Chapter 75: Power Dictates Authority!

With the Golden Light Shield in place, He Dalong’s attempt to grab was thwarted. But he was unwilling to give up. In an instant, he underwent partial beast transformation; except for his head, his body transformed into a giant bull over two meters tall. With a heavy stomp, his hooves thundered down upon the Golden Light Shield.

A deafening boom erupted—the shield immediately dimmed considerably. Another blow like that and its power would be spent. Li Xiang’s cultivation was only at Tier Three, Two Stars; the spiritual energy he could muster to sustain the shield was running low.

He turned back to Xiang Nan in alarm. “Brother Nan, you all need to go—his strength is too great, I can’t hold on much longer!”

By now, several of He Dalong’s flamboyant followers had encircled them.

“Weren’t you acting tough just now? Trying to run already?”

“I really doubt that Flamecloud Demon really died at this pretty boy’s hands.”

“Didn’t you watch the news? This kid just got lucky, happened to catch a freak phenomenon. Otherwise, he’d be the one dead for sure!”

“But this pretty boy’s way too arrogant. Today, we need to teach him a lesson.”

Seeing these men closing in, Li Xiang grew more frantic. “Brother Nan, these guys are bad news. Take the girls and break out first.”

Xiang Nan shielded Su Yao and Xu Jiya behind him, surprised by Li Xiang’s loyalty. With only Tier Three, Two Star strength and an ability mastery of just 20%, Li Xiang had managed to withstand the beast-formed He Dalong by sheer grit.

“Li Xiang, hold on a little longer. I’ll deal with these guys.”

As he spoke, Xiang Nan’s figure flickered; stepping with the Five Elements Eight Trigrams, he became a blur and darted into the midst of He Dalong’s followers.

Left and right, he struck and swept. In the blink of an eye, all four were left sprawled on the ground, wounded.

He had employed Taiji Fist, each move landing precisely on their acupoints. Even those among them who had reached Tier Three had no chance to display their abilities before succumbing to his attacks.

Though Xiang Nan’s movements seemed unhurried, his speed was astonishing—he gave them no chance to react.

“Brother Nan is amazing!” Su Yao clapped her hands in delight.

Xu Jiya’s eyes sparkled with adoration yet again.

On the other side, the half-beast He Dalong was still hammering at Li Xiang’s Golden Light Shield, his hooves raining relentless blows.

Very soon, Li Xiang was at his limit. Blood spurted from his lips, yet he stubbornly held on. Seeing that Xiang Nan had already dealt with He Dalong’s lackeys in less than half a minute, Li Xiang was inspired anew. He pushed himself, pouring the last of his spiritual energy into the shield.

Yet He Dalong’s kicks grew fiercer, the air crackling with shockwaves. The next blow wouldn’t just shatter the shield—it might cost Li Xiang his life.

Despair filled Li Xiang’s eyes as danger loomed. Both he and He Dalong were pushing themselves to the utmost. Any misstep could result in a backlash, rupturing his own organs. Even if Xiang Nan wanted to help, there was nothing he could do.

But Xiang Nan had his own methods. Suddenly, the air around them began to swirl, and the pressure bearing down on Li Xiang rapidly shifted toward Xiang Nan.

The strain on Li Xiang lessened instantly—Xiang Nan was using the Primordial Celestial Spirit Art to transfer some of the force onto himself.

Then, in a swift leap, Xiang Nan positioned himself in front of the shield. He caught He Dalong’s hoof in his palm, and with the art of Taiji, deflected the massive force.

Taiji is all about redirecting force and overcoming strength with softness. He Dalong’s kick landed as if on cotton; not only did it fail to hit Xiang Nan, but it also left him slightly off balance.

Seizing the moment, Xiang Nan attacked his lower body, nearly toppling the great bull.

Behind them, Li Xiang staggered back several steps, forced away by the backlash. He spat a mouthful of blood, but managed to protect his heart meridian. Yet, his strength was utterly spent.

Xu Jiya quickly shoved a Revival Herb into his mouth. “Chew and swallow this spirit herb quickly. You’ll recover in no time.”

Li Xiang stared at her in a daze. In the midst of crisis, the care from a girl warmed his heart.

As soon as he swallowed the herb, he felt his blood surging, every cell rapidly repairing itself. In moments, the pain was gone, and his internal injuries had completely healed.

“Incredible! This is a divine medicine!” Li Xiang couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Brother Xiang Nan’s medicine is always this amazing. You’ll get used to it,” Xu Jiya replied with a proud smile.

At that moment—

Xiang Nan and the half-beast He Dalong had already exchanged dozens of blows, yet neither could gain the upper hand.

But anyone could see that if this dragged on, He Dalong’s strength would only wane. Xiang Nan’s movements were free-flowing and graceful, as effortless as drifting clouds and flowing water; he could keep fighting for hundreds more rounds without defeat.

This was all thanks to the spiritual energy at Xiang Nan’s brow, granting him a constant wellspring of vitality and power.

But He Dalong was a stubborn bull, extremely resistant to damage. With Tier Three, Six Star strength and formidable abilities, any blow that landed on his bull form was like striking steel.

Since they were still on campus, their battle was causing quite a commotion. A growing crowd of students gathered to watch.

Under such circumstances, Xiang Nan would never unleash the Taiji Diagram. As for his spirit technique, the Scorching Flame Wave, there was no need to reveal it now. Yet this stubborn bull was so troublesome that for the moment, Xiang Nan could do nothing to subdue him.

Suddenly, a bolt of blue light crashed down, forcibly separating the two.

When the light faded, Xiang Nan saw who had arrived—it was Principal Sun Liren himself.

Despite all his time at the school, this was Xiang Nan’s first time seeing the principal in action. Whatever technique he’d used, he had effortlessly separated two masters locked in fierce combat.

“This is a school, not a place for personal duels. If you want a fair contest, take it to the Virtual Realm!” Principal Sun’s voice boomed like a great bell, commanding awe and respect.

He Dalong, as a student from another academy, was clearly in the wrong for coming to Lingwu University in the capital to fight.

“Hmph! I’ll deal with you another time! Let’s go!” He Dalong snorted coldly, swaggering off with his followers.

Seeing He Dalong’s arrogance—even in the face of Principal Sun—left Xiang Nan rather astonished.

“Students from the Supreme Lingwu Academy are all like this: domineering, with no respect for martial virtue! Best to steer clear of anyone from their academy in the future,” Li Xiang, fully recovered, came over to vent his frustration.

“Domineering? That takes real strength. These people are nothing to fear!” Xiang Nan watched He Dalong and his crew leave, his eyes full of disdain.

A glimmer of appreciation flashed in Principal Sun’s eyes as he patted Xiang Nan’s shoulder. “Excellent—the courage of youth. But remember: in the world of martial artists, there is more than just strength. There is also justice!”

“Principal Sun, I will remember your words,” Xiang Nan replied. He truly admired this principal from the bottom of his heart.