The atmosphere in the courtyard became tense.
Zhao Tian stared at Ye Xuan.
The smile that had previously been hanging on his face had completely disappeared.
A thirteen-year-old boy.
Body Tempering Fifth Layer.
Yet he had just openly challenged him.
In front of Elder Mu.
In front of the other direct disciples.
And in front of dozens of sect disciples.
Zhao Tian slowly laughed.
"Interesting."
His laughter wasn't loud.
But everyone could hear the anger beneath it.
"You've just arrived at the Heavenly Frost Sect, and you already want to establish your reputation?"
Ye Xuan shrugged.
"I didn't come looking for trouble."
He glanced at Zhao Tian.
"You came looking for me."
Zhao Tian's eyes narrowed.
"Then I'll give you what you want."
He stepped forward.
A powerful aura erupted from his body.
Spirit Sea Realm!
The surrounding disciples immediately retreated.
Several outer disciples couldn't help but gasp.
"Senior Brother Zhao is serious!"
"He's already reached the Spirit Sea Realm!"
"That new disciple is only at Body Tempering!"
"He's going to be crushed!"
Bai Yue frowned.
"Master, stop this."
Mu Qingxue remained calm.
She looked at Ye Xuan.
"Do you want me to stop him?"
Ye Xuan shook his head.
"No."
Mu Qingxue's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're certain?"
"Yes."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"I want to try."
Mu Qingxue studied him.
She could naturally see his true foundation.
She knew his body wasn't ordinary.
But even she didn't know the full extent of what his physique could do.
After a moment, she nodded.
"Fine."
"But if you sense danger, surrender."
Ye Xuan nodded.
"Understood."
Zhao Tian sneered.
"Come."
Ye Xuan stepped forward.
The moment his foot touched the ground—
BOOM!
Zhao Tian disappeared.
His speed was astonishing.
In an instant, he appeared before Ye Xuan.
His palm shot forward.
Bang!
Ye Xuan raised his arm.
The palm struck his forearm.
A powerful shockwave spread outward.
Dust rose from the ground.
Everyone stared.
Then—
The dust slowly disappeared.
Ye Xuan was still standing.
His clothes were slightly disordered.
But he hadn't moved even half a step.
Zhao Tian's expression changed.
"What?"
Ye Xuan looked at his arm.
There wasn't even a mark.
He looked back at Zhao Tian.
"That was your attack?"
Zhao Tian's face became ugly.
"You..."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"I thought you were stronger."
The disciples around them immediately became excited.
"How did he block that?"
"He's only Body Tempering Fifth Layer!"
"His physical strength must be terrifying!"
Mu Qingxue's eyes narrowed.
As expected.
The Primordial Chaos Physique had already begun showing its terrifying potential.
Zhao Tian gritted his teeth.
"Don't get arrogant!"
His spiritual energy erupted.
A blue spiritual blade appeared in his hand.
Whoosh!
He swung it downward.
A sharp blade of spiritual energy tore through the air.
Ye Xuan's expression became serious.
This attack was different.
He could feel genuine danger.
But instead of retreating—
He stepped forward.
His right fist tightened.
The spiritual energy inside his body surged.
The
Nine Heavens Body Tempering Art
activated.
His muscles tightened.
His blood began roaring.
Then—
BOOM!
His fist collided directly with the spiritual blade.
The blade shattered.
The shockwave blasted outward.
Zhao Tian's eyes widened.
"What kind of body do you have?!"
Ye Xuan smiled.
"One that apparently doesn't like being cut."
He moved.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
Zhao Tian's expression changed.
Too fast!
Ye Xuan appeared directly before him.
His fist struck Zhao Tian's abdomen.
BOOM!
Zhao Tian flew backward.
He crashed into the stone wall.
The entire courtyard shook.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The disciples stared.
Nobody spoke.
A Body Tempering cultivator had just punched a Spirit Sea Realm cultivator across the courtyard.
And Ye Xuan hadn't even used a weapon.
Zhao Tian slowly stood.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
His expression was filled with disbelief.
"Impossible..."
Ye Xuan tilted his head.
"Are you alright?"
Zhao Tian glared at him.
"You..."
Ye Xuan sighed.
"Don't look at me like that."
He smiled.
"I asked."
[Ding! Hidden Quest Progress Updated.]
[Host has successfully injured an opponent several minor realms above himself.]
[Quest Requirement: Defeat the opponent.]
[Progress: 70%]
Ye Xuan's eyes flashed.
Seventy percent?
That meant Zhao Tian wasn't finished.
Sure enough—
Zhao Tian wiped the blood from his mouth.
His aura suddenly became even stronger.
The spiritual sea inside his body began roaring.
"Very good."
His voice became cold.
"I underestimated you."
A powerful spiritual pressure descended.
Some weaker disciples couldn't breathe properly.
Ye Xuan's expression became serious.
Zhao Tian's cultivation had reached the
Middle Stage of Spirit Sea Realm
.
His spiritual energy surged through the courtyard.
He raised his hand.
A golden spear appeared.
The spear's blade gleamed beneath the sunlight.
"This is my Heaven Piercing Spear."
He pointed it toward Ye Xuan.
"I've never used it against someone at your level."
Ye Xuan looked at the spear.
"Then you're going to use your best weapon against a thirteen-year-old?"
Zhao Tian's expression stiffened.
Ye Xuan sighed dramatically.
"Senior Brother, you're making yourself look bad."
Bai Yue immediately burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
Several disciples struggled to hold their laughter.
Even Li Ming covered his mouth.
Qin Hao's expression remained complicated.
He had initially thought Ye Xuan was merely arrogant.
But now...
He couldn't deny it.
This junior brother was unusual.
Very unusual.
Zhao Tian roared.
"Enough!"
He thrust the spear forward.
BOOM!
A golden spear shadow tore through the air.
Its power was several times stronger than before.
Ye Xuan's pupils contracted.
This attack could seriously injure him.
His body reacted before his mind.
The Primordial Chaos Physique activated.
Golden light spread across his skin.
At the same time—
The Ancient Golden Bloodline began circulating.
His blood roared like thunder.
Ye Xuan's white hair fluttered violently.
His golden eyes became brighter.
A strange pressure emerged from his body.
Everyone froze.
Mu Qingxue's expression changed.
"What..."
She had sensed it.
That ancient bloodline.
It was awakening.
Ye Xuan didn't know exactly what was happening.
He only felt an incredible surge of strength.
He clenched his fist.
Then—
He punched.
BOOM!!!
The fist collided with the spear.
A massive shockwave exploded.
The stone ground cracked.
Trees bent.
Several disciples were forced backward.
Zhao Tian's pupils shrank.
His spear trembled violently.
Then—
CRACK!
A fracture appeared along the shaft.
Zhao Tian's expression turned pale.
"No..."
The spear shattered.
Ye Xuan's fist continued forward.
It struck his chest.
BOOM!
Zhao Tian flew backward.
This time, he didn't get up.
He landed heavily on the ground.
Silence.
The courtyard became completely quiet.
[Ding!]
[Hidden Quest Completed.]
[Congratulations, Host!]
[You have defeated an opponent above your cultivation realm.]
[Reward: Special Talent — Battle Instinct.]
Ye Xuan blinked.
"Battle Instinct?"
[Battle Instinct allows the host to instinctively recognize openings, attacks and weaknesses during combat.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Useful."
Then another notification appeared.
[Additional Reward: 500 System Points.]
Ye Xuan's eyes lit up.
System Points?
Interesting.
He would have to investigate that later.
Zhao Tian slowly sat up.
His face was pale.
He looked at Ye Xuan.
There was no longer any arrogance in his eyes.
Only disbelief.
"You're..."
He couldn't finish the sentence.
Ye Xuan walked toward him.
For a moment, everyone thought he was going to attack again.
Instead, Ye Xuan extended his hand.
"Can you stand?"
Zhao Tian stared at his hand.
Then at Ye Xuan's face.
After a few seconds, he grabbed it.
Ye Xuan pulled him up.
Zhao Tian looked away.
"I lost."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"It's just a spar."
Zhao Tian was silent.
Then he looked at Ye Xuan again.
"You..."
"Hm?"
"Don't become arrogant."
Ye Xuan laughed.
"That's funny."
Zhao Tian frowned.
"What?"
"I was about to tell you the same thing."
Bai Yue burst out laughing again.
"Junior Brother, you're really shameless!"
Ye Xuan smiled proudly.
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
Mu Qingxue finally stepped forward.
"Enough."
Her voice wasn't loud.
But everyone immediately became silent.
She looked at Ye Xuan.
"You fought well."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Thank you, Master."
"But..."
Her gaze became slightly stern.
"Do not rely solely on your physique."
Ye Xuan nodded.
"I understand."
"Your foundation is extraordinary."
She paused.
"But your cultivation is still too low."
Ye Xuan nodded again.
He knew she was right.
Winning against someone stronger didn't mean he was invincible.
The cultivation gap would eventually become enormous.
Especially once he encountered true geniuses.
Mu Qingxue looked at Zhao Tian.
"You also."
Zhao Tian bowed.
"Yes, Elder Mu."
"This matter ends here."
"Understood."
Mu Qingxue turned toward the other disciples.
"Take him to the healing hall."
Several disciples immediately helped Zhao Tian leave.
As he walked away, Zhao Tian looked back once.
His eyes met Ye Xuan's.
There was no hatred in them anymore.
Only a strange competitive spirit.
Ye Xuan noticed.
He smiled.
Looks like I made a rival.
After the crowd dispersed, Bai Yue immediately rushed toward Ye Xuan.
She grabbed his shoulders.
"Junior Brother!"
"Hm?"
"How did you do that?"
Ye Xuan blinked.
"Do what?"
"You punched a Spirit Sea Realm cultivator!"
"I have strong fists."
Bai Yue stared.
"That's your explanation?"
"Yes."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're hiding something."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Everyone has secrets."
Bai Yue stared at him.
Then suddenly grinned.
"Fine."
She leaned closer.
"But I'll find out eventually."
Ye Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Looking forward to it."
Bai Yue's cheeks became slightly red.
She quickly stepped back.
"You're too shameless!"
Ye Xuan laughed.
Not far away, Su Lian had been watching everything.
Her violet eyes rested on Ye Xuan.
She had initially thought he was simply talented.
Now she wasn't so sure.
His physique.
His bloodline.
His combat ability.
His personality.
Everything about him seemed unusual.
She walked toward him.
"Junior Brother."
Ye Xuan turned.
"Senior Sister Su."
She looked at him seriously.
"You should be careful."
"About what?"
"This sect."
Her voice became quieter.
"There are many talented disciples here."
"And?"
"Some won't accept someone suddenly receiving Master's attention."
Ye Xuan understood.
"You mean jealousy."
Su Lian nodded.
"Exactly."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Let them come."
Su Lian stared at him.
"You're not afraid?"
Ye Xuan's golden eyes flashed.
"I'm only afraid of one thing."
"What?"
He smiled.
"Missing breakfast."
Su Lian stared at him.
Then, unexpectedly—
She laughed.
It was a very soft laugh.
But Ye Xuan noticed it.
And somewhere deep inside his heart—
He felt that sound was strangely pleasant.
That evening, Ye Xuan returned to Mu Qingxue's mountain.
He sat inside his room and opened the system interface.
[Host: Ye Xuan]
Cultivation:
Body Tempering — Fifth Layer
Physique:
Primordial Chaos Physique
Bloodline:
Ancient Golden Bloodline
Talent:
Supreme — Unrated
Special Talent:
Battle Instinct
Spiritual Flame:
Heavenly Frost Spirit Flame
System Points:
500
Ye Xuan stared at the last line.
"System."
[Yes?]
"What can I use System Points for?"
A new interface appeared.
[System Shop — Locked]
[Requirement: 1,000 System Points]
Ye Xuan's eyes widened.
"Locked?"
[Correct.]
"Then why show it to me?"
[To encourage the host.]
"..."
Ye Xuan rubbed his forehead.
"How do I get more?"
[Complete system quests.]
"That's actually useful."
[The system occasionally provides useful information.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
Then he looked at the cultivation interface.
"Tomorrow's check-in..."
The system remained silent.
Ye Xuan narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me."
[The system tells you nothing.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Fine."
He leaned back.
His eyes slowly closed.
Outside his window, moonlight illuminated the bamboo forest.
But neither Ye Xuan nor the system noticed—
Deep inside the Heavenly Frost Sect's forbidden region...
A faint ancient aura had awakened.
A pair of enormous eyes slowly opened beneath the earth.
For a brief moment—
The entire forbidden region trembled.
Then everything returned to silence.
No one noticed.
No one understood.
And certainly no one connected it to the arrival of a thirteen-year-old direct disciple.
For now.