Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Vulnerable

Gu An and Yang Ni, walking in front, could hear the tension in the voices of Yang Jian and Li Lingtian.

Gu An didn't mind; after all, it was Li Lingtian who first provoked Yang Jian. While he taught Yang Jian to be humble, he couldn't allow him to develop a meek personality that got bullied.

Yang Ni, on the other hand, didn't expect Gu An's disciple to have such a tough character. From what she remembered, Gu An had always had a gentle disposition.

However, against Li Lingtian, being too tough could be a disadvantage.

Although Yang Ni didn't like Li Lingtian, she had to admit that his talent was extraordinarily strong, almost like an Immortal descended to the mortal realm.

After a while, the four of them reached the woods.

Without waiting for Gu An and Yang Ni to speak, Yang Jian and Li Lingtian had already squared off.

Li Lingtian asked, "What rules do you need?"

He could see that Yang Jian's cultivation level was lower than his, so he wanted Yang Jian to set the rules.

Li Lingtian never liked bullying others!

Yang Jian looked at him calmly and said, "Let's just fight directly. I'll show mercy."

Although Yang Jian didn't know Li Lingtian's identity, he had to show Gu An respect since Yang Ni and Gu An seemed to be on cordial terms.

Hearing Yang Jian's words, Li Lingtian was momentarily stunned.

This guy really didn't give in!

Li Lingtian didn't think much of it; after all, this was his first battle since he started cultivating, something he had anticipated for ten years.

"Then let's fight!"

Li Lingtian let out a loud laugh, moved his feet, and a fierce wind scattered the surrounding leaves. He dashed towards Yang Jian like lightning, his leg sweeping out like a long whip, exceedingly fierce.

Yang Jian reacted just as quickly, almost instantly lifting his knee to block Li Lingtian's sweeping leg.

Li Lingtian's eyes widened, and his smile became ferocious; Yang Jian's strength excited him greatly.

"Such fast reactions," Yang Ni said, standing next to Gu An. Yang Jian surprised her.

Both Li Lingtian and Yang Jian, with merely their speed and reactions, had already surpassed Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Yang Ni even thought she wasn't this strong when she was in the Core Formation Realm.

It turned out Gu An really had confidence!

Li Lingtian leveraged the force to jump back, his body stretching in mid-air. He punched out, and spiritual power formed a golden dragon shadow that charged at Yang Jian.

A dragon's roar exploded, echoing through the woods.

Yang Jian didn't retreat; instead, he advanced, dispersing the dragon's shadow with a wave of his hand and stepping up to Li Lingtian.

Li Lingtian's pupils contracted suddenly.

Bang!

Yang Jian struck Li Lingtian's abdomen with his elbow, causing Li Lingtian's eyes to widen and his mouth to open, spitting out blood. seaʀᴄh thё novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Immediately, Yang Jian's fists and kicks followed like a storm, beating Li Lingtian's body severely, making him feel like a sandbag, unable to stay grounded.

"This is impossible!"

Yang Ni's eyes widened in disbelief.

She knew Li Lingtian's strength well; although he hadn't sparred with others, Li Xuandao had prepared many puppets as grindstones for him.

In her view, Li Lingtian had already surpassed the Foundation Establishment Realm; if he had not spent so much time practicing spells and divine skills, his cultivation would have reached the Core Formation Realm by now.

Such a monstrous talent being beaten so completely? It was unbelievable.

Yang Jian's fist and kick speed even made this Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator quite shocked.

As Yang Jian engaged in battle, she could sense an extremely dangerous aura from him, something she had never felt before. Although Yang Jian's cultivation level couldn't threaten her, she felt an inexplicable reverence.

Seeing that Li Lingtian was about to be beaten to death, Yang Ni was about to intervene but was stopped by Gu An.

"Don't worry, Jian'er knows his limits. This is a good opportunity to temper this prince's character; otherwise, he'll create too many enemies in the Immortal Cultivation World with his arrogance," Gu An said with a smile.

Yang Ni glanced at him, looking at his profile, and felt somewhat dazed.

Why was he so calm?

She suddenly felt that Gu An must have gone through a lot over the years she was away.

The key question was how such a talented individual could have taken Gu An as his master?

Yang Ni turned her gaze to Yang Jian. She had to admit, at this moment, Yang Jian looked like the true genius, and Li Lingtian appeared so incapable, completely unable to display his talent.

Soon, Yang Jian landed, raising his right leg to use his foot to catch Li Lingtian's body.

At this moment, Li Lingtian's clothes were torn, his hair disheveled, his face covered in blood, and his body appeared extremely feeble.

Yang Jian slowly placed Li Lingtian down with one foot. Throughout, his expression didn't change, as if this battle hadn't given him any sense of achievement.

Li Lingtian lay on the ground, barely opening his eyes.

Yang Jian stood in front of him, looking down at him.

For the first time, Li Lingtian saw someone from this angle, feeling almost crushed inside.

He hadn't expected the battle to turn out this way...

Yang Jian was faster, his fists and feet heavier, and his cultivation level was lower...

He could feel that Yang Jian didn't even use spiritual power, relying solely on speed and qi to beat him...

Why was it like this?

Could it be that I am not the most talented in the world?

Li Lingtian's eyes lost their sparkle, and he buried his face in the ground, his shoulders trembling.

He cried.

He couldn't accept his defeat.

Gu An walked over, and Yang Jian quickly saluted him.

Seeing Yang Jian's respect towards Gu An, Yang Ni's expression became more peculiar.

Gu An squatted beside Li Lingtian and said softly, "Your talent is indeed rare, but you must always maintain a reverence for the world. Remember, there are always people stronger than you; if your opponent today had been your enemy, you would be dead."

Li Lingtian clenched his fists, his body trembling even more violently.

Yang Ni said nothing. After the initial shock, she even felt somewhat gloating.

The whole journey, Li Lingtian's arrogance was unbearable for her, and seeing someone put him in his place was rather satisfying.

She didn't like Li Lingtian, and had even less fondness for Empress Yang.

Yang Jian remained silent. He felt he wasn't qualified to teach Li Lingtian; the only reason he was stronger was that he had a master that others didn't have.

Gu An took out an elixir and fed it to Li Lingtian.

Li Lingtian slowly got up, turned towards Yang Jian, and even though his face was bloody, his expression was still stubborn.

"I won't accept this. I will win next time," Li Lingtian said through gritted teeth.

Yang Jian raised his hand, scaring Li Lingtian into retreating behind Gu An. But on closer inspection, Yang Jian was simply saluting him.

Li Lingtian, both relieved and embarrassed, wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

Yang Ni laughed, "With your current state, you still dare to challenge him again? Perhaps you should focus on becoming stronger first."

Li Lingtian took a deep breath and looked at Gu An, "Senior Brother Gu, can I stay in your Medicine Valley?"

He wanted to see how Yang Jian usually trained.

All his life, he hadn't been lazy, and he even had no friends, dedicating himself entirely to cultivation. But this complete defeat was difficult to accept.

"No problem, if you have any issues in the valley, go to Jian'er. After all, he's technically your junior," Gu An said with a smile, causing Li Lingtian to brighten up.

Yang Jian felt a headache coming on.

Ten years ago, he had heard Gu An mention Li Lingtian, which gave him pressure. Now, it seemed, Li Lingtian was just like this.

His real opponent was still that senior brother he had never met.

So, the four of them left the woods and returned to the Third Medicine Valley.

The disciples in the valley were curious about what had happened when they saw the previously high-spirited Li Lingtian looking so pitiful.

Yang Ni didn't stay long. After chatting with Gu An for a while, she flew off to the Inner Sect, seemingly carrying out a mission.

After handing Li Lingtian over to Yang Jian, Gu An went upstairs to read.

Until evening.

Li Lingtian, now dressed in clean clothes, walked out of his courtyard, not seeing Yang Jian, so he wandered around.

Soon, he was attracted by some disciples playing chess and went over to watch.

Unfortunately, neither Go nor Chinese chess interested him.

His eyes were caught by the passing Blood Prison Great Saint.

Blood Prison Great Saint was cursing, frustrated after failing to catch a White Spirit Rat.

Li Lingtian approached and asked, "You, ox-head, you seem pretty unique. What's your name?"

Blood Prison Great Saint glared at him and replied, "Bull Demon King, ever heard of it?" Experience new stories on m v|l e'-NovelFire.net

After speaking, Blood Prison Great Saint continued on, ignoring Li Lingtian.

He remembered Li Lingtian; ten years ago, he thought Li Lingtian might be a remarkable figure. Who knew he'd be helpless in front of Yang Jian?

Useless!

Li Lingtian stood there, mumbling, "There's Yang Jian and Bull Demon King. Is Master Puti also here?"

If there was no Master Puti, how could Yang Jian be so strong?

But he didn't think of Gu An as Master Puti because Gu An didn't seem that strong.

...

On a hot summer day, inside the Imperial Study.

Li Xuandao sat at the desk, frowning as he read the letters on the desk.

After a while, a figure walked quickly in, came to the desk, and bowed deeply. This person was clad in intricate armor, exuding charisma, with a stern face and fierce eyes.

This was Ye Yan, a disciple taken by Gu An in the Mystic Valley.

After a century, Ye Yan was no longer the ordinary youth he once was but a general with a formidable presence.

Li Xuandao asked, "How much do you know about your master?"

Ye Yan frowned and asked, "My master? What happened to him?"

He didn't answer immediately; although he hadn't seen Gu An for a long time, he remembered the grace given to him and wanted to protect his master even against Li Xuandao.

Li Xuandao waved his hand, sending the letters on the desk to Ye Yan. Ye Yan took them and read carefully.

His expression changed dramatically, showing shock.

"How is this possible... The Crown Prince's prowess is by no means simple, yet he was utterly defeated by a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator? Yang Jian... my master's disciple?" Ye Yan muttered to himself.

He had met Li Lingtian and even taught him spear techniques.

Li Lingtian's talent once made him lament the unfairness of the heavens; he even suspected Li Lingtian was an Immortal reincarnate.

Last year, Li Lingtian had shown power comparable to the Core Formation Realm.

How could such a talent lose to a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator?

Li Xuandao pondered, "With Gu An's abilities, he couldn't have taught such a disciple alone. Do you think someone more powerful is behind him?"

Though often troubled by Li Lingtian's arrogance, Li Xuandao hadn't expected such a crushing defeat. It left him feeling uneasy.