At the Xuan Yue Sect, one could only learn spells after reaching the third level of Qi Refining and becoming an outer disciple.

The highest cultivation level for a servant disciple is the second level of Qi Refining. Fights mostly involve using spiritual energy to enhance the body and engage in close combat. However, if one has prior martial arts experience, they gain a considerable advantage in battle.

In the chaos of the fight, the square-faced young man, who had been charging straight at Lin Hao, was quickly within range.

Several months had passed since his master, the Everlasting Immortal, passed down the Everlasting Longevity Tower and Everlasting Longevity Technique to Lin Hao. Since then, the master had fallen into a deep slumber and had not appeared again.

This left Lin Hao's hope of learning battle spells or martial techniques from his master unfulfilled.

However, during his time in the newcomer district, to avoid being bullied, he had practiced fighting with his fat companion, Wang Fu, to improve his combat skills.

Seeing the square-faced youth was already within his attack range, Lin Hao activated his Five Elements Longevity Technique, channeling spiritual energy into his fists and sending a powerful punch forward.

"Bang!"

Although Lin Hao's cultivation in the Five Elements Spirit Root was slow, his spiritual energy was far greater than that of others at the same cultivation level. His enhanced punch created an explosive sound.

"Eh! What a fast punch!"

The square-faced youth's expression changed as he realized that the newcomer, who had just arrived from the Newcomer District, had a punch speed and power comparable to, or even stronger than, his own, despite being a late-stage Qi Refining second level cultivator who had been in the Elder Servant District for a year.

However, the square-faced youth quickly regained his composure. With his vast combat experience, he could tell that Lin Hao, despite his power, lacked martial training and his moves lacked discipline.

A cold glint flashed across his face, and he quickly executed a set of agile footwork to dodge.

Lin Hao’s punch, imbued with mighty spiritual energy, missed.

"Whoosh!"

The square-faced youth dodged and then threw a sharp punch aimed at Lin Hao’s abdomen.

Lin Hao was startled. The square-faced youth's combat experience was far superior to the vicious Yan Heng he had defeated in the Newcomer District. The punch’s wind was terrifying, and it was closing in on his stomach.

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By the time Lin Hao realized, it was already too late to dodge. He hurriedly gathered spiritual energy to protect his abdomen.

"Boom!"

A dull sound, like a hammer striking metal, echoed through the air.

"Hiss!"

Two pain-filled gasps sounded simultaneously.

Lin Hao was sent stumbling back five or six steps before he could steady himself, while the square-faced youth was stunned. The force of the rebound from Lin Hao’s protective spiritual energy had caused his fist to hurt, and he quickly understood that the newcomer’s spiritual energy was far greater than his own.

"Mo, quickly subdue this newcomer and join me in taking down that dog Jiang Sheng!" shouted the Zhao Shanhu as he struggled with Jiang Sheng.

"Got it, Zhao senior!" the square-faced youth replied, gritting his teeth as he decided to take down Lin Hao. He had figured out that Lin Hao's weakness was his lack of martial arts training, and he would focus on exploiting it.

"I’ll hold him off," Jiang Sheng called to Lin Hao. "Just keep him busy."

"Mountain Crushing Fist!" Jiang Sheng roared, channeling all his spiritual energy into his fist, causing his arm to swell before striking at Zhao Shanhu with a fierce blow.

"Bang!"

The strongest of Zhao Shanhu's team, he was sent stumbling back, clearly at a disadvantage.

"You think you can defeat me so easily?" Zhao Shanhu retorted.

Lin Hao, heartened by Jiang Sheng’s courage, gathered his focus to face the square-faced youth again. As long as he could hold off his opponent, their team would win.

"Boom! Bang...!"

The square-faced youth attacked rapidly, fists coming from all angles, aiming at Lin Hao's weak points where his spiritual energy was thin.

Lin Hao, however, wasn’t stupid. After taking a few hits, he realized the youth’s intent and quickly retreated. His spiritual energy, being more abundant than his opponent’s, allowed him to move faster than the square-faced youth, who struggled to keep up.

The square-faced youth’s steps grew erratic as he failed to land a hit, and Lin Hao taunted, "Look at your Zhao senior—he's almost done for. You guys are going to lose this fight. If I were you, I’d just surrender."

"Mo, stop wasting time with that newcomer! Come help me take down Jiang Sheng!" Zhao Shanhu bellowed, finding himself losing ground.

"Yes, Zhao senior!" The square-faced youth sneered at Lin Hao one last time, then turned to rush toward Jiang Sheng.

"Your opponent is me!" Lin Hao called, his eyes flashing as he surged forward, using the tactic of "advance when the enemy retreats," not allowing the square-faced youth to escape.

With the Five Elements spiritual energy supporting his legs, Lin Hao moved like the wind, quickly closing the distance and launching a punch at the retreating square-faced youth.

"You bastard!" the square-faced youth shouted, knowing just how powerful Lin Hao’s punch was. He was forced to dodge, but couldn’t escape his relentless pursuit.

"Boom!"

At the same time, a victorious cry came from Jiang Sheng, who took the opportunity to land a solid punch on Zhao Shanhu's face.

"Ah!" Zhao Shanhu let out a pained scream as he was knocked flying, crashing to the ground with a cloud of dust.

"Ugh!" He spat out blood.

"We surrender..." Zhao Shanhu and his remaining companions cried out in defeat.

"Stop!" came a calm voice from an outer disciple monitoring the scene in the mine.

According to the sect’s rules, once one side surrendered or lost all fighting ability, the fight was over to avoid unnecessary injuries and disruptions to the mining process.

"Yes, senior!" Jiang Sheng bowed respectfully and ceased his attack on Zhao Shanhu.

The other servant disciples quickly stopped fighting as well, and Lin Hao’s group successfully retained control of their high-yield mining area.

"Jiang Sheng, you... you’ll regret this!" Zhao Shanhu shouted as he was helped away, still muttering threats.