Chapter Thirty-Nine: Heroes Gather, Martial Arts Competition

At noon the next day, the Bailian Villa martial arts field.

Sunlight poured down, brightly illuminating the bluestone grounds that spanned several acres. The spectator stands surrounding the area were already packed. Disciples of Bailian Villa gathered in small groups, whispering to one another, their gazes occasionally darting toward the center of the field, their faces filled with anticipation and nervousness.

Today's "Younger Generation Sparring Assembly" was ostensibly a routine minor competition for the villa, but everyone could see that the true focus was the recently arrived Loose Cultivator—Lin Xuan.

News had already spread: the Yunni Sect, Xuanbing Valley, Liehuo Sect, and Sky Wolf Gang had all sent representatives. Nominally here to observe, they were actually after Lin Xuan. Ouyang Jie, who had been defeated by Lin Xuan's single punch that day, was still bedridden recovering from his injuries. No one could predict what the outcome of today's martial display would be.

In the very center of the spectator stands, Sect Master Ouyang Lie sat in the main seat, his expression solemn. Beside him were Grand Elder Ouyang Zhen, Second Elder Ouyang Hong, Third Elder Ouyang Bo, and several other core figures of the villa.

On the guest seats to the right sat four figures with distinct auras.

Closest to the main seat was a lean Daoist in green robes with a three-pointed beard—Han Mo, the eldest Disciple of Zhao Yuanqing from the Yunni Sect, at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. He was Han Feiyu's Senior Brother and had come representing the Yunni Sect. His expression was indifferent, his gaze occasionally sweeping across the field with a hint of scrutiny.

Beside Han Mo sat a cold-faced young woman surrounded by a faint chill—the representative of Xuanbing Valley, Leng Ningshuang, at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Dressed in white, her face was extremely beautiful but as cold as frost; she hadn't uttered a single word since taking her seat.

Further along was a burly, middle-aged man with hair as red as fire—the representative of the Liehuo Sect, Yan Lie, at Foundation Establishment Perfection. With his arms crossed, he stared intently at the martial arts field, his face full of impatience, clearly lacking interest in this kind of "sparring."

At the very edge sat an ordinary-looking middle-aged man with exceptionally sharp eyes—Wolf Seven, a Protector of the Sky Wolf Gang and at the Golden Core Early Stage. His aura was restrained, like a lurking Vicious Beast, so quiet it made one's heart skip a beat.

From time to time, the gazes of the four would sweep over a solitary figure at the edge of the martial arts field—Lin Xuan.

Today, Lin Xuan was still dressed in his coarse short-sleeved martial attire, standing by the field with a calm expression. Wang Mang and Li Dali stood not far behind him, their faces full of tension.

"Brother Lin, the auras of those four... are all so strong." Wang Mang lowered his voice, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Especially that one from the Sky Wolf Gang; just one look at him makes my legs go weak."

Lin Xuan didn't look back, only saying calmly, "Golden Core Early Stage, that's normal."

"Golden Core Early Stage?!" Wang Mang gasped. "Then... then how are you going to fight?"

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Lin Xuan's mouth. "Who said I'm going to fight him?"

Wang Mang was stunned and wanted to ask more, but Li Dali pulled him back.

"Stop asking, Brother Lin knows what he's doing," Li Dali whispered, though his eyes were equally filled with worry.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the martial arts field.

Lin Xuan looked toward the sound and saw a familiar figure slowly approaching, surrounded by a group of people.

Han Feiyu.

His face was still somewhat pale, clearly not yet fully recovered from his injuries, but the gloom and malice in his eyes were even more intense than that day. He walked to the guest seats, bowed to Han Mo, whispered a few words, and then turned his gaze toward Lin Xuan, a cold sneer forming on his lips.

Lin Xuan met his gaze without a change in expression, merely nodding slightly as if greeting a casual acquaintance.

Han Feiyu's face stiffened, and he let out a cold snort before sitting down beside Han Mo.

Clang—

The sound of a chime rang out, and the entire venue fell silent.

Ouyang Lie stood up, his voice booming, "It is a great honor to have you all come from afar to observe our villa's martial arts competition today. The rules remain the same—stop when the point is made, and do not take lives. Any violations will be strictly punished."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the field before finally landing on Lin Xuan, saying meaningfully, "The competition begins. If any of you are interested, you may enter the field to spar at your own discretion."

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure abruptly stood up from the guest seats.

It was Yan Lie of the Liehuo Sect.

He strode into the martial arts field, flames surging around him, his eyes like torches as he looked directly at Lin Xuan.

"You're Lin Xuan, right? I heard you got a lot of good stuff from the Black Wind Ridge ruins. I came today just to see if those 'good things' of yours can help you take a single punch from me!"

With that, he clenched his fists, and the crimson spiritual power around him erupted! The heat of that spiritual power was so intense that even the Disciples watching from dozens of yards away could feel it, their expressions changing one after another!

Foundation Establishment Perfection! Moreover, it was the kind of Perfection that could break through to the Golden Core stage at any moment!

The entire audience was in an uproar!

How was this "sparring"? It was clearly aimed at Lin Xuan!

Everyone's gaze focused on Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan looked up at the figure in the field, who resembled a flame demon god, his expression remaining calm.

He took a step and slowly walked into the martial arts field.

"Yan Lie, was it?" He came to a halt three yards in front of Yan Lie and said calmly, "If you want to fight, fine. But I have one condition."

Yan Lie raised an eyebrow. "What condition?"

Lin Xuan looked at him and said word for word, "The loser must kneel down, kowtow three times, and call the winner 'Grandpa'."

Dead silence filled the venue!

Then, it exploded!

"Is this kid crazy?"

"He's just at the Qi Refinement Stage, yet he dares to speak to someone at Foundation Establishment Perfection like that?"

"He's looking for death! Absolutely looking for death!"

Yan Lie was stunned for a moment, then threw his head back and laughed wildly, his laughter like thunder. "Good, good, good! In all my years, this is the first time I've met such a suicidal brat! Fine! I agree! If you can win, I'll kneel and call you grandpa! But if you lose..."

A fierce light flashed in his eyes as he said word for word, "I'm going to crush every single bone in your body, one by one!"

Lin Xuan nodded. "Deal."

Before the words had even faded, Yan Lie moved!

His burly frame erupted with a speed completely at odds with his size, like a crimson meteor, instantly crossing the three-yard distance to throw a punch at Lin Xuan's face! Wherever the fist wind passed, the air was scorched and distorted, letting out a piercing whistle!

This punch had no testing; it was full power from the start!

He wanted to cripple Lin Xuan with a single blow!

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed, his footwork shifted, and his figure moved half a foot to the side like a phantom, evading the fatal strike! At the same time, he clenched his right fist, a dark golden luster flowing beneath his skin, as he punched toward Yan Lie's ribs!

Yan Lie snorted coldly, dropping his left arm to take the punch head-on!

Thud!

In the dull sound of impact, both men retreated three steps!

Yan Lie's expression changed slightly. He looked down at his left arm, where a purplish fist mark was clearly visible! And he was at Foundation Establishment Perfection!

"What a hard fist!" A hint of gravity flashed in his eyes, followed by an even stronger Battle Intent. "Interesting! Again!"

He struck out with both fists, shadows of his punches like mountains, carrying a scorching flame aura as they frantically rained down on Lin Xuan!

Lin Xuan didn't retreat but advanced instead, meeting them with his own fists!

Bang bang bang bang—!

The dense sounds of impact were like heavy rain hitting plantain leaves, continuous and unending! On the martial arts field, two figures collided frantically, fist winds surging and airwaves rolling! On the bluestone ground, cracks rapidly spread out from the two of them as the center!

On the spectator stands, everyone was dazed.

"This... how is this possible?" a Bailian Villa Disciple muttered. "A Qi Refinement Stage cultivator is actually holding his own against Foundation Establishment Perfection?"

"He's not just holding his own!" Another person's eyes widened. "Look! Yan Lie's offensive is weakening, but that Lin Xuan... he's getting more ferocious the more he fights!"

Indeed, it was so.

Yan Lie's fist technique was like oil on a fire—fierce, but difficult to sustain. Meanwhile, every one of Lin Xuan's punches was as steady as a mountain, each one heavier than the last! The dark golden luster on his fists grew brighter and brighter, like burning metal!

Boom—!

Another head-on collision!

This time, Yan Lie retreated five steps, while Lin Xuan only retreated two!

The difference was clear!

Yan Lie's face turned ashen. He couldn't understand for the life of him how a Loose Cultivator at the Qi Refinement Stage could possess such terrifying power. That power didn't seem like Spiritual Qi; it was more like... pure, ultimate physical strength!

"You... you're a Body Cultivator?" he gritted out.

Lin Xuan didn't answer, only looking at him and saying calmly, "Do you still want to fight?"

A flash of struggle appeared in Yan Lie's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness. He suddenly struck his chest, spitting out a mouthful of essence blood onto his fists! The flames on his fists instantly turned from crimson to an eerie blue! The temperature skyrocketed!

"Blood-Burning Heaven-Incinerating Fist! Go down!"

He roared, striking with both fists. Two eerie blue flame fist-auras, like two fire dragons, roared as they crashed toward Lin Xuan!

This was his trump card, burning essence blood to gain a temporary surge in strength! This strike's power was already infinitely close to the Golden Core Early Stage!

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed.

He didn't retreat.

He took a deep breath, and the 999 strands of Source Martial Spiritual Energy in his body instantly boiled! That Spiritual Qi Core spun frantically, pumping power continuously throughout his body!

In his mind, the Concept of "Mountain Crushing" from the Three Mountain-Shaking Forms fragments flowed through his heart!

He clenched his right fist, the dark golden light dazzling!

One punch, thrown out!

BOOM—!!!

In a deafening roar, the two eerie blue fire dragons and that dark golden fist-aura collided violently! A violent airwave swept across the venue, blowing the nearby watching Disciples off their feet!

The light faded.

In the center of the martial arts field, Yan Lie was down on one knee, his fists dripping with blood, his body trembling slightly. He looked up at the figure standing straight ahead of him, his eyes filled with shock and... fear.

Lin Xuan slowly withdrew his fist, looked down at him, and said calmly:

"Kneel."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap exploding in Yan Lie's ears!

Yan Lie's body trembled, a flash of humiliation and struggle appearing in his eyes, but ultimately, under the gaze of that cold stare, his knees gave way—

Thump!

He knelt on the ground.

Then, thump, thump, thump, three kowtows.

"Grandpa."

His voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Dead silence.

No one spoke. No one dared to speak.

Everyone looked at Lin Xuan as if they were looking at a monster.

On the guest seats, Leng Ningshuang remained as cold as frost, but a strange light flashed in her beautiful eyes. Han Mo's face was dark, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. Wolf Seven remained expressionless, but those sharp eyes were now slightly narrowed, like a Vicious Beast that had spotted its prey.

Ouyang Lie remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, his voice somewhat raspy:

"This match... Lin Xuan wins."

In the martial arts field, Lin Xuan turned around, his gaze sweeping over the figures in the guest seats.

Finally, it landed on Han Feiyu's face.

Han Feiyu's face was deathly pale, his body trembling slightly. He remembered that night in the West Courtyard, Lin Xuan's figure like a demon god, and that sentence: "You owe me a life."

At this moment, that figure surfaced in his mind again, clearer and more... terrifying than that night.

Lin Xuan withdrew his gaze, turned, and slowly walked toward the edge of the field.

Behind him, Yan Lie still knelt on the ground, his head bowed, motionless.

Sunlight fell upon that tall, straight figure, casting a long shadow on the ground.

After this battle, the name of Lin Xuan was destined to spread throughout the entire Bailian Villa, and perhaps... even further.

(End of Volume 2, Chapter 39)

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[Next Chapter Preview]: Defeating Yan Lie with a single punch, Lin Xuan shocks the entire field with absolute strength! The representative of the Liehuo Sect kneels in defeat; Leng Ningshuang of Xuanbing Valley and Wolf Seven of the Sky Wolf Gang have varying expressions, while Han Mo's face is dark. However, the true test may have only just begun—will the Golden Core Early Stage Wolf Seven, hiding in the shadows, make a move? And can Lin Xuan's body, with its recently recovered injuries, hold out after this battle? Next chapter: A Golden Core Strike, Reversal in a Desperate Situation!