This display of skill left the Predator utterly dumbfounded.
Failing to connect with his kick, and still in mid-air before hitting the ground, he’d avoided the attack and then… grappled him?
Was that even scientific?
Newton would be spinning in his grave!
Bai Ye could only think of the lyrics: "Shaolin Kung Fu is good, really good, Shaolin Kung Fu is great, really great, I am the iron head skill, you are the Vajra leg…"
Then…
*Bang!*
Bai Ye landed and, with a swift pull, actually flung the Predator into the wall to his side. A resounding crash followed, and a section of the wall collapsed, sending the Predator hurtling into the adjacent room.
Bai Ye immediately pulled out a grenade, pulled the pin, and tossed it through the gaping hole in the wall.
*Boom!*
The roar of the explosion erupted instantly.
Great plumes of fire surged from behind the shattered wall, followed by the concussive force of the blast, bringing down the entire wall.
Bai Ye waved away the black smoke in front of him, muttering, "Can't blow that bastard to bits…"
*Crash!*
Before Bai Ye could finish speaking, the wall beside him suddenly fractured, and the Predator’s two arms shot out, encircling Bai Ye's neck and tightening swiftly.
A suffocating sensation washed over him. The Predator had smashed through the wall, and now, with Bai Ye's neck in his grip, slammed Bai Ye's head against the opposite wall, pressing down.
Bai Ye gritted his teeth, his face flushing crimson. Then, inch by inch, he raised his arm, grabbed the Predator’s limb, and slowly pried its grip open.
Beneath the Predator's mask, its eyes glowed red.
Logically, their strength should have been comparable, with the Predator perhaps even having a slight edge. So why, the moment Bai Ye grabbed him, did he suddenly feel so powerless?
The reason was simple: one of the effects of the Dragon Claw technique was…
Internal Force Surge: Upon successfully grappling a target, strength increases by 20 points!
An increase of 20 strength points was enough for Bai Ye to counter the Predator.
Seeing his arm being slowly forced away, the Predator gritted its teeth, raised its wrist blade, and brought it down towards Bai Ye's head.
But in the nick of time, Bai Ye finally broke free and twisted his body to the side.
*Screech!* The metal wall was sliced open by the wrist blade, leaving three terrifying gashes.
Bai Ye swiftly spun around, grabbed the Predator’s wrist blade, and suddenly, the sound of twisting metal echoed.
The Predator immediately raised its left fist and punched Bai Ye in the chest. After landing the blow, both combatants retreated.
After creating some distance, Bai Ye looked at what he was holding. The Predator's wrist blade had been ripped off by his own hands.
Bai Ye was stunned for a moment, then rejoiced. His luck was truly good; another effect of the Dragon Claw technique had been triggered.
Tear: 15% chance to tear apart armor below blue quality.
A 15% chance wasn't easy to trigger. What surprised Bai Ye even more was that the wrist blade was considered armor?
However, Bai Ye soon understood. The Predator's equipment was likely a set. Apart from the mask and chest plate, which were computer systems, and the cloaking suit worn separately, the rest was probably part of a full set of armor. Thus, even though the wrist blade was a weapon, if it was part of the armor, it would naturally be considered part of the defensive gear.
The Predator glanced at its detached wrist blade and was mildly surprised. But only mildly, as it possessed more weapons than Bai Ye imagined.
Reaching behind its waist, a metal rod appeared in the Predator's hand. It then twisted a switch, and sharp spikes extended from both ends of the rod, transforming it into a spear.
The Predator lifted the spear and advanced towards Bai Ye again.
Bai Ye licked his lips, adopted a horse stance, and assumed his fighting posture once more.
The next instant, the Predator arrived before Bai Ye, flicked its wrist, and thrust the spear at Bai Ye, which he dodged nimbly.
The Predator immediately shifted from a thrust to a press, bringing the spear down towards Bai Ye. But as the spear fell, Bai Ye suddenly moved, his claw grasping the Predator's wrist from below.
*Squelch!*
Bai Ye exerted force, leaving five claw marks on the Predator's wrist.
The Predator was formidable in close combat. These beings, besides relying on technological weapons, also had a deep understanding of close-quarters fighting, clearly having undergone training.
But with the Shaolin martial art of Dragon Claw at his disposal…
Bai Ye was not afraid!
Having secured his advantage, Bai Ye pressed his attack.
"An inch longer, an inch stronger, but an inch shorter, an inch deadlier!"
The corridor was not narrow, but it was only about three and a half meters wide. It was somewhat difficult to maneuver a spear effectively, clearly less advantageous than fists and kicks.
Therefore, Bai Ye hesitated not, quickly closing the distance with the Predator.
As long as he was close enough, the spear's length would make it difficult to counter!
But just as Bai Ye surged forward, aiming for close-quarters combat…
The Predator suddenly switched to gripping the spear with both hands and pulling outwards, transforming it into two short spears.
Bai Ye couldn't help but freeze, then inwardly cursed, "Are you playing dirty? How can it be disassembled and used like this?"
*Swish!*
The short spears retracted, and with a swift sweep, it cut open Bai Ye's shoulder.
Fortunately, his padded coat was thick, and Bai Ye was close, limiting the Predator's force. It only managed to slash through the cotton coat, causing white stuffing to drift out.
However, with the spear transformed into two short weapons, the length became more appropriate. Bai Ye dared not continue pressing forward and quickly created distance.
But this time, it was the Predator who relentlessly pursued, raising its short spears and thrusting forward.
Unexpectedly, Bai Ye revealed a sinister grin.
"You fell for it!" Bai Ye grinned, suddenly extending a claw forward, "Qi Guán Lóng Zhǎo!" (Dragon Claw Charged with Qi)
The Predator looked bewildered. At a distance of a meter and a half, Bai Ye's arm span absolutely couldn't reach it. Conversely, at this range, its arm span combined with the short spears would surely strike Bai Ye.
So, was this suicidal?
But the moment the Predator thought this, as the claw extended, the surrounding five elements seemed to condense, forming the shape of a dragon claw. Before the short spears could pierce Bai Ye, it fiercely struck the Predator's chest.
The Predator's body recoiled as if struck by a heavy blow, staggering backward. Blood trickled from beneath its mask.
At that instant, the Predator felt its internal organs tremor, as if its entire viscera had taken a punch.
Bai Ye flicked his wrist, his other hand behind his back, and looked at the Predator. "How do you like the taste of Shaolin's external force? Feels good, doesn't it?"
Hearing Bai Ye's taunt, the Predator roared in anger, raised one of the short spears, and hurled it in Bai Ye's direction.
…