Private battles between outer disciples were prohibited. Thus, the bullying of Xia Liuhui had naturally occurred in the arena. The one currently beating up Xia Liuhui was none other than Gou Zai, Wu Mingliang’s henchman.
Before this, Gou Zai was only at the peak of seventh-stage Basic Realm while Xia Liuhui had reached eighth-stage Basic Realm a month ago. Gou Zai was not supposed to be able to do anything to Xia Liuhui. But for some reason, Gou Zai was now at the ninth stage of Basic Realm. Although Xia Liuhui had also improved, he was still no match for the current Gou Zai.
"Haha, you little scoundrel, do you still dare claim that Xiang Shaoyun is your boss? I’ll be sure to beat you up so badly not even your boss can recognize you anymore!" Goi Zai howled with laughter as he rained punches on Xia Liuhui.
Gou Zai was using the tier-2 battle technique, Rippling Punch. This was one of Wu Clan's battle techniques. Xia Liuhui only knew the Rushing Qi Fist, and the strength amplification of this technique was incomparable to the Rippling Punch. Thus, Gou Zai completely suppressed him. His face was already badly bruised and covered with blood. Even so, he still clenched his teeth tightly and refused to surrender.
"Keep it up! Kill me if you have the guts! When my boss returns, he won't spare you!" Xia Liuhui yelled unyieldingly. Right after he yelled those words, Gou Zai punched his stomach before sending him rolling on the ground with a kick. He looked extremely sorry. Even the disciples around the arena were crying out in alarm at the sight of his sorry state. They all believed that Xia Liuhui should just surrender to end the suffering.
"Your boss is nothing! If he dares to show his face, I will beat him up to the point he pisses his pants and cries for his mother!" Gou Zai spoke pridefully like a slave who had tasted glory for the very first time.
Just as Gou Zai was about to continue beating Xia Liuhui, a loud voice rang out, "What big words, you damned dog! I'm standing right here. Come, show me how you're going to make me piss my pants and cry for my mother."
Right after that voice rang out, a slender and tall figure landed on the arena. After a month of tempering, Xiang Shaoyun no longer had the scholarly aura around him. He now had the robust figure of a martial cultivator, and his height had grown considerably as well. He now looked like a remarkable and heroic youth. Many girls were smitten when they laid their eyes on Xiang Shaoyun's current appearance.
"It's Xiang Shaoyun! He has actually shown himself! Do you notice? He looks even more handsome now!"
"Yeah!"
"He looks more manly now. He must have grown stronger. If only he would spare me even one glance..."
"Tough luck for Gou Zai. Xiang Shaoyun is a person who had defeated Wu Mingliang a month ago. With his five-star physique, it won’t be long before he surpasses even Senior Brother Leng Han."
"I heard Wu Mingliang had returned two days ago. He had even reached first-stage Astral Realm. I'm afraid things will get difficult for Xiang Shaoyun this time."
...
Gou Zai had never expected that Xiang Shaoyun would suddenly appear. He was so frightened he staggered backward and nearly fell on the ground. It was evident how terrified he was of Xiang Shaoyun. The pain he had suffered under the brick was still fresh in his memories.
"B-boss, you're finally here!" Xia Liuhui was so happy he nearly cried when he saw Xiang Shaoyun. If this lasted any longer, he would've most likely surrendered.
"Um, everything is fine now. Here, take this healing pill and heal yourself by the side," Xiang Shaoyun said as he handed Xia Liuhui a healing pill before helping him down the arena.
Xia Liuhui was extremely touched by the gesture. He thought to himself, It was a right choice to follow this boss!
After helping Xia Liuhui off the arena, Xiang Shaoyun turned around and started taking wide strides toward Gou Zai.
"W-what are you trying to do? This is a fight between me and Xia Liuhui! Are you trying to interfere in a match between disciples? You will be punished for that!" Gou Zai stuttered in fear.
He was brave enough to scold Xiang Shaoyun earlier because he had never expected Xiang Shaoyun to appear. Now that Xiang Shaoyun was right before him, he no longer had the same courage.
Xiang Shaoyun continued striding forward, as if he hadn't heard any of those words. Gou Zai glanced at the martial officer only to find that the martial officer was ignoring him.
"Young Master Wu, save me!" Gou Zai finally broke down and started crying for help. It was at this exact moment that Xiang Shaoyun suddenly started running.
Gale Winds Kick!
With his leg raised, Xiang Shaoyun flew toward Gou Zai and sent a kick toward his back.
"Stop!" Wu Mingliang's voice rang out. Alas, he was too late. Xiang Shaoyun was too fast, and Gou Zai was unable to escape the kick. As for Wu Mingliang, he couldn't provide any help in time either.
Bang!
The kick landed and sent Gou Zai flying like a bird toward Wu Mingliang.
"Arrrghhh!"
Wu Mingliang couldn't dodge in time, and Gou Zai directly hit him. Coincidentally, Gou Zai crashed head-first into Wu Mingliang, his lips connecting with Wu Mingliang's face before they both crashed into the ground. That made for quite a comical sight. All the disciples who saw this were stupefied.
"Ahhh, it hurts badly!" Gou Zai groaned, still lying on top of Wu Mingliang.
"Get off me!" Wu Mingliang howled and pushed Gou Zai away. He then darted to his feet and drew his sword. He pointed it at Xiang Shaoyun. "Xiang Shaoyun, I'm killing you today!"
After saying that, he sent a slash Xiang Shaoyun's way. A sword energy about one meter in length formed of astral energy streaked across the air toward Xiang Shaoyun. The sharp aura emanating from the slash caused all the surrounding disciples to pale.
That was an astral energy release! That was something capable of increasing the offensive power of an attack, a feat only someone at the Astral Realm or beyond could accomplish. Everyone assumed Xiang Shaoyun was out of luck this time. Even though Xiang Shaoyun had once defeated Wu Mingliang, no Basic Realm cultivators had any hope of defeating an Astral Realm cultivator.
"You are challenging me with just this bit of astral energy? How naive!" Xiang Shaoyun mocked. His figure flickered as he dodged the attack. Almost instantaneously, he reappeared beside Wu Mingliang, sending over a palm.
Pa!
Xiang Shaoyun was too fast for Wu Mingliang. Thus, the slap landed right on his face, causing a crisp and resounding sound to ring in the air.
"You dare bully this young master's underling? None of you can escape today!" Xiang Shaoyun made a tyrannical declaration even as he continued to attack Wu Mingliang.
Cloud Splitting Palm!
Xiang Shaoyun attacked with both his palms this time. All his attacks hit Wu Mingliang without mercy. Wu Mingliang couldn't even resist. As for Wu Mingliang’s henchmen, they initially rushed forward to help. But when they saw that Wu Mingliang was completely helpless, they all fled in fear.
Gou Zai was still somewhat loyal as he was the only one to charge forward, yelling, "Young Master Wu, I'll save you!"
"Oh? Sure, I'll allow you that!" Xiang Shaoyun answered as he caught Gou Zai's incoming fist and redirected the henchman’s charge towards Wu Mingliang's direction.
Once again, Gou Zai crashed into Wu Mingliang, his lips landing on Wu Mingliang’s face. When Wu Mingliang felt the moist warmth on his face, he was so angered he coughed a mouthful of blood. In fact, he nearly fainted from anger.