The Black Tiger Gang Leader

Xu Xinyue is a beautiful woman, about 1.7 meters tall. It is clear that she holds the dominant position in her relationship with Lin Qi; she is quite a strong-willed girl.

However, Lin Qi seems to... quite enjoy it.

It is much like a man from a past life suddenly discovering his girlfriend's family home is being demolished for development, yet the girl remains steadfast by his side.

Now that Xu Xinyue's father has broken through to the Dou Ling realm, the person happiest about it, aside from Xu Xinyue herself, is likely Lin Qi, who is dating her.

Watching Lin Qi act as if he has latched onto a wealthy woman, Xiao Li grinds his teeth in frustration.

"In any case, the head of the Lin Family has already agreed to you two. Now the only hurdle left is Xu Xinyue's father, right?" Xiao Li confirms the current obstacle.

The two of them nod, indicating he is correct.

"Good, then we shall see what happens tomorrow."

Xiao Li is not the least bit panicked. Even if he cannot handle it himself, he can just have The Two Elders Qian and Bai step in. Since those two old geezers caused him to lose so much face, they certainly owe him a favor.

...The next day

The Black Tiger Gang's procession arrives at the Lin Family courtyard carrying betrothal gifts.

Gang Leader Xu, Xu Lianghai, cups his hands together. "Brother Lin, it has been a long time, haha."

Watching Xu Lianghai's smug, self-satisfied expression, Lin Yi nearly grinds his back teeth to dust.

"Brother Xu, it has been a long time indeed."

Following behind Xu Lianghai, Xu Xinyue secretly winks at Lin Qi, and Lin Qi blows her a kiss in return.

Xiao Li, who witnessed the entire exchange from the side: ...

After Lin Yi and the others exchange some polite pleasantries, Xu Lianghai can no longer contain himself. "Brother Lin, when does the competition begin? I am hoping to see my nephew-in-law marry into our Xu family sooner rather than later."

A vein throbs on Lin Yi's forehead. "Heh, the situation today is actually a bit different. Let this young friend of mine, Xiao Li, explain it to you."

Having long since grown tired of watching Lin Qi and Xu Xinyue's flirtatious glances, Xiao Li sees it is his turn to step up. He stands immediately and says, "Gang Leader Xu."

"Oh?" Seeing Xiao Li, Xu Lianghai narrows his eyes. This young man seems a bit different; there is an aura about him that even makes him feel a hint of pressure.

Of course, it is only a hint.

"I wonder what opinion you might have, young friend."

Xu Lianghai feels a bit uneasy. The aura on this kid is clearly stronger than his own daughter's. If he is the one competing against Xu Xinyue today, the result might not go as smoothly as he had envisioned.

"You are too kind, Gang Leader Xu. I only have a small, immature suggestion: I shall face you in combat. If I win, then Miss Xu shall marry into the Lin Family. If I lose, then Young Master Lin shall marry into the Xu Family. How about that?"

Xu Lianghai is stunned for a moment, then bursts into loud laughter. "Good, good, good! Fine lad. Given your strength, I thought I would be returning empty-handed today, but I never expected you to be so eager to marry off your son. I accept this challenge. Come!"

As his words fall, the aura on Xu Lianghai erupts violently. A powerhouse at the Dou Ling level is simply incomparable to any opponent faced previously.

Xiao Li feels as though he is a small tree in a storm, swaying and on the verge of collapse.

A five-star Great Dou Master challenging a one-star Dou Ling.

Condensing his aura into a single point, a blade-like pressure surges into the sky. Xiao Li draws his Thunder Scale Spear and, using the point to break the surface, shatters Xu Lianghai's oppressive aura.

Feeling the full eruption of Xiao Li's aura, Xu Lianghai grins. "Good lad. A five-star Great Dou Master—what a monster."

His own daughter is touted as the most talented youth in Hundred Monster City, yet she has only just entered the Dou Shi realm. The young man before him is already a five-star Great Dou Master; the gap is nothing short of a chasm.

Having made up his mind that he must not make an enemy of Xiao Li under any circumstances, Xu Lianghai steps into the courtyard.

"Young friend Xiao, come."

"This junior, Xiao Li, has come to seek guidance on Gang Leader Xu's high-level techniques!"

Xiao Li moves with his spear; he goes all out from the very first strike. Holding back while fighting a Dou Ling powerhouse is no different from suicide.

"Mystic Thunder Shock Flash!"

Blue lightning flashes across the hall. Xiao Li's figure has already charged before Xu Lianghai. His spear moves like a swimming fish, the lightning-drenched scales releasing surging electric light.

Xiao Li's gaze is like a torch as he thrusts his long spear directly at Xu Lianghai's chest.

"What a fast spear."

Xu Lianghai praises him, but his hands are not slow in the slightest. A Mountain-Splitting Broadsword appears in his grip.

"Earth-tier low-grade Dou Technique, Crushing Stone Blade!"

The blade is covered in an earthy-yellow glow as powerful earth-attribute Dou Qi erupts from it.

The sharp lightning and the heavy yellow light collide, both dissipating into nothingness.

"As expected of a Dou Ling powerhouse, to think you actually blocked that strike of mine."

Xiao Li retreats, feeling somewhat astonished. Since he began his cultivation, this is truly the first time he has faced an opponent who could easily parry one of his moves.

Xu Lianghai's mouth twitches. "Kid, that is what I should be saying! I am a Dou Ling, and you are only a Great Dou Master!"

Xu Lianghai is exasperated, but he also notes that the opponent's Dou Technique is extraordinary. To go head-to-head with him and not fall behind while only at the five-star Great Dou Master level—even if he hadn't used his full strength—is enough to show the power of the technique.

So he really is a young master from a great family, Xu Lianghai concludes internally, while simultaneously resolving not to let Xiao Li lose too miserably, lest he invite retaliation.

Xiao Li silently holds a medicinal pill for recovering Dou Qi in his mouth; it was given to him by Elder Qian before the match, and it should give him a better chance.

Xu Lianghai's eyes narrow, and he chooses to take the initiative. With a stomp of his right foot, dust rises, and his figure explodes forward.

His right hand clenched into a fist, glowing with an earthy yellow light that carried an astonishing momentum.

Xiao Li took a deep breath, his waist twisting halfway as he thrust his long spear with intent, the sound like a peal of thunder.

Spear tip met fist; the supposedly fragile flesh became incomparably hard, the massive fist covered in an earthy yellow Dou Qi gauntlet.

Solidifying Dou Qi into objects—the hallmark of a Dou Ling expert.

The Thunder Scale Spear was deflected, and Xiao Li's figure retreated explosively, yet Gang Leader Xu's momentum remained unchecked, pouncing forward like a giant bear with both fists striking out.

With his old strength spent and new strength yet to arise, Xiao Li could only watch helplessly as those iron fists slammed into his chest.

A mysterious dark glow faintly shimmered across Xiao Li's chest, with shades of cyan and black flickering in alternation.

"Bang!"

Xiao Li's body crashed heavily into the courtyard wall; the wall collapsed, burying his frame under rubble as dust filled the air.

Lin Qi's expression was grim. In the end, is he no match for him...

Lin Yi's cloudy eyes revealed a hint of confusion. "Strange, why has Xiao Li's aura actually strengthened?"

Gang Leader Xu relaxed his hands at his waist, and that Mountain-Splitting Broadsword appeared in his grip once more, though no one knew when it had returned.

"Such a tough body; you truly are not simple. Your aura has actually increased instead of fading."

Pushing aside the rubble covering him with his right hand, Xiao Li propped himself up.

"Gang Leader Xu, you have great skill, but what I rely on to challenge you is more than just this."

Leaning on the Thunder Scale Spear, Xiao Li straightened his body; the clothes on his chest were shredded, revealing a bronze-toned, robust torso.

Although he was only fifteen, years of bitter cultivation had stripped away any trace of youthful immaturity, his form already transforming into that of a young man.

Taking a single step forward, Xiao Li's aura surged violently; the momentum that should have been withered instead soared to the heavens, the powerful energy causing the surrounding rubble to scatter in all directions.

"Nine Steps to Heaven, first step."