However, in the eyes of Zi Mo, Zi Jinchen, and a few others, it wasn’t so simple.
They had witnessed Lin Xiao’s combat prowess firsthand.
Still, they lacked full confidence. After all, Jian Wuqu was a genius of Lingjian Sect, Jian Wudi’s younger brother. His abilities surely far surpassed those of his peers.
And Lin Xiao, in both elemental and spiritual power, was inferior to Jian Wuqu.
At this moment, all eyes in the room were on Lin Xiao, clearly doubting he’d dare accept Jian Wuqu’s proposal.
Agreeing to a life-or-death battle with Jian Wuqu was tantamount to suicide.
Jian Wuqu’s face carried a thick sneer of contempt.
“Jian Wuqu, you said it yourself!” Zi Ling declared loudly.
Though puzzled, Jian Wuqu replied, “Yes, I did. If he can defeat me, I’ll grant him a challenge against my brother on his behalf.”
With a mocking grin, he looked at Lin Xiao, “But I’m afraid he doesn’t even have the courage for that.”
Zi Ling glanced at Lin Xiao, sending a mental message, “Lin Xiao, are you just going to stay silent? Don’t tell me you’re scared of a mere Jian Wuqu?”
Lin Xiao felt exasperated. Zi Ling was really using him as a shield!
Shaking his head helplessly, he stepped forward, scanned the crowd, then fixed his gaze on Jian Wuqu, saying, “I accept your challenge.”
The crowd was stunned. This kid dared to challenge Jian Wuqu?
Was he out of his mind, seeking death?
Even Jian Wuqu was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He’d only meant to make Zi Ling back down. Did this guy actually dare to agree?
“But I have a question,” Lin Xiao continued amidst the stunned silence.
“What question?” Jian Wuqu asked casually.
“If you die, how will you grant me a chance to challenge your brother?” Lin Xiao asked calmly.
The room fell into stunned silence again.
Not only did this kid dare challenge Jian Wuqu, but he was arrogant enough to claim he’d kill him?
Did this kid come from some backwater, unaware of the terror of Lingjian Sect’s elder’s direct disciple? Ignorant of Jian Tianjiao’s fame?
Jian Tianjiao’s brother, though only at the Eighth-Tier Martial Venerable realm, shared the same blood and talent.
Moreover, this kid was four tiers below Jian Wuqu in cultivation.
They’d seen arrogance, but never this level. He must be deranged to be so brazen.
After a moment of shock, Jian Wuqu’s face twisted with anger. He’d never heard anyone threaten to kill him.
And from a nobody, four tiers below him, whom he’d dismissed entirely.
“You’re sure you can kill me?” Jian Wuqu retorted.
“In a life-or-death battle, Brother Jian Wuqu isn’t suggesting you can kill me but I can’t kill you, right?” Lin Xiao countered, a relaxed smile on his face.
Jian Wuqu’s anger flared. He hadn’t considered that—not because he’d only allow himself to kill and not be killed.
With such a gap, only he could kill the other, not the other way around.
Laughing in fury, Jian Wuqu said, “Heh, a life-or-death battle? If you have the strength, go ahead and try. If you kill me, my master will grant you a chance to challenge my brother.”
Lin Xiao nodded, turning to Zhang Tianze for confirmation, “Elder Zhang, is this true?”
“Naturally. In a life-or-death battle, I won’t interfere. If you win, I swear on Lingjian Sect’s honour to grant you a duel with Jian Wudi,” Zhang Tianze nodded dismissively, not taking their fight seriously.
“Very well, then please, everyone, let’s move. I can’t bear the blame for staining the Zi family’s great hall with blood,” Lin Xiao said.
He knew a fight with Jian Wuqu would be tough. Battling here might wreck the entire hall.
“This kid’s got some nerve!” the crowd thought, cursing inwardly.
Though they doubted Lin Xiao could withstand even one of Jian Wuqu’s moves, since he’d spoken, Zi Gong granted his wish, nodding, “Very well, let’s head to the Zi family’s training ground for the battle.”
The crowd rose and headed outside.
As they walked, Jian Wuqu smirked at Zi Ling beside Lin Xiao, “By the way, Miss Zi Ling, during the two days you were gone, I had some free time and sparred with your Zi family’s direct descendants.”
“Your family’s direct descendants are impressive. I needed a full ten moves to defeat Zi Hui, who’s at my level.”
Zi Ling’s face darkened. Jian Wuqu wasn’t praising the Zi family’s strength, he was boasting about his own, blatantly showing off.
He was saying he defeated their same-level direct descendant genius in just ten moves.
At the same time, Zi Ling was shocked.
Zi Hui, twenty-two, had reached the Eighth-Tier Martial Venerable realm. In terms of cultivation at her age, she was far inferior.
Zi Hui’s combat strength was formidable, nearly unbeatable at his level, even capable of defeating veteran Ninth-Tier Martial Venerables.
Yet, at the same level, he lost to Jian Wuqu in just ten moves.
“Lin Xiao, be careful. Jian Wuqu’s strength is formidable,” Zi Ling sent a mental message, aware of Zi Hui’s peerless combat power, realising how terrifying it was to defeat him in ten moves.
She even began to worry for Lin Xiao.
“You knew that and still dragged me into facing such a strong enemy?” Lin Xiao replied, exasperated.
“I had no other choice,” Zi Ling said with a forced smile through the mental link.
Lin Xiao didn’t respond. With Zi Ling’s status in the Purple Emperor’s eyes, how could she have no other options?
With three years, she could just run away or disappear.
“As for the other youths, many wanted to spar with me, but my time was limited, so I only exchanged with direct descendants,” Jian Wuqu continued, “I heard your family has a Ninth-Tier Martial Venerable, Brother Zi Yi. I wanted to spar with him, but sadly, he’s in seclusion.”
Hearing Jian Wuqu boast and subtly threaten Lin Xiao, Zi Ling replied curtly, “I’m afraid Brother Jian Wuqu won’t get the chance to spar with Brother Zi Yi.”
“Indeed, a pity,” Jian Wuqu sighed.
Clearly, his regret differed from Zi Ling’s intent.
As the group headed to the training ground, news of Lin Xiao challenging Jian Wuqu spread quickly, nearly setting the Zi family ablaze with excitement.
“What? A Fourth-Tier Martial Venerable challenging Jian Wuqu in a life-or-death battle? Who’s this reckless guy?”
“I heard his name’s Lin Xiao, brought by Zi Ling. Probably got hot-headed over the marriage matter and agreed to fight.”
“Hmph, some nobody from who-knows-where, not even a Zi family member, trying to play hero? Zi Ling being chosen by Jian Tianjiao is our family’s fortune, and this guy dares to interfere? He deserves to die.”
“Even Zi Hui lost to Jian Wuqu in ten moves. A Fourth-Tier challenging him is suicide.”
“He’s dead for sure, but since there’s a show, let’s go watch.”
Crowds surged toward the Zi family’s training ground, especially the younger generation.
