My Son Jiu Lang, Possesses Peerless Talent!

"Second Brother, why can't it be me?" Xiao Yang retorted.

"You—"

Xiao Ziwen was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

"Jiu Lang, your performance today has exceeded my expectations!" King Zhenbei declared.

"A father's son is never a dog; my victory is all thanks to your excellent teachings, Father King!" Xiao Yang flattered.

Even though he owed nothing to King Zhenbei for his current achievements, flattery was never a bad idea.

As expected!

King Zhenbei's lips curved upwards slightly, a smile appearing as he heard Xiao Yang's words.

"Thump thump thump!"

Another incense stick's worth of time passed, and the sound of horses' hooves echoed from afar. The other princes also returned one after another.

"Father King, I was the first to charge to the summit of West Mountain, but I didn't see the banner you mentioned!" Xiao Junlin rushed over immediately.

However, his expression froze the next moment.

Because he saw the great "Xiao" banner planted firmly in the ground ahead, with Xiao Yang standing beside it.

"What's going on?" Xiao Junlin was bewildered.

"Eldest Brother, don't you understand yet? The competition is decided; I've won the championship!" Xiao Yang said with a confident smile.

"Impossible, you cheated!"

Xiao Junlin's eyes turned red, and he roared, "You're just a Third-grade Martial Artist, riding a nameless, broken horse, how could you possibly defeat me?"

"In the first round, no one saw you at all! You must have used some despicable means to steal the banner, attempting to deceive everyone!"

"Eldest Brother, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want! Since you claim I cheated, you need to provide evidence!" Xiao Yang said coldly.

"I..."

Xiao Junlin was momentarily speechless, as he truly had no evidence.

But even so, he was still unconvinced.

"Father King, Ninth Brother departed last but returned first. There must be something fishy going on. I suspect someone handed him the banner in advance!"

"He never even reached the mountaintop; he turned back halfway, which is why he could return so quickly!"

"Ninth Brother's victory is unjust, his methods are despicable. I implore you to investigate!"

Xiao Junlin complained.

King Zhenbei's expression turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "That "Xiao" banner was planted by my own hand atop West Mountain, and I even set up a restriction! No one other than a Xiao family bloodline can move it! Therefore, Jiu Lang's victory is unquestionable!"

What?!

Upon hearing this, not only Xiao Junlin but everyone present was stunned.

If King Zhenbei himself said so, then Xiao Yang's victory was genuine!

The previously inconspicuous Ninth Young Master had actually made a stunning debut!

"Junlin, although you possess the Supreme Bone, do not underestimate the heroes of this world! While Jiu Lang's cultivation may not match yours, he has accumulated strength and possesses boundless potential. He has the bearing of a peerless talent, and it is not impossible for him to surpass others!" King Zhenbei spoke again.

"Father King..."

Xiao Junlin's face contorted, and his heart churned like a stormy sea.

He had never imagined that his Father King would hold his Ninth Brother in such high regard, even comparing him to himself.

He had always believed that with Third Brother Xiao Li crippled, the throne would be his for the taking.

But now, it seemed Xiao Yang had become his greatest rival!

"Eldest Brother, don't forget, we made a bet earlier! When will you give me the Cloud Top Heavenly Palace and the 100 Spirit Pills from Medicine King Valley that you promised?" Xiao Yang asked again.

These words were like salt rubbed into Xiao Junlin's wounds.

"Ninth Brother, rest assured, I won't owe you anything. I'll give them to you as soon as we get back!"

Xiao Junlin gritted his teeth, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes as he thought to himself:

Treasures are good, but you need to be alive to spend them!

Soon, King Zhenbei's voice resounded throughout the venue once more.

"The first round of the competition has been won by Jiu Lang! Next is the second round, the hunt! You are not allowed to ride horses and must enter the hunting grounds with bows and arrows, returning here before sunset!"

As soon as he finished speaking!

The various princes, along with their attendants, rushed into the hunting grounds.

This second round was a group effort; the more subordinates one had, the greater the advantage.

In comparison, Xiao Yang, being alone, was at a significant disadvantage.

"Qing Luan, take the Cloud Piercing Bow and go help Xiao Yang!" Ning Hongye commanded.

"Yes, General."

Qing Luan nodded, grasped the Cloud Piercing Bow, and followed Xiao Yang into the dense forest.

"Xiao Yang, how did you win first place just now?"

Qing Luan couldn't suppress her curiosity and asked.

She had been at the forefront the entire time, neck and neck with Xiao Junlin, and hadn't seen Xiao Yang's figure at all.

"Guess?"

Xiao Yang played coy.

Qing Luan shook her head, but for some reason, she had a premonition that the appearance of that terrifying black monstrous beast seemed related to Xiao Yang.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Next, Qing Luan drew her bow and nocked arrows, shooting them out one by one, turning into streaks of afterimages in the air.

She was already a master archer capable of hitting a target at a hundred paces, and with the power of the Cloud Piercing Bow, she quickly killed over a dozen fierce beasts.

If she continued like this, the fierce beasts in the hunting grounds would likely be wiped out, leaving nothing for the other princes.

"Ninth Brother, Commander Qing Luan, I have a secret to tell you both!"

Just then, Xiao Junlin approached them again.

"What secret?"

Qing Luan asked coldly.

"Fifty miles north of this West Mountain hunting ground is a Yin Water Pool. My subordinates have found out that there is a Heavenly Origin Fruit there that is about to ripen!" Xiao Junlin said.

"Heavenly Origin Fruit?!"

Qing Luan was startled.

She knew this fruit was a spiritual-grade treasure, extremely precious, and a sacred item for healing.

Coincidentally, Ning Hongye was seriously injured in the Outer Regions and needed a treasure like the Heavenly Origin Fruit.

"Eldest Brother, would you be so kind?" Xiao Yang became wary.

No good deed goes unpunished.

Knowing about the Heavenly Origin Fruit, Xiao Junlin could have gone to get it himself. Why tell them?

"I failed in the first round, but I'm determined to win the second! However, Commander Qing Luan is too formidable. If I let her keep shooting, I might still not be able to win first place! So, how about you go to the Yin Water Pool to find the treasure, and we each get what we need?" Xiao Junlin said.

"Alright, I agree!"

Qing Luan immediately put away her bow and arrows.

In her eyes, nothing in the world was more important than General Ning.

"Commander Qing Luan, it's a deal then!"

Xiao Junlin excitedly patted her shoulder, secretly sticking some powder onto her.

Qing Luan showed a look of disgust and immediately distanced herself. She then looked at Xiao Yang and said, "Ninth Young Master, you can stay and continue hunting, but I need to go to the Yin Water Pool!"

"Of course, I'll go with you!" Xiao Yang said.

Although he suspected Xiao Junlin's intentions were not good, if the news about the Heavenly Origin Fruit was true, gifting it to Ning Hongye would trigger the System's return.

That was far more important than winning the hunt!

Then, the two traveled together towards the north of the hunting grounds.

Watching their retreating figures, a deep killing intent flashed in Xiao Junlin's eyes.

"Ninth Brother, you forced my hand!"

"A top-grade Myriad Beast Lure, plus 'that thing' in the Yin Water Pool, you won't survive even with nine lives!"

"Heh heh, who told you to offend me? Even if Father King investigates, he won't find any evidence against me!"