Answering the Challenge

Gu Yao's words of challenge exploded over the plaza like a thunderclap. The sound waves, wrapped in biting Dou Qi, pierced through the crowds and echoed into every corner.

In an instant, the plaza, which had been filled with hushed whispers, fell completely still. Thousands of gazes seemed drawn by an invisible force, converging in unison upon that section of seats.

Xiao Ling sat there, as though shrouded in an invisible halo of attention. Even the curve of his hanging robes became a detail under everyone's scrutiny. All held their breath, waiting to see how Central Continent's Number One Prodigy would receive this sharp provocation.

Amid the strange, stagnant atmosphere, the admiring smile on Mang Tianchi's face quietly faded. His fingertips traced the cool patterns on his ring as his gaze passed over the crowd and settled on Xiao Ling, who had yet to move behind them.

This challenge concerned both pride and strength. As an outsider, he could not interfere, yet he could not help but anticipate how Jia Nan Academy's finest disciple, whom Su Qian had praised time and again, would break this seemingly impossible impasse.

He was not truly worried for Xiao Ling. Though he had never personally seen Xiao Ling at his peak, he had a rough understanding of his strength.

Gu Yao was a Nine-star Dou Zun, already among the very best of the Gu Clan's younger generation. Yet before Xiao Ling, he was simply not worth mentioning.

What truly intrigued him was how much strength Xiao Ling would reveal in this situation. Would he act decisively and suppress the Asura Commander in one stroke, cutting off any future trouble that might arise? Or would he remain low-key, dealing with matters conservatively and refusing to expose his trump cards easily?

The gazes of the entire