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After registering for the Sect Exchange Trial, Su Yang and Jin Hao left the Sect Pavilion. The air still carried the tension from the earlier confrontation with Sun Xiyan. Max walked beside Su Yang quietly, glancing back now and then, his instincts on edge.
"That guy's definitely planning something," Jin Hao muttered as they walked down the stone-paved street. "Sun Xiyan isn't the type to let things go."
Su Yang didn't respond right away. His eyes scanned the area, calmly observing everyone they passed—checking robes, behavior, and cultivation fluctuations. No one seemed suspicious, but he didn't let his guard down.
"I know," Su Yang finally said. "Let him plan. I'm not here to be cautious of him. I'm here to grow stronger."
Jin Hao looked at him sideways and grinned. "You're scarily calm. I mean it."
Su Yang gave a faint smile. "There's no point panicking in a world like this."
They returned to the rented courtyard to rest. Max stood guard, sniffing occasionally toward the city streets beyond. Su Yang spent the evening reviewing his cultivation techniques, activating his Karma Fire Body for practice and slowly guiding internal energy to temper his bones further.
He then checked the system again:
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[System Update Available]
[Status Synchronization: Complete]
[Energy Flow Stabilization: 100%]
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[New Insight Unlocked: Flame Vein Channeling]
Using the host's Karma Fire Body, the host can temporarily enhance meridian flow by guiding fire energy through specialized flame veins. Increases internal energy circulation speed by 20% for 30 minutes. Cooldown: 3 hours.
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"Interesting… More ways to use my fire body," Su Yang said quietly. "This will be useful if I need a short burst of strength."
Just then, Jin Hao knocked on his door. "Su Yang, come out. There's some commotion near the outer city plaza."
Su Yang got up, putting on a simple robe and joining Jin Hao.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"Sun Xiyan's followers. They're stirring up trouble—saying you're from a rogue clan, and you used demonic tricks to tame a spirit beast."
Su Yang's eyes narrowed. "Defamation."
Jin Hao nodded. "It's working. People are already starting to whisper. If this spreads before the trial, you'll be targeted by more than just Sun Xiyan."
When they arrived at the plaza, a small crowd had gathered. A young man in a crimson robe was shouting near the well, standing atop a raised platform.
"—and I say, if someone can tame a rare-grade spirit beast like a spirit wolf at the Bone Tempering Realm, then it's not cultivation—it's demonic sorcery!"
Some people in the crowd murmured in agreement. Others looked confused.
Su Yang stepped forward calmly, Max by his side.
The speaker saw him and smirked. "Speak of the devil. The boy with the wolf arrives."
Su Yang didn't speak immediately. Instead, he activated his spiritual sense and checked the speaker's cultivation level—Bone Tempering Realm (Peak). Likely planted by Sun Xiyan to stir public opinion.
"You speak loudly," Su Yang said finally, "but not wisely."
The boy frowned. "Are you admitting you used forbidden arts to tame that beast?"
"I don't have to explain anything to someone who doesn't even dare give his name."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
"Since you claim I use forbidden arts, why don't you duel me? If I lose, I'll let you inspect my beast. But if you lose… you kneel and admit you were used as a barking dog."
The speaker's face darkened. "You think I fear you?"
Su Yang smiled faintly. "Then prove it."
From the sidelines, Jin Hao whispered, "He's baiting you into a public duel."
"I know," Su Yang replied. "That's why I challenged him first."
The boy jumped down from the platform, cracking his knuckles. "Don't cry when I break your bones, brat."
Su Yang stepped into the center of the plaza. Max stayed back.
"I won't even need fire," Su Yang said.
Gasps followed. The crowd quickly stepped back, giving the two space.
The boy rushed in, his fist coated in a faint red glow—basic qi reinforcement. His speed was fast, but Su Yang saw through it with a calm gaze.
He dodged to the side, spinning and delivering a palm strike to the boy's ribs. The sound of air splitting followed.
Crack!
The boy stumbled back, coughing. "What—?"
"You have strong bones," Su Yang commented. "But your foundation is unstable."
The boy roared and leapt again, this time aiming a heavy punch at Su Yang's chest.
Su Yang raised his arm, blocked it, and activated Flame Vein Channeling for an instant boost. His hand glowed with crimson warmth. He flicked his wrist and sent the boy flying across the plaza with one clean strike.
Boom!
The boy crashed into the stone well, moaning in pain. The crowd went silent.
Su Yang stepped forward.
"Next time, don't open your mouth if your fists can't back it up."
The crowd suddenly erupted in whispers.
"So he's that strong?"
"He didn't even draw a weapon…"
"Maybe the Sun Clan miscalculated."
From the edge of the crowd, a girl in pale blue robes with a veil covering her face watched Su Yang closely, her eyes thoughtful. No one noticed her leave quietly.
Jin Hao clapped his back. "That was… beautiful."
"I didn't kill him," Su Yang said, glancing back. "That should be enough of a message."
As they turned to leave, Max trotted ahead, tail raised high. Su Yang narrowed his eyes.
Sun Xiyan would know about this by nightfall.
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