Xiao Ning Was Beaten Until He Vomited Blood?

The next morning, Xiao Chen stepped out of his room.

Morning light shone over the Xiao Clan courtyard. Several servants were sweeping, and when they saw him emerge, they all lowered their heads and bowed.

Xiao Chen ignored them and headed straight toward the Martial Arts Plaza.

He had nothing to do today, so he planned to stroll around the Martial Arts Plaza and see how the Xiao Clan disciples were progressing in their cultivation.

Though he said he was there to look around, he was really just wandering aimlessly.

Xiao Chen had just reached the vicinity of the Martial Arts Plaza when he heard a series of shouts coming from within.

Several Xiao Clan disciples were practicing there, their fists and kicks cutting through the air as Dou Qi surged around them.

Xiao Chen swept his gaze over them and prepared to leave.

Just as he lifted his foot, he saw someone block his path.

It was Xiao Ning.

Xiao Ning's face was somewhat pale. He had been sent flying by Xiao Chen yesterday and had suffered considerable injuries.

Yet he had still come to the Martial Arts Plaza today, gritting his teeth as he practiced.

The more he thought about what had happened yesterday, the more unwilling he felt to accept it.

He refused to believe that Xiao Chen had reached the strength of a Dou Zhe.

How could a piece of trash with only three stages of Dou Qi break through to become a Dou Zhe in three days?

Something must have gone wrong somewhere.

Perhaps Xiao Chen had used some underhanded method.

The more Xiao Ning thought about it, the more convinced he became. He simply could not swallow this insult.

He had come to the Martial Arts Plaza today to test Xiao Chen again.

He had not expected Xiao Chen to deliver himself right to him.

"Xiao Chen, stop right there."

Xiao Ning blocked Xiao Chen's way, his face dark.

Xiao Chen looked at him and said indifferently, "What is it?"

Xiao Ning gritted his teeth, his eyes full of resentment. "I refuse to accept what happened yesterday."

"You were only lucky. What do you have to be so proud of?"

Xiao Chen's expression did not change in the slightest.

Seeing how calm he was, Xiao Ning grew even more enraged.

"I want to challenge you again."

"This time, I won't be careless. I'll let you know that you are no match for me."

Xiao Ning did not speak quietly, and the several Xiao Clan disciples on the Martial Arts Plaza all heard him.

They stopped what they were doing and turned to look over.

"Xiao Ning is going to cause trouble for Xiao Chen again?"

"Didn't he get beaten until he vomited blood yesterday? How does he still dare come back?"

"Who knows? He just won't give up until he hits the wall."

The Xiao Clan disciples whispered among themselves, clearly eager to watch the show.

Xiao Chen looked at Xiao Ning and said blandly, "You're not worthy."

Xiao Ning's expression changed.

Among the younger generation of the Xiao Clan, he was considered fairly outstanding.

And Xiao Chen, a piece of trash, dared say he was not worthy?

"Xiao Chen, don't get too arrogant!"

Xiao Ning gritted his teeth and clenched both hands into fists.

"You're nothing but trash with three stages of Dou Qi. What right do you have to say I'm not worthy?"

"If I hadn't been careless yesterday, do you think you could have won?"

Xiao Chen ignored his shouting, turned, and started to leave.

Seeing that attitude, Xiao Ning could no longer suppress the fury in his heart.

A vicious glint flashed through his eyes. He mobilized all the Dou Qi in his body and struck toward Xiao Chen's back with his palm.

Another sneak attack.

The several Xiao Clan disciples in the Martial Arts Plaza were stunned.

"Another sneak attack?"

"Is sneak attacking the only thing Xiao Ning knows how to do?"

"He got beaten that badly for sneak attacking yesterday, and he still dares try again today?"

Amid the murmurs, Xiao Ning's palm was already about to strike Xiao Chen's back.

A savage smile appeared on his face.

Yesterday, he had been careless and had not used his full strength.

Today, he had used all of his Dou Qi. Even if Xiao Chen truly was a Dou Zhe, this palm strike would be enough to make him suffer.

But in the next instant, Xiao Ning's smile froze.

Without even turning his head, Xiao Chen swung a palm backward.

The strike looked casual, but it carried astonishing force.

Bang!

With a dull thud, Xiao Ning's body was sent flying.

A section of his chest caved in, and he spat out a massive mouthful of blood that streaked through the air.

Xiao Ning crashed heavily to the ground, sliding several meters before finally coming to a stop.

His face was pale as paper, his eyes tightly shut, blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth.

The Martial Arts Plaza fell deathly silent.

The Xiao Clan disciples were all dumbfounded, staring wide-eyed at Xiao Chen.

They had not even seen how Xiao Chen made his move.

All they saw was Xiao Ning rush forward, then get sent flying by a single palm strike.

"H-How is that possible?"

"Xiao Ning launched a full-force sneak attack, and he was beaten into this state by a backhanded palm strike?"

"Just how strong is Xiao Chen?"

Voices rose all around them as everyone stared at Xiao Chen in disbelief.

Xiao Chen withdrew his hand, did not even glance at Xiao Ning on the ground, and left the Martial Arts Plaza.

The Xiao Clan disciples looked at Xiao Chen's departing back, then at Xiao Ning lying on the ground, exchanging bewildered looks.

"Quick, get someone! Xiao Ning looks seriously injured."

"His breathing is so weak. Nothing will happen to him, right?"

Several people rushed over in a panic and helped Xiao Ning off the ground.

Xiao Ning's face was deathly pale, his breathing intermittent. He had already fallen unconscious.

After leaving the Martial Arts Plaza, Xiao Chen went directly to the main hall.

The moment he entered, he saw Xiao Zhan seated inside.

Xiao Zhan looked to be in his forties. He had a burly build, resolute features, and an air of authority between his brows.

Yet at this moment, his face bore a trace of worry.

Nalan Yanran's annulment of the engagement had dealt the Xiao Clan a heavy blow.

The entire Jia Ma Empire was laughing at the Xiao Clan.

As clan leader, Xiao Zhan was under tremendous pressure.

When he saw Xiao Chen enter, he waved him over.

"Chen'er, come sit."

Xiao Chen walked over and sat opposite Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan looked at him and asked, "Have you gone to see Yan'er?"

Xiao Chen nodded. "I went to the back mountain to see him yesterday."

Xiao Zhan sighed upon hearing that.

"That girl Nalan Yanran came to annul the engagement. It must have dealt Yan'er a severe blow."

"That child has always been strong-willed. After suffering such humiliation, he must be feeling terrible."

As Xiao Zhan spoke, a trace of heartache flashed through his eyes.

Xiao Chen said nothing.

Xiao Zhan then looked at Xiao Chen, his eyes carrying a hint of regret.

His third son was not particularly gifted either.

After cultivating for so many years, he was still only at the third stage of Dou Qi.

"Chen'er, don't lose heart either."

Xiao Zhan consoled him, "The path of cultivation values steady accumulation before sudden progress."

"In a few days, I'll buy some Dou Techniques and medicinal pills for you. Cultivate properly, and you will always improve."

Xiao Chen said indifferently, "Don't worry, Father. I will grow stronger."

Xiao Zhan smiled, believing that he was merely saying it casually.

Xiao Chen continued, "From now on, I will restore the Xiao Clan to its former glory."

Xiao Zhan froze for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile.

He did not believe Xiao Chen could accomplish it.

For a youth at the third stage of Dou Qi to say he would return the Xiao Clan to its peak was far too unrealistic.

Still, Xiao Zhan was pleased that Xiao Chen had such aspirations.

"It's good that you have that resolve."

Xiao Zhan nodded and said nothing more.

Xiao Chen rose to take his leave and departed from the main hall.

Not long after he left, a clansman rushed into the hall in a panic.

"Clan Leader, something terrible has happened!"

Xiao Zhan frowned. "What is it?"

The clansman's face was pale as he stammered, "Xiao Ning... Xiao Ning has been seriously injured and has fallen unconscious."

Xiao Zhan's expression changed. "What happened?"

The clansman swallowed and said in a low voice, "It... it was the Third Young Master."

"Xiao Ning sneak-attacked the Third Young Master and was sent flying by one palm strike. He is unconscious now."

"His breathing comes and goes. I'm afraid... I'm afraid his injuries are severe."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan abruptly rose to his feet, his eyes filled with shock.

Xiao Ning had been severely injured by a single palm strike?

Wasn't Xiao Chen only at the third stage of Dou Qi?

How could he beat Xiao Ning, who was at the fourth stage of Dou Qi, into that state with one palm?

Xiao Zhan looked at the clansman and asked gravely, "Are you certain Chen'er did it?"

The clansman nodded. "Several disciples at the Martial Arts Plaza saw it."

"Xiao Ning sneak-attacked the Third Young Master, but the Third Young Master did not even turn his head before striking back with one palm."

"Xiao Ning flew several meters away and vomited blood before passing out on the spot."

Xiao Zhan's expression kept shifting, his heart full of disbelief.

He had thought Xiao Chen was only at the third stage of Dou Qi and had even said he would buy medicinal pills and Dou Techniques to help him cultivate.

Yet Xiao Chen had seriously injured Xiao Ning with a single palm strike?

How was that possible?