Chapter 39: Defending One's Own

"Instructor Moxier, what is the meaning of this?" Li Xuan asked, his arm numb and throbbing as he challenged her.

At that moment, Jiang Qingyue drifted over to help Li Xuan up, saying, "Academy rules state that outsiders must not interfere in grievances between students."

A flicker of anger crossed Instructor Moxier’s eyes as she snapped, "You still acknowledge me as an instructor? Have you lost all sense of courtesy and respect for your teachers? Don't bother coming to my lectures in the future." Her expression was stern, her phoenix-like eyes gleaming with authority as she fixed her gaze on Li Xuan.

"You..." Jiang Qingyue’s face flushed with indignation. This entire incident had been deliberately provoked by Wang Zifan; Li Xuan was merely defending his own honor and that of Tang Ruoxian.

Tang Ruoxian spoke up coldly, "Instructor, for you to be so biased, could it be that..." It was clear that she, too, stood on Li Xuan's side and was deeply critical of the instructor's partiality.

Moxier retorted indignantly, "I am well aware that you all rely on powerful families and factions. I may not be able to control you, but basic respect for teachers must be upheld. Otherwise, wouldn't the painstaking efforts of our academy’s founder go to waste?"

Moxier knew she was in the wrong. The founder of the academy was dedicated to upholding the Way, and the foundation of that was adherence to traditional rites and teachings. The core tenets of the Sacred Way Academy were: respect for teachers and the Way, constant self-improvement, clear distinction between gratitude and grudges, and the eradication of evil to protect the righteous. These were the absolute pillars of the academy, which no one was permitted to violate.

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan clapped his hands, bowed, and said, "A fine lecture on respecting teachers and the Way. May I ask, Instructor Moxier, if I, Li Xuan, had been the one defeated, would you have stepped in?"

If Instructor Moxier had truly intended to stop the farce, she would have done so from the start, rather than waiting until now. The gap between Li Xuan and Wang Zifan was an entire major realm; the outcome of their clash was clear from the beginning. The Li family was in decline, and despite his betrothal to the Tang family and the imperial court, Li Xuan was merely a pawn played by these two great powers—once his utility was exhausted, he would have no real value. Although Wang Zifan was from a branch of the Wang family, he was still of their bloodline; offending him meant offending the entire clan. Furthermore, Wang Chengxuan, an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, was Wang Zifan’s uncle. Naturally, Moxier would not help Li Xuan.

"Of course I would have. I am not the type to confuse black and white or favor the powerful over the weak!" Moxier declared with a solemn face. To Li Xuan, these words left a bitter taste.

He understood the subtext and bowed, saying, "Instructor Moxier, do you perhaps believe that because my master, Elder Xingxiu, is nearing the end of his life and has few years left, that..."

Li Xuan was no soft persimmon to be kneaded at will. Since he had an old locust tree to lean on, he would not pass up any opportunity. Elder Xingxiu possessed immense seniority and had received the true teachings of the founder; even the current Dean of the Sacred Way Academy had benefited from his grace. The weight of this relationship was not something to be brushed off lightly. However, because the Elder was elderly and failing, and unlikely to survive into a second life, most people paid him lip service while secretly disregarding him.

"Li Xuan, cease your insolence! Who in our Sacred Way Academy doesn't value respect for teachers? How dare you recklessly claim that Elder Xingxiu is nearing his end?" Moxier used this as an opening to strike back.

Tang Ruoxian and Jiang Qingyue frowned, but they could not openly contradict the instructor to her face. Li Xuan knew the truth—it was an open secret. While the Elder's health was declining, he was still highly valued by the academy's upper echelons, who squandered vast amounts of precious pills and spiritual medicines on him. The medicinal herbs on the stone wall of the Idle Cloud Residence were prepared for him, though some felt it was a waste of rare treasures on a dying man.

Li Xuan said, "Instructor Moxier, how could I ever slander my master? Since you do not hold my master in any regard, then this student must ask for a few pointers!"

Tang Ruoxian and Jiang Qingyue narrowed their eyes. Jiang Qingyue tugged at Li Xuan’s sleeve, signaling him repeatedly to stop.

However, Instructor Moxier asked bluntly, "Are you serious? You foolish child, do not spout nonsense!"

Li Xuan bowed. "My own reputation is a small matter, but when it concerns my master, I cannot let it slide. If I can take three strikes from you, Wang Zifan must kneel and apologize to Tang Ruoxian and Jiang Qingyue. Can you make that decision?"

Moxier pondered for a moment, then looked at Wang Zifan. He nodded and said, "I will follow the instructor's arrangements!"

Instructor Moxier’s cultivation was at the early stage of the Profound Entry Realm. Never mind Li Xuan; even Tang Ruoxian would struggle against her. Dealing with Li Xuan would be child's play. When Wang Teng had returned the other day, he had humiliated Li Xuan in public.

Moxier nodded slightly. "Very well!"

Li Xuan returned the bow. "Instructor, please hold back!"

Jiang Qingyue glared at him. "Have you lost your mind? Is something wrong with your brain?"

Tang Ruoxian looked at Li Xuan with deep meaning. He held too many secrets and was not someone to act on a whim or out of arrogance. She would see how he handled this. The other students were stunned; wasn't Li Xuan inviting humiliation? He had barely managed to defeat Wang Zifan, and now he was challenging someone in the Profound Entry Realm—this was arrogance to the extreme.

"Then let us begin!"

Moxier released a massive surge of source energy, creating waves of air that shimmered with immortal energy. A dense, heavy mist hung above her. The mist churned violently, erupting with thunderous sounds as lightning flashed and mysterious power surged. A phantom gate appeared, from which a primordial aura descended, accompanied by roars that shook the heavens.

Suddenly, the gate opened wide. A pair of horns emerged, followed by a low, resonant "moo." A phantom of a green bull appeared in the sky, and ancient source patterns ignited, sending flames of energy rising until they dyed the immortal mist blood-red. The overwhelming power of the Profound Entry Realm was suffocating.

Moxier’s expression shifted, her source energy surging with every movement, exerting immense pressure. "Li Xuan, the three-palm agreement—it is not too late to regret it!" she said. "If you stop now, I will let this go."

The moment the green bull appeared, Li Xuan felt immense pressure. If Moxier hadn't been intentionally suppressing it, a single glance would have sent him spitting blood. She displayed the strength of the Profound Entry Realm, making those in the Martial Entry Realm seem like mere ants.

Li Xuan shook his head. "Instructor Moxier, my master's reputation is at stake. I cannot retreat. The three-palm agreement stands."

"You fool!" Jiang Qingyue scolded.

Li Xuan took his stance, his source energy surging. The sound of flowing water echoed around him, ripples radiating from his body. Upon impact, they erupted with thunderous claps, and red lightning flickered to protect his meridians.

"Enough talk. I will try to suppress my strength, Li Xuan. I hope you know what you are doing!" Moxier’s expression changed. She waved her jade hand, and the green bull phantom let out a heaven-shaking roar. Burning divine patterns descended from the sky.

"Green Bull Roar, Earth’s Sorrow!" she cried.

The booming sound wave tore through the air, shattering ancient trees and creating fissures in the ground. Li Xuan’s face paled. The water-patterned light around him shimmered and crackled with lightning, but the moment it touched the bull’s roar, it began to crumble. The sound wave tore through his defenses and entered his body. Li Xuan shuddered and was sent flying, crashing through solid rock.

"Li Xuan!" Jiang Qingyue, Tang Ruoxian, and the other students cried out, fearing the worst.

The atmosphere turned heavy. Everyone watched the direction where Li Xuan had fallen, breaking into a cold sweat. Moxier smiled; a strike from a Profound Entry expert could move mountains, and a Martial Entry cultivator was simply no match.

After a long while, a figure slowly emerged from the rubble. His tall, sturdy frame was covered in dust, but he remained standing. He had actually survived the strike.

"What?" Moxier’s voice was filled with shock. Wang Zifan found it even harder to accept. What kind of monster was Li Xuan?

"Instructor Moxier, this student can take another strike!" Li Xuan’s voice was loud and clear, his source energy circulating freely. He appeared uninjured. His calm demeanor infuriated Moxier; it was inconceivable that he could withstand a blow from a Profound Entry expert so easily.

Tang Ruoxian’s eyes flashed with a strange light. *So that's it,* she thought. *This boy has his ways. To be able to channel the 'Profound Maiden’s Heaven-Defying Technique,' he must have some hidden method.*

Moxier attempted to use her spiritual sense to understand what kind of monster Li Xuan was, but she gained nothing. Embarrassed, she hissed, "For the second strike, be careful. I will use sixty percent of my power. I hope you can still stand!"

Li Xuan braced himself. The first strike had been a narrow escape; he had triggered his survival instinct, using a source pattern array to divert the force. Those mysterious, unfathomable eyes had appeared once again. He knew little about source pattern arrays, but he had no choice if he wanted to survive, regardless of the unknown taboos he might be inviting.

Moxier claimed she would use sixty percent of her power, but Li Xuan knew better—she was trying to kill him. As a teacher, she was confusing right and wrong, all for the sake of her own interests. At this point, it was no longer just about bias; it was about her own pride.

The immortal mist shook violently. The green bull’s horns glowed with a green light, and its roar shook the sky. It was furious; its divine patterns burned, and the mist turned into a blood-red cloud, releasing a bloodthirsty aura. The surrounding clouds were compressed to the limit, and the energy fluctuations collided violently, shimmering with brilliant divine light.

A vast force descended, and the ground began to tremble. Li Xuan did not dare to be careless. Water patterns flowed rapidly, ripples gleaming as they sank into the earth, causing lush greenery to sprout instantly, accompanied by the appearance of phantom mountain peaks. The wind shifted, and thunder roared.

As described in the *Green Pouch Manual*: "Wind and thunder fight, mountains and marshes exchange breath." Li Xuan utilized every ounce of his strength, sensing that the energy of the green bull was even more tyrannical than before.

Moxier’s eyes turned fierce. A green light, sharp as a sword, slashed down from the sky. "Green Bull Transformation, Heavens Split!"

The green sword light tore through the clouds, its hum deafening, descending with the force of a thunderbolt. Li Xuan braced his shoulders, stomped his feet, and roared, "Withered Wood Meets Spring, All Things Born!"

*BOOM!*

The green sword light struck, tearing through the greenery and shattering the phantom mountains, but it was met by a sea of vines that rose to cage the attack. Though the vines were severed continuously, the green sea was inexhaustible, surging like wave after wave. The vines acted like living things, beginning to devour the sword light. The green bull felt the anomaly and struggled wildly.

*MOO!*

The bull roared, a sound of desperate sacrifice, as it shattered the sword light and let the vines devour it.

*Pfft!*

Li Xuan spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed backward.

"Impossible! This cannot be Li Xuan's own power!" Moxier’s hair was disheveled, her eyes filled with shock.

Tang Ruoxian exhaled, looking at the instructor. *Li Xuan, what method did you use to block her ultimate technique?*

Jiang Qingyue felt a pang of heartache. *Li Xuan, do you even know the consequences of overusing source pattern arrays? Why must you be so stubborn?*

*Cough... cough...*

Li Xuan sat up slowly, his face deathly pale. "Instructor Moxier, please, I am ready for the third strike!"