Love Rival

When a sound echoed from outside his room, Zeng Fan, who was cultivating, opened his eyes, a flicker of confusion in them.

"I've been busy cultivating lately and haven't had any conflicts with anyone. Why would someone be challenging me to a duel in front of my room? Could it be Zhou Bao?" Zeng Fan walked out of his room, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

A man he had never seen before appeared before him. The man was tall and lean, with a rugged face and sharp features, a slight stubble on his chin. His eyes were red, as if he hadn't slept for days, and he was staring at Zeng Fan.

Upon seeing Zeng Fan, the man sensed his cultivation level and couldn't help but feel confused. "Body Tempering Bone Major Accomplishment? Why would Ling'er like someone weaker than me? Never mind! As long as I defeat you, Ling'er will surely realize that I am the man most suited for her!"

As he spoke, the man's aura permeated the air. It was clearly Body Tempering Bone Perfection, only a sliver away from Body Tempering Blood, and it exerted some pressure on Zeng Fan.

However, Zeng Fan was not entirely powerless against Body Tempering Bone Perfection. He just couldn't understand why this person wanted to fight him. As his cultivation circulated, Zeng Fan coldly demanded, "Who are you? I don't even know you! Why do you want to fight me?"

Hearing this, the man's expression changed. "Ling'er didn't tell you anything? Am I that unimportant to her?" Pain appeared on the man's face. He then took a deep breath. "Then I'll let you lose with understanding. My name is Gao Shi, and I am one of Ling'er's suitors. I've been pursuing her for a long time. Yesterday, she suddenly told me she already had someone she liked! It's you! I thought you would at least be stronger than me. Only someone stronger than me is qualified to win Ling'er's heart! But you're actually weaker than me. Then I'll defeat you first and then pursue Ling'er again!"

As he finished speaking, the man was about to make a move. Zeng Fan interrupted him again. "Which Ling'er? I don't know what you're talking about. You must have the wrong person!"

Gao Shi's face grew even angrier upon hearing this. "Which Ling'er? You scoundrel, how many Ling'ers do you have? You're infuriating me! How could she find someone like you, a heartless man!" He stomped his feet on the ground, and his entire body shot towards Zeng Fan. As he neared Zeng Fan, Gao Shi's aura surged, and he threw a punch fiercely at Zeng Fan.

"Scoundrel!" Zeng Fan's anger flared. He inexplicably felt like he was taking the blame for something and being scolded. Even a clay figurine would have some temper. Zeng Fan gathered Spiritual Energy in his hand, his arm muscles churning as he rapidly concentrated all his strength. He also threw a punch at the man.

With a light bang, Gao Shi remained unmoved, while Zeng Fan took a step back. Although Gao Shi seemed to have suppressed Zeng Fan, this punch made him take Zeng Fan seriously. After all, Zeng Fan had only taken one step back and was completely unharmed. Gao Shi was a minor realm higher than Zeng Fan, which meant that if they were at the same level, Zeng Fan's strength might actually suppress him.

"I underestimated you." Gao Shi held his breath and charged at Zeng Fan again. After this punch, Zeng Fan had a rough understanding of his current strength. He was now equivalent to a relatively ordinary disciple at Body Tempering Bone Perfection. He had made some progress in the Body Tempering Bone Major Accomplishment realm.

Seeing Gao Shi charge again, Zeng Fan met him head-on. It was good to have a sparring partner to help him get a feel for using his strength. As for why this guy wanted to fight him, he would beat him into submission first.

The two collided again. Their styles were vastly different. Gao Shi wielded his bare palms, his moves wide and powerful, specializing in using brute force to fight. No matter how complex your techniques, he would counter with sheer strength. His swings produced sharp whistling sounds as they cut through the air.

Zeng Fan, on the other hand, due to the Fish Dragon Dance, tried his best to avoid direct confrontation whenever Gao Shi's attacks came. He looked for the weakest points in Gao Shi's strength from the sides to break through, adhering to the principle of overcoming hardness with softness.

Zeng Fan's approach made Gao Shi feel uncomfortable. Gao Shi's personality was inherently reckless, and his previous opponents had all faced him head-on. This was the first time he had encountered an opponent as slippery as an eel, impossible to grasp.

"If you have the guts, don't dodge, you scoundrel!" Gao Shi was furious.

"If you have the guts, hit me!" Zeng Fan found it a bit amusing seeing him like this. Although this person had challenged him to a duel, he hadn't used any lethal moves during the fight. He was just a bit too direct. Zeng Fan's anger had also subsided considerably.

"It's time to end this," Zeng Fan felt the power within him surging uncontrollably. His muscles bulged, a sign that his strength was accumulating near its limit.

"Big guy, let's settle this in one move!" Zeng Fan said to Gao Shi, no longer suppressing the power within him. His muscles seemed to cheer, vibrating rapidly as they channeled strength into Zeng Fan's fist.

"Fish Dragon Dance!"

Gao Shi's eyes lit up at the sound. He finally didn't have to play hide-and-seek with this guy anymore. "Alright!" Gao Shi struck a strange pose. Starting from his spine, his bones emitted continuous cracking sounds. Then, the muscles in his back tensed, and he unleashed a palm strike towards Zeng Fan.

"Through-Back Palm!"

Their fists and palms met. Zeng Fan's strength was already not inferior to his, and with the accumulated power from the Fish Dragon Dance, he completely overwhelmed Gao Shi. Gao Shi's Through-Back Palm lasted only for a moment before he was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground. However, Zeng Fan hadn't used any lethal force; he had merely repelled him and then stopped.

Gao Shi got up from the ground, a bitter expression on his face. "I didn't expect to be defeated by a love rival who is at a lower cultivation level than me. You are worthy of being with Ling'er. I won't go to the Alchemy Hall to find her anymore. But I won't give up. I will find you again someday!" Without waiting for Zeng Fan to say anything, Gao Shi strode away.

"Ling'er, Alchemy Hall? Yao Ling'er!" So I was the one who blocked this person for her." The moment Gao Shi mentioned the Alchemy Hall, all the memories in Zeng Fan's mind connected. Yao Ling'er's strange smile when she asked for his help, her expression when she heard he was Zeng Fan... this was her asking him to block her suitor after hearing about him!

Zeng Fan was furious. Although he didn't have any Spirit Stones on him, fighting someone for two hundred Spirit Stones wasn't worth it. Zeng Fan gritted his teeth and rushed directly towards the Alchemy Hall. He absolutely wouldn't let this guy off easily!

Upon arriving at the Alchemy Hall, he went straight to the front desk. He learned that Yao Ling'er was still in Alchemy Room Number Six. Zeng Fan, with a dark expression, headed straight for the alchemy room. He pushed the door open to find Yao Ling'er reading a medical book. Today, she was wearing a blue robe, as if everyone who practiced alchemy liked to wear robes. She was intently reading the book, her bright eyes fixed, her slender eyebrows slightly furrowed. To facilitate her reading, she had tied her hair into a simple ponytail, revealing her fair, smooth neck and forehead. Hearing the sound of the door opening, she didn't look up.

"What do you need to refine?"

"I need you to come to my bridal chamber with me!" Seeing her calm demeanor, Zeng Fan's anger flared, and he sneered.

"What? Ah!" Yao Ling'er thought she had misheard. She looked up and saw Zeng Fan staring at her with a cold smile. She immediately understood that the jig was up. Whether Zeng Fan had blocked Gao Shi for her or not, seeing him like this, he was clearly here to settle the score. She immediately got up and headed towards the inner room.

Seeing her like that, Zeng Fan knew it was her doing. As Yao Ling'er got up and headed for the back door, he flashed forward and grabbed the back collar of her robe.

Yao Ling'er struggled to run backward, her clothes still held by Zeng Fan, outlining a breathtaking curve. Seeing Yao Ling'er still struggling, Zeng Fan exerted force and turned her to face him. He grabbed her hands and pinned her firmly against the wall.

"What are you doing? Didn't you agree to it back then? You don't look injured, so consider this favor done!" Seeing that she had nowhere to run and her scheme was exposed, Yao Ling'er said defiantly to Zeng Fan.

"Nothing much? I don't have any objections to this favor. You said you'd be my Dao companion, and I'm very excited. When are we going to the bridal chamber, Ling'er~?" Zeng Fan looked at the girl's flustered face and couldn't help but want to tease her. He leaned in and blew into her ear, speaking softly.

Hearing Zeng Fan's words, Yao Ling'er's small, delicate ears immediately turned red, and her whole body trembled. She quickly said, "Zeng Fan! No! Big Brother Zeng! I was wrong, I was wrong. Let me go first, and we can talk properly." Her voice was tinged with a hint of tears.

Zeng Fan maintained a playful expression on his face, but he was laughing wildly inside. Let's see how you like messing with me, you little imp. But Zeng Fan's expression remained unchanged. "Where did you go wrong? My dear wife."

Yao Ling'er was on the verge of tears. She had never been so close to a man in her life. Zeng Fan's hands were like eagle talons, gripping her tightly, making her unable to move. The scent of a man constantly filled her nostrils.

Seeing that Yao Ling'er was about to cry, Zeng Fan's anger finally began to subside. At this moment, he smelled the girl's unique fragrance mixed with the scent of herbs. Yao Ling'er's wrists were slender and fair. Because she was struggling in Zeng Fan's hands, her delicate and soft touch continuously transmitted to his mind. How could a young man withstand such stimulation? Zeng Fan's breathing grew heavier, and his eyes began to redden.

Yao Ling'er immediately noticed the change. Her small face turned pale, and she immediately cried out, "I'm sorry! I apologize! I'll give you an opportunity to break through. Let me go first!"