The old man was called Xiang Qianren, one of the Xiang Clan’s sacred elders. He was a third-stage Heaven Battling Realm expert with a long lifespan thanks to his cultivation level, which was also why he had a rosy complexion despite his age. He had thought that with his strength, he alone could crush the entire Ziling Sect.
However, the toad’s flux goldthorn energy was too terrifying. Both Duo Ji and the taurus were no easy opponents either. It was incredibly hard for him to protect both Xiang Zixuan and Ji Honglei while fighting.
“Stay here. I doubt they will dare to touch you. I’ll defeat these people before coming back to deal with this kid,” said Xiang Qianren before flying into the sky to fight Duo Ji, the toad, and the taurus.
As Heaven Battling Realm experts, they wouldn’t be able to fight with all their strength without taking it to the sky. Xiang Zixuan, Ji Honglei, and the young lady called Xiang Lingyu did not appear fearful despite losing the old man’s protection.
In fact, Xiang Zixuan even turned more brazen when he challenged Xiang Shaoyun, “Xiang Shaoyun, fight me if you have the guts!”
He had been defeated by Xiang Shaoyun in all three trials at the Holy Hall. Because of that, he had failed to ask for Tuoba Wan’er’s hand in marriage. He had held a grudge against Xiang Shaoyun and did not want to miss out on this opportunity to challenge Xiang Shaoyun.
“Just you?” Xiang Shaoyun sneered.
He was already a peak second-stage Soul Foundation Realm expert that could enter the next stage at any time. He could deal with a third-stage Soul Foundation Realm expert like Xiang Zixuan easily.
There was only the difference of one stage between the two. For someone like Xiang Shaoyun, that difference might as well not exist. Against him, only a difference in realm would matter.
“Why? Are you afraid, you coward?” Xiang Zixuan pushed on.
“Hehe, you’re too weak. I’m afraid that you won’t be able to survive an encounter with me,” said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
“What a joke. With your strength, I can easily beat up even two of you at the same time,” declared Xiang Zixuan confidently.
“Sure, let’s have a go. I’ll teach you that there is always someone stronger out there,” said Xiang Shaoyun, stepping forth with an amused expression.
“Young sect master, why don’t you let me teach him a lesson,” the guide suddenly suggested.
Xiang Shaoyun looked at the guide in astonishment before asking with a smile, “What is your name?”
“Replying to the young sect master, I’m Tian Ji,” the guide hurriedly replied.
“Tian Ji? As in a frog?” Xiang Shaoyun was stunned.
“No, Tian as in farm, and Ji as in opportunity,” explained the guide in a somewhat bashful manner.
“Oh, Tian Ji. Good name,” praised Xiang Shaoyun. “You can stay by my side and work for me from now on.”
Tian Ji was overjoyed. He said, “Many thanks, young sect master.” He then turned around and faced Xiang Zixuan. “I will pluck his skull off his shoulders for you, young sect master.”
Tian Ji seemed to have become too excited. He was only an Emperor. How could he be Xiang Zixuan’s match?
Before Tian Ji could do anything, Xiang Shaoyun held his shoulder, pulled him back, and said, “This is not the place for you to fight.”
“Bring it on. Since you’re a guest, I’ll allow you to make the first move. If you can stop more than three of my moves, I’ll follow all your arrangements,” said Xiang Shaoyun as he beckoned at Xiang Zixuan.
“How arrogant. Die,” roared Xiang Zixuan as he bolted toward Xiang Shaoyun like lightning.
Xiang Zixuan was someone who could fight even a sixth-stage Sovereign. He could see that Xiang Shaoyun was only a second-stage Sovereign. He could easily crush an opponent at this level.
An overbearing lightning fist shot forth with an oppressive pressure.
Looking at the incoming fist, Xiang Shaoyun could feel that Xiang Zixuan was truly a remarkable youth from the Xiang Clan. The punch contained a thick fist intent that granted one the ability to fight those with higher cultivation levels. Nobody with the same cultivation level should be able to stop such a punch.
Unfortunately, this was nothing for Xiang Shaoyun. Right as the punch reached Xiang Shaoyun, he grabbed the fist with the speed of lightning.
Bzzt! Bzzt!
Xiang Zixuan used an extraordinary high-tier mutated lightning power that could instantly scorch anyone who touched it. Unfortunately for him, Xiang Shaoyun was immune to his lightning.
It was as though Xiang Zixuan’s lightning energy had sunk into the endless abyss, failing to do anything whatsoever to Xiang Shaoyun. An expression of overwhelming shock covered Xiang Zixuan’s face when he realized what was happening. His first thought was to retreat before advancing again with a different attack. However, the grip holding his fist was too strong. He failed to pull his fist back.
“This little strength you have is nothing before me,” said Xiang Shaoyun, sneering as he slightly flicked his wrist.
Crack!
A crisp sound of bones fracturing rang out. Next, a loud, miserable wail sounded. Ji Honglei and Xiang Lingyu could almost feel the pain from the wail. However, Xiang Zixuan was not complete trash. He endured the pain and drew a purple sword with his other hand before stabbing at Xiang Shaoyun. At the same time, he also summoned a rain of lightning from the sky, trying to kill Xiang Shaoyun with a bombardment of lightning bolts.
“Worthless struggle,” remarked Xiang Shaoyun as he launched a lightning-fast kick at Xiang Zixuan.
The kick struck Xiang Zixuan’s stomach, sending him flying far away like a dead dog. Even after crashing onto the ground, he continued sliding away. All the lightning energy around his body had fully dispersed. Xiang Zixuan was not a match for Xiang Shaoyun.
Looking at Xiang Zixuan who had suffered a crushing defeat, Xiang Lingyu ran toward Xiang Shaoyun and shouted, “How can you be so barbaric!”
“I’m barbaric?” Xiang Shaoyun was stunned by the accusation.
“That’s right! You’re barbaric! We’re here as your guests, but you have people beat us up! You’re a bad man!” shouted Xiang Lingyu as she pouted angrily.
“Is everyone educated by the Xiang Clan this stupid?” asked Xiang Shaoyun bluntly.
In the past, he would not be bothered to care about someone like Xiang Lingyu who was clearly still innocent and unaware of the ways of the world. But it was very obvious that the Xiang Clan was the party acting overbearing. For Xiang Lingyu to criticize him instead, he wondered if she had a problem with her head or something.
Xiang Lingyu had never been scolded like this before. She felt so wrong she started crying.
Ji Honglei rushed over, patted Xiang Lingyu’s shoulders, and said, “Don’t cry, Lingyu. This is their territory. We were the ones who were rude first. We have no grounds to criticize them.”
“Finally, there is someone who isn’t completely stupid,” said Xiang Shaoyun with a nod.
