Feng Yu had finally caught Long Haotian and had no intention of letting him leave easily.
Sensing Long Haotian's attempt to depart, his eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, clenching his right fist and sending a gust of wind towards Long Haotian's face.
"Feng Yu!"
Long Haotian had been wary of Feng Yu, and seeing him ignore his words and attack, his own temper flared.
He glanced at Xu Yi, who watched with keen interest as if enjoying a show. Long Haotian's right hand shot out like lightning, instantly grasping Feng Yu's clenched fist.
"Fine, you want to fight? I'll fight you!"
His eyes blazed with fighting spirit. He stomped his foot and kicked Feng Yu in the chest.
Feng Yu stumbled back several steps, feeling a dull ache spread through his chest, but he was pleased rather than surprised.
Long Haotian's strength had indeed improved considerably.
He let out a hearty laugh, no longer holding back. His body flickered, and in the blink of an eye, he reappeared before Long Haotian.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The muffled sounds of their bodies colliding echoed across the plaza.
Disciples who were sparring on the stage noticed the commotion and their eyes lit up with excitement.
Many of the quicker-witted disciples already took out their communication discs, calling their friends.
Senior Brother Long and Senior Brother Feng were the two most outstanding disciples of the Nascent Soul stage in this batch of the Xuan Qing Sect.
Their duel would undoubtedly be spectacular. By observing their fight, they might even gain some insights. Such an opportunity was not to be missed.
Within the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, the edges of the plaza were filled with Xuan Qing Sect disciples, and more were still rushing towards them.
As soon as Long Haotian and Feng Yu began their exchange, Xu Yi had pulled Chen Tao and Wang Yi'an aside, feigning disinterest.
When the Xuan Qing Sect disciples arrived, she subtly moved closer to them and overheard their excited discussions.
"When did Senior Brother Long and Senior Brother Feng last spar? It seems like ten years ago?"
"That's right, I remember Senior Brother Long narrowly won that time. I wonder how today's battle will turn out?"
"In my opinion, Senior Brother Long still has a higher chance of winning."
"It's hard to say. Senior Brother Feng has been on a roll recently, winning several matches in a row."
"..."
A look of understanding flashed in Xu Yi's eyes.
No wonder Feng Yu had been pestering Long Haotian to spar with him; he was aiming to settle an old score.
However, he was likely to be disappointed again this time.
If Long Haotian hadn't gone into the secret realm, it would have been difficult to predict the outcome.
Although Long Haotian had only done one thing in the secret realm, which was mining, his spiritual energy had been tempered repeatedly. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that even with another Feng Yu, he could handle it.
As Xu Yi had analyzed, after more than ten exchanges, astonishment appeared on Feng Yu's face.
His feeling was even more pronounced as he fought Long Haotian.
Up to this point, Long Haotian's spiritual energy showed no signs of depletion; on the contrary, he grew stronger with each passing moment.
That last palm strike had sent his blood and Qi surging.
Long Haotian was truly different now.
Feng Yu felt a pang of discomfort. It was difficult for anyone to accept when a once evenly matched opponent suddenly accelerated and pulled far ahead.
"Feng Yu, you're distracted."
Long Haotian's voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Feng Yu was startled and instinctively raised his left arm to block his face.
Bang!
The powerful force of the punch traveled through his arm and spread throughout his body.
Under such immense impact, Feng Yu lost his footing and fell backward.
He had lost.
Long Haotian looked down at the fallen Feng Yu, a subtle upward curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
He had finally taught this troublesome fellow a lesson, and in front of Xu Yi, a quiet joy began to bloom within him.
"Good!"
"Senior Brother Long wins!"
After a moment of silence, a huge cheer and applause erupted.
Long Haotian turned his gaze towards Xu Yi's direction. He saw her standing in the crowd, smiling, and nodding at him when their eyes met.
Long Haotian finally stopped hiding his joy and walked towards Xu Yi.
"Xu..."
Just as Long Haotian stood before Xu Yi, about to speak, Chen Tao rushed forward, enveloping him in a bear hug, and shouted excitedly, "Senior Brother Long, you're amazing!"
Long Haotian's smile froze on his lips.
Xu Yi was amused by Long Haotian's expression, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Long Haotian's stiff expression gradually softened, and he also managed a smile.
Seen from afar, with Chen Tao blocking the space between them, they appeared to be a well-matched couple, truly a sight to behold.
Peak.
"The red phoenix star is moving; good things are on the horizon," Elder Bai said with a smile, stroking his white beard.
"Do you know the background of this woman named Xu Yi?" True Master Qing Lian's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of bitterness in his heart.
This child, Haotian, had never smiled so happily in his presence before.
It was precisely because of this that his feelings were as clear as day.
Elder Bai shook his head, "I'm not entirely sure. I've only heard that they met in the secret realm to the荒城, and she also saved Haotian and two others."
"Her background is unknown, and she is being pursued. Her identity is likely unusual."
It wasn't that True Master Qing Lian was maliciously suspecting Xu Yi.
Long Haotian was his only son, and many people had tried to use Haotian to achieve their own goals in the past.
Take that disciple named Chen Tao, for example. Despite having decent talent, he sought shortcuts, fawning over Haotian and almost completely lacking the pride of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
However, after this trial, their relationship seemed to have become much more harmonious.
True Master Qing Lian's thoughts drifted slightly, his gaze falling on Long Haotian and Chen Tao embracing. He nodded slightly.
Until Xu Yi's background was thoroughly investigated, he could not rest easy with their association.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke to Elder Bai, "Exaggerate Xu Yi's strength a bit and let Lu Zi'ang and the others hear about it."
Elder Bai tilted his head slightly, some hesitation in his eyes.
"Xu Yi's injuries only recently recovered."
True Master Qing Lian's expression was gentle, but his tone carried a trace of coldness, "So what? Lu Zi'ang and the others will be careful; they won't cause any real trouble. I just want to see how much she's hiding."
If Xu Yi had been brought into the Xuan Qing Sect by anyone else, he would not have paid her much attention.
The Sect Master of Xuan Qing Sect was busy with state affairs and would hardly notice a cultivator at the Out of Body stage who was merely a guest.
But since she was brought in by Long Haotian, the situation was vastly different.
A cold glint flickered in True Master Qing Lian's eyes. If Xu Yi harbored no ill intentions, it would be fine. But if she did, he would ensure she vanished from this world the moment she left the Xuan Qing Sect.
Elder Bai sensed the fleeting killing intent beside him and sighed with a hint of helplessness.
The Sect Master was usually gentle in disposition, but when it came to Long Haotian, his entire personality changed.
That incident in the past had deeply affected him, and he still found it difficult to forget.
Elder Bai's gaze fell upon Xu Yi.
He trusted his judgment; Xu Yi was not someone with ulterior motives. He hoped that this test by the Sect Master would not ruin the relationship between the two youngsters.
Never mind, he would go and check himself, also to give Lu Zi'ang and the others some idea of what to expect.
He cupped his hands towards the Sect Master and turned to withdraw.
True Master Qing Lian remained motionless, like a statue devoid of human emotion, looking down upon all beings.