Although Elder Zhen Ren had a mountain of workload, he still chose to witness the first spar.

He didn't know Adam's true battle prowess, but considering that the Sect Leader was full of praise, the youth's martial arts must be truly exceptional.

The elderly man also didn't clear up the misunderstanding between Adam and Bai Xun and Bai Ge. Such things would be put to rest after their sparring. Training with one another would also help them get closer and form bonds.

Adam was truly a powerful Magus, and if he was truly who Elder Zhen Ren thought he was, then it would be great if the future of Baihua Sect could form a healthy relationship with him.

Standing beside him, Bai ge couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so tolerant of him?"

"Tolerant?" Elder Zhen Ren asked with a raised brow. "Oh, you mean why I didn't react after he laughed at me?"

Bai Ge silently nodded.

"Hoho," Elder Zhen Ren chuckled. "Would you believe me if I said Ao has an illness that forces him to laugh all the time?"

Bai Ge's lips twitched. "I'm not a fool."

Elder Zhen Ren chuckled heartily. He gently patted Bai Ge on the head and said, "Ao meant no offence. I assure you."

Bai Ge scoffed, but chose not to retort. She turned her attention to the training space.

***

"Choose your weapon, Magus." Bai Xun stood at the center of the ring, wooden sword in hand.

Adam, on the other hand, walked by the weapons rack at the edge of the ring. There were all sorts of training weapons made out of wood, but most of them were swords.

His gaze landed on a wooden staff, his lips curling into a menacing grin.

"Auhh." He waved his hand, then walked right past it.

Bai Xun's eyes narrowed. "No weapons?"

"Auhh." Adam shrugged, walking to the center of the white-tiled ring.

Bai Xun deeply looked at the masked man. Then, the next moment, he threw his wooden sword away.

"Very well," he said, getting into an unarmed fighting stance. "We'll start with hand-to-hand."

Adam smirked.

Is it pride? He wondered.

Or confidence?

He tucked one arm behind his back, then extended his other hand and motioned for the Sword Dragon to come forward.

Neither!

A gust of wind blew through the ring, whipping up fallen leaves on the ground.

Bai Xun's aura changed in that moment, mana swirling around his fists. In the next instant, his figure blurred as he dashed towards Adam and threw a right jab.

Though it was a simple jab, it contained immense strength!

As expected of someone who earned the title of Dragon, Adam praised inwardly.

But this is still not enough!

He remained in position until the very last moment when Bai Xun's fist was mere inches away from connecting.

At last, Adam made a move!

He swatted the jab to the side with his right hand. Then, in one sweeping motion, he stepped forward, aiming his right elbow straight at Bai Xun's solar plexus.

The intent behind this move was to use the enemy's momentum against themself.

However, Bai Xun, too, was an experienced fighter. He had gotten to where he was today not through luck, but through sheer hard work and perseverance.

The instant he realized that his attack had been countered, he didn't panic. Instead, he analyzed Adam's move and counterattacked!

Adam's elbow was almost about to strike Bai Xun's stomach, knocking the wind out of him and driving him unconscious. But, at the last possible moment, his left hand turned into a blur, and he immediately blocked Adam's elbow strike.

Good! Adam grinned.

His Sphere of Resonance rippled. He immediately noticed Bai Xun's right hand—that was earlier swatted away—reaching for his neck. The latter's plan was to get Adam in his grip and deliver relentless blows.

Adam's grin stretched unnaturally wide.

Oh, he had found a good sparring partner! This man, Bai Xun, was leagues above Tensei Arakuro!

Before Bai Xun's right hand could grip Adam's neck from behind, the latter spun at lightning speed, effectively dodging Bai Xun's grasp.

Then, he swiftly positioned himself right behind the Sword Dragon.

One second…

That brief interaction between the two only took one second!

Now, Adam stood behind Bai Xun, his back pressed against the latter's. "Auhh."

Meanwhile, Bai Xun's eyes gradually widened, a drop of sweat trickling down the side of his forehead.

When did he…

He quickly retreated, making space between himself and the masked man. He turned around and saw Adam gazing at the sky, hands clasped behind his back.

That last move, Bai Xun thought to himself.

How did he manage to maneuver himself with such little space? I couldn't see his movement at all! Even though he was right before my eyes!

Right at that moment, Adam turned around and faced him.

Then… he started clapping.

"Auhh!"

Bai Xun's expression darkened.

Is he… patronizing me?

Standing at the edge of the ring, Elder Zhen Ren rubbed his eyes. "What the hell happened?"

From his point of view, he saw Bai Xun disappear, then reappear in front of Adam. Then, both their hands turned into a blur. And a split second later, Adam disappeared, then reappeared right behind Bai Xun.

"He's fast." Bai Ge's calm words entered the elderly man's ears.

And strong… she added inwardly.

Elder Zhen Ren turned to her with an inquisitive gaze.

Bai Ge calmly explained, "Senior Brother Xun is faster than me. But Ao… he's faster than even Senior Brother. And he's also very skilled in martial arts."

"Is that so?" Elder Zhen Ren stroked his beard. "Hoho, this is a good thing then. I'll leave you three to it."

With that said, he whistled a merry tune and left the Petal Court.

Meanwhile, Bai Ge's gaze remained fixed on the training ring. Now that Bai Xun had an idea about Adam's general strength, things were about to become much more serious.

Bai Xun, once again, got into a fighting stance. He drew mana from his reserves and augmented every part of his body, the majority being focused on his fists.

With a solemn look on his face, he said:

"I'm now going to use one of the core techniques of our sect, the Falling Petal Fist. I advise you to use your technique as well, lest you fall off the cliff."

Adam's lips curled into a wild grin, and he only said one simple word:

"Auhh!"

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