Chapter 129: The Battle of Body Cultivators (Part I)

Xu Xuan kept a watchful eye on the burly man. The aura emanating from this person was distinct from that of an ordinary immortal cultivator, yet it carried fluctuations similar to spiritual energy. More importantly, the strength of his physical body surpassed that of any other cultivator Xu Xuan had encountered in this current life.

"Brother Xu, are you settling in well at our clan? If you have any requests, please do not hesitate to voice them." Zhang Feng was exceptionally hospitable and even offered to show Xu Xuan around Huanglong City.

"I am much obliged, Brother Zhang; everything is quite satisfactory..."

In the course of their conversation, Xu Xuan briefly mentioned the other disciples of the Wind Feather Sect, expressing a hope that the Zhang clan might provide them with some care. During their exchange, the several individuals accompanying Zhang Feng dared not speak out of turn.

Lin Hui, who had been sitting quietly to the side, finally seized an opportunity to interject. With a smile that did not quite reach his eyes, he said, "Immortal Practitioner Xu, last time at the Qiongyu Pavilion, you mentioned you were quite interested in our clan's guest body cultivator. I have taken the liberty of bringing him here today."

"Oh?"

Xu Xuan’s gaze instinctively shifted toward the burly man. A flash of brilliance crossed the man’s eyes as he surged with a rustic yet powerful momentum. By the look of it, his cultivation level had actually reached the eighth level of Qi Refining.

"A body cultivator? I recall that Brother Xu has quite an accomplishment in body tempering yourself," Zhang Feng remarked, showing a hint of genuine interest.

"This friend of mine is named Fang Gang. He is a third-rank guest of the clan and a body cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Having heard of Guest Practitioner Xu's reputation, he, too, has become quite interested." Lin Hui stood up with a smile and gestured to introduce him.

"Fang Gang greets Guest Practitioner Xu."

The burly man’s voice was resonant. He cupped his hands in a salute and said in a deep tone, "I have heard that your accomplishments in body tempering are extraordinary and that you have gained the favor of the Young Master. As a fellow body cultivator, I would like to request some pointers."

Zhang Feng and the others looked on in astonishment; it was clear that Fang Gang was unconvinced and had come specifically to challenge Xu Xuan. A hint of schadenfreude flickered in Lin Hui’s eyes. He thought to himself, *No matter how strong you are in body tempering, you are surely no match for a true body cultivator.*

"A body cultivator? That doesn't seem quite right..." Xu Xuan stared at him for a moment, shaking his head slightly with a frown. Although the man’s physical strength was formidable, based on Xu Xuan's understanding of the path of body cultivation, he did not seem to qualify as a true practitioner.

Fang Gang’s expression darkened with anger. "As a second-rank guest, you need not resort to such excuses even if you fear my challenge." He emphasized the words "second-rank guest" with biting intensity, his eyes filled with hidden resentment and jealousy. As a body cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining, he felt humiliated to be ranked beneath this man; if he could defeat him, perhaps he would gain the Young Master's favor.

"Fang Gang, Guest Practitioner Xu does not wish to spar; how can you force him?" Lin Hui scolded, then shook his head with a sigh. "It is all my fault for taking Guest Practitioner Xu's words from last time at face value..."

At these words, the other two clan disciples accompanying them looked at Xu Xuan with thinly veiled contempt. Lin Hui and Fang Gang had deliberately arranged this challenge before the Young Master; regardless of whether Xu Xuan accepted and lost, or refused out of fear, his standing in the eyes of the Young Master and the Young Lady would be tarnished.

Xu Xuan’s gaze swept over Lin Hui and Fang Gang without a trace of emotion. He understood their intentions perfectly and said calmly, "Who said I would not accept a spar? This is the first time I have encountered a body cultivator; how could I miss such an opportunity?"

"Excellent, excellent! Guest Practitioner Xu is truly a man of bold character; no wonder you have earned the Young Master's favor." A flicker of joy passed through Lin Hui’s eyes as he quickly stood up. "I trust you all would not want to miss this opportunity, either."

Zhang Feng, showing genuine interest, nodded. "Since Brother Xu is willing, let us all go out and observe the match."

The people in the room, filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement, filed out of the Green Mountain Residence.

"Senior Brother."

Yu Qin’s slender figure emerged from the spiritual pavilion, her clear eyes reflecting a touch of anxiety. Seeing such a pure and flawless young girl appear at Xu Xuan’s residence, the group’s eyes lit up as they secretly appraised her.

"And who might this be?" Zhang Feng asked in surprise.

"This is my fellow junior sect sister, Yu Qin." Xu Xuan introduced her with a smile.

Upon learning that Yu Qin possessed superior-grade spiritual roots, Zhang Feng looked astonished. "A talent of such caliber should be nurtured with all the clan's resources! Why didn't you tell me sooner, Brother Xu? Could it be that you feared we might snatch your junior sister away? Hahaha..."

The others shared a knowing, ambiguous smile, causing Yu Qin to blush and lower her head. When she had first entered the sect, she was just a girl of thirteen or fourteen. Now, after more than half a year, she had clearly matured; her figure was graceful and lithe, and she had grown increasingly beautiful and pure.

A flicker of jealousy crossed Lin Hui’s eyes. *How is it that this Xu Xuan is so blessed by heaven? Not only does he have the favor of the Young Master and the attention of the Young Lady, but he also lives with such a peerless beauty. In time, she might even rival the most beautiful woman in Huanglong.*

Fang Gang also felt a surge of indignation. As a body cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining, he was far superior in strength, yet in terms of status and other aspects, he could only look up to this man with envy. With this thought, he steeled himself: during the upcoming spar, he would surely humiliate this man in public, win the Young Master's favor, and capture the interest of the beauty.

The group arrived at an outdoor training field within the clan. The field was over fifty meters in length and width, and its size drew many clan disciples who were currently sparring nearby.

"Look, the Young Master is over there. It seems someone is about to spar." The nearby disciples swarmed over, their faces filled with curiosity.

Soon, Fang Gang’s burly, robust frame strode steadily into the arena, his eyes filled with fighting spirit as he locked his gaze on Xu Xuan below.

"Senior Brother, be careful." Yu Qin had followed along, her eyes filled with worry.

"Heh, do you not trust your Senior Brother's strength?" Xu Xuan smiled lightly and walked into the arena with unhurried steps.

The two stood ten yards apart, facing each other. By now, over a hundred clan disciples had gathered, all watching with bated breath. Just then, several figures arrived on flying artifacts from the distance.

"Look, it's the Young Lady!"

A buzz of excitement rippled through the disciples outside the arena as they turned their eyes toward Zhang Yuhan and her party descending from the sky. When Zhang Yuhan’s exceptionally beautiful and elegant figure touched down before the arena, a momentary silence fell over the crowd. Many held their breath, stunned by the breathtaking presence of the "First Beauty of Huanglong."

"Who is Fang Gang’s opponent? To think this match has attracted the attention of the Young Lady." Many disciples cast sideways glances.

"He's a new face. Must be one of the newcomers."

"A newcomer... could it be the one who arrived from the Wind Feather Sect a few days ago? They say he earned the favor of the Young Master and the Young Lady, and despite having only a low level of Qi Refining, he was made a second-rank guest of the clan."

"What! A Qi Refining practitioner becoming a second-rank guest? That hasn't happened in the clan for decades."

The crowd’s attention returned to the arena as many secretly appraised Xu Xuan. Among the crowd, even some Immortal Practitioners at the Spirit Refinement stage were watching silently.

In the arena, Fang Gang felt a surge of excitement. He had not expected the Young Lady to personally observe this match. In that case, he would have to put on a stellar performance and win convincingly.

"Guest Practitioner Xu, I am coming for you." Fang Gang could hardly wait.

Xu Xuan nodded, his expression calm as he continued to study his opponent. Fang Gang took a deep breath, and his tall, brawny frame gradually began to emit a dense, oppressive force. As he exerted his strength, his muscles bulged, taking on a metallic, copper-like hue. He stood there like an immovable iron statue.

"That is the clan’s guest, Fang Gang. I hear he is the only body cultivator in the family," someone whispered below.

Xu Xuan’s expression shifted slightly. The intensity and force the man possessed were not to be underestimated; even a practitioner at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining would face a nightmare if he were to get close. Since the opponent was a dedicated body cultivator with eighth-level strength, his power might even exceed his own. Xu Xuan had already prepared himself mentally.

"Hah!"

Fang Gang let out a sudden roar like a thunderclap, emitting a violent aura as he charged forward like a fierce tiger.

*Thump!*

Fang Gang vaulted into the air, driving a punch down toward Xu Xuan.

*Boom!*

The punch created a low, vibrating sound in the air that made one’s heart jump. Xu Xuan stood his ground, slightly crouching, with no intention of dodging.

"A body cultivator’s strength is peerless. Is this guy actually going to take that attack head-on?" The crowd was stunned, their eyes glued to Xu Xuan’s relatively slender frame.

Fang Gang’s fist closed in on Xu Xuan. Seeing it was inches away, a flicker of glee appeared in his eyes; he seemed to have already tasted victory. But just as the force of the punch was about to strike him, Xu Xuan finally moved. He struck out with a palm, swift as lightning and decisive in its execution.

*Clap-Boom!*

Fist and palm met, producing a metallic, stone-crushing resonance. In an instant, an invisible wave of force swept outward. This posture held for half a breath; Fang Gang, still in mid-air, saw his pupils contract in sheer shock.

*Bang!*

The next moment, Fang Gang was sent flying several yards back, stumbling upon landing. Xu Xuan also retreated four or five steps, leaving a trail of inch-deep footprints; the deepest one sank half a foot into the ground, causing the earth around it to crack and spiderweb.

Taking that blow head-on had sent Xu Xuan’s blood roiling, causing him immense discomfort; it felt as though he had been struck by an iron hammer.

On the other side, Fang Gang looked completely incredulous. "How can this be... how can this boy’s strength be so terrifying?"

Many disciples outside the arena were dumbstruck. As the clan’s only body cultivator with eighth-level strength, Fang Gang was essentially the unrivaled master of power within the Qi Refining stage. Yet, here was an unknown youth, whose frame seemed well-proportioned rather than bulky, possessing such strength. More importantly, Xu Xuan’s cultivation level was two tiers lower than his own.

In this first exchange, both had relied solely on raw power. Fang Gang wore a grave expression. He took a deep breath, and a strand of unusual spiritual energy emanated from his body, fusing with his flesh and blood to generate an astonishing force. The aura he projected was enough to move even practitioners at higher stages of Qi Refining.

"He's getting serious now!" The crowd below was filled with anticipation.

Watching from afar, Zhang Yuhan’s beautiful eyes shone with intrigue. In her field of vision, the youth remained steady and calm, his face betraying not even a ripple of emotion.