Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding-
Seven crisp chimes rang out in a string.
Guang Biao retreated a full seven steps.
Each step slammed heavily into the ground, leaving a deep footprint.
Seven scales on his right fist had already shattered. Blood ran down between his fingers, dripping onto the ground.
Wu Changkong stood right where he was, the Heavenly Frost Sword hanging at an angle. Not a drop of blood stained its tip, which gleamed with a pale blue chill.
His attacks were not fast. They could even be called slow. Yet every strike was absurdly accurate, landing precisely in the seams between the scales. His control of force was perfect, neither a fraction too much nor a fraction too little, just enough to shatter the scales without damaging the tendons or bones.
Guang Biao panted heavily, staring at his right fist with eyes full of horror.
The Ironclad Dragon defenses he took such pride in were like papier-mâché before his opponent.
Watching the two battle fiercely ahead, Hu Fangyuan clicked his tongue in wonder. He stood behind the crowd with his arms folded, half his face showing, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. Despite the considerable distance, he caught every detail of each clash with precision.
"Looks like we still underestimated Teacher Wu. He's a Soul Emperor, but he's more than just a Soul Emperor," Hu Fangyuan muttered.
"What do you mean?" Standing beside him, Gu Yue turned her head at his words, a trace of confusion in her black eyes.
"Can't you see Teacher Wu is beating Guang Biao into the ground? And he's doing it without even using his full strength." Hu Fangyuan rolled his eyes and pointed toward the fight. "Look at Guang Biao. He's wringing out every last ounce of strength he has. And Teacher Wu? His feet haven't even moved. If he went all out, Guang Biao would've been on the ground long ago."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Gu Yue, her face expressionless, punched Hu Fangyuan in the arm without warning. It was not a hard blow, but it carried a measure of irritation.
"Then why make it sound so mysterious? You think I can't see that?!"
The punch barely bothered Hu Fangyuan. He rubbed his arm and pursed his lips. This girl sure hits hard.
He stopped wisecracking and continued watching the fight in silence.
The battle ended in Wu Changkong's victory after all. Hu Fangyuan had known it would from the very beginning.
Compared with that of ordinary Soul Masters, Hu Fangyuan's Spiritual Power was more condensed, a qualitative transformation of sorts. In his perception, Guang Biao was powerful, his Soul Power fluctuations dense and concentrated, but he lacked Wu Changkong's vast, irresistible presence. It was like the difference between a deep pool and an ocean.
However strong Guang Biao's Soul Power was, it had limits. Wu Changkong's Soul Power seemed bottomless, its boundaries impossible to sense.
Thus, Hu Fangyuan was not afraid that Guang Biao could actually do anything to him. With Wu Changkong here, Guang Biao could stir up no waves.
But...
Hu Fangyuan cast an unobtrusive glance at the girl beside him.
His own confidence rested on his assessment of the situation and his calculations of the personalities involved. He had counted on Wu Changkong intervening, on Guang Biao not daring to let things truly get out of hand, and on the academy protecting its students.
Then what lay behind Gu Yue's confidence?
From earlier until now, this girl had never panicked. Even when Guang Biao's imposing presence peaked and a Soul Emperor's pressure blanketed the world, she had merely frowned, gathering a little elemental energy at her fingertips without showing the slightest fear.
In fact, when Guang Biao charged forward earlier, Hu Fangyuan had sensed that her Soul Power fluctuations were absurdly steady, as though she did not regard a Six-Ring Soul Emperor as worth her notice at all.
At this thought, Hu Fangyuan had no choice but to accept one fact: the "companion" beside him seemed to have some extraordinary power backing her!
Outwardly, however, Hu Fangyuan gave nothing away. He knew perfectly well that some things only needed to be understood in his heart. Saying them aloud would spoil the point.
The battle was drawing to a close.
Guang Biao had already lost. Both his palms had been pierced clean through and instantly turned the same pale blue as the Heavenly Frost Sword. He stood frozen in place, a thin layer of frost coating every scale on his body.
Staring at the Heavenly Frost Sword poised before the tip of his nose, Guang Biao said blankly, "You, your eyes... you're from that place..."
His voice trembled visibly beyond his control, whether from the bitter cold or from fear. Even its pitch cracked.
Wu Changkong said indifferently, "I was driven out of that place because I have a bad temper. So don't let me see you again."
His words fell.
The blue light receded.
Countless blue currents seemed to converge on Wu Changkong's body from throughout the world, and the Heavenly Frost Sword vanished in a streak of light. He had already turned around and was walking toward Eastsea Academy, his long white robe snapping in the wind.
His steps were unhurried, yet he carried an air that warned strangers away.
The students along his path parted of their own accord, clearing a way for him.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Hu Fangyuan folded his arms across his chest and smacked his lips. "Teacher Wu really knows how to show off. I'll have to learn a thing or two from him."
Gu Yue promptly rolled her eyes, unable to be bothered with him. She had figured it out: hardly anything proper ever came out of this boy's mouth.
After this battle, Gu Yue also abandoned the idea of leaving the academy. She had originally wanted to go out for a stroll, but now it seemed that with Wu Changkong around, the academy was actually safer. She turned and walked toward Eastsea Academy's dormitory building, her long black hair swaying gently with her steps.
"Hey, you're just leaving like that?" Hu Fangyuan called after her.
Without looking back, Gu Yue waved. "See you tomorrow."
She soon disappeared into the campus.
Hu Fangyuan rubbed his nose and turned as well.
He, for his part, had nothing to fear. First, he straightened his clothes, put on the appearance of a well-behaved model student, and walked over to Long Hengxu and the other teachers.
"Director Long, teachers." Hu Fangyuan stepped forward and bowed slightly, his manner respectful. "Thank goodness Teacher Wu was here just now. Otherwise, who knows how long that would have dragged on?"
Long Hengxu had been staring absently at Wu Changkong's retreating figure. Hearing him, he turned to look at Hu Fangyuan with a complicated expression.
At its root, this incident had started because this boy had beaten up someone's younger brother. Then again, Guang Long had been the first to cause trouble in the street and bully civilians, so there was nothing wrong with a student stepping in to help. Besides, when it really came down to it, Guang Biao and his men had caused a scene at the academy gates. They were the ones in the wrong.
"All right, it's over." Long Hengxu waved a hand and sighed. "You, too-show a little restraint next time you act. Don't hit so hard."
"Yes, Director Long. You're right to reprimand me." Hu Fangyuan nodded obediently, looking suitably chastened. "It was an urgent situation, and I misjudged my strength. I'll definitely be more careful next time."
His admission of fault was utterly sincere.
Seeing him like this, Long Hengxu could hardly say anything more. After all, the student had done nothing wrong. He could not very well punish him.
"All right, all right. Go back and rest. You have a match tomorrow." Long Hengxu waved him off.
"Yes, Director. I'll be going, then."
Hu Fangyuan bowed slightly once more, then turned and left.
Only after he was out of the teachers' sight did Hu Fangyuan straighten up and purse his lips.
Admit fault? What fault? Guang Long was bullying people in the street. He deserved that beating, with no redress.
Still, he had to keep up appearances. Leaving a good impression on the teachers could hardly hurt.
He left the academy gates and headed straight for the East Sea Trading Company in the city center.
The night deepened, and the soul-powered streetlamps on either side of the road lit up one after another, spilling warm yellow light over the pavement.
Hu Fangyuan walked briskly, making plans in his mind.
Tonight, he would wipe away his previous shame!
Yesterday, he had tried refining three Gu worms and failed twice, wasting quite a few materials. He had even drunk two bottles of Moonlight Dew to replenish his Spiritual Power, leaving him owing Gu Yue goods.
Tonight, no matter what, he would refine the remaining two Gu worms!
The Iron Skin Gu and the Brute Flesh Gu.
Together with the Copper Bone Gu from before and the newly refined Silver Tendon Gu.
Skin, flesh, tendons, and bones-the full set would be complete.
Then he could attempt Four-Image Combined Refinement and strive for the rank-three Four Symbols Iron Body Gu.
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