Might Makes Right!

"War?"

"Give it a rest, Xiao Zhan. You're only good at wagging your tongue. Do you really think you have the guts to start a war with our two clans?"

"Aren't you afraid that your Xiao Clan will be wiped off the map in Wutan City?!"

Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi traded barbs, their voices dripping with sarcasm.

On the main platform, Xiao Zhan and the others were livid, their expressions turning ugly at these words.

"You..."

The hot-tempered Second Elder was about to step forward, but Xiao Zhan pulled him back.

"Clan Head, they are pushing us too far..." the Second Elder said indignantly.

"Wait a moment. Let's see what Ling'er has to say."

Xiao Zhan's expression was equally grim, but he turned his gaze toward the youth in white standing to the side.

The Second Elder immediately followed his gaze, forced to suppress the anger burning within him for the time being.

Hearing this, the hot-blooded juniors of the Xiao Clan were stomping their feet in rage, wishing they could rush up and tear them to pieces.

But they held back their urge to fight, all looking toward the main platform—or more accurately, toward the youth in white.

Even Xiao Yu cast her gaze in that direction; she believed that her brother Xiao Ling would surely stand up for them.

Observing the reaction of the Xiao Clan juniors, Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi were filled with confusion. They followed the crowd's gaze and saw a teenage boy in white, head bowed, seemingly lost in thought.

At this moment, the youth seemed to sense their stares. He raised his head quite casually and swept a glance over them.

That indifferent gaze made them feel a chill run through their bodies, as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on them, followed by a surge of shame and fury.

Yet, as if he hadn't noticed their expressions, Xiao Ling's cold, unquestionable voice, infused with Dou Qi, spread across the entire Martial Arts Arena.

"Two old dogs, who gave you the nerve to come to my Xiao Clan and act wild? Didn't you want to start a war? I'll lay it out for you right here: if you start a war, every single one of you mongrels sitting here today will stay behind to be buried with my Xiao Clan. Do you believe me?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, every member of the Xiao Clan—from the three Elders down to the juniors, guards, and servants—wore an expression of grim determination, glaring fiercely at the people from the two clans.

They looked as if they were waiting for a single command from Xiao Ling to rush forward and tear them apart.

This terrified Aoba Pa, Jia Liebi, and the others, leaving them frozen in place. Once they regained their composure, their faces turned ugly, and Aoba Pa stared at him with cold, sinister eyes.

"You..."

"Aoba Pa, if you dare say one more word, do you believe I'll slaughter you right now?!"

Xiao Zhan stepped forward, and the aura of a Seven Star Dou Grandmaster erupted from him, suppressing the entire scene.

Seeing this, a flicker of dread crossed the eyes of Aoba Pa, Jia Liebi, and the other Dou Grandmasters.

Their group consisted only of Two or Three Star Dou Grandmasters; they were no match for Xiao Zhan, not to mention the three old men standing by, watching like tigers.

Aoba Pa, in particular, looked ghastly, his heart filled with apprehension. With Xiao Zhan's strength, if he wanted to kill him, none of them could stop him.

This also proved that the rumors from the outside were true; otherwise, given Xiao Zhan's talent, it would have been impossible for him to advance from a Five Star Dou Grandmaster to a Seven Star Dou Grandmaster in just a few years.

Thinking of this, Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi exchanged glances, both seeing the same craving in each other's eyes.

Then, Aoba Pa looked up toward the main platform, a stiff, awkward smile appearing on his face.

"Congratulations to Brother Xiao Zhan for moving one step closer to becoming a Dou Spirit. Our two clans came here mainly to have a friendly exchange with the Xiao Clan juniors. I wonder what Brother Xiao Zhan thinks of that?"

"Good grief, this guy changes his face way too fast, doesn't he?"

Xiao Yu and the other Xiao Clan juniors cursed inwardly, casting disdainful looks at Aoba Pa and his group.

Seeing this, the elders and juniors of the two clans lowered their heads, wishing they could crawl into a hole.

They had come to flaunt their power and extort the Xiao Clan, but they had been pointed at and scolded by a junior the moment they arrived. The real problem was that they didn't even dare to talk back, because they didn't doubt for a second that Xiao Zhan would actually kill them.

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan turned an inquiring look toward the youth in white beside him.

"Ling'er, what do you think? Should we agree, or just finish them off right here? With my current strength combined with the three Elders, we have enough power to keep them all here."

Hearing this, Xiao Ling waved his hand. "No need. Even if you and the three Elders strike together, their desperate counterattack would cost our Xiao Clan too many lives. It's not worth it."

"Then what is your plan?"

"Agree to it. Let's see what tricks these two old dogs are planning. We can set some stakes while we're at it, and it will serve to hone the combat skills of our Xiao Clan disciples. Even if something goes wrong, I'm here to handle the juniors, so they won't be able to stir up any real trouble. As for those above the level of Dou Grandmaster, I'll have to trouble you and the three Elders to keep an eye on them."

It wasn't that he didn't want to kill them, but the system could only plunder lifespan from those he killed with his own hands.

In his eyes, the people from the two clans were equivalent to walking treasures; even an infant could contribute a significant amount of lifespan to him, so he didn't intend to let a single one escape!!!

Once this matter was settled, he planned to set off for the Magic Beast Mountain Range again to plunder enough lifespan to prepare for his breakthrough to Dou Grandmaster...

He would also check to see if that opportunity was still there... If it was, he would claim it for his "Yan Di" brother, as a "gift" for his attempt to poach his own prospects...

"Good. Since Ling'er has a plan, then you shall represent our Xiao Clan in these negotiations. The three Elders and I will back you up."

Xiao Zhan laughed.

"Fine!"

Xiao Ling nodded, then looked coldly down at Aoba Pa and the others.

"A sparring match is not out of the question, but there must be a wager. I wonder what your two clans are prepared to put up as a stake this time?"

"This..."

Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi, who had been waiting for a long time, exchanged glances. Then, they looked toward the back of the crowd at the grey-clad youth who had been resting with his eyes closed from the very beginning. Feeling slightly more assured, they looked toward the main stage and smiled.

"How about fifty thousand gold coins from each of our clans?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ling frowned slightly.

"Not enough."

"Each of your clans will put up one hundred thousand gold coins, and my Xiao Clan will provide two Grade 4 Foundation Establishment Powder." As he spoke, Xiao Ling took a small jade bottle from his robe and shook it, saying, "I believe neither of you is a stranger to this, right?"

Seeing this, a flicker of greed flashed through Aoba Pa's eyes, and he immediately smiled.

"No problem!"

"Since the rewards have been decided, what is the format for this competition?"

"Let's go with a ring match. Your two clans will send out three people in total to spar with the juniors of my Xiao Clan. Best of three, how about it?!"

Xiao Ling's tone seemed casual, yet it carried an air that brooked no argument.

"Fine, no problem."

Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi both nodded, not bothering to quibble over his attitude...

Aoba Pa turned his head directly to the youth beside him and whispered.

"Hu'er, you take the first match. Remember what I told you: be ruthless. It would be best if you could cripple the opponent."

"Don't worry, Father."

A youth in fine clothes, around seven or eight years old with a sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked appearance, wore a sinister grin on his face.

He then strode to the high platform in front of the Martial Arts Arena, looked toward the direction of the Xiao Clan juniors, and a flash of disdain crossed his eyes.

On the main stage, Xiao Ling swept his gaze over the Xiao Clan disciples, passed over Xiao Wu and Xiao Yu, and finally landed on Xiao Yan, saying immediately.

"Xiao Yan, you shall represent our Xiao Clan in the first match."