"System, I want to claim the Mysterious Scale Ten Thousand Dragon Armor!"
As soon as Xiao Yang returned to his estate, he could hardly wait.
A golden light flashed.
Then a suit of Dark Ink Armor appeared before him. It was forged entirely from dragon scales, and a Dragon Pearl was embedded in the center of its breastplate, faintly shimmering with a precious light.
This Emperor Grade High Rank treasure might not summon the Nine Great Heavenly Phenomena like the Invincible Twin Pupils, but it was still extraordinary.
Xiao Yang began reading the treasure's description.
[Forged with the combined strength of the Four Seas Dragon Clan, using the Three Thousand Reverse Scales stripped from the dragon clans. On the day it was completed, it endured the Ninefold Thunder Tribulation without suffering the slightest damage. Instead, the tribulation left behind Lightning Patterns on its surface that would never fade. In addition, it possesses three Great Divine Abilities.] [Dragon's Wrath Resonance: Absorbs an opponent's attack and converts it into a True Dragon Phantom counterattack.] [Scale Armor Transformation: (The host's cultivation is too low; currently unavailable.)] [Ancient Dragon Bloodline: (The host's cultivation is too low; currently unavailable.)]
The treasure even came with Divine Abilities. From the description, it seemed to reflect an opponent's attacks. That was ridiculously overpowered!
For now, Xiao Yang was only a First Grade Body Tempering Realm martial artist, with a fragile body.
But with this treasure, it was like wearing Resurrection Armor. He could practically walk around invincible!
And since it was an undershirt of armor, he could wear it beneath his clothes without attracting attention.
"It fits perfectly!"
Xiao Yang tried it on at once. The Mysterious Scale Ten Thousand Dragon Armor seemed to have a mind of its own. It adjusted to his build, shrinking and expanding as needed, then clung to his skin and merged with his body.
"Too bad I don't know what level of attack this armor can withstand. Looks like I'll have to find somewhere to test it out," Xiao Yang thought.
Early the next morning, Xiao Yang headed to the Eldest Prince's Estate.
"Greetings, Eldest Brother!"
As soon as Xiao Yang entered, he spotted a show-off.
Yesterday, Xiao Junlin had been named the "Xiao Family True Dragon." Now he was in high spirits, so smug he seemed ready to tilt his chin right up to the sky.
"Oh, it's Ninth Brother! You know I broke through and summoned the Nine Great Phenomena, don't you? By the way, didn't you spend last night in the bridal chamber with Miss Ning? Why are you up so early? Or did that ugly woman scare you impotent?"
Xiao Junlin deliberately taunted him, relishing his misfortune.
Xiao Yang had married Ning Hongye in his place, but Xiao Junlin felt no gratitude. Instead, he kicked him while he was down.
After all, there was no such thing as family affection among the royal clan.
"Eldest Brother, I came today to claim the treasure you promised me—the Nine Revolutions Great Returning Pill."
He had to receive a treasure for the system to trigger its return!
His eight brothers had promised him gifts when he agreed to marry Ning Hongye, but they had only made empty promises and never delivered.
So he had no choice but to come collect in person!
"Hmph! With your trash aptitude, wouldn't using such a precious pill on you be a waste?"
Xiao Junlin's expression darkened, and he looked thoroughly displeased.
His mother was the Medicine King's daughter from Medicine King Valley, and over the years she had provided him with countless pills to aid his cultivation.
The Nine Revolutions Great Returning Pill was a Spirit Grade High Rank pill. It required nine Thousand-Year Spirit Herbs and Eighty-One Auxiliary Herbs to make, and taking it would grant sixty years of cultivation.
He had been reluctant to use it, saving it for a future breakthrough.
But he had made that promise in front of Father King, so he couldn't just take it back.
Suddenly, Xiao Junlin's eyes shifted as an idea came to him.
"Ninth Brother, as your Eldest Brother, I haven't coached you in a long time! Why don't we spar? If you can prove your strength, I'll give you the Nine Revolutions Great Returning Pill. How about it?"
Xiao Yang immediately shook his head. "Eldest Brother, you're a Fifth Grade Vajra Realm cultivator with a Supreme Bone. I'm only at the First Grade Body Tempering Realm. How could I possibly beat you?"
"How about this..." Xiao Junlin said. "I won't bully you. I'll suppress my cultivation to the First Grade Body Tempering Realm. And you don't even have to beat me. All you need to do is touch me—even if you only brush a single strand of my hair—and you win!"
Hell, this bastard was rotten to the core!
Xiao Yang cursed inwardly. The man made it sound perfectly reasonable, but he was full of tricks.
The Martial Dao had nine realms, and each realm was divided into nine levels.
The original owner was at the Fifth Level of the First Grade Body Tempering Realm.
Xiao Junlin had only said he would suppress his cultivation to the First Grade Body Tempering Realm. It sounded fair, but he would surely suppress it only to the Ninth Level of the Body Tempering Realm.
That was a full four minor levels above Xiao Yang.
But Xiao Yang wasn't about to be scared off!
"Fine, Eldest Brother. I accept your challenge!" Xiao Yang said proudly.
"That's the spirit! You really are a son of the Xiao Family! Since we're sparring, we need an audience. I'll send someone to fetch our other brothers!"
Xiao Junlin's eyes flickered, and he smiled as his scheme fell into place.
That's right!
He didn't just intend to win.
He was going to humiliate Xiao Yang in front of everyone!
Xiao Yang hadn't offended him, but Ning Hongye had not only injured him, she had humiliated him.
He didn't dare take revenge on Ning Hongye, so he took it out on her fiancé, Xiao Yang!
The brave got angry and drew their blades against the strong.
The cowardly got angry and drew their blades against the weak.
Though Xiao Junlin possessed a Supreme Bone, he had always been pampered. He lacked the bearing of a strong man and was instead narrow-minded and vindictive.
A moment later, the estate was packed with people. The other seven princes had arrived, bringing plenty of subordinates with them.
Azure Luan was also among the crowd.
Last night, Ning Hongye had told him to investigate Xiao Yang. Who could have guessed that Xiao Yang would cause such a commotion today?
"Eldest Brother, everyone's here. Can we start the match now?" Xiao Yang urged.
He was getting impatient. He was eager to get the Nine Revolutions Great Returning Pill and give it to Ning Hongye!
"Ninth Brother, why the rush? A duel needs a wager, doesn't it?" Xiao Junlin said with a sly smile.
"What do you mean?" Xiao Yang asked.
"If you win, you can take the Nine Revolutions Great Returning Pill. But if you lose, you'll have to pay a price too. You need to learn your place."
As he spoke, Xiao Junlin spat on the ground.
"If you lose, use your clothes to wipe this floor until it's spotless!"
The other princes present could see that he was deliberately humiliating Xiao Yang, but not one of them spoke up. They all waited to see the spectacle.
"Eldest Brother, I haven't offended you before, have I?" Xiao Yang frowned.
"Being weak is a sin! The strong get to trample the weak however they please! As a son of the Xiao Family, don't you understand that?"
Xiao Junlin was arrogant and brimming with confidence.
He fancied himself the Xiao Family True Dragon, and the day before, his cultivation had even summoned the Nine Great Heavenly Phenomena.
Now, dealing with a useless Ninth Brother should be easy.
It'd be like crushing an ant!
Watching him show off, Xiao Yang shook his head and sneered inwardly.
If that's what you want, don't blame me for being ruthless!
"Eldest Brother, I don't think the rules of this match are fair. You're at too much of a disadvantage!"
Suddenly, Xiao Yang stood tall and spoke words that shook everyone present—
"How about this? I'll stand right here without moving and let you punch me!"
"If my body shifts even an inch, I lose. How's that?"
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