Chapter 8: Wait, Something Feels Off!

Cao Xuan’s cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Refining made the blue-robed disciple before him turn pale with shock. In the world of cultivation, each realm is like a boundary between heaven and earth, with a clear suppression of power between levels. Though there are geniuses who can kill across tiers, such feats are certainly beyond the reach of ordinary disciples like those at the bottom of the Azure Cloud Sect.

At this moment, the true energy of the blue-robed disciple at the third level was instantly scattered upon contact with Cao Xuan’s fourth-level true energy. Enraged, Cao Xuan did not hold back; he swung his right hand directly.

A resounding slap sent the blue-robed disciple spinning a full circle before collapsing to the ground.

Fang Baiyu, who had been watching the spectacle with amusement, suddenly changed expression. "Cao Xuan, you—"

Before he could finish, Cao Xuan, now backed by his system and the promise of future advancement, was in no mood to indulge him any longer. In his previous life, a famous leader had said, "Better to open with a single punch than invite a hundred." Cao Xuan had no intention of letting future cultivation be hindered by petty feuds arising from family squabbles.

"Let you? Let you what? Fang Baiyu, I’ve tolerated you for too long. Do we really have a grudge between us? You bring your family’s trivial disputes into the sect? Don’t you know how arduous the path of cultivation is? With all this time, wouldn’t it be better to take on a few extra missions and earn some spirit stones?"

"So, you break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining and think you’re safe now? Never thought about becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Shout all you want! I’m now at the fourth level too—if you have the guts, let’s take it to the duel platform and settle it with real skills, instead of all this pointless bickering!"

Cao Xuan fired off his words with rapid intensity, overwhelming Fang Baiyu and leaving him speechless. All the latter could do was point at Cao Xuan, stammering, "You... you... you..."

"What ‘you’? Just say whether you’re in or out. Acting like a timid woman—probably doomed to remain a useless fourth-level cultivator forever!"

This insult cut deeper than any they’d thrown previously.

"Well said!" Several disciples who had been watching the commotion instinctively echoed their support.

Noticing the attention, and seeing Fang Baiyu’s face flush with anger to the point of near collapse, some felt embarrassed and scratched their heads. "Uh... well... I just think this fellow makes a lot of sense, haha... you guys carry on, I won’t intrude!"

The interruption drained Cao Xuan’s interest. "If you won’t fight, then stop making noise. I’ve just finished my closed-door cultivation and came to take a mission—I have no patience for your childish games!"

Over the past month, Cao Xuan had consumed medicinal pills relentlessly, finally reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining. Since the sect’s examinations were held only twice a year, having already met the requirements, he had no reason to rush, and decided to visit the mission hall to see what tasks were available for someone at his level. Of course, his main aim was to scout for female cultivators with high potential worth investing in. Yet before he could appreciate any of them, he was ‘bitten by a dog.’

Fang Baiyu, having been outmatched by Cao Xuan’s barrage, felt a pang of guilt. Truthfully, during their time as quasi-outer disciples, cultivation was their main focus, and having only strength without actual fighting techniques meant little. Once they became proper outer disciples, they could begin to learn combat skills. But as Cao Xuan said, the rare breakthrough to the fourth level had made him complacent.

It wasn’t entirely his fault—like a student who, after three years of intense exams, is suddenly asked to start self-studying college courses during summer vacation: it’s hardly realistic.

Now, with both at the fourth level of Qi Refining, Fang Baiyu felt unsure of himself. But after Cao Xuan’s verbal assault, pride spurred him on. "Fine, let’s compete—who’s afraid?"

He paused, then added, "...But, I’ve suffered some internal injuries in my recent cultivation. How about you wait until half a year from now? Then, when you’re officially in the inner sect and qualified to learn combat techniques, it won’t be unfair."

Learning new techniques isn't easy, and Fang Baiyu believed he could at least reach entry-level mastery in half a year. At this point, the crowd realized Fang Baiyu wore the single-stripe blue robe of an outer disciple, while Cao Xuan had the unadorned robe of a quasi-outer disciple. Boos and murmurs rose—everyone saw that Fang Baiyu was stalling, lacking combat skills and wanting to delay.

Half a year wasn’t about avoiding unfair advantage—it was because Cao Xuan wouldn’t officially join the outer sect until then. Usually, it didn’t matter; whether you joined or not didn’t affect cultivation. Some prodigies even reached the fifth or sixth level by exam time. The real difference was only in status, learning combat arts, and taking higher-paying missions; otherwise, there was little change.

But now, with both agreeing to a duel, things were different. Both were at the fourth level of Qi Refining, practicing the same Greenwood Technique, with little disparity in physical strength. A direct match would be unpredictable. But in half a year, with one trained in combat skills and able to better control his true energy, the outcome would be very different.

Fang Baiyu knew it was shameless, but persisted, "Just say whether you dare or not—if you don’t, then stop... making noise!"

He mimicked Cao Xuan’s style, looking up at the taller youth, and admitted to himself that stepping onto the platform now might mean a beating. Previously, he could boast about his superior cultivation, but now, with their levels equal, he felt uneasy.

Cao Xuan regarded Fang Baiyu with disdain. "Fine, as you wish. Now get lost!"

Cao Xuan understood Fang Baiyu’s intentions. But in half a year, with resources, he could certainly improve by at least two more levels. Even without combat skills, using the Greenwood Technique’s basic art—the Greenwood Palm—would be enough to crush him. In truth, Cao Xuan wasn’t guaranteed to win now, but after six months of growth, he’d have a clear advantage, and anything less would be an insult to his system.

Fang Baiyu was disgruntled, but he knew his limitations. It was clear his verbal skills were no match for Cao Xuan, but he was certain that in half a year, Cao Xuan would not be his equal.

‘Hmph, my five-refined spiritual root against your four-refined—no idea how you caught up, but probably because I’ve been slacking lately. Once I get serious, in six months I’ll have you crawling off, leaving the sect on your own!’

Fang Baiyu began to fantasize about thrashing Cao Xuan, forcing him to quit the sect, and basking in his family’s praise. He smiled to himself—Cao Xuan was now at the fourth level, and though not yet tested, could remain in the Azure Cloud Sect. Thus, the Cao and Fang families were back at the same starting line.

Though annoyed at being bested by Cao Xuan, the more Fang Baiyu thought about it, the more he saw opportunity. A duel within sect rules would allow him to thoroughly defeat Cao Xuan, forcing him to quit and restoring order—delightful.

"Hmph, Cao Xuan, in front of everyone, don’t be a coward in six months!" Fang Baiyu shot back, unwilling to let it go.

"Enough, I know. Get out of here—I don’t want to see you right now!"

Fang Baiyu nodded, helped his lackey to his feet, and left the sect’s mission hall with another quasi-outer blue-robed disciple. But as he stepped outside, he suddenly paused.

"Wait a minute—why am I the one leaving?!"