Challenge

The girl's lofty demeanor once again stabbed at Xiao Yan's pride. Even after enduring three years of ridicule and mockery, Xiao Yan still had his own bottom line.

What she was doing was undoubtedly trampling on the last remnants of Xiao Yan's self-respect!

"I... I really want to kill you!" His chattering teeth leaked intense killing intent as Xiao Yan clenched his fists and glared fiercely at Nalan Yanran with his dark eyes.

"Yan'er! Do not be rude!" Xiao Zhan, seated at the head, was also somewhat helpless. The Xiao Family was no match for the Misty Cloud Sect now, so he could only rebuke him in a low voice.

The young man beside Nalan Yanran drew his sword and stared coldly at Xiao Yan.

Five golden stars were embroidered on the young man's chest, representing his strength: a Five Star Dou Zhe!

This was clearly not an opponent Xiao Yan could handle at this point. Yet if he backed down just like that, the humiliation he suffered would only become worse!

"Hehe, pointing a sword at someone is rather impolite."

Xiao Shuang stood up from the side, icy-blue Dou Qi swirling over the surface of his body as he looked unfriendly at the young man.

"Hmph, even a trash like you dares disrespect Yanran?" The young man's expression was exceedingly arrogant, completely failing to notice Xiao Zhan's face turning utterly dark at the head seat.

Upon hearing the word "trash," Xun'er also lifted her little face from the ancient tome and gave the young man an icy glance.

"Tsk, so that makes you a genius? What, want to fight me?"

Xiao Shuang sneered, looking disdainfully at the Five Star Dou Zhe.

"You're standing up for that trash? Fine. But after I win, your Xiao Family will obediently dissolve the engagement!"

The young man held his longsword, his face filled with arrogance.

"No. My challenge is a personal one and cannot represent the Xiao Family. Of course, I don't think you have the guts to accept it anyway." Xiao Shuang shrugged. The Dou Qi covering his body gradually withdrew back into him as he looked teasingly at the other party.

Clearly, this young man was extremely proud. His face immediately reddened as nameless fury surged into his heart. Being toyed with like this before his goddess caused his reason to fade somewhat.

"A personal challenge? I accept! If I win, you'd better properly persuade that trash hiding behind you!"

The young man flicked his longsword in a flourish, his voice carrying a hint of threat.

"And if I win?" Xiao Shuang appeared entirely casual. It was precisely this attitude that made the young man burn with rage.

"If you win, then that trash behind you can decide what happens today." Only after saying this did the young man realize he had acted impulsively. He immediately looked apologetically at Nalan Yanran behind him and said awkwardly in a low voice, "Sorry, I was too impulsive. But I will definitely win. If I lose, I am willing to leave the Misty Cloud Sect!"

A Five Star Dou Zhe—how could any member of the Xiao Family's younger generation compare to him?

Nalan Yanran was also somewhat helpless, even slightly regretting bringing this idiot along. Still, she gave a sweet smile. "All right, I understand. Good luck!"

Xiao Yan behind Xiao Shuang tugged at his sleeve and looked at him with some concern.

Xiao Shuang smiled and gave Xiao Yan a reassuring look, saying softly at the same time, "I won't lose. Don't worry."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, and his nose grew slightly sore. He thought it over inwardly. Given Xiao Shuang's talent, his odds of winning this battle were not low.

Moreover, he believed Xiao Shuang would not do anything without confidence.

The three elders exchanged glances. The Third Elder was especially flustered, but when he looked at Xiao Zhan beside him, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and could only pray inwardly that Shuang'er would not be harmed.

The group headed toward the square. Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Shuang with a complicated gaze. When he had stepped in front of Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan had unexpectedly felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart.

At this moment, Xiao Zhan glanced at Ge Ye and smiled. "Let me preside over this match. It is merely a sparring session, so we stop at the right point. How about it?"

"Hehe, as it should be." Ge Ye cupped his hands. He was still quite confident in this match.

The two walked into the square. The young man drew his longsword, green Dou Qi coiling around the blade and giving it a rather imposing appearance.

"Hmph." Xiao Shuang sneered. With a flick of his finger, a white spear from his storage ring appeared in his hand.

Yaoye had left it for him. There were many resources inside the storage ring, and this spear suited Xiao Shuang quite well.

Besides, the Misty Cloud Sect was right there. He could not win too easily; he had to leave the other side at least some face.

The Xiao Family's younger generation gathered around the square, all extremely curious about this battle. Some of the family's elders also silently stood outside the square to watch.

Xiao Mei stood fairly close to the front, giving her a clear view. Her eyes were currently fixed tightly on the two figures in the square.

"Begin."

The young man moved first. Tiny wind blades swirled around his longsword, and as it swept through the air, it left several scratches on the hard stone floor.

"With your level of skill, you dare point a sword at me?" Xiao Shuang gripped his spear, his body turning into a dark blur as he viciously thrust toward the young man's chest.

The young man's face changed, but his reaction was not slow. He immediately held his longsword horizontally before his chest.

With a clang, the spear tip collided with the blade.

Xiao Shuang had not intended to take the man's life in the first place, so naturally he did not strike to kill. He had expected the spear to be blocked.

If he got serious, this Five Star Dou Zhe would not even last a few exchanges before him.

With a powerful shove, he forced the young man back several steps with brute strength, and the hand holding his sword trembled slightly.

After soaking in the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, Xiao Shuang's body had been strengthened by more than one level. In a contest of raw strength, Xiao Shuang would not be weaker than someone of the same level.

This guy has incredible strength! The young man was startled inwardly. Before he could react, Xiao Shuang's spear came at him again.

There was no spear technique to speak of. Xiao Shuang simply stabbed wildly by instinct. Under this fierce assault, the young man's composure vanished along with it.

The collisions between spear and sword sent sparks flying. If the young man had not practiced the Misty Cloud Sect's sword arts, he would likely have been defeated long ago.

Watching the situation in the square, Nalan Yanran's concern deepened. Ge Ye was also somewhat flustered. A disciple of his sect had been suppressed from the very start, to the point that he was beginning to doubt himself. If this continued, they would not even be able to save face.

"Hmph, you do have some skill." The young man's expression was cold as he looked at Xiao Shuang with some wariness, though he showed no panic.

Xiao Shuang did not press too aggressively either. After all, the Misty Cloud Sect was there, so he had to hold back somewhat. He simply slowed his offensive, giving the young man a chance to catch his breath.

"You are strong, but I cannot lose!" The young man's expression grew solemn. He lightly stomped the ground, and the longsword in his hand began to tremble rapidly as two nearly tangible sword phantoms condensed into form.

The instant the sword phantoms formed, green light surged brightly.

Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique: Wind Spirit Fractal Sword!