Hearing the news brought by Li Xuan, Fang Hao frowned slightly.

Chen Feng has reached Qi Refining Great Perfection? And he wants to seek revenge? Instead of settling down during his wall-facing reflection, that guy actually gained an Opportunity?

However, Fang Hao wasn’t too worried. While Qi Refining Great Perfection was formidable, he had the Myriad Manifestations Heaven Swallowing Art and many trump cards; it was hard to say who would win or lose in a real fight.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Li. I’ll be careful," Fang Hao said calmly.

Seeing how composed he was, Li Xuan was somewhat surprised. "Chen Feng’s Aura is very strong this time. I heard he has also developed some connections in the Inner Sect. You’d better avoid the brunt of his edge and not clash with him for now."

Fang Hao nodded, but in his heart, he disagreed. The path of cultivation was like rowing upstream; constant avoidance was not the solution.

Sure enough, Chen Feng returned the next day.

After a month of wall-facing reflection, Chen Feng seemed like a different person. Not only had his cultivation reached Qi Refining Great Perfection, but his whole demeanor had also become gloomier, with a hint of hostility in his eyes.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, his gaze locked onto Fang Hao, and he said coldly, "Didn’t expect that, did you? I’m back so soon."

Fang Hao was practicing his Sword Riding Technique in the courtyard and didn’t even look up. "Wall-facing reflection is a Sect rule. It’s good that you’re back."

Seeing his indifferent manner, Chen Feng grew even angrier. "Stop putting on an act! The matter of the Outer Sect Grand Competition isn’t over between us!"

Only then did Fang Hao put away his azure steel sword and look at Chen Feng. "What else do you want, Senior Brother Chen? The Deacon Hall has already judged you for false accusations. Are you still not satisfied?"

"Hmph! That was just your good luck, having Senior Sister Liang back you up!" Chen Feng gritted his teeth. "But in the cultivation world, strength speaks for itself. We’ll see!"

At this moment, Zhu Pang and Li Xuan also came out upon hearing the noise. Zhu Pang tried to mediate, "Chen Feng, we’re all fellow disciples in the same courtyard, why must you..."

"Shut up!" Chen Feng interrupted him. "My business is none of your concern!"

Li Xuan frowned. "Chen Feng, after a month of wall-facing reflection, have you still not understood? Harmony should be valued among fellow disciples."

Chen Feng sneered, "Harmony? Once I’ve trampled certain people under my feet, there will naturally be harmony."

After saying that, he snorted coldly, turned back to his room, and slammed the door shut with a "bang."

Zhu Pang leaned in toward Fang Hao and whispered, "Fang Hao, you have to be careful. Chen Feng feels even more terrifying since he came back."

Fang Hao smiled. "It’s fine, I know what I’m doing."

In the following days, the atmosphere in the courtyard was tense. Chen Feng was clearly looking for trouble with Fang Hao, but Fang Hao avoided him at every turn, giving him no chance to lash out.

One day, while Fang Hao was refining Medicinal Pills, Chen Feng suddenly burst into his room, pointed at the Pill Furnace, and said, "Refining pills in the courtyard makes such a foul mess; it’s affecting others’ cultivation!"

Fang Hao calmly put away the Pill Furnace. "Since Senior Brother Chen is dissatisfied, I will just go to the Pill Refining Room."

The next day, when Fang Hao was practicing sword techniques in the courtyard, Chen Feng picked another fight. "Your sword wind is so sharp; what if you hurt the flowers and grass? If you want to practice, go to the training ground!"

Without a word, Fang Hao packed his things and went to the training ground.

Even Zhu Pang couldn’t stand it anymore. "Fang Hao, aren’t you being too easy to bully? This is clearly looking for trouble!"

Fang Hao said indifferently, "Just a buffoon, no need to pay him any mind."

It wasn’t that he was afraid of Chen Feng, but he didn’t want to fight within the Sect. Sect rules prohibited private duels, and the one who struck first would be in the wrong.

Seeing Fang Hao’s constant forbearance, Chen Feng became even more arrogant and escalated his harassment. He would even knock on the door while Fang Hao was cultivating in his room, claiming the noise was too loud.

Fang Hao remained patient throughout, but he was secretly making preparations. He refined a large number of Talismans, improved several offensive Formations, and specifically crafted several portable Formation Plates.

The calm before the storm would eventually be broken.

That day, just as Fang Hao returned from the Mission Hall, he was blocked by Chen Feng at the courtyard entrance.

"Stop right there!" Chen Feng said aggressively. "A bottle of Medicinal Pills is missing from my room. Did you steal it?"

Fang Hao frowned. "Why do you say that, Senior Brother Chen? I have never entered your room."

"Who else could it be but you?" Chen Feng shouted. "In the entire courtyard, you’re the only one messing with pills all day. If not you, then who?"

At this point, Zhu Pang and Li Xuan also came out. Zhu Pang advised, "Chen Feng, you can’t just say things like that. Fang Hao isn’t that kind of person."

Chen Feng sneered, "Whether he is or not, we’ll know after a search!" As he spoke, he tried to barge into Fang Hao’s room.

Fang Hao reached out to stop him. "Senior Brother Chen, searching my room without any evidence is going a bit too far, don’t you think?"

"A guilty conscience?" Chen Feng was aggressive. "If you’re afraid to let me search, then you must be hiding something!"

Fang Hao’s eyes turned cold. "And if you find nothing?"

"If I find nothing... then I’ll apologize to you!" Chen Feng was clearly lacking confidence.

Fang Hao sneered, "Just an apology? According to the Sect rules, what is the punishment for slandering a fellow disciple?"

Chen Feng was at a loss for words, but having come this far, he couldn’t back down. "Stop talking! Move!"

He tried to force his way in. Fang Hao blocked him again, and during the scuffle, Chen Feng suddenly struck out with a palm!

Fang Hao was prepared and dodged to the side, shouting, "Are you planning to fight, Senior Brother Chen?"

Since he had already made a move, Chen Feng no longer had any reservations. "What if I am? Today, I’m going to teach you, a little thief, a lesson!"

With that, he summoned his Flying Sword and thrust it straight at Fang Hao’s face! This strike was fast and ruthless, clearly a heavy blow.

Fang Hao’s azure steel sword unsheathed, parrying the incoming sword with a "clang." The two exchanged blows, fighting in the courtyard.

Zhu Pang stomped his feet in anxiety. "Stop fighting! You’re both fellow disciples, let’s talk this out!"

Li Xuan was much calmer and immediately sent a communication talisman to notify the Deacon Hall. The Sect strictly forbade private duels; if this escalated, it would be bad for everyone.

On the field, Fang Hao and Chen Feng had already exchanged over ten moves. Chen Feng had higher cultivation and sharp sword techniques, while Fang Hao was more flexible, with an endless stream of Formations and Talismans.

Unable to land a blow for a long time, Chen Feng became increasingly impatient. He had thought that dealing with someone at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer would be easy for a Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator, but he hadn’t expected Fang Hao to be so difficult.

"Kid, you’ve got some skill!" Chen Feng gritted his teeth. "But this ends here!"

He then performed a hand seal and recited an incantation. His Flying Sword suddenly shone brightly, transforming into several sword shadows attacking from different directions! This was his ultimate move, "Dividing Light Sword Shadow," which he had used to defeat many opponents of the same rank.

Fang Hao’s expression turned serious, not daring to be careless. He immediately activated the vajra talisman he had prepared and swung his azure steel sword so fast it was airtight.

A series of clangs rang out. Most of the sword shadows were blocked, but one managed to break through his defense, grazing Fang Hao’s arm and causing blood to gush out instantly.

Seeing this, Chen Feng was overjoyed. "Let’s see how much longer you can hold out!" His offensive became even more intense.

A cold light flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes. Since you struck ruthlessly first, don’t blame me for being impolite!

He deliberately showed a weakness, luring Chen Feng into a full-force attack. Just as the sword tip was about to hit him, Fang Hao suddenly activated a Formation Plate—it was the improved Confinement Formation!

In a flash of light, Chen Feng’s movements suddenly stalled. Although it was only for a moment, it was enough for Fang Hao!

The azure steel sword shot out like a venomous snake, striking Chen Feng’s wrist! Chen Feng cried out in pain as his Flying Sword flew from his hand.

Fang Hao didn’t let up, throwing out several lightning talismans in succession. Lightning exploded, striking Chen Feng and tearing his clothes to shreds, leaving him charred all over.