C39 Solving the Conflict

Wu Baishun appeared quite wooden, as if detached from everything around him. Yet, his attacks were executed with ruthless precision.

In a swift motion, Wu Baishun spun and struck, unleashing his Astral Energy like a torrential river. The force sent the martial artist tumbling through the air, rolling over the ground five or six times.

Yu Kun's eyebrows lifted in recognition of Wu Baishun's extraordinary abilities.

"Wu Baishun is quite impressive! Despite his seemingly limited talent, his dedication to training is evident. That move might look simple, but he's clearly refined it through countless repetitions!"

Watching their comrade being hurled away, the other martial artists charged in unison. But Wu Baishun deployed the Night Fighting Eight Directions technique again, propelling each assailant through the air.

In that moment, Wu Baishun shed his wooden facade, embodying the prowess of a supreme master.

After dispatching his opponents, he reverted to his stolid demeanor and resumed his martial arts training, his stark transformation astonishing onlookers.

"Wu Baishun's power clearly outmatches martial artists of his level! Ordinary practitioners at the Qi Refining Stage don't stand a chance against him. His strength is four to five times that of a High Rank Qi Refining Stage martial artist. Should I engage him in combat, it would be prudent to use the Demon Suppressing Ring to restrain him first."

Yu Kun mulled over his strategy briefly before reaching a decision.

Without gaining the upper hand initially, even with his current strength, victory over Wu Baishun would come at a cost.

The skirmish drew to a close. As Yu Kun prepared to depart, a cold laugh echoed from the edge of the Martial Training Field.

"Wu Baishun, it seems you're not inclined to show me any respect."

Yu Kun's eyebrows arched as he watched a dashing young man approach from the outskirts of the field.

He was strikingly attractive.

Upon recognizing him, Hsu Shaan whispered urgently, "That's Bai Qingfeng, a prodigy among the Elite Disciples!"

Though Hsu Shaan spoke softly, Bai Qingfeng caught every word.

With a brief glance at Yu Kun and the others, Bai Qingfeng huffed, "I see my reputation precedes me. Well then, bear witness as I take down Wu Baishun and carve out my legacy!"

After Bai Qingfeng had his say, he paid no further attention to Yu Kun and the others. With a swift motion, he positioned himself before Wu Baishun.

Unperturbed by Bai Qingfeng's remarks, Wu Baishun didn't bother to look up or utter a word, his attention wholly devoted to his martial arts practice.

Enraged, Bai Qingfeng's hand morphed into the form of an eagle's claw and he lunged for Wu Baishun's shoulder.

This technique had been employed by another fighter earlier, only to be sent flying by Wu Baishun. Yet now, Bai Qingfeng was unleashing the same maneuver.

Wu Baishun countered with a move of his own, just as he had done before.

But Bai Qingfeng was far superior to the previous martial artist. He and Wu Baishun were quickly entangled in a fierce duel.

From the sidelines, Yu Kun remarked, "Bai Qingfeng truly lives up to his reputation as a genius! He's mastered this technique, surpassing the earlier martial artist. See how Wu Baishun has been forced on the defensive, retreating under Bai Qingfeng's relentless assault! While not out of the fight, he's certainly lost his edge."

Hsu Shaan nodded in agreement, adding, "Bai Qingfeng is formidable indeed! I've heard he's not practicing the Flying Cloud Sect's martial arts, but rather the Eagle Claw Capture passed down in his family. His skill is clearly exceptional!"

The onlookers observed the intense battle. Bai Qingfeng and Wu Baishun exchanged blows without a clear victor emerging, evidence of their evenly matched prowess.

Eventually, Wu Baishun's palm strike pushed Bai Qingfeng back. In turn, Bai Qingfeng's Eagle Claw Capture technique made Wu Baishun retreat a step.

In that moment, Wu Baishun channeled his Astral Energy and declared, "I've been diligently training and have at last grasped a new technique of the Supreme Fist. I welcome your insights!"

Bai Qingfeng bellowed, "My Eagle Claw Capture is no empty boast! Let's see if you can withstand my Goshawk in the Sky!"

Both combatants let out a battle cry and launched their attacks, each intent on unleashing a surge of Astral Energy for a decisive blow.

In that instant, the attacks launched by the two combatants clashed in the sky, their Astral Energy sparking with an unexpected glow. Though Astral Energy is typically invisible, it now shimmered with a radiant light.

The spectacle was dazzling, but Hsu Shaan couldn't suppress his alarm. "This is bad! Their Astral Energies are colliding—it's going to explode! Get out of here!" he yelled.

No sooner had Hsu Shaan's warning rang out than a figure dashed toward the dueling pair.

"Junior Brother Yu, stay back! It's too dangerous!" Hsu Shaan bellowed.

Yu Kun, however, didn't slow down. Employing the Shocking Wind Step Style, he bounded over and landed next to Wu Baishun and Bai Qingfeng in a few swift moves.

Both fighters were aware of Yu Kun's presence, but they were at a critical juncture and couldn't simply retract their Astral Energy. To do so would mean not only facing the brunt of the energy's assault but also risking backlash. Left with no choice, they continued to unleash their Astral Energy.

As a result, the power at the point of their energy's collision grew increasingly fearsome, threatening to culminate in a catastrophic explosion.

But as the situation grew dire, Yu Kun intervened. Their Astral Energies, once on the brink of detonation, began to fade as Yu Kun's energy merged with theirs.

Finally, Yu Kun thrust out both hands, simultaneously countering their attacks and forcibly separating the two. The dissipating Astral Energies no longer posed a threat of explosion.

Surprise etched itself on the faces of Wu Baishun and Bai Qingfeng. The peril of their clashing energies had been immense, a challenge not easily overcome even by someone of a higher realm. Yet, Yu Kun had managed it.

After some time, Yu Kun extinguished the last of their released Astral Energy, leaving no trace behind. Only then did he withdraw his hands and exhale deeply.

"That was a close call," he remarked with a slight smile. "You shouldn't fight with such reckless abandon. Those individuals are my friends. Had you actually triggered an Astral Energy explosion, they could have been seriously hurt."

Wu Baishun expressed his deep admiration, "You're truly formidable. I stand no chance against you!"

Bai Qingfeng's brow furrowed in contemplation. Gazing at Yu Kun, he spoke deliberately, "So, you're a master as well!"