Chapter 243: A mystery.

“Patriarch Lin, has anyone ever told you that you have a knack for taking a beating?”

Mu Qingya stood several paces away, breathing slightly harder than before. A thin sheen of sweat had appeared on her forehead, and her shoulders rose and fell as she tried to regulate her breathing.

Despite her fatigue, she looked at Lin Xuan with undisguised amazement.

They had been sparring for two whole days.

Two whole days!

At first, Mu Qingya had expected to enjoy a few exciting exchanges before thoroughly testing the abilities of the man who had impressed the Whale People. However, what began as a casual spar had gradually turned into a drawn-out battle that neither seemed willing to end.

She had struck him countless times, sent him flying across the training grounds, and even used several techniques she normally reserved for serious opponents.

Yet, somehow, Lin Xuan was still standing there.

More astonishingly, he didn’t even look particularly tired.

His breathing remained steady, his movements showed no signs of slowing, and his expression was as composed as it had been when they first entered the training grounds.

Mu Qingya couldn’t help feeling a little frustrated.

“Seriously, what are you made of?” she asked, rubbing her shoulder. “I’ve been hitting you for two days, and you still look as though you’ve just finished drinking tea!”

Lin Xuan glanced at her before looking down at his own hands.

“Is that supposed to be a compliment, Your Majesty?”

“Of course it is!” Mu Qingya replied, rolling her eyes. “Do you think just anyone can withstand my attacks for two days? Even people with comparable cultivation would struggle to maintain this pace!”

She paused and looked him over again, her curiosity growing.

“But you’re different. Your body can take an unreasonable amount of punishment, and your stamina is even more ridiculous. I thought you would collapse long before I started feeling tired.”

Lin Xuan smiled but didn’t answer immediately.

Truthfully, he was feeling fine.

The Nine Heavens Ascension Mantra, a Red-grade, Top-quality cultivation technique, circulated steadily within his body. Every breath drew spiritual qi into his meridians, replenishing the energy he had expended and helping him maintain his physical condition.

His powerful martial spirit also played an important role, passively absorbing spiritual energy from his surroundings. While an ordinary cultivator might gradually exhaust their reserves during such a prolonged fight, Lin Xuan could continue replenishing his energy as long as the surrounding environment provided sufficient spiritual qi.

Of course, that didn’t mean he was invincible or that he could fight indefinitely without consequences.

Nevertheless, when it came to a prolonged exchange of physical attacks, his foundation gave him an extraordinary advantage.

Mu Qingya, on the other hand, had been pushing herself hard for two days. Although her cultivation was formidable, even she couldn’t maintain the same intensity forever without accumulating fatigue.

Lin Xuan looked at her slightly flushed face and offered a polite smile.

“Your Majesty, perhaps you should take a break.”

Mu Qingya’s eyebrow twitched.

“Are you implying that I’m getting old?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then why are you telling me to rest?”

“Because you’re tired.”

Mu Qingya stared at him while Lin Xuan stared back with an innocent expression.

After several seconds, Mu Qingya clicked her tongue and turned her face away.

“Forget it. Fighting you is annoying.”

Despite her complaint, the corners of her mouth curled upward.

She had come to the Loushi Kingdom hoping to find someone capable of giving her a satisfying fight. She hadn’t expected to encounter a man whose endurance was so absurd that she would be the one needing a break.

Still, their prolonged spar had allowed her to discover something interesting.

Lin Xuan’s martial techniques were, at best, mediocre.

His movements lacked the refinement and precision expected of someone at his cultivation level. His attacks relied heavily on his physical strength, and his spear techniques left plenty of room for improvement. Against a more experienced opponent, those shortcomings could easily become fatal weaknesses.

Yet, there was something peculiar about him.

As their spar continued, Lin Xuan had gradually begun correcting his mistakes. He observed her movements, adapted to her attacks, and incorporated what he learned into his own fighting style. Techniques that had initially appeared clumsy became more efficient with each exchange, forcing Mu Qingya to adjust her responses repeatedly.

He was learning while fighting her.

A person who could grow stronger in the middle of a battle was something every warrior dreamed of encountering.

Mu Qingya’s blood began to boil with excitement as she recalled their exchanges. The fatigue weighing on her body suddenly seemed insignificant compared to the thrill of discovering such an opponent.

What an interesting fellow!

She had initially believed that Lin Xuan’s strength came primarily from his powerful body and abundant spiritual qi. However, she now realized that those were merely parts of the picture.

His greatest advantage might actually be his ability to learn.

Given enough time and suitable opponents, who knew how far this man could go?

Meanwhile, Lin Xuan had finished putting away his spear. He straightened his clothes before turning toward the Empress with a polite smile.

“Your Majesty, I had a great time sparring with you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I wish to return to my clan and look after its affairs.”

Mu Qingya’s smile froze.

“Wait a moment. You’re leaving already?”

Lin Xuan looked at her in confusion.

“Your Majesty, we’ve been sparring for two days.”

“And?”

“And I have a clan to manage.”

Mu Qingya stared at him in confusion but before she could voice her objections, however, Lin Xuan continued.

“Your Majesty, if you don’t return to report on the mist, you won’t have a sparring partner anymore. After all, I’d be dead by the time this matter gets resolved.”

“Huh? No way! You can’t die yet!”

Mu Qingya’s expression changed immediately, and she waved her hand as though dismissing the possibility altogether.

“Alright, let’s call it a day. Don’t forget, we’re sparring partners now!”

With those words, she shot into the sky and flew away without giving Lin Xuan a chance to respond.

Lin Xuan watched her rapidly disappearing figure until she vanished beyond the distant clouds. Only then did he stretch his aching limbs, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

“What a crazy woman,” he muttered.

Just then, the system screen flash on his face with words.

[Bloodline: Sovereign Dragon (Purity: 5%)]

Lin Xuan stopped in his tracks and glanced at the system notification.

“Did the purity increase because of the fight?”

Unfortunately, the system offered no further explanation.

Lin Xuan shook his head and decided to investigate the matter later. He still had plenty of things to deal with back at the clan.

Without further ado, he dismantled the formation covering the training grounds.

Thankfully, he had activated it before their spar began. Otherwise, who knew how many clan members would have gathered to watch the two of them fight?

After putting everything away, Lin Xuan headed back toward the family residence. Along the way, he passed several young Lin Family members practicing their martial techniques and sparring with one another.

He greeted them casually, occasionally offering a few words of encouragement before continuing on his way.

However, the moment he returned to the residence, he noticed something unusual.

Lin Shuli, was waiting for him near the entrance. The woman hurried forward as soon as she spotted him, her face filled with concern.

“Patriarch, are you alright?”

Lin Xuan blinked at her unexpected question.

“I’m perfectly fine, Supreme Elder. Did something happen while I was away?”

Lin Shuli hesitated, her lips parting before she swallowed her words. She glanced around as though making sure nobody else was listening.

“Su Qinglan will explain everything to you. Come with me.”

She then paused briefly before adding, “And don’t worry. I’ve made sure Lin Zhaoyue stays away from Qin Yuxi. Your daughter seems to prefer that arrangement herself.”

Lin Xuan’s expression changed slightly.

What exactly had happened while he was away?

He had only been gone for two days, and yet Lin Shuli’s anxious expression, coupled with her unusual remarks about Zhaoyue and Qin Yuxi, suggested that something troublesome had occurred.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Elder seemed unwilling to explain anything herself.

Since she had already said that Su Qinglan would tell him everything, Lin Xuan decided not to press her further.

“Alright, lead the way.”

Lin Shuli nodded and led him toward Su Qinglan’s residence.