Chapter 1896: Yan's Smile

He had thought the other person was simply trying to train him, and if he couldn't hold on, the person would step in personally to prevent him from getting hurt. Unexpectedly, he encouraged his opponents instead. With that, the three opponents would surely use all their strength. How was he supposed to fight then?

It would be a miracle if he wasn't beaten to death!

He had believed this guy was here to save him, but he never expected him to dig such a huge pit.

Fan Xiaofeng's face was contorted with distress; he wanted to cry but couldn't.

"Don't dawdle. Do as I say, and you'll definitely win. Otherwise, if you get eliminated, don't blame me for not helping!" Zhang Xuan said, finding the other party's crestfallen expression both amusing and exasperating.

With his guidance, it would be difficult to lose!

"Alright!"

Seeing that the guy wasn't joking, Fan Xiaofeng cursed him countless times in his heart. Then, he took a deep breath and stepped forward with a solemn, almost tragic, expression.

At worst, he'd be eliminated. But once he left, he would definitely tell the patriarch everything that happened here, in full detail.

Knowing that it would be difficult for them to escape in front of Zhang Xuan, the leading youth and his companions exchanged glances, each revealing a ruthless determination.

Like three whirlwinds, they attacked simultaneously. In the blink of an eye, six arms appeared in the air before them, each carrying immense power, completely blocking all escape routes for Fan Xiaofeng—above, middle, and below.

These three opponents were already stronger than him. Now, cooperating and using their full strength, their power was boundless. Even an ordinary Great Sage First Realm expert would find it difficult to escape if they encountered this.

"I'm doomed..."

Fan Xiaofeng felt his entire body go cold. He had thought he would, at most, be severely injured. But given the current situation, simply surviving seemed like an extravagant hope.

Just as he was unable to resist and was about to close his eyes and await death, a faint telepathic message reached his ear.

"Do as I instruct: Third Form of the Footwork Technique, combined with the Fifth Move of the Enlightened Palm and the Second Move of the Seven-Skills Fist!"

The moment the voice entered his ear, he knew it was Fan Xiaoxu's words. Although he didn't know why the other party wanted him to perform these specific moves, he had no other way out now. Gritting his teeth, a fierce determination rose in his heart: "I'll go all out!"

Having progressed step by step through the family's rigorous assessments and endured countless hardships, his mind quickly calmed down in the blink of an eye. The three martial techniques played out slowly in his mind, and with a movement of his foot, his body began to move fluidly, like flowing clouds and water.

The Third Form of the Footwork Technique brought him into the blind spot of the three attackers. His left hand executed the Enlightened Palm, and his right hand the Seven-Skills Fist, both landing precisely on the chests of two youths nearby.

Bang! Bang!

Their jade tokens on their chests shattered. With expressions of disbelief, the two were enveloped by a special light and vanished from the spot.

"This..."

Fan Xiaofeng jumped in surprise, looking at his own hands as if they belonged to a monster. He had thought he would be beaten to death on the spot. He never expected that, by following the other person's instructions, with just one move, he not only broke through the encirclement but also eliminated his opponents.

When did he become so formidable himself?

"You, you..."

Seeing his companions vanish instantly, the leading youth showed alarm. Forgetting about attacking, he instinctively retreated. Fan Xiaofeng's previous move, both in its timing and his reaction to the battle, was perfect, allowing him to eliminate two people in one go. To achieve this in such a short time, even he was far inferior!

Just over ten breaths ago, he was still at their mercy. In the blink of an eye, he had reached this level. Could it really be that he was doing exactly as that guy instructed? He couldn't help but look at the young man sitting on the rock not far away, and a storm surged in his heart.

Just a casual pointer, and such immense progress. How strong was this guy, really?

"Eliminate this guy!" Zhang Xuan said, interrupting Fan Xiaofeng's shock.

"Yes!"

If he had harbored any doubts before, now Fan Xiaofeng was filled with unconditional admiration. Full of excitement, he advanced again, came before the leading youth, spread his five fingers, and chopped down through the air.

The two fought again. This time, Zhang Xuan didn't let him win quickly. Instead, he guided him, breaking down the opponent's attacks and then letting him choose the best way to counter them.

At first, Fan Xiaofeng was a bit unpracticed, and his thoughts couldn't keep up. But after more than ten moves, he was already at ease. The leading youth, whom he previously couldn't even hope to rival, was no longer a match for him.

Thump, thump, thump!

The leading youth's jade token on his chest was shattered by a single tap. With a face full of unwillingness, his body was enveloped by a teleportation formation and quickly vanished before the two of them.

"Xiaoxu..."

Seeing that he had actually defeated a Half-Step Great Sage with his own strength, Fan Xiaofeng's face was filled with disbelief. He looked at the young man before him again, his face full of admiration. No wonder he had said they should wait. He hadn't expected that after not sparring for a few days, he had already reached such a level.

Just as he was about to say a few words of gratitude, he saw the young man on the rock wave his hand, turn his head, and look at the mountain stream not far away, a smile on his face: "Everyone, you've watched long enough, haven't you? Isn't it time to come out?"

Clap, clap, clap!

As he finished speaking, applause rang out, and then seven people emerged from the shadows of the mountain stream. Seeing that so many people were hidden nearby, and they appeared to be working together, Fan Xiaofeng's heart sank, and his face turned slightly pale. Only then did he understand why Xiaoxu had remained still earlier. He must have detected the presence of others long ago and had been on guard the entire time.

"With just guidance, you allowed this ordinary-cultivation fellow to defeat three people in a row. Fan Xiaoxu, I didn't expect that after so many years, you've reached such a level! Very good, now you're qualified to join us!"

The young man walking at the front was dressed in white; the applause had come from him.

"It's... Yan Yixiao, descendant of Ancient Sage Ziyuan!"

Recognizing the person, Fan Xiaofeng's body went cold, as if plunged into an ice cellar. "The strongest participant in this assessment, bar none..." For the annual assessment of the Grand Tutor Hall, many people would inquire beforehand to find out who was participating. Among all the participants, the one he least wanted to see was definitely this person before him. Ancient Sage Ziyuan, the foremost among Confucius's seventy-two sages, was truly the senior disciple. Even Ancient Sage Ran Qiu, who was first in combat prowess, had to obey his words and dared not defy him. This Yan Yixiao before them was precisely his descendant, and renowned among the younger generation! He hadn't expected to encounter him here.

"Join you?" Zhang Xuan, however, showed no shock at the opponent's presence, nor any realization that this person was the top expert. Instead, he looked over with a leisurely expression.

"Indeed. These individuals here are all those I deem worthy. And you, I've also taken a liking to. Join us, and together we'll eliminate the others!" With his hands clasped behind his back, Yan Yixiao spoke indifferently, his tone carrying an unquestionable dominance.

"My apologies, but I don't wish to be 'taken a liking to,' nor do I wish to join..." Seeing the man's narcissism, Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered to say more.

"Brother Yan asking you to join is him thinking highly of you. Don't be ungrateful. If you don't agree, do you believe we'll eliminate you right now, leaving you no other chance?" a youth behind Yan Yixiao burst out, no longer able to hold back, seeing his attitude.