American Comics: The Girl Next Door is Spider-Gwen

"So, you should know..."

Ye Li, who had just been instructing Skye and the others, stretched his arms and said, "You interrupted something good."

"You're practicing self-defense with the girls?"

Tony put on a knowing look and said, "That's quite fun what's the next step?

I think you should lock the door. That way, I wouldn't have walked in and nearly taken a kick to the face."

The three girls, hearing them talk so bluntly, felt shy and huddled behind Ye Li, staying silent.

Even Felicia, who usually dropped her aloof demeanor around Ye Li, stayed quiet and returned to her composed, cool persona.

After all, they were still just high schoolers.

Besides, Stark's identity made them hesitant to join the conversation.

After all, he was a well-known playboy.

But Tony was intrigued by Ye Li. "I didn't expect you, an artist, to start learning martial arts."

He got into a boxing stance, bouncing lightly on his feet, and invited Ye Li, "I've been practicing boxing with Happy lately. How about we spar?"

To better fulfill his role as Iron Man, Tony had indeed been practicing martial arts recently, though his beginner skills left much to be desired.

Running into Ye Li, another "weakling," was the perfect chance for a spar, and Tony wouldn't let it slip.

And being his flamboyant self, Tony Stark, though uninterested in the young girls romantically, still wanted to show off in front of them.

Seeing Tony's confident look, Ye Li chuckled.

Good stuff, a human punching bag delivered right to my door.

This was perfect for giving Skye and the others a clearer demonstration of the moves.

After all, sparring with the girls always ended with them getting too close...

Sparring with Tony didn't come with those "troubles."

He was confident he could control his strength, so he wasn't worried about accidentally killing Iron Man.

"Alright, let's do this."

Ye Li walked to the open area in the center of the studio and taunted Tony, "Don't worry, I'll hold back and won't hurt you."

When it came to trash talk, Tony wasn't one to fall behind.

He turned to Happy and instructed, "If I lose control later, make sure to pull me away quickly."

Happy nodded cooperatively, "Don't worry, boss, I'll make sure to pull you away!"

Tony was satisfied.

Bouncing lightly on his feet, he sized Ye Li up. "You look a bit more muscular than before. Not bad."

Ye Li shot back a compliment, "You're not bad either."

After some mutual flattery, the two began to spar.

Happy kept a close watch from the side, as if ready to pull Tony out at any moment.

Skye and Felicia watched curiously, wanting to see how effective the combat techniques Ye Li taught them were in practice.

Only Cindy seemed disinterested.

She knew that Stark, the famous billionaire and scientist, wouldn't be a match for a Spider Totem wielder.

Ye Li paid no mind to Tony's punches. He was just using Tony to demonstrate the moves for the girls; otherwise, he would've subdued him with a single move.

After exchanging a few moves, Tony felt like he was being led around. Every punch he threw was either dodged or easily parried.

Even though their strength seemed similar, Tony was being completely outclassed in technique.

Technique?

Wasn't that exactly what he needed?

Tony's Iron Man suit didn't lack strength, and he was practicing martial arts to improve his combat techniques.

As Tony became distracted, Ye Li had already demonstrated enough moves for Skye and the others. Seeing Tony's absent-mindedness, he decided to end the sparring with the next move.

At that moment, Happy acted cleverly, rushing forward and pulling Tony back. "Boss, your attacks are too fierce. Mr. Ye might not be able to handle it!"

Tony snapped out of it and gave Happy an approving look. "Good job, Happy. I almost hurt him. Thank goodness you stepped in before anything happened."

Ye Li gave him a deadpan look—could you be any less shameless?

But he didn't mind.

Happy's combat skills were mediocre at best. The reason he could remain Tony's bodyguard was more due to their near-friendship than his abilities.

Tony knew he hadn't lost to Happy's intervention—it was just a cover to save face. So, he asked Ye Li, "What exactly are you practicing?"

He wanted to learn it... Compared to these intricate moves, the boxing he had been practicing seemed trivial.

"Basic martial techniques."

Ye Li replied to Tony, then turned to the girls and asked, "Did you all catch the moves?"

"Got it!"

Skye clenched her small fists and struck a fangirl pose, "Li, you're so cool~"

"It looks pretty impressive."

Felicia clenched her slender fist, forming an understanding of the combat techniques.

Perhaps mastering this would make her less worried about those clueless boys at school bothering her because of her looks.

Cindy, having already expected the outcome, still offered a sweet compliment, "That was great~"

Hearing the girls praise Ye Li one after another, Tony immediately realized Ye Li had used him as a human punching bag.

This only made him more eager to learn. He grabbed Ye Li and said, "Teach me this martial art. I'll pay. Name your price."

"Ah—"

Ye Li yawned, looking disinterested. "We'll see. If I have time, I'll teach you. You know how I am."

Tony suddenly remembered how lazy Ye Li was—he even took forever to finish a commissioned painting.

"Alright, just find some time to teach me a few moves. Think of it as coming over to hang out."