Typically, when martial arts schools exchange disciples for sparring, the invited side has the right to refuse.

If they decline, and the inviter refuses to take no for an answer, the situation escalates beyond simple disciple training—matters could get out of hand.

Rules are important. People must abide by them, and so must powers and factions.

However, if you reject too many times, it will certainly tarnish the reputation of your martial arts school.

When running a school, reputation is everything.

Tai Bai has no fear of Teng Long. The reputations of the three major martial arts schools are on the line.

If Tai Bai wins, its fame will only grow.

In the end, Long Yun decided to face off against Shen Long himself. He had no confidence in fighting Bai Ruoyue.

"The leader of Bai's school has recently taken on a talented disciple, so I brought a brother of the Flesh Realm with me today," Long Yun said, glancing at Han with a sly grin.

"I wonder if my brother here might have a chance to spar with Brother Zhou?"

Bai Ruoyue looked at Han, who hesitated, then spoke awkwardly:

"Master Long, I've only practiced martial arts for a short time, and my abilities are still limited. I don't think I stand a chance against your disciple."

Long Yun froze for a moment. If he remembered correctly, this person had been quite defiant just a moment ago.

What happened to him now?

Could this be a trick?

Just as that thought crossed his mind, Long Yun almost laughed at himself. A person who'd been practicing for only ten days couldn't possibly be pulling a scam.

Maybe he could prank a toilet, but that's about it!

"Brother Zhou, you're being too modest. I still remember your last victory," Long Yun said.

"Your strength isn't weak."

"It was just a fluke," Han replied. "What realm is your disciple in?"

"Master of the Flesh Realm—perfected."

Han glanced at a young disciple from Teng Long Martial School, probably the youngest, so it must be him.

Due to Tai Bai's unique recruitment conditions, it had far fewer official disciples than the other two schools.

"Perfected Flesh Realm? I’m no match for him," Han shook his head.

In sparring, if you fight someone stronger, no one cares. But if you want to fight someone weaker, both sides must agree.

Long Yun saw Han's hesitation and frowned, about to speak, but Han continued:

"However, if Master Long agrees to one condition, I'll fight him."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"What condition?"

"Teng Long still owes me three spiritual herbs and three hundred-forged weapons. But I’ll settle that account when my master returns."

"Today, if you’re willing to offer three spiritual herbs as a wager—if I win, all three will be mine. If I lose, I’ll settle for one."

By now, Han’s intentions were crystal clear.

"Impossible!" Long Yun immediately rejected.

That would be giving him a spiritual herb for nothing!

Han sighed. "Then there’s nothing we can do."

"Sigh... here I am, a newcomer to martial arts, daring to challenge someone in the Perfect Flesh Realm, but the other side won’t even accept."

"I wonder what the people of Hei Yun Town will think when they hear this."

"Arrogant!"

The young disciple from Teng Long was infuriated. "You, a beginner in the Flesh Realm, don't dare to face me?"

"Senior Brother Long, let me take up the challenge. I'll even put up my next share of spiritual herbs!"

Nice! Youthful passion! I like it!

Han secretly gave the young disciple a thumbs-up in his mind.

"You only have one spiritual herb in your next share," Long Yun remarked, looking at the disciple.

"Fine, I’ll use my share from the one after that!" the disciple replied confidently. "How could I lose to him?"

"Yang Xing is a useless fool. I'm not someone he can compare to!"

"At worst, I'll just give him a spiritual herb as charity!"

Long Yun looked at Han and said:

"Three spiritual herbs—if you win, they are yours. If you lose, you get half a spiritual herb. Are you going to fight?"

Long Yun had already accepted that Han would get half a spiritual herb.

His disciple, Xia Mo, was much stronger than Yang Xing. Xia Mo could easily defeat him and the others.

The last time Han caused Xia Mo to be humiliated by Bai Ruoyue, Long Yun hadn’t forgotten. He’d been waiting for a chance to get back at him, so suggesting a spar was personal.

Giving up half a spiritual herb wouldn’t hurt, anyway.

After all, it’s Xia Mo’s share.

The advantage is mine!

Han sighed. "Fine, I’ll take the loss."

Bai Ruoyue and the others watched quietly, feeling a bit strange.

Junior Brother… you’re so devious.

At Han's request, Long Yun placed three spiritual herbs to the side to avoid future disputes.

Long Yun sneered. "When you're lying on the ground wailing, I'll throw half a spiritual herb at your face."

Long Yun also proposed a spar in the Meridian Realm, intending to deal a heavy blow to Tai Bai's reputation. Zhang Yuantao accepted the Meridian Realm duel.

After setting the rules, everyone dispersed, clearing the area as the apprentices gathered around to watch.

Xia Mo stepped forward, glaring at Han. "Let me teach you a lesson on behalf of Tai Bai Martial School."

Han chuckled. "You’re Xia Mo, huh? Don’t piss your pants later!"

Han winked at Bai Ruoyue and stepped to face Xia Mo.

"Weapon, or hand-to-hand?" Han asked.

"Weapon!" Xia Mo replied.

Great! This will be even easier.

Han took out his Tai Bai Long Sword, gazing at the blade before slowly speaking:

"This sword is the sharpest weapon in the world. The blade is three feet and three inches long, weighing six jin and four ounces. It can slice through hair and sever anything!"

Bai Ruoyue and the others felt a twitch at the corners of their eyes, while Long Yun sneered.

What a load of nonsense. Do you think I don't recognize that as the basic, hundred-forged sword that every disciple of Tai Bai carries?

Xia Mo, facing Han, also unsheathed his sword but inexplicably felt suppressed by Han, as though they were on different levels.

This made Xia Mo uncomfortable. Damn, this shouldn’t be happening.

I’m the one in the Perfect Flesh Realm!

"Stop rambling. Watch my sword!" Xia Mo shouted.

He advanced, full of momentum, his flesh glowing as he executed a powerful sword technique.

Han still gazed at his sword, almost entranced, as if admiring a beautiful woman.

The disciples from Teng Long Martial School grinned.

They thought someone claiming to fight three opponents was a genius, but it turned out to be a joke.

Half a spiritual herb—might as well treat it as pocket change.

Just as Xia Mo’s sword was about to strike Han, he moved.

He raised his hand, swinging his sword.

"Clang!"

A segment of Xia Mo’s sword hit the ground.

"Drip!"

Bright red blood splattered, forming petals of blood on the ground.

The entire area fell silent, as if everyone had lost the ability to speak.

The cold sneers from Teng Long’s disciples froze on their faces, their expressions shifting to horror.

In the center, the person who had practiced martial arts for only ten days held his sword against a seasoned practitioner’s neck. A light touch, and blood began to drip.

Xia Mo’s sword was now broken, its edge smooth and clean.

Everyone's thoughts echoed one sentence:

"This sword is the sharpest weapon under heaven—able to slice hair and sever anything… and it’s true."

But they all realized one thing.

The sword was sharp, but the person wielding it was even sharper!