It seems, perhaps, that the content of the "Waste Theory" I disclosed to Yuan Ting has greatly troubled the Hundred-Commander... Zhang Yuanqing, who knows Fu Qingyang well, believes that although the young man from Qian holds the lofty view of considering all heroes as waste, he possesses a commendable breadth of mind and has consistently shown favor toward him. Therefore, merely revealing the content of the "Waste Theory" should not have caused such a strong reaction from the young man. It is more likely that Fu Qingyang has suffered a significant setback as a result, and thus has come to hold him accountable. On the surface, it appears to be a mere exchange of skills, but in reality, he intends to knock him down. Zhang Yuanqing, a man of strong pride, cannot bear the idea of being outplayed by Fu Qingyang and having the video of his defeat spread throughout the realm. Thus, he immediately bowed low and declared with great dignity: "The Hundred-Commander's mastery is unparalleled. My own cultivation is still quite limited, and I am fully aware that I cannot match the Hundred-Commander. I am therefore willing to concede." That's rather disappointing... The White Dragon and others, witnessing the Master of the To his surprise, Fu Qingyang stared down at him with a cold, unyielding expression, unmoved, and said, "So, you'd like to just lie there and take my beating?" Phew—Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath. The losses the captain had suffered were far greater than he'd anticipated. Well, today he'd surely have to take a beating. After all, the feedback from his facial expressions had clearly suggested he should be proactive and positive. Mistakes must be acknowledged—should one be beaten, must one stand at attention? Fu Qingyang continued, "I won't give you any special treatment. I won't use any skills above level 4, won't use any items, and will do my best to keep your physical condition at level 4. Yuan Shi, I'd like to know—when it comes to level 4, who is stronger between us?" The moment he said this, Zhang Yuanqing himself didn't feel particularly struck, but the others around him all brightened with keen interest. Fu Qingyang was renowned as unbeatable among the elders—though this distinction had been earned when he was at level 6. Even at levels 4 and 5, where his Yet Yuan Shi Tian Zun, as a rising star who has shattered the ceiling of points accumulated in the transcendent realm's combat quests, is hailed by the official forum as a top-tier prodigy with the caliber of a grand alliance leader. When two peers of equal standing face off, who truly emerges as the superior? With this thought, the hearts of Bai Long, Qing Teng, and others race wildly, filled with an unexpected surge of excitement. Da Ji Ba, stepped forward with conviction, saying, "Yuan Shi Tian Zun, don't be timid—should you falter, I'll never hold you in high regard again!" Bai Long agreed, adding, "Exactly, exactly. Since you're going to get hit anyway, why not have a full-fledged, exhilarating battle?" Li Dongze beamed with enthusiasm, gently stroking his short mustache, saying, "Yuan Shi, conduct yourself with grace and poise." The others couldn't help but grip their phones tightly, eager to capture this precious moment—perhaps in years to come, this video will become the treasured archival footage known as 'The Early Days of Fu Qingyang's Triumph Over Yuan Shi Tian Zun,' to be studied and admired by future generations. The Dog Elder also grew interested, "I shall serve as the referee. Qingyang, reduce your power to level 4, and keep your experience below 50%—there will be some variance. My main responsibility will be monitoring whether your power exceeds its limits. Yuanshen, don't shy away—show off your natural brilliance." The Elder, you're practically writing 'onlooker' all over your face... Zhang Yuanqing sighed inwardly. Seeing that he couldn't evade or avoid, he finally stood up and said, "I need a mirror—no special props, just a regular one." Guan Ya immediately rose and left the training room. A few seconds later, she returned with a makeup mirror. "Thank you, Guan Ya sister," Zhang Yuanqing smiled warmly, gently brushing his thumb against her palm. Guan Ya gave him a scolding look. Watching this scene, Fu Qingyang gradually furrowed his brows. How had their relationship evolved this far? They had shared hardships in the killing instance, yet their bond had grown so swiftly? Guan Ya stepped back gracefully beside her senior, aligning with the others as they all retreated together until they reached the wall, clearing ample space for the two combatants. Zhang Yuanqing and Fu Qingyang each picked up a long wooden staff, bristling with sharp thorns. It can be said that as long as a master of the Sage Realm consistently hones his swordcraft, every such swordsman will inevitably become a master of the sword way. A swordsman of level 4 specializes in sword qi. Yet he has not yet reached the legendary state of projecting sword qi outward, instead channeling it into his weapon, endowing ordinary steel with the sharpness capable of cutting through jade and gold. Among the Sage Realm warriors, no one can match their prowess in breaching armor. As his thoughts danced, he raised the mirror in his hand and glanced at himself, black mist spreading between his eyes, while in his mind a flash of memory of Fu Qingyang's sword movements surged in response. This is an early warning from the star-phase art—signaling that he will be struck by Fu Qingyang. At that moment, the Dog Elder declared, "Begin!" Fu Qingyang's calm, still gaze suddenly sharpened. Meanwhile, Zhang Yuanqing, upon hearing the word "begin," promptly retreated and entered the state of nocturnal wandering, vanishing completely from the training hall, silencing all sound and breath. Before Fu Qingyang even launched his attack, his target had already disappeared. By the wall, the white dragon crossed his arms and nodded in appraisal: "Holding the night wanderer in close combat, avoiding Master Fu's blade—solid strategy." Yet Guan Ya shook her head. "Useless." As she spoke, Fu Qingyang pressed his index finger against his forehead, and a ripple of white light spread out, sweeping across the entire training hall. Anyone caught in the light exhibited faint ripples around their bodies, like a still river encountering a rock. Even at a spot behind Fu Qingyang where no one was present, ripples appeared. "Crunch—!" Fu Qingyang spun swiftly, the sound of his shoes scraping against the rubber floor sharp and distinct, and he delivered a straightforward, unadorned slash toward the location where the ripples had formed. Huh. Fu Qingyang truly has eyes—different from ordinary scouts... Zhang Yuanqing felt a sudden surge of alertness. At the very moment Fu Qingyang turned, he realized it and began to retreat. Yet as Fu Qingyang raised his wooden staff, Zhang Yuanqing's body froze. Each nerve, every muscle, each limb and brain seemed to have their own thoughts, each wanting to retreat in a different direction. Yet simultaneously, he felt profoundly pessimistic, convinced that no matter how he tried to evade, he would inevitably be struck down. As a result, his body trembled violently, yet he remained unable to execute any evasive or defensive movements. This state he had once experienced on a river-bound soldier, but compared to the former, who could still struggle, the sheer despair inflicted by Fu Qingyang's strike left him utterly helpless. With a single stroke, the rules of the game were established. "Poof!" Zhang Yuanqing tumbled out of his night-wandering state, staggering backward, his chest now torn and mottled with blood. Fu Qingyang's blade struck his chest, the sharp spines on the blade tearing through his short sleeve and flesh, instantly staining his T-shirt crimson, the blood spreading rapidly. Eeek—Zhang Yuanqing drew a sharp breath, gasping in pain. Even with the Star Official's healing abilities far surpassing those of the Night-Wandering Deity, the pain was no less intense. Wow, this noble young man—so rich and generous, yet utterly indifferent to face-to-face courtesy... As his thoughts flickered, he saw the centurion step forward, closing the distance, then flick his wrist, drawing the wooden staff in an arc through the air before raising it high above his head. Zhang Yuanqing felt a jolt of panic, seizing the moment before the opponent launched his second attack, and once again entered a night-walking stance, rolling to the left and collapsing onto his side. Yet, Fu Qingyang seemed to have anticipated his entire evasive path—raising his sword high, stepping his right leg sideways, and delivering a precise strike toward the right front. "Crack!" The moment Zhang Yuanqing had just launched himself forward, he felt a sharp pain across his back, crashing hard onto the rubber mat. Impossible—he hadn't even initiated the attack, hadn't triggered any rule violation. Zhang Yuanqing's eyes narrowed slightly, barely registering the pain, and quickly rolled to the corner, widening the gap between them. Fu Qingyang stepped forward with a smooth glide, pursuing his opponent, and spoke: "True, powerful insight allows one to perceive every detail of the enemy—by observing the way your bones and muscles engage, I can anticipate your direction of evasion even before you move. Even if you enter the Night-Wanderer state, I can precisely predict your movements within the next three seconds." You're a complete bore! Zhang Yuanqing thought, feeling frustrated. As Fu Qingyang's third sword approached, Zhang Yuanqing activated the Star-Phantom Technique, leaving behind a phantom image and then vanishing into the Night-Wanderer form. "Crack!" Fu Qingyang executed a lateral glide, completely ignoring the phantom, and swept his wooden staff across the now-empty space to his right. Zhang Yuanqing once again broke out of the Night-Wanderer state, his abdominal garments torn, with sharp edges embedded in his abdominal muscles, leaving a ragged wound. "Outposts' keen eyes are specifically designed to shatter illusions," Fu Qingyang remarked calmly. "Do we, with our 'Grand Master-level' Yuan-Shi Tianzun, only possess this level of skill?" No denying that the haughty, faceless expression of the man still carried a strong sense of mockery... Zhang Yuan lifted the mirror and checked his reflection—dark streaks still lingered between his eyes, and his misfortune had not yet faded. He would have to keep taking hits. The onlookers, towering muscle giants, were stunned: "Master Yuanshishen has absolutely no counterforce at all! This—this is simply a different level entirely." White Dragon, Qingteng, and the others exchanged glances, all equally amazed. They had expected a fierce clash between rivals, but instead, it was Elder Fu who was delivering relentless blows to Master Yuanshishen. The champion boxer, with a gloomy gaze, commented: "Master Yuanshishen's combat skills have improved remarkably, but given the relatively short time he's spent as a spiritual realm traveler, his depth still falls short. It's quite normal that he doesn't match Elder Fu in agility and performance." Tang Guoqiang, with his dark, unassuming complexion and plain, honest demeanor, nodded in agreement: "Elder Fu's strikes are simply unyielding—no matter how strong Master Yuanshishen is, he can only react passively. And "The night expeditions and illusions were countered by the scouts' perception and keen insight skills, and since Yuan Shi Tian Zun didn't deploy Yin-Shi or spiritual attendants, taking damage was entirely expected." Dai Ji Baba had no interest in hearing these objective assessments. "All this talk really comes down to being completely helpless." The Wushu Champion and Tang Guoqiang fell silent, and decided to cut off the conversation with the Fire Master. Yet Dai Ji Baba wasn't entirely wrong—once the video was posted on the forum, most of the colleagues across the regional offices wouldn't engage in rational analysis. They'd simply see Fu Qingyang defeating Yuan Shi Tian Zun on equal footing. Zhang Yuanqing held a thorny stick, slowly circling Fu Qingyang, his thoughts racing. Any rule must have flaws—this was a fundamental principle. Whether it was skill approaching the Dao or rule-based items, all of them were bound by this principle. What were the weaknesses in Fu Qingyang's strikes? Zhang Yuanqing actively pondered, and soon, sharp pains in his chest, back, and abdomen reminded him. The greatest flaw of the strike lies in its focus on the physical form. At least, that's true so far. I can summon the divine presence of the centurion to inhabit my body... As I thought of this, Zhang Yuanqing quickly raised the mirror to his eyes and glanced at it—this time, the dark mist between his eyes had vanished. I can avoid the next sword! "Ding-ding-ding..." He charged actively toward Fu Qingyang, raising his wooden staff high. Facing the relentless onslaught of Yuan Shi Tian Zun, Fu Qingyang stepped forward decisively, firmly engaging the attack and delivering his weapon. A surprising moment unfolded: the strike, renowned for its unwavering resolve and invincibility, suddenly halted. Fu Qingyang's body froze, his form slightly trembling. For a moment, everyone else reacted with astonishment. The spirit of resentment had taken hold! If he cannot evade it, then let him himself stop? At that moment, Fu Qingyang lifted his head proudly, exhaled a clear, resonant cry, and two sharp beams of light burst forth from the previously calm, inward-focused depths of his eyes. The very next moment, Zhang Yuanqing's ethereal body launched itself from his physical form, as though struck by a severe blow, his translucent form trembling. Fu Qingyang had not summoned sword energy—he had summoned the sword spirit, a refinement of mental strength, not a technique, but the accumulated will of a swordmaster honed through years of practice, specifically adept at dispelling ghosts and supernatural forces. As Zhang Yuanqing's spirit returned to his body, he stepped back with a series of sharp movements, then firmly pressed both palms against his ears. A loud crash echoed—blood streamed from his ears. He had ruptured his eardrums. Fu Qingyang observed this, raised an eyebrow, and without granting him a moment to recover, accelerated his attack, moving like a streak of white light, swiftly closing the distance and delivering a strike with his staff. "Duang!" The resonant thud of the staff's impact stunned everyone present, including Fu Qingyang himself. They saw the Yuan Shi Tian Zun close his eyes and raise the staff to block the strike. The Dog Elder narrowed his gaze. "Block—blocked…," said Dajibu, his expression as if he had seen a ghost. The others stood rigid, their faces filled with disbelief—could anyone really block Fu Elder's strike? Guan Ya was both astonished and delighted, her eyes shining with light. When Fu Qingyang had beaten Yuan Shi Tianzun earlier, she had furrowed her brows in concern, showing no pride in her nephew. But seeing Yuan Shi Tianzun successfully block Fu Qingyang's attack, Guan Ya instantly became excited. Fu Qingyang's eyes grew slightly cold. With a smooth wrist motion, he brushed his wooden staff against the other's, then brought the tip down and swept it diagonally upward. Zhang Yuanqing moved with calm precision. He lowered his right hand, drove his staff downward, and with a soft "Duang," perfectly intercepted Fu Qingyang's diagonal upward sweep. It wasn't luck—he had truly countered Fu Elder's strike! The watching team captains were energized, their faces glowing with excitement. After all, Fu Qingyang's technique had been nearly divine since he rose to fame, making countless sages wary. Only earth-based monsters skilled in defense could manage to withstand such attacks. To date, no one has been able to unravel Fu Qingyang's techniques—neither Jiang Ju, one of the Four Young Masters, nor any of the elite practitioners from the evil professions. Only Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun has succeeded. "Why is he closing his eyes? Could it be that the key to unraveling Fu Elder's technique lies precisely in closing his eyes?" Qingteng furrowed her brows, murmuring. "Could it not be that the force has shattered his eardrums?" White Dragon remarked. Yet the Dog Elder turned his gaze to a corner of the training hall, where he spotted a round, endearing infant lying on the floor, gazing deeply into the battle between the two combatants. At that moment, he understood exactly how Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun had broken through Fu Qingyang's strike. Fu Qingyang's strike dealt single-target damage—only the person directly engaged was affected, while spectators remained unharmed. Thus, Yuanshish Tianzun closed his eyes, blocking his perception of the outside world, and regarded himself as a lifeless, emotionless puppet. He transferred his spiritual essence onto the spiritual servant, observing Fu Qingyang's attacks from the perspective of a detached observer. From the servant's viewpoint, Fu Qingyang's straight thrust remained a simple, unadorned thrust—no elaborate flourishes. By treating his physical form as a puppet and his spiritual servant as his true self, Fu Qingyang could sever the causal connections on his target's body but could not affect the servant. It was a clever workaround—worthy of praise. The Dog Elder nodded with satisfaction. The ability to break through rules—this was the very hallmark of a true prodigy. Fu Qingyang hummed, and suddenly a powerful sword-like aura surged from the end of his staff, launching another straightforward attack. Zhang Yuanqing's body instantly dispersed into shimmering star-like particles, like a swarm of fireflies scattering, and then coalesced into form several meters away. Star Dashing Technique! The sword aura missed, leaving deep gashes on the gel floor. Using his body as a puppet, his movements were not particularly agile, with physical delays that reduced his responsiveness and dexterity. Yet, freed from the constraints of rules, the "timid" nature of the Star Official truly shone through. He alternated between the Star-Elusive Technique and Night-Wandering, moving fluidly without engaging in direct attacks, allowing even the most exceptional swordplay of Fu Qingyang, no matter how sharp his close-quarters combat skills, to fall short. After five minutes, Fu Qingyang ceased his attacks and declared, "That's enough. Let's conclude." Zhang Yuanqing immediately stopped, relieved, as the continuous practice of Night-Wandering and Star-Elusive Techniques had greatly drained his Yin and Stellar energies. Holding his phone to record, the White Dragon turned to his teammates, excitedly suggesting, "I propose that I record the video alone, uploading it to the forum via a paid viewing model, with the proceeds shared equally among us. I have a strong feeling this video will go viral." "Excellent idea!" The team leaders brightened, enthusiastically agreeing. Indeed, proactive response resolves crises—horoscopes never deceive me. Zhang Yuan's spirit body returned, and he hummed softly to himself. At this moment, the wounds on his chest, back, and abdomen had fully healed, leaving no scars. His ruptured eardrums had also recovered, completely resolving the crisis. Just as everyone thought the sparring session was over, Fu Qingyang shifted his tone, remaining expressionless: "Well, you're the first to break through my techniques. I now understand where my sword movements should improve—Yuan Shi, you've done well. As compensation, as your superior, the next step is to guide your subordinates." Zhang Yuan: "！！！" The others: "？？？" ... At home, Grandma finished clearing the dishes and tidying the house, preparing to sit by the sofa and watch Grandpa play online card games, when a sound of entering a password came from the entrance hall. She turned to see, and there, her grandson Chen Yuanjun returned. "You weren't heading to the police station, were you?" "Grandma was surprised, 'What have you forgotten?' 'No, I won't go,' said Brother Yuan, his face looking rather pale and speaking softly. 'Grandma, um, um—could you please make a nourishing soup for me in the evening?' 'Unwell?' 'Not exactly. It's just—suddenly—I feel weak and hollow.' Yuan Jian said, then quickly changed the subject. 'Where's Yuanzi?' Grandma sighed impatiently, 'Who knows—where has he gone off to? Probably off to meet his girlfriend. Just now, Yu'er said she'd break his leg!' His legs were also on sale. The T-shirt on his body was torn and frayed, streaked with blood. Just a moment ago, this young prodigy had been brutally beaten by his superiors for no less than fifteen seconds! Bai Long, Qingteng, Tang Guoqiang, and the others hurried after, constantly clicking their phones with a flurry of "crack" sounds. Zhang Yuanqing held his face, speaking in a gusty, frustrated tone, shouting, "Stop! Stop! Leave me some dignity!" What an unheroic, ungrateful fool, Fu Qingyang!