The Match Begins

Xiao Bai had no idea that one more person had set her sights on him.

Of course, if he found out that a beautiful woman was thinking about him, Xiao Bai would probably laugh out loud.

Just as Xiao Xun'er was secretly planning how to deal with Xiao Bai, Xiao Yan beside her spoke up.

"Xiao Bai, on the arena in three days, I'll make you taste my strength."

Xiao Yan said through gritted teeth.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, that Xiao Bai is at Stage Five of Dou Qi, while you're only at Stage Three of Dou Qi. I'm afraid you won't be able to defeat him."

Hearing Xiao Yan's declaration of war, Xiao Xun'er could only smile bitterly inside.

Didn't he have any self-awareness at all?

This is exhausting!

But she could not say that aloud, so she put on a troubled expression.

Hearing those words and seeing that expression, Xiao Yan understood everything.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

As if to reassure Xiao Xun'er, he continued.

"I was once a Dou Zhe, after all. I still remember the Dou Techniques I mastered before, and that's something Xiao Bai can't compare to. Besides..."

After hesitating for a moment, he slowly said, "I also have a powerful Dou Technique. Although I can't unleash its full power, it's more than enough to deal with Xiao Bai."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xun'er made a guess as well.

"Could it be Uncle Xiao Zhan's Roar of the Mad Lion? Can you use it?"

"That's right. I'm still the Clan Leader's son, after all, so I made a point of learning it. Don't worry, I can barely use it. Just watch how I deal with that guy when the time comes!"

"Mm!"

After talking with Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er understood where his confidence came from and gained enough faith in him as well.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the martial arena was packed with Xiao Family disciples early in the morning.

Teams of Xiao Family guards stood around the arena to maintain order and prevent any accidents that might lead to unimaginable losses.

There were spectator stands beside the arena. Seated at the very front were none other than the Clan Leader and the various elders, the pillars of the Xiao Family.

Behind them sat the managers of the Xiao Family's various trades and businesses, people who played an extremely important role in the family's development.

The remaining seats were occupied by Xiao Family disciples who had come to watch the excitement.

Not every Xiao Family disciple would choose to compete.

They knew their own capabilities and knew they had absolutely no hope of winning, so they did not bother trying. They had only come to watch.

More and more people poured in, and the martial arena was soon filled to capacity.

As the crowd surged in, not only did Xiao Bai appear, but many others who had been diligently cultivating also emerged, including today's main character—Xiao Yan. Naturally, his little sidekick—Xiao Xun'er—remained by his side without leaving even a step.

Seeing that nearly everyone had arrived, Xiao Zhan, as the Clan Leader, naturally stepped forward to speak first.

"Ahem! Quiet, everyone."

When all eyes turned toward him, Xiao Zhan continued.

"You all know the details already, so I won't waste words here. What I want to tell you is that, as martial artists, you must possess the courage and boldness to fight the heavens, fight the earth, and fight other people."

"This competition is not merely to determine who is stronger. It is also meant to make you understand your own gaps and shortcomings, to make you understand that the path of cultivation is filled with countless hardships. But I believe you will not be defeated by hardship. I want you to overcome every obstacle and strive to grow stronger for the future. Tomorrow belongs to you!"

His voice was like rolling thunder, spreading throughout the entire martial arena.

Hearing the Clan Leader's speech, everyone below was stirred with excitement.

"Alright, I declare the competition officially begun. The elder will now announce the rules..."

After the Clan Leader finished speaking, a hunched figure walked out. It was an old man.

He wore a green robe, his white hair neatly coiled behind his head. Though his face was full of wrinkles, it bore a smile. His goatee bobbed up and down as he walked, making for a rather comical sight.

Yet no one dared to look down on him. Regardless of his strength, his status was plain to see.

Even the Clan Leader, the Great Elder, and the others treated him with great respect. Their attitude and expressions were certainly not an act.

"Good, good! This is the vigor young people ought to have..."

Taking over from Xiao Zhan, the old man nodded in satisfaction, as though this competition suited him very well.

"Then I announce that this competition will consist of one-on-one matches, and no lives may be taken. Anyone confident in their abilities may step into the arena. Those on the stage may call out challengers by name, and the challenged may not refuse, until the two sides determine a victor."

Having said this much, the old man seemed to have spoken too much today, and his throat grew uncomfortable. He coughed before continuing.

"Ahem... Of course, if you know you are no match for your opponent, you may concede."

As soon as Xiao Bai finished listening to the old man, he understood how the matches would be conducted.

In Xiao Bai's view, everyone would enter the arena and be eliminated half at a time.

First, there would be a free-for-all to leave fifty people, then fifty down to twenty-five... and the extra person would receive a bye into the next round.

Of course, those extremely confident in their strength could continue fighting, which was also allowed, though it depended on whether the other side agreed.

After understanding the rules, Xiao Bai felt rather uncomfortable.

These rules were useful to the weak, but for those who believed themselves powerful, rules were meant to be broken. The old man's meaning had been perfectly clear as well.

As long as one had strength, one could truly do whatever one pleased!

That was exactly what Xiao Bai liked, and he was even quite satisfied with the old man's rules.

Xiao Bai swept his gaze around, finding it rather amusing to see those people with solemn expressions.

If they did not have the courage, they should go sit in the spectator stands and watch the show instead of coming here to waste everyone's time.

After all, the most boring thing was watching two noobs peck at each other without a care in the world.

Looking carefully, there were still some people in the crowd rubbing their fists, preparing to show off their strength.

Ignoring them, Xiao Bai continued sweeping his gaze through the crowd, searching for his target.

At last, after a short while, Xiao Bai found him. It was none other than Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was discussing something with Xiao Xun'er beside him, and he seemed rather agitated.

Suddenly, Xiao Yan seemed to notice someone looking at him and immediately looked back without backing down.

He saw a man dressed in a white robe with fine golden trim around its edges. His long black hair hung casually down his back, and he looked quite handsome.

As Xiao Yan sized up Xiao Bai, a trace of suspicion flashed through his eyes as he considered the man's identity.

It was perfectly normal for Xiao Yan not to recognize Xiao Bai. After all, when Xiao Yan had been at his peak, Xiao Bai had still been who knew where.

And when Xiao Bai had been boasting about his achievements some time ago, Xiao Yan had been cultivating.

There had been no chance for them to meet, so it was only natural that they did not know each other.