Chapter 016: There Is No Woman in This World Whom I, Ling Dufei, Cannot Handle

The news spread like wildfire, stirring the entire freshman division into a frenzy. Xiao Yang and Xu Ruhqing were both from Yuezhou, and from the way they held hands and chatted beneath the trees, it was clear they were a couple. Yet Ling Dufei made a showy declaration of love to Xu Ruhqing—clearly out to cause trouble.

As the saying goes, a mountain cannot contain two tigers. The freshman division had always been dominated by Ling Dufei, a martial artist of high standing. Now, Xiao Yang had arrived, and the two were like rival tigers within the same mountain, destined to become mortal enemies.

The students could see through Ling Dufei’s flamboyant gesture—it was less about genuine affection for Xu Ruhqing and more akin to a challenge issued to Xiao Yang. If Ling Dufei managed to steal Xiao Yang’s girlfriend, it would be a devastating blow to Xiao Yang’s reputation. Even if he failed, the mere rumor of it would be enough to disgust Xiao Yang. In short, Ling Dufei’s move was calculated entirely to make Xiao Yang suffer.

“Ling Dufei is shameless—trying to snatch someone else’s girlfriend right out from under him.”

“He’s relying on his powerful family, trying to bully everyone at school. If I were Xiao Yang, I’d teach him a lesson!”

“He’s deliberately making Xiao Yang uncomfortable, publicly stating he wants to steal Xiao Yang’s woman—what a scoundrel!”

“If Ling Dufei truly liked Xu Ruhqing, he could pursue her privately. Making such a public fuss is clearly meant to embarrass Xiao Yang. His intentions are rotten.”

…

“Hehe… Ling Dufei’s move is brilliant. Whether Xu Ruhqing accepts him or not, Xiao Yang’s already been humiliated.”

“Do you know Ling Dufei’s status? He’s the pride of the Ling family in Magic City—his future is limitless. Even if Xiao Yang has some luck, he can’t compare. If Xu Ruhqing is wise, she’ll know who to choose.”

“Exactly, with Ling Dufei making such a public declaration, if Xu Ruhqing refuses, she’s disrespecting him. Faced with the scion of a top martial family from a first-tier city, would she dare refuse?”

“I doubt Ling Dufei truly likes Xu Ruhqing. He’s just playing. She’s pretty, but Ling Dufei can have any beauty he wants.”

“If Xiao Yang’s girlfriend falls into Ling Dufei’s arms and then gets discarded after he’s had his fun, will Xiao Yang still pick up the pieces? Ha ha…”

…

Ling Dufei's ostentatious declaration triggered an uproar in the freshman division, splitting reactions into two camps. Some sympathized with Xiao Yang, instantly recognizing Ling Dufei’s malicious intent—he was targeting Xiao Yang, not genuinely pursuing Xu Ruhqing. Others cheered for Ling Dufei, addressing him as “Young Master Ling,” clearly reverent, and relishing Xiao Yang’s predicament.

Xu Ruhqing received Ling Dufei’s message, frowned slightly, and promptly informed Xiao Yang, leaving the response up to him.

Xiao Yang replied, “Ignore it.”

He was on his way to the Inheritance Chamber.

Freshmen who hadn’t awakened their sense of Qi still needed to train and strengthen their bodies, but those who had, like Xiao Yang, had one task: to study martial arts inheritance.

Martial arts techniques allow the practitioner to control internal Qi, guiding it through the meridians, refining it into “inner strength,” which forms a powerful aura and generates a force of absorption—continuously drawing spiritual energy from the world to further refine themselves.

This process repeats: the more spiritual energy absorbed, the stronger the inner strength, the greater the power, and the higher the cultivation.

Ordinary people become martial artists through the body’s natural absorption of spiritual energy, a slow process requiring special foods and grueling training. Only by exhausting all internal energy and inducing hunger in the muscles can one accelerate absorption.

This method works before becoming a martial artist, but offers diminishing returns after. An ordinary adult might have a punch force of over a hundred kilograms. Martial artists are expected to reach three hundred kilograms—just a hundred kilograms more. However, advancing from first to second rank requires increasing punch force from three hundred to six hundred kilograms—a three hundred kilogram gap. Relying solely on the body’s natural absorption, one could train a lifetime and never progress from first to second rank.

Ranks one, two, and three are merely the Qi Sense stage. Without studying martial arts inheritance, relying only on the body’s absorption, a martial artist can never break through to the Internal Strength stage.

Thus, martial arts inheritance is crucial.

To study martial arts inheritance, one must first unlock the meridians, allowing spiritual energy to circulate freely within, refining it into inner strength and generating absorption force for further cultivation.

The Inheritance Chamber does not directly teach martial arts techniques, but assists martial artists in unlocking their meridians.

Once the meridians are open, Qi can flow freely, and learning martial arts techniques becomes effortless.

Inside the Inheritance Chamber, Xiao Yang removed his clothing as the machine scanned his body, pinpointing the locations of his acupoints.

Soon, a heavy force materialized—gravity was being altered.

Gravity increased gradually, forcing Xiao Yang to tense his muscles to remain upright, lest he be pulled to the ground.

On the wall ahead, a human diagram displayed the locations of each acupoint. Beside it, a light screen magnified specific regions, allowing Xiao Yang to see the acupoint distribution in detail.

A mechanical voice sounded in the chamber, instructing Xiao Yang where to channel his Qi.

Following the prompt, he guided his Qi as directed. A beam of light shot forth, striking the acupoint and stimulating it.

Acupoints, normally difficult to sense, suddenly became distinct under the light’s stimulation.

Xiao Yang followed instructions, sending Qi to impact the acupoint, feeling as if he had torn open a gap—a discovery akin to stumbling upon a new continent.

Previously, his Qi was a chaotic mass within, controllable but wild, crashing through his body. The meridians, however, were like roads for Qi to travel.

To use an analogy, Qi is like a car, and the meridians are highways. Before, the Qi crashed through the wilderness like a car off-road. Entering the meridians was like getting onto the expressway—an immense difference.

Of course, the acupoint was only partially opened; Xiao Yang had managed to create a tiny fissure. To fully unlock it, he would need to persist.

Another light beam struck, stimulating the acupoint and allowing Xiao Yang to sense its location precisely, guiding his Qi to impact it.

After countless attempts, Xiao Yang finally broke through, opening the acupoint completely.

His Qi now flowed steadily through the acupoint into the meridians.

A sensation of unprecedented comfort washed over him—like a car, long battered by rough terrain, suddenly speeding smoothly down the highway.

Yet soon, his Qi met resistance; his meridians were not fully open, blocked by further acupoints like checkpoints.

He would need to open them all for Qi to flow unobstructed.

As the saying goes, a journey of a hundred miles is only half completed at ninety. The initial acupoints are easier to open; subsequent ones become increasingly difficult.

It is a monumental task, requiring dedication to conquer each acupoint—not something achieved quickly.

Opening acupoints and unlocking meridians does not require physical exertion, but rather accuracy and perseverance, both tied to the martial artist’s mental strength.

Acupoints are invisible within the body, located only by sense.

The stronger one’s mental strength, the more accurate the sensing, and the faster the process. The stronger the will, the longer one can persist—if one can spend a few extra hours each day, progress accelerates.

Xiao Yang’s mental strength far surpassed the average martial artist. On his first day, he trained in the Inheritance Chamber for six hours, opening five acupoints.

Leaving the chamber, Xiao Yang felt utterly exhausted, body and mind alike.

Six hours under heavy gravity, constantly pressed by invisible force, had drained him. His mental energy was depleted, leaving him lightheaded.

After this day’s training, Xiao Yang finally understood why students with talent but without admission to a martial arts university could never achieve greatness in the martial arts.

First, without sufficient resources, it is nearly impossible to become a martial artist.

Even if one succeeds, without the right conditions, it is difficult to open all the acupoints and unlock the meridians, and thus study martial arts inheritance.

Without martial arts inheritance, even a talented martial artist can only hope to remain a first or second rank—barely above the lowest rung.

But those admitted to martial arts universities can learn inheritance techniques, and with lifelong cultivation, even the mediocre can reach third rank, while the gifted may break into Internal Strength, reaching fourth rank or higher and attaining positions of power in many cities.

Without the resources, the chance of opening acupoints and unlocking meridians is virtually nil; without open meridians, martial arts inheritance is impossible.

Thus, without entering a martial arts university, one’s prospects in martial arts are limited.

This is why countless students struggle desperately to gain admission.

After training, Xiao Yang headed for the Spirit Nourishing Pavilion.

A place to restore mental strength, it also offered nourishing food to replenish physical energy. Xiao Yang, exhausted, needed both.

By the time he emerged, evening had fallen.

The other freshmen had finished their day’s training. Xiao Yang went to find Xu Ruhqing; they had arranged to dine together.

Freshman Division, Cafeteria No. 13.

Xu Ruhqing had already ordered two beast meals, sitting by the window and awaiting Xiao Yang’s arrival.

Xiao Yang had not yet arrived, but Ling Dufei had beaten him there.

Ling Dufei had many informants among the freshmen—finding Xu Ruhqing’s whereabouts was easy.

Today, Ling Dufei had dressed up: hair styled, clad in a white suit, purple tie, white leather shoes, and holding a bouquet of deep red roses.

Ling Dufei was tall and handsome, and with this attire, he looked like an idol star, drawing countless admiring gazes as he entered Cafeteria 13.

“Wow, he’s so handsome!”

“With such a background, looks, and talent, Ling Dufei is perfection!”

“If I had a child with him, it would surely be extraordinary!”

“Too bad he doesn’t notice me. If he agreed, I’d worship every inch of his skin…”

…

The girls gazed at Ling Dufei, their eyes shining, hearts fluttering with infatuation.

Ling Dufei entered, his gaze quickly landing on Xu Ruhqing. With long strides, he walked over.

Many girls watched him approach Xu Ruhqing, jealousy flashing in their eyes.

All knew Ling Dufei had publicly declared his love for Xu Ruhqing, and they fantasized—if only he had chosen them. Naturally, they envied her.

Xu Ruhqing glanced at Ling Dufei but quickly looked away, her fair forehead creased with worry.

She remembered Xiao Yang’s advice: Ignore all of Ling Dufei’s provocations.

But now, Ling Dufei was approaching her directly—there was no avoiding him.

Ling Dufei sat opposite her, saying, “I suddenly felt like dining at Cafeteria 13 tonight, and took my usual seat. It turns out you’re right across from me—seems fate has brought us together.”

Xu Ruhqing replied coolly, “I don’t know you well.”

Ling Dufei smiled slightly. “We’re classmates. Not familiar today, but we will be. Ruhqing, from your first day at Jiangnan Martial University, I was taken with you. I truly like you.

I hesitated for days, but decided not to be timid. I want to pursue you openly. Be my girlfriend, or else your shadow will always haunt me—I won’t find peace, and I won’t be able to train.”

He handed her the bouquet.

Xu Ruhqing looked at him impassively. “Please leave. This is Xiao Yang’s seat.”

Ling Dufei placed the roses on the table. “Is that so? Does it have Xiao Yang’s name written on it?”

Of course not.

He continued, “Even if it’s Xiao Yang’s seat, so what? If I want to sit, I’ll sit.”

Seeing he had no intention of leaving, Xu Ruhqing said, “Then stay, if you wish.”

She rose, intending to move her meal to another table.

As she reached for her bowl, Ling Dufei’s hand darted out, grabbing her wrist.

“Let go!” Xu Ruhqing’s expression changed, and she shouted.

But Ling Dufei, already a ranked martial artist, possessed enormous strength; she could not break free.

Ling Dufei smiled, watching her struggle. “Do you know what kind of family the Ling family in Magic City is? Do you know my status there?

With a word from me, not just an ordinary family—even a martial artist clan could be wiped out. Xu Ruhqing, I’m giving you face by showing interest. Don’t refuse it.

Let’s all be happy, don’t force me to use other methods. If you do… your family will suffer. Then, it won’t be me giving you face, but you begging me for it.”

The Ling family in Magic City was a top martial clan, with several grandmasters. In a first-tier city like Magic City, it ranked among the elite.

Such a family could easily dominate a third-tier city; all the martial forces in a third-tier city combined would be no match for the Ling family.

In Cafeteria 13, every student was watching this unfold, all eyes fixed on the scene.

Ling Dufei openly invoked his family’s power, pressuring Xu Ruhqing.

He had no fear of being overheard—he was simply stating fact.

The Ling family had that kind of authority.

Ling Dufei truly believed that his interest was a blessing for Xu Ruhqing. If not for Xiao Yang, he would hardly care—she was beautiful, but he’d seen plenty more dazzling than her. He’d played with famous actresses, but so what?

He was Ling Dufei—there was no woman he couldn’t have.

Xu Ruhqing was furious, trying to pull her hand back, but Ling Dufei’s grip was like iron pincers—she could not break free.

Suddenly—a sharp sound split the air.

Ling Dufei sensed danger, his pupils contracted, and he instantly released Xu Ruhqing’s wrist, flashing backward.

Thunk!

A broken tile embedded itself deep in the nearby wall.

Everyone’s attention was drawn first to the tile, then they turned as one to see where it had come from.

Xiao Yang approached, his attire far simpler than Ling Dufei’s, but his looks even more striking, making many girls’ hearts flutter with desire.

Xu Ruhqing saw Xiao Yang and, overjoyed, hurried to him, eyes full of grievance.

At the qualifying exam, Xu Ruhqing had promised herself she would protect Xiao Yang once she became a martial artist.

Yet now, it was Xiao Yang who had come to protect her.

He was her man, and now that she was bullied, she could only rely on him.

Her family was wealthy by ordinary standards, but nothing special in Yuezhou, utterly unable to compare with the Ling family of Magic City.

Ling Dufei had cited his family’s power to threaten hers; she had nowhere else to turn but to Xiao Yang.

If Xiao Yang couldn’t protect her, for the sake of her parents and family, she might have to submit.

Xiao Yang immediately saw the pain in her eyes. Before she could speak, he took her hand and said, “Leave it to me. If I cannot protect you, I am unworthy to be your man.”