Ill go talk to that boy, Zhang Nu said. You two go back and keep Liu Hai occupied. We cant let him stay stuck in this peaceful stuporhe needs to get moving.

Lin Xiao and Ling Xi nodded at his words and followed Liu Hai back to the kind womans house. When they returned, they saw Liu Hai preparing to lie down and rest.

Lin Xiao, what do we do now? Ling Xi asked, lowering her voice. How are we supposed to snap Liu Hai out of this?

Lin Xiao gave her a sideways glance. From his angle, he could see her youthful face and the elegant line of her neck. He didnt think much of it, but if it had been someone else, they would have had a different reaction.

Leave it to me, he said simply, and strode outside toward Liu Hai.

Liu Hai, I want to spar with you.

Liu Hai blinked, then suddenly laughed out loud as if hed heard the funniest joke in the world.

Lin Xiao, are you serious? You want to spar with me? Dont forget what level youre at right now. Ive got way more combat experience than you. Stop joking.

Clearly, he wasnt taking Lin Xiao seriously at all. But Lin Xiao didnt plan to back down.

How would you know how much Ive improved if we dont fight? Im confident I can beat you now.

That did the trick. Liu Hais expression shifted, clearly provoked. He stood up from his chair. Fine then. Lets go. But lets find a clear space firstIm not about to wreck Big Siss house. Ill show you what Im really capable of.

Lin Xiao led Liu Hai to an open field nearby, and the two began to spar.

During this time in the village, Liu Hai hadnt been cultivating at all. Lin Xiao, on the other hand, had been steadily improving. In the opening exchange, Liu Hai found himself actually struggling to keep up.

Seeing this, Liu Hais expression turned sharp. He hadnt expected Lin Xiao to grow this strong. But that didnt mean he was about to give up. He still had a solid foundation. Lin Xiao wouldnt win that easily.

Ill admit it, Liu Hai said. Youve made a lot of progress in a short time. But dont think Ill lose. I wont back down!

Lin Xiao nodded slightly, but his expression remained casual, unbothered.

That only irritated Liu Hai more. He felt like Lin Xiao wasnt taking him seriously, and he wasnt going to let that slide.

Youll regret making that face, Liu Hai muttered.

With that, he launched another round of heavy attacks. Every strike was forceful, aiming to knock Lin Xiao down, but Lin Xiao deflected each one with precision and calm.

Ling Xi, watching from the sidelines, was stunned. Lin Xiao had grown far more powerful than shed realizedand not just in strength. There was something grounded and commanding in him now. He was no longer the guy who liked to act cool and show off. Without anyone noticing, hed already become someone who could stand toe-to-toe with Liu Hai.

And sure enough, as the duel continued, Liu Hais sword was eventually knocked flying.

You lost, Lin Xiao said.

Liu Hai stood frozen, staring at Lin Xiao in disbelief. He couldnt believe what had just happened. He had really lostto Lin Xiao.

It hadnt even been two months since they left the village, yet Lin Xiao had already surpassed him. If this continued, hed be left in the dust.

I… How did you get so strong all of a sudden? Liu Hai stammered.

Lin Xiao gave a faint, confident smile. Because while you were enjoying the quiet life, I kept training. Thats why you lost.

Those words ignited something in Liu Hai. His pride, his driveit all came roaring back.

He couldnt let Lin Xiao surpass him, not like this.

He was going to train seriously again. Starting now.