The Tsundere Xiao Meng Faces Xiao Li!

Chen Feng raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this. He had actually anticipated such a situation. After all, the emergence of Tai Chi Fist and Eight Trigrams Palm had, to a certain extent, threatened the Hyuga Clan's standing.

However, their need did not mean he had to satisfy it. He had no intention of widely spreading the Dao School's supreme techniques for the time being, so he shook his head slightly.

Hyuga Hiashi frowned, then said, "I, Hyuga Hiashi, always keep my word. If you agree to this, the entire Hyuga Clan can serve as your backing."

Chen Feng looked at him and said, "I believe in Senior Hyuga's sincerity, but I do not have such intentions for the time being. My apologies."

As soon as those words fell, Hyuga Hiashi's expression darkened. He pressed, "So you truly intend to refuse?"

Chen Feng nodded neither humbly nor arrogantly. "That's right. Senior Hyuga has likely made this trip for nothing today."

Upon hearing this, the veins around Hyuga Hiashi's Byakugan bulged instantly, and a formidable aura radiated from him as he stared directly at Chen Feng.

Chen Feng calmly met his gaze. In an instant, the air fell silent.

Just then, an enigmatic force broke the standoff between them. As ripples spread, the entire living room instantly turned black and white.

Sensing the chakra within him being suppressed, Hyuga Hiashi's expression changed slightly. He then turned his head to the side, where a slender and graceful figure slowly emerged.

Xiao Meng flashed forward and arrived at Chen Feng's side, coldly staring at the person opposite her.

Hyuga Hiashi studied her as well and fell silent for a moment before saying to Chen Feng, "Please consider this matter carefully. This old man will await your answer."

With that, he stood and left.

Watching him depart, a serious look appeared in Xiao Meng's beautiful eyes. She sat down beside the table and said, "This man's strength is not weak. He may even be somewhat stronger than me. Be more careful around him in the future."

Chen Feng nodded. "I understand. Thanks to your timely intervention this time, otherwise it really would have been difficult to deal with."

"Enough. Keep those words to yourself. I'm going to cultivate. Don't disturb me unless there's something important."

As she spoke, Xiao Meng prepared to leave with an aloof expression.

But Chen Feng said, "Wait a moment."

"What is it?"

Xiao Meng asked.

Chen Feng then took a somewhat crude little wooden box from his shoulder bag and placed it before her.

"This is a small gift for you. Open it and take a look."

At those words, Xiao Meng's expression shifted. She gently raised her hand and opened the wooden box, revealing a skewer of bright red candied hawthorn inside.

She then asked, "What is this?"

In the era she had lived in, sweets were rare, and she had never seen anything like candied hawthorn.

"I made it myself. Give it a try."

Xiao Meng replied indifferently, "Those who cultivate the Dao should calm their hearts and cultivate their nature. How can they indulge in the desires of the palate? But since it is your goodwill, I shall give you some face."

As she spoke, she picked up the candied hawthorn and took a light bite.

The moment it entered her mouth, her beautiful eyes brightened slightly. Yet she still maintained her cold and proud demeanor, glancing at him as she said, "Did you make something like this to amuse children?"

Chen Feng raised an eyebrow. "What, you don't like the taste?"

Xiao Meng snorted softly at his words and said nothing more. Her figure flickered before turning into Clear Qi and vanishing.

The bitten candied hawthorn on the table vanished along with her.

Seeing this, Chen Feng chuckled and shook his head. Though Xiao Meng's cultivation was formidable, she was still, at heart, a little girl. Her mouth said no, but her heart was quite honest.

At that thought, her attribute panel appeared in his mind once more. The number in the loyalty section suddenly flickered and became "70."

He silently complained, She really is a tsundere...

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time for the third round of the Chunin Exams. Once these matches concluded, the candidates to be promoted to Chunin would be determined.

On this day, the sun was bright as Chen Feng and the other nine youths who had passed the preliminary round arrived at a broad circular arena.

The surrounding stands were already packed with spectators. Apart from Konoha's own ninja, many guests had also been invited. Even the Sand Ninja's Kazekage had personally come to watch.

At the highest seats of the viewing platform, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the Kazekage who had traveled from afar sat prominently.

This round was similar to the preliminary matches. The ten contestants would likewise be divided into five pairs for one-on-one battles, and the winners would earn qualification for promotion to Chunin.

Of course, Chen Feng was not included in that. He was merely here for the experience, and the final result would not affect him in any way.

Still, he hoped to continue winning. After all, only then could the system's reputation value increase more quickly.

Once the Third Hokage's opening remarks ended, the competition officially began. Unfortunately, Chen Feng was drawn for the very first match.

His opponent was one of the seeded contenders in this examination: Rock Lee, known as Xiao Li.

He wore a green skintight combat suit, with two exceptionally thick black eyebrows and a distinctive bowl-cut hairstyle.

Although he could not use ninjutsu or genjutsu, he possessed formidable close-combat abilities. In terms of taijutsu, he was no less capable than Neji Hyuga.

Most importantly, he had inherited Might Guy's unique forbidden technique, the Eight Gates Formation. Once unleashed at full power, it could even erupt with several times his usual strength!

Among all the ninja examinees in this year's selection, he could firmly rank among the top three. Without question, he was another troublesome opponent.

Xiao Li wore a solemn expression. Ever since watching that match a month ago, he had known Chen Feng was an extremely powerful opponent, and he did not dare let his guard down in the slightest.

He reached down and removed the weights tied to his legs, tossing them aside. With two thunderous booms, the ground was smashed into two pits covered in cracks.

He then swung his fists and legs a few times before saying, "You are very strong. I will fight with all my strength!"

Looking at the youth before him, whose expression was filled with unwavering determination, Chen Feng raised a hand and smiled. "Please."

He rather admired this young man, who possessed such unyielding resolve and worked so hard.

Xiao Li's expression sharpened. Clenching his fists, he suddenly stomped on the ground, his body shooting forward like an arrow released from its bow. A Leaf Whirlwind swept out fiercely.

Chen Feng, meanwhile, used Tai Chi Fist. As his palms moved, an extraordinary aura burst forth, dissolving Xiao Li's fierce attack into nothingness.

He then turned with the momentum and pushed with his palm, sending Xiao Li staggering back. The ultimate power of hardness and softness began their contest...