The two followers hadn't seen anyone approach, their expressions flickered as they realized Fang Ming had silently appeared behind them.
Why could Fang Ming suddenly be behind them?
What technique had Fang Ming used to move so swiftly? So fast that they couldn't even react?
As this thought just crossed the minds of the two followers, before they could ponder it further.
The immense qi essence condensed in Fang Ming's palm, a pale green qi essence, struck out directly, quickly and ferociously, at the protective qi circles of the two followers.
The protective qi circles of the two followers, formed by qi essence for protection, although possessing good hardness and resistance to impact, were utterly defeated when Fang Ming, targeting their weak points, directly attacked the areas where the qi essence circulated.
Along the weak points of the protective qi circles, with techniques refined to the utmost precision, their weaknesses were broken.
A faint sound was heard, and Fang Ming knew this was the sound of the protective qi circles shattering.
With the protective qi circles broken, Fang Ming followed up by channeling his pale green qi essence deep into the flesh and blood of the two followers.
"Ah!"
Instantly, the screams of the two followers rang out.
Ninety percent of a qi essence realm cultivator's defense and resistance lay in their protective qi circles. With the protective qi circles torn apart, it was like their armor had been stripped away, leaving only their bare bodies. How could they then withstand the opponent's qi essence attack?
The logic was that simple.
But the two followers, even now, couldn't comprehend what had happened.
How had they been defeated so quickly?
How had they not even lasted for three breaths of time?
Amidst their screams, they kept pondering this question, as it was too unexpected, beyond their understanding!
Not just these two followers.
Even the surrounding students, those who had intended to help Fang Ming, were stunned by the scene before them!
The students' eyes were filled with shock.
In their perception, Fang Ming was the epitome of softness, weakness, and frailty.
Although he possessed some strength, his outward appearance gave the initial impression of someone who needed protection, not someone who actively fought.
Before this, no one had thought Fang Ming's strength was that high. They all believed that based on Fang Ming's own cultivation, he was inferior to Sima Feibai and his two followers.
But now, the outcome had slapped their faces hard, shattering their perceptions.
Fang Ming not only dealt with Sima Feibai's two followers, followers at the thirteenth stage of qi essence, but he did so with extreme ease, not after a hard-fought battle!
The thirteenth stage of qi essence.
This level of cultivation, while not the peak in Ziyun Academy and not considered a genius, was still quite good among peers of the same age within Ziyun Academy.
There were indeed masters at the thirtieth stage of qi essence or even the Palace Opening realm among the senior students of Ziyun Academy.
But in the lower grades, among peers, these teenagers in their teens with cultivation at the thirteenth stage of qi essence was already considered decent.
At the very least, it surpassed ninety percent of the students in the lower-tier classes.
This strength could be considered above average among peers. The thirteenth stage of qi essence was enough to defeat many students present, and should not be underestimated.
Yet, this cultivation level, which was enough to defeat many surrounding students, was almost instantly defeated by Fang Ming with ease.
What was Fang Ming's strength?
Fourteenth stage of qi essence? Fifteenth stage of qi essence?
Or even the sixteenth stage of qi essence, equal to Sima Feibai?
For a moment, no one could guess Fang Ming's true strength.
Nor did they know if their guesses were correct.
But this did not prevent them from having their impressions of Fang Ming refreshed.
The seemingly weak and delicate handsome youth actually possessed great power!
This subversion of image gave many students the feeling that their worldview had been shattered, and some began to recognize Fang Ming's true strength.
This refreshing of image was not detrimental to Fang Ming.
For many female students, Fang Ming's display of martial prowess added a unique charm, establishing an image of someone both good-looking and capable in their hearts.
Many female students' admiration for Fang Ming deepened.
The cheers of the crowd and the instant defeat of the two followers made Sima Feibai's face even more grim.
He had initially thought Fang Ming was just a pretty face, a pretty boy.
Who knew Fang Ming was so skilled at fighting?
He had directly defeated his two subordinates, both at the thirteenth stage of qi essence.
And he had done so with ease even when they fought together!
Did this not imply that Fang Ming's cultivation and strength might be comparable to his own?
This made Sima Feibai extremely shocked and bewildered.
He was a scion of nobility from the capital, the son of a third-rank general of the Tianyuan Kingdom.
And Fang Ming? Sima Feibai had investigated his background; he was not from the capital but from a rural city.
Why could someone from a rural city compare to him, a scion of a noble family from the capital?
Why did Fang Ming's cultivation and strength appear to be comparable to his own?
Sima Feibai did not know the answer, nor did he have the opportunity to seek it.
At this moment, his face was as dark as could be.
Fang Ming, someone from a rural city, had single-handedly defeated his two subordinates, and had even won the cheers of many students. This had completely stripped the face of him, the son of a third-rank general, the young master of the Sima family.
This was a public humiliation!
Stealing his girlfriend, beating his followers, Sima Feibai could not think of any reason not to act.
Even though Fang Ming's skills seemed good, and he wasn't sure if his sixteenth stage of qi essence cultivation could handle him... but now he was in a difficult situation. He had openly challenged Fang Ming before, and at this point, he naturally could not back down. That would make him a laughingstock of the academy's students.
Sima Feibai had no choice but to act himself, to regain his face in front of Fang Ming.
He had to do it!
"You're seeking death! Fang Ming!"
"Do you know that by doing this, you have courted death?"
Sima Feibai no longer needed to think of excuses. Directly stating "you have courted death" was enough to place the blame for his actions on Fang Ming.
He attacked, pale green qi essence emanating from his body, and a halo rose around him, appearing even more solid than the protective qi circles of his two followers before—clearly, this was Sima Feibai's protective qi circle.
Greater strength in the qi essence realm meant increased resistance and impact absorption for the protective qi circle, with fewer vulnerabilities.