Chapter Thirty-Three: Undercurrents and Varying Intentions

The power of a single punch shook the entire Bailian Villa.

When Ouyang Jie was carried away, the hundreds of people on the Martial Arts Arena fell deathly silent. Those young Disciples who usually followed Ouyang Jie around with flattery now had pale faces, not even daring to breathe loudly. They watched Lin Xuan's departing back, their eyes filled with fear and disbelief.

The news spread like it had grown wings, quickly reaching every corner of the villa.

In the Pill Refining Room, the Disciples watching the fire forgot to add wood; in the Artifact Refining Room, the craftsmen swinging their hammers stopped their work; even several Elders in seclusion in the back mountains were disturbed and came out one after another to ask for details.

A Loose Cultivator in the Qi Refinement Stage defeating a villa Genius in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment with a single punch—such a thing had never happened in the thousand-year history of Bailian Villa.

...

Main Hall, Council Chamber.

Sect Master Ouyang Lie sat upright in the primary seat, his expression as solemn as still water. Below him, several Elders took their seats in order, the atmosphere so heavy it was almost suffocating.

"Speak up, everyone," Sect Master Ouyang Lie began, his voice low. "What do you think of that Lin Xuan?"

Seated first on the left, Grand Elder Ouyang Zhen, whose hair and beard were completely white, was the first to speak. He was Sect Master Ouyang Lie's uncle, a Golden Core Early Stage cultivator with immense prestige in the villa. Stroking his beard, he said slowly, "Defeating Jie'er with a single punch... this boy's strength is indeed unexpected. But what concerns me more is... that punch of his didn't use any Spiritual Qi."

At these words, the Elders looked at each other in surprise.

"No Spiritual Qi?" Second Elder Ouyang Hong frowned. "Does the Grand Elder mean he relied purely on Physical Body strength?"

"Correct." Grand Elder Ouyang Zhen nodded. "I was on the viewing platform at the time and saw it clearly. The moment he punched, there were no Spiritual Qi fluctuations around him, only an extremely vigorous power of blood and qi. That kind of power... I have only seen it mentioned in ancient records."

"An ancient Body Cultivator?" Third Elder Ouyang Bo blurted out.

Grand Elder Ouyang Zhen nodded slowly.

The Council Chamber fell into a brief silence.

Sect Master Ouyang Lie tapped the armrest lightly, his gaze deep. "The person the Old Ancestor personally brought back is indeed not simple. Jie'er's loss was not undeserved."

Second Elder Ouyang Hong pondered, "Sect Master, this boy possesses an ancient Body Cultivator Legacy and has the protection of the Old Ancestor. How should we handle him? Should we win him over, or..."

"Win him over?" Third Elder Ouyang Bo snorted coldly. "Why should we win over an outside Loose Cultivator? If you ask me, we should just ask him to leave! Our Bailian Villa doesn't support outsiders!"

"Third brother, you are mistaken," Grand Elder Ouyang Zhen shook his head. "How can we casually expel someone the Old Ancestor brought back personally? Besides, this boy's strength is extraordinary. If he can be used by us, it might not be a bad thing."

"Used by us?" Third Elder Ouyang Bo sneered. "Eldest brother, didn't you see his attitude? He severely injured Jie'er with one punch. Is that someone who can be 'used'? He's clearly an untameable wolf!"

"Enough!" Sect Master Ouyang Lie raised his hand, stopping their argument. He remained silent for a moment before saying slowly, "I have my own plans regarding this matter. Until we understand this boy's background, no one is to act rashly. As for Jie'er..." He paused. "Let him recover well and reflect on himself. Things have been too smooth for him; facing some setbacks might not be a bad thing."

The Elders looked at each other and said in unison, "Yes."

...

On the west side of the villa, in an exquisite courtyard.

This was Ouyang Jie's residence. Currently, this villa Genius, who was usually high-spirited, was lying on his bed with a pale face, thick bandages wrapped around his chest, and traces of blood still on the corner of his mouth.

Sitting by the bed was a woman with a pleasant face and a gentle temperament. She was Ouyang Jie's biological mother and Sect Master Ouyang Lie's primary wife—Madame Liu. Seeing her son in this state, her heart ached so much she was on the verge of tears.

"Jie'er, how are you? Does it still hurt?" Madame Liu held her son's hand, her voice trembling.

"Mother, I'm fine." Ouyang Jie gritted his teeth, his eyes full of resentment and malice. "That Lin Xuan... he launched a sneak attack! If I hadn't been careless, how could he..."

"A sneak attack?" Madame Liu was stunned. "But I heard you were the one who took the initiative to challenge him..."

"So what!" Ouyang Jie suddenly sat up, aggravating his wound and causing him to grimace in pain. "He just caught me off guard! And that punch, he must have used some wicked trick! How could a Loose Cultivator in the Qi Refinement Stage have that kind of power?"

Looking at her son's distorted face, Madame Liu felt both heartache and worry. She knew her son too well; he had grown up smoothly and never faced such a setback. This time, he was likely to hold a deep grudge against Lin Xuan.

"Jie'er, listen to your mother," Madame Liu said softly. "That Lin Xuan was personally brought back by your Old Ancestor; you mustn't act rashly. Recover first, and once you're better, I'll have your father get justice for you."

"Justice?" Ouyang Jie sneered. "I, Ouyang Jie, don't need anyone to get justice for me! I'll get it back myself!"

A fierce light flashed in his eyes—a light filled with resentment, malice, and a trace of fear that even he hadn't noticed.

...

Guest Elder Courtyard, deep within the bamboo forest.

Lin Xuan sat cross-legged in the courtyard, eyes closed as he regulated his breathing. That punch just now had aggravated his unhealed injuries, which were now being slowly repaired by the Indestructible Body of the Martial God. He could feel the Source Martial Spiritual Energy in his Dantian becoming even more refined, only a final step away from the Perfection of a thousand strands.

The courtyard gate was pushed open gently.

Li Dali walked in carrying a bowl of steaming medicinal soup and placed it on the stone table beside Lin Xuan. Looking at Lin Xuan's pale face, he hesitated to speak.

Lin Xuan opened his eyes and glanced at him. "Speak your mind."

Li Dali hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice. "Brother Lin, that punch today was certainly satisfying. But... was it too much? That Ouyang Jie is the Sect Master's own son. If he holds a grudge and finds a chance for revenge..."

Lin Xuan picked up the medicinal soup, took a sip, and said calmly, "Do you think if I hadn't struck, he wouldn't hold a grudge?"

Li Dali was stunned.

"From the moment he stepped into the Guest Elder Courtyard, he already held a grudge." Lin Xuan set down the bowl, his gaze steady. "With people like him, if you take a step back, they'll take ten steps forward. Only by making him fully understand how large the gap is will he... at least for now, not dare to act rashly."

Li Dali nodded thoughtfully, then said worriedly, "Then what about the Sect Master's side..."

Lin Xuan looked at him. "The Sect Master is a smart man. A smart man won't offend someone... even he can't see through, just for the sake of an incompetent son."

Li Dali froze for a moment, then grinned. "Brother Lin, the way you speak... why do I feel like you're more of a Sect Master than the actual Sect Master?"

Lin Xuan didn't respond and closed his eyes again.

Li Dali tactfully withdrew.

The bamboo forest rustled, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on Lin Xuan.

He knew that today's punch was only the beginning.

Next, there would be more testing, more schemes, and more... moments where he would need to let his fists do the talking.

But he was not afraid.

The loneliness of a hundred years in the Martial Dao Tower had long since tempered his mind to be as firm as a rock. This bit of wind and waves was nothing more than insignificant ripples on the path to the Peak of the Martial Dao.

...

Meanwhile, deep within the villa, in an unremarkable stone room.

Ouyang Ye sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, his cloudy old eyes half-open. In front of him floated an ancient bronze mirror, reflecting the scene of Lin Xuan regulating his breathing in the Guest Elder Courtyard.

"Defeating the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment with one punch..." Ouyang Ye murmured to himself, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips. "This kid is even more interesting than I imagined."

He wiped his hand across the bronze mirror, and the image vanished.

The stone room fell into darkness.

After a long time, a low sigh sounded:

"Ancient Martial Dao... finally, I see hope again."

(End of Chapter 33, Volume 2)

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[Preview of the next chapter]: The power of a single punch shook the entire Bailian Villa. Sect Master Ouyang Lie and the Elders hold a secret meeting, each having a different attitude toward Lin Xuan. Ouyang Jie is bedridden, a deeper resentment taking root in his heart. Meanwhile, Lin Xuan continues to heal in the Guest Elder Courtyard, waiting for the storm. However, before one wave subsides, another rises. At this moment, an uninvited guest suddenly arrives at the villa—a messenger from the Yunni Sect, carrying a personal letter from Zhao Yuanqing, stepping through the gates of Bailian Villa. Next Chapter: The Messenger Arrives, Hidden Arrows are Hard to Guard Against!