Three months had passed in the blink of an eye. In these three months, Li Xuan had climbed from his previous ranking to twenty-fifth, a feat that stunned everyone.
After all, Li Xuan possessed the strength of the peak of the Life-Death realm, yet he had defeated many powerhouses in the Heavenly Mystery realm. This included not only those at the middle stage of the Heavenly Mystery realm but also a powerful individual at the advanced stage of the Heavenly Mystery realm.
What excited people even more was that Li Xuan had accumulated a significant amount of spirit stones. After all, the higher the rank, the greater the challenge fee. And Li Xuan didn't even need to pay these fees, essentially getting everything for free.
However, to everyone's surprise, after reaching the twenty-fifth rank, Li Xuan stopped challenging and returned to the inn.
A month later, Li Xuan reappeared. This time, his cultivation realm had reached the early stage of the Heavenly Mystery realm.
As Li Xuan continued his challenges, many of the geniuses on the rankings were left speechless. Some even chose to concede as soon as it was their turn. There was no other way; Li Xuan's strength had reached a new level after his breakthrough. Some prodigies were knocked unconscious with a single punch from Li Xuan.
With so many spirit masters watching, no one wanted to lose face in such a manner. Since they had no sure bet of defeating Li Xuan, conceding was the more straightforward option.
And so, Li Xuan reached eleventh place in just one month. As people excitedly anticipated Li Xuan challenging the top ten geniuses, Li Xuan once again returned to the inn.
On this day, Li Xuan reappeared after a full two months. When everyone saw him, they were shocked.
In a mere half a year, Li Xuan had broken through from the Life-Death realm to the middle stage of the Heavenly Mystery realm. This speed truly redefined everyone's understanding. Moreover, people had long since realized that Li Xuan was using the geniuses on the challenge stage to hone his skills.
"Li Xuan is next going to challenge Mu Ye Bai, who is ranked tenth, isn't he?" someone asked.
"Based on Li Xuan's previous challenges, it seems likely. However, whether Mu Ye Bai can stop Li Xuan's progress is still uncertain."
"I think it's about time. After all, Mu Ye Bai is at the peak of the Heavenly Mystery realm. A cultivator at this level is no joke. Even a feat like Li Xuan's, fighting opponents of a higher realm, might not be easy for him."
"Li Xuan's physical defense is extremely strong. If Mu Ye Bai cannot break through his defense, he might also fall from his pedestal."
"..."
The observing powerhouses from all sides discussed, their gazes fixed on Li Xuan on the challenge stage.
Soon after Li Xuan confirmed the challenge, without the elder making a move, a figure shot down from a stone pillar. Within a few breaths, he landed on the challenge stage.
"You are quite good," the newcomer, naturally Mu Ye Bai, said with a slight nod after appraising Li Xuan.
Li Xuan smiled faintly and replied, "To maintain the tenth position with the strength of the Heavenly Mystery realm's peak, you are also quite remarkable."
Li Xuan had inquired, and among the top ten, only Mu Ye Bai was at the peak of the Heavenly Mystery realm. Everyone else was in the Heavenly Mystery realm or above. Of course, there were also those at the peak of the Heavenly Mystery realm below the tenth rank, but Mu Ye Bai's long-standing position proved his formidable strength.
Mu Ye Bai smiled and said, "Let's begin. I'm curious to see if I can break through your defenses."
Li Xuan nodded and immediately activated his physical strength with a thought.
Concurrently, Mu Ye Bai also made his move.
Bang!
With a few sharp bangs, both Li Xuan and Mu Ye Bai were pushed back several steps. However, as they stopped, Li Xuan's expression grew solemn. The incredibly hard crystal beneath his retreating back cracked with several fissures.
In contrast, Mu Ye Bai wore a faint smile, as if all of this was as expected.
Li Xuan looked at Mu Ye Bai. The praise for this top-ten genius was indeed well-deserved. With just one move, he had put Li Xuan at a disadvantage. Moreover, Li Xuan knew that if his physical defense hadn't been so strong, this punch would have been enough to defeat him.
"Continue." Li Xuan took a deep breath and then, abandoning defense, chose to attack proactively.
Carefree Steps.
Li Xuan's body moved like an afterimage, instantly appearing before Mu Ye Bai. With a punch, Li Xuan's right fist struck out again. In a mere instant, Li Xuan had unleashed a total of eight punches, each thrown with full force.
"Body Controls All Things!"
Mu Ye Bai's pupils contracted, and he pressed a palm downwards. The next moment, a dazzling white light erupted. Li Xuan's eight punches were all blocked.
Li Xuan frowned at this. The next moment, he and Mu Ye Bai were locked in a fierce close-quarters battle.
"I misjudged. I didn't expect Mu Ye Bai's physical body to be so powerful. This fight between body cultivators now comes down to who has the superior physique."
"Indeed. Li Xuan previously relied on his invincible physique to defeat those geniuses on the rankings. Now, Mu Ye Bai is also a body cultivator, and he appears to be even more formidable than Li Xuan."
"But Li Xuan is also a sword cultivator. Even if his physique is not superior, once he unleashes his sword techniques, the outcome might be unpredictable."
"I have to admit, close-quarters combat is more exciting. These exchanges of punches and blocks, the clashes of upper and lower body strikes, almost every move is a perfect display of strength."
"..."
The spectators' discussions were varied. It was now apparent to everyone that Mu Ye Bai, like Li Xuan, was a body cultivator. Moreover, he had never revealed this aspect before. Perhaps it was because Li Xuan was a body cultivator that he decided to engage in a direct physical confrontation.
"Your physique is already quite good, but unfortunately, mine is not bad either. With just this physical strength, you cannot break through my defenses," Mu Ye Bai said with a smile, looking at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. He had to admit that Mu Ye Bai's physical defense and strength were no weaker than his own. Furthermore, Li Xuan could see Mu Ye Bai's intentions. Li Xuan had defeated previous geniuses with his physique, and if Mu Ye Bai defeated Li Xuan with his physique as well, it would undoubtedly prove Mu Ye Bai's superior physique to everyone.
"You are a sword cultivator, aren't you? Let me see your sword techniques," Mu Ye Bai said.
Li Xuan, however, smiled and shook his head. "Since this is a battle between body cultivators, I don't believe I am inferior to you."
Li Xuan could tell there was a hidden meaning in Mu Ye Bai's words. If Li Xuan were to draw his sword, it would prove that his physique was not as strong as Mu Ye Bai's. Li Xuan, however, was no novice who had just entered the martial world and would fall for such a trap.
"You have a backup plan?" Mu Ye Bai raised an eyebrow, looking at Li Xuan with surprise.
Li Xuan smiled and then took a deep breath, slowly clenching his left fist.
"This punch is named Peerless Overlord Fist!"