Chapter 1046: Just Held Back Earlier

Unlike the admiration of others, Zhang Xuan simply smiled after leaving the Artifact Forgers' Guild.

He had originally only intended to save a suicidal person and prevent an innocent life from perishing. He never expected to inadvertently fulfill his commitment to the Golden Origin Cauldron, significantly increasing its power, and even gain a talented artifact forger as a student. It could be said that this trip was definitely worthwhile. As for how Sun Jin would be dealt with, it no longer concerned him. Since he had personally exposed the man's true colors, it was clear that a painful price awaited him; the death penalty would certainly be unavoidable. While he didn't enjoy taking lives, he wouldn't object if such a deceitful teacher faced severe punishment. When Zhang Xuan first arrived in this world, he had an 'it's none of my business' attitude, not caring what others did as long as it didn't concern him. Now, however, he had transformed into a true Master Teacher, bearing heavy responsibilities.

"Oh, right, I wonder if Teacher Luo is angry. I should go back and check quickly..."

Just as he was about to return to his lodging, he suddenly remembered that he had inadvertently offended Luo Ruoxi earlier that evening. He slapped his forehead and hurried towards her residence. He had finally managed to bridge the gap between them and didn't want to be estranged again because of this. Why was he so impulsive, grabbing her hand like that? He wondered if she resented him for it.

Filled with apprehension, Zhang Xuan quickened his pace. Soon, Luo Ruoxi's courtyard appeared before him. Before he even reached the entrance, he saw a young man walking straight towards him. It was Feng Xun, the aggressive individual from the Combat Master Hall who constantly sought to spar with him! This guy was always bothered by the Combat Master Hall's loss to the Master Teacher Academy, and he'd challenge Zhang Xuan to a duel whenever he had a chance, giving Zhang Xuan a massive headache. Seeing him approach, Zhang Xuan was about to find a place to hide when he saw Feng Xun's eyes gleaming with fervent intensity.

"Dean Zhang, do you dare to spar with me? I'll suppress my cultivation to match yours!" he roared.

"I..." Zhang Xuan's face was conflicted. He was in a hurry to apologize to Luo Ruoxi, but judging by Feng Xun's demeanor, it seemed impossible to leave without fighting him! Before, the guy would respect his position and wouldn't force a fight if he disagreed. But today, he seemed to have taken some wrong medicine, insisting on a duel, which left Zhang Xuan feeling helpless.

"Alright, if you suppress your cultivation, I'll spar with you, but we'll stop before anyone gets seriously hurt..." Seeing his determined attitude, Zhang Xuan knew it was unavoidable sooner or later. No longer declining, he waved his hand and said indifferently.

"Good!" Upon hearing Zhang Xuan agree, Feng Xun's eyes lit up. His bones seemed to shift as his cultivation dropped from Saint 3-dan pinnacle to Half-Saint pinnacle. Boom! With a roar, he charged towards Zhang Xuan.

Let's rewind to when Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi parted ways.

The girl's face was slightly flushed as she hurried back to her lodging. She had always been solitary since childhood and had never interacted with a man her age. Being touched by him suddenly left her flustered and unsure what to do. After walking a short distance, she couldn't help but look back, only to find that Zhang Xuan hadn't followed. She frowned, clearly displeased. She had seen foolish people, but never one quite so foolish. She was just shy, not truly angry. Anyone with a bit of common sense would have surely chased after her to apologize and seize the opportunity to improve their relationship, allowing her to gracefully resolve the awkwardness. But this guy... he just disappeared. What a pig-headed fool! The dining place was only a ten-minute walk from her lodging, yet she had walked for nearly an hour without seeing any sign of him, her pretty face flushed with anger.

"Teacher Luo!"

Before she even reached her lodging, she saw Teacher Mu waiting outside.

"Hmm? What is it?" She frowned.

"It's like this, we just received information that there might be a King from the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe infiltrating this ancient ruin, so... Teacher Luo, would it be possible for you not to enter?" Teacher Mu said, hesitating slightly.

"What? Do you intend to order me around?" Luo Ruoxi's face darkened.

"I... I wouldn't dare!" Teacher Mu was startled.

"Good that you wouldn't dare!" Luo Ruoxi waved her hand, and just as she was about to push the door open, she heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind. A young man walked over. It was indeed Feng Xun from the Combat Master Hall. From the moment he first saw Luo Ruoxi, he was utterly captivated by her divine beauty. He had always wanted an opportunity to approach her, but she never gave him any chance. Thinking about entering the ancient ruin tomorrow and uncertain if he would return alive, he could no longer hold back and rushed over.

"Teacher Luo..." he couldn't help but call out, seeing the girl's back. Although Luo Ruoxi had disguised her appearance, Feng Xun couldn't see through it. Even disguised, she was still a beauty among hundreds, no less stunning than Hu Yaoyao and others, so it was no wonder he was mesmerized by her.

"I have something to tell you..."

Luo Ruoxi turned her head. "Speak."

"Here?" Feng Xun glanced at Teacher Mu not far away, then at their current location, feeling awkward.

Seeing that he was unwilling to speak, Luo Ruoxi didn't bother to press him and was about to push the door open and enter the courtyard.

"Alright... I'll say it!" Knowing it would be difficult to speak once she entered her residence, Feng Xun gritted his teeth. "I don't know why, but the moment I first saw you, I was captivated... Teacher Luo, would you consider accompanying me on the path of cultivation?" He was always straightforward in his actions and unwilling to hide his feelings, so he spoke directly without any concealment.

"See him out!" She had wondered what he wanted to say. Hearing his words, Luo Ruoxi waved her hand and stepped into the courtyard.

"Teacher Luo... I haven't finished..." He didn't expect her to say nothing and just turn to leave. Feng Xun anxiously tried to rush forward, but after only one step, he was blocked by Teacher Mu.

"Combat Master Feng, please leave!"

"I..." Feng Xun was filled with anxiety.

"Enough. Teacher Luo wouldn't even let you through the door; that already expresses her attitude. Don't you understand?" Seeing his persistence, Teacher Mu frowned.

It was as if cold water had been poured over Feng Xun. Indeed, he had spoken his mind, yet she still hadn't let him in, which clearly showed her stance: she simply didn't like him. Continuing to pester her would only bring self-humiliation.

"My apologies for disturbing you..." Realizing this, he was filled with disappointment and walked back with a crestfallen expression. He hadn't gone far when he saw Zhang Xuan hurrying over. "This guy seems quite close to Teacher Luo... Did she reject me because of him?" A thought sprang to mind, and he could no longer restrain himself. He swayed, blocking Zhang Xuan's path, thus leading to the scene they had encountered earlier.

Zhang Xuan naturally had no idea that Feng Xun had rushed over to confess his feelings to Luo Ruoxi. At that moment, seeing Feng Xun suppress his cultivation to match his own, Zhang Xuan felt extremely embarrassed. To be honest, fighting at the same cultivation level... was simply too much like bullying! However, since the guy had made such a request, not fulfilling it... would be even more embarrassing!

"Lie down for me!" Roaring, Feng Xun came forward, extending his fist and charging straight ahead. He had previously heard from Liao Chong and others that this person had an extremely profound understanding of martial arts. Competing in technique would definitely not work; it was better to go for maximum speed! Among all martial arts, speed is paramount! His greatest strength was speed. As long as he pushed it to its limits, combined with his far superior combat awareness, he didn't believe he couldn't win! His fist carried immense oppressive force, as if it would burst the air, and in the blink of an eye, it was before Zhang Xuan. He had expected the guy in front of him to panic at his incredible speed, but instead, he found him... yawning with a helpless expression.

At such a crucial moment in combat, instead of dodging or counterattacking, he yawned? What did he mean by that? As he wondered, he saw Zhang Xuan finish his yawn and then swat his palm down, treating him like an insatiably greedy fly. *Whack!* He was sent tumbling backward, his face flushed red from the slap. The other party's palm seemed to possess some magical power; no matter how he tried to dodge, he couldn't evade it.

"Damn it!" As a dignified Combat Master, being slapped away was incredibly humiliating. Just as he was about to charge again, he saw Zhang Xuan wave his hand with a helpless expression: "How about we just stop here? Let's not fight anymore..."

"The victor hasn't been decided yet, so how can we stop?" Seeing Zhang Xuan's attitude as if he were granting a favor, Feng Xun grew even angrier and charged again with a roar. The next moment, he was grabbed by the neck with Zhang Xuan's left hand, while the right hand ceaselessly slapped his face. The moment after that, Feng Xun was lying on the ground, with Zhang Xuan astride his back, slapping him left and right as if fluffing cotton. And the moment after that, the talented Combat Master was lying on the ground, clutching his head, while Zhang Xuan stood in front, continuously kicking him.

"Alright, I think you should concede defeat like this..." Ten minutes later, looking at Feng Xun, who was swollen all over and had no unblemished spot, Zhang Xuan couldn't bring himself to continue. Although he had held back, the opponent was simply too weak, and fighting him offered no sense of accomplishment.

Ignoring him, Zhang Xuan shook his head, knocked on the door, and entered Luo Ruoxi's courtyard. The girl was still awake, standing in the main hall, seemingly lost in thought, while Teacher Mu stood respectfully not far from her.

"Just now, I..." Hesitating, Zhang Xuan wasn't sure how to begin.

"Please leave! I need to rest..." Luo Ruoxi waved her hand.

"Uh..." Seeing that he was dismissed the moment he arrived, Zhang Xuan didn't know what to do and instinctively looked at Teacher Mu.

"Martial Uncle, Feng Xun just confessed his feelings and was sent away. Teacher Luo is in a bad mood..." Teacher Mu hesitated, then offered a subtle hint.

"Confessed?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"Yes!" Teacher Mu nodded.

"Wait a moment, I'll be right back!" Stamping his foot, Zhang Xuan strode out.

"Wait a moment?" Teacher Mu was stunned.

"Yes, I held back a bit when I fought Feng Xun just now. I'll go back and give him another beating..."

Zhang Xuan walked out, and it wasn't long before the agonizing screams of the talented Combat Master from the Combat Master Hall echoed from outside the courtyard. He had already been badly beaten earlier and hadn't had time to leave. At that moment, how could he possibly stand against a vigorous Zhang Xuan?

"This is against the rules..." Teacher Mu muttered, blinking his eyes.

Before he finished speaking, he saw the girl not far away, her eyes curving into crescent moons, unable to hold back a burst of laughter.