Chapter 53: The Collapse of Bai Xun

"This..."

Everyone looked at each other, all somewhat stunned.

This was Master Lu Chen, the esteemed Imperial Tutor—who would dare lay a hand on him? And beat him to such a state?

Besides, didn't you go to the study? How come you came back... like this?

Could it be they didn't go to the study to read, but to... fight?

Did the refined Master Lu Chen have a taste for this?

"I'm fine..." Master Lu Chen waved his hand awkwardly.

He couldn't very well say... that Zhang Xuan had broken through and lost control of his strength, accidentally causing this, could he!

Knowing that explanations would be futile, Master Lu Chen strode to the host's seat and turned to the steward: "Acheng, go fetch a testing stone pillar!"

He was a master of calligraphy and painting, not a martial artist; there was no testing stone pillar in the living room, but such items were related to cultivation and were available at home—fetching one would suffice.

"Yes!" The steward, though unsure of his master's intentions, nodded and withdrew.

"Master Zhang, have you truly reached the peak of Martial Artist Fifth Layer?" As the room quieted down, Bai Xun couldn't help stepping forward, his face full of excitement.

"Mm." It was inconvenient to speak in the academy, but here it was no secret; Zhang Xuan had nothing to hide.

"I'm at the same level. May I ask for a few pointers?" Hearing the young man's confirmation, Bai Xun's eyes blazed with excitement.

"Bai Xun, what are you doing? Don't you see where this is..." Huang Yu was speechless and quickly interjected.

Master Lu Chen was a man of refinement, who detested quarrels and fights. Challenging someone in his living room—wasn't that a joke?

As Huang Yu said, Lu Chen indeed disliked others brandishing weapons and brawling before him. However, since the testing stone pillar hadn't arrived yet, Bai Xun was indeed the best way to test whether Zhang Xuan had truly improved.

He was also aware that Bai Xun had reached the peak of Martial Artist Fifth Layer.

With the same cultivation level, it should reveal whether Zhang Xuan's strength had indeed skyrocketed!

With this in mind, he looked up and instructed: "I have no objection to a normal spar, but it must stop at the point of contact!"

"Great!" Bai Xun had expected Master Lu Chen to refuse, but to his surprise, he agreed. Excited, he nearly jumped for joy, a smug look in his eyes. He strode to the center of the living room, gestured to Zhang Xuan, and struck a handsome pose: "Please!"

"Alright."

Zhang Xuan had just cultivated the Heavenly Dao Golden Body and wanted to see how strong he had become. He didn't refuse the challenge and walked to the center.

"My fist is quite powerful—be careful!" With a focused gaze, Bai Xun shed his previous dandy demeanor, replaced by an overwhelming aura.

At the same peak of Martial Artist Fifth Layer, in terms of pure strength, he was actually a notch above Shang Bin!

Swish!

Having gathered his momentum, Bai Xun stepped forward, his fist wind like a blade, his strength like a sword, striking straight at Zhang Xuan.

To test his cultivation, Zhang Xuan didn't bother checking the flaws in the Library of Heaven's Path; he countered with a punch.

Whoosh!

The two fists met in the air, and Zhang Xuan frowned.

"Why is his fist so weak? Isn't he at the peak of Martial Artist Fifth Layer?"

Facing the opponent's fist, Zhang Xuan's power surged forward without pause, crushing it like a stone meeting foam—utterly fragile.

Sensing this, Zhang Xuan thought the other hadn't prepared properly and hadn't exerted his full strength, so he quickly withdrew most of his power.

Even so, Bai Xun's face changed, and like a deflated ball, he flew out with a "whoosh," his back slamming hard into a pillar before he stopped.

"Why didn't you use your full strength?"

Zhang Xuan withdrew his fist, walked over, and extended a hand to pull him up.

"Don't..."

Seeing this, Master Lu Chen's pupils contracted, wanting to stop him, but it was too late.

Whoosh!

Pulled by the young man, Bai Xun shot out like a kite on a string.

Splat!

He flew dozens of meters and landed face-first against a wall, blood gushing from his nose and mouth.

"Wuwuwu..."

Bai Xun was on the verge of tears.

Brother, I know I can't beat you, but do you have to be so ruthless? My handsome face, my looks...

"How did you..."

Seeing Bai Xun fly off even from a pull, Zhang Xuan scratched his head, looking innocent.

What's going on?

One Master Lu Chen, one Bai Xun—you two jumping around like that, is it really okay?

If the two knew what he was thinking, they would surely vomit blood from frustration.

You're the one jumping around... we were thrown by you, alright...

"This guy..."

Huang Yu on the side twitched his eyebrows, nearly going mad.

Bai Xun was definitely among the top of their younger generation; except for a few, almost no one could match him. That was why he had developed a combative, unyielding nature. He had thought that in this duel with Zhang Xuan, the latter would surely lose—never in his dreams did he expect to be sent flying with one punch.

Such a thorough defeat!

This guy seemed unassuming—how could he have such immense strength?

"Are you alright?" Unaware of their thoughts, Zhang Xuan approached Bai Xun with an apologetic face.

"I'm fine..."

Struggling to his feet, Bai Xun dusted himself off.

Having undergone the baptism of the Skin and Bone Layer, a Martial Artist Fifth Layer could handle minor injuries.

"That's good. I saw you didn't use your full strength just now. How about this—let's fight again with all your power..."

Zhang Xuan said with utter seriousness.

"Fight again?"

Bai Xun's face twitched, and he nearly burst into tears. If they fought again, he might die here... He quickly waved his hands: "No need, Master, your strength surpasses mine. I think we shouldn't fight..."

"Don't be polite. It's just a spar; you don't have to be so restrained. Also, don't call me 'Master'—it sounds so distant..."

Zhang Xuan thought Bai Xun was intimidated by his equal status with Master Lu Chen and was holding back, which made him seem so weak. He hurriedly explained.

When he had just reached the peak of the Fifth Layer, he had sparred with Yao Han. Although Yao Han was slightly stronger than Bai Xun, he had given Zhang Xuan considerable pressure and had great strength. Since Bai Xun was similar, he should be about the same. Being sent flying with one punch, Zhang Xuan kept thinking Bai Xun hadn't used his full strength.

Otherwise, he himself only had the strength of eight ding. Even if he held back, how could he send a Fifth Layer peak with four ding flying with one punch?

"Spar?"

Bai Xun shuddered. This is what you call a spar? One punch from you, and I'm nearly dead, you know?

And you're on equal footing with Grandpa Lu Chen—if I don't call you 'Master,' what should I call you?

His face twitched as something occurred to him, and he was about to cry: "Calling you 'Master' sounds distant—you don't want me to call you 'Grandpa,' do you? Grandpa Zhang, I was wrong, okay? I shouldn't have targeted you earlier. Please... don't spar with me anymore!"

"The testing stone pillar is here!" Just then, a shout came, and the steward walked in. He saw the scene before him and heard Bai Xun's cry, freezing in place as if petrified: "Gah?"