been the optimal choice."

"The key is this Panda brother, I heard he's a new phenom from Venerable Panda's side. Who knows how strong he is..."

"Not just a phenom, I heard he's also its disciple."

"Oh? In that case, it's worth looking forward to."

Li Pu gathered the gist from the discussions around him.

It seemed that the Kung Fu Panda team's Rhino person was a counter to the snail.

It made sense since its horn might easily break through the snail's shell defense.

But with the order set beforehand, there's no one to blame.

"I announce, the match officially begins! Baa!"

"Kung Fu, baa!"

Bong!

The Kung Fu Camel on the high platform didn't even bother with formalities and directly struck a golden bell.

With monthly Kung Fu tournaments, there's no need for elaborate ceremonies.

"Roar... Hoot!"

The Panda disciple entered with a roar to boost its momentum, but made the wrong sound and immediately changed it.

However, the snail opposite him didn't move; since climbing onto the stage with crab claws earlier, it hadn't budged.

"Huh?"

The situation puzzled Li Pu, who looked toward his senior students.

He couldn't talk right now, so he had asked them yesterday to gather information on these opponents.

"That snail, what can I say..."

Tong Qinxin understood and began to explain.

"Have you heard of the Rubik's brand porcupine type?"

"The snail's fighting style is rumored to be similar."

"It doesn't have proactive attack capability but is great at causing harm to those who attack it."

She hadn't learned much more than this.

"As for the Panda disciple, also a new phenom, we didn't get much info."

Chang Shoushang added a line.

But there was no need for further explanation, as the battle officially began.

Though Tong Qinxin said the snail lacked proactive attack methods, surprisingly, it was the one to make the first move.

[Bubbles~]

Its shell lifted slightly, and a series of large bubbles were sprayed out underneath.

These bubbles gathered around it without dispersing and then burst, forming several strange crab phantoms.

They all had large pincers, but their bodies looked soft, without shells.

Floating in the air, swaying like they were performing some odd dance.

Li Pu sensed that this move's style bore a resemblance to Bu Bu's Mysterious Chaotic Dance.

Through this scene, he started to gauge the snail's true body.

Perhaps the shell was just a tool or akin to a divine weapon, and its real form might be a hermit crab magical beast.

"Look at how the Panda disciple's gaze has changed."

"It seems that those phantoms might carry some special effect?"

Both Chang Shoushang and Tong Qinxin noticed the changes on the field at the same time.

"Aooo!!!"

Then they heard the Panda disciple let out a roar and charged forward with its eyes blood-red.

"Huh."

Li Pu felt like he understood it; the snail's bubble phantoms seemed to have a taunting effect.

Bam!!!

Even though the Panda disciple didn't use any techniques, the power of its punch was immense.

It landed, cracking the hermit crab's snail shell deeply.

Who would win or lose was truly uncertain.

...

...