Xiao Zhan and the First Elder were both utterly bewildered.
The latter said somewhat blankly:
"Could that Great Dao truly possess such profundity?"
Although he asked the question aloud.
Yet anyone could discern the trace of skepticism hidden deep within the First Elder's eyes.
Clearly, Xiao Zhan and several elders took his words to mean nothing at all.
After all, the so-called way of longevity and the like were far too sensational; they had never even heard of such things.
And to be able to leap in a mere three months from a lowly third-rate martial artist to a level sufficient to rival a first-rate peak, half-step Houtian martial artist was simply too much like daydreaming.
If not for his teacher sitting right here, perhaps the older generations of the clan would simply think he was talking in his sleep.
With things standing thus...
Xiao Huohuo took a deep breath, composed his mind, and completely disregarded the skepticism in the eyes of the First Elder and his dad.
He said to the Third Elder with utmost earnestness:
"Third Elder, spar with me."
"Dad and the elders will then be able to tell whether my words are true or false."
"This..."
Xiao Zhan and several elders exchanged glances.
They could all perceive the stubbornness within Xiao Huohuo's eyes, resembling that of a newborn calf.
This youngster was for real!
He genuinely believed he had the ability to match wits with the Third Elder!
The Third Elder, however, felt a twinge of timidity at this moment. He raised his two thick eyebrows, and his usually amiable face took on a bit more caution:
"Young Clan Leader, a spar between martial artists is no child's play."
"Once a strike is thrown, it is difficult for blows to stop at the point of contact."
"By then, it won't be good if someone gets hurt..."
The Third Elder spoke very tactfully, wearing an entirely reluctant expression.
When martial artists crossed paths, there was indeed such a thing as stopping at the point of contact, but that only applied when the two individuals were relatively close in realm.
To tell the truth, ever since he had broken through to become a first-rate martial artist, he had never sparred with anyone below the second-rate.
For no other reason than that first-rate martial artists were not like the hidden experts in storybooks who could control the use of their strength at will.
After all, their flesh and blood had already reached an extremely robust state.
With steel-like tendons and iron-like bones, every punch and stance whistled with fierce wind.
Every strike he delivered was like a river pushing waves, difficult to halt.
Only by breaking through to the Houtian realm could one truly achieve complete solidity and mobilization of one's own Martial Dao power, realizing effortless control.
He spoke the plain truth merely to make Xiao Huohuo fearful and cause him to retreat in the face of difficulty.
However, the latter wore a knowing expression, nodding thoughtfully:
"Third Elder, just set your mind at ease. I won't hurt you."
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of everyone present stiffened first, then transformed into a trace of bizarre, bitter smiles.
They really shouldn't let this youngster read too many storybooks. He truly thought he was capable now.
At this moment, seeing that they could not dissuade Xiao Huohuo, everyone turned their gazes toward Chu Feng and said anxiously:
Grandmaster, Huohuo is...
The latter was still drinking his tea at the moment, but upon hearing this, he looked as though he were watching a good show, put down his teacup, and chuckled softly:
"Let him try."
"With me here, no problems will arise."
Chu Feng also wanted to see what level Xiao Huohuo's current strength was equivalent to among martial artists.
With Chu Feng's words, the few of them felt much more at ease, though Xiao Zhan still frowned and exhorted:
"Huohuo, be extra careful."
"The moment you feel something is wrong, call for help immediately, you understand?"
To take a punch from a half-step Houtian was no joke.
In the front hall, an old man and a youth assumed their stances in the open space.
The Third Elder stared at the teenager before him, hesitated for a moment, took a step forward, and a fierce fist momentum immediately hammered over.
The shifting of his feet was elusive yet strode with the wind, and at the moment he threw his punch, his sleeves lashed violently against his arms.
Pa pa pa!
In the span of a single breath, the snapping sounds of the sleeves rang out densely like falling rain, making one's scalp tingle.
Seeing this scene, Xiao Zhan's expression gave a start.
The martial art the Third Elder was executing before them was the most fundamental martial technique of the Xiao household, the Flame Plunder Fist.
The fist forms emphasized the word "fast," changing infinitely and leaving opponents unable to guard against them.
Although this fist form lacked overwhelming power and was mostly used to test opponents, executed in the hands of a half-step Houtian like the Third Elder, it still surged with the might of a tiger.
Even if a second-rate disciple of the clan faced it, they would be heavily suppressed and dare not show the slightest carelessness!
Thoughts flashed past in an instant.
The Third Elder's figure arrived before Xiao Huohuo in a flash, his fist shadows descending like a storm of pear blossoms.
What was unexpected was that the youth did not dodge. A trace of confident warmth suddenly suffused his body, and a faint red glow appeared over it.
In that very instant, Xiao Huohuo's body actually slipped like an eel from the encirclement of numerous fist shadows, shifting side to side without his body retreating even a single step!
One could see that Xiao Huohuo seemed capable of capturing the direction from which the Fierce Fist was attacking, dodging with extremely minute movements of his head and torso. Every sidestep and tilt brushed past a fist.
The fierce, wind-force-carrying fists failed to strike Xiao Huohuo even once!
This scene caused everyone to draw in a sharp breath, and Xiao Zhan said somewhat dazedly:
"When did Huohuo's reactions become so nimble?"
As he spoke, Xiao Zhan and the remaining two elders simultaneously turned their gazes toward Chu Feng.
Chu Feng must have taught Xiao Huohuo some Supreme Body Technique to make his movements become so eerie and nimble.
Chu Feng, who was likewise watching this fight, remained unconcerned.
During this period of time, in that Dense Forest, Xiao Huohuo had contended with tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves, occasionally even catching pheasants and hares for him, long since forging a set of reflex responses nimble as a startled rabbit.
This kind of reaction had no techniques to speak of; it simply relied on spiritual energy infusion to vastly enhance the body's agility and speed.
Even so, it was entirely sufficient to deal with this so-called half-step Houtian martial artist.
Sure enough, the two figures stopped.
After a set of the Flame Plunder Fist, Xiao Huohuo remained calm and unhurried without even panting, whereas the Third Elder was heavily gasping for breath.
Xiao Zhan revealed a joyful expression:
"As expected, having the grandmaster's guidance is truly extraordinary."
"Although only his physical technique and speed have been enhanced, it already far surpasses ordinary people."
"Perhaps if we give him a bit more time..."
Abruptly, Xiao Zhan stopped himself.
For he saw the corners of Xiao Huohuo's mouth in front of the hall curl into a smile:
"Third Elder, since you've finished attacking."
"Then it's my turn to strike!"
As his voice fell, everyone looked at Xiao Huohuo in astonishment.
They saw Xiao Huohuo's aura burst forth unreservedly, and the Nine Spiritual Energies within his body surged violently at this moment, reaching their extreme!
His figure was even more tempestuous than the Third Elder's.
Almost like a flash of red light accompanied by a gust of fierce wind, he arrived right in front of the Third Elder.
Whoosh!
That sudden punch actually produced a piercing sonic boom.
With a single punch down, it likely carried the might of ten thousand catties!
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