Lu Xiangyuan's breath ca out ragged-sharp, uneven, trembling with suppressed rage.
His qi swirled violently around him like a storm on the verge of breaking loose.
For a mont, it genuinely looked as though he would explode on the spot and charge at Bai Zihan with murderous intent.
But-
He didn't. He forced himself to inhale sharply.
Then exhale.
His clenched fists trembled, veins bulging, but his eyes slowly narrowed from explosive fury to a cold, controlled smile.
"Hah..."
Lu Xiangyuan raised his chin slightly, as if refusing to be dragged down by Bai Zihan's provocations.
"Enough!"
His voice, though steady, cracked with fury.
"Bai Zihan," he said slowly, each word squeezed out through gritted teeth, "you think your childish provocations will unsettle ?"
He jabbed a finger toward Bai Zihan, ignoring how his hand shook.
"You think calling 'uncle' or mocking my appearance will change anything?"
His voice deepened-cold, deadly serious.
"Such petty insults can only shake those with weak ntal fortitude. If you hope to unnerve before the battle, save yourself the effort."
He wiped the corner of his mouth, as if brushing off the humiliation.
"I am here as you challenged. Let's see whether you have anything to offer except for these words."
Bai Zihan, on the other hand, seed rather bewildered by the accusation which wasn't true at all.
"Provocation? Look at your face in the mirror and see what lies I have said. You look like an uncle from every angle."
People couldn't help but laugh when Bai Zihan said that in a dumbfounded, completely natural tone.
Especially those who were jealous of Lu Xiangyuan or disliked him, they laughed out loud without holding back.
Bai Zihan continued.
"But well, it's true that it's well past talking and ti to start fighting."
Bai Zihan's words certainly added to the insult, but at least it seed like the fight was going to start.
Lu Xiangyuan vowed to make Bai Zihan regret ever saying those words.
He would show no rcy-though he didn't plan to in the first place.
Finally!
Everyone thought that when Bai Zihan walked up to the arena with his usual confident and arrogant smile.
It seed like one of the most anticipated fights was going to start.
Bai Zihan and Lu Xiangyuan now stood face-to-face at the center of the arena.
Two figures-one calm, almost lazy... the other trembling with rage he could barely contain.
Around them, thousands of disciples leaned forward, breaths held. Even the elders at the viewing platforms had straightened in their seats.
Every gaze was fixed on the two young n who were about to decide far more than personal pride.
Then there was a referee, an Elder appointed specifically to ensure neither combatant died unintentionally.
Though whether he could even intervene in ti... was another question entirely.
And this fight had almost no rules-victory would only be decided when one side surrendered... or died.
"The duel between Bai Zihan and Lu Xiangyuan will now begin."
The referee announced.
However, Bai Zihan and Lu Xiangyuan still didn't get into action imdiately.
"Sigh! I really don't feel right abusing an elderly person. But since you dared to bully my fiancée, I shall pay back ten tis."
Bai Zihan said.
"You!"
Lu Xiangyuan's anger flared again.
In perhaps decades, no one had ever ssed with him like this nor dared provoke him to this extent.
His fury was at a level he had never experienced before. His aura surged- sharp, hostile, undeniably strong.
But his expression twisted into sothing that looked almost like a smile.
A very murderous smile.
"Bai Zihan," he said, tone suddenly adopting a strange, elder-like patience, "since you clearly don't understand the difference in strength between us..." He took another step, qi crackling underfoot. That was the aura of a Spirit Severing Realm expert, and it was almost at the very peak-just a step away from the Void Refinent Realm.
Even the audience could feel just how strong Lu Xiangyuan was. His strength,
even most elders would struggle against it.
Lu Xiangyuan didn't believe Bai Zihan was strong-at most, perhaps comparable
to Chu Ziyan.
He didn't believe Bai Zihan could be stronger than that.
Otherwise, Bai Zihan would have participated in the Dragon and Phoenix Competition, where prestige and fa were guaranteed for the truly powerful.
Even Lu Xiangyuan had participated in his ti and made it to Top-3, though
he couldn't claim the championship.
Still, that achievent had skyrocketed his reputation, and even after more
than ten years, his Top-3 placent was still rembered by many-especially
those in his generation.
So, Lu Xiangyuan was almost certain that Bai Zihan was a weakling.
He deliberately showed his aura, trying to scare Bai Zihan away and make him look like the coward he assud he was.
"...this senior brother will give you one last chance to withdraw."
He added the line deliberately to make himself seem like a magnanimous
person willing to forgive-even after enduring Bai Zihan's insults.
Lu Xiangyuan spread his hands slightly, as if magnanimous.
"It won't damage your dignity if you step down now and you would avoid being
hurt. After all, you're still young. Ignorant. Hot-blooded."
His eyes flicked over Bai Zihan like one would look at a stubborn child.
"And since you clearly know nothing about the world, this senior can forgive
your offense... this once."
His gaze sharpened. "Just apologize sincerely, and I will not pursue this further."
He gave a benevolent nod, as though his request were perfectly reasonable.
The audience buzzed with conflicting reactions.
"He's... actually giving Bai Zihan a chance?"
"Senior Brother Lu is too generous!"
"Even after being insulted so many tis, he's willing to forgive?"
"As expected of Senior Brother. Despite everything, he still cares for his junior.
Bai Zihan should know the difference in strength and give up before further
humiliation."
Bai Zihan blinked.
Stared.
Then slowly tilted his head, as if he truly couldn't comprehend what he was
hearing.
"You will let off?"
His brows rose slightly.
Bai Zihan's gaze traveled up and down Lu Xiangyuan's body-as if assessing
livestock.
"Hm..."
He tapped his chin.
"I believe you're misunderstanding sothing."
He spoke with such serene honesty that it only enraged Lu Xiangyuan further.
"I think you sohow convinced yourself that you're... powerful."
Bai Zihan looked at Lu Xiangyuan, finally noticing that Lu Xiangyuan had
increased his Qi and was trying to pressure him.
"Are you trying to scare ? With just this?"
He asked, voice genuinely puzzled.
A small nod.
"Yes, yes... you're definitely trying to intimidate ."
A pause.
"Unfortunately, you're too weak for that."
Lu Xiangyuan's entire body trembled. His qi flared like wildfire, his robes
snapping violently.
What he used to intimidate Bai Zihan was instead used by Bai Zihan to humiliate him again.
He raised his aura further, trying to suppress Bai Zihan. However, Bai Zihan remained unbothered-like the increase in pressure ant absolutely nothing. (Can he really remain unaffected before my aura? Or does he have so
artifact protecting him?)
Lu Xiangyuan wondered.
After all, he was releasing everything he had to shake Bai Zihan even a little, but
Bai Zihan showed no sign of being affected at all.
Since Lu Xiangyuan believed Bai Zihan was only at the Soul Formation Realm,
he expected Bai Zihan to at least struggle or bend under the pressure-but no
effect.
"You arrogant brat-!"
But Bai Zihan wasn't done.
He sighed again-softly, regretfully.
"Uncl-Senior," he corrected himself lightly, as if soothing a patient, "just shut
up and fight . I still need to cultivate after this. Unlike so people, my ti
is too important to waste on trash like you."
"Good! Good!"
Lu Xiangyuan muttered, realizing nothing he tried worked against Bai Zihan.
Then there was only one thing he could rely on-his overwhelming strength to
make Bai Zihan bow down.
Whoosh!
Lu Xiangyuan's figure blurred.
In an instant, he vanished from his position.
Then reappeared- To Bai Zihan's left.
Then right. Then behind.
Then above.
Each step crackled with qi, leaving afterimages scattered across the stage.
To the audience, it looked like Lu Xiangyuan had turned into a storm of
shadows.
"So fast!"
"As expected of Senior Brother Lu!"
"Bai Zihan isn't even moving-he must be overwheld!" Even the Elders nodded slightly, impressed by the display of speed.
Lu Xiangyuan smirked inwardly as he flickered across the platform.
(He can't even follow my movents. Pathetic!) With each flash, he changed angles, increasing both speed and pressure. His sword tip sliced the air, carving whistling arcs aid to confuse Bai Zihan's
senses.
He moved like lightning-
Or so he thought.
anwhile, Bai Zihan just stood there.
Perfectly still.
Hands in his sleeves.
Expression blank.
(What is he even doing?)
Another blur.
Another pointless zig-zag.
(He's moving around like a monkey on drugs.)
Lu Xiangyuan accelerated again.
Boom! Boom!
Air exploded under his steps as he used everything he had to overwhelm Bai
Zihan.
To Bai Zihan, Lu Xiangyuan wasn't fast.
He was just wasting qi. And looked ridiculous doing it.
But Lu Xiangyuan interpreted Bai Zihan's lack of reaction entirely differently.
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