“Xiahou Li, a Fifth Realm Martial Venerable elder, challenging a junior in the Martial King realm? Isn’t that utterly shameless?”
Ziling’s clear, sharp voice rang out across the plaza, cutting through the stunned silence.
“Decades older, crossing such a vast realm gap to challenge a lower-realm junior—does everyone in the Xiahou family lack shame?” Mu Yao’s voice echoed, backing Ziling.
“Xiahou Li, you’re disgraceful!” Wang Long roared.
“Challenging someone so much younger? Shameless!”
“A family elder daring to face a junior? The Xiahou family’s pathetic!”
“Xiahou Li, step down and stop embarrassing yourself!”
“Despicable, unworthy of challenging Lin Xiao!” Tianmen disciples led the jeers, joined by others. Voices grew louder, even those hesitant at first piling on, filling the plaza with scorn. Tianmen disciples shouted the loudest, turning Xiahou Li’s face ashen.
For revenge, he ignored the humiliation, standing firm.
He knew Lin Xiao’s arrogance might lead him to accept the challenge.
The rest of the Xiahou family looked mortified, wishing they could vanish. Xiahou Li’s sudden challenge caught even them off guard.
The age and cultivation gap was glaring.
Yet, they were also furious. These mockers, who’d never dare criticize the Xiahou family before, now hurled insults freely.
Xiahou Wanyu stood rigid, his heart heavy.
If he were stronger, his father wouldn’t need to sacrifice dignity to challenge Lin Xiao.
But Lin Xiao’s strength and talent left him in the dust.
Xiahou Wanyu’s fists clenched tight.
In the air, Lin Xiao was momentarily stunned, not expecting Xiahou Li’s reckless challenge.
Looking at Xiahou Li’s grim face, Lin Xiao’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “You want to challenge me?”
“Yes. Aren’t you bold? Dare to fight?” Xiahou Li said darkly.
“Lin Xiao, don’t,” Baili He advised, shaking his head.
“Exactly, Lin Xiao, no need to fight this shameless fool. He’s unworthy!” Ziling called out.
Others urged him to refuse, piling more scorn on Xiahou Li.
Lin Xiao gazed calmly at Xiahou Li, smiling faintly. “I accept your challenge.”
“What?”
The crowd gasped.
Lin Xiao was accepting Xiahou Li’s challenge, crossing a major realm and six levels?
Did he have an even stronger trump card? But no matter how strong, could he bridge such a gap?
Even Xiahou Li was surprised. He’d only tried his luck, not expecting Lin Xiao to agree.
“Lin Xiao…” Ziling grew anxious. Xiahou Li wasn’t an ordinary Fifth Realm Martial Venerable. Honed in the chaotic lands, his combat prowess rivaled the academy’s geniuses.
A Fifth Realm Martial Venerable was beyond Lin Xiao’s current strength.
Before she could speak, Lin Xiao continued, addressing Xiahou Li. “But I have two conditions.”
“What conditions?” Xiahou Li paused, ready to accept anything reasonable.
“First, it’s a life-or-death match,” Lin Xiao said evenly.
“What?”
The crowd reeled again, confusion mounting.
Lin Xiao was already at a disadvantage, yet he demanded a life-or-death match?
Even Baili He was puzzled.
“I agree to that condition!” Xiahou Li, after a brief pause, nodded firmly. He didn’t believe Lin Xiao could kill him.
“What’s the second condition?” he pressed.
“The second is the timing—after I break through to Martial Venerable,” Lin Xiao said, a sly smile spreading.
Xiahou Li froze, caught off guard.
He hadn’t expected Lin Xiao to pull this move.
He’d assumed Lin Xiao would fight now, not delay until after reaching Martial Venerable.
Now, he couldn’t easily refuse.
The crowd was stunned, their worry easing. Lin Xiao, at peak Martial King, had defeated Yue Xingchen, a top-tier Third Realm Martial Venerable who could rival ordinary Fourth Realm fighters.
Once Lin Xiao reached Martial Venerable, his strength would soar, potentially matching a Fifth Realm fighter.
If his spiritual power advanced too, the outcome was uncertain.
But this hinged on Lin Xiao breaking through quickly, before Xiahou Li grew stronger, or the gap would remain vast.
“Fine, I accept!” Xiahou Li nodded, his eyes glinting with killing intent. He didn’t believe Lin Xiao, even as a Martial Venerable, could match him.
Forged in the chaotic lands, he had his own trump cards.
When the time came, he’d kill Lin Xiao himself, avenging his daughter.
Xiahou Wanyu saluted, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
“Good, it’s settled. It won’t be long. I hope no one backs out,” Lin Xiao said with a smile.
“Then it’s decided. I’ll oversee this match. If there’s nothing else, we’re done for today,” Baili He declared. Since the fight was set for after Lin Xiao’s breakthrough, he was less concerned.
He knew the Vice Dean was preparing Martial Emperor essence blood to aid Lin Xiao’s breakthrough.
Once Lin Xiao refined it and reached Martial Venerable, even at First Realm, his strength would be formidable, unlikely to fall to Xiahou Li.
“We’ll see!” Xiahou Li shot Lin Xiao a cold glare, turned, and strode out of the plaza.
Lin Xiao left with Baili He, and the plaza dispersed amid fervent discussions.
Everyone eagerly awaited Lin Xiao’s next battle—a life-or-death match with Xiahou Li.
That day, the Holy City buzzed with news of Lin Xiao’s bold return and victory over Yue Xingchen, his fame spreading far and wide.
The news rapidly spread beyond the Holy City.
