"I've benefitted a lot!"

Xiao Ri`nan seriously looked at Sang Duo after he spoke.

"You better take the chance during the Autumn Hunting Sacrificial Ceremony where great teachers cannot reject the questions of students to look for Teacher Sun and consult him for guidance. You will definitely benefit from this for your entire life."

He was treating Sang Duo as a friend, which was why he told her.

Sang Duo started. (His evaluation of Sun Mo is actually so high?)

She knew very well how extraordinarily high Xiao Ri`nan's judgment was. The reason why he didn't take anyone as a personal teacher up until now was because he wanted to wait for the best person. She didn't expect him to be so respectful of Sun Mo.

"If that's the case, why didn't you take Sun Mo as your personal teacher?"

Sang Duo blurted.

Xiao Ri`nan's expression stiffened. After that, he fell silent.

Why didn't he do so?

It wasn't because Sun Mo wasn't capable enough. Rather, it was because of Sun Mo's identity as someone from the Central Plains.

Xiao Ri`nan was ultimately someone from the Western Plains. He would definitely spend his future here. If he followed Sun Mo, it meant that he would have to forego all his connections here.

During these two months of interactions, Sun Mo guided Xiao Ri`nan meticulously because he cherished Xiao Ri`nan's talent.

Xiao Ri`nan was grateful, but he was afraid Sun Mo would bring up the topic of accepting him as a personal student and if that was the case, he would surely feel very conflicted. He didn't wish to agree, but it would be inappropriate if he didn't do so.

Bluntly speaking, Xiao Ri`nan's mind had matured earlier than his peers, and he was more pragmatic and had a utility mindset.

Comparatively, Helian Beifang had also matured early. He wanted to become someone outstanding, but his manner of doing things was different from Xiao Ri`nan. He took Sun Mo on as his personal teacher because he worshipped him and wanted to learn some true capabilities. After that, he would depend on himself and fight the entire world to become a major character that was dazzling in everyone's sight.

Helian Beifang's vision wasn't limited to the plains. He also yearned for his name to spread through the Central Plains.

Based on the scope of their ambitions, Xiao Ri`nan was inferior.

And as for Xianyu Wei, she was just a pure and naive fat girl. Sun Mo was good to her and had guided her meticulously so she wanted to take him on as a personal teacher and do well so she could gain face for him.

As for the conflict between the Central Plains and barbarians, she basically had never considered it before.

"Sorry, I've misspoken."

Sang Duo apologized.

Xiao Ri`nan shook his head, indicating for her not to be concerned. "Do you know? Teacher Sun is really generous. He taught Xianyu Wei a peerless saint-tier cultivation art. If I acknowledge him as my master, I will be able to learn it too."

"What?" Sang Duo started. "That's impossible, right?"

"I've personally seen it!"

Xiao Ri`nan sighed ruefully. He believed that given his aptitude, he could at least learn three saint-tier cultivation arts from Sun Mo…

Sigh!

Why did Sun Mo have to be someone from the Central Plains?

Xiao Ri`nan felt very regretful.

"Why is that fatty so lucky?"

Sang Duo didn't understand.

Xianyu Wei?

She was acquainted with her. That fat girl was 'famous' in the Dragon Subduing Academy. After all, her appearance was like a fat pig, and it was impossible even if one didn't want to know about her.

She didn't have a strong background, a beautiful appearance, or talent. Why would such a girl be in Teacher Sun's sights?

"I don't know!"

Xiao Ri`nan shrugged.

"So she is Teacher Sun's type?!"

Sang Duo was shocked.

"Mn, maybe he likes plump girls?"

Xiao Ri`nan's meaning of 'likes' was different from 'love'.

"Is Xianyu Wei merely plump?"

Sang Duo was speechless.

"In any case, the opportunity is hard to come by. You better not miss it."

Xiao Ri`nan was very serious. He had seen Xianyu Wei sparring against Sun Mo before. Her improvement was astounding.

A trash that was abandoned by a great teacher was able to become so impressive under the teachings of Teacher Sun. Evidently, Teacher Sun's teaching capabilities were unrivaled.

There was another example and it was himself.

(I actually have no idea my talent in the art of spiritual control is so high!)

Xiao Ri`nan even felt that he might have been possessed by some grandmaster spirit controllers.

"Yo, as expected of our great genius Xiao. He is handsome and talented. Although he is crippled now, girls are still fond of him."

A mocking voice interrupted the conversation of Xiao Ri`nan and Sang Duo.

"L..little prince!"

Sang Duo inclined her head and felt some worry when she saw Wanyan Zhenghe.

Most probably, Xiao Ri`nan would be in trouble today.

Far away, over ten students were still standing beside Luo Tan. When they saw Wanyan Zhenghe blocking Xiao Ri`nan, they also hurried over.

"I want to see if Xiao Ri`nan was using tricks or not?!"

The students were still doubtful of the last fight.

"Great genius Xiao, I'm Bao Wen and I'm willing to try out your blade techniques!"

Behind Wanyan Zhenghe, a bow-legged youth walked out.

The little prince wanted face and naturally wouldn't make a move against a cripple. But he also wanted to beat Xiao Ri`nan up. Since that was the case, Bao Wen might as well stand out and act in place of the little prince.

Sang Duo wanted to object, but she was stopped by Xiao Ri`nan.

"Sure!"

Xiao Ri`nan agreed. He knew that the current him still wouldn't be able to win against Wanyan Zhenghe. Since that was the case, he would vent his frustrations on Wanyan Zhenghe's lackeys first.

(After my legs are healed, all of you have to die!)

"You have some courage!"

Wanyan Zhenghe smiled and clapped twice. After that, he looked at Bao Wen. "Remember to stop when the situation is appropriate, don't injure the future elite of our Dragon Subduing Academy."

The students laughed sinisterly. The little prince's words clearly intended for the opposite effect.

Bao Wen stood twenty meters before Xiao Ri`nan, not pulling out his blade or introducing himself. He only rolled up his sleeves and asked.

"Can we start?"

Exchanging introductions?

It was meaningless because this battle was for the sake of pummeling Xiao Ri`nan. The harder the better.

Mn! He wanted to break Xiao Ri`nan's arms too and make it so he couldn't even hold the crutches.

Cough! Cough!

Xiao Ri`nan coughed and used his hand to cover his mouth for over ten seconds.

"Are you trying to feign sickness?" Wanyan Zhenghe frowned. "Ah, I didn't expect you to have become so shameless!"

"You are worrying too much."

After Xiao Ri`nan spoke, he looked at Bao Wen. "You can attack any time."

Bao Wen, who had long since grown impatient, directly charged forward. After that, he got close to Xiao Ri`nan in the blink of an eye.

(I will break your nose with my first punch.)

Bao Wen stared at Xiao Ri`nan as a malevolent look flashed in his eyes. (Don't blame me for attacking so heavily. Who asked you to offend the little prince?)

But at this moment, intense pain suddenly assailed Bao Wen's legs. It felt like a bunch of scorpions had stung him.

At the next moment, Bao Wen's body froze for half a second.

Xiao Ri`nan lifted his crutches and heavily smashed them into Bao Wen's legs.

Argh!

Bao Wen screamed in agony and rolled on the ground. When he stopped, his legs were still spasming; they were clearly broken.

Wanyan Zhenghe had his arms crossed over his chest, waiting idly for Xiao Ri`nan to be beaten up. But in the blink of an eye, this happened.

"What's going on?"

All the lackeys were shocked.

This shouldn't be the case!

Bao Wen had always been very steady when it came to handling things, and he could always feel at ease. Why did he screw up today?

How bizarre!

"Why is this still the case?"

The spectating students were shocked. The first time might be a coincidence, but the second time proved that this must be Xiao Ri`nan's strength.

Because they didn't know the reason behind Xiao Ri`nan's victory, all of them felt trepidation now. They rejoiced that they weren't the ones who had challenged him earlier, or they would be the ones being beaten up.

"Little prince, this slave of yours is useless!'

Xiao Ri`nan sneered.

"Preposterous!"

Wanyan Zhenghe pulled out his blade and spoke in anger.

"The competition rules state that after a student finishes fighting a round, he can rest for two hours."

Xiao Ri`nan smiled. "Could it be that you are intending to break the rule?"

"What did you do to him?"

Wanyan Zhenghe narrowed his eyes and forced himself to calm down because he discovered that Xiao Ri`nan had recovered his confidence.

Something was wrong.

His eyes no longer showed bewilderment, indicating that he must have found a way to defeat him. But this was impossible, Xiao Ri`nan's legs were still broken.

One couldn't help but say that although Wanyan Zhenghe had a vile character, his intelligence really wasn't bad.

The current Xiao Ri`nan had changed wholly.

"Why don't you guess?"

Xiao Ri`nan teased. "But even if you think until your head is broken, you won't be able to guess the answer."

Xiao Ri`nan mentally mused that even he himself wouldn't be able to guess at this result.

"Little prince, it appears like he knows the art of spiritual control!"

A student watching the battle spoke out, wanting to gain favor.

"Are you talking nonsense?"

Wanyan Zhenghe directly scolded. (Do you treat me like a fool?)

Xiao Ri`nan was famous for his blade arts. Besides, even if he changed his major to the study of spiritual control, how many months had it merely been? What level of attainment could he reach? It was already not bad if he could memorize the complex and mysterious spiritual incantations.

Who didn't know that the art of spiritual control was the toughest to learn?

"But he seemed to have used the art of spiritual control to defeat Luo Tan earlier. Oh, that person lying down unconscious is Luo Tan."

The student braced himself and explained.

"Go and take a look!"

Wanyan Zhenghe instructed.

"I...I was bitten by many bugs."

Bao Wen cried out. When Wanyan Zhenghe heard this, he frowned and stared at Xiao Ri`nan.

"You really know the art of spiritual control?"

Being bitten by a group of bugs? This was definitely unusual.

"Guess?"

Xiao Ri`nan smiled.

"Guess your mom!"

Wanyan Zhenghe felt like beating someone up.

"Remember to come look for me two hours later!"

Xiao Ri`nan left behind a teasing sentence and walked away using his crutches.

Wanyan Zhenghe angrily walked toward Bao Wen and stared at his legs. They were already extremely swollen and had greenish-purple bruises all about. He felt shocked when he saw this.

Xiao Ri`nan had become strong!

"Go and investigate what Doggy Xiao has been doing during this period."

Xiao Ri`nan instructed. (I won't let this matter rest.)

…

"How did you do it?" Sang Duo was surprised. "I've never seen you using a spiritual control technique before!"

"Ventriloquism!"

Xiao Ri`nan didn't conceal this.

He intentionally coughed for the sake of dragging the time. If not, given Bao Wen's speed, Xiao Ri`nan would have been struck before the bugs could bite Bao Wen.

"Ah?"

Sang Duo was shocked. "That seemed to be a very profound spiritual control technique!"

"It mainly relies on talent!"

Xiao Ri`nan sighed ruefully. "If it wasn't for the fact that Teacher Sun told me, I wouldn't know that I have such capabilities."

In the entire school, the number of people who knew this spiritual control technique didn't exceed ten.

"Then, can you win against Wanyan Zhenghe?"

Sang Duo felt some anticipation.

Xiao Ri`nan shook his head. But maybe Teacher Sun would have a way?

Should he look for Teacher Sun for guidance?

But wouldn't he owe Teacher Sun too much then?

Xiao Ri`nan might be pragmatic, but he also wanted face.

…

Very soon, the lackey reported back with the information.

"Doggy Xiao has been following Sun Mo to cultivate all the time?"

Wanyan Zhenghe's brows were furrowed. "Seems like it isn't the art of spiritual control but some sort of secret techniques instead."

"But those wounds were caused by bug bites…"

Pak!

After the lackey finished speaking, he suffered a slap from Wanyan Zhenghe.

"Are you stupid? Sun Mo is already someone at the near-ancestor level in the study of spirit runes. His expertise in botany isn't bad as well, and his combat strength is so powerful. Do you know how much time he had to use to arrive at this stage? If it was other great teachers, even 100 years wouldn't be sufficient for them. But you are telling me now that Sun Mo is also skilled in the art of spiritual control? When did he learn it? When he was in his mother's womb?"

After Wanyan Zhenghe finished scolding, that lackey who was slapped felt that he really deserved to be slapped as he was convinced by the little prince's logic.

"It should be some kind of dark secret arts or techniques!"

Wanyan Zhenghe guessed. However, was this Sun Mo a fool? Xiao Ri`nan didn't take him on as a personal teacher, yet he was willing to guide him?

"Oh right, I've also investigated that Sun Mo is also teaching Xianyu Wei, that fat girl!"

The lackey reported.

Wanyan Zhenghe was astonished.

(Very well, it's a reality then. This Sun Mo might be mental!)

…

Sun Mo, whom Wanyan Zhenghe assumed was mental, had discovered a good seedling and was preparing to act.