'If I don't destroy a Training Puppet today, it won't just affect my reputation but also my family! I cannot let that happen no matter what! Not even if I have to sacrifice all of my faces!' Min Li thought to herself.
A moment later, she took a deep breath before taking a unique stance.
When the other disciples saw this and recognized her stance, they immediately shouted with excitement.
"That's the Min Family's most powerful technique— a Divine-rank technique!"
"What?! She's going from a Mortal-rank technique to a Divine-rank technique?! Does she want to destroy that Training Puppet so badly?"
"Well, think about it as though you are in her shoes. She was the one who decided to challenge that disciple who'd manage to destroy the Training Puppet. If she loses, it'll affect her reputation alongside her family's reputation, and you know how much the Seven Legacy Families values their reputation!"
"But that disciple used a Mortal-rank technique… and it was even the Flying Daggers technique that is known for being weak! If she uses a Divine-rank technique, wouldn't that be cheating and count as her loss regardless?"
"Well, yeah, but at least she will save some face for destroying the Training Puppet."
While the disciples mumbled to each other, Min Li focused on her next and final attack, even picking a new Training Puppet that did not have any cracks to make it a little bit fairer.
'This will definitely make me lose face, but at least I will destroy the Training Puppet!'
With that in mind, Min Li took a step forward, causing the ground to tremble a little, and she swung the sword in her hands that radiated with a profound aura.
"HAAAAAAAAH!"
Min Li shouted at the top of her lungs, attempting to force every ounce of strength in her body out with her voice.
BOOOOM!
An explosion occurred upon impact, and the Training Puppet was sent flying like a shooting star, crashing into many other Training Puppets.
"Heavens…"
The other disciples' jaw dropped to the ground when they witnessed the destructive power of the Divine-rank technique. There was simply no way the Training Puppet would be able to move again after being hit by such a powerful strike!
"Haaa… haaa… haaaa… Did I… destroy it…?"
Min Li kneeled on the ground with an exhausted expression on her face while panting heavily.
The Divine-rank technique had exhausted pretty much all of her spiritual energy, making something as easy as standing a difficult task for her.
The other disciples also watched with nervous expressions, their gazes all staring at the mountain of Training Puppets that had piled up after the Min Li's attack.
A few moments later, the Training Puppets began moving once again and slowly returned to their original spots.
However, the disciples and Min Li didn't care about the other Training Puppets— only the one that she'd struck.
Two minutes later, they could finally see the Training Puppet that Min Li attacked.
"I-Impossible…" Min Li mumbled with clear disbelief on her face as the Training Puppet that she'd struck slowly approached her with a long and deep cut on its chest, feeling quite intimidating for some reason.
A few moments later, the Training Puppet stood before Min Li once again, clearly still functional and not completely destroyed despite the damage it'd sustained that would instantly kill any Cultivator.
"H-How is that possible?"
The other disciples there were also in disbelief, and they turned to look at Yuan with a fearful expression on their faces.
If Yuan could destroy the Training Puppet completely with a Mortal-rank technique whilst Min Li could not achieve the same results with a Divine-rank technique and a Heaven-grade treasure, just how much more powerful is he?
'Damn it! Just who is this Disciple Yuan?!' Min Li cried inwardly and stared at Yuan with a frustrated look on her face.
Meanwhile, Yuan, who was completely oblivious that Min Li had challenged him, said to her, "Wow, that was such a powerful technique! I am impressed!"
*Cough*
Min Li nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood after hearing Yuan's words, as she misunderstood it for mockery.
'T-This is the first time I've been humiliated in such a manner! He'd even mocked me for daring to challenge him!'
However, as frustrated as she was, Min Li wasn't angry at Yuan, mostly because she was the one who'd challenged him in the first place, even blaming herself for not being strong enough.
"You… How old are you?" Min Li asked Yuan sometime later.
"Me? 18 years old," Yuan calmly responded.
"..."
Min Li stared at him with a gawking expression.
'He's the same age as me?! Yet there's such a vast disparity between us?! He's definitely from one of the Four Ancient Families! I am almost certain now!' Min Li cried inwardly.
"Anyway, I am going to return home for now…" Yuan turned around and walked away.
However, Min Li shouted at him, "Wait for a second!"
"Yes?" Yuan looked at her with a calm expression.
"I… I won't lose to you next time! Regardless of your background, I am going to win next time!" Min Li declared with a determined look on her face.
"Uhh… Okay?" Yuan raised his eyebrows in a puzzled manner, as he had no idea what she was talking about, but he figured that it would be for the best to just nod his head and accept it.
"..."
Min Li was speechless. Does she really look that insignificant in his eyes? Are the Four Ancient Families really that much more powerful than the Seven Legacy Families?
'Hmph! Just you wait! Although I may be nothing more than an ant in your eyes right now, I swear that I will catch up to you and make you recognize me as your equal!' Min Li swore to herself as she watched Yuan disappear from the practice area.
Meanwhile, Yuan returned to his home and acted as though nothing special had happened, completely unaware that he'd made Min Li think of him as a rival!