Lin Yichen, Zhang Ergou, and Wang Teng maneuvered around the purple-robed youth.
Lin Yichen and Wang Teng continuously bombarded the purple-robed youth with spells and skills.
However, their palm strikes and fist imprints seemed to encounter an invisible barrier, unable to even approach the youth.
Zhang Ergou, having been warned not to use his spiritual skills, could only rely on his physical strength unless the situation became critical.
Although the others didn't understand why Zhang Ergou wasn't using his powerful abilities, he didn't have time to explain.
He could only look for an opening, but at this distance, he couldn't get close enough.
His only option was to attack with physical strength, which required him to be within range.
Zhang Ergou circled just outside the three-zhang radius of the opponent, finding no opportunity. He let out a loud roar.
"Ah!"
*Bang!*
With a deafening sound, Zhang Ergou was sent flying backward, then crashed heavily to the ground.
Grimacing, Zhang Ergou stood up, no longer charging in recklessly.
Fortunately, he hadn't used any spiritual energy when he charged, so the barrier hadn't bound him.
It seemed the invisible barrier could absorb spiritual energy, which was why Xiao Qingyu had been restrained when he charged.
"Hmm?"
Seeing Zhang Ergou repelled rather than restrained, the purple-robed youth showed a hint of surprise.
His gaze toward Zhang Ergou became thoughtful.
"Interesting!" the youth chuckled, his eyes on Zhang Ergou like a hunter’s on prey.
Clearly, he hadn't noticed that Zhang Ergou had been holding back his spiritual energy.
Only at the moment Zhang Ergou was flung away did the youth realize Zhang Ergou had been relying solely on physical strength.
His spiritual energy was suppressed to the absolute limit.
*Slap!*
Before Zhang Ergou could fully stand, a loud smack echoed. Looking up, he saw Lin Yichen, clutching his face, glaring furiously at the youth.
"A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator daring to ambush me? Consider this a lesson!" the youth declared, raising his palm once more.
*Slap!*
Another sharp crack. Lin Yichen's left cheek began to swell visibly.
"You bastard, I'll fight you to the death!" Lin Yichen wasn't one to back down. He had endured enough bullying in the inner sect these past few days.
He had finally gotten a taste of victory last night.
Now, after receiving two slaps from this arrogant newcomer, his anger reignited.
"Don't you know to call me Senior Brother?"
*Slap!*
Another crisp sound! Lin Yichen's ultimate moves were all blocked, but the youth's slaps landed effortlessly on his face.
"Ah!" Lin Yichen roared, unleashing a barrage of spells and skills. The sky filled with dazzling lights and potent spiritual energy, yet it couldn't advance beyond a zhang of the youth.
"With such meager power, you dare to cause trouble? Do you truly think the inner sect has no capable individuals?"
The purple-robed youth finally revealed his true colors. Looking at Lin Yichen, whose face was swollen and battered from the slaps, his voice turned cold.
"Ergou, let's go together!" Wang Teng, seeing Lin Yichen's humiliation, no longer hesitated. He shouted to Zhang Ergou, who was just getting up, and unleashed his own array of spells and skills at the purple-robed youth.
Having learned from his previous attempt, Zhang Ergou knew a reckless charge would yield no benefits.
He reached into his storage ring and retrieved the Ghost Spear Tianwen, then lunged at the opponent with the iron spear.
*Pfft!*
A sharp sound. The iron spear seemed to pierce through something!
"Hm?" The purple-robed youth cast a surprised glance at Zhang Ergou. He hadn't expected this junior brother, who used no spiritual energy, to possess such formidable physical strength.
A single spear strike had pierced his spiritual energy barrier.
Though startled, the youth wasn't overly concerned. With a casual wave, he erected another spiritual energy barrier.
It merged with the existing one, which had a small tear from Zhang Ergou's attack, making it even more robust than before.
"Break!" Zhang Ergou strained with all his might but could no longer pierce the second barrier the purple-robed youth had erected.
"Interesting, the inner sect has acquired a body refiner this year." With a flick of his wrist, he sent two palm strikes, hitting Lin Yichen and Wang Teng, who were still struggling against the barrier, one after the other.
*Pfft!*
*Pfft!*
Two sounds of spitting blood echoed. Lin Yichen and Wang Teng were sent flying backward, collapsing onto the ground, unable to rise for a long time. They were clearly severely injured.
The purple-robed youth then looked at Zhang Ergou, who was still struggling to pierce the spiritual energy barrier with his iron spear, a growing smile on his face.
"This junior brother, you're actually a body refiner! It was my oversight, Senior Brother's eyesight is poor."
"However, my cultivation has been stagnating lately, and I haven't found a way to break through. Seeing you today has enlightened me."
"Junior Brother, Senior Brother is very interested in your body refining technique. Would you be willing to part with it?"
The purple-robed youth's smiling words were laced with greed.
He had indeed been shocked by Zhang Ergou's physical strength. A cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, capable of piercing his spiritual energy barrier with mere physical prowess.
Such power was truly terrifying.
After all, he was a genuine mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, with no impurities.
Even ordinary early-stage Golden Core cultivators would have to expend considerable effort to break his spiritual energy barrier, yet Zhang Ergou, with only his physical strength and an iron spear, had managed it.
"If I possessed this strength, I could surely surprise my opponents in future battles. The grand sect competition is in a month, and I will undoubtedly stand out."
Qin Lang envisioned a bright future for himself, his smile widening.
His gaze towards Zhang Ergou softened, as if trying to sway him with his charm.
"Bah! What kind of Senior Brother are you? Relying on your higher cultivation to bully us juniors. And you call yourself a Golden Core cultivator? Ptooey!"
Zhang Ergou was no longer afraid. Since the masks were off, there was no need to pretend.
"You insolent brat, refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Qin Lang's handsome face turned ashen with anger. He had clearly never been insulted like this before. Hearing Zhang Ergou's curse, his expression contorted into a ferocious snarl.
*Slap!*
A heavy palm strike landed on Zhang Ergou's face, a visible bloodstain rapidly appearing.
*Slap!*
*Slap...*
The forest echoed with the sounds of slapping, but the stubborn Zhang Ergou refused to utter a sound.
"Scream! You brat, aren't you so powerful? Let me hear it!"
*Slap!*
Another heavy slap sent Zhang Ergou staggering, almost falling.
"You stubborn brat! Where's your courage from earlier? Go on, try to stab me with that iron rod of yours!"
*Slap!*
*Slap!*
Two more slaps in quick succession sent Zhang Ergou crashing to the ground.
Stubbornly, Zhang Ergou pushed himself up, his eyes burning with anger as he glared at the youth.
His face was now completely swollen.