Chapter Thirty: Sparring

“So it’s Senior Brother Hao Gang. I am Yang Xiao. I hope you’ll look after me,” Yang Xiao said politely to Hao Gang.

“Look after you? I wouldn’t dare,” Hao Gang replied with surprise. “If you’re able to cross hands with Xing Wutian, your skills must be quite formidable. But I don’t recall anyone as skilled as you in the sect. Did you compete in last year’s grand tournament?”

“No, Senior Brother Hao, I didn’t participate last year,” Yang Xiao answered honestly. In truth, he’d not been qualified to take part at that time—one needed to have reached at least the third level of cultivation, and to place well, the sixth or seventh. Last year, he’d only reached the second level; the sect would never have let him join. But Yang Xiao didn’t elaborate on these details.

“That explains why I haven’t heard your name. Still, if you can stand against Xing Wutian, your abilities certainly place you among the sect’s elite. I’ve been studying our sect’s techniques lately—why don’t we spar for a round or two?” Hao Gang proposed.

“I know your strength, Junior Brother Hao. I’m afraid Junior Brother Yang Xiao may not be your match. Perhaps we should forgo this contest,” interjected Ling Yunmei, stepping forward to mediate. She was puzzled by Hao Gang’s sudden desire to spar; he wasn’t usually so impulsive. Between the two, she believed Hao Gang to be the stronger, and worried Yang Xiao might get hurt. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she found herself unusually concerned for Yang Xiao.

“This is a matter between Yang Xiao and me, Senior Sister Ling. Please don’t interfere. Besides, Junior Brother Yang’s skills are impressive—I simply wish to see them firsthand. I trust you won’t refuse me, will you?” With these words, Hao Gang blocked Ling Yunmei’s intervention, his tone carrying a clear edge of provocation, making it hard for Yang Xiao to refuse.

“Very well, since Senior Brother Hao wishes to spar, I’ll be happy to oblige,” Yang Xiao agreed.

Though Hao Gang’s intentions were far from friendly, Yang Xiao felt no fear and saw no reason to back down.

“Excellent! You’re straightforward, Junior Brother Yang. Let’s head outside for our duel.” Hao Gang shot Yang Xiao a meaningful glance.

Yang Xiao, curious what tricks Hao Gang might have up his sleeve, stood up and followed him out.

Ling Yunmei had wanted to stop Yang Xiao, but seeing his confidence, she held back. Still, she followed them outside, worried for both of them.

As they walked, Hao Gang leaned in and murmured, “You’re quite something, Junior Brother Yang, to make the usually prim Senior Sister Ling smile like that. Unfortunately, you’re not worthy of her. In Jueling Sect, only she and I are truly suited to one another.”

Only then did Yang Xiao realize Hao Gang’s challenge was for Ling Yunmei’s sake—he was clearly a suitor as well. But Yang Xiao harbored the same feelings. In his past life, perhaps he’d have stepped aside, the gap between himself and Ling Yunmei too vast. But in this life? Who could say who was more qualified?

“So Senior Brother Hao is challenging me for Senior Sister Ling’s sake,” Yang Xiao replied, feigning sudden understanding.

“As long as you know. There’s still time to withdraw. If you promise to keep your distance from Senior Sister Ling from now on, I’ll go easy on you,” Hao Gang said, convinced Yang Xiao would beg for mercy now that he knew the truth.

But Yang Xiao replied, “That’s unfortunate. I, too, am an admirer of Senior Sister Ling. So, Senior Brother Hao, please don’t hold back.”

“Very well, Yang Xiao, you do have some nerve. Let’s see what you’re capable of, to speak so boldly.” Hao Gang was even more incensed. In his mind, Yang Xiao was a toad lusting after a swan, daring to defy him openly. He resolved to teach Yang Xiao a harsh lesson.

The two soon reached the courtyard. Ling Yunmei followed, anxious that their match might become too heated and someone might get hurt. She planned to intervene and separate them if things got out of hand. After all, injury to either would reflect poorly on the sect.

Moreover, Ling Yunmei now suspected the true reason behind the duel but didn’t know how to dissuade them. She could only let them play out this farce.

“Junior Brother Yang, don’t blame me for being ruthless,” Hao Gang declared, and with a swift step, charged at Yang Xiao. Lightning arced across his fists—it was the Thundercrack Fist, but wielded with a force and momentum Yang Xiao had never seen before.

“To master the Thundercrack Fist to such a degree—truly rare among those in the Spirit Sense stage,” Yang Xiao murmured in admiration. He unleashed a punch of his own, and their fists collided with a resounding crack, the force sending both of them stumbling back.

This first exchange ended in a draw.

Hao Gang was astonished. Usually, no ordinary disciple could withstand even a single blow from him. He’d assumed Yang Xiao’s cultivation was inferior and that he could overpower him. Yet, Yang Xiao had met his attack head-on without flinching, which made no sense—Yang Xiao’s aura clearly wasn’t that of someone with such high cultivation. How had he survived the blow?

The truth was, Yang Xiao had employed a bit of cunning. In pure strength, he was no match for Hao Gang, but with the Ninefold Golden Body’s protection, his physique could withstand Hao Gang’s force directly, allowing him to meet the attack on equal terms.

Ling Yunmei, observing from the sidelines, was equally amazed. The lightning gathered around Yang Xiao was clearly weaker, yet the power he unleashed matched Hao Gang’s evenly.

Hao Gang, unwilling to accept a stalemate, gathered his spiritual power once more and charged. This time, several fist-sized spheres of lightning formed around his arm, shooting toward Yang Xiao before the punch itself landed.

Unfazed, Yang Xiao drew upon his own lightning mark, forming an equal number of lightning spheres to intercept Hao Gang’s. The two attacks clashed, neither side yielding.

But this time, as Hao Gang’s fist came at him, Yang Xiao sidestepped with a sudden burst of speed and struck from the side. The blow landed before Hao Gang could react, sending him flying more than ten feet away.