Chapter 38: Fighting for Self-Respect

The Li family had successively received the favor of the Tang family and the Imperial Court, sealing a marriage alliance—a joyous occasion that, for any ordinary person, would be cause for celebration. Yet, for Li Xuan, this current situation merely pushed him back into the eye of the storm, making him a target for everyone.

Li Xuan had tossed and turned all night and appeared pale, still completely unaware of the Imperial Court’s marriage decree.

"Li Xuan, go sit down!" Instructor Mo Xi'er glared at him, her tone icy. She showed not a shred of respect despite the marriage contracts Li Xuan had secured.

If the instructor was like this, the students' gazes were even more filled with contempt. Because Li Xuan had not returned all night, he had already alerted the academy's night watchmen, and the news had spread throughout the school.

Before long, Tang Ruoxian also entered the classroom, looking pale, which left everyone to imagine what might have happened the night before.

"Li Xuan, your complexion..." Jiang Qingyue nudged him with her elbow. "Give me an explanation!"

Li Xuan pursed his lips in silence, muttering softly, "Something came up! By the way, I won't be staying at your villa anymore."

Jiang Qingyue pouted her red lips, glancing toward Tang Ruoxian, and asked, "What, is my sister’s thigh not thick enough? You’ve found a higher branch and are eager to climb it, aren't you?"

Li Xuan's face turned shades of red and white; it was an unsightly scene.

At that moment, Tang Ruoxian slowly turned her head, staring at Li Xuan and Jiang Qingyue, her expression as cold as frost. "Li Xuan, stay away from Jiang Qingyue!"

Tang Ruoxian’s words were filled with fury, her eyes seemingly wishing to kill him. It was a classic case of trying to hide something, only to make it more obvious.

The students began to jeer, one after another, and the entire classroom exploded into chaos. The venomous words of the students could have drowned the three of them. Furthermore, being hot-blooded youths, their remarks were rather crude, describing the romantic and scandalous affairs with vivid detail.

Li Xuan folded his arms across his chest and smirked, truly intending to carry his career as a "kept man" to the end.

"Everyone, shut up!" Tang Ruoxian and Jiang Qingyue shouted in unison. Their powerful presence silenced the students, who dared to be angry but not to speak.

However, Wang Zifan was determined to court death. He crossed his legs and shouted with a mocking smirk, "Afraid to let people talk after doing the deed? Li Xuan is just a pile of cow dung, and naturally, there will be flies buzzing around him."

Wang Zifan’s words were like a thunderclap, inciting a wave of agreement. Which young man didn't envy Li Xuan’s situation? They just lacked the opportunity.

"Exactly, a piece of stinking dog dung, polluting the air for nothing!"

Li Xuan remained calm and composed. This was just sour grapes from those who couldn't reach them; their hearts were simply itching with jealousy. He looked at Tang Ruoxian, cold and frost-like as a goddess descended, and Jiang Qingyue, as passionate and fiery as the midday sun—both were the dream lovers of any man.

Li Xuan took a deep breath and said, "It is precisely because I am this pile of cow dung that I can set off the beauty of the fresh flowers. Wang Zifan, why don't you bring your sister, that flower, over here? I guarantee I can make her just as radiant."

Li Xuan stood up slowly, his lake-like eyes fixed on Wang Zifan. He had a strong backer and felt no fear. Even with Wang Chengxuan as an elder of the Tribunal, he was not afraid. What happened three years ago could never happen again.

*Slap!*

Wang Zifan stood up abruptly and roared, "Li Xuan, you damn toad dreaming of swan meat, I’ll cripple you right now!"

Li Xuan shook his head. With a sway of his body, he left several flickering afterimages and rushed forward, landing several slaps on Wang Zifan’s cheeks.

Wang Zifan’s cheeks swelled up, and he roared at Li Xuan, "You're courting death!"

Li Xuan moved his feet and darted out of the classroom, with Wang Zifan in hot pursuit. The two chased each other, leaping through the mountain woods. Wang Zifan was clearly about to catch Li Xuan, but when he lunged with force, he missed completely and nearly fell to the ground.

After a few rounds of pursuit, the source energy in Wang Zifan’s body was in turmoil, and he was gasping for breath. In contrast, Li Xuan, aside from his pale complexion, showed no signs of fatigue.

At this moment, Jiang Qingyue smiled and said, "Tang Ruoxian, don't tell me you two engaged in dual cultivation? That kid’s cultivation has improved again?"

Tang Ruoxian’s cold, pretty face flushed red, and she snapped, "He wouldn't dare!"

Hearing their conversation, the students viewed Li Xuan as an even greater thorn in their side. Truly, the best cabbage had been ruined by the pig.

"Li Xuan, if you're a man, stop running!" Wang Zifan knew Li Xuan was cunning and must be trying to drain his stamina before counterattacking. Naturally, he wouldn't give him that chance. How could a mid-to-late stage Martial Breaker compare to someone in the late stage of the God-Slaying Realm? Besides, he had awakened the Tiger-Hound Thunder bloodline. The sheer pressure of that bloodline was enough to make Li Xuan suffer.

Li Xuan showed a look of contempt and made a mocking gesture. "Wang Zifan, you really are smart. You’ve seen through my little schemes. Sooner or later, there will be a battle between us."

Wang Zifan took up the challenge. "There’s no time like the present. Today, I’m going to repeat what I did three years ago."

With that, his Tiger-Hound Thunder bloodline ignited. Robust source energy erupted, rising like a canopy, and the phantom of a tiger-hound appeared above his head. The beast let out a low roar, shaking the forest and stirring up a gale that swept away the leaves. Simultaneously, a massive pressure bore down on Li Xuan.

Li Xuan focused, his internal source energy surging. He formed seals with his palms and spun his body, causing the sound of flowing water to ring out. The students watched as a wall of light appeared around Li Xuan, rippling like water and completely enveloping him.

"This is the 'Water Ripple Internalization,' a very strong defensive technique!" someone remarked in surprise.

Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. It can even take on ten thousand forms, following the shape of whatever it touches. It truly proved the saying that water can cover the earth.

However, Wang Zifan didn't care about that. Since there was a major gap in cultivation, regardless of what technique Li Xuan used, the result would be a crushing, one-sided affair.

*Whistle!*

Wang Zifan channeled his source energy, his bloodline boiling. Suddenly, thunder rumbled on level ground. The tiger-hound phantom extended its front claws, unleashing a massive force that sent sand and stones flying. The debris struck the water ripples, creating waves before instantly turning into dust.

Li Xuan was pushed back a few steps by the immense force. He moved his palm seals, and the water ripples condensed again, adhering to his body like armor. The internalization emitted the sound of flowing water as light patterns emerged, forming a barrier around him.

Li Xuan smirked. "The Tiger-Hound Thunder bloodline is nothing more than this!"

Wang Zifan let out a roar, and the tiger-hound phantom prepared to strike. With a sound like thunder, a massive force whistled out. At the same time, the tiger-hound tightened its hindquarters, adopting the posture of a tiger descending a mountain, and a beam of light shot out like a blade drawn from its sheath, surging with brilliance.

Li Xuan dared not be careless. His source energy roared, the white light of his defensive ripples glowing with the continuous sound of surging water.

*Boom!*

The power of the Tiger-Hound Thunder transformed into a blade of lightning, shattering the white light and slashing toward Li Xuan. Jiang Qingyue’s heart pounded violently, and she covered her eyes, unable to watch.

*Pop!*

The tiger-hound light beam stopped before Li Xuan, blocked by the water ripples. As the water flowed, the light gradually faded until it vanished. Li Xuan’s temples throbbed, and sweat the size of beans rolled down as he endured the force of the lightning.

*Bang!*

Suddenly, the water ripples on Li Xuan’s body dispersed, shooting out in all directions. Li Xuan’s feet dug into the ground, sliding him back dozens of meters.

Wang Zifan’s eyes widened in shock. He had expected one strike to shatter Li Xuan’s bones, but he hadn't expected him to withstand it. The crushing victory he anticipated had not come to pass.

Li Xuan’s source energy surged, and he moved like the wind. Hundreds of figures descended from the air, engaging Wang Zifan in a mix of reality and illusion. Wang Zifan repeatedly unleashed his bloodline power, his fists carrying the force of thunder, shattering Li Xuan’s afterimages one after another. However, he couldn't distinguish the real from the fake, and his lightning strikes often hit empty air. Li Xuan seized the opportunity to strike, his fists landing squarely on flesh; while he couldn't deal a crippling blow, it was painful enough.

*Bang!*

Li Xuan smashed both fists into Wang Zifan, causing him to spit out a spray of blood as the two figures separated. Wang Zifan stood disheveled, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Li Xuan’s arms hung limp, clearly shattered by the force of Wang Zifan’s protective energy.

Li Xuan activated the "Green Bag Scroll" to rapidly heal his injuries, remaining vigilant.

Wang Zifan recovered momentarily, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Li Xuan like a beast.

"It seems I cannot let you live!" Wang Zifan made up his mind. He would kill Li Xuan today, even if he had to answer to the Tang family.

Wang Zifan roared, and his bloodline ignited once more. His skin turned red, and thunder-like patterns emerged within his muscles, appearing like armor—a terrifying sight.

Li Xuan’s eyes narrowed. He retreated quickly, his arms waving as he struck palm prints onto the surrounding ancient trees. The trees trembled slightly, blooming with specks of green. The green quickly connected, sprouting tender buds that soon became vines. The vines hung down, rooting deep into the ground, and circles of source patterns rippled outward. The vines moved like pythons, pointing at Wang Zifan like swords and blades.

Li Xuan walked forward with a smile on his face.

"What kind of sorcery is this?" Wang Zifan asked in shock. He had already fallen for Li Xuan’s tricks before and was wary of his bizarre techniques.

"Sorcery? You'll know if it's sorcery in a moment." This technique of Li Xuan’s was "Dead Wood Generating Thunder." Since the Wang family’s bloodline was lightning-based, he intended to use Wang Zifan to test the technique and find a way to counter the lightning bloodline.

Although Wang Zifan was wary, he relied on his lightning patterns for protection and charged forward like a bomb, surrounded by thunder. Li Xuan flicked his arms, and the vines fired like ten thousand arrows, the air hissing with the sound of them cutting through. When the vines touched Wang Zifan’s body, they were shattered by the lightning patterns, sending wood splinters flying. Wherever Wang Zifan went, thunder rolled and explosions boomed, turning the lush green vines charred black.

However, the vines drew from Li Xuan’s source energy and grew back rapidly, soon blotting out the sky and covering both of them. Thunder roared, and the ancient trees snapped. Then, suddenly, a spring drizzle fell, and the dead wood bloomed anew.

Until a certain moment, the lightning patterns on Wang Zifan’s skin gradually dimmed, while the charred, dead wood began to burn. Then, a violent explosion sounded.

*Boom!*

The lightning, converged from a torrent of fire, erupted with blinding brilliance. In an instant, dead wood generated thunder, ten thousand things sprang to life, and the sky surged with lightning and thick smoke.

"Impossible... impossible..." Wang Zifan rushed out of the lightning, his body covered in bloody holes, letting out a roar of disbelief.

At this time, Li Xuan, covered in water ripples, walked slowly out of the light. His eyes were filled with killing intent as he said, "Close your bird-beak from now on, or I won't be so polite."

A ball of lightning flame burned in Li Xuan’s palm, but it was wrapped in the winding water ripples, and after a few flickers, it was completely extinguished.

"Li Xuan, I won't let this go. You just wait!" Wang Zifan wiped the blood from his mouth and was about to leave, but Li Xuan called out to him.

"Last time you lost a leg; this time, I want the one in the middle!" A fierce light shone in Li Xuan’s eyes. He looked up at Tang Ruoxian and Jiang Qingyue, then stepped on Wang Zifan’s arm, causing him to howl in pain.

Li Xuan said, "Do you know what to do?"

To save that limb, Wang Zifan shouted loudly, "Tang Ruoxian, Jiang Qingyue, I shouldn't have spread rumors and slandered..."

Li Xuan kicked Wang Zifan to the ground and shouted, "Did I tell you to stand while talking?"

At this moment, Instructor Mo Xi'er spoke up: "Li Xuan, forgive where you can forgive. Don't go too far with anything."

Li Xuan shook his head, his tone icy. "Instructor Mo, if Wang Zifan had won, you probably wouldn't have said a single word for me, would you?"

Li Xuan forcibly pressed Wang Zifan’s head down and shouted, "If you don't want to go to the palace to be a eunuch, kneel and apologize!"

Suddenly, a massive force surged from the classroom. A figure drifted over, placed a hand on Wang Zifan’s shoulder, and sent Li Xuan flying back.