Wu Ming vs. Xiao Yu

At that, Xiao Ling looked down at Aoba Pa and the others. His dark eyes seemed to linger for a second on the gray-robed youth in the crowd.

"No problem. Since you two are planning to send money our way, I'd have no reason to refuse."

"I wonder... how much are you planning to raise the stakes?"

Hearing this, Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi exchanged a glance, both understanding the meaning in the other's eyes. Then Aoba Pa looked toward Xiao Ling on the viewing platform and said meaningfully,

"We plan to wager the large Marketplaces owned by our two clans. What price does Young Clan Head Xiao Ling think they're worth?"

What a pair of cunning old foxes! They were trying to put him on the spot!

What Aoba Pa didn't know was that, given Xiao Ling's standing in the Xiao Clan, he could be more than just Young Clan Head. Even if he wanted to become clan head... Xiao Zhan would have to step aside for him.

But Xiao Ling's ambitions had nothing to do with the Xiao Clan... and his efforts to cultivate the Xiao Clan's younger generation were merely a move in a game he didn't take seriously...

On the Martial Arts Arena, Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi noticed the way Xiao Ling, Xiao Zhan, and the others on the viewing platform looked at them as though they were clowns. Seeing the reactions of the Xiao Clan's younger generation and servants around them, the two men suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Don't worry. I'll handle the Xiao Clan's younger generation. Even Xiao Ling won't be a problem for me."

Standing between the two clans, Wu Ming spoke in an even tone without a hint of emotion.

Hearing this, Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi felt as if they'd been given a shot of confidence. They straightened up again and looked toward the viewing platform, their eyes brimming with confidence.

Watching their change in attitude, Xiao Ling narrowed his eyes. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but he smiled and said,

"Four Foundation Establishment Powders, plus the two from before, makes six in total. I don't need to explain what they're worth, do I?"

Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi's eyes flashed. They clasped their fists and smiled.

"Excellent! Young Clan Head Xiao Ling is generous. It's a deal."

"For the second match, I'll send my adopted son, Wu Ming, into the ring. I wonder whether Young Clan Head Xiao Ling plans to fight personally, or..."

"Hmph. Brother Xiao Ling doesn't need to fight you himself. I'll take you on."

From among the Xiao Clan's disciples on the Martial Arts Arena, Xiao Yu gave a cold snort and stepped to the front of the crowd with her long legs. She glanced at Wu Ming, who had also come forward, and said seriously,

"You're not worthy of making Brother Xiao Ling fight you."

There was no showboating in her words. Her tone was calm, as if she were simply stating a fact.

It was precisely that calmness that made Wu Ming open his half-lidded eyes. His indifferent gaze swept toward the viewing platform.

Only then did he look at the blue-robed girl before him. His gaze lingered for a second on her long, snow-white legs, and he said coolly,

"Whether I'm worthy or not, you'll find out when you come up and try."

With that, Wu Ming flashed up onto the arena and looked at Xiao Yu provocatively.

"Hmph!"

Xiao Yu snorted and looked toward her Brother Xiao Ling. When he gave her a slight nod and signaled for her to be careful, warmth filled her heart. Yet her gaze drifted involuntarily toward Xiao Xun'er beside him, and a trace of wariness flashed through her beautiful eyes.

Then she looked back at Wu Ming on the arena. Her voice was cold, and her eyes held a note of solemnity.

"Hmph. Today, I'll teach you how to respect your betters."

Xiao Yu stepped forward, her slender figure darting like a butterfly. In a few flashes, she was on the arena.

"Oh, really?"

"Other than those long legs, you're worthless in my eyes. And your Brother Xiao Ling is nothing but a piece of crap to me. I really don't understand why you people worship a little brat..."

He didn't bother to hide his words. The Xiao Clan's younger disciples glared at him, looking ready to rush over and tear him to pieces.

Wu Ming paid them no mind. All he wanted was to provoke the girl before him, who didn't look particularly bright.

The moment she landed on the arena, he'd sensed that the fluctuations of her Dou Qi were no weaker than his own. It was an instinctive talent of his, and it had helped him avoid many powerful foes.

That was why he'd provoked her: when people were furious, they had less control over themselves.

He had a trump card of his own, but he didn't plan to use it against this long-legged beauty. He was saving it specifically for Xiao Ling.

"You... are... asking... to die!"

Xiao Yu spoke one word at a time.

She really was angry. She swore she had never been this angry before. In her heart, Brother Xiao Ling was someone she admired... and someone she loved.

She would never allow anyone to insult him in any way.

Furious, Xiao Yu raised her jade foot and brought it down. In an instant, an ethereal aura of slaughter pressed down on Wu Ming...

Gasps rang out from the crowd.

A hazy silhouette appeared behind Xiao Yu.

Wu Ming staggered back under the pressure of that killing aura. He looked up at the figure behind Xiao Yu, shock showing in his eyes.

"What is that?"

"The soul of a Dou Technique?"

He had never seen a Dou Technique like this before.

He wasn't the only one. None of the people around the Martial Arts Arena had seen a technique like it before. The Xiao Clan's younger disciples were especially shocked, and after recovering, they all looked envious.

Xiao Zhan cast a subtle glance at the White-robed Youth beside him, but saw no expression on his face.

Still, he was certain that this strange Dou Technique had been taught to Xiao Yu by the youth...

Xiao Yu had no idea what the others were thinking. At that moment, all she wanted was to kill the trash in front of her.

She raised her jade foot once more. The instant it came down, that ethereal aura of slaughter bore down on Wu Ming, while the slender figure behind her grew a little more distinct.

Caught off guard, Wu Ming spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Damn!"

He had no time to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. Staring at Xiao Yu and the slender figure behind her, he was stunned.

Just now, the strange killing aura had suddenly doubled in strength. If he hadn't retreated in time, he would already have fallen.

No! I can't let this woman keep using that move. Even this step is already as powerful as an Earth-Rank Dou Technique...

He couldn't be sure how many more steps this long-legged beauty could take.

A sudden wave of regret washed over Wu Ming. If I'd known this long-legged beauty was so relentless, I wouldn't have given her the chance.

"Alas..."

With a sigh in his heart, a vicious glint flashed through Wu Ming's eyes. He pulled a pill from his robe and swallowed it quickly. Just as Xiao Yu was about to take her third step,

He flashed in front of Xiao Yu, raised his hand, and pressed it toward her chest. A trace of regret showed in his eyes,

An aura as powerful as a Da Dou Shi's burst from his palm.

Yet Xiao Yu showed no sign of panic. She believed a certain someone wouldn't let her get hurt.

And she was right. When Wu Ming's palm was still a few centimeters from Xiao Yu's chest,

A sigh came from behind Xiao Yu.