14: Chapter 14 A gentleman's revenge, from morning to night

Lie Tianxiong's smile deepened, carrying a hint of triumph.

"Times have changed; with the current strength of my Burning Heaven Palace, hosting this competition is naturally more than enough."

"It's your Azure Profound Sect that needs to work harder, lest you can't even find a Disciple to step onto the stage when the time comes."

"Palace Master Lie worries too much."

Xuan Yangzi responded indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the Disciples behind him.

"Although my Sect's Disciples are not as exceptionally talented as yours, they will still give their all."

Seeing this, Lie Tianxiong was secretly pleased and gestured with his thumb towards the young man beside him: "Speaking of which, let me show you my proud Disciple."

The young man stepped forward, his moon-white long robe rustling in the mountain wind, and the jade pendant at his waist emitted a crisp yet ostentatious clinking sound.

"This is my newly accepted Disciple, Zhao Yan, with Medium Grade Heaven-Grade Aptitude. He is sixteen years old and is currently at Body Refining Nine Heavens, just one step away from the Foundation Establishment Realm."

Lie Tianxiong's tone was smug, his gaze sweeping over the Azure Profound Sect Disciples.

"Throughout the entire Xuan Domain, it's rare to see someone of his age with such Cultivation. Your Azure Profound Sect probably can't find such a promising talent, can you?"

Zhao Yan cupped his hands in a bow towards Xuan Yangzi, his tone seemingly humble, but his eyes held arrogance: "Sect Master Xuan Yangzi, I've long admired you."

Before his words finished, the green-robed young man beside him had already stepped forward half a pace, his long sword buzzing as it unsheathed three inches from his waist. Core Formation Qi condensed into a half-foot flame in his palm, carrying a clear challenge.

"Master, why don't we let the Disciples spar and exchange pointers, so they can witness what true talent is? I am Lin Lie, the Chief Disciple of Burning Heaven Palace, twenty years old, and at the Middle Stage Core Formation Realm. I hear the Azure Profound Sect is full of talents; I wonder who dares to come out and fight me?"

Low growls erupted from the Azure Profound Sect's ranks; the opponent's arrogant attitude was unbearable.

The Disciples in the front row clenched their fists, and a few impulsive ones already gripped their sword hilts. If not for their Senior Brothers holding them back, they would have charged out long ago.

Lie Tianxiong watched the Azure Profound Sect Disciples' reaction, the smile on his lips deepening.

"I heard you also accepted a few promising talents this year? Why not call them out to exchange pointers, don't hide them away."

He changed the subject, looking at the queue with an inquiring gaze.

"I heard you have a proud Disciple named Li Xuanfeng? Last year he was already at the Early Stage Core Formation Realm. Why is he nowhere to be seen today? Could it be that he's scared and doesn't dare to come out and meet us?"

Xuan Yangzi's tone was calm, yet it held a hidden chill.

"Xuan Feng is about to enter secluded Cultivation and cannot be disturbed. However, Palace Master Lie, you are so eager for your Disciples to show off. Could it be that you fear there will be no chance to boast again after the Sect Grand Competition in a year?"

Lie Tianxiong's expression changed slightly, then he laughed: "Xuan Yangzi is still as sharp-tongued as ever. It's just that I wonder if your Sect's Disciples have the same confidence as you?"

"My Sect's Disciples have always been low-key, unlike your Sect, which enjoys being ostentatious."

Xuan Yangzi picked up a teacup that had appeared at some point and took a small sip, "However, if you truly want to compete, let's see the real results at next year's Grand Competition."

Hearing this, Lie Tianxiong mused: It seems I underestimated Xuan Yangzi.

He had long heard that the Azure Profound Sect had produced a few promising talents, especially Li Xuanfeng, who was rumored to have also had a Breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm. He had intended to use this opportunity to test them and see the true strength of their juniors, but now it seemed impossible.

This Xuan Yangzi certainly knew how to keep his composure.

On his face, however, he remained impassive, smiling with a hint of mockery as he spoke.

"Since Sect Master Xuan Yangzi has concerns, I won't force it. Just make sure that when the Seven Great Sects competition comes, you won't still be unable to present anyone."

He turned to his Disciples and said: "Since an exchange isn't happening, we should head back. Farewell."

As the Burning Heaven Palace group left, Lin Lie deliberately bumped into a Azure Profound Sect Disciple as he passed by. The Disciple stumbled a few steps before steadying himself, but Lin Lie walked on without looking back, a triumphant smile on his lips.

This child has already chosen the path to his own demise, Xuan Yangzi's heart turned cold.

It wasn't until the opponent's figure completely vanished into the clouds and mist that Xuan Yangzi turned to look at the Disciples behind him.

Each Disciple's expression was agitated, their eyes burning with an unyielding fire.

"They came today, first to show off their strength, and second to probe our true capabilities."

Xuan Yangzi's voice echoed through the valley: "For the Seven Great Sects competition, they want us to fall into disarray, but we will remain composed."

He walked to the trial stele, his gaze sweeping over the patterns on the stele.

"From today onwards, all Disciples must Cultivate diligently."

Xuan Yangzi's gaze swept over each young face, his tone grave yet encouraging.

"The competition a year from now is not only for the Sect's glory but also for yourselves, to prove that the Disciples of Azure Profound Sect are absolutely no worse than anyone else!"

...The Burning Heaven Palace group left the Azure Profound Sect arrogantly, Lie Tianxiong spewing spittle all the way.

"Did you see? Even with such provocation, Xuan Yangzi didn't send any Disciples out. It seems the Azure Profound Sect Disciples are nothing special."

"When next year's Grand Competition comes, we'll trample the Azure Profound Sect's reputation underfoot..."

The Disciples echoed him in agreement, completely unaware that a "surprise" was waiting for them in Black Wind Canyon.

Less than half a day after leaving the Azure Profound Sect, as the group stepped into the desolate canyon, two gray figures suddenly darted out from the cliffs on both sides.

"Who's there?"

The Burning Heaven Palace members were so startled that their Qi almost went awry, and they hastily adopted defensive stances.

But the gray figures didn't play by the rules at all, immediately throwing punches and kicks.

Lin Lie had only half-drawn his sword when his knee was hit with a gut-wrenching kick, making him yelp in pain. His long sword clanged to the ground, and he clutched his leg, trembling.

Zhao Yan tried to make a heroic entrance, but as soon as he charged up, he was met with an elbow strike to the chest. He crashed against the stone wall like a broken kite, and when he slid down, half of his front tooth was chipped off.

The four purple-robed Elders hadn't even had time to form a formation before they were knocked to the ground by the gray figures' three punches and two kicks, groaning and clutching their stomachs, looking like four old hens whose tails had been stepped on.

Lie Tianxiong roared and personally entered the fray. Just as the Heavenly Human Realm pressure spread out, he was tripped by a sweeping leg from a gray figure, landing on all fours.

He struggled to get up, intending to utter threats, but was met with an uppercut, immediately seeing stars and his nose bleeding profusely.

The gray figure's punches landed with solid impact, specifically targeting his face. In just a few moves, he was beaten into a panda-eyed mess, his cheeks swollen like he had two walnuts in his mouth.

Everyone from the Burning Heaven Palace failed to escape the fate of being beaten. After a flurry of punches and kicks, they all lay on the ground, unable to move.

The gray figure sneered, delivering a final kick that sent Lie Tianxiong tumbling like a gourd. In a few bounds, he vanished.

"If you're so brave, don't run!" Lie Tianxiong roared, clutching his swollen face.

In the dense forest, the gray figure pulled off the cloth covering his face, revealing Xuan Yangzi's usually gentle countenance, though his brows and eyes were nowCondensation with coldness.

"You pulled out my welcoming pine; not breaking your legs was being polite."

It turned out this person was none other than the Sect Master of Azure Profound Sect, Xuan Yangzi.

He took off his gray short-sleeved top and changed into the regular attire of the Azure Profound Sect Master. As his fingertips brushed his lapel, he coldly snorted.

"Being presumptuous at my Sect's gate is one thing, but you also wanted to humiliate my Sect's Disciples—do you really think I, Xuan Yangzi, am a soft persimmon to be kneaded by anyone?"

His forbearance at the Sect gate earlier was merely out of concern for the Sect's reputation, and he didn't want the Burning Heaven Palace to uncover the Azure Profound Sect's true strength.

But Lie Tianxiong's arrogant, nose-in-the-air demeanor, and the overt and covert mockery from his Disciples, had long filled him with suppressed anger.

As a Sect Master, if he couldn't protect the dignity of his Disciples, what kind of Sect Master was he?

If it wasn't convenient to act out in public, couldn't he find a secluded spot to get revenge for them?

Xuan Yangzi clapped the dust from his hands, looking in the direction of the wailing Burning Heaven Palace members, a cold, sharp curve forming on his lips.

"This beating is the interest for your arrogance."