Misty Sect.
On the Training Ground, the young girl abruptly retreated more than ten meters before landing to the side.
Yet the youngster who should have been knocked to the ground still looked relaxed and at ease.
For a moment, not a sound could be heard.
Everyone was utterly dumbfounded by the sight.
Countless disciples and Elders stood there like wooden chickens.
"What... what is going on?"
"I'm not seeing things, am I? The Young Sect Master was actually knocked back?!"
"Wasn't Xiao Huohuo supposed to be nothing but a third-rate trash? How could he...?"
The crowd looked at one another, unable to believe what had happened before their eyes.
That youngster who had knocked back the Young Sect Master and was now advancing after her as leisurely as if strolling through a courtyard was actually the useless Xiao Huohuo they had always mocked for overestimating himself?
On the Small Immortal Terrace, the leaders of the various sects were likewise rooted to the spot, seemingly unable to understand what had happened.
The Moon Sword Sect Master swallowed, his eyes having caught the whole exchange just now.
Every one of Xiao Huohuo's punches and movements had been fierce and powerful, striking with overwhelming force.
How did that look like a third-rate martial artist?
Moreover, since he had overpowered Xu Ling'er, his strength had probably already reached the early Houtian realm, hadn't it?
"I was blind to it."
"This youngster has hidden himself far too deeply."
The Moon Sword Sect Master swept his gaze around, his eyes even passing over Wu Shan.
"There isn't a single person here who could discover Xiao Huohuo's true strength."
"Not even the Misty Sect Master, who is at Xiantian Peak..."
Beside him, the Mountain Gate Sect Master also let out a long sigh.
"At sixteen, he cultivated strength no weaker than that of the top-tier prodigy Xu Ling'er in a tiny household, yet he possessed such remarkable patience. Even after being mocked by thousands, he never revealed himself—without leaving the slightest crack."
"This child is truly terrifying!"
The two men looked at each other, seeing the trace of shock in the other's eyes.
To cultivate such strength in a small lineage required talent beyond imagination.
Xu Ling'er was already strong enough—a once-in-a-century genius. Even she had only reached this point with the support of the Misty Sect.
And clearly, this Xiao Huohuo seemed to be even stronger...
In a small lineage with hardly any resources, relying solely on his own cultivation, he had reached the level of a Houtian realm martial artist at sixteen...
If it had been them, with such talent, they would have been unable to hide it three years ago, when Xu Ling'er had come to break off the engagement.
How could he have hidden it until today?
They had never considered that Xiao Huohuo had only discovered his cultivation talent after the Three-Year Pact.
After all, going from third-rate to Houtian in two years was simply too absurd to believe...
On the Training Ground.
Xu Ling'er stared at Xiao Huohuo in disbelief.
"How could your strength be like this?!"
She still remembered the youngster who had stood before her three years ago.
That youngster, who had suffered humiliation without the slightest ability to resist, had merely been a third-rate trash.
How had he reached this level in only three short years? Even the aura around him was scarcely weaker than hers.
Was this possible?
Three years ago, her realm had already been higher than Xiao Huohuo's, just one step away from crossing into the First-rate martial artist realm.
Over the past three years, she had trained in the Misty Sect, one of Cangzhou's top sects, and only after being nurtured with countless pills, cultivation arts, renowned teachers, and other resources had she surpassed the First-rate martial artist realm and entered the Houtian realm.
Yet Xiao Huohuo, the Young Clan Leader of a small lineage, had actually caught up.
Could such a thing truly happen in this world?
Hearing this, Xiao Huohuo glanced at Xu Ling'er, naturally knowing what the young girl was thinking.
He raised his head proudly.
"You're nothing but a frog at the bottom of a well."
"Ever since I acknowledged my master as my teacher, Xiao Huohuo has no longer been the same Xiao Huohuo as before."
His eyes swept across the crowd, and a mocking smile appeared on his face.
"You people have no idea just how transcendent my master is."
As his voice fell, a terrifying aura swept forth once more.
Without waiting for the crowd to react, spiritual energy condensed between Xiao Huohuo's palms. He pushed off with his toes, smashing through the white stone tiles, and charged fiercely at Xu Ling'er.
Although the latter was startled, she did not retreat. She likewise approached swiftly with nimble footwork.
Xiao Huohuo showed no intention of sparing the beauty. His fist, wrapped in a rosy glow, suddenly smashed toward Xu Ling'er's face.
Seeing this, the latter avoided its edge and hurriedly dodged.
Xiao Huohuo's fist missed her cheek, but he twisted it smoothly into a claw and reached for Xu Ling'er.
The change was so swift that Xu Ling'er scarcely had time to dodge. She hurriedly raised her arm to block it.
Smack!
The claw struck Xu Ling'er's arm. She suddenly felt both legs grow heavy, while her arm went numb and nearly lost all feeling!
Seeing this, Xu Ling'er clenched her silver teeth, infused her inner power, and knocked Xiao Huohuo's fist aside. She then swept her legs repeatedly toward him.
Yet Xiao Huohuo effortlessly defused the series of sweeping attacks.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the two exchanged more than a dozen moves in succession.
But Xiao Huohuo remained firmly in control of the upper hand.
Seeing this, the crowd sucked in cold breaths, their scalps tingling.
How was this Xiao Huohuo so ferocious? He was actually suppressing Xu Ling'er so thoroughly!
The Moon Sword Sect Master said in astonishment:
"It seems their realms are equal... No, Xiao Huohuo's is slightly higher."
"With nothing but disorderly punches and no martial arts form at all, he has beaten the Misty Sect's prodigy back step by step!"
Beside him, the Mountain Gate Sect Master's eyes never left the two figures. He exclaimed in amazement:
"Xu Ling'er has mastered the Misty Sect's basic martial arts extremely thoroughly."
"Her Cloud Crane Agility and Probing Cloud Fist flow as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water. Her moves and forms are practically flawless."
"Xiao Huohuo, on the other hand, seems to rely on sheer strength—like a clumsy hammer smashing nails, or chaotic punches beating a seasoned master."
The Moon Sword Sect Master also chuckled.
"Now there will be a good show."
"At present, it appears that Xiao Huohuo is suppressing Xu Ling'er."
"But Xu Ling'er has only been using basic martial techniques. She has yet to bring out her true abilities."
At this point, everyone understood.
Although Xiao Huohuo's strength currently seemed slightly greater,
once Xu Ling'er used a sword and unleashed the Misty Sect's Wind Sword Scripture, Misty Swordplay, and other Divine Skills, the situation would immediately reverse.
Martial arts were the true key to a prodigy defeating someone of a higher realm!
By then, Xiao Huohuo would no longer have the slightest power to resist.
Along the corridor, the faces of the Misty Sect disciples had also darkened.
How could they have imagined that the trash they had mocked earlier was now actually suppressing their Young Sect Master?
None of them could accept this conclusion.
They shouted one after another:
"Young Sect Master, keep going!"
"Young Sect Master, show your true strength and teach this fellow a lesson!"
Hearing the shouts from above, Xiao Huohuo's figure did not pause in the slightest.
His fists and kicks pressed Xu Ling'er until she had nowhere left to retreat!
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