NOVEL WEB Chapter 93: Zhang Xuan Makes His Move
Chapter 93: Zhang Xuan Makes His Move
Yesterday, when Liu Tianzheng arrived at the academy, Yu Xiaoyu and the others had already completed their strength testing. Although he hadn't witnessed it himself, he had heard about it from others.
In less than 12 hours, Yu Xiaoyu's strength had increased from 0.5 horsepower to not only surpass the 1.2 horsepower requirement but also break through 1.5.
Could such rapid progress be possible for a cultivator?
While he was still reeling from the shock, Hong Yi approached and also threw a punch.
Although it didn't produce the whip-like sound of Yu Xiaoyu's strike, the powerful force behind the punch spread out like a wave, extending three meters into the distance.
"A prancing horse that releases force in all directions… This strength… also exceeds 1.0 horsepower?"
Liu Tianzheng clenched his fists.
A strength of 1.0 horsepower equates to the power of a horse. A punch that carries its force three meters beyond the point of impact is an impressive feat, especially just three days after the assessment. Could this guy really be a Ninth Grade Source Pool?
Not even I could have done this at my peak, and even City Lord Yu might have struggled!"What about you? I had you train with our family's 'Fuyao Energy Storing Technique' yesterday. How much strength do you have now?"
Seeing these two, Liu Tianzheng realized that Zhang Xuan's requirements weren't overly demanding and couldn't help but turn to his daughter.
Since Zhang Xuan's methods had led to such rapid progress, could his own family's inherited technique be just as effective?
"0.61," Liu Mingyue replied, her face reddening.
"That's…"
Liu Tianzheng felt as if the ground could swallow him up.
He had insisted that his daughter not learn Zhang Xuan's techniques, thinking she would surpass the others by using the family's technique. Now, it seemed she had indeed stood out, but in the opposite direction…
Training under Teacher Zhang's guidance, others had increased their strength by about 1.0 horsepower, while his daughter had only gained 0.01. The difference was 100 times!
Did the gap have to be so enormous?
"You didn't meet the requirement and didn't train with his method, so you were expelled and decided to kneel here, begging Teacher Zhang to take you back?"
Liu Tianzheng finally understood what was going on.
"Yes!"
Liu Mingyue nodded firmly. "If Teacher Zhang doesn't take me back today, I'll kneel here until tomorrow. If he doesn't accept me, then I'll keep kneeling until the day after tomorrow… I'll keep kneeling until he forgives me for my mistake."
Seeing his daughter's determination, Liu Tianzheng's face darkened. "I admit his teaching methods can lead to rapid progress, but… energy accumulation is a gradual process. Progressing too quickly could lead to hidden dangers that will manifest later. You can't be too careful!"
"Claiming that fast progress leads to hidden dangers… isn't that a bit too presumptive?" Liu Mingyue frowned.
Liu Tianzheng raised an eyebrow. "Presumptive? Who knows more about cultivation—you or me? I'm a late-stage Jade Bone Realm expert at Source Pool seventh level, and our family's 'Fuyao Energy Storing Technique' has been tested by countless people over generations. It's been proven safe and effective. But what about Teacher Zhang's method? Has it stood the test of time? If not, don't lecture me!"
"For my own good?" Liu Mingyue asked.
"Exactly. I know you want to become stronger, but some techniques offer quick results at the cost of long-term potential. Once that potential is exhausted, your progress will stagnate. You can't just focus on immediate gains and ignore the future. As your father, I would never harm you. Everything I do is for your benefit."
"That's nonsense…"
Hearing her teacher's methods being criticized, Yu Xiaoyu was about to argue when Zhang Xuan motioned for her to stay silent.
"Teacher Zhang…"
Liu Mingyue looked up at Zhang Xuan, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Is what my father says true?"
Zhang Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. "That's for you to decide. I've said before that to be my student. You must trust me unconditionally and follow my instructions without hesitation. If you can't do that, I won't take you."
Liu Mingyue bit her lip. Her expression conflicted. After a moment, she made up her mind. "Father, I still want to become Teacher Zhang's student!"
Her father didn't know what kind of blood had ignited her Flame Furnace, but she did. He didn't know how effortless and fast her progress had been during yesterday's training, but she did.
He didn't know anything, so how could he tell her what to do?
"You…"
Liu Tianzheng's face turned an even darker shade of blue. He swung his arm. "Liu Mingyue, I'll give you one more chance to reconsider. If you come home with me now, I'll find you a teacher better than Lu Mingrong!"
Liu Mingyue shook her head. "Who in White Roc City could teach better than Dean Lu?"
Liu Tianzheng responded, "He's not from White Roc City—he's a Fate Guardian from the imperial capital. Training under him will give you a better chance to connect with Destiny Practitioners. In this world, destiny is everything. No matter how strong you are, how pure your True Energy, it's all worthless in the face of fate!"
He acknowledged that Zhang Xuan had real skills; otherwise, he wouldn't have been appointed as a guest elder by the Chen family. But so what?
Destiny is everything. Without the ability to control it, even immense strength and vast True Energy are useless.
"A Fate Guardian…"
Liu Mingyue glanced at Teacher Zhang, then back at her father. Finally, she shook her head. "Father, I missed an opportunity once before. I don't want to miss it again. I'll obey you in other matters, but not this time."
Liu Tianzheng was taken aback, trembling with anger. "Do you know what kind of price you'll pay for defying me?"
"I know all too well. That's why I've made this decision."
Liu Mingyue shook her head, her expression resolute. "From a young age, I've always been an obedient daughter. Whatever you told me to do, I did, even if I didn't like it. I followed your wishes and tried my best to meet your expectations.
"I liked hanging wind chimes in the hallway, listening to them jingle in the breeze… I liked wearing brightly colored dresses that would make me stand out wherever I went. I liked going to lively places, running with the wind, and screaming with joy… But you preferred silence and plainness…
"I chose to listen to you. I threw away the wind chimes, hid the dresses, and spent my days quietly at home, being a dutiful daughter… And every time I saw Yu Xiaoyu, I felt a strange sense of envy. She got to do all the things I liked, and no one ever scolded or punished her for it.
"But I was constantly lectured, always told it was for my good…
"I once thought about rebelling. When I was nine, I used my allowance to buy a colorful ceramic doll. I kept it in my room and spent every day dressing it up, applying makeup, and making new clothes for it… But when you found out, you said I was wasting time, neglecting my cultivation and not focusing on understanding Source Energy. You cut up the dresses I made and smashed the doll into pieces.
"But that same day, I had just comprehended Source Energy and found my Source Pool. You were so happy. You said I was the family's most talented child in a hundred years…
"Just like today, you said it was for my good that girls need to cultivate to change their fate… I know that's true, but is cultivation really the only way to change fate? Do I have to sacrifice my happiness and all my interests just to change my fate?
"If that's what it takes, then it's not the life I want. What's the point of changing my fate if I don't enjoy the life I end up with?
"I've felt suffocated, oppressed by the chains you've placed on me in the name of love.
"I couldn't rebel, so I obeyed, but I was always afraid—afraid of failure, afraid of disappointing you… Like when I lost to Mo Yanxue and misplaced the Mo Yun Jade Stone, I was so scared you'd scold me that I didn't even dare to tell you about it.
"With this fear, I became more and more hesitant. I couldn't make any decisions without first seeking your approval…
"Even yesterday, when you told me not to train with Teacher Zhang's method but to use the family's 'Fuyao Energy Storing Technique' instead, I agreed, despite my reluctance!
"But today, seeing how much Yu Xiaoyu and Hong Yi have improved, I realized something…
"Why do I have to listen to you? Why do I have to live the life you've arranged for me?
"I am who I am, and I want to live my own life. Even if I'm making the wrong choice today, even if I have to pay the price later, I'll do so willingly and without regret.
"So… today, I won't listen to you. I'll follow my heart and become Teacher Zhang's student. I won't give myself another chance to regret it."
"…"
Liu Tianzheng was stunned by his daughter's words.
All this time, he had thought he was doing everything for her good, making sacrifices… He never realized that he was suppressing her true nature.
Was he doing the right thing or not?
He found himself uncertain for the first time.
But that uncertainty quickly gave way to intense anger.
The daughter he had raised wasn't grateful—she was blaming him! What an ungrateful wretch!
"Your mother died early, and I didn't want you to go astray. I thought about everything in advance to help you avoid mistakes. Is that so wrong? Without me, could you have grown up so well? Could you have enjoyed the status of the Liu family's young mistress, living in luxury without worry?"
He swung his arm angrily, glaring at her. "I'll give you one more chance to reconsider. Don't disappoint me again."
"You've never respected my opinions. No matter what I say, you always want me to agree with you… Fine, since you want to hear it, I'll say it again. In fact, I'll say it ten more times if that's what it takes!"
Taking a deep breath, Liu Mingyue's gaze remained resolute. "I want to become Teacher Zhang's student."
Slap!
Before she could finish her sentence, Liu Tianzheng's hand struck her face with a loud, sharp sound, the slap echoing in the courtyard. It didn't just hit her cheek—it struck her heart as well.
"Liu family head, what do you think you're doing?"
Not expecting him to hit his daughter, Zhang Xuan frowned.
"What I do is none of your concern!"
With a cold snort, Liu Tianzheng turned back to his daughter. "Say that again if you dare!"
Covering her cheek, Liu Mingyue's eyes filled with sadness. A moment ago, she still held out hope that if she persisted, her father would support her. Now, all hope was gone.
In his eyes, she was nothing more than a puppet, to be controlled and manipulated. As long as she was obedient, she was good. If not, she was rebellious and unfilial.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, but her expression grew more stubborn than ever. "I said I won't listen to you anymore. I will become Teacher Zhang's student."
"Fine! Since that's your choice, don't blame me for being harsh!"
Liu Tianzheng raised his hand to slap her again.
Liu Mingyue didn't flinch, only closed her eyes. At that moment, the pain in her heart far outweighed the physical pain.
But after a moment, the slap didn't come. She wondered if her father had reconsidered, but when she opened her eyes, she saw that Teacher Zhang had stepped in front of her, catching her father's hand, his brows furrowed with displeasure.
"If there's a problem, solve it through discussion. Violence isn't the answer."
"Move aside!"
Liu Tianzheng tried to pull his arm free, but found Zhang Xuan's grip as firm as a vise. His eyes narrowed. "Teacher Zhang, don't think that just because City Lord Yu and Dean Lu respect you, I can't do anything to you! First, this is a family matter and none of your business. Second, if it weren't for your influence, Mingyue wouldn't be acting like this… You should consider yourself lucky I haven't made trouble for you already. If you keep provoking me, don't blame me for making you regret it!"
Zhang Xuan remained calm, one hand behind his back. "You're welcome to try."
Although he hadn't yet decided whether to accept Liu Mingyue as his student, he wouldn't stand by and watch her be punished for following her heart.
Everyone has the right to control their destiny, and not even parents should stand in their way.
"Very well! No wonder Mingyue dares defy me—it's all because of you! Fine, I'll show her that the Teacher Zhang she worships, the one she's willing to kneel for, is nothing more than a mid-level cultivator!"
Already angry with his daughter, Liu Tianzheng's fury only grew when Zhang Xuan challenged him. With a roar, he unleashed his full power.
He had only heard of Zhang Xuan three days ago, but he knew enough about him. Just a few days ago, Zhang Xuan had been a groom at the Mo residence, completely ignorant of the Source Pool. Even if he had earned Lu Mingrong's favor and become a teacher, how strong could he possibly be in such a short time?
At best, he might have reached the mid-to-late stages of the Energy Storing realm, but as a late-stage Jade Bone Realm expert, Liu Tianzheng could easily crush him!
Of course, as a guest elder of the Chen family, Zhang Xuan couldn't be killed, but Liu Tianzheng planned to teach him a lesson and show him who's in charge.
Snap!
With a fierce shout, Liu Tianzheng gathered the power of a late-stage Jade Bone Realm expert into his right arm and shook it violently, trying to free himself. But despite his efforts, Zhang Xuan's grip only tightened, causing a sharp pain in his arm.
Liu Tianzheng's expression darkened.
Although he hadn't used his full strength in that attempt, the 30-horsepower force should have been more than enough. He could easily throw a boulder with such strength, yet he couldn't break free from Zhang Xuan's grasp. It was unbelievable!
"Let go!"
With another shout, Liu Tianzheng doubled his strength, reaching 60 horsepower, but still, Zhang Xuan's grip didn't budge. It felt as if his fingers were fused to Liu Tianzheng's arm, unshakable.
A peak Energy Storing expert has only 5 horsepower at best. Even if Zhang Xuan was conserving his strength, he was still exerting a force equal to or greater than Liu Tianzheng's. How could he be so powerful?
"So, you've been hiding your strength. Good, that means I'm not bullying you with my superior cultivation. Let's see how much you've been hiding!"
With a shout, Liu Tianzheng struck at Zhang Xuan.
Seeing his opponent make a move, Zhang Xuan didn't waste time with words. His right hand moved like a pipa player's fingers, quickly and precisely countering the attack.
Despite striking second, Zhang Xuan's hand reached Liu Tianzheng first, each finger carrying immense power, like drumsticks pounding a drum, creating a series of resounding booms.
The technique was the "Emerald Pipa Hands," a martial art from the Master Teacher Continent, not the Source World. But its power was just as formidable, if not more so, than any technique from the Liu family.
If Liu Tianzheng didn't block, he'd be injured. If he had blocked, the punch he had thrown would have been wasted. With no other option, he chose to defend, but that moment's hesitation cost him dearly.
Before his organs even made contact with Zhang Xuan's fingers, they began to quiver, as if strummed by invisible strings.
The "Emerald Pipa Hands" wasn't just about the force behind the fingers; it carried a special rhythm that made the opponent's organs dance to its tune.
Bam!
Zhang Xuan's hand struck Liu Tianzheng's abdomen. With a single blow, Liu Tianzheng was sent flying, crashing to the ground more than ten meters away. Before he even landed, he vomited a large amount of bile.
Despite his internal organs having been specially tempered, he still couldn't withstand the strange force of this technique.
"You… you're not in the Energy Storing realm?"
Struggling to his feet, Liu Tianzheng finally realized, his face filled with disbelief.
The force Zhang Xuan had used on him didn't exceed 60 horsepower, but the precision with which he wielded it was so perfect that even Liu Tianzheng, a late-stage Jade Bone Realm expert, could barely defend against it!
There's no way someone in the Energy Storing realm could do that!
"I haven't been in that realm for a long time…" Zhang Xuan shook his head.
With his cultivation increasing, it was time to reveal some of his strength. Otherwise, people would keep challenging him, leaving him no time to train.
Besides, he was curious to see how his recent training compared to the so-called experts of White Roc City. If he couldn't handle them, he could always ignite the New World, making the situation less dangerous.
"Teacher…"
Watching the scene unfold, Yu Xiaoyu and Hong Yi exchanged stunned looks, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Who is this man?
Liu Tianzheng, the head of the Liu family, a renowned expert in White Roc City, had been defeated by Teacher Zhang in a single move… Even though Liu Tianzheng had been at a disadvantage after having his arm grabbed, his cultivation should have been more than enough to prevent such an outcome!
"Could my father have seen this all along?"
Yu Xiaoyu's heart skipped a beat as a thought crossed her mind.
Her father had been insistent about her becoming Zhang Xuan's student, but she hadn't understood why. After learning the techniques, she had come to appreciate the decision, but it was only now, after seeing this, that she fully understood…
I was too shallow!
Her father must have recognized Zhang Xuan's profound cultivation long ago, which is why he was so insistent that she become his student. The same must have been true for Dean Lu, who had gone out of his way to give Zhang Xuan special treatment…
And to think she had once believed Zhang Xuan was just a groom with no real skills!
"Teacher Zhang…"
Not only were Yu Xiaoyu and Hong Yi shocked, but even Liu Mingyue, who was still kneeling on the ground, had her eyes wide open in disbelief.
She had decided to become Zhang Xuan's student primarily because his teachings were incredibly effective. The other reason was her desire to rebel against her father's control. But now she realized that not only was Zhang Xuan an excellent teacher, but his actual strength was also astonishing!
"No matter what your true strength is, you've led my daughter astray, making her disobey me. For that, you'll pay the price!"
Taking a deep breath to suppress the turmoil in his internal organs, Liu Tianzheng let out a furious roar.
His daughter was already defying him. If he didn't retaliate after being struck down, how could he expect her to respect him in the future?
Grrr…
True Energy surged within him, creating a sound like a croaking frog. Without holding back, Liu Tianzheng clenched his fist, his foot pushing off the ground as he leaped ten meters forward, appearing directly in front of Zhang Xuan.
Liu Family Martial Art—Black Tiger Leaping Step!
The Black Tiger is a Source Beast that resembles a tiger in appearance. It excels in leaping and is known to jump onto tree branches to observe its surroundings when hunting. Once it spots its prey, it launches a deadly strike from above.
Liu Tianzheng was only using the leaping technique at the moment, not the full attack, but even so, its power was formidable. Before he even threw a punch, the explosive force emanating from him created a powerful wind that rippled outward.
Zhang Xuan remained unfazed, his face calm. He didn't dodge or evade but instead flicked his fingers.
His movement was subtle, but his timing and aim were impeccable. If Liu Tianzheng didn't evade, the strike would land perfectly on one of his acupoints, rendering him powerless.
"!"
Not expecting such a swift reaction, Liu Tianzheng gasped in surprise. He quickly raised his arm, spreading his fingers wide and bringing his hand down like a whip.
This was another signature move of the Liu family—the Willow Palm.
With a body as flexible as a willow in the wind and a palm as broad as an awning, this technique was designed to strike from all directions at once. The force originated from the Source Pool, was amplified by the power of the thighs and waist, and could unleash up to 90 horsepower in a single blow.
Even before the palm could land, the wind pressure alone was enough to threaten to shatter bones on impact.
Knowing his current level of cultivation wouldn't allow him to withstand such an attack head-on, Zhang Xuan shifted his body slightly to the side, moving just half a step. However, that half-step was precisely calculated, allowing him to avoid the full brunt of the Willow Palm.
This move exploited a vulnerability in Liu Tianzheng's technique.
Even without using the Library of Heaven's Path, Zhang Xuan, as a lord of a world with countless battles under his belt, could spot the flaw instantly.
Dodging the attack, Zhang Xuan countered with a swift kick.
The kick was a blend of real and feigned movements, making it hard to predict. Before Liu Tianzheng could react, the kick landed squarely on his abdomen, sending him flying again and causing him to collapse to his knees.
This strike was even more devastating than the previous one, causing even greater humiliation.
If the earlier encounter could be explained by Zhang Xuan grabbing his arm, this time Liu Tianzheng had used his most powerful technique, yet he was still easily countered and sent flying.
How could this young man, seemingly in his twenties, be so incredibly powerful?
Struggling to stand, Liu Tianzheng's expression grew more serious as he looked at Zhang Xuan.
"I admit I underestimated you before, but this time, I won't hold back."
Taking a deep breath, Liu Tianzheng tightened his fists. After suffering two consecutive defeats, he unleashed his full power, and a powerful aura radiated from him like a wave of mercury. Just as he was about to strike again, a voice called out urgently.
"Liu Family Head, what do you think you're doing?"
The voice had traveled from 200 meters away with the first word, "Liu," but by the time the last word, "doing," was spoken, its owner had already arrived before them.
"This is White Roc Academy, not your Liu family estate!"
A single palm strike sent Liu Tianzheng staggering back seven or eight steps before he finally came to a stop.
Having driven Liu Tianzheng back, Lu Mingrong turned to Zhang Xuan with concern and nervousness. "Teacher Zhang, are you alright? Did this guy hurt you?"