A Good Teacher Produces Outstanding Students

Yao Ling slowly drew the Imperial Sword from her waist. Perhaps because it carried a portion of her Soul power, the sword glowed with a bluish-golden light. She tentatively swung it at Shi Wei's head. Seeing this, the smile on Shi Wei's face did not fade in the slightest. He did not even dodge, directly taking the blow with his head.

"Clang!"

The powerful recoil numbed her tiger's mouth. She looked up at Shi Wei's head and was astonished to find that the strike had not left a single mark. It had not even scraped his scalp.

Deeply shocked, she swung several more strikes at Shi Wei's head without holding back. Wherever the sword passed, even space itself shattered. Yet aside from numbing both her hands and nearly making her lose her grip on the sword, these strikes seemed to have caused Shi Wei no harm at all.

"Miss, you should know that my Shi Clan has always been renowned among the Eight Clans for the strength of our bodies. Even compared with the Ancient Void Dragon clan, supreme among magical beasts, our physical strength is no weaker." The smile on Shi Wei's face deepened. "Since childhood, I have inherited my clan's secret teachings and cultivated bitterly in our sacred grounds for over twenty years. My physical strength is naturally not something ordinary clansmen can compare to."

After saying that, he rubbed his scalp to ease the pain. Although those strikes had not caused any substantial damage to his body, the Soul power carried within them had still caused him some discomfort. Compared with his terrifying physical strength, his Soul power was clearly much weaker.

"Yes, your head really is hard enough." Yao Ling praised him sincerely. Even as she spoke, she flashed a thousand zhang away. Since brute force could not even break through his defenses, she could only stall for time while thinking of a way to outsmart him.

His aura is roughly on par with mine. Though he is physically powerful, his realm is only that of a High-level Half-Saint. If I drag this out, he will eventually reveal an opening... Yao Ling calculated inwardly.

Shi Wei slightly restrained the smile on his face. He suddenly stomped his foot, shattering the ground within a hundred zhang into stones of all sizes. With another sweep of his sleeve, countless rocks tore through the air toward Yao Ling. The sonic booms produced by their flight were enough to make one's heart tremble.

Yao Ling did not dare be careless. She poured all her Soul power into the Imperial Sword. Holding the sword in both hands, she traced a marvelous pattern before pointing it toward the incoming stones. In an instant, hundreds of sword energies, each nearly a hundred zhang wide, emerged from the void and shot forward, shattering most of the stones.

"It would be discourteous not to return the favor!"

Yao Ling sheathed the sword, her hand seals flashing as she formed an extremely complex seal. She then pushed it forward, and her Soul power transformed into hundreds of flying arrows that shot through the air. This time, Shi Wei did not dare be careless. He understood full well that given the difference between their Soul powers, every single arrow could inflict grievous damage directly upon his soul.

He darted and shifted, flashing before Yao Ling in only a few breaths. Raising his hand, he directly struck toward her chest with his palm. Yao Ling had long been prepared. She cleaved down with the Imperial Sword, neutralizing the attack. One fought barehanded while the other wielded a sword; one was broad and imposing while the other was light and nimble. They were evenly matched, a meeting of worthy opponents, and battled fiercely for half an hour without a victor.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Yao Ling launched another all-out strike, forcing back Shi Wei's attack. After unleashing it, she planted her sword into the ground and gripped it with both hands, gasping heavily. Her Soul power was strong enough to keep her from falling behind in an extended clash, but its endurance was ultimately lacking. She was already exhausted. If they continued, she would inevitably suffer some injuries.

"Miss, you have excellent movement techniques." Shi Wei withdrew his fists and praised her sincerely. Within the Shi Clan, he had never met an opponent below the Dou Saint realm, yet today he had suffered a small setback. After this prolonged battle, Yao Ling was merely exhausted, whereas his soul had sustained a minor injury. Continuing the fight would not be worthwhile for him.

"This time, let's say you won. I admit defeat willingly, and you can report back to Clan Leader Gandang." Yao Ling took some time to regulate her breathing before slowly speaking to Shi Wei. "There is one more matter. Clan Leader Yao Dan has prepared a return gift for Clan Leader Gandang. Please be sure to accept it and deliver it to him."

She removed a Medicine Gourd hanging from her waist and handed it to Shi Wei. Seeing that the Medicine Gourd was covered in all sorts of strange runes, Shi Wei knew the gift was precious. He cupped his hands in salute to Yao Ling, then asked curiously,

"May I ask, Miss, what exactly is this return gift?"

"Clan Leader said it should be a Nine-grade Profound Pill that only Clan Leader Gandang can consume, along with a scroll recording the method of taking that pill." Seeing Shi Wei's eyes widen, Yao Ling added lightly, "Mr. Shi Wei, you must not sneak a bite. Though I do not know exactly what kind of pill it is, its medicinal properties must be extremely potent. Only someone who has reached a certain level can consume it. Otherwise, the terrifying energy contained in the pill will make them explode and die."

"I understand. This gift is far too precious. I will certainly deliver it safely to Clan Leader Gandang." Shi Wei laughed in delight. "As for today's spar, let us say that Miss won."

"Mm, fine. As you wish, anything is fine." The two of them flew out of the small space together. After watching Shi Wei leave, Yao Ling nearly collapsed onto the ground and closed her eyes. Right now, she only wanted to sleep properly.

When she opened her eyes again, two days had already passed. She found herself lying in a bright bedroom. The furnishings in the room were deeply familiar to her, because this was—her home.

"Do you feel better?" A deep middle-aged male voice sounded out. Following the voice, Yao Ling saw a middle-aged man sitting beside her parents, smiling at her.

"Ling'er, the Clan Leader came personally to see you today. What a coincidence that you woke up at this very moment." Her mother's voice was filled with concern. "Thank goodness you were only exhausted and not injured. I was truly terrified at first."

"Father, Mother, don't worry. I'm perfectly fine." Yao Ling comforted her mother. "I wonder what business brought you here personally, Clan Leader? I am truly touched by your concern for me."

Yao Dan had personally served as her alchemy teacher before. Because of this, the bond between Yao Ling and Yao Dan was exceptionally deep. Their relationship as master and disciple was considered a fine tale within the Yao Clan.

"I saw that you suffered a small setback this time, so I thought I would give you some extra lessons." Yao Dan smiled apologetically. "Do you still need some time to recover? I am not in too much of a hurry."

"Since the Clan Leader has come personally, I certainly do not need any more rest." Yao Ling said briskly. "Clan Leader, let's go."

"Clan Leader, teach her whatever you wish. No matter how you instruct her, the two of us will fully support you." Seeing the two leave, Yao Ling's father did not stop them, merely offering this reminder. Within the Yao Clan, being personally taught by the Clan Leader was truly an immense blessing.