In the afternoon, at the Martial Arts Arena.
The scorching sun beat down on the smooth, blue-stone ground, casting a blinding white glare.
The students of Class Three had long since assembled in neat rows. Although it hadn’t been long since they’d finished lunch, every one of them had a glimmer of excitement in their eyes.
Instructor Lei, with his burly frame, stood on the sidelines with his arms crossed over his chest, still dressed in his usual crisp martial attire.
"For the past six months, you’ve all struggled and tumbled through the Illusion Realm. Your temperament and techniques have improved considerably."
Instructor Lei’s resonant voice echoed across the Martial Arts Arena. "All practice and no fighting makes for a useless show. So today, I’ve invited another ’old friend’ to be your sparring partner."
As his voice faded, a slender figure walked onto the arena from the sidelines.
The newcomer wore a second-year academy uniform and had a gentle expression. It was none other than Zhang Shan, who had left a deep impression on the new students during their first combat class.
"Greetings, Instructor Lei. Greetings, fellow junior brothers and sisters." Zhang Shan cupped his fist in greeting. His smile was the same as ever, but a closer look would reveal a solemnity in his eyes that he couldn’t quite conceal.
Chu Bai stood at the very front of the line, his eyes slightly narrowed.
The keen perception granted by his Formless Cloud Hand allowed him to instantly detect the change in Zhang Shan’s aura.
Compared to six months ago, although Zhang Shan had yet to break through to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer, his Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy was several times more active, and his aura was as stable as the deep roots of an old tree. Clearly, he hadn’t wasted the past half-year either.
"Chu Bai." Instructor Lei looked at him. "Since you’re the leader of the new students now, you can take the first match."
"Yes, sir."
Chu Bai stepped out from the ranks and walked to the center of the arena. He offered a cupped-fist salute to Zhang Shan. "Senior Brother Zhang, please enlighten me."
Zhang Shan looked at the composed young man before him, feeling a wave of emotion. Six months ago, this boy had required him to deliberately suppress his Realm just to trade blows. But now...
"If I lose, I hope Junior Brother Chu will go easy on me. Don’t actually hurt me," Zhang Shan said half-jokingly, trying to relieve some of his own pressure. After all, the shadow of nearly losing control of his power last time still lingered.
Chu Bai smiled faintly. "With Instructor Lei here, Senior Brother has nothing to worry about."
Below the stage, the students held their breath in rapt attention.
Although they all knew Chu Bai had dominated in the Illusion Realm, Zhang Shan was, after all, a second-year senior with a deep foundation of Cultivation. Could the gap of an entire year of practice really be crossed so easily?
"Begin!"
At Instructor Lei’s command, the battle erupted in an instant.
Chu Bai showed no intention of testing the waters, raising his hand to execute his classic opening move.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH—
Over a dozen pale blue Spirit Water Needles materialized from thin air and shot forward with a whistle.
"Spirit Water Needles again?" someone in the crowd whispered.
But in the next moment, everyone fell silent. A faint, cold, golden glint now coated the once-gentle Water Needles. The sound of them tearing through the air was sharp and piercing, as if they were no longer made of water, but of real steel needles!
The Spirit Water Needles, enhanced by the Innate Geng Metal Qi, were more than twice as powerful!
"A good attack!"
Zhang Shan’s expression changed; he didn’t dare to be careless. He formed a hand seal, and several thick vines burst from the ground, weaving themselves into a net before him.
PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!
The Spirit Water Needles struck the net of vines, producing the clang of metal on metal. Though they were blocked, they riddled the tough vines with countless holes.
However, this was just a feint.
The very instant Zhang Shan blocked the assault, a giant hand formed entirely of Cloud Qi had already appeared silently by his flank.
Formless Cloud Hand!
"Not good!"
Zhang Shan felt a sudden tightness in his side. It was too late to dodge; he could only hastily mobilize his Spiritual Power to take the hit head-on.
THUMP!
With a muffled impact, Zhang Shan was knocked back several steps, a sharp pain radiating from his side. Although his protective Spiritual Power prevented serious injury, taking a loss in the very first exchange horrified him.
"Junior Brother, you’ve improved so fast!"
A fierce look flashed in Zhang Shan’s eyes. ’I can’t hold back anymore, or I’ll be disgraced today!’
Seizing the moment when Chu Bai’s old force was spent and new force had yet to gather, Zhang Shan slammed his palms together, and a cyan light erupted from his body.
Countless streams of Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy gathered frantically, coalescing in his palm into a three-inch-long, dark green nail that radiated a heart-stopping piercing power.
His killing move—Cyan Wood Bone-Piercing Nail!
"Heavens! It’s that move again!"
A student with a good memory couldn’t help but exclaim, "Last time, Senior Brother Zhang used that move, but its power was so great he couldn’t control it, and Instructor Lei had to forcefully intervene!"
"Is it going to be a repeat of last time?"
Many of the students looked worried.
But on the sidelines, Instructor Lei remained as still as a mountain, the corner of his mouth even twitching with a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
’Six months ago, I definitely would have stepped in. But now...’
WHOOSH!
The Cyan Wood Bone-Piercing Nail shot out in an instant, fast as lightning, aimed straight for Chu Bai’s chest!
With this attack, Zhang Shan had truly been pushed into a corner; he was using his full power!
Facing this killing blow, Chu Bai’s expression was as calm as still water.
He guided and deflected with his right hand’s Formless Cloud Hand, attempting to alter the nail’s trajectory, but the Bone-Piercing Nail’s momentum was too fierce. Its power was only reduced by thirty percent.
But that was enough.
Just as the dark green nail was about to touch his clothes, a translucent golden shield of light suddenly materialized in front of Chu Bai’s chest.
Guardian Shield!
This was no longer the flimsy Water Shield from before. Infused with Geng Metal Qi, the Guardian Shield’s surface shimmered with a metallic luster, making it seem indestructible.
CLANG—!!!
A crisp, explosive sound echoed across the entire arena. The Cyan Wood Bone-Piercing Nail spun wildly against the shield’s surface, sending sparks flying, before finally shattering along with the golden shield into a sky full of light motes.
And Chu Bai stood perfectly still, completely unscathed!
"So fast... so hard!"

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