4: Outer sect members make things difficult, so the martial arts technique is used to retaliate.

The sunlight at the Hour of Wei (1-3 PM) filtered through the Ancient Pagoda Tree leaves in the Tianling Academy Outer Sect Disciple dormitory area, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Lu Chen had just collected a Spiritual Plant gathering mission from the Outer Sect Mission Hall and was about to return to his dorm to pack his belongings when he was stopped by three Outer Sect Disciples at the alley entrance.

The leader was none other than Zhang Hao, his arms crossed, a sneer playing on his lips. Behind him stood two Disciples at the Qi Refining First Layer Peak, glaring menacingly at Lu Chen. Other Disciples in the dormitory area stopped to watch, their faces showing an eagerness for a show—everyone knew that Zhang Hao was Elder Li Ping's distant nephew, and he had always acted domineeringly in the Outer Sect. Now, he was clearly targeting the newly promoted Lu Chen.

"Lu Chen, stop!" Zhang Hao stepped forward, blocking Lu Chen's path. "I heard you gained quite a few benefits in the assessment, and even caught my uncle's eye?"

Lu Chen frowned slightly, understanding the situation. He had just been promoted to the Outer Sect and hadn't even found his footing yet, and Zhang Hao was already eager to cause trouble, undoubtedly out of jealousy for Elder Li Ping's attention. "Senior Brother Zhang, what is your advice?" Lu Chen's tone was calm. He secretly circulated the Breathing Technique, and the spiritual power of his Qi Refining First Layer quietly flowed within him, preparing for a response.

"Advice is hardly the word." Zhang Hao scoffed, his gaze falling on the Storage Pouch at Lu Chen's waist. "I heard you received many low-grade Spiritual Plant rewards after the assessment. Coincidentally, I'm short on auxiliary materials for my Cultivation. Hand them over obediently, and we'll let this matter go."

The surrounding Disciples chuckled. Everyone understood this was blatant harassment. Outer Sect Disciples didn't receive many Spiritual Plant rewards to begin with, and Zhang Hao's actions were clearly meant to humiliate Lu Chen.

Lu Chen sneered inwardly. Since his Transmigration, he had endured countless cold stares. How could he allow himself to be manipulated? "The Spiritual Plants are mission rewards, obtained by my own ability. If Senior Brother Zhang wants them, you can do the mission yourself."

"Oh, you dare to contradict me right after being promoted?" Zhang Hao's face darkened, anger flashing in his eyes. "It seems if I don't teach you a lesson, you won't know whose territory the Outer Sect is!"

Before his words finished, Zhang Hao's spiritual power erupted, and the pressure of Qi Refining Second Layer surged forth. His body moved, his right hand forming a palm, striking towards Lu Chen's chest with a whistling wind—it was precisely the Swift Wind Palm, a technique every Outer Sect Disciple had to Cultivate. Driven by the spiritual power of Qi Refining Second Layer, the palm wind was fierce, enough to severely injure a Qi Refining First Layer Cultivator.

Lu Chen had long been prepared. He employed the agile movement technique from the Basic Fist Technique, sidestepping the attack. The palm wind grazed his shoulder and struck the wall behind him, leaving a shallow palm print.

"Your reaction is quite fast, but your Cultivation is too far behind!" Zhang Hao, having missed his strike, grew even more enraged. His palms flew, the Swift Wind Palm's moves becoming increasingly vicious, forcing Lu Chen to retreat repeatedly.

The surrounding Disciples watched with trepidation. The gap between Qi Refining Second Layer and Qi Refining First Layer was like a chasm. Lu Chen's ability to hold on for so long had already exceeded everyone's expectations.

Lu Chen felt anxious. Zhang Hao's Swift Wind Palm was extremely fast. Although he could evade with his movement technique, he found it difficult to counterattack. If this continued, he would eventually be hit. In a moment of desperation, he deliberately exposed a weakness, stumbled, pretended to be swept by the palm wind, and crashed into the nearby stone wall.

With a muffled 'bang,' Lu Chen's back hit the stone wall hard, the pain causing his blood and Qi to churn. But at that very moment, out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a small black-covered booklet lying quietly in the grass at the base of the stone wall—Hard Strength Introduction.

"Another Cultivation Technique!" Lu Chen was overjoyed. Ignoring the pain in his body, he snatched the booklet with his fingertips. Almost at the instant he touched the pages, the Hard Strength Introduction transformed into a warm current that drilled into his glabella, and the Profound Truths of the Cultivation Technique instantly integrated into his mind.

A vigorous spiritual power surged from his Dantian, flowing throughout his body according to the methods of the Hard Strength Introduction. A faint golden light appeared on his body's surface, and his Physical Body strength instantly increased.

"Seeking death!" Zhang Hao, seeing Lu Chen hit the stone wall, thought he had an opportunity. He gathered all his spiritual power and struck a palm towards the back of Lu Chen's head. If this palm hit, Lu Chen would undoubtedly be severely injured.

The surrounding Disciples let out a gasp, some kind-hearted ones already unable to watch.

But at this moment, Lu Chen suddenly turned, advancing instead of retreating, and took Zhang Hao's palm head-on. With a loud 'bang,' the palm wind landed on Lu Chen's chest, but most of its power was blocked by the golden light on his body. Lu Chen only felt a numbness in his chest and his blood and Qi churning, but he was not injured.

"What?" Zhang Hao's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief. This palm strike was his full power at Qi Refining Second Layer; even a Cultivator of the same realm would find it difficult to withstand. Yet, Lu Chen, a Qi Refining First Layer Cultivator, was completely unharmed?

Before Zhang Hao could react, the spiritual power from Lu Chen's Hard Strength Introduction erupted. He clenched his right hand into a fist and counterattacked with vigorous force, hitting Zhang Hao squarely in the chest.

"Ugh!" Zhang Hao grunted, shaken by the punch and staggering backward, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, his face filled with shock. He could feel that Lu Chen's punch contained an incomparably fierce power, completely different from his previous agile movement technique.

The surrounding Disciples were even more dumbfounded. They had all thought Lu Chen was doomed to lose, but he had unexpectedly turned the tables and even injured Zhang Hao.

"You... what Cultivation Technique did you Cultivate?" Zhang Hao clutched his chest, asking incredulously. He truly couldn't understand how a Cultivator with a mixed Spiritual Root could suddenly possess such formidable Physical Body defense and attack power.

Lu Chen did not answer, merely looking at him coldly: "Senior Brother Zhang, do you wish to continue?"

Zhang Hao's face alternated between green and pale. He knew he wouldn't gain anything and would only lose face. He snorted coldly, left a parting shot of "Just you wait," and departed in embarrassment with his two followers.

It wasn't until Zhang Hao had gone far that the surrounding Disciples reacted, breaking into murmurs of discussion, their gazes at Lu Chen filled with surprise and awe. Those who had mocked Lu Chen earlier now fell silent—to be able to withstand a full-power strike from a Qi Refining Second Layer Cultivator without defeat, such strength was enough to establish oneself in the Outer Sect.

An Outer Sect Disciple who had been promoted at the same time as Lu Chen stepped forward, cupping his fists and saying, "Senior Brother Lu has excellent skill! That was truly thrilling just now."

"Just luck." Lu Chen smiled faintly. His blood and Qi were still churning; taking that palm strike head-on was not without cost, but the Hard Strength Introduction had neutralized most of the damage. He returned the gesture, but his mind was pondering the peculiarity of the Hard Strength Introduction—this Cultivation Technique was vigorous and domineering, perfectly compensating for his lack of offensive power. However, the last page seemed to be torn off, clearly incomplete.

"Senior Brother Lu is too modest." The Disciple chuckled. "Zhang Hao has always been arrogant in the Outer Sect. It's truly gratifying that you taught him a lesson today! In the future, if you need anything, Senior Brother Lu, just say the word."

Other Disciples also came forward to greet him, their attitudes much more respectful. Lu Chen responded to each of them, understanding in his heart that in this world where strength was revered, only by demonstrating sufficient power could one gain the respect of others.

Returning to his dormitory, Lu Chen closed the door and sat down cross-legged. He circulated the Breathing Technique to calm the churning blood and Qi within him, while also carefully comprehending the Profound Truths of the Hard Strength Introduction. This Cultivation Technique focused on Physical Body tempering, being incomparably vigorous, and complemented the Basic Fist Technique. If the incomplete part could be restored, its power would undoubtedly be even greater.

"The Hard Strength Introduction is incomplete, the Basic Fist Technique has mysterious runes, the Breathing Technique has special annotations..." Lu Chen mused inwardly. These unexpectedly acquired Cultivation Techniques seemed to be extraordinary, especially the runes on the edge of the Basic Fist Technique, which made him vaguely feel they were related to the rumors of the Sect's Forbidden Ground.

He clenched his fist, feeling the increasingly robust spiritual power and formidable Physical Body within him, a determined glint flashing in his eyes. The harassment in the Outer Sect was just the beginning. To gain a firm foothold in Tianling Academy, and even go further, he needed more powerful Cultivation Techniques and needed to continuously improve his strength.

Meanwhile, Zhang Hao returned to his courtyard, his face gloomy as he smashed the tables and chairs in his room to pieces. "Useless! A good-for-nothing from the servant ranks actually dared to injure me!" A venomous glint flashed in his eyes. "Lu Chen, just you wait, I will definitely make you pay!"

He turned to his followers behind him: "Go and investigate what Lu Chen has been doing recently, and if he has any weaknesses. Also, help me ask my uncle if there are any Cultivation Techniques that can counter hard strength!"

The two followers quickly assented and retreated, sighing inwardly that Lu Chen was in big trouble now—offending Zhang Hao was tantamount to offending Elder Li Ping's faction, and he would likely find no peace in the Outer Sect.

As night deepened, the Tianling Academy Outer Sect was quiet, but Lu Chen knew that a new storm was brewing silently. He sat cross-legged on his bed, continuing to Cultivate the Hard Strength Introduction, the golden light on his body growing even denser. He understood that only by being strong enough himself could he face the crises that would follow, and on this path of Cultivation, forge his own broad Dao.