Wei Tianhao straightened his back, anger clearly visible in his eyes.
"No more holding back!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Wei Tianhao's aura exploded outward.
Boom!
A powerful wave of Qi surged from his body, rippling across the ground like a shockwave.
Dust and loose gravel were thrown into the air as the pressure descended upon the crowd.
Several weaker students staggered back, faces pale.
"This aura—!"
"He's serious now!"
"Two-Star Disciple… full power!"
Wei Tianhao stood at the center of the storm, spiritual energy swirling violently around him, his presence towering and oppressive.
He locked his gaze onto Li Fengyuan, lips curling into a savage grin.
"Now," Wei Tianhao said coldly, "let's see how long you can keep dodging."
Wei Tianhao's aura roared as he shot forward once more.
This time, his speed increased drastically.
The ground shattered beneath each step.
His fist cut through the air with a deafening crack, Qi spiraling violently around his arm like a coiling dragon.
Li Fengyuan's eyes sharpened.
He moved.
But unlike before—
He had to focus.
Wei Tianhao's strike brushed past his shoulder, the force alone tearing his sleeve and sending a sharp sting across his skin.
Another punch followed immediately.
Li Fengyuan twisted his torso at the last possible instant, the wind pressure grazing his ribs hard enough to make his breath hitch.
Wei Tianhao didn't slow down. His attacks came like a storm—relentless, explosive, fueled by raging Qi.
Li Fengyuan retreated half a step.
Then another.
His movements were still precise and fluid.
But no longer effortless.
The pressure had multiplied.
A sweeping kick came low.
Li Fengyuan leapt back—but the Qi burst from the strike caught him midair, forcing him to land harder than intended. The stone beneath his feet cracked.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"He's still dodging?!"
"Not for long. Moreover, Wei Tianhao only needs one punch to knock out Li Fengyuan."
Wei Tianhao's grin widened savagely.
"Let's see how long you last!"
Another barrage descended.
Li Fengyuan narrowed his eyes.
(Should I use Qi?)
Honestly, he could easily deal with someone like Wei Tianhao, but doing so might alert the people behind Wei Tianhao.
But looking at Wei Tianhao, it didn't seem like he had the luxury to hold back.
(If this drags on, I'll have to reveal it.)
His breathing remained steady, but his mind calculated rapidly.
Wei Tianhao's fist came again, sharper, faster—
"Stop!"
A clear, authoritative voice rang out across the training grounds.
A figure descended lightly onto the stone platform between them.
Xiao Mei!
Her robes fluttered gently as she landed, her expression calm yet stern. Her presence alone seemed to steady the chaotic Qi in the air.
She glanced at Wei Tianhao, her gaze cold.
"Using Qi against a lower-ranked student who isn't even a one-star disciple?"
She continued.
"Wei Tianhao, have you forgotten the academy rules?"
Wei Tianhao's jaw tightened.
Xiao Mei continued, her tone stern.
"Bullying weaker students with cultivation is strictly prohibited within the training grounds."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Stop now. Or you—and your clan—will have to answer to the Heavenly Path Academy."
A chill swept through the crowd.
The Heavenly Path Academy might not be able to do much to the Wei Clan, but with Xiao Mei's involvement, the Wei Clan probably wouldn't be able to interfere.
Otherwise, what if the Xiao Clan got involved too? Then that would be quite bad for the Wei Clan.
Not to mention, it is agreed that none of the Noble will interfere in the Heavenly Path Academy.
Wei Tianhao's fists trembled slightly.
He glanced at Li Fengyuan—
And saw him.
Grinning from ear to ear.
Clearly mocking and looking down on him.
That calm, infuriating expression.
Rage surged through Wei Tianhao's chest.
He wanted nothing more than to strike again.
But Xiao Mei stood there.
A direct descendant of one of the Five Great Noble Clans.
Her status far exceeded his.
If he defied her—
The consequences would be severe. Even the Wei Clan would abandon him if he dared to offend someone like her.
After a long moment, Wei Tianhao exhaled sharply.
The raging Qi around him slowly receded.
"Lucky," Wei Tianhao said coldly, staring at Li Fengyuan. "Li Fengyuan! You're very lucky!"
He turned slightly, though his eyes never left him.
"Next time, you won't be."
Li Fengyuan tilted his head, the grin never fading.
"Lucky?"
He repeated lightly.
"You were shamelessly claiming you could beat me," he said calmly, "yet you couldn't even land a single hit."
A few students stiffened.
Wei Tianhao's face darkened.
Li Fengyuan's voice remained steady, almost conversational.
"Learn to accept defeat, kiddo."
His eyes sharpened faintly.
"And stop being delusional."
The words fell like a slap across Wei Tianhao's face.
The surrounding crowd held its breath.
As expected of Young Master Li Fengyuan, even against someone like Wei Tianhao, he gave no face and directly insulted him.
Wei Tianhao's expression twisted—
But with Xiao Mei watching, he could only swallow his fury.
"Let's go!"
He barked coldly.
With that, he turned sharply and strode away, his robes fluttering behind him.
His two lackeys hurried after him.
"Wait for us, Young Master!"
The oppressive atmosphere gradually faded as their figures disappeared into the distance.
Silence returned to the training grounds.
Zhao Dazhu rushed forward, eyes shining.
"Fengyuan!" he exclaimed. "That was insane! You were so fast! Dodging every strike like that—even when he used Two-Star Disciple Qi!"
Jia Hao also walked over, his gaze thoughtful but impressed.
Li Fengyuan rolled his shoulders lightly, as if the intense exchange had merely been a warm-up.
"Heh," he said casually. "You should be able to do the same very quickly."
Zhao Dazhu blinked.
"Haha… Of course!"
Li Fengyuan only smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Then, he turned toward Xiao Mei.
"Thank you," he said.
Xiao Mei waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't think too much about it," she replied. "I only did what I had to. Academy rules are academy rules."
Her tone was composed, but her gaze lingered on him for half a second longer than necessary.
To be honest, she was already there when Li Fengyuan and Wei Tianhao were fighting without the use of Qi, and she couldn't help but be impressed by Li Fengyuan.
Even when Wei Tianhao used Qi, Li Fengyuan was able to keep up, which was much more impressive than one would think.
Though of course, she intervened because it could have been dangerous for Li Fengyuan since Wei Tianhao was using Qi.
A faint smile curved Li Fengyuan's lips.
He took a step closer, lowering his voice slightly.
"Oh? Is that so?" he said lightly. "I thought you only saw me as a pest."
Xiao Mei stiffened slightly.
"But it seems," Li Fengyuan continued, eyes gleaming with amusement, "you actually care quite a lot about me."
A faint blush crept up Xiao Mei's cheeks.
"I—what nonsense are you saying?"
She snapped, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness.
"In my eyes," she continued quickly, folding her arms, "you and Wei Tianhao are the same."
Li Fengyuan raised a brow.
"Hooligans," she said firmly. "Who only knows how to bully others!"