Arena Challenge

News that Su Yuan had broken through to Savage Strength naturally caused quite a stir at Chai Mansion.

"Su Yuan really reached Savage Strength? But he has a lower-grade constitution!" someone said bitterly.

"Hey, he's already middle-grade now. It's all thanks to our Blood Bone Pill. He's not the only one; some of the others who tested it have improved their constitutions, too."

"Exactly. When all's said and done, it's our Chai Family that knows what it's doing. We reported the Blood Bone Pill's results, and the higher-ups approved quite a bit of silver. Give it a little more time, and maybe we'll get to use it ourselves."

"From now on, our Chai Family may never have another lower-grade constitution! The martial path is within reach!" an excited disciple with a poor constitution exclaimed.

Chai Yuanyuan had heard about it, too. She thought that her judgment had indeed been excellent.

It was just that, despite inviting him again and again, Su Yuan had always avoided her.

She was a young lady of the Chai Family, after all. She couldn't bring herself to keep pestering him.

She hadn't seen him in ages, and now he had already become a Savage Strength Martial Warrior.

"I'll have to go urge my cousin again. It'd be best if he promised Su Yuan to me."

She was also quite tempted by the Blood Bone Pill. After all, she herself had only a lower-grade constitution.

When he saw Tie Niu, Su Yuan smiled and bumped shoulders with him.

Tie Niu was a truly sturdy man. He was already over two meters tall, and he was still growing.

After breaking through, he had spent some time training outside the city with Chai Nian. Now his aura seemed even steadier.

"Brother Yuan, congratulations." Tie Niu put an arm around his shoulders.

"Nothing compared to you," Su Yuan replied with a smile.

"All right, let's get going. Drive me to the Treasure Horse Chamber of Commerce," Chai Nian ordered.

As usual, Su Yuan and Tie Niu hitched themselves to Chai Nian's carriage.

On the way, a Jing person recognized the Su brothers and exclaimed, "Isn't that the Chief, Su? He's driving someone's carriage! Who's inside?"

A Liang noble beside him sneered. "That's the second young master of the Chai Family. What's so strange about that? They owe everything they have today to the Chai Family's support. When all's said and done, no matter how capable they are, they're nothing but loyal dogs at the feet of us Liang people."

"What loyal dogs, indeed."

Watching the Su brothers respectfully attend to the carriage, the Jing man felt an inexplicable surge of indignation and sorrow. How could anyone sink to such a low state?

But then he remembered that his own family was allowed to live in the Inner City because it had surrendered. His face flushed red, and he hurried away.

Chai Nian sat comfortably inside the carriage, listening to the talk outside as he leisurely waved his fan. He was quite pleased.

Whether Chief or Savage Strength, they were still fit only to drive his carriage.

Inside a private room at the Baoma Trading Building.

Chai Nian led Su Yuan and Tie Niu inside.

Five people were already in the room, all familiar faces.

The Rong sisters and Wei Xian, along with Yuan Jingfan and Huang Tong, who stood waiting at the side.

Fortunately, no one from the Shan Family was there.

When Wei Xian saw Su Yuan, he immediately looked displeased. "Chai Nian, why did you bring Su Yuan here? Didn't we say that only Savage Strength Martial Warriors could attend this discussion?"

Rong Yulian also looked at him questioningly.

Rong Yuzhi was playing with a sports car made of Building Blocks. At Wei Xian's words, she paused and glared at him.

"Brother Wei, you've misunderstood. Su Yuan has reached Savage Strength, too. My Chai Family just has a few more talents than most. Sweeping the top two places at the Wolf God Ritual and having both of them break through to Savage Strength are hardly worth mentioning. After all, I, your humble young master, have only just reached the late stage of Savage Strength." Chai Nian smiled and waved his fan.

Wei Xian gave him a long look and sneered. "I reached the late stage of Savage Strength three months ago."

Chai Nian's expression stiffened, but he still stubbornly retorted, "Being three months earlier doesn't necessarily make you stronger."

But deep down, he knew that among their generation, Wei Xian was indeed the most gifted and powerful.

Rong Yulian was still at the middle stage of Savage Strength. At that, she smiled and said, "Congratulations, Brother Chai."

Rong Yuzhi sneaked a glance at Su Yuan.

He had reached Savage Strength, too. He was almost catching up to her sister.

She had started practicing martial arts these past few months, but she couldn't stand hardship. She practiced on and off, and still hadn't reached Blood Condensing.

She remembered joking several months ago that if he reached Savage Strength, she would take him as her husband. Her face warmed, but fortunately, no one seemed to remember.

But just for a moment, before she regained her confidence. If she truly wanted him, it would be Su Yuan's good fortune.

Chai Nian seized the opportunity to say, "Su Yuan owes his progress to the Blood Bone Pill. Would the two of you like to order a batch and invest in it?"

Rong Yulian shook her head. "Once you've solved the problem that the pill needs to be taken long-term and can't easily be stopped—or if you're willing to sell the formula to the Rong Family—we can discuss it."

Chai Nian was naturally unwilling.

If the Blood Bone Pill succeeded, its profits would be incalculable. It might even affect the fate of the nation, allowing the Chai Family to soar to new heights on its strength.

Otherwise, the main branch of the Chai Family in Great Liang wouldn't have supported it so wholeheartedly.

Wei Xian was even more blunt. He looked at Su Yuan and snorted. "For all you know, you secretly fed Su Yuan some other powerful medicine to forcibly improve his constitution. You're using him as a sham to swindle our silver and trust."

"Bullshit!" Chai Nian snapped back. "Su Yuan has only ever taken the Blood Bone Pill. You can examine his constitution yourselves."

At that, Wei Xian stood and came over to examine Su Yuan's constitution. Rong Yulian did the same. Su Yuan was like an exhibit on display, at their disposal to inspect.

Even Rong Yuzhi curiously came closer, touching here and poking there.

Fortunately, Su Yuan had become skilled at using the Cloud-Covering Art and controlling his strength, so he didn't give himself away.

After examining him, Rong Yulian sighed. "I still stand by my earlier view. I won't buy any for now, but I can invest a moderate amount of silver and see how things turn out."

Wei Xian still refused. "Chai Nian, Su Yuan is only a rare exception. I know you have other people testing the medicine, but those whose constitutions truly improve are few and far between, and there are still unknown risks. We can talk about it once you've solved all the problems."

"If we wait until then, will you still need our investment? Brother Wei, are you really going to pass up this opportunity?" Chai Nian raised an eyebrow.

"Forget it. Let me go back to the estate and think it over," Wei Xian said, waving a hand.

Then the delicacies were served, one after another, a dazzling array of dishes.

Golden-brown, crispy Rock Sheep Leg, steamed Silver-Scaled Fish Belly, a vegetable stew simmered with Spirit Mushroom and Jade Vegetable Heart, and fragrant Nourishing Snake Soup...

And Su Yuan and the others could only stand by.

After three rounds of wine, the conversation finally turned to the martial arts competition between the two nations.

Wei Xian asked, "Do you know why I called you here?"

Yuan Jingfan shook his head.

Su Yuan's heart sank as an ominous feeling rose within him.

Were they going to make them compete again?

Chai Nian smiled. "The martial artists of Great Jing are weak. After the martial arts competition between the two nations, I imagine everyone will be left unsatisfied. When that happens, the young talents of our Great Liang families can spar among themselves and see who comes out on top.

"You're all outstanding talents from your academies, and you performed well at the Wolf God Ritual. Quite a few nobles want to see what you can do. So you've been specially allowed to take part. You can compete on the same stage as the young masters and young ladies of the various families. Isn't that exciting?"

Chai Nian thought it was quite amusing. He knew full well that although Su Yuan and the others had submitted to Great Liang, that didn't mean they had no grievances.

But it would be even more entertaining if the dogs he kept could turn around and bite—or even defeat—the nobles of their own generation.

Su Yuan and the others exchanged glances.

Yuan Jingfan asked uneasily, "Do we have to fight with all our strength?"

"Of course! If Chai Nian challenges you, you accept. I'd love to see you beat him flat on his back!" Wei Xian drained his wine in one gulp and declared loudly.

Yuan Jingfan's face paled. "Young Master Wei, how could I possibly be a match for Young Master Chai?"

"Why couldn't you? I, Wei Xian, hate cowards most of all! Anyone can challenge anyone when the time comes. If you're called out, you have to step onto the arena. No refusing!" Wei Xian set his wine cup down heavily, his expression displeased.

Su Yuan was speechless. What kind of rule was that? It was a trap.

He asked, "What if someone uses a higher cultivation level to overwhelm their opponent? Can we concede without getting onto the arena?"

Wei Xian sneered at that. "Su Yuan, you're such a damn coward! I don't know how you became Chief. There's no restriction on cultivation levels, but who would be so shameless as to bully someone weaker? If anyone did, I'd laugh at his ancestors for eighteen generations! But you'll have to get on the arena no matter what. At the very least, exchange a couple of moves before conceding."

After hearing that, Su Yuan couldn't shake the feeling that the Shan Family would use this opportunity to cause trouble.

Would they really send a Vein Splitting Martial Warrior after him?

If they did, he definitely wouldn't get on the stage.

But if Shan Xiongqing challenged him, Su Yuan wouldn't mind being a vicious dog and biting him to death.

Shan Estate.

Shan Xiongqing was blissfully enjoying the kneading and attentions of four or five serving girls.

Without Gao Mian keeping him in check, life was far more comfortable.

The one thing that displeased him was that Su Yuan was still alive and kicking.

He could hardly wait for the Martial Arts Tournament to begin, so he could trample Su Yuan underfoot.

Just as he was enjoying the thought, he suddenly sneezed.

At that very moment, a servant hurried in to report, "Young Master, news from Chai Mansion: Su Yuan has reached Savage Strength!"