Xu Xinyue was a beautiful woman, around 1.7 meters tall. It was clear that she took the lead in her relationship with Lin Qi. She was quite a forceful girl.
But Lin Qi seemed... pretty happy with it.
It was like a guy in his previous life suddenly discovering his girlfriend's family had just been compensated for a demolition, while she still remained devoted to him.
Now that Xu Xinyue's father had broken through to Dou Ling, the happiest person besides Xu Xinyue was probably Lin Qi, who was dating her.
Watching Lin Qi look like he'd landed himself a rich woman, Xiao Li gritted his teeth in envy.
"Anyway, the Lin family head has agreed to the two of you. The only one left is Xu Xinyue's father, right?" Xiao Li confirmed what still stood in their way.
Lin Qi and Xu Xinyue nodded to confirm.
"Good. Then we'll see how things go tomorrow."
Xiao Li wasn't worried in the slightest. Even if he couldn't handle it, he could just have The Two Elders Qian and Bai step in. Those two old codgers had made him lose face so badly; the least they could do was help him out.
...The next day
The Black Tiger Gang's entourage carried betrothal gifts into the Lin family courtyard.
The Black Tiger Gang's leader, Xu Liang Hai, clasped his hands in greeting. "Brother Lin, long time no see! Ha ha!"
Seeing Xu Liang Hai looking so smug, Lin Yi nearly ground his back teeth to dust.
"Brother Xu, it's been a long time."
Following behind Xu Liang Hai, Xu Xinyue secretly winked at Lin Qi. Lin Qi blew her a kiss.
Xiao Li, who witnessed it all from the side: ...
After Lin Yi and Xu Liang Hai exchanged a few pleasantries, Xu Liang Hai couldn't hold back any longer. "Brother Lin, when will the contest begin? I'm hoping my worthy nephew will marry into the Xu family soon."
The veins on Lin Yi's forehead twitched. "Heh. Things are a little different today. I'll let my young friend Xiao Li explain."
Xiao Li had long since had enough of Lin Qi and Xu Xinyue exchanging glances. Now that it was his turn to step forward, he immediately rose and said, "Gang Leader Xu."
"Oh?" Xu Liang Hai narrowed his eyes when he saw Xiao Li. There was something unusual about this young man; a hint of pressure emanated from him.
Of course, it was only a hint.
"What would you suggest, young friend?"
Xu Liang Hai felt a little uneasy. From the look of it, this young man was stronger than his daughter. If he were the one competing against Xu Xinyue today, the outcome might not go as smoothly as Xu Liang Hai hoped.
"Gang Leader Xu, you're too kind. I only have a small, somewhat immature suggestion: let me fight you. If I win, Miss Xu will marry into the Lin family. If I lose, Young Master Lin will marry into the Xu family. How does that sound?"
Xu Liang Hai was stunned, then burst into laughter. "Good, good, what a fine young man! Given your strength, I thought I'd be going home empty-handed today. I never expected you'd be so eager to send your son to marry into my family. I accept the challenge. Come on!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the aura of a Dou Ling powerhouse erupted from Xu Liang Hai. Experts at the Dou Ling level were in a league of their own compared with any opponent they had faced before.
Xiao Li felt like a sapling caught in a storm, swaying on the verge of being uprooted.
A five-star Da Dou Shi challenging a one-star Dou Ling above his level.
Condensing his aura into a single point, Xiao Li unleashed a blade-sharp presence that pierced the sky. He drew the Thunder Scale Spear and struck at a single point to break through the overwhelming pressure, shattering Xu Liang Hai's aura.
Feeling Xiao Li unleash his full aura, Xu Liang Hai grinned. "Well done, young man. A five-star Da Dou Shi—you're a true prodigy."
His daughter was hailed as the most talented young person in Hundred Monster City, yet she had only just reached Dou Master. This young man was already a five-star Da Dou Shi. The gap between them was staggering.
Having decided he would never make an enemy of Xiao Li, Xu Liang Hai strode into the courtyard.
"Come on, young friend Xiao."
"I'm Xiao Li. I'm here to learn from Gang Leader Xu!"
Xiao Li moved with his spear, unleashing his full power from the very first strike. Holding back against a Dou Ling powerhouse would be tantamount to suicide.
Mystic Thunder Shock Flash!
Blue lightning flashed through the hall, and Xiao Li was already in front of Xu Liang Hai. His spear flowed like a fish, its lightning-bright scales releasing surging arcs of electricity.
Xiao Li's eyes blazed as he thrust his spear straight at Xu Liang Hai's chest.
"What a fast spear."
Xu Liang Hai praised him, his hands moving without pause as a Mountain-Splitting Broadsword appeared in his grasp.
Profound-tier low-grade Dou Technique, Crushing Stone Blade!
An earthen-yellow glow covered the blade as powerful earth-element Dou Qi surged forth.
The fierce lightning and the dense yellow light collided, then dissipated without a trace.
"As expected of a Dou Ling powerhouse. You actually blocked that attack."
Xiao Li withdrew, unable to hide his surprise. Ever since he began cultivating, this was the first time he'd faced an opponent who could so easily withstand one of his moves.
Xu Liang Hai's mouth twitched. "Young man, I should be the one saying that! I'm a Dou Ling, and you're only a Da Dou Shi!"
Xu Liang Hai was on the verge of going mad, but he had also noticed that Xiao Li's Dou Technique was extraordinary. A five-star Da Dou Shi had met his strength head-on without falling behind. Xu Liang Hai hadn't used his full power, but that alone showed how powerful Xiao Li's Dou Technique was.
So he really was a young master from a major clan, Xu Liang Hai concluded, resolving not to let Xiao Li lose too badly. Otherwise, he might bring retaliation down on himself.
Xiao Li quietly placed a pill that restored Dou Qi in his mouth. Elder Qian had given it to him before the fight; it would give him a better chance.
Xu Liang Hai's gaze sharpened, and he chose to make the first move. He stamped his right foot, kicking up a cloud of dust, then shot forward.
His right hand clenched into a fist, glowing earthen yellow with frightening force.
Xiao Li drew a deep breath, turned halfway at the waist, and thrust his spear with a force that rang like thunder.
The spear tip met the fist. What should have been vulnerable flesh had become as hard as steel, and an earthen-yellow Dou Qi gauntlet covered the massive fist.
Dou Qi taking physical form—the exclusive ability of Dou Ling powerhouses.
The Thunder Scale Spear was knocked aside, and Xiao Li was hurled backward. Xu Liang Hai kept charging like a giant bear, both fists swinging.
Xiao Li's old strength had yet to return, and his new strength had not built up. All he could do was watch those iron fists slam into his chest.
A mysterious, dark gleam shimmered over Xiao Li's chest, flickering between green and black.
Bang!
Xiao Li's body crashed into the courtyard wall. It collapsed, and rubble buried him as dust filled the air.
Lin Qi's face fell. "In the end, he wasn't a match for him..."
Confusion showed in Lin Yi's cloudy eyes. "Strange. Why is Xiao Li's aura getting stronger instead?"
Xu Liang Hai relaxed his hands at his waist. At some point, the Mountain-Splitting Broadsword had reappeared in his grasp.
"What a tough body. You really are something. Your aura is actually getting stronger instead of weaker."
Xiao Li pushed the rubble off himself with his right hand and lifted his body.
"Gang Leader Xu, you're impressive. But I dared to challenge you for more than just this."
Bracing the Thunder Scale Spear against the ground, Xiao Li straightened up. His shirt was torn across the chest, revealing a muscular, bronze-colored torso.
Though he was still only fifteen, years of hard training had erased every trace of childishness from him. He was already growing into a young man.
Xiao Li took a step forward. His aura surged, rising skyward instead of weakening as it should have. The sheer force of it sent rubble flying in every direction.
Nine Steps to Heaven, first step.