Chapter 36: If it hurts, just say the word, and I can be gentler.

The next day, at the hour of the dragon.

Li Wudao arrived at the martial arts arena as promised. By now, a significant number of disciples had already gathered, practicing their techniques on the platforms. He stood at the edge, taking out his voice-transmission jade slip, preparing to inquire about her location.

The next moment, a familiar female voice reached him from nearby. Li Wudao turned his head and saw Jiang Churan waving at him.

"Over here—"

The young girl stood before a platform, her legs slender and her figure graceful. With eyes as clear as water, she drew the gaze of everyone present. Despite the many empty platforms available, these disciples had spontaneously gathered around Jiang Churan, casting glances her way from time to time with expressions of admiration.

Li Wudao couldn't help but sigh; the pulling power of a beautiful woman was truly immense. It was no wonder, as Jiang Churan’s appearance was top-tier, and her temperament was ethereal. Even though he had been accustomed to all sorts of artificial beauties in his past life, his heart still stirred, and it was hard to remain completely calm.

"Junior Sister Jiang, you really are like the moon surrounded by stars; you're the center of attention wherever you go." Li Wudao stepped forward, teasing her with a glib tongue.

In response, he received a speechless look from the girl. "If you tease me again, I won't bother teaching you."

Li Wudao chuckled awkwardly and offered a quiet apology.

"Time is limited. I have my own training to attend to later, so today I'll just teach you some practical combat techniques," Jiang Churan said, walking to the center of the platform and getting straight to the point. "Your comprehension is first-rate, so you don't need my guidance on martial arts practice, but often the key to winning in actual combat isn't just the strength of one's techniques..."

Jiang Churan’s voice was calm and articulate. Every gesture and expression was breathtakingly beautiful. At first, Li Wudao didn't pay much attention, preoccupied with simply admiring the view. But as she continued her explanation, his expression gradually shifted to one of astonishment. He had assumed Jiang Churan only knew the basics and might not even be as strong as he was. To his surprise, every word she spoke was profound, as if coming from the mouth of a seasoned expert who had spent years in cultivation, filled with deep insight.

"Little Jiang, where did you learn these insights?" Li Wudao asked, trying to probe with a playful tone. He was puzzled; she hadn't been cultivating these past few years, having spent the whole time doing odd jobs in the Prince's estate. Where would she find the time to fight others?

Hearing the name "Little Jiang," Jiang Churan frowned slightly. She didn't correct him, but replied indifferently, "These were all taught by the Sect Master and are the accumulated experience of our sect's predecessors."

"Oh~" Li Wudao nodded as if he understood, not pressing any further. He always felt Jiang Churan had some little secrets, but he couldn't put his finger on what was wrong.

"Don't waste time. Let's start the spar. I will suppress my cultivation to the peak of the Blood-Moving Realm to test your physical combat skills first," Jiang Churan said casually, extending one hand to signal Li Wudao to begin, looking perfectly relaxed.

"Are you sure you want to suppress your cultivation to spar with me? Maybe we should just call it off..." Li Wudao gestured with his hands, looking hesitant, unsure of how to advise her. He was, after all, a Pure Yang Sacred Body; his physical strength was incomparably domineering, and he rarely met an equal within the same realm.

Seeing the young man acting so lazy—even more so than she was—Jiang Churan’s phoenix eyes narrowed, and her mouth twitched. This guy was actually putting on more airs than her? He needed to be taught a lesson.

"If it hurts later, just shout 'stop,' and I can go a little easier," the girl clenched her fists, her lips curving slightly. Her face, like a lotus flower emerging from water, revealed a rare hint of playfulness.

"O-okay then." Li Wudao’s eyes darkened; he felt something was wrong with that phrasing.

Just as he spoke, a gust of wind from a fist suddenly rushed toward him, making his eyes sting. In the nick of time, Li Wudao dodged it, narrowly avoiding disaster.

"Damn it, you don't play by the rules! I wasn't even ready yet," the young man grumbled, complaining to himself.

"Hmph, who in a real fight would give you a fair duel? That was just an appetizer. You have some skill to have dodged that," Jiang Churan scoffed, her flawless chin tilted upward.

"Tch—" Li Wudao was unconvinced. "I just wasn't ready! Besides, everyone knows you shouldn't hit a man in the face. Do you know that if you had been just a hair closer, you would've ruined this devastatingly handsome face of mine?" He said this without a blush or a racing heart.

"..." Jiang Churan was speechless. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she said coldly, "I have never seen anyone so thick-skinned."

With that, her slender hands moved, and she struck again with a palm.

"Bring it on! You really think I'm afraid of you?" Li Wudao remained composed and met the attack with a punch.

The next instant, fist and palm collided. A dull thud echoed. Both figures recoiled upon impact, each taking several steps back.

"This—" Jiang Churan’s eyes flickered with surprise. She had used seventy percent of her strength in that strike; an ordinary peak Blood-Moving practitioner could not have taken it so lightly. What shocked her most was that Li Wudao had retreated five steps, while she had retreated six! This meant his physical strength had already surpassed the vast majority of warriors in the Blood-Moving Realm.

"Interesting. Now, I'm going to use some real effort," Jiang Churan said. Her appearance was elegant and clear, her neck slender, and her eyes bright—she looked exactly like the Moon Goddess from Li Wudao’s fantasies. Yet, the words she spoke made his mind wander, easily shattering the illusion.

"This little girl really knows how to lead a man astray..." Li Wudao had a strange look in his eyes. Combined with her previous comment, it was very easy to misunderstand.

Suddenly, a gust of wind reached his ears.

"You dare to be distracted during a duel? You're asking for a beating!" Jiang Churan utilized her footwork, moving like the wind. Her long, graceful leg swung out in a side kick, appearing behind the young man in an instant.

*Oh no!*

Li Wudao felt a chill run down his spine. It was all the little maid’s fault for corrupting his mind and causing him to lose his focus. Now, it was too late to dodge.

*Thwack—*

In an instant, Li Wudao felt a tremendous force hit his waist, sending him flying. Fortunately, his body was tough, and his reflexes were quick enough that he stumbled and steadied himself, avoiding the pathetic fate of falling face-first.

"Damn it, I was careless! I didn't dodge!" Li Wudao was indignant. As expected, beautiful women were prone to causing trouble.

"Huh? You're fine after that?" Jiang Churan’s eyes sharpened. Li Wudao’s performance exceeded her expectations. That kick had landed solidly, yet he acted as if nothing had happened—his face wasn't flushed, he wasn't gasping for air, and his breathing was as steady as a rock.

"Little Churan, you’ve been the one attacking the whole time. Now it’s my turn." Li Wudao intended to settle the score. He had his reputation to uphold; he couldn't possibly lose to a little girl.

"Hmph, then go ahead." Jiang Churan held her head high with a hint of haughtiness, showing no fear.

Seeing this, something inside Li Wudao stirred. *Oh, look at that, she’s actually quite tough.* He muttered to himself. *With a delicate little girl like this, if I gave her a slap, I bet she’d cry for a long time, right?*

*Crack, crack—*

Li Wudao clenched his fists, and a sound like popping beans erupted from his knuckles. An invisible aura began to gather. In a split second, the delicate young man seemed like a completely different person, possessing an indescribable sense of power in his every movement.

With her sharp perception, Jiang Churan immediately noticed the change. Her pupils constricted, and her heart began to race.

"Is this the kind of blood energy a peak Blood-Moving Realm cultivator can possess?" From afar, she could sense a tyrannical and incomparably potent blood energy radiating from Li Wudao—wild as a demon beast and incredibly vigorous.

"Little Jiang, I’m returning those words to you..." Li Wudao shook his fists, stepped forward, and smiled, "If it hurts later, just shout 'stop,' and I'll go a little easier."