Chapter 33: Challenge! (Second update, seeking recommendation votes!)

  Xiao Ding, as the head of the family, cannot overly interfere with the battles between disciples within the family, even if it's a matter of life and death. Especially when it comes to two disciples like them who are both unyielding, even if he can suppress them for a while, he cannot suppress them forever, and they will eventually erupt.

  Watching the two of them walk out the gate, Xiao Ding let out a helpless sigh and muttered to himself: "One mountain can't contain two tigers... Alas, it seems that even if I and Old Master Xiao intervene, it's hard to have both sides happy... Xiao Jihancheng is cunning and sinister, with exceptional talent and insight. In these past six months, he has shown a shocking level of comprehension, unmatched by anyone in the Xiao family for many years. As long as the Xiao family treats him well, he will definitely become a great pillar of support; Xiao Xianghuan, on the other hand, is from a poor background and has a pure nature, with a spiritual root and extremely high insight... But, he's born with an arrogant bone, doesn't know how to restrain himself... Alas, even our ancestors can't do anything about it... Can only follow the will of heaven..."

  ……

  Xiao Jihan left the door and coldly glanced at Chen Huan, then quickly left. Although he wanted to say some harsh words, he couldn't, in case he scared Chen Huan so much that he wouldn't dare to fight him, which would be a bad thing...

  Chen Huan directly went to Xiao Lao's place to report.

  ……

  "Master Xiao!" Chen Huan said with a smile on his face as he bowed and greeted him after entering Master Xiao's room.

  "You little stinker... I'll settle the score with you again when I return from the Demon Cloud Mountains! Has Xiao Ding agreed to terms with you?"

  "It's settled."

  "That's settled then. You really are ignorant of the heights and depths, do you think being a martial artist is just about being a martial student? You're still four ranks below, yet you want to go get yourself killed? From now on, pay attention, when it's time to be low-key, be low-key, being too aggressive will lead to breaking easily. Before you have enough strength, don't provoke those you can't handle, otherwise the price you'll pay might be your life! You must understand this principle! Luckily this is at the Xiao family's place, or else this would have ended in disaster..."

  "Xiao Lao, you may have misunderstood..."

  " Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?"

  "That's settled then. However, it doesn't mean I'm canceling my life-or-death duel with Xiao Jihan. My duel with him will either take place at the Cloud State Martial Arts Conference or after it ends..."

  "What? What's wrong with Xiao Ding this bastard?"

  "This... has nothing to do with the master of the house. Xiao Ji Han and I have already reached a point where we cannot coexist, and it's only a matter of time before one of us dies. This is what Xiao Ji Han wants, and it's also what I want..."

  "You, you, you... what do you want? Do you really think you can outdo Xiao Jihuan?"

  Chen Hao looked at Xiao Lao, who was no longer concerned with his image as a master and had become more approachable, and scratched his head slightly, saying in a low voice: "Should be able to..."

  "Should be able to? You... stinky brat, I know you have a strong physical talent and are born with keen six senses, but strength is strength. The gap between a first-rate martial artist and a fifth-rate martial artist... do you really understand how big it is?"

  "It's unclear. But since we've agreed on a life-or-death duel, let's fight! Besides, I don't necessarily have to lose to him!"

  "You..."

  "Xiao Lao, I know you're genuinely good to me. But this life-and-death battle, I must fight it out. I hope Xiao Lao will understand!" Chen Hao said in a deep voice, his eyes fixed firmly on Xiao Lao.

  Three hours later, Chen Huan, covered in sweat, walked out of Old Man Xiao's room with two Clear Wind Fruits, leaving Old Man Xiao staring in shock.

  ……

  When a red sun tore through the darkness and slowly rose from the east, before the bell of Xiao family had rung, the martial arts arena was already bustling with activity.

  After swallowing two Qingfeng fruits, Chen Huan recovered all his physical strength and yuan power, and he also walked towards the martial arts arena with Xiaoling'er and others.

  Undoubtedly, today's battle is the most exciting and anticipated battle of the Xiao family competition.

  Determine the top ten disciples under the age of twenty in the Xiao family!

  After yesterday's strength test and challenge, it has been determined that only thirteen people have the qualifications to compete for the top ten.

  The "Shi" character generation has nine disciples, the "Ji" character generation has three disciples, and the "Xiang" character generation has one disciple.

  Some of the Xiao family disciples who rushed back in a flurry, through yesterday's trial, have already made it clear that this year, no matter what, the Xiao family will make a name for themselves at the Yunzhou Martial Arts Conference!

  Because of Xiao Jihuan and Chen Huan!

  Of course, on the premise that Chen Huan can obtain the qualification to participate in Yunzhou Martial Arts Conference.

  Xiao Jihan is a fifth-grade martial artist, Chen Huan is a first-grade martial artist!

  A fifth-grade martial artist, although not the highest level in the Yunzhou Martial Arts Conference over the years, there are very few who can surpass a fifth-grade martial artist. Moreover, the vast majority of those who have surpassed the fifth-grade martial artist are also around twenty years old, and those like Xiao Jihan who reached the fifth-grade at sixteen are extremely rare. And then there's Chen Huan, only twelve and a half years old, but already a first-grade martial artist...

  So, even if the Xiao family doesn't get a high ranking at this year's Wu Hui in Yunzhou, they will still be able to hold their heads high because of geniuses like Xiao Jihuan and Chen Huan, letting everyone know that the Xiao family has produced two top-notch talents!

  If nothing unexpected happens, the future Cloud State Martial Arts Conference will be monopolized by the Xiao family!

  ……

  "Today, the top ten candidates for this year's annual grand competition will be decided. Those who can get into the top ten will also have the qualification to represent our Xiao family in the Yunzhou Martial Arts Conference! What does this mean? I think everyone present should understand. Yuanling Cave is the highest cultivation sacred place of our Xiao family, and only those who have obtained the qualification to participate in the Yunzhou Martial Arts Conference can enter it for a period of cultivation! Alright, let's continue yesterday's challenge match. Xiao Xianghuan, since the master has set your life-and-death duel with Xiao Jihenan at the Yunzhou Martial Arts Conference or after it ends, you cannot challenge Xiao Jihenan today. Let's begin..."

  "What?"

  "Huh?"

  "It's still going to be a fierce battle..."

  Elder Liu's words directly caused the martial arena to erupt in a chorus of astonished gasps. Given yesterday's events, almost everyone present had thought that the life-or-death duel between Xiao Jihuan and Chen Huan would definitely not happen again. It was clear to all that since the Sect Master had stepped in, he naturally did not want such a talented individual to fall just like that. But now, Elder Liu's opening statement told everyone that the duel between the two had not been cancelled, only temporarily postponed.

  "Xiao Bo..."

  On the rostrum, Xiao Ding, sitting in the middle of the seat, was so angry that he almost stood up. Although his mediation had failed, at least he had gained some time to buffer. As long as he didn't formally say it out loud, after this buffering period, there might still be a turning point. But Sixth Elder unexpectedly announced in public, seemingly unintentionally but actually intentionally, that the life-and-death duel between Chen Huan and Xiao Jihán would continue, which was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire, making the two men even more irreconcilable.

  Xiao Lao, who was also sitting in a corner, slightly furrowed his brow.

  Chen Hao ignored the crowd's gossip and walked onto the stage calmly under everyone's gaze.

  "I challenge Shao Shi Qing, who is currently ranked fifth!" Chen Hao said loudly.

  "Is it Xiao Shi Qing?"

  Chen Hao's words shocked everyone, Xiao Shi Qing was a second-rate martial artist at the peak of the boundary, second only to Xiao Jiheng and three third-rate martial artists of the Shi generation!

  In the minds of many, Chen Hao was originally going to challenge Xiao Jihans' unbeatable opponent, but due to the pressure of a life-and-death duel, he had no choice. Therefore, almost everyone thought that this time Chen Hao would choose one between sixth and tenth, which would be most likely to succeed in obtaining the qualification to participate in Yunzhou Martial Arts Conference.

  But Chen Hao chose Xiao Shi Qing!

  ……

  Chen Hao chose to do so, naturally, he had his own plan. He only had one chance to challenge, and it was the first one, if he could defeat Xiao Shi Qing, he would rank fifth. With the strength of Xiao Ji Shan and others, it was impossible to challenge the three third-class martial artists of the Shi generation and the fifth-class Xiao Ji Han. So, as long as he won, he basically confirmed that he had obtained the qualification for the Yunzhou Martial Arts Conference. On the other hand, if he challenged the tenth-ranked disciple of the Shi generation, at most, he would just replace him to become the tenth. What if Xiao Ji Shan and others succeeded in challenging again?

  He will lose his qualification!

  So, challenging Xiao Shi Qing is the safest option.

  "Challenge me? Are you sure?" Xiao Shi Qing's body shone with a faint red aura, and with a single leap, he jumped onto the stage, his eyes gleaming with strong confidence as he stared at Chen Hao.

  "Confirmed!"

  "You're ranked thirteenth and only have one chance to challenge. If you fail, you'll lose your qualification to participate in the Yunzhou Martial Arts Assembly. If I were you, I'd choose an opponent that I can defeat, rather than being arrogant!" Xiao Shiqing gazed at Chen Huan, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and arrogance, but his words received unanimous approval from the crowd.

  "Thanks for reminding me, senior!"

  "Xiao Shi Qing, what nonsense are you spouting? Xiao Xiang Huang's yuan power is robust and not inferior to yours. If you underestimate him, it's likely that you'll be the one who loses!" Just then, Liu Zong Lao's voice suddenly drifted into Xiao Shi Qing's ears, causing Xiao Shi Qing to hesitate for a moment before looking at Liu Zong Lao with gratitude. He took a deep breath and said: "Let's begin! I will make you understand the difference between a second-rate peak warrior and a first-rate warrior!"

  Boom!

  As soon as Xiao Shiqing's voice fell, the protective aura around his body burst out, and the majestic yuan force fluctuated, causing everyone to stop discussing and gaze intently at the main arena.

  At the same time, Chen Huan's face showed a solemn expression.

  This is his first real confrontation with a master of the Martial Artist realm!

  (Update 2! Brothers and sisters, recommend... Our genuine recommendations are too few... The gap with others is too big... Please support Wu Shan's brothers and sisters, log in to the starting point, and cast your free recommendation votes for Wu Shan!!!!!! Thank you...)