"Such potent spiritual energy!"
Li Ziming's brow furrowed. He had initially intended to teach Lu Fan a lesson, but now, if they were to truly fight here, he might not be able to suppress Lu Fan.
"How can he be this strong!"
Lin Qingbei frowned. Back in Baishui City, Lu Fan's spiritual energy hadn't been this formidable. Now, it was more than ten times stronger than before.
"Li Ziming, you've disappointed me too much!"
Chu Ting shook her head. "In terms of courage, you can't compare. In terms of spiritual energy, you can't compare either. I'd rather marry him than you!"
Li Ziming was enraged. He glared fiercely at Lu Fan. As the young master of the Li family, he possessed natural talent and was admired by many. However, being treated like this by Lu Fan today was unacceptable.
With his hand forming a claw, Li Ziming lunged at Lu Fan, the movement generating gusts of wind.
Lu Fan's brow twitched. Simultaneously, he stepped forward, moving towards the outside of the tavern. A duel between experts could destroy the tavern in an instant. The tavern owner was an honest man, and Lu Fan didn't want him to suffer collateral damage.
Seeing Lu Fan retreat, Li Ziming pursued, his gaze sharpening, even the corners of his mouth curling upwards. In his eyes, Lu Fan was fleeing because he was outmatched, and he had gained the upper hand.
Unfortunately, upon reaching the street, Lu Fan turned slightly. "I don't want to fight you, not because I fear you, but because I abide by the rules of Beihai City. If you attack again, I will retaliate!"
"Enough of your nonsense. If you have the ability, then come at me!"
Li Ziming's expression was cold, radiating immense power. Now that he held the advantage, he wouldn't let Lu Fan go easily.
Seeing Li Ziming's demeanor, Lu Fan let out a cold laugh. "I didn't want to make things difficult for you, but it seems that's no longer possible!"
In that instant, Lu Fan's spiritual energy surged. A powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from his palm. With a casual palm strike, he unleashed a formidable aura.
Li Ziming, unfazed, struck first. As a peak Spirit Master, he was considered an outstanding figure among the younger generation in Yunzhou. Lu Fan, unknown and insignificant, couldn't possibly be his match.
Boom...
In a flash, a booming sound echoed. Li Ziming fell to the ground, blood trickling from his lips, his expression filled with disbelief. "How is this possible? How can you be so strong!"
"Nothing is impossible!"
Lu Fan said coldly, "Even if you are from one of the three great families, you should still abide by the rules of Beihai City. In this world, there are always people stronger than you, and heavens beyond heavens. No one can remain unchanged forever!"
The onlookers stood stunned, their faces etched with disbelief. They knew very well who Li Ziming was, yet he had been defeated, and so miserably.
"To defeat a peak Spirit Master, could he be a Great Spirit Master?"
Chu Ting's expression shifted slightly, her face filled with astonishment. Among the younger generation, those who reached the Great Spirit Master realm were exceedingly rare, not just in Yunzhou, but even in the entire White Dragon Dynasty.
"Miss, I told you earlier that Beihai City is full of hidden talents!"
Steward Wu spoke, "We must not be careless, lest we invite trouble. While the Chu family's influence in Yunzhou is not weak, Miss, don't forget that beyond Yunzhou, peerless prodigies from other states will also come to Beihai City, awaiting entry into Beihai Academy!"
Chu Ting nodded slightly. She was well aware of this. However, she had assumed that even the peerless prodigies from other states would not be much different from her. Now, it seemed that was not the case.
"You audacious wretch! How dare you injure my young master!"
An old man strode forward, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan.
"If he hadn't attacked first, why would I have laid a hand on him!"
Lu Fan's expression was cold. "I hope there won't be a next time."
Just then, at the far end of Beihai City, a force clad in red armor appeared. These soldiers, wearing red armor, exuded a powerful aura and a strange presence, causing the people on the street to retreat, even with a hint of fear.
At the center of the red-armored contingent, a middle-aged man on horseback advanced towards Lu Fan and the others, his presence overwhelming.
"Beihai City regulations state that regardless of any grievances, no fighting is permitted within Beihai City. Otherwise, it is considered defiance of Beihai City!"
The City Lord of Beihai spoke coldly, his gaze falling upon Lu Fan and Li Ziming.
"City Lord, I am the young master of the Li family from Yunzhou. My father sends his regards!"
Li Ziming rose, a smile on his face.
"The Li family of Yunzhou?"
The City Lord of Beihai frowned. Although he was affiliated with Beihai Academy, the Li family of Yunzhou was not to be trifled with, and he naturally did not wish to offend them.
"Young Master Li, what exactly happened?"
The City Lord of Beihai narrowed his eyes. "Fighting is prohibited within Beihai City. Your actions have violated the academy's rules!"
"We are certainly aware of that!"
Li Ziming smiled. "Actually, we weren't fighting earlier, but sparring. Perhaps the commotion was too great, which is why it alerted the City Lord."
The City Lord of Beihai's brow furrowed, and he looked at Lu Fan. "Is that true, as he says? You were merely sparring?"
"Indeed!"
Lu Fan smiled. "We were just sparring, and there are no grudges between us."
The City Lord of Beihai nodded slightly. "That is for the best."
"City Lord, please don't listen to their nonsense!"
Chu Ting exclaimed repeatedly. "They were not sparring at all, but fighting. People like them should be expelled from Beihai City. I can testify!"
"Since both parties involved claim it was sparring, then it must be so!"
The City Lord of Beihai waved his hand and left with his contingent of red-armored soldiers. These were the forces of Beihai Academy, and there were many such red-armored soldiers throughout the city.
These individuals possessed formidable combat power, and their armor was crafted from special materials, making the overall combat strength of Beihai City quite considerable.
After the City Lord departed, Li Ziming chuckled. "You are strong. I remember this. When we reach Beihai Academy, I will challenge you again!"
"Even then, you won't be able to defeat me!"
Lu Fan's expression was indifferent as he turned to leave.
Li Ziming gritted his teeth in frustration, but he was powerless. He was no match for Lu Fan, and dealing with Lu Fan would not be easy.
Chu Ting stood dumbfounded, a sense of dissatisfaction filling her. Lu Fan had neither been punished nor had Li Ziming been expelled from Beihai City, leaving her feeling helpless.
Upon returning to the tavern, as Lu Fan was about to ascend, he stopped. His gaze was fixed on a woman ahead. This woman bore a striking resemblance to Long Yi. Although she was dressed in ancient attire, Lu Fan recognized her at a glance.
"Long Yi?"
Lu Fan called out tentatively. He wasn't sure if this woman was Long Yi, but her demeanor and physical traits were too similar.
The woman paused slightly, then turned to look at Lu Fan.