You're showing off your movement techniques to me?

Mine encampment.

People streamed into the mountains without end.

Under the Xu family's awning.

Xu Mengfu, the Xu family head, was in his prime. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a lean face and sharp brows and eyes. Even just sitting there, he gave the impression of a crouching tiger or a dozing lion, as if at any moment he might open his eyes and choose someone to devour.

This was a sign of cultivation reaching great completion, with aura spilling outward.

Though not yet 'Heavenly Firmament,' it was not far off.

At his side stood a young man who closely resembled him in appearance, build, and bearing.

Behind the youth was strapped a large halberd, a full head taller than he was. Its pitch-black shaft gave a sense of tough resilience and weight. Though it seemed somewhat mismatched with the youth's frame, the latter stood there in an oddly harmonious union with the halberd.

If Old Man Ji had seen this here, he would have gasped in admiration.

Man and weapon as one—a martial prodigy!

This person was none other than the Xu family's current leading figure, the future Xu family head, Xu Baxia!

Behind the two stood many Xu family elites, but their radiance was completely overshadowed by the pair ahead.

Xu Mengfu, resting with his eyes closed, spoke in a flat tone: "Be careful of that sword-drawer from the Qin family. From how he cut down Xu Tianqiao with two strikes earlier, relying on that divine weapon, he can at least burst out with strength no lower than 'Transformation Yuan Sixth Realm,' or even 'Seventh Realm.' In this competition, the final victory between the Xu and Qin families may well fall on the two of you."

Xu Baxia's face was expressionless, but his eyes were sharp and confident. "I won't lose to anyone of my generation. Even if he's at 'Transformation Yuan Eighth Realm,' I have no fear!"

Seeing his family's pride, who was also his son, Xu Baxia, brimming with such confidence, Xu Mengfu opened his eyes and nodded with satisfaction.

A Xu family prodigy should be exactly this!

Under the Qin family's awning.

Ancestor Qin Fenglan, clan leader Qin Yuanshan, the four great elders, and the clan's elites had all gathered.

"Greetings, family head!"

Qin Fenglan was the first to bow to Shen Zhou, and clan leader Qin Yuanshan naturally followed.

The other Qin family members hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly bowed as well.

Shen Zhou waved a hand. "Don't start that. I came today to handle a personal matter—it doesn't mean I've agreed to be your Qin family head."

Hearing this, many in the Qin family frowned.

In their view, the Qin family deigning to make him head was an honor—how dare he look down on it?

Qin Fenglan, however, gave a faint smile. "It doesn't matter. Whatever the family head says, goes."

Qin Yuanshan held the same attitude.

This left Shen Zhou at a loss for words. Finally, he just waved his hand. "Do whatever you want."

The reason Shen Zhou was with the Qin family was actually for Old Man Ji and Li Taohua's sake. The two had been worried he might act impulsively.

To put their minds at ease and also to prevent Old Man Ji from hindering his plans, Shen Zhou had come to the Qin family camp with Qin Mingshu.

Otherwise, given his usual style, he would have been moving with the Three Little Ones.

While waiting, Shen Zhou suddenly spotted Xi Mei in the distant crowd waving at him.

His eyes lit up, and he said to the Qin family, "I'm going to step out for a bit."

The Qin family thought nothing of it.

Leaving the Qin family formation, Shen Zhou turned a corner and met up with Xi Mei. "Did you see him?"

Xi Mei nodded.

"Lead the way!"

Shen Zhou and Xi Mei left the venue together.

On the other side.

After entering the venue, Wu Jiuyan had been staying under the awning, petting his battle beast beside him, looking rather bored.

Suddenly, three sneaky and somewhat familiar figures appeared in his line of sight. He stared at them for a moment, then recognized them.

"It's those three little lackeys from yesterday. They still dare to show up in front of me?"

Wu Jiuyan's lips curled, his eyes playful.

Several dozen meters away, among the loose cultivators.

A Dai, San Mazi, and Dongfang Hongyu each held a wooden board in their hands.

They deliberately wandered back and forth in Wu Jiuyan's field of view.

Once they were sure Wu Jiuyan had seen them, the three flipped him off in unison, then raised their wooden boards.

On the boards were written:

Wu Big Bug, Big Fool!

Big Fool, Wu Big Bug!

Big Fool Bug, Wu Fool!

CRACK!

Seeing the words on the cardboard, the teacup in Wu Jiuyan's other hand was instantly crushed by him. He said angrily, "You're asking for death!"

Wu Jiuyan stood up and walked outside, with Big Tiger following beside him.

The Wu Family Head furrowed his brow. "Where are you going?"

Wu Jiuyan paused mid-step. "To relieve myself, and... deal with a small matter on the way."

With a cold glint in his eyes, Wu Jiuyan left the Wu Family grounds.

The Wu Family Head's eyes flickered, then he raised a hand and summoned a middle-aged man. He instructed, "Keep an eye on him. The competition is about to start; don't let him cause any trouble."

The middle-aged man was the Wu Family Supplicant. He bowed in acknowledgment, then turned and followed.

Outside the crowd.

Seeing Wu Jiuyan leave, A Dai immediately said, "That guy's taken the bait. Let's go!"

San Mazi and Dongfang Hongyu quickly followed suit.

Not long after leaving the venue, the Three Little Ones arrived at a remote hill. Suddenly, a figure leaped down from a tall mountain beside them, blocking their path.

"You three ants really don't know when to die. Yesterday I spared your lives, and today you dare show up before me and even provoke me? Are you tired of living?"

Wu Jiuyan, riding his striped tiger, looked down at A Dai and the others from on high. A cold light flickered in his eyes, his killing intent pressing down on them.

Seeing Wu Jiuyan again, Dongfang Hongyu felt a shadow in his heart and instinctively took a step back.

But A Dai and San Mazi showed no fear. They said, "Wu the Worm, don't get cocky. The only reason you're so arrogant is that you rely on your family background and strength. But in this world, there are plenty stronger than you."

Wu Jiuyan curled his lip in disdain. "Oh? So you deliberately lured me out to get revenge, and you even found some help, right? Whatever. This Young Master is bored anyway, so I'll play with you. Where's your man? Since you called someone, have him come out now. Otherwise, I'll—"

If you find this book good, to avoid losing it next time, remember to add it to your bookshelf.

Just as Wu Jiuyan was speaking, a sudden black shadow appeared, carrying a fierce wind straight at his face, forcing him to swallow the rest of his words.

In haste, Wu Jiuyan raised his arm to block, but he couldn't stop it. With a loud BANG, Wu Jiuyan was sent flying, crashing down over ten meters away.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly. While still in the air, he braced himself with one hand on the ground, used the momentum to leap, and flipped back onto a large rock.

Once steady, flames of rage flickered in Wu Jiuyan's eyes. He wiped the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, then touched his right cheek—there was a clear shoe print on it. His gaze instantly turned sinister as he looked up at his attacker.

The newcomer was very young, around sixteen or seventeen, with a sturdy build and a clean, fair face. What stood out most were his eyebrows—thick, long, and sharp as blades, giving him an aura of sharpness and edge.

The newcomer was none other than Shen Zhou.

Shen Zhou didn't waste any time. He confirmed with A Dai, "Is this the guy?"

A Dai, San Mazi, and Dongfang Hongyu all nodded together. "It's him!"

"Good. I'll get your revenge!"

Shen Zhou said no more. He grabbed the Taixuan Sword and charged straight at Wu Jiuyan.

Wu Jiuyan was stunned for a moment.

When most people seek revenge, they say a few words to vent after finding their target—that's how they get the satisfaction of payback.

But this guy? He confirmed the identity and then just started swinging?

At least let me know who the hell you are!

Shen Zhou swung his sword straight at him.

Sword Qi like a rainbow!

Killing intent palpable!

Yesterday, when he saw how badly A Dai, San Mazi, and Dongfang Hongyu were injured, a fire had been burning in his heart.

Especially the image of Dongfang Pangpang rolling on the ground in pain, crying out—it stuck with him for a long time.

If he hadn't needed to save Dongfang Hongyu yesterday, he would have already come knocking to cut this bastard down.

Now that they'd finally met, there was no time for chatter.

Even letting this guy live one more second felt unbearable to Shen Zhou.

"Die!"

As soon as Shen Zhou struck, he pushed his Entry to its limit. Sword Qi blasted toward Wu Jiuyan in wave after wave.

Wu Jiuyan's beast tiger took the brunt of it. It barely let out a roar before being instantly cleaved into eight pieces, blood and flesh splattering everywhere.

Wu Jiuyan's eyes sharpened at the sight. Then his figure flickered as he activated his family's secret technique, 'Thunder Flash'.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh...

Shen Zhou's Sword Qi spread like a net, crisscrossing and weaving, killing intent nearly covering the entire field. But Wu Jiuyan, relying on his agile footwork, dodged them all like a butterfly threading through flowers.

After breaking through the Sword Qi range, Wu Jiuyan appeared on a small hill, resuming his usual arrogance and pride. He sneered at Shen Zhou, "Not bad help, but that's all it is. Next, I'll make you pay for that kick!"

Shen Zhou narrowed his eyes. "You're showing off your footwork to me?"

"Ripple Step, Divine Travel Nine Changes!"

Shen Zhou let out a low shout.

The moment the words fell, Shen Zhou appeared before Wu Jiuyan as if by teleportation.

His speed was so extreme that even as he arrived, a lingering afterimage of 'Shen Zhou' was still slowly dissipating at his original spot.

"What? Speed so fast it creates a clone?"

"What kind of secret art is this?"

Wu Jiuyan's pupils contracted sharply.

Even his family's ultimate secret art, 'Thunder Flash', at its peak might not achieve such an effect.

But this was no time for overthinking. With a jolt, he hurriedly activated 'Thunder Flash' to dodge.

Yet his speed was clearly no match for Shen Zhou's. The moment his feet began to move, Shen Zhou's sword had already struck him.

Pfft...

Blood sprayed.

Wu Jiuyan's body only faltered for an instant before he lost all chance to resist, instantly falling into Shen Zhou's frenzied 'encirclement'.

Pfft, pfft, pfft...

Sword Qi surged endlessly. In the blink of an eye, Wu Jiuyan had taken no fewer than a hundred cuts.

The blood beneath him quickly stained the ground red.

Shen Zhou stopped.

Looking at Wu Jiuyan now, his body was covered in a dense web of sword wounds. Every gash split the flesh wide open, blood dripping freely, yet none cut deep enough to harm bone or sinew.

Wu Jiuyan collapsed to his knees in agony, then glared at Shen Zhou with a twisted face and rasped, "Who the hell are you?"

Shen Zhou replied coldly, "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that yesterday I said anyone who hurts my brothers will pay back tenfold, a hundredfold. So until you're in utter misery, I won't let you die just yet."

With that, Shen Zhou waved at A Dai and the others. "Your turn now. Beat him up!"

Dongfang Hongyu was the first to charge forward, limping on his injured leg. He swung his fists in a flurry of blows, shouting as he pounded away, "I told you to kick me with your damn speed, huh!"

"Aren't you so good at dodging? Dodge this!"

"Aren't you 'Wu Jiuyan of the Wu Family'? Still so cocky now?"

"..."

Watching Dongfang Hongyu lay into him with such gusto, A Dai and San Mazi felt their own anger start to fade.

Just as 'Dongfang Wudi' was really getting into his work, a figure suddenly shot down from the sky. "Stop!"

Shen Zhou reacted instantly, raising a palm and striking out.

A thunderous clash rang through the air, and the newcomer was blocked.

The figure landed, revealing the form of a middle-aged man.

It was the Wu Family Supplicant, who had been ordered to keep watch.

He had left the venue right after Wu Jiuyan, only moments behind. But when he landed and saw Wu Jiuyan's wretched state, he couldn't believe his eyes.

This was the Wu Family's young master, Wu Jiuyan?

How could he have turned into such a mess in so little time?

Even butchering a pig wouldn't be this fast!