"If I were that Zhang Lian, I would attack directly from your left side. How would you defend yourself? You must block that killing move you used earlier," Zhang Qi’s pink-skinned face had turned red as he shouted at Zhang Zide.
At this moment, Zhang Qi seemed to have forgotten about Zhang Zide’s status, caring only about winning or losing the argument.
"Really? Right after releasing that killing move, the initial force has just arrived, and the follow-up force is insufficient. Even if you attack forcefully on the left side, what’s the point if my protective Soul Power can already block it? Within three breaths of time, I’d be able to counter-attack and make you suffer a great loss," retorted Zhang Zide, passionately engrossed in the debate.
While the two were arguing, they still didn’t overlook the competition taking place on the stage, continuously debating as the situation unfolded.
Even for the sake of visualization, the two used their Soul Power to condense streams of water, creating palm-sized shapes to stand in for the situation they were discussing previously, to see who was right.
After the competition ended, so did the debate between Zhang Zide and Zhang Qi.
The winner, to everyone’s surprise except for Lin Qian, was not Zhang Zide but Zhang Qi.
After his victory, Zhang Qi’s face bore not a hint of pride, for he clearly understood that his ability to defeat Zhang Zide was entirely because he had spent time practicing with Lin Qian.
Lin Qian’s rich combat experience and his utterly baffling fighting style had greatly benefited Zhang Qi, significantly improving his skills.
And since this debate concerned combat experience, it was no wonder that he was able to defeat Zhang Zide.
"Well done, this is the correct way to watch a competition. You’ve caught on quickly," Lin Qian commented with a light laugh after seeing the two, "In this way, haven’t you both already had a match with your words?"
Hearing Lin Qian’s words, both Zhang Qi and Zhang Zide looked at each other, coming to a sudden realization.
Not just the two of them, but also Li Yunfeng and Zhang Wenxuan nearby had fully grasped what Lin Qian meant by seriously watching the competition.
Indeed, by considering oneself as part of the competing sides and engaging in a debate, it was as if they too had experienced a match.
Both Zhang Qi and Zhang Zide deeply felt that their debate had been greatly beneficial to each of them.
For the next competition, everyone watched attentively and began to engage in debate with Lin Qian.
However, they often couldn’t get past a few sentences before Lin Qian would block their arguments, forcing them to start over.
After a few times, except for Zhang Qi who was already aware, the other three—Zhang Zide, Li Yunfeng, and Zhang Wenxuan—realized that in terms of combat experience, they were far behind Lin Qian.
With such a gap, arguing with Lin Qian didn’t seem to offer any chance of improvement. They might as well learn from each other.
Afterward, the four of them took turns debating each other, reflecting on the matches in the arena.
Lin Qian silently observed the competition, listening to their discussions.
Whenever their arguments reached a deadlock, Lin Qian would intervene, sealing both sides’ words, urging them to come up with countermeasures, and then continuing the debate.
By dusk, the Clan gathering for that day had ended.
Although they hadn’t practiced at all throughout the day, they all felt that their gains were substantial.
Even if their Soul Power and physical strength had not increased, they were confident that their combat abilities had slightly improved.
It was a small improvement, but an astonishing one.
At their level, to have even a slight increase in combat ability in one day was already significant, something unthinkable in the past.
Listening to their praises, Lin Qian wore a smile of self-evidence, "Correct learning and practice are the keys to improving strength quickly, and my advice is of course sound."
In the end, they parted ways, each heading to their respective residences.
Shortly after Lin Qian returned to the Eastern Division Clan’s residence, there was a knock at the door.
As Lin Qian opened the door, he saw Zhang Nianxin standing outside.
"Clan Leader Zhang, is there something you need?" Lin Qian asked, knowing that returning to his room meant he was preparing for Cultivation, and Zhang Nianxin wouldn’t disturb him without a good reason.
With a peculiar look, Zhang Nianxin said, "You’re aware of the Human Clan’s alliance with the Cloud Sea Clan from the Northern Division Clan, aren’t you?
"Yes, what about it?"
"The Deputy Sect Master of Yunhai Sect suddenly came to visit, I wasn’t sure of your intentions, Lin Qian, so I asked him to wait outside the mansion gate," replied Zhang Nianxin.
Hearing this, Lin Qian was somewhat surprised, "Clan Leader Zhang, you didn’t let him into the mansion?"
"He has a grudge with you, Lin Qian. How could I possibly be nice to him? Of course, I made him wait outside the mansion gates," she justified her decision when Lin Qian inquired.
Lin Qian chuckled and said teasingly, "This guy probably saw how close I am with Zhang Zide and Li Yunfeng and fears I’ll seek revenge on him, so he wants to make peace. Or perhaps he’s begging for mercy, fearing for his life."
Zhang Nianxin nodded silently; she had already guessed the visitor’s intentions when she saw Wu Chunshan arrive—they probably matched what Lin Qian had just mentioned.
"The Yunhai Sect is just a vassal sect to the Carefree Sect, and senior Zhou Yian holds you in high regard, and Li Yunfeng considers you a brother. You don’t take this Wu Chunshan seriously in the slightest."
Lin Qian nodded silently; the Yunhai Sect, once a somewhat troublesome bother, no longer posed any threat to him.
However, Lin Qian fell into contemplation, his thoughts unknown, though Zhang Nianxin still quietly waited in front of him.
"There’s a saying that endless vengeance will never resolve conflicts. Although he once harmed my mentor, these were youthful indiscretions; it’s inevitable to act impulsively when blood runs hot,"
"Some say that you should be kind to others and avoid falling into hatred. Besides, my master is not dead, so this grudge doesn’t have to become a deadlock. Sometimes, giving others a chance can also be giving oneself a chance."
Lin Qian spoke earnestly, and his words seemed to resonate deeply as Zhang Nianxin nodded continuously, feeling as if she had attained a higher level of enlightenment.
"People say, ’It is better to resolve an enmity than to settle a score. To step back is to open up a whole new world,’" Lin Qian continued with a long sigh, looking at Zhang Nianxin, "But still, I’ve decided to slaughter Wu Chunshan!"
"Pfft!" At Lin Qian’s declaration, black ink sprayed from Zhang Nianxin’s mouth, splattering the person in front of her.
No one could blame Zhang Nianxin for her reaction; Lin Qian’s words were far too disjointed, and she simply couldn’t keep up with his line of thought.
Just a moment ago, he had spoken of a vast and open world, but in the next breath, he was saying he would kill the man!