C4 The Beautiful Teacher

When everyone saw the light emitting from Zhang Hai's body, they all knew that he was the embodiment of one of Martial Hall's great students. They all sighed in envy.

"Since you broke his hands and two of his ribs, I'll break all your limbs and your ribs today." Zhang Hai smiled coldly. "It's only fair."

The disciples had a rule against killing people. However, there were no rules for crippling someone. If Zhang Hai had managed to do so, he'd be able to get away with it due to a minor technicality. Besides their influence across the land would allow them to do anything.

As soon as he said this, Zhang Hai raised his palm and pushed it toward his chest. One strike invited the howling winds around him. His eyes were narrowed.

Luo Xiu's face turned stony as he raised his arms to block the attack.

However, despite his defense, he still felt a twinge of pain snaking down his arms. He suppressed the urge to flinch as he stumbled back, unable to hold his ground. His eyes widened by a fraction.

While Luo Xiu had no problem standing up against his brother, he knew that this was a much harder fight. "He truly is at Level Seven," he murmured to himself. "I wouldn't be able to match him right now."

Despite this, he showed no signs of fear. He let his Inner Qi heal him before looking up at the snarky prodigy.

The clouds soon faded from the impact and Zhang Hai frowned, regarding the still-standing man with confusion. "You didn't get knocked down," he mused. "I'm not surprised. Since you've managed to injure my brother, I assume you do have some ability."

Even then, how could he not be defeated by that move?

Of course, Zhang Hai didn't doubt his strength. While this kid showed potential, he'd easily plummet this "potential" to the ground. He curled his fingers and made an imitation of the Iron Eagle Claw. Then, he aimed for his neck.

Although the two brothers used the same Level Three Martial Skill, his movements were much more precise. His fingers were much more stabilized, and his strength was unparalleled to that of his brother. Luo Xiu stabilized his stance and prepared for the impact.

"Stop!"

An angry voice echoed across the field.

As soon as Zhang Hai heard this voice, he dropped his arm and turned around. There, he saw a tall woman storming toward them, her martial robe fluttering from her quick movements.

"Teacher Lu."

Everyone bowed.

This was Lu Mengyao, one of the teachers of Martial Hall. He also happened to have reached Qi Sea Stage. However, her reputation was far greater than that of her strength.

With her startling bright eyes and long legs for days, she was popular amongst the schoolboys. Her strength was also unparalleled by the people around her. Beauty and brains—every guy's dream woman.

Zhang Hai didn't dare disobey her.

"Teacher Lu." They bowed at the same time.

"Zhang Hai, I expect better from you." Lu Mengyao scowled. "You're part of the Intermediate Class. Is this how martial artists do it now? Go to the Beginner Class and bully the weak?"

"I—Teacher Lu, you don't understand," Zhang Hai protested. "He injured my brother, so I only wanted to settle a score. It's nothing personal."

Injured his brother. So this was Luo Xiu. Lu Mengyao turned to the other man and pursed her lips. She really hadn't paid much attention to this student. He had been silent for three years, and he barely showed any progress...until now.

The teachers rarely stepped in when it came to fights like these. After all, it was these fights that enabled them to improve and be better.

What she didn't expect was for this young brat to defeat Zhang Hao.

"Body Refining Level Four?"

She noticed the fluctuations of his Inner Qi. A few days ago, wasn't he only at Level Two?

Could it be that he was hiding his strength all this time? Is he finally showing off his talent?

There were people who were extremely good at Martial Arts. However, due to the fact that they couldn't use their strength well, they ended up failing in the arts. However, as they practiced more and more, they soon became even more powerful.

Perhaps he was one of those people. Maybe he was worthy of being taught.

Lu Mengyao always had a soft spot for people who had it much harder. After all, it was their perseverance and willpower that not even a noble could copy.

As her piercing gaze fell on him, Luo Xiu could feel his stomach stirring.

"I normally don't interfere in fights like these." She gazed at all the other students. "But in Martial Hall, justice and honor should always prevail, and you've shown none of the above."

"If you want to fight him, I won't object as soon as he enters the Intermediate Class three months later. What I would not allow is for you to fight a freshman, knowing that your strength far supersedes his. Now, go back."

Everyone blinked in surprise. How could this beauty defend him?

In the Martial Hall, bullying was common. In fact, the reason why Zhang Hao had so much influence around here was that he had the full support of Zhang Hai. If anyone were to go against him, they were also going against his brother.

The other students stared at him with envy. Maybe he had attracted this teacher's attention after what he did.

Zhang Hai clenched his fists.

While he was bold, he wasn't arrogant enough to go against Lu Mengyao. After all, he was no stranger to the rumor of Teacher Lu's complicated background. Even other senior teachers were respectful to her.

"Then I shall." He shot Luo Xiu one last glare, bowed at the teacher, and walked away.

It seemed that this matter had temporarily calmed down.

Zhang Hai was at Level Seven. However, even if Luo Xiu managed to enter the Intermediate Class, he'd only be at Level Five. The gap between them would still be outstanding.

"Thank you, Teacher Lu." Luo Xiu bowed his head.

Although he was not afraid of Zhang Hai, he knew that this teacher was putting her name out of the line to side with him. It was for that reason he was thankful to her.

"You were able to accumulate your strength at the critical moment and wait for an opportunity to strike your blow," Lu Mengyao noted. "It shows that you have some potential. Work hard and pass your assessment."

If Luo Xiu's cultivation speed was like before, he wouldn't be able to pass the assessment. However, now that she had seen his potential, she naturally couldn't stand by and do nothing. However, for now, she could just wait and see.

Without another word, she turned around and left.

Staring at Lu Mengyao's back, Luo Xiu frowned. Just now, he had seen her Life Vein. It seemed that the position of her heart meridian was a bit off, but there was also something else that startled him.

This was the first time Luo Xiu had ever seen the Life Vein of a Qi Sea Stage Martial Artist. While an ordinary disciple's diagram would emit a soft white light, a Qi Sea Stage Martia Artist emitted a luminous green one. He pursed his lips,

He knew that Qi Sea Martial Artists were far stronger than those practicing Body Refining, but he never truly understood how much. Even if he were to attack them now, he wouldn't be able to damage their life veins

Hell, he wouldn't even lay a finger on them even if he tried! It seemed that his arrogance wouldn't yield him any fruits here.

Luo Xiu's eyes shone in determination as he made his way to the Library of Cultivation.

The Library of Cultivation was where he could find thousands of knowledge scrolls and notes on both cultivation and martial arts. Only a few could ever enter the library, and even then, some of them would only be limited to a few sections.

Other than those extremely powerful sages, the only people allowed to step into the inner halls of the library were its part-time guardians. Students would usually be hired to guard its entrance in exchange for silver.

"Stop right there. What's your purpose?" Two students blocked his way as soon as he was about to step into the entrance.

Luo Xiu cocked his eyebrow. "And you didn't stop those people because?" He motioned at the other figureheads stepping inside.

"And what right do you have to compare yourself to them? They're there to buy the scrolls or they're there because they deserve to be." One of the upperclassmen sneered. "Don't you think I don't know you, kid? You don't have the qualifications to enter. Now, scram!"

The person who had just spoken belonged to the Intermediate Class. He used to be his neighbor before he moved out, so he knew exactly who he was talking to.

Wang Hui was also one of Zhang Hai's lackeys then. Without him, his humble background wouldn't have allowed him to climb up the ranks this easily.

The reason why he had stopped him from going in was that this man was said to have injured Zhang Hai's brother, Zhang Hao.

"Look, we're neighbors," Wang Hui suddenly said. "So I'll just give you some advice for old time's sake. Find Young Master Zhang and apologize. Otherwise, you wouldn't just worry about yourself if I were you."

There were certain benefits to being the "lapdog" of some aristocrats. While he may not have anything to fall back on, his friends did and he could use them in time. If ever he was unfortunate enough to be one of the people expelled from Martial Hall, he cold rely on the Zhang Family for sustenance.

"So you're the one who beat Zhang Hao up?" The student beside Wang Hui smirked. His words were dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't realize you were that powerful."

"According to the rules of Martial Hall, reaching Level Four would allow me to enter the Library of Cultivation." Luo Xiu raised his eyebrow, waving his hand at the entrance. "Are you willing to break the rules? Will you face the consequences of your actions?"

"You're saying you're at Level Four?" Wang Hui barked out a laugh. "Please. A few days ago, you were at Level Two. I don't know how you managed to injure Young Master Zhang or what tricks you're playing, but I wouldn't be arrogant if I were you."

"Arrogant?"

Luo Xiu raised his hand and took a deep breath, allowing his Qi to circulate around his veins. A faint light surrounded his body like a halo as he stared up at him.

The wild laughter stopped.

"That's...How?"The upperclassman stuttered. He stared at Luo Xiu for a long time before his gaze cooled and his fists clenched. "Even if you're at Level Four, who says I'd let you in?"

"You dare break the rules?"

Wang Hui rolled his eyes. "Rules? Don't pretend kid. If it had been the past, I would've let you in even if you were at Level Two," he snapped. "Now that you've made an enemy of Zhang Hai, don't even think about entering this hall."

The other upperclassman sneered. "Now that you're here, why don't we hand you over to Young Master Zhang himself? He'd decide what to do with you."

After saying this, he grabbed a hold of Luo Xiu's collar. While the other man was at Level Four, he was at Level Five. It wouldn't be a problem for him to go against this trash.

"Agh!" Luo Xiu shouted and threw his fist toward him. A bull's cry echoed all around them as fast winds circulated the area.