Third Young Master! Third Young Master is back!

Stepping onto the final stair, Xiao Yu stood on the arena stage with a calm expression, facing the gazes converging from all around.

He appeared composed on the surface, but in reality, he was panicking like crazy inside.

He hadn't truly felt it until he was up here; looking out now, there were so many people.

That was right.

He wasn't panicking because of Jia Lie Ao, but because it was his first time being the focus of so many eyes.

Originally, Xiao Yu had only wanted to find his father and watch the excitement along the way.

Who would have thought that upon arriving at the plaza, he would hear about the arena match from the chaotic chatter of the crowd.

Third Brother hadn't returned?

The Xiao Clan had already lost two matches?

A mere Jia Lie Ao dared to ride roughshod over them?

Instantly, Xiao Yu couldn't hold back.

A three-star Dou Practitioner, what are you being so arrogant about?

In the plaza.

The originally lively scene suddenly turned quiet, falling into a dead silence.

Dozens of gazes turned toward the source of the voice, then settled on the figure that had suddenly appeared on the arena stage.

"Is that someone from the Xiao Clan?"

"Who is he? I've never seen him!"

"Could it be Xiao Yan?"

Within the crowd, many people wore expressions of confusion.

"Xiao Yan! It's Xiao Yan, he's back from Jia Nan Academy!"

At that moment, someone suddenly let out an exclamation.

Feeling the gazes around him, he excitedly explained that he had once fallen down and been helped up by the Third Young Master, having had close contact with him, so he could never be mistaken.

In an instant, an uproar erupted in the plaza.

"Young Master Xiao Yan is back, oh no, Jia Lie Ao is in danger!"

"Young Master Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Practitioner four years ago; now that four years have passed, perhaps his strength has reached Dou Master?"

"It's over. The Xiao Clan managed to stall until Young Master Xiao Yan returned; the Jia Lie Clan is definitely going to lose now."

"..."

On the viewing platform.

Everyone also saw the figure on the arena stage.

"Clan Leader?" Jia Lie Nu looked bewildered.

And at this moment.

Jia Lie Bi was equally stunned, muttering in disbelief, "Impossible, Xiao Yan absolutely cannot be back right now. How could he possibly be back?"

"But Clan Leader, that person up there, isn't that Xiao Yan?" Jia Lie Nu felt puzzled.

Jia Lie Bi shook his head and rubbed his eyes, seemingly suspecting he was hallucinating.

However, he looked again and again; on the stage, besides his son Jia Lie Ao, there was indeed another figure standing there.

"Third Young Master! The Third Young Master has returned!"

From the section belonging to the Xiao Clan, a cheer erupted, exceptionally loud, as if it wanted to drown out everyone else's voices.

The three elders' expressions shifted from overcast to sunny, their faces beaming with joy, their bodies trembling with excitement.

Among them, the Third Elder swept away his previous gloom, casting a provocative look toward Jia Lie Bi, his mouth curling into a thick sneer.

Isn't your Young Master Jia Lie Ao so arrogant? Isn't he so impressive?

Come on!

Flaunt it again and let's see?

Our Xiao Clan's Third Young Master broke through to Dou Practitioner at eleven and went to Jia Nan Academy for further study.

Now that he has returned with his studies complete, conservatively speaking, even if his strength hasn't reached Dou Master, at least six or seven-star Dou Practitioner is definitely no problem.

With the strength of Jia Nan Academy, the cultivation techniques and Dou Skills the Third Young Master learned there could easily crush your Jia Lie Clan.

However.

Unlike the relief felt by the three elders.

Xiao Zhan sat in his seat, his brows slightly furrowed.

Is that Yan'er? He felt somewhat doubtful.

The First Elder noticed Xiao Zhan's expression and said, "Clan Leader, the Third Young Master has returned, and we are certain to win this arena match. Why aren't you happy at all?"

Hearing his words, the Second Elder and Third Elder also looked over.

Xiao Zhan hesitated for a moment before saying, "If Yan'er were coming back, he should have returned long ago; why would it be at this time? And why isn't that girl, Xiao Yu, with him?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the three elders also realized the situation.

That's right!

Both Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan were studying at Jia Nan Academy, so they should have returned home together; there was no reason for them not to appear.

The three of them craned their necks, their gazes searching through the crowd around the arena.

Meanwhile, those who had been gloating over the Xiao Clan's misfortune turned their eyes toward Jia Lie Bi.

Aoba Pa, in particular, sat beside Jia Lie Bi and sneered, "Clan Leader Jia Lie, the market you bet on this time is in an excellent location; it could have increased your family's annual income by at least ten percent. Now, it's all going to be gone."

Jia Lie Bi retorted, "The fight hasn't even started yet. Isn't it a bit too presumptuous of you to say that?"

"Tsk, tsk..." Aoba Pa chuckled, his eyes full of mockery. "Jia Lie Bi, I know exactly what kind of goods your son is, don't you have any idea yourself? Trying to have him challenge Xiao Yan—don't joke around. That boy broke through to become a Dou Practitioner at eleven, while your son is probably still at the third stage of Dou Disciple."

Jia Lie Bi let out a heavy breath and stopped paying attention to Aoba Pa, his gaze turning suddenly grave as he looked toward the arena.

Despite all his precautions and every trick he had pulled, he had actually still let Xiao Yan make it back!

On the arena stage.

Jia Lie Ao was stunned when he suddenly saw a youth walk up, but when he clearly recognized the face, his heart skipped a beat.

Xiao Yan?!

How could he appear here? His father had clearly guaranteed that he wouldn't let Xiao Yan show up in Wutan City before the tournament ended!

"Gulp..." Jia Lie Ao suddenly lost his nerve.

He had the advantage in age, but his talent was lacking.

The arena was a test of strength!

A three-star Dou Practitioner facing a genius who had returned from training at Jia Nan Academy.

It was simply not enough!

"Hey, are you going to fight or not? If you're going to fight, hurry up!" Seeing Jia Lie Ao unresponsive, Xiao Yu couldn't help but urge him.

His wife and child were still at home waiting for him to return.

Jia Lie Ao took a few deep breaths and said, "What's the rush? I've already fought two matches; what's wrong with taking a moment to adjust?"

His left thumb brushed against the ring worn on his index finger.

This was a Storage Ring.

Inside the ring was a Blood Burst Pill; consuming it could boost one's Dou Qi for a short period.

The drawback was that for the following week, one would lose all Dou Qi, become immobile, and be forced to lie in bed.

No! Don't rush yet. Even if Xiao Yan is powerful, he shouldn't be able to take me out in one move. I'll test his level first.

Jia Lie Ao thought for a moment and moved his thumb away from the ring.

He assumed a stance, preparing his opening move.

Xiao Yu remained standing quietly, his hands pressed against his sides.

Just as Jia Lie Ao gathered his strength and prepared to charge at his opponent, a commotion erupted from the crowd surrounding the arena.

"Xiao Yan! Why is there another Xiao Yan here?"

Jia Lie Ao's charging posture came to a sudden halt as he looked toward the source of the sound.

He saw the crowd gathered near the arena parting to form a path, and several dusty figures were walking quickly toward the stage.

Leading them was a youth with a resolute expression.

The youth's figure was upright, his eyes firm, and as he walked, he radiated an intangible aura that made people instinctively back away.

He was like a sharp, unsheathed blade.

The youth's face was remarkably similar to the one on the arena stage.

The only difference between the two was the aura they exuded.

"You're not Xiao Yan?" Seeing this, Jia Lie Ao's mind raced, and he realized the truth instantly.

At the same time.

On the viewing platform, everyone stood up as they saw the figure walking in from the crowd.