Throwing His Weight Around

After Xuan Ziwen spoke, an unmistakable look of surprise appeared on Xiao Hongchen's face.

He immediately wanted to challenge Xuan Ziwen.

But Xuan Ziwen had already anticipated what he was thinking.

"Let him finish speaking first. We can discuss the rest afterward."

With his talent, Xuan Ziwen ranked among the best even in Mingde Hall. Otherwise, Jing Hongchen would never have sent his own grandson to apprentice under him.

So when his teacher spoke, Xiao Hongchen could only temporarily suppress his anger.

"Fine, we'll do as Teacher Xuan says! I'll give you a chance to show what you can do. Let's see just how capable you are, you attention-seeking clown!"

Though he had no intention of picking a fight with Xiao Hongchen, even a clay figurine had a temper, let alone Xu Tianming.

"We've never had a problem with each other before. Are you sure you want to make an enemy of me over something so trivial?"

His tone was indifferent, yet carried an authority that no one his age could match.

An ordinary person might truly have been cowed by Xu Tianming's simple words.

But Xiao Hongchen was different.

He was extraordinarily talented, with no peer among his generation in the Sun Moon Empire. On top of that, his grandfather was the head of Mingde Hall, overseeing the Sun Moon Empire's most vital Soul Tool technology.

It was no exaggeration to say that within the Sun Moon Empire, a single word from his grandfather could make the whole court tremble.

With talent and a background like his, how could Xiao Hongchen back down just because of something a strange boy said?

"Ha! What a big mouth! Who do you think you are? Don't think you're impressive just because you got into Mingde Hall! So what if I make an enemy of you? Do you even know who I am?"

After saying all that in one breath, Xiao Hongchen paused to catch his breath, then continued.

"I'll make this clear right now! If you can actually point out three problems, we'll let this matter drop. If you can't explain yourself... heh, then that proves you're just a loudmouth and a useless attention-seeker!"

"Then you'll get out of here on your own. And afterward, I'll personally report the matter to my grandfather. No matter who you are or what kind of talent you have, you'll lose your chance to study at Mingde Hall! Mingde Hall is a place for people to devote themselves to researching Soul Tool technology, not a stage for you to show off. Someone like you doesn't belong here!"

At those words, Xuan Ziwen frowned and looked as if he wanted to say something. But when he saw Xu Tianming's calm, unruffled expression, he changed his mind and held his tongue for the time being.

He wanted to see what this poised young man was capable of.

At the same time, he felt a little disappointed in Xiao Hongchen.

The boy had decent talent, but his temperament was abysmal. He might achieve modest success in the future, but if he didn't change, he would never go far!

From the moment Xiao Hongchen started spouting nonsense, Ye Guyi had instinctively clenched her fists.

If she hadn't kept Xu Tianming's instructions in mind, she would have darted forward before Xiao Hongchen could finish speaking and driven her fist straight into that punchable face of his.

Meng Hongchen, meanwhile, was completely dumbfounded.

She had imagined that her obnoxious older brother and the handsome Fourth Prince would have, at most, a minor disagreement. She would only need to step in and mediate before things escalated to achieve her goal.

But the situation had gone completely beyond her expectations.

The conflict between her obnoxious older brother and the Fourth Prince hadn't escalated in stages. It had leaped straight to the brink of irreconcilable hostility from the very start!

How was she supposed to mediate now?

He had accused a prince of being an attention-seeker and even threatened to get their grandfather to kick him out of Mingde Hall...

If their grandfather found out that Xiao Hongchen had offended a prince for this reason, without even knowing the whole story, he would probably beat his legs clean off.

But she didn't have time to think about that now. If she didn't show off her "thoughtfulness" right away, she might never get another chance!

With that thought, Meng Hongchen immediately stepped forward. Before Xu Tianming could speak, she pointed at Xiao Hongchen and scolded him.

"Xiao Hongchen! You've gone too far! Brother Tianming only said something offhand. Did you really have to make such a big deal out of it? And what right do you have to speak for Grandpa and kick someone out of Mingde Hall? Do you realize you're tarnishing Grandpa's reputation? If he finds out what you did today, he'll beat your dog legs clean off!"

Xiao Hongchen's words had already shocked Mavuika, who was inside the Mental Sea of Consciousness.

And now there was someone even better!

Ever since she had ascended to the position of Pyro Archon, everything she personally handled had concerned Natlan's very survival. It had been a long time since she had seen a squabble between youngsters over some petty matter.

Having chanced upon one today, Mavuika was thoroughly enjoying herself. She could hardly wait to see Xu Tianming humiliate Xiao Hongchen.

It was just a shame there were no sunflower seeds or drinks in this Mental Sea of Consciousness. That took some of the fun out of watching the show...

Xu Tianming hadn't expected Meng Hongchen to speak up for him at a time like this.

She was surely after something, but those words alone had already earned her his goodwill.

As for Xiao Hongchen...

After delivering that spirited tirade, he had expected the "weakling" to offer some "feeble excuse."

It wasn't as if he'd never seen a situation like this before.

But he had never imagined that his own sister would be the first to rebuke him—and even affectionately call that brazen brat "Brother"!

Fine. Just fine!

She called her own brother by his name, yet acted so close to some wild boy who'd come out of nowhere!

It looked like his foolish little sister had already been fed a love potion by the brat.

And she had the nerve to say he was tarnishing their grandfather's reputation, and that their grandfather would break his legs?

What a joke!

He was clearly defending Mingde Hall's honor!

If their grandfather knew what he had done, he would surely praise him!

His foolish little sister was the one whose elbow had turned outward.

Getting close to some strange brat was behavior that brought shame on the family. She was the one who deserved to have her legs broken!

Still, as her own brother, he couldn't be as ungrateful as she was. Even if she'd made a mistake, he was willing to give her a chance to "turn back before it was too late."

"Meng Hongchen! I don't know what kind of love potion that brat fed you, but your big brother is still willing to give you a chance to come to your senses! Leave that brat's side right now and come stand behind me. I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said. Otherwise, once I've reported everything that happened today to Grandpa, do you think he'll punish you for bringing shame on the family?"