[Martial Arts Department - Challenge Letter] Early in the morning, a powerful challenge letter was posted at the entrance of the Martial Arts Department. Signed by: Linzi BaiChuan, Vice Minister of the Sword Arts Department. The content is succinct: "Having heard that the Minister of Haozhan Temple's boxing style has changed, I wish to verify the truth. Three days later, a fight will be held in the Longya Arena." The onlooking members of the Martial Arts Department were furious, some exclaimed, "How dare a mere vice minister provoke our minister? Others whispered, "This is BaiChuan from the Swordplay Department... Three Steps, Three Flashes is unparalleled in the world." Lie glanced at the paper, his expression calm. He understood that this was no ordinary challenge. It was the first true judgment of 'Awakened Haozhan Temple Lie' by the entire Dongyun Academy. [Longya Arena - Sword Test Appointment] Three days later, at the Longya Arena. The crowd was huge, and representatives from the five major clubs were present -- the Minister of the Swordsmanship Department had not arrived yet, but had sent Vice Minister BaiChuan Linzi; all the members of the Martial Arts Department were gathered, fixated on the arena; Cang Ye of the Magic Department was also watching from a distance, but said nothing; Sayaka Ohtou of the Archery Department was sitting high up, and softly commented on Lie's back, "He really has changed. BaiChuan Linzi, dressed in a sword robe with a wooden sword hanging from his waist, moved with the grace of the wind and an icy demeanor. He spoke first to probe, "I heard that your strikes have become slower and softer, is that true?" Lie removed his upper garment, revealing his well-built torso, and coldly replied, "Punches are not for you to hear; they are meant to hit you. At the referee's command, the fight began!
[Battle Unfolds: Sword Aura and Fist Shadow] Bai Chuan swooped like the wind, stepping out in three lightning steps, each step like an afterimage, drawing a hasty sword shadow that approached Lie's throat. "Three flash steps: shadow split!" The crowd shouted: "That three-step has already broken through the third seat of the spear section!" But Lie only slightly lowered his shoulders, his fists at his sides. He no longer rushed to strike, but waited, tested, and breathed... This was the rhythm control of the New Hao Battle Temple Style. Finally, before Bai Chuan landed his third step, Lie's right foot hit the ground, his left fist like a cannon, and struck out with a bang! "Mid-section breakthrough: New Style!" This punch did not hit directly, but used the rebound from the ground to shake the opponent's foot balance. Bai Chuan paused, his balance momentarily unstable, and his movement delayed for a moment! At that moment, Lie's right fist struck down like thunder, accurately hitting Bai Chuan's right shoulder and knocking him back three steps! [Bai Chuan felt the pain, but he let out a cold laugh: "This move of yours... is good. But too easy." Suddenly, he switched to an underhand sword drawing technique and pulled out a short blade from behind him, the tip of the sword sweeping low and aiming directly at Lie's knee joint! This was **'Low Angle Control: Fragmenting Steps'**, specifically designed to break the movement of heavy hitters. Lie had nowhere to retreat! - At that moment, he leaned forward slightly and thrust out his left hand, surprisingly catching the sword blade with his bare hand! The crowd was astonished. Lie whispered: "In the past, I could only defeat an opponent with a single blow. Now I can read your movements, control your rhythm, and draw you into my game. Then he raised his right fist and swung at an angle! Boom! Bai Chuan was sent flying five meters away and fell heavily to the ground, losing his grip on the sword. [Bai Chuan struggled to get up, ready to fight again, but he saw that Lie was not after victory. Instead, he slowly said, "If you just want to test me, I accept. If you want to push me... it's too early." Bai Chuan forced a bitter smile and folded his hands in a bow: "...The Swordsmanship Department admits defeat." [The martial arts department erupted in cheers, many members with tears in their eyes: "The leader has changed, but he has become stronger!" In the direction of the magic department, Yagami Ao looked at Lie's Fist Wind, nodded slightly, and muttered to himself: "This is not the Lie of the past. Another monster has been born. Hōdō Saya clenched her fists, her eyes blazing: "He... has outdone himself."