Chapter 1402: You Are Not

Unlike the deserted state of the other halls, the Hall of Rites was bustling with people, filled with cultivators.

While the Master Teacher Continent was home to a dazzling array of professions, shining brightly like stars, the most critical aspect for cultivators was still combat prowess. As such, combat remained their highest priority. The Hall of Rites, being a venue for students to spar and fight, attracted countless people daily who came to duel and enhance their cultivation through practical combat.

Following closely behind Feng Ziyi, they soon arrived at a separate grand hall. The spacious hall was divided into numerous dueling stages, each enclosed by transparent light barriers, resembling glass walls, erected with immense power.

"Teacher Fei and the others are over there..." Feng Ziyi pointed forward.

Zhang Xuan looked and indeed saw Teacher Fei, Zhang Xu, and others standing in front of a dueling stage. As they approached, Zhang Xuan saw two people dueling. Recognizing their figures, he smiled slightly, realizing they were both old acquaintances: Chen Leyao and Zhang Zhuo!

The last time, Zhang Zhuo had been knocked unconscious and slapped in the face, suffering immense humiliation. After days of recovery, his strength had not only returned but had even surpassed his previous level. Unable to hold back any longer, he challenged Chen Leyao to a fight, intending to take his revenge personally.

Within the light barrier, true qi surged and power churned as both individuals unleashed a flurry of techniques, appearing evenly matched for a time.

"Not bad!" Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction after a brief glance.

Chen Leyao had broken through to the Domain realm under his guidance twenty days ago. He had expected her cultivation to be somewhat unstable after such a short period, but to his surprise, it had fully stabilized, and with her current cultivation, she was in no way inferior to Zhang Zhuo. It seemed she hadn't been idle these past twenty-plus days and had fully assimilated his guidance.

"Teacher Zhang, who do you think will win?" As he mused, a voice rang out. He turned his head to see Zhang Xu, ranked second in the Elite Class, looking at him. Previously, Zhang Xu hadn't paid much attention to this minor figure who had barely made it into the class. However, after witnessing him guide Chen Leyao to a breakthrough, he realized that the other party possessed extraordinary strength and insight, sparking a desire to win him over.

"They..." Just as he was about to answer, Zhang Xuan suddenly paused, then turned his head and asked, "Did you guide Zhang Zhuo's cultivation?"

He had seen Zhang Zhuo fight twenty days ago. Although his cultivation was decent, his combat techniques were significantly lacking. It was precisely for this reason that Chen Leyao, under his guidance, had managed to defeat him. Given Zhang Zhuo's previous state, even Feng Ziyi would find it difficult to improvise and win, let alone guide others to achieve such a feat. This person, who was originally quite ordinary in combat, was now fighting neck-and-neck with the breakthrough Chen Leyao, with no clear winner in sight. It was likely greatly due to Zhang Xu.

"I guided him for five minutes!" Zhang Xu said indifferently, his hands clasped behind his back, a proud expression on his face.

The person before him (Zhang Xuan) had guided Chen Leyao for five minutes, enabling her to break through and defeat Zhang Zhuo. Not wanting to take an unfair advantage, he had also guided Zhang Zhuo for five minutes. With the same amount of guidance time, he wanted to prove that he was stronger and had sharper insight than Zhang Xuan.

"To increase cultivation this much in five minutes is indeed impressive..." Zhang Xuan nodded.

As expected of the second-ranked individual this time, closely trailing Feng Ziyi with little difference, this Zhang Xu also didn't seem to be an ordinary person. Although he still lacked the profound foundation and experience of Zhang Chun and Zhang Feng, in terms of both talent and insight, he was already no weaker than them. No wonder the Zhang Clan was known as the foremost clan; even though he didn't particularly like Zhang Xu, Zhang Xuan had to admit that the clan indeed produced astonishing geniuses.

"So? Who do you think will win?" Zhang Xu looked over again and pressed.

"Zhang Zhuo has made great progress, but Chen Leyao has also improved significantly. Twenty days ago, she managed to defeat him, and this time, the difference shouldn't be great..." With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan nodded.

When he guided Chen Leyao previously, he had already pointed out Zhang Zhuo's flaws. Although Zhang Zhuo had improved during this period, many ingrained habits were still difficult to change. As long as she wasn't foolish, it wouldn't be difficult for her to rediscover those flaws and overcome him.

"Last time was luck; this time, I'm afraid she won't be so fortunate..." With his hands still clasped behind his back, Zhang Xu spoke with a face full of confidence. In his view, Chen Leyao's previous victory was due to Zhang Xuan having thoroughly investigated Zhang Zhuo, thus gaining an advantage. This time, he had thoroughly investigated Chen Leyao and given her targeted guidance. It would be almost impossible for her to win again!

Zhang Xuan shook his head. In truth, he didn't care who won. Sometimes, the lessons gained from defeat were more valuable than those from victory. Just like himself, having fought many battles, he secretly longed for a single defeat against an opponent of the same cultivation level... Unfortunately, no one could grant him this simplest wish, leaving him with a sigh.

Crack! Crack! As he mused, Zhang Zhuo on the dueling stage seemed to unleash a secret technique again. His aura surged, and his strength became somewhat alarming. Chen Leyao, who had previously been able to match him, now continuously dodged, appearing somewhat overwhelmed. She retreated repeatedly and was soon cornered on one side of the stage. It seemed her defeat was now inevitable.

"No need to watch anymore; the outcome is decided!" Seeing Chen Leyao struggle and lose all initiative, Zhang Xu's lips curved upward.

"Yes, the outcome is decided..." Zhang Xuan nodded.

What he saw was different from Zhang Xu. Although Chen Leyao was forced into a corner, every step she took was incredibly steady, as if she were deliberately luring her opponent deeper. Zhang Zhuo, though appearing to be on the offensive, had actually lost his composure, and the secret technique he used had a time limit. Comparing the two, the winner and loser were already clear. It had to be said that Chen Leyao had indeed not wasted her time during this period; she had committed all his guidance to heart and even developed a deeper understanding. She hadn't let down his efforts in nurturing her.

"Teacher Zhang, there's no need to worry about your power being too strong and damaging the building here. Please proceed!" Just as both had their answers and felt the outcome would soon be decided, a voice rang out. Feng Ziyi had already arrived above another dueling stage, holding a long sword and looking at Zhang Xuan with blazing battle intent in his eyes.

"Feng Ziyi is going to challenge Zhang Xuan?" "Teacher Zhang is ranked last in the Elite Class. Even if his insight is good and his guidance ability isn't weak, his own strength is only at the Out-of-Body realm. For a genius like Feng Ziyi to challenge him, isn't that a bit like bullying?" "Yeah, what's going on?" The surroundings erupted in an uproar.

Feng Ziyi was the most dazzling among all the geniuses. Many considered him a hypothetical enemy, hoping to surpass him one day, but they also knew the chances were slim... They had expected that if he were to challenge anyone, it would be Zhang Xu or other top-ranked individuals. Why challenge the last-ranked person? Winning would be an unfair victory and would diminish his prestige!

"Brother Feng... if you wish to fight, I can accompany you..." Frowning, Zhang Xu looked over.

"You are not my opponent!" Feng Ziyi waved his hand.

"How would you know without trying?" Narrowing his eyes, Zhang Xu gritted his teeth and leaped onto the elevated stage. When they were clearing the mountain gate, Feng Ziyi had ranked first, which had already filled Zhang Xu with pent-up frustration. Now, being told directly that he was no match, he could no longer hold back. "I am a dignified second-ranked, and you don't challenge me, but instead challenge someone ranked fiftieth... If that's the case, then I'll let you know my capabilities!"

Boom! While still in mid-air, his power surged forth. His five fingers, like hooks, pressed downwards, enveloping the entire dueling stage, as if intending to crush the figure in the very center. He feared that the other party would refuse the fight, so he immediately unleashed his most powerful technique, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"Hmm..." Seeing his power, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but nod. It seemed that not only had Feng Ziyi's cultivation surged, but Zhang Xu's progress was also significant. He had already reached the peak of the Domain realm, just a step away from breaking through to the Void-Amalgamation realm. As expected of the strongest genius from the Zhang Clan this generation; in every aspect, he appeared immensely powerful.

"I told you, you are no match!" Facing his attack, Feng Ziyi didn't even lift an eyelid. Instead, he turned his body slightly and powerfully met the incoming palm.

"Stop being so arrogant! Your talent is high, but I am also a genius in a million. It's not yet decided who will win..." Seeing his arrogance, Zhang Xu was so enraged he was almost exploding. With a roar, his internal power surged madly, and his palm force swept out, seemingly intending to crush the entire dueling stage into dust.

However, before this power could reach Feng Ziyi, Zhang Xu felt the other party's palm strike cut across, breaking through his power blockade in the blink of an eye and landing on his chest. His face turned pale, and with an expression of utter disbelief, he was sent flying backward, falling headfirst from the air and landing on the ground not far away. In the eyes of outsiders, he hadn't even fully landed on the stage before being slapped away by the other party, like a swatting fly, offering no resistance.

"A genius in a million?" After slapping the opponent away, Feng Ziyi shook his head, spread his hands, and with a sigh in his eyes, said, "Clearly, you are not!"