Chapter 138: Battle with a Condensed Qi Expert

Chapter 138: Battle with a Condensed Qi Expert

"Good timing!"

Mu Kuang let out a savage laugh, channeling his Yuan energy into his fist as he punched back at Chen Qiang. The sheer force of his physical strength combined with his Yuan energy was overwhelming.

Bang!

The clash of blows reverberated through the room, followed by the sickening sound of bones snapping. Chen Qiang's fist shattered under the impact of Mu Kuang's strike, and the powerful blow sent him flying into the obsidian wall, cracking it slightly.

"Argh...!"

Chen Qiang slumped to the ground, coughing up blood, while the dozen other Tianfeng students writhed on the floor, groaning in pain. Each of them had suffered multiple fractures at the hands of Mu Kuang.

The onlookers stared in stunned silence, their gazes fixed on Mu Kuang. His explosive punch had revealed his cultivation—Zifu Stage Level Seven!

For a freshman to already reach the Zifu Stage Level Seven was extraordinary. The shock was even greater considering that among the three friends, Bai Ziyue and Mu Feng were at Level Eight.

Mu Kuang approached Chen Qiang, who shrank back in terror until he was pinned against the wall. Mu Kuang grabbed him by the neck and lifted him like a helpless chick, carrying him to Mu Feng.

"Brother Feng, what should we do with this guy?"

Chen Qiang stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "You… you won't get away with this! My brother won't let you go! He's an inner-court disciple!"

Mu Feng rose from his seat, his gaze icy. "I didn't come here to stir up trouble, but if you want to play, I'll play. Break another arm."

"Gladly!" Mu Kuang grinned wickedly, grabbing Chen Qiang's arm and twisting it sharply.

Crack!

"Aaaah!"

Chen Qiang screamed in agony as his arm snapped. Mu Kuang tossed him aside like trash.

The onlookers shivered, their admiration for Mu Feng tinged with fear. The young man's calm, icy demeanor made it clear he was not one to be trifled with.

"Go tell your brother that I, Mu Feng, will be waiting here for him," Mu Feng said coldly, sitting back down.

The battered Tianfeng students, filled with resentment and humiliation, helped each other up and stumbled out of the hall.

"Ha! That felt good!"

"The way those Tianfeng whelps screamed was so satisfying!"

The Mu family disciples laughed heartily, their respect for Mu Feng and Mu Kuang reaching new heights.

"Brother Feng, shouldn't we ask Sister Ling'er for help? If they come back with an inner-court disciple, we might not be able to handle it," suggested Mu Tie, his voice laced with concern.

Mu Feng shook his head. "No need. If we're here, we must learn to fend for ourselves. If we can't fight back, then we deserve to be beaten. Strength is the only way to avoid humiliation. If you don't want to be bullied, train harder."

His words left the Mu family disciples introspective and slightly embarrassed. They realized Mu Feng was here not to seek protection but to challenge himself and grow stronger.

As they waited, even other students stayed behind, eager to watch the unfolding drama. Among them, the female instructor who had been teaching earlier approached Mu Feng.

"Which region are you from?" she asked.

"Southern Ling Kingdom," Mu Feng replied respectfully.

"I'm Qin Xiu, a fourth-year student from Southern Ling as well," she said, offering advice. "As a fellow countryman, let me warn you: avoid provoking the Tianfeng students. Their influence in Tianyun Academy is immense."

Mu Feng smiled faintly. "Thank you for the advice, Senior Qin, but if we avoid every challenge, where's the joy in martial cultivation?"

Qin Xiu's expression soured. "Suit yourself. Just remember, if you bite off more than you can chew, don't blame anyone else for your misery." She walked away, clearly annoyed but curious enough to stay and watch the confrontation.

Not long after, a group of Tianfeng students stormed into the hall, led by a black-clad young man exuding a menacing aura. Behind him were the battered students Mu Kuang had dealt with earlier.

The black-clad youth kicked the door open, his cold gaze sweeping across the room. "Who beat up my brother?" he demanded.

"Brother Zhi, it's him!" one of the injured students said, pointing at Mu Feng's group.

Chen Zhi's piercing eyes locked onto Mu Feng and his companions. "Who broke my brother's arm? Step forward."

Mu Kuang stepped forward without hesitation, his stance unyielding. "I did."

Mu Feng stood as well, his calm demeanor like a steady flame. "And it was under my orders. If you want to settle this, let's take it outside."

Without waiting for a response, Mu Feng led the group out of the hall to an open area.

The crowd followed eagerly, buzzing with anticipation. This was not a fight anyone wanted to miss.

Standing before Chen Zhi, Mu Feng observed him closely. Chen Zhi bore a resemblance to Chen Qiang, but his aura was far more intimidating. The three stripes on his academy badge marked him as a third-year student and a Condensed Qi Stage Level One cultivator.

Chen Zhi sneered. "I didn't expect Southern Ling's brats to be so arrogant. Breaking my brother's arm? I'll make sure you leave here in pieces."

"Enough talk. Let's fight," Mu Feng said bluntly, his voice as sharp as a blade.

"You'll regret this," Chen Zhi snarled. In a flash, he launched himself at Mu Feng, his body surrounded by golden Yuan energy. His fist, glowing with golden light, cut through the air with devastating force.

Mu Feng's expression turned serious. Though he had faced many challenges, a Condensed Qi expert was no small foe. Channeling the energy from three of his elemental vortices, he called upon his Nine Flame Explosive Punch.

"Nine Flame Explosive Punch!"

His fist, wreathed in flames, met Chen Zhi's golden strike head-on.

Boom!

The clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Chen Zhi's golden energy dissipated, and both fighters were forced back—Chen Zhi retreated two steps, while Mu Feng was pushed back several more.

"Zifu Stage Level Eight!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"Is he really a freshman? How did he reach Level Eight so quickly?"

"Did he just clash evenly with a Condensed Qi cultivator?"

The crowd was in disbelief. The gap between the Zifu Stage and the Condensed Qi Stage was significant. Yuan energy lacked the tangible strength and durability of Yuan power, but Mu Feng's mastery of pure techniques and the power of his flames made up the difference.

Chen Zhi's expression darkened. Feeling the eyes of the crowd on him, he charged again, determined to crush Mu Feng and restore his pride.