Holy force was like a cultivator's aptitude. Not only could it reveal one's potential and fate, it could also protect cultivators from demonic energy to a significant degree. It was considered deep and profound by the denizens of this world.
It was categorized into three levels:
1°–150°: Low-tier Holy Force
151°–299°: Middle-tier Holy Force
300°–360°: Special-tier Holy Force
The majestic sun rose from the west, casting its golden light upon the mountain behind. A shimmering mist drifted along its peaks, glowing like molten gold. It was a breathtaking sight to behold.
A young teenager stepped out of the low-tier class building. Dressed in a simple dark blue robe, with long black hair and misty dark eyes, his features were slightly above average. But the urgency in his steps suggested he had more pressing concerns. This was Meng Xuan.
"Brother Li! That's the guy I told you about—the one who keeps hitting on my girl!" a voice shouted.
"Shameless. That guy? You let someone like him snatch your girl, and all you can do is run to your big brother?" came the scoffing reply.
Two figures emerged behind Meng Xuan. One was tall and muscular, a golden glow radiating from the two stars on his robe—marking him as an upper-tier cultivator. The other, shorter and round-faced with pimples scattered across his cheeks, bore only one star—clearly a lower-tier cultivator.
"I can't even sense any holy force from him…" the elder brother muttered. "Strange."
The chubby one added, "Yeah, there's something off about him. I still remember how he hurt a senior back then. It wasn't just luck. There was a moment… where he burst with terrifying power."
A person without holy force was usually considered useless—trash. So how had Meng Xuan displayed such power?
Ironically, the girl the chubby one claimed as "his" was the same one Meng Xuan had saved that day. He had unleashed a terrifying strength, even defeating a girl ranked as an upper-tier cultivator.
"Hey, you! Stop right there," the elder brother commanded as they stepped in front of Meng Xuan. The chubby one stood smugly behind him.
Meng Xuan remained calm, his eyes steady as they locked onto the two.
"I don't recall ever offending you… senior," he said, his voice neither submissive nor arrogant.
They are some people that if you match them you still have to say the magical words_They are the so called bullies he would try to avoid.
The elder brother stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "You didn't offend me, but you did offend my brother."
The chubby one grinned. "You're unworthy to even stand beside Xiao Long, let alone compete with me for her."
"And now, my brother will teach you what it means to mess with the wrong person."
The elder brother snorted. "Little brat, you talk too much. Don't forget your promise."
"Of course," the chubby one said, stepping aside.
The elder brother clenched his fist, and it slowly turned pale green. Veins bulged from his arm as his muscles tightened.
"Divine Earth-Shattering Fist Art!" Meng Xuan recognized the art. He had seen it once during the academy's tournament—it was no joke.
The user was later sent to the punishment hall for violating the rules,using heaven essence art in the weekly tournament.
Fear crept into Meng Xuan's heart. Even though he had shown great strength before, he had never understood its origin. Deep down, he feared it was a fluke. Many dismissed his past victory as luck, believing the defeated opponent had simply been too weak.
Just as the elder brother was about to strike, a voice cut through the air like a blade:
"Stop."
The fist froze mid-air.
The senior turned his head—and his blood ran cold.
A tall figure stood behind him, radiating terrifying authority. The cold glint in his eyes could chill bone.
Teacher Bai.
The senior's face drained of color. His fist lowered instantly.
Every student in the academy knew of Teacher Bai—the martial arts instructor famed for his discipline and his merciless Wailing Whip. Few dared provoke him. Fewer still survived it unscathed.
The trio immediately straightened and bowed.
"We greet Teacher Bai," they said in unison, heads lowered.
Teacher bai stared coldly at the senior and the chubby guy before he shouted.
"Scram."
That single word was enough. The two brothers bolted like frightened rabbits, nearly tripping over themselves in their haste.
Silence fell once more in the garden.
After a while, Meng Xuan finally broke it.
"Your Heavenly Transformation Technique is incredible," he said. "You even managed to mimic Teacher Bai perfectly."
The figure slowly shifted, revealing her true form—a beautiful young woman with long, silky black hair and radiant emerald eyes. She wore a flowing blue dress, a single silver star glowing on her chest.
It was Xiao Long.
"How did you know?" she asked, smiling as she took his hand.
"At first, I thought it really was him," Meng Xuan admitted. "But your voice gave you away in the end."
"Good thing they didn't notice," she said, chuckling. "That senior was foolish to pick a fight. Did they hurt you?"
Meng Xuan shook his head. "Nah. You arrived just in time."
"So… how does Long Long want me to pay her? Or"Should I just pay with my body instead?" Meng Xuan teased, a crooked smile on his lips.
Xiao Long chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You've really started teasing me again."
"Actually," she said, her tone shifting, "I've got some good news. I recently joined a guild, and we're about to enter a demonic zone—but we're short of a geomancer. And honestly, you were the first person who came to mind. So, I signed your name down."
She smiled, her eyes shining with warmth. "Meng Xuan, you're smart as hell, you know that? Plus, the resources will be split fairly. I'm sure the profit you make will be more than enough to take care of your mom's medical condition."
Meng Xuan's breath hitched. He stepped back, uncertain. His mother had warned him countless times—never get involved with demonic zones. But... this was for her.
Even though he couldn't cultivate, he had listened carefully during every martial arts class. He might not be strong, but he was resourceful. He could probably handle a low-tier beast. And more importantly—Xiao Long would be there.
He clenched his fists.
"Count me in," he said firmly.
...
Meanwhile, the two brothers Xiao Long had scared off earlier stumbled into the school garden, gasping for breath.
"Brother," the younger panted, "don't you think that Teacher Bai is kind of weird?" the chubby one finished. "He should've summoned his Wailing Whip the moment he saw us trying to bully that junior."
"Why the hell are you still talking about that?" the other snapped. "Be glad he didn't actually use it on you."
A sharp voice rang out behind them.
"What are you two doing here?"
They turned stiffly. Standing behind them was Teacher Bai—the same man who'd chased them off earlier.
"Shit," one of them muttered. "We're screwed."
A man with a slightly wrinkled face and hair gradually turning grey stepped forward. His presence was heavy, imposing. He stared them down with a cold, unreadable gaze.
"You want me to believe you didn't know it's forbidden to be in the school garden after class hours?" he said, lifting a long whip slowly into view.
"Aaagh!"
The scream tore through the garden air.