Battle with Murong Xue

"Are you two looking to have a match with me?" Murong Xue's voice carried a hint of danger. She turned to face them, a faint smile on her lips, like a proud little phoenix.

"We've reached the final step, so we want to see just how far we are from an Earth Vein. Just a friendly spar," Yuan Jin said with a grin.

Zeng Fan glanced at Yuan Jin. Though he was smiling broadly, a flicker of fighting spirit showed in his eyes, reminding Zeng Fan of what Yuan Jin had once said before him: "I, Yuan Jin, refuse to become a stepping stone for those geniuses. My goal reaches far beyond this."

Taking a deep breath, Zeng Fan also clasped his fists toward Murong Xue and laughed aloud. "Miss Murong, please grant us brothers this chance and let us see exactly where an Earth Vein surpasses a Profound Vein!"

Yuan Jin was stunned for a moment, then flashed Zeng Fan his pearly whites and patted him on the shoulder. His Body Tempering Skin Great Accomplishment cultivation was indeed not much to look at against Murong Xue, but Zeng Fan had clearly said that for his sake. He accepted this favor!

Murong Xue glanced at the two of them, loosened up her limbs, and assumed an opening stance. She beckoned at Zeng Fan and Yuan Jin. "You two, come at me together. Otherwise, I'd have to fight you one at a time. Too troublesome." The girl's crisp voice rang out as the Spiritual Energy fluctuations around her grew increasingly powerful. Her Body Tempering Muscle Perfection cultivation began circulating swiftly. The crowd watched the three of them curiously, wanting to see what confidence these two had to challenge an Earth Vein genius whose realm was higher than theirs.

Yuan Jin looked at Zeng Fan. "I'll go first. Cover me." Spiritual Energy rapidly surged from Yuan Jin's body. He stomped viciously on the ground, and his figure had already shot before Murong Xue. An elbow strike, howling as it tore through the air, smashed toward her face.

"You really don't know how to cherish a delicate flower." Murong Xue curled her lips slightly at Yuan Jin's fierce attack. Though she said so, there was not the slightest trace of complaint on her face. She retreated slightly to evade his opening attack, then swept a whip-like kick directly at him. Yuan Jin blocked with both arms, but his whole body was sent quickly retreating. Zeng Fan reached out and stopped him. "Are Earth Veins all this strong? She's only one minor realm above me!"

Yuan Jin waved at Zeng Fan, who was about to make his move. This was only the beginning. He charged toward Murong Xue again, this time displaying the martial technique he had learned. Every part of his body seemed to become a weapon capable of attack. Fingers, elbows, knees, and more all flew at Murong Xue with the sound of tearing air. Yet Murong Xue responded to ten thousand changes with one unchanging move, her pair of delicate palms constantly dancing as they blocked Yuan Jin's storm-like barrage.

"So this is Yuan Jin's inherited Five Kill Fist. Every part of his body can become a lethal weapon, ever-changing and unpredictable. Murong Xue's technique is probably the Soaring Dragon Palm, which only the Profound Spirit Imperial Clan can learn. Her palms move like roaming dragons soaring through the skies, graceful yet immensely lethal." Zeng Fan watched the two fight and recalled the information he had gathered about them.

"If my cultivation were equal to theirs right now, my Fish Dragon Fist could probably fight them as well. What a pity." Zeng Fan watched as their battle grew increasingly deadlocked. Yet as the fight continued, Yuan Jin gradually began to show signs of decline. After all, an Earth Vein absorbed Spiritual Energy far faster than a Profound Vein. At similar realms, Murong Xue's recovery speed far surpassed Yuan Jin's. Yuan Jin realized this as well. He could not drag this out any longer! "Let's decide the victor in one move!" Yuan Jin shouted at Murong Xue.

Five Kill Force!

Yuan Jin drew his fist back slightly, then suddenly threw a powerful punch. His Spiritual Energy seemed to carry wave after wave of impact as it rushed toward Murong Xue. Light flashed in Murong Xue's eyes upon hearing this, and dazzling spiritual light burst from her palms.

Soaring Dragon in the Sky!

Murong Xue's palms collided viciously with Yuan Jin's fist. After several breaths, Yuan Jin's expression changed. Just as he was about to react, Murong Xue's palms had already overwhelmed his fist and slammed hard into his chest, sending Yuan Jin flying outright.

Yuan Jin flew several yards away, his body skidding across the ground. "I'm not fighting anymore, I concede!" That last move had already drained all his Spiritual Energy. He no longer had the strength to continue. As soon as the words fell, Yuan Jin's vision darkened, and Murong Xue was already standing before him. Danger flickered across her face. "You say fight when you want to fight, and surrender when you want to surrender? I haven't had enough yet!" Immediately afterward, the thudding sounds of fists striking flesh rang out, mixed with Yuan Jin's screams. "Grandma, go easy! Easy!!! Don't hit my face! I was wrong! I was wrong!!!"

The entire scene fell silent, with only the sounds of Murong Xue beating Yuan Jin continuing to ring out. Zeng Fan could see that though Murong Xue kept attacking, she was merely venting her anger and was not using Spiritual Energy. Yuan Jin's life was not in danger; he only had to suffer a beating.

"What a violently adorable little beauty." Zeng Fan watched Murong Xue continuously pummel Yuan Jin and listened to his screams. An excited flush even appeared on the girl's face, making him inwardly shudder.

As Yuan Jin's screams gradually weakened, Murong Xue exhaled comfortably, then looked at Zeng Fan. "Are you ready?"

Zeng Fan's expression changed. "Miss Murong, I am now wholeheartedly convinced that you deserve first place. There's no need to fight anymore!" Murong Xue gave a smile that did not reach her eyes. "We still have to try. How would we know whether it works without fighting once?" Spiritual Energy continuously rippled over her palms as she charged toward Zeng Fan.

Zeng Fan groaned inwardly. Why was this grandma so battle-hungry? If I'd known, I wouldn't have spoken up for Yuan Jin. Looks like I'm going to get beaten too. Before the thought had even ended, Murong Xue's palms were already rushing toward him with the sound of wind.

"The selection is over. Stop fighting and come out," Shi Yun's voice called from afar just then.

Zeng Fan was delighted. "Miss Murong, stop quickly! The selection is over!" Murong Xue snorted coldly upon hearing this and could only halt. "I'll collect this debt from you when I get the chance. Once we enter the sect, there will be plenty of opportunities. Just you wait!" Zeng Fan could only smile bitterly and clasp his fists in salute toward Murong Xue.

Murong Xue rolled her eyes at Zeng Fan, walked to the spirit tree, picked five Spiritual Fruits, then turned and headed out of the valley.

Only then did the tightly tensed muscles in Zeng Fan's body relax. "Didn't you say you'd fight alongside me? Why did you stop fighting?"

Yuan Jin's resentful voice came from behind him. Zeng Fan turned around and burst into laughter. A human face appeared before him, with two huge black circles around the eyes constantly announcing the inhuman treatment its owner had just suffered. "What are you looking at? Never seen a handsome man before?" Yuan Jin squinted at him irritably.

Zeng Fan was already laughing so hard he could barely catch his breath. The people nearby also burst into laughter, and the valley was filled with cheerful air for a time.

"Let's go out first. But the gap between major spirit vein grades really is enormous. My Spiritual Energy was nearly exhausted just now, while Murong Xue probably still had half of hers unused. And Earth Veins are not merely superior in Spiritual Energy." Though his face was covered in bruises, Yuan Jin still spoke to Zeng Fan in a serious tone.

The laughter slowly subsided. "You can tell. It truly is much stronger than a Profound Vein. I need to cultivate quickly and catch up to you all too. Once we enter the sect, even more geniuses will surely appear. We can't slack off. Let's head out first—pfft." Zeng Fan's expression gradually turned serious, but seeing Yuan Jin's solemn face made him unable to hold back another laugh. He patted Yuan Jin on the shoulder and headed out of the valley.

Yuan Jin slowly followed after him. "Hissss~~~~"

"What's wrong?"

"My whole body hurts. Murong Xue was far too ruthless. I need to rest and recover for several days."

"Good thing I didn't fight her. That woman's way too violent~"

"Quit farting around. Let's go, let's go."

The crowd followed behind the two of them toward the valley exit. Behind them, the fruit trees swayed gently, as though seeing everyone off, yet also as though welcoming the arrival of the next trial.