Lion's Big Mouth

In Tianyang City, at the Zhou Manor.

"Patriarch Zhou, it's not impossible for me to help your Zhou Family, but only if you can meet my conditions. Then I will agree to fight the Qin Family."

Inside the main hall, seated at the head of the table was a young man with a slightly effeminate appearance, dressed in white. He gently swayed a folding fan in his hand, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

Beside him, Patriarch Zhou, Zhou Qingtian, wore a smile full of deference and said, "Oh? May I ask what Young Master Chen's conditions are? As long as my Zhou Family can afford it, we will find a way to satisfy your request."

At this moment, the elders below were also murmuring amongst themselves. The Zhou Family had gone to great lengths to invite a young expert for this duel.

This effeminate young man was named Chen Ziyu, a Half-step Divine Palace Realm expert. As long as Chen Ziyu agreed to fight, there would be a chance in the duel against the Qin Family.

"If you want me to act, my condition is that the Zhou Family must give me five hundred thousand High-grade Spirit Stones, fifteen Grade 3 High-grade medicinal herbs, and twenty Peak Grade Spirit Nurturing Pills, along with one King Grade artifact. What do you think? These conditions shouldn't be too difficult for the Zhou Family, right?"

Chen Ziyu smiled faintly.

Whoosh!

"What did you say?"

At this moment, all the elders in the hall erupted in commotion, and Zhou Qingtian's expression turned grim.

They hadn't expected Chen Ziyu to name such an exorbitant price!

Five hundred thousand High-grade Spirit Stones was an astronomical sum, not to mention Chen Ziyu also wanted fifteen Grade 3 High-grade medicinal herbs, twenty Peak Grade Spirit Nurturing Pills, and one King Grade artifact.

Although the Zhou Family was wealthy, it was extremely difficult to produce five hundred thousand High-grade Spirit Stones in a short period.

As for Grade 3 High-grade medicinal herbs, that was even more so. The Zhou Family was reluctant to use such high-grade herbs, treasuring them instead.

Yet Chen Ziyu was asking for fifteen of them right off the bat!

Zhou Qingtian felt a surge of anger, but he couldn't afford to fall out with Chen Ziyu at this moment, as he still needed his help. Thus, he could only hide his displeasure.

"Young Master Chen, your conditions are indeed too steep. May I ask if you could lower your demands?"

Zhou Qingtian forced a smile.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ziyu's expression immediately turned grim, and he said, "No! Not even one less spirit stone. If you want me to fight for your Zhou Family, you must meet all my conditions!"

"This..."

Zhou Qingtian sighed helplessly.

He knew very well that Chen Ziyu was clearly trying to extort them.

"Patriarch, absolutely not!"

The First Elder quickly advised.

It wasn't that their Zhou Family couldn't afford these conditions, but even if they could, it would likely cripple them for some time.

Zhou Qingtian pondered for a moment, having already made up his mind. He finally sighed. To obtain the Scarlet Fire Origin Copper vein, any price was worth paying!

"Father!"

However, just as Zhou Qingtian was about to agree, a gentle voice came from outside the hall.

Then, Zhou Zhirou entered the hall, accompanied by Lu Changsheng.

"Hahaha! My dear girl, it's great that you're finally back!"

Seeing Zhou Zhirou, Zhou Qingtian immediately got up to welcome her, a smile gracing his face for the first time in a long while.

Beside him, Chen Ziyu's eyes glinted with a lewd desire as he took in Zhou Zhirou's stunning beauty and her voluptuous figure.

"Miss Zhou, I am your Zhou Family's hired help, Chen Ziyu. I can fight on behalf of your Zhou Family as your potential son-in-law!"

Chen Ziyu declared proudly.

However, Zhou Zhirou glanced at Chen Ziyu, and a look of disdain immediately appeared on her face.

Clearly, Zhou Zhirou had overheard Chen Ziyu's earlier words.

This fellow actually wanted to take advantage of the Zhou Family's predicament to extort them, so she had no good impression of Chen Ziyu.

"No need! Because our Zhou Family already has a better candidate!"

Zhou Zhirou said coldly.

"What?!"

Chen Ziyu was taken aback. His gaze suddenly fell upon Lu Changsheng beside them, and a mocking smile touched his lips.

"Heh, could it be that the better candidate Miss Zhou is referring to is this brat?"

"That's right!"

Zhou Zhirou nodded.

"My girl! This is no child's play. Our Zhou Family paid quite a price to invite this Young Master Chen!"

Zhou Qingtian quickly transmitted his voice.

Clearly, Zhou Qingtian was worried that Zhou Zhirou would offend Chen Ziyu.

After all, Chen Ziyu was their Zhou Family's only hope for victory!

"Father, believe me, Junior Disciple Lu, as our Zhou Family's reinforcement, will definitely be able to defeat Qin Family's opponent!" Zhou Zhirou said with full confidence.

"Hahaha! How ridiculous! Him? He's merely at the eighth level of Core Condensation Realm. He's not even worthy of carrying my shoes, let alone defeating Qin Family's opponent!" Chen Ziyu said dismissively.

"Yes, Young Miss, you absolutely must not act on impulse. This is a matter of life and death for our clan!" The First Elder hurriedly advised.

Clearly, everyone in the Zhou Family at this moment believed Chen Ziyu was the better candidate. While Lu Changsheng's strength at the eighth level of Core Condensation Realm was acceptable, he was still significantly inferior to Chen Ziyu.

"How about this, you two compete, and whoever wins will represent our Zhou Family in the battle!" Zhou Zhirou said with a smile.

"Deal!" Chen Ziyu readily agreed. A cold smirk played on his lips. He could crush an eighth-level Core Condensation Realm cultivator with just one finger. He had already secretly decided to put on a good show in front of the beauty and utterly humiliate Lu Changsheng!

"I have no objections," Lu Changsheng said calmly.

Beside them, Zhou Qingtian showed a look of doubt. Seeing Lu Changsheng's calm demeanor, he felt quite favorably towards him. However, he was also somewhat puzzled. Could this kid really defeat Chen Ziyu? After all, Chen Ziyu was a half-step Divine Palace Realm expert, far stronger than someone at the eighth level of Core Condensation Realm.

"Begin..." After Zhou Zhirou spoke, a subtle smile curved her lips. This was because she had already anticipated the scene of Chen Ziyu being thoroughly beaten. After all, her junior disciple had previously defeated Liu Yan, who was at the first level of Divine Palace Realm. Dealing with Chen Ziyu would naturally be a piece of cake.

"Junior Disciple, beat him soundly for me. This guy is making outrageous demands and wants to take advantage of our Zhou Family. Teach him a lesson!" Zhou Zhirou secretly transmitted her voice.

"Understood!" Lu Changsheng nodded.

Boom!

Suddenly, Chen Ziyu stomped his foot. A surge of powerful spiritual energy erupted, and the floor beneath him instantly cracked. In an instant, Chen Ziyu shot out like lightning, his fist clenched tightly. He shouted, "Vajra Mountain Breaking Fist!"

Boom!

His fist unleashed a powerful spiritual energy fluctuation, like a vortex, and fiercely struck towards Lu Changsheng's chest