First Glimpse of Brilliance

Whenever the monthly market day arrived on the first of the month, Wutan City's Marketplace became a boiling sea of activity. The Bluestone Slab roads had been polished bright by passing crowds, while dense rows of stalls lined both sides like two winding dragons. Some sold weapons and armor that gleamed with a cold light; others displayed all kinds of ores and magical beast cores; still others piled up fresh herbs and magical beast pelts. There was no shortage of stalls selling snacks, either. The charred aroma of roasted meat, the sweetness of sugar paintings, and the bitter fragrance of herbs mingled with the clamor of hawkers and haggling, weaving a vibrant scene of everyday life.

Xiao Yan walked through the Marketplace with Xun'er, carrying two strings of crystal-clear Candied Hawthorn in his hand. Bright red hawthorns were wrapped in thick sugar coating, gleaming amber in the sunlight. Ever since borrowing money from Xun'er to buy herbs, Xiao Yan had wanted to get her something in return. Taking advantage of the Marketplace's bustle today, he had deliberately brought her out to relax. Xun'er wore a pale green dress embroidered with tiny orchids along its hem. Her long hair was loosely gathered into a bun and secured with a Mutton-Fat Jade Hairpin, while a few stray locks fell beside her cheeks, lending her an extra touch of charm. She held a string of Candied Hawthorn and occasionally took a small bite. The sugar coating melted in her mouth, spreading its sweetness and curving her brows and eyes in delight like a satisfied child. Her clear eyes reflected the dazzling array of goods on the stalls, full of curiosity and joy.

"Brother Xiao Yan, look at that ore stall over there." Xun'er suddenly tugged on Xiao Yan's sleeve and pointed toward a stall piled with different ores in the distance, her voice brimming with excitement. "That gray-black stone looks like associated ore. There might be a low-grade magical beast core hidden inside. Shall we go take a look?"

Xiao Yan followed her gaze and was just about to agree with a smile when a noisy argument suddenly erupted ahead. It was mixed with the sharp clang of tables and chairs toppling over, as well as the angry shouts of Xiao Clan members, instantly shattering the lively atmosphere of the Marketplace.

"Stop! This is a Xiao Clan stall! What right do you have to smash our things?" A young Xiao Clan member stood in front of the stall, his face flushed red as he clenched his fists and glared furiously at several vicious-looking men opposite him. The once-neat stall was now a complete mess. Bundles of herbs lay scattered everywhere, several porcelain bottles of medicinal pills had been smashed to pieces, and brown liquid flowed across the Bluestone Slab, giving off a pungent medicinal stench. Even the wooden table had been overturned at one corner, its legs skewed against the ground.

Xiao Yan and Xun'er exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and anger in each other's eyes. Xiao Yan immediately tightened his hold on Xun'er's hand, squeezed through the crowd of onlookers, and hurried over. Five burly men stood before the stall, all with fierce eyes and imposing builds. They clearly were not good people. At their head was a young man in a Brocade Robe, around seventeen or eighteen years old. His appearance was not ugly, but the arrogance between his brows made him particularly repulsive. A disdainful smile hung at his lips, and a Short Blade inlaid with blue gemstones rested at his waist. Intricate patterns were carved into its sheath, making its considerable value obvious.

"Jia Liebi!" Xiao Yan's Gaze turned sharp as he recognized him. This man was the young patriarch of the Jia Lie Family. The Jia Lie Family and the Xiao Clan were both among Wutan City's three great families, and they had never gotten along. In recent years, the Jia Lie Family had grown wealthy through reselling magical beast herbs and ores. As their influence increased, they became increasingly arrogant, often causing trouble for Xiao Clan members at the Marketplace, trade associations, and other places, suppressing the Xiao Clan's business.

"What right?" Jia Liebi sneered, his tone openly arrogant as he raised his foot and kicked over a bamboo basket filled with dried herbs. The basket immediately toppled, spilling the herbs across the ground like flowing water. Some were even Stepped on beneath his feet and crushed to pieces. "Your Xiao Clan has some nerve, selling 'counterfeit goods' in the Marketplace! A guest of my Jia Lie Family bought your 'Qi Gathering Powder,' and not only failed to gather Dou Qi after taking it, but even got an upset stomach. If that isn't damaging my Jia Lie Family's reputation, then what is? Smashing your stall is already letting you off lightly!"

"You're talking nonsense!" The young Xiao Clan member trembled with rage, his chest Heaved violently. "Our Xiao Clan has dealt in medicinal herbs for generations. Everything we sell is legitimate, and the Qi Gathering Powder is refined according to our ancestral formula. How could it possibly be fake? Your people must have gone wrong in their cultivation and are now trying to shift the blame!" Though furious, he did not dare Step Forward rashly. Jia Liebi was already a Fighter Three Stars, while he was only Fighter One Star. In a direct fight, he was no match at all. He could only watch helplessly as the other side destroyed the stall, filled with grievance.

The surrounding stall owners and Pedestrians retreated one after another, their faces full of wariness, yet no one dared speak up. Everyone knew Jia Liebi had long run rampant through the Marketplace. Relying on his family's power and his own strength, he had always been overbearing and tyrannical. Previously, a small vendor had accidentally blocked his path, and Jia Liebi had led people to smash the vendor's stall. In the end, the man could only accept his misfortune. Now that Jia Liebi was targeting a Xiao Clan stall, the crowd was even less willing to say anything. They could only silently sympathize with the Xiao Clan.

Jia Liebi was smugly enjoying everyone's fear when his gaze casually swept over the crowd and suddenly landed on Xun'er. His eyes instantly lit up as if he had spotted a priceless treasure. He abruptly pushed aside two of his underlings, straightened the collar of his Brocade Robe, ran his fingers through his hair, and swaggered over to Xun'er with what he believed was a charming smile. His voice was slick and arrogant. "This young lady looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time at Wutan City's Marketplace? I am Jia Liebi, the young patriarch of the Jia Lie Family."

He sized Xun'er up and down, the greed in his gaze undisguised. Then he glanced at Xiao Yan beside her. Seeing Xiao Yan's clothes, washed so many times they had faded white and even patched at the sleeves, the contempt at Jia Liebi's lips deepened. "A beauty like you is like a fairy from the heavens. What is the point of following such a poor brat? Look at him. He's dressed in rags and only has two lousy strings of Candied Hawthorn in his hands. He probably needs to save money for half a year just to buy you a decent hairpin. How could he possibly deserve you?"

As he spoke, Jia Liebi pulled a heavy fifty-tael ingot of silver from his robe and held it out to Xun'er. The Jia Lie Family crest was engraved on it, gleaming brightly. "Follow me, and you'll live in luxury from now on. In Wutan City's Marketplace, whatever you want, I can buy it for you! Whether it's priceless jewelry or medicinal pills to improve your strength, as long as you ask, there is nothing I, Jia Liebi, cannot accomplish."

He paused, then looked at Xiao Yan with disdain, his voice full of insult. "As for him—a 'good-for-nothing' mocked by all of Wutan City for three years, someone who can't even stabilize the most basic Dou Qi—what future could he possibly have? If you follow him, you'll be bullied sooner or later. Young lady, I advise you to stay far away from him while you can. Follow me, and only then can you live a good life."

Xun'er's brows furrowed tightly, her eyes full of disgust. She instinctively took a step back, hid behind Xiao Yan, and gripped his sleeve tightly. Her voice carried a cold refusal. "Please show some respect! Brother Xiao Yan is not what you say he is. He is outstanding, and whom I choose to be with is my freedom. It has nothing to do with you!"

"Oh, you're still protecting this good-for-nothing?" The smile on Jia Liebi's face instantly froze, and his eyes turned vicious as his tone grew colder. "Little girl, I advise you to know what's good for you. Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! In Wutan City, no one has ever dared refuse me, Jia Liebi! Today, I am smashing this Xiao Clan stall for certain! Either you obediently come with me, or else—"

His tone shifted as he stared fixedly at Xiao Yan. A cruel gleam flashed through his eyes as if he were looking at an ant. "Or this brat kneels and kowtows to admit his mistake, then personally 'gives' you to me. If I'm in a good mood, perhaps I'll spare his life and overlook what happened today!"

The surrounding Xiao Clan members were so furious their eyes nearly split open. Several hot-tempered ones had already Clenched fist, but Jia Liebi's underlings held them back tightly, leaving them unable to Step Forward. The smile on Xiao Yan's face had long vanished. His hand holding the Candied Hawthorn slowly tightened, his knuckles turning white from the force. Even the sugar coating cracked beneath his grip, exposing the red hawthorns inside. The Storage Ring on his finger grew Slightly hot, as if answering the anger in his heart.

Since Elder Yao had awakened, passed on the Blazing Art to him, and used improved Qi Gathering Powder to strengthen his foundation, the Dou Qi in Xiao Yan's body had not fully returned to his former peak at the Dou Shi Realm. However, after being tempered by the Blazing Art, it had become exceptionally condensed, several times stronger than the Dou Qi of Dou Zhe at the same level. His strength had long ceased to be that of the "good-for-nothing" who could not even stabilize his position as a Dou Zhe. Jia Liebi had not only smashed the Xiao Clan's stall and insulted its members, but had also publicly offended Xun'er. Every word of his felt like a needle stabbing into Xiao Yan's heart. He Absolutely cannot swallow this insult!

"Jia Liebi." Xiao Yan slowly Stepped Forward, shielding Xun'er firmly behind him. His voice was as cold as winter frost, devoid of any warmth. "Compensate the Xiao Clan for the losses from smashing its stall. Apologize to Lady Xun'er. After doing those two things, get out of the Marketplace. Otherwise, don't think you'll be leaving here intact today!"

Jia Liebi seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world and suddenly burst into loud laughter, laughing so hard he bent forward and backward until tears nearly came out. His four underlings also joined in, their harsh laughter full of contempt. "Xiao Yan? So it's the Xiao Clan's 'good-for-nothing genius'!" Jia Liebi mocked, clutching his stomach. "Trash like you, who can't even stabilize Fighter One Star, dares challenge me? Have three years of ridicule made you stupid?"

Xiao Yan could not be bothered to waste words on him. The Dou Qi within his body suddenly Circulated Madly, surging through his meridians according to the cultivation route of the Blazing Art. Unlike ordinary techniques, the Dou Qi refined by the Blazing Art carried a faint scorching sensation, like dormant fire. As it flowed through his meridians, he could even feel a subtle burning pain. He abruptly exerted force beneath his feet, shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow. He was several times faster than an ordinary Dou Zhe, leaving behind a faint afterimage as he reached Jia Liebi in an instant!

His Right Hand formed a fist as Dou Qi instantly gathered around its peak. Carrying a fierce Strong wind, it shot straight toward Jia Liebi's face! The fist wind howled, even stirring the hair on Jia Liebi's forehead.

The smile on Jia Liebi's face instantly stiffened, and a flash of astonishment and panic passed through his eyes. He had never expected Xiao Yan to be so fast! Caught off guard, he had no time to think and could only instinctively raise his left arm to block.

Bang! A dull collision rang out as fist and arm Fiercely collided. Jia Liebi only felt a scorching force wildly surge into his arm, making his Tiger's mouth went numb. A numb, aching pain spread through his arm, and the force drove him back three consecutive steps before he barely Stabilized Himself. Even the Bluestone Slab beneath his feet bore faint Footprints.

"How is this possible?!" Jia Liebi was Both shocked and furious as he abruptly lowered his head to look at his arm. His sleeve had been torn open by the fist wind, and a Faint rosy glow had Appeared on his arm—it was the mark of being scorched by Dou Qi. He Clearly felt that although the Dou Qi on Xiao Yan's fist was not especially abundant, it was extraordinarily condensed, several times stronger than the Dou Qi of Dou Zhe at the same level. It even carried a strange burning sensation that made even him, a Fighter Three Stars, feel pain!

The surrounding laughter came to an abrupt stop. Everyone stared at Xiao Yan in shock, their eyes full of disbelief. This "good-for-nothing" who had been mocked for three years had actually forced back Jia Liebi, a Fighter Three Stars? It completely overturned everything they thought they knew!

"Good-for-nothing?" A cold curve lifted at Xiao Yan's lips, his gaze like ice hardened by frost. He stepped forward again, his figure flashing past the two underlings who tried to stop him like a ghost. His Right Hand became a palm, Dou Qi gathering within it as he struck Jia Liebi's chest with a howling Strong wind!

Jia Liebi was prepared this time and did not dare underestimate him again. The Dou Qi in his body Circulated Madly and surged into his palm, condensing into a light-blue Dou Qi shield before his chest like a barrier. A faint glow Appeared over the shield, radiating the pressure of Fighter Three Stars.

Bang! The palm wind Fiercely collided with the Dou Qi shield, producing a dull boom that seemed to shake the surrounding air into ripples. Jia Liebi felt as though a red-hot boulder had smashed into his chest. His Blood and qi surged, his throat turned sweet, and he nearly Spitting Blood. A clear crack had appeared on the Dou Qi shield he had condensed, spreading outward like a spiderweb.

"This is impossible! How can your Dou Qi be this strong?!" Jia Liebi was horrified, panic finally overtaking him. He simply could not understand how a "good-for-nothing" could possess such condensed and powerful Dou Qi! He no longer dared hold back. He Pulled out the Short Blade at his waist and frantically poured Dou Qi into it. A dense light-blue radiance instantly Appeared around the blade, and faint Dou Qi fluctuation Wreathed around it as it viciously stabbed toward Xiao Yan's waist! The blade wind was fierce and carried a piercing whistle as it cut through the air. He had clearly used his full strength.

Xun'er watched anxiously from the side, her small hands gripping her skirt so tightly that her knuckles turned white, yet she did not make a sound to interrupt. She knew Xiao Yan needed this battle, not only to uphold the Xiao Clan's dignity, but also to break the shackles of being called a "good-for-nothing" and prove himself. She could only pray silently for Xiao Yan and believe that he would win.

Xiao Yan's Gaze sharpened. Facing the incoming Short Blade, he did not retreat. Instead, he abruptly Stepped Forward, closing the distance between himself and Jia Liebi. His left hand swiftly formed a seal before his chest. Following the cultivation method of the Blazing Art, he highly condensed the Dou Qi in his body at his fingertips, then Flicked out toward the Short Blade. A condensed Dou Qi Streamer like an arrow instantly shot forth, carrying a faint red light as it struck the back of the blade with perfect precision!

Clang! A crisp metallic collision rang out like a great bell, making the eardrums of the surrounding crowd tremble. Jia Liebi felt a sharp pain in his wrist, as though it had been scalded by a red-hot branding iron. The Short Blade nearly Flew Backwards from his hand, and most of the force behind his stab was instantly Dispelled. The blade veered aside and brushed past Xiao Yan's waist, only cutting a small tear in his clothing.

Taking advantage of the instant Jia Liebi froze from the pain in his wrist, Xiao Yan's Gaze turned sharp. He flashed like a ghost, Circling around to Jia Liebi's back. His right leg swept out like an iron whip, carrying a fierce Strong wind as it viciously kicked Jia Liebi's knee! This kick contained more than half of Xiao Yan's Dou Qi and was as fast as lightning, giving Jia Liebi no chance to react.

Thud! Jia Liebi was kicked in the knee and immediately felt a piercing pain, as though his bones were about to Shattered. His Legs went weak, and he dropped heavily to one knee. His knee collided with the Bluestone Slab with a dull sound, making the ground seem to tremble slightly. He grimaced in pain as cold sweat instantly broke out across his forehead, his Face pale as paper.

"You dare hit me?!" Jia Liebi was Both shocked and furious. He struggled to rise, his eyes full of resentment and disbelief. As the young patriarch of the Jia Lie Family, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

Xiao Yan gave him no chance to get up. He Stepped on Jia Liebi's back as if pinning down an ant. Dou Qi surged through his foot and into Jia Liebi's body, suppressing the circulation of his Dou Qi. Jia Liebi felt as if a massive thousand-pound boulder were pressing on his back. No matter how he struggled, he could not rise. His cheek was pressed tightly against the cold Bluestone Slab. Humiliation and rage made his whole body tremble, yet he could not move in the slightest.

"Young Patriarch!" The four underlings Jia Liebi had brought immediately panicked. Roaring angrily, they rushed forward with clubs in hand and swung them viciously at Xiao Yan's back, trying to rescue Jia Liebi.

Xiao Yan's Gaze turned sharp, but he was not flustered in the least. His left foot still pressed firmly on Jia Liebi while his Right Hand rapidly Circulated Madly with Dou Qi. A dense red glow Appeared in his palm—the distinctive color of Dou Qi when the Blazing Art had only just been cultivated, carrying scorching heat. From afar, it looked as though he held a small fireball. He abruptly turned, faced the man rushing at the front, and struck out with his palm!

Bang! The palm wind howled, and scorching Dou Qi slammed fiercely into the man's chest. The man did not even have time to scream before he Flew Backwards like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily into a nearby weapons stall. Swords and blades fell everywhere with a series of clatters, and the wooden rack instantly collapsed. The man was Spitting Blood. After twitching a few times on the ground, he stopped moving, clearly having lost his fighting strength.

The remaining three underlings turned deathly pale and stopped in their tracks as though frozen in place. They looked at Xiao Yan as if they had seen a ghost. The power of that palm strike clearly required at least the strength of Fighter Three Stars! Just how much strength had Xiao Yan been hiding? He was no "good-for-nothing" at all, but an expert who had concealed his power!

"Get lost!" Xiao Yan shouted coldly. His voice Exploded like thunder, carrying the pressure of Dou Qi and making the three men's eardrums tremble as their heads spun.

The three exchanged glances, seeing nothing but fear in each other's eyes. They knew they were no match for Xiao Yan. If they stayed, they would only be defeated like their companion. No longer caring about Jia Liebi on the ground, they scrambled to lift their unconscious companion and fled the Marketplace without looking back. They even dropped the weapons at their waists in their panic, yet did not dare turn around to Picked up them.

Jia Liebi was pinned to the ground with his cheek pressed against the cold Bluestone Slab. He could Clearly felt the mocking gazes around him and the satisfied discussions of the Xiao Clan members. Those gazes pierced his heart like needles, making him want to crawl into a crack in the ground. Xiao Yan pressed down slightly with his foot, and Jia Liebi immediately cried out in pain. His eyes were full of hatred, but he did not dare resist at all. He could only say viciously, "Xiao Yan, you dare treat me like this? The Jia Lie Family won't let you go! My father will definitely avenge me and flatten the Xiao Clan!"

"The Jia Lie Family?" Xiao Yan sneered and pressed down again, drawing another pained cry from Jia Liebi. "You smashed the Xiao Clan's stall, insulted Xiao Clan members, offended someone important to me, and still dare threaten me? Apologize to the Xiao Clan now and compensate every loss. Otherwise, I don't mind making you crawl out of the Marketplace today, so everyone in Wutan City can see just how Utterly miserable the young patriarch of the Jia Lie Family can be!"

The surrounding Xiao Clan members had already gathered around. Looking at Jia Liebi pinned to the ground, their faces were full of satisfaction. The young clansman who had been bullied earlier was so moved that his eyes reddened. He cupped his hands deeply toward Xiao Yan, his voice Mixed with a sob. "Young Master Xiao Yan, thank you! You have vented this anger for us!"

Jia Liebi looked at the mocking gazes of the Xiao Clan members around him, felt the thousand-pound pressure on his back, and endured the piercing pain in his knee. He knew that if he refused to lower his head today, he would gain nothing but suffering. He gritted his teeth as humiliation washed over him Like a Tide, but he could only force himself to say in a hoarse voice, "I... I'm sorry... I will... compensate the Xiao Clan for the stall's losses..."

"Too quiet. I didn't hear you." Xiao Yan spoke lightly, pressing down a little harder with his foot. "Louder. Let everyone hear it!"

Jia Liebi's face turned the color of pig liver, his chest Heaved violently, but he could only gather all his strength and shout at the top of his lungs, "I'm sorry! I Should not have smashed the Xiao Clan's stall, Should not have insulted Young Master Xiao Yan, and Should not have been disrespectful to that young lady! I will compensate the stall's losses double! Please spare me, Young Master Xiao Yan!"

His voice carried a Crying tone and was full of humiliation as it spread throughout the entire Marketplace. The surrounding people pointed and whispered, their eyes full of mockery when they looked at Jia Liebi, while their gazes toward Xiao Yan were filled with awe.

Only then did Xiao Yan slowly withdraw his foot and take a step back, coldly watching Jia Liebi crawl up from the ground in a miserable state. Jia Liebi clutched his chest and staggered a few steps. His knee kept buckling, clearly in intense pain. He shot Xiao Yan a venomous look but did not dare say another word. Pulling out a hundred-tael ingot of gold, he threw it viciously to the ground. The gold struck the Bluestone Slab with a clear ring. Then, clutching his knee, he limped out of the Marketplace, his retreating figure Utterly miserable and stripped of all its earlier arrogance.

"Young Master Xiao Yan is mighty!" "Young Master Xiao Yan, well done!" The surrounding Xiao Clan members burst into enthusiastic cheers. They crowded around Xiao Yan, cupping their hands in thanks, their eyes full of admiration and gratitude.

Xiao Yan waved his hand, bent down to Picked up the gold, and handed it to the young Xiao Clan member. His tone was gentle. "Clean up the stall. Use this to cover the losses, and divide the rest among everyone as compensation for the business delayed today."

"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Yan!" The young clansman accepted the gold excitedly and gave Xiao Yan a deep bow. He immediately called the other clansmen over to clean up the stall, his face full of vigor.

Xun'er hurried to Xiao Yan's side, her eyes full of joy and pride. She gently tugged on his sleeve and reached out to wipe the dust from his face, her voice carrying a trace of concern. "Brother Xiao Yan, you're amazing! You beat that Jia Liebi so badly! Were you hurt? When he stabbed at you with his knife earlier, I was so worried."

Seeing the concern in Xun'er's eyes, Xiao Yan felt warmth fill his heart. He shook his head with a smile, lifted one of the Candied Hawthorn strings he had bought earlier, and held it to her lips. His tone was gentle. "Don't worry, I'm fine. Look, the Candied Hawthorn hasn't even melted yet. Hurry and have some. Don't let what happened just now ruin your mood."

Xun'er took a bite of Candied Hawthorn. The sweetness spread through her mouth and Dispelled the tension from before. A radiant smile bloomed on her face, bright as sunlight after rain. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the Marketplace stalls and fell upon the two of them, warm and brilliant.

Xiao Yan looked at Xun'er smiling beautifully beside him, then at the clansmen busily cleaning up the stall. His heart filled with strength unlike anything he had felt before. This battle had not only broken the shackles of being called a "good-for-nothing" and allowed him to regain the respect of his clansmen, but had also made him understand that only by becoming stronger could he protect those around him, restore the Xiao Clan's rise, and prevent it from being oppressed by others again.

He Clenched fist, feeling the scorching Dou Qi slowly flowing through his body as his gaze became increasingly resolute. The Three-Year Pact was close at hand. The Jia Lie Family's provocation was only the beginning, and more challenges awaited him in the future. But he no longer feared them—with the Blazing Art at his side, Elder Yao's careful guidance, and Xun'er's silent support, he would surely climb step by step to the peak of cultivation, shatter every slight and mockery, and make the name "Xiao Yan" resound once more through Wutan City and even the entire Jia Ma Empire!