He chuckled, "Senior is mistaken.

Please—!" With that, he suddenly threw a punch, his figure flickering, vanishing instantly from where he stood.

The fist cut through the air, appearing mere inches from Leng Feng’s face. "Oh?!" Leng Feng exclaimed in surprise and retreated swiftly, suddenly putting a full zhang between them, dodging Li Muzhan’s strike.

He stared at the attacker with astonishment.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "I was inspired by Senior’s example to develop this set of fist techniques and footwork.

I hope it is not too crude for your appraisal?" Leng Feng shook his head and sneered, "Showing off one's limited skill before a master.

Take this punch!" As he spoke, his fist flashed and disappeared, reappearing right before Li Muzhan’s chest, separated by mere inches.

Li Muzhan flashed aside, rapidly stepping back several feet, narrowly avoiding the blow.

Their offensive moves and evasive maneuvers were carved from the same mold, suggesting they originated from the same master.

Zhao Jinsheng’s sword-like eyebrows arched slightly.

He murmured, "Junior Sister Mei, I never expected Junior Brother Zhanran’s pugilistic arts to reach such a level.

Truly commendable; I am inferior!" Mei Ruolan gazed at Li Muzhan and Leng Feng, smiling faintly, "Indeed.

He must have had another fortuitous encounter.

This set of techniques is truly bizarre, almost impossible to guard against." At this moment, Li Muzhan and Leng Feng were locked in a stalemate.

Their fist styles were almost identical, as was their Qinggong (lightness skill).

Although Leng Feng was more seasoned and ruthless, Li Muzhan consistently managed to evade danger just in time, ensuring his safety, yet harming Leng Feng proved exceptionally difficult.

Thus, they were locked in a deadlock, their figures flickering and vanishing, their fists unpredictable—suddenly in front, suddenly behind, appearing without warning, impossible to defend against.

Yet, their Qinggong was exquisite.

What seemed unavoidable to the onlookers, they often navigated safely, demonstrating marvelous footwork that allowed them to evade strikes.

Zhong Bixuan had always been at odds with Li Muzhan.

She was deeply angered, constantly seeking a chance to reclaim her honor and avenge the insult of being compared to a barking dog.

She had been waiting for an opportunity.

Now, she realized the gap between her Qinggong and Zhanran’s was substantial.

To wipe away the shame, she needed to cultivate a superior lightness skill.

However, her Tà Làng Yín (Treading Waves Chant) was only at the third level.

If she could reach the fourth, Zhanran would be insignificant, and she could surely avenge herself.

Alas, Tà Làng Yín was intrinsically linked to the Cāng Hǎi Shén Gōng (Vast Sea Divine Art).

To advance the former to the fourth level, the latter must also reach the fourth, and cultivating the Cāng Hǎi Shén Gōng was no simple feat.

Thinking of the difficulty of the Cāng Hǎi Shén Gōng, she pursed her lips, lightly biting her delicate mouth, silently vexed at her own perceived incompetence and dullness for failing to grasp the essence of the Divine Art.

Xu Jingying watched the match calmly from the side, then suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Zhao.

Can Junior Brother Zhanran win?" Zhao Jinsheng frowned and shook his head, sighing, "Though Junior Brother Zhanran is impressive, he is still a notch below Senior Leng.

Winning will be very difficult!" Xu Jingying said lightly, "Then please, Senior Brother Zhao, step forward.

Surely you are capable of defeating Leng Feng?" Zhao Jinsheng shook his head again, sighing, "Senior Leng still holds latent power.

To defeat him is impossible for me." "Why must Senior Brother Zhao be so modest?" Xu Jingying stated plainly. "It is absolutely not modesty; I truly am incapable," Zhao Jinsheng replied, shaking his head.

Her delicate eyebrows knitted slightly, and Xu Jingying pondered for a moment. "His movement technique subtly incorporates the principles of Qímén Dùn Jiǎ (Mysterious Gates Escape Art).

There is indeed something peculiar about it; Junior Brother Zhanran has grasped the form, but not the spirit." She shook her head again, "It's quite strange!...

Logically, Junior Brother Zhanran’s Qinggong is far inferior to Leng Feng’s, so why can he retreat unharmed every time? Is it superior energy manipulation?" Zhao Jinsheng shook his head. "Junior Brother Zhanran seems to possess the ability to foreknow events, haha..." As he spoke, he chuckled too.

Foreknowledge was merely legend; it could not be taken seriously.

Xu Jingying’s expression shifted.

She stared intently at Li Muzhan, tracking his every movement, even capturing the slightest shift in his gaze.

After a while, Li Muzhan and Leng Feng remained locked in their deadlock.

Xu Jingying whispered, "Senior Brother Zhao, you were right.

Junior Brother Zhanran truly possesses the ability to foreknow events!" "Junior Sister Xu, please do not joke," Zhao Jinsheng dismissed, shaking his head.

Xu Jingying stated calmly, "If Senior Brother Zhao does not believe me, look at Junior Brother Zhanran’s eyes.

Then watch what he does?...

It isn't dodging; it's simply being one step ahead." Zhao Jinsheng frowned and followed her gaze.

After a moment, he nodded hesitantly.

He too sensed something unusual—Zhanran’s footwork was indeed inferior to Leng Feng’s.

It wasn't a lack of speed, but a lack of subtlety, yet he always managed to take that crucial step ahead, evading Leng Feng’s fists and neutralizing the threat.

No wonder he felt something strange and awkward initially—that was the reason! He was completely bewildered.

How could Junior Brother Zhanran achieve this 'foreknowledge'?! Or perhaps it wasn't foreknowledge, but rather that he had completely mastered Leng Feng’s movement techniques and fist arts, able to predict his next move? But how could Zhanran know Leng Feng’s footwork and martial arts so intimately? Zhao Jinsheng was stumped by his own line of questioning, his starlike eyes fixed on Li Muzhan without blinking.

Zhong Bixuan snorted lightly, "Junior Sister Mei, this little monk Zhanran is quite capable, isn't he!" Mei Ruolan, who had also been intensely watching the arena, smiled. "Bang!" A dull thud echoed.

Li Muzhan flew backward.

Zhao Jinsheng moved suddenly, like a wisp of smoke, catching Li Muzhan and setting him down gently. "Junior Brother Zhanran, are you alright?" A mouthful of blood surged up Li Muzhan’s throat, "Pfft," spraying out in a mist of crimson.

Managing to stand upright, Li Muzhan’s face had taken on a sickly golden hue.

He shook his head with a wry smile, "I won't die.

Senior Brother, the Shén Quán Dòng Tiān (Divine Fist Shakes Heaven) truly lives up to its reputation!" "Junior Brother, to fight to this extent is already remarkable, quite rare indeed!" Zhao Jinsheng patted his back lightly, sighing softly.

Li Muzhan shook his head and looked toward Leng Feng.

Leng Feng frowned, sneering slightly, "Canghai Sword Sect!...

Boy, come on!" Zhao Jinsheng released Li Muzhan, cupped his hands in salute, "I am Zhao Jinsheng, and I request to spar with Senior Leng!" "Enough empty words!" Leng Feng waved his hand, his voice deep, "Make your move!" Zhao Jinsheng placed his right hand on his sword hilt.

Instantly, his expression grew solemn, as if he had transformed into an entirely different person; his entire being merged with the sword—he was the sword, and the sword was him.

Li Muzhan leaned against a vermilion pillar, observing Zhao Jinsheng, and was startled by what he saw.

He truly never imagined that Senior Brother Zhao, upon drawing his sword, would undergo such a transformation, radiating an aura so sharp and imposing—completely different from the Zhao who had put his sword aside.

Leng Feng also frowned slightly.

He hadn't expected this youth from the Canghai Sword Sect to possess such profound comprehension of swordsmanship at his age; even some of the contemporary masters of the blade could not surpass this level.

For the first time, he took the contest seriously, his voice heavy, "Boy, draw your blade.

Stop putting on a show!" "Chiii!" A chilling gleam flashed, accompanied by a light whistle, like tearing silk, crisp and smooth.

Leng Feng leaned aside to evade it and struck with his fist against the flat of the blade.

Zhao Jinsheng stepped forward, twisting his wrist, rotating the sword, the blade slicing toward Leng Feng’s wrist—cleanly efficient, incredibly fast.

It reached Leng Feng’s wrist in an instant.

Leng Feng hastily pulled back his palm, looking even more wary.

He shifted his feet several times and suddenly flashed behind Zhao Jinsheng, unleashing a punch aimed directly at his heart.

Zhao Jinsheng remained unhurried, moving his sword and twisting his waist in a gentle rotation, casting a perfectly circular arc of sword light to meet Leng Feng’s incoming fist, forcing him to change his attack.

Although Leng Feng's fist was hard, it was still flesh and blood, unable to withstand a long sword.

He had no choice but to alter his move.

As the two fought, Zhao Jinsheng's sword light was like spun thread, his technique exquisitely precise.

He pressed forward at every step, forcing Leng Feng into a reactive stance, constantly withdrawing his palm and shifting his punches; defeat was already becoming apparent.

Li Muzhan leaned against the pillar, watching the battle, and sighed inwardly, realizing how far behind he truly was.

Joining the Canghai Sword Sect had clearly been a wise decision.

Looking at Zhao Jinsheng’s swordplay, even at his young age, to press Leng Feng to such a degree demonstrated the subtlety of his skill.

Zhao Jinsheng was a genuinely good person, Li Muzhan thought with a sigh.

During that single pat moments ago, Zhao Jinsheng had secretly channeled a surge of internal energy to help Li Muzhan stabilize his injury.

Li Muzhan knew his talent for swordsmanship was not strong, but although learning sword techniques was slower, once mastered, they often integrated into his very instincts.

If he could learn an exquisite sword style and then practice diligently until it became completely instinctual, his swordsmanship would likely match Zhao Jinsheng’s.

As he mused over this, the outcome of the match was decided. "Ding!" a sharp sound rang out.

The long sword grazed his fingernails.

Zhao Jinsheng recoiled as if struck by lightning, staggering back three steps before managing to regain his footing.

His jade-like face flushed deeply, as if intoxicated. "Senior Brother Zhao!" Zhong Bixuan rushed forward to support him, murmuring, "Are you alright?" Zhao Jinsheng shook his head with a bitter smile, sighing, "Junior Sister Zhong, no need to worry, I am fine...

This Shén Quán Jīng Tiān (Divine Fist Moves Heaven) truly lives up to its name!" Though his lips weren't bleeding, the pervasive numbness throughout his body was an unpleasant feeling.

It had been a long time since he suffered such an internal injury.

Li Muzhan walked over, sighing, "Senior Brother Zhao..." Zhao Jinsheng sighed bitterly, taking a long pause before speaking, "Junior Brother Zhanran, I am terribly sorry.

My own meager abilities mean I am simply inadequate..." Li Muzhan smiled, "Your swordsmanship truly surprised me, Senior Brother!" Zhao Jinsheng smiled back, "Your fist work and Qinggong surprised me just as much, Junior Brother." Li Muzhan chuckled, "I merely copied Senior Leng's movements; I only grasped the surface.

Unfortunately, against Senior Leng, I was bound to suffer a loss." Zhao Jinsheng laughed lightly, "That set of fist and leg techniques is not easily acquired.

Junior Brother Zhanran need not trouble himself further." Leng Feng stood with his hands behind his back, looking coldly at the group, and stated firmly, "Whose turn is it to act next!" Li Muzhan waved his hand, stopping Xu Jingying and Zhong Bixuan, and announced loudly, "No need for further fighting.

I will accompany Senior on our journey together!" "A good idea.

Better one person dies than several," Leng Feng said coolly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "However, I have one condition." "State it," Leng Feng replied indifferently.

Li Muzhan said, "You must not cripple my martial arts or harm my body before we reach the Helian Family estate!" "...

Agreed!" Leng Feng glanced at him and snorted, "I’d like to see if you, little monk, can still escape then." Li Muzhan smiled, "Then Senior Leng should be careful." "You should be the one to be careful!" Leng Feng retorted dismissively.