Chapter 372: The Duel Begins

**Chapter 355: The Duel Begins**

Mo Yu clutched her forehead, almost spitting out blood and fainting on the spot. "Cough, cough!" Zhang Xuan's taming method, which involved beating, was only suitable for savage beasts. Why was he lying on the ground tied up? Besides, the Golden-tailed Lion was restrained to prevent it from lashing out if it became too agitated from the beating. He was human; he just needed to remember not to fight back. The most critical part was when he declared, "Beat me!" Anyone unaware of the circumstances would surely mistake him for a masochist.

"Father, quickly get up..." Mo Yu's face was flushed crimson as she rushed over to help him up. In truth, Emperor Mo Tianxue couldn't be entirely blamed for his delusion. Having personally witnessed a savage beast, previously unable to advance, successfully reach the Grandmaster realm right before his eyes, he naturally wondered if he could achieve a similar breakthrough himself. A successful breakthrough for him would undoubtedly have a far greater impact and significantly strengthen the kingdom compared to a beast's advancement. Under constant pressure from the Lin family and Mo Hongyi for years, his spirit had been perpetually strained. Upon seeing a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough, he found it impossible to restrain himself.

"The beast has already broken through to the Grandmaster realm. I won't trouble you further. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now!" Zhang Xuan clarified that his beating method was only suitable for savage beasts, then cupped his fists and turned to exit. He could have helped the emperor achieve a breakthrough, but that would inevitably expose his identity, making it not worth the effort. Besides, he didn't even have spirit stones; where would he find such free time?

He had barely taken a few steps when a fragrant scent wafted towards him, and Princess Mo Yu caught up. "Zhang Xuan, I told you yesterday I'd take you to see a good show. Checking the time, it should be starting soon. Let's go together!"

"A good show? What exactly is it?" Zhang Xuan inquired.

"You'll know when we get there..." Princess Mo Yu replied, like a mischievous little fox.

"Alright!" Seeing she wouldn't elaborate, Zhang Xuan stopped asking questions, and the two walked side-by-side out of the royal palace.

At Tianwu Academy, Zhao Ya and the others arrived once more. Their previous visit had ended in a frustrating draw against that boastful girl. After returning, Zhao Ya had learned sword techniques from her grandteacher and had diligently practiced them for days. She was now absolutely confident she could defeat her opponent and force an apology!

"That woman only relies on powerful martial techniques," Zheng Yang scoffed. "Now that Zhao Ya has learned swordplay from our grandteacher, she's definitely no longer a match!"

"Exactly," Yuan Tao added with a sneer, "Daring to insult our teacher and not apologizing? She needs a good lesson!" Teacher Zhang's guidance had steadily strengthened their cultivation, and they revered him like a deity in their hearts. How could they not be angry when someone publicly questioned him and claimed their "Teacher Liu" was superior? "What Teacher Liu?" Zheng Yang muttered, "Can he even compare to the skin on Teacher Zhang's heel?"

Wang Ying also nodded, her cheeks puffed out. Though delicate, she would undoubtedly be the first to rush forward if anyone dared to insult Teacher Zhang.

They soon reached the designated dueling ground. The previously quiet platform was now bustling with spectators. Many students had come upon hearing the news, eager to see whose students were stronger: those of Teacher Zhang or the recently renowned Teacher Liu.

"That woman is here!" Zheng Yang exclaimed, pointing. Everyone looked, and indeed, Mu Xueqing, Meng Tao, and others were approaching from one side of the crowd. Mu Xueqing now exuded immense confidence. The blade techniques Teacher Liu had taught her, which she had tested, were exquisite and far more potent than any martial techniques she had practiced previously.

"That girl didn't originally know any martial techniques, only relying on her abundant true qi to barely draw with me," Mu Xueqing thought. "How can she possibly stand a chance now that I've learned such formidable techniques? Teacher Zhang isn't even in Tianwu Royal City, and even if he were, it's impossible for him to teach her a martial technique as powerful as my blade technique in just two or three days. So... she's definitely going to lose today!" The two girls' gazes met, and Mu Xueqing sneered inwardly.

"It seems both of them are very confident!" Liu Changyan, who had arrived early and positioned himself at the back of the crowd, noticed the two girls' expressions and his gaze sharpened.

"In three days, they must have both learned more powerful moves, intending to settle the score!" Zhao Wuxing, standing nearby, also looked solemn. Both were among the most formidable young experts, possessing astonishing insight. It was easily discernible that these two girls were focused, radiated strong confidence, and harbored remarkable pride.

"Who do you think will win this time?" Liu Changyan asked.

Zhao Wuxing hesitated before replying, "I think it will be Mu Xueqing!"

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, not only Liu Changyan but also several nearby students couldn't help but look over, eager to hear the explanation from the academy's top student.

"After learning that Teacher Liu perfectly solved the difficult wall and became the President of the Physician Guild, I specifically went to his class yesterday and happened to see Mu Xueqing performing her blade techniques..." Zhao Wuxing clenched his fist, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "Honestly, it was too formidable. Even if I faced it, I couldn't resist and would have to admit defeat!" The scene he witnessed yesterday still made his heart pound.

The day before yesterday, after overhearing Teacher Liu's conversation with Emperor Mo Tianxue, he had specifically sought information and only then realized how Teacher Liu had gained such immense fame immediately upon arriving in the Royal City. Filled with admiration, he had gone to the class yesterday and happened to see Mu Xueqing demonstrating the blade techniques she had just learned. A single slash descended like a gazelle's horn, leaving no trace, making it impossible to predict. He had studied it all night, only to realize, to his dismay, that even using all his abilities, he couldn't evade it. It was truly too powerful! Its subtlety absolutely surpassed any martial technique in Tianwu Academy! With her already strong personal power, and now having learned such a move, who could possibly defeat her?

"Senior Zhao admits defeat?"

"Doesn't that mean Mu Xueqing's current strength makes her the top student in all of Tianwu Academy?"

"This is too terrifying..." The crowd erupted in an uproar. Zhao Wuxing had dominated the academy for several years, serving as the goal and idol for countless students. For him to willingly admit today that he was inferior to Mu Xueqing would cause a huge stir if word got out.

"I don't agree with your conclusion!" Liu Changyan shook his head. "Although Mu Xueqing's blade techniques are powerful, I believe... she may not necessarily win today!"

Seeing his friend disagree, Zhao Wuxing looked at him.

"Whether Zhao Ya has improved in these three days, I don't know, but I've specifically inquired about Teacher Zhang's deeds these past few days. He has created countless miracles that are impossible for anyone to replicate!" Liu Changyan's face showed admiration. "He's under twenty, yet he passed the Master Teacher examination, breaking many of Mo Hongyi's records. At a young age, he became a three-star calligrapher and painter, renowned throughout the land, and his own cultivation has reached the Grandmaster realm... Most critically, I heard that he taught students like Zhao Ya for less than two months in total, with actual lessons only lasting about five or six days!"

"In such a short time, he enabled Zhao Ya and others, who came from the Tianxuan Kingdom, to fight Mu Xueqing to a draw... Don't you find that terrifying?"

"Taught for less than two months?"

"Actual lessons only five or six days?"

"Where did you get this information? Is it reliable?" Upon hearing this news, everyone was stunned. Tianxuan Kingdom? It was a remote, utterly backward corner! It was said that students there could enter the academy as mere Fighter 1-dan practitioners, and reaching the True Qi realm already made one a top expert among students! People from such a small place, trained for only five or six days of actual lessons, could become comparable to Mu Xueqing... "I didn't mishear, did I?"

Liu Changyan affirmed confidently, "I consulted a Master Teacher apprentice. She happened to be present during Teacher Zhang's Master Teacher examination and heard Teacher Zhang say this himself. It cannot be false!" The person who told him this news was his childhood friend, who would never lie.

"Teaching for five or six days to achieve such strength... in three days, Zhao Ya might truly undergo another complete transformation..." Zhao Wuxing nodded.

"Wait," someone interjected, "wasn't Teacher Zhang supposed to be out on a trial for his two-star Master Teacher examination, not in Tianwu Royal City?"

"That's right!" another agreed, "If he's not here and can't personally guide her, it might be difficult for Zhao Ya to defeat Mu Xueqing again!" This immediately drew agreement from others in the crowd.

"Even if Teacher Zhang isn't here, such a formidable Master Teacher might have left powerful techniques behind," someone argued. "Zhao Ya and the others are helping him win honor. If they lose, wouldn't that imply he's inferior to this Teacher Liu?"

"Teacher Zhang is a grand Master Teacher; how could he be inferior to Teacher Liu?"

"Teacher Liu isn't bad either, is he?" someone countered. "At a young age, he became the President of the Physician Guild, and his casual guidance allows students' cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds! If it weren't for his limited talent preventing him from taking the Master Teacher examination, why would Teacher Zhang be the one in the spotlight?"

"I still think Teacher Zhang is more formidable..." A single comment stirred up a thousand ripples, and everyone began to discuss animatedly. Some students were fans of Zhang Xuan, admiring him greatly, while others had been won over by Teacher Liu and wanted their academy's teacher to achieve a decisive victory. Everyone held their own opinion and refused to yield; even before Zhao Ya and Mu Xueqing began fighting, the crowd below was already engaged in a heated debate.

"Damn it!" Zheng Yang clenched his teeth, furious at the surrounding discussions. "How dare they say Teacher Liu is more formidable than Teacher Zhang? Zhao Ya, if you don't beat Mu Xueqing to a pulp today, I'll look down on you!" He already had a fiery temper; otherwise, he wouldn't have directly challenged the dueling platform back at Hongtian Academy upon hearing about Teacher Zhou Tian's unfair treatment. He had intended to uphold his teacher's reputation and make him more famous through this match, but now, with more than half the people supporting this "Teacher Liu," how could he possibly tolerate it?

"Don't worry!" Zhao Ya declared. "If I don't make her admit defeat, you won't even need to remind me; I'll go to Teacher Zhang myself and admit my mistake!" With a swift movement, Zhao Ya gripped her longsword, and a powerful aura emanated from her, giving her a cold and stunning presence. She parted the crowd, walking step by step towards the dueling platform. Soon, she stood proudly on the stage, as if she were the only one left in the entire world, and no one could contend with her. Her longsword slid from its sheath, emitting a mournful whistling sound in the air as she pointed it forward, her aura like a vibrant rainbow.

"Mu Xueqing, do you dare to fight me with weapons?"

"Why not!" Mu Xueqing responded with a sharp cry, leaping onto the dueling platform. Her long blade danced like a great dragon, emitting a mournful wail that instantly elevated her imposing aura.

The battle was imminent!