Arena Challenge

The news of Su Yuan breaking through to Savage Strength naturally caused quite a stir within the Chai Mansion.

"That Su Yuan actually reached Savage Strength? And he had low-grade bones!" someone said, their tone laced with jealousy.

"Eh, he's mid-grade now. It's all thanks to our family's Blood Bone Pill. It's not just him; the others testing the medicine have seen their bone quality improve as well."

"True. When it comes down to it, our Chai Family's methods are remarkable. With this report on the Blood Bone Pill submitted, the higher-ups have approved a significant amount of silver. In a little while, perhaps we'll be able to use it ourselves."

"From here on out, I fear our Chai Family will have no more low-grade bones! The path of martial arts is promising!" a disciple with poor bones said excitedly.

Chai Yuanyuan had also heard the news, thinking to herself that her judgment had indeed been sound.

It was just that when she had invited him repeatedly in the past, Su Yuan had always dodged her.

She was, after all, a young lady of the Chai Family, and she couldn't bring herself to pester him endlessly.

She hadn't expected that after not seeing him for so long, he would have already become a Savage Strength martial artist.

I must go urge my cousin again; it would be best if he promised Su Yuan to me.

She was also very tempted by that Blood Bone Pill; after all, she herself was only of low-grade bone quality.

Upon seeing Tie Niu, Su Yuan smiled and bumped shoulders with him.

Tie Niu was truly sturdy; his height had long since passed two meters, and he was still growing.

After his breakthrough, he had gone out of the city for a period of training with Chai Nian, and his aura now appeared even more steady.

"Brother Yuan, congratulations," Tie Niu said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

"Hardly, I'm not as good as you," Su Yuan laughed.

"Alright, let's move. Drive the carriage for me to the Baoma Chamber of Commerce," Chai Nian commanded.

Su Yuan and his companion pulled the carriage for Chai Nian as they usually did.

On the road, some Jing people recognized the Su brothers and whispered, "Isn't that Chief Su? He's actually driving for someone! Who is in the carriage?"

A Liang noble nearby sneered, "That is the Second Young Master of the Chai Family. What is so strange about that? They owe everything they have today to the Chai Family's cultivation. When it comes down to it, no matter how impressive they are, they are nothing more than loyal dogs under the feet of us Liang people."

"What a loyal dog," the Jing person thought, watching the Su brothers serving respectfully in front of the carriage. A sense of inexplicable indignation and sorrow welled up within him; how could a person be so humble?

But then he remembered that his own family was able to reside in the Inner City only because they had surrendered, and his face flushed red as he hurried away.

Chai Nian sat securely in the carriage, listening to the discussions outside, waving his fan leisurely and feeling quite pleased.

Chief or Savage Strength, in the end, they were only fit to drive for him.

Inside a private room at the Baoma Trading Building.

Chai Nian led Su Yuan and his companion inside.

There were already five people in the room, all familiar faces.

The Rong sisters and Wei Xian, as well as Yuan Jingfan and Huang Tong, who stood by as attendants.

Fortunately, there was no one from the Shan Family.

Seeing Su Yuan, Wei Xian was immediately displeased: "Chai Nian, why did you bring Su Yuan here? Wasn't it said that only Savage Strength martial artists could enter this discussion?"

Rong Yulian also cast a questioning look.

Rong Yuzhi was playing with a toy car made of Building Blocks; she paused at these words and glared at Wei Xian.

"Brother Wei, you misunderstand. Su Yuan is now also at Savage Strength. My Chai Family simply has a surplus of talent; sweeping the top two spots in the sacrificial ceremony and both breaking into Savage Strength is not worth mentioning. After all, I myself have only just reached the late stage of Savage Strength," Chai Nian said with a smile, waving his fan.

Wei Xian looked at him deeply and sneered: "I reached the late stage of Savage Strength three months ago."

Chai Nian's expression stiffened, but he still stubbornly replied: "Being three months earlier does not necessarily mean you are stronger."

Yet, deep down, he knew that among their peers, Wei Xian's talent and strength were indeed the greatest.

Rong Yulian, who was still at the mid-stage of Savage Strength, smiled at this: "Congratulations, Brother Chai."

Rong Yuzhi stole a glance at Su Yuan.

He had actually reached Savage Strength too; he was almost catching up to her sister.

She had also started practicing martial arts a few months ago, but she couldn't endure the hardship, practicing intermittently, and had yet to reach Blood Condensing.

Recalling her joke from months ago about taking him as a husband if he reached Savage Strength, her face grew warm, though she hoped no one remembered.

But in an instant, she regained her confidence; if she were truly willing, it would be Su Yuan's good fortune.

Chai Nian took the opportunity to say: "Su Yuan's success today is entirely due to the Blood Bone Pill. Would the two of you like to order a batch and make an investment?"

Rong Yulian shook her head: "Let's talk again once you have resolved the drawback that this pill requires long-term use and is difficult to stop, or if you are willing to sell the formula to our Rong Family."

Chai Nian was naturally unwilling.

If the Blood Bone Pill could succeed, the benefits would be immeasurable; it might even affect the national destiny, and the Chai Family could rise rapidly because of it.

Otherwise, the main branch of the Great Liang Chai Family would not have supported them so vigorously.

Wei Xian was even more blunt, looking at Su Yuan with a cold snort: "I fear you privately fed Su Yuan other potent medicines to forcibly improve his bone quality, using this as a facade to swindle us out of our silver and trust."

"Bullshit!" Chai Nian retorted. "Su Yuan has only taken the Blood Bone Pill. You are welcome to examine his bones as you please."

Wei Xian heard this and rose to examine Su Yuan's bone structure; Rong Yulian did the same. He stood there like an exhibit, allowing the two to probe him.

Even Rong Yuzhi curiously leaned in, poking and prodding here and there.

Fortunately, Su Yuan was now proficient in the Cloud-Covering Art and his control over his internal strength, so he revealed no flaws.

Rong Yulian finished her examination and sighed softly: "I still hold to my previous view and will not invest for now, but I can provide a moderate amount of silver to observe the subsequent effects."

Wei Xian remained firm in his refusal: "Chai Nian, Su Yuan is merely a rare exception. I know you have other test subjects, but those who truly improve their bone structure are few and far between, not to mention the unknown hidden dangers. Wait until you have fully resolved all these issues before we discuss this matter again."

"If I wait until then, would I still need your investment? Brother Wei, are you truly going to pass up this opportunity?" Chai Nian raised an eyebrow.

"Enough, let me return to the estate to deliberate further." Wei Xian waved his hand.

Soon after, the delicacies were brought to the table, a dazzling array of fine food.

Golden, crispy roasted Rock Sheep Leg, steamed Silver-Scaled Fish Belly, a vegetarian stew simmered with Spirit Mushroom and Jade Vegetable Heart, and the fragrant, Nourishing Snake Soup... were served one after another.

As for Su Yuan and the others, they could only stand to the side in attendance.

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

Wei Xian said: "Do you know why I summoned you here today?"

Yuan Jingfan shook his head, indicating he did not know.

Su Yuan's heart sank, and a sense of foreboding welled up within him.

Could it be that they were expected to compete again?

Chai Nian laughed: "The martial artists of Great Jing are weak. After the competition between the two nations, I expect it will be hard to be fully satisfied. At that time, it wouldn't hurt for the talented youths of our Great Liang to spar with one another and determine who is superior.

You are the elites of your respective academies and performed impressively at the Wolf God Ritual. Many nobles wish to witness your strength, so you have been specially permitted to participate. You may compete on the same stage as the young masters and misses of various families; isn't that exciting?"

Chai Nian found it quite amusing. He knew full well that although Su Yuan and the others had submitted to Great Liang, they might still harbor resentment.

But if the dogs he raised could bite and defeat the nobles of his own generation, that would be even more fun.

Su Yuan and the others looked at each other in dismay.

Yuan Jingfan asked nervously: "Then, must we go all out?"

"Naturally! If Chai Nian challenges you, you must accept. I would love nothing more than for you to beat him into the ground!" Wei Xian drained his cup in one gulp and declared loudly.

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

"How could you not be? I, Wei Xian, hate cowards the most! When the time comes, anyone can issue a challenge, and those named must take the stage; no refusal is allowed!" Wei Xian slammed his wine cup down, his expression displeased.

Su Yuan was speechless; this system was a trap.

He asked: "What if someone uses a higher cultivation realm to suppress others? Can we simply concede and not step onto the ring?"

Wei Xian sneered upon hearing this: "Su Yuan, you really are a spineless coward! I don't know how you even earned the title of Chief. Although the challenges have no restrictions on cultivation realm, who would be so shameless as to bully the weak? If someone truly did, I would surely mock their ancestors for eighteen generations! However, you must step onto the ring; at the very least, you must exchange a few blows before conceding."

After listening, Su Yuan felt that the Shan Family would surely use this to stir up trouble.

They wouldn't actually send a Vein Splitting martial artist to deal with him, would they?

If that were truly the case, he certainly would not step onto the stage.

But if Shan Xiongqing wanted to challenge him, Su Yuan wouldn't mind acting like a vicious dog and biting him to death.

Shan Estate.

Shan Xiongqing was comfortably enjoying the kneading and service of four or five maidservants, feeling quite content.

Without Gao Mian's supervision, life was actually much more comfortable.

The only 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 firmly under his feet.

Just as he was thinking happily, he suddenly sneezed.

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