Chapter 355: The Duel Begins

"Cough, cough!"

Holding his forehead, Mo Yu on the side nearly spat blood and fainted on the spot.

Zhang Xuan's method of beating to tame beasts only worked on savage beasts; why were you tying yourself up and lying on the ground?

Besides, tying up the Golden-tailed Lion was to prevent it from lashing out when beaten too hard. For a human, you just need to remember not to fight back...

The most crucial part was... he blurted out, "Beat me!"

If she hadn't known the reason, she would have thought he was a masochist...

"Father, get up quickly..."

Her face flushed crimson, she hurried over and helped him up.

Actually, one couldn't blame Mo Tianxue for being obsessed. Having witnessed an unbreakable savage beast successfully advance to Sovereign before her eyes, she naturally wondered if she could break through as well.

If she succeeded, it would definitely have a greater impact than a beast's breakthrough, and the nation's strength would be even more robust.

Under the pressure from the Lin family and Mo Hongyi over the years, her spirit had been constantly tense. Seeing hope for a breakthrough, how could she restrain herself!

"Since it has already broken through to Sovereign, I won't disturb you further. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

After explaining that his beating taming method only worked on savage beasts, Zhang Xuan clasped his fists and turned to leave.

Actually, he could have helped him break through, but that would have exposed Zhang Xuan's identity, which would not be worth the loss.

Besides, without even a spirit stone, how could he have the leisure time!

Just a few steps in, he caught a whiff of fragrance, and Princess Mo Yu caught up.

"Zhang Xuan, I said yesterday I'd take you to see a good show. It's about time now; let's go together!"

"A good show? What is it?"

Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Come and see for yourself..." Princess Mo Yu was like a smug little fox.

"Alright."

Seeing she wouldn't say, Zhang Xuan stopped asking, and the two walked side by side out of the palace.

...

Tianwu Academy.

Zhao Ya and the others arrived here again.

Last time they came, they had a match with that arrogant girl, ending in a draw, which left her very frustrated.

After returning, she learned swordsmanship from her master's master. After days of practice, she was one hundred percent confident she could defeat her and force an apology!

"That woman just relies on her martial techniques being powerful. Now that Zhao Ya has learned swordsmanship from the master's master, she's definitely no match!"

"Yeah, daring to insult the teacher, if she doesn't apologize, we must teach her a lesson!"

Zheng Yang, Yuan Tao, and the others snorted coldly.

Teacher Zhang had guided them all the way, making them stronger and stronger. In their hearts, they worshipped him like a deity. How could they not be angry when someone publicly questioned him and claimed their Teacher Liu was better?

What Teacher Liu... could he even compare to the callus on Teacher Zhang's heel?

"Mm."

Wang Ying also nodded, puffing out her cheeks.

Though she was gentle, if anyone dared insult Teacher Zhang, she would be the first to charge!

Soon they arrived at the previously agreed dueling spot. The once quiet dueling platform was now packed with people.

Many students had come upon hearing the news, wanting to see whose students were stronger—Teacher Zhang's or the recently famous Teacher Liu's.

"That woman is here!"

Zheng Yang pointed.

Everyone looked over and saw Mu Xueqing, Meng Tao, and the others approaching from one side of the crowd.

At this moment, Mu Xueqing also exuded strong confidence.

The blade technique Teacher Liu taught her was exquisite and unparalleled, far more powerful than any martial technique she had practiced before.

That girl originally didn't know any martial techniques and only relied on her abundant true qi to barely tie with her. Now that she had learned such a powerful technique, how could she withstand it!

"Teacher Zhang isn't in Tianwu Royal City. Even if he were, it's impossible for him to teach her a technique as powerful as my blade technique in just two or three days. So... she's doomed to lose today!"

Their eyes met, and Mu Xueqing sneered inwardly.

...

"It seems both are very confident!"

Among the crowd, Liu Changyan had arrived early. Seeing the expressions of the two girls, his eyes narrowed.

"In three days, they must have learned even more powerful moves, intending to settle the score!" Zhao Wuxing, not far away, also looked serious.

The two were the most outstanding young experts, with keen eyesight.

These two girls were focused, exuding strong confidence and proud arrogance—that was easy to see.

"Who do you think will win this time?"

Liu Changyan looked over.

"I think it's Mu Xueqing!" Zhao Wuxing hesitated, then said.

"Oh?"

Hearing this conclusion, not only Liu Changyan but also several surrounding students couldn't help but look over.

They wanted to hear the top student's explanation.

"After learning that Teacher Liu perfectly solved the Difficult Wall and became the president of the Physician Guild, I went to his class yesterday and happened to see Mu Xueqing performing her blade technique..."

Zhao Wuxing clenched his fist, cold sweat on his forehead: "To be honest, it was too powerful. Even if I faced it, I couldn't withstand it and would have to admit defeat!"

Recalling what he saw yesterday, his heart still pounded with fear.

The day before yesterday, after hearing the conversation between Teacher Liu and Emperor Mo Tianxue, he specifically inquired and learned that Teacher Liu had made such a name for himself upon arriving in the royal city.

Admiring him, he went to his class yesterday and happened to see Mu Xueqing performing her newly learned blade technique.

One slash descended, as graceful as a horned antelope, leaving no trace. After studying it all night, he helplessly found that even using all his skills, he couldn't evade it.

It was simply too strong!

Its subtlety definitely surpassed any martial technique in Tianwu Academy!

With such strength and such a technique, who could defeat her?

"Senior Zhao admits defeat?"

"Does that mean Mu Xueqing is now the top student of Tianwu Academy?"

"That's too terrifying..."

The crowd buzzed.

Zhao Wuxing had dominated the academy for years, always the goal and idol of countless students. Today, he willingly admitted inferiority to Mu Xueqing. Once this spread, it would cause an uproar.

"I don't agree with your conclusion!"

Liu Changyan shook his head: "Although Mu Xueqing's blade technique is powerful, I think... she may not win today!"

"Why?"

Seeing his friend disagree, Zhao Wuxing looked over.

"I don't know if Zhao Ya has improved in three days, but I've specifically inquired about Teacher Zhang's deeds these days. He has created countless miracles, and none of them can be replicated by anyone!"

Liu Changyan showed an expression of admiration.

"Under twenty, he passed the master teacher exam, breaking many of Mo Hongyi's records; became a three-star painter at a young age, renowned worldwide; his own cultivation reached the Zongshi realm... Most crucially, I heard that Zhao Ya and the others were taught by him for less than two months, with actual lessons only about five or six days!"

"In such a short time, he made Zhao Ya and others from Tianxuan Kingdom tie with Mu Xueqing... Don't you find that terrifying?"

"Taught for less than two months?"

"Actual lessons only five or six days?"

"Where did you get this news? Is it reliable?"

...

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

What kind of place was Tianxuan Kingdom?

A remote corner, as trashy as it gets!

It was said that students there could enter the academy at Martial Artist First Layer, and reaching True Qi Realm made them the top experts among students!

People from such a small place, after only five or six days of actual teaching, could be trained to rival Mu Xueqing...

Did I hear that right?

"I consulted a master teacher apprentice. She was present during Teacher Zhang's master teacher exam, and she heard this from Teacher Zhang himself. It can't be false!" Liu Changyan said firmly.

The one who told him was his childhood friend, who would never lie.

"With such strength after five or six days of teaching, three days might indeed allow Zhao Ya to transform again..."

Zhao Wuxing nodded.

"Wait, didn't they say Teacher Zhang was going out for a trial to take the two-star master teacher exam, and wasn't in Tianwu Royal City?"

"Right, if he's not here and hasn't personally instructed her, it might be difficult for Zhao Ya to defeat Mu Xueqing!"

...

Someone in the crowd said this, immediately drawing agreement from others.

"Even if Teacher Zhang isn't here, such a great master teacher might have left behind powerful techniques... Zhao Ya and the others are fighting for his honor. If they lose, doesn't that mean he's inferior to Teacher Liu?"

"How could Teacher Zhang, a proper master teacher, be inferior to Teacher Liu?"

"Teacher Liu is not bad either, okay? Young as he is, he became the president of the Physician Guild. With just a little guidance, his students' cultivation soared. If not for his limited talent preventing him from taking the master teacher exam, why would Teacher Zhang get all the limelight!"

"I still think Teacher Zhang is more impressive..."

...

A stone stirred a thousand ripples; the crowd buzzed with discussion.

Among the students, some were fans of Zhang Xuan, deeply admiring him; others were won over by Teacher Liu, hoping their own academy's teacher would win big.

Each side held their ground, refusing to yield. Before Zhao Ya and Mu Xueqing even fought, the audience was already in full swing.

...

"How infuriating!"

"They dare say Teacher Liu is better than Teacher Zhang! Zhao Ya, if you don't beat Mu Xueqing's face into a pig's head today, I'll look down on you!"

Hearing the surrounding comments, Zheng Yang gritted his teeth.

He had always been hot-tempered; otherwise, he wouldn't have directly challenged the battle platform back at Hongtian Academy upon hearing about Teacher Zhou Tian's unfair treatment.

They had come to compete to vindicate their teacher and enhance his reputation, but now a majority supported some Teacher Liu. How could he swallow this anger?

"Don't worry! If I don't make her admit defeat, you won't need to remind me—I'll go apologize to Teacher Zhang myself!"

With a movement, Zhao Ya grasped her longsword, a powerful aura emanating from her, giving her a cold and beautiful appearance.

Whoosh!

Parting the crowd, she walked step by step toward the dueling platform. Soon she reached the stage, standing proudly as if she were the only one in the world, invincible.

Hum!

The longsword in her hand slid from its sheath, emitting a sobbing wind sound. Pointing forward, her aura was like a rainbow.

"Mu Xueqing, dare you fight me with weapons?"

"Why not!"

With a crisp shout, Mu Xueqing also leaped onto the dueling platform. Her long blade danced like a dragon, emitting a sobbing sound, instantly elevating her momentum.

The battle... was about to erupt!