A Duel Appointment

"Oh? He really couldn't take a beating. Trash was still trash. Lin dear hadn't even used his full strength, and his life was already gone. Even ants stole a living—why couldn't trash keep a lower profile?"

Seeing that Tang Tian showed no reaction, Qin Yuexi instead let out a coquettish laugh and made such sarcastic remarks without regard for the occasion.

"Why bother?"

Lin Yichen said only three words.

Although Tang Tian's sudden burst of fist force had greatly shocked him just now, it had actually been able to contend with the combat strength of his High Blood-Burning Realm.

But so what? The Meridian Refining Realm was merely the lowest level for cultivators.

Qin Tiande was deeply calculating, his eyes dark and profound. Secretly gathering his strength, he watched Tang Lingyun with wary vigilance.

Though the one who had died was merely a useless young master of the Tang Family, that depended on whose son he was.

This was the son of Tang Lingyun, the Tang Family head and Starfall City's foremost expert!

If Tang Lingyun erupted, everyone present would undoubtedly die!

"Cough, cough..."

Just as the atmosphere became incomparably tense, a soft cough rang out, leaving everyone stunned.

"Father, I'm fine. It just hurts a little."

Tang Tian forced out a smile and struggled to rise to his feet.

The power behind Lin Yichen's punch just now had indeed been formidable. Any Meridian Refining Realm cultivator—even a Blood-Burning Realm cultivator—would have certainly died from it.

Fortunately, the Mysterious Black Tower's power had cleansed his sinews and marrow. The strength of his fleshly body had already far surpassed his realm.

"He didn't die?"

Everyone present was utterly astonished, especially Qin Yuexi and Lin Yichen. The expressions on their faces were exceptionally vivid.

For a Meridian Refining Realm piece of trash to survive an attack from a high-level Blood-Burning Realm expert—he was already a genius capable of challenging above his realm!

Trash? Genius?

No one would ever connect Tang Tian with the word "genius."

On the contrary, when Qin Tiande learned that Tang Tian had not died, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Now was not the time to tear all pretenses apart and fight the Tang Family to the death.

Besides, Tang Tian was just a piece of trash. Whether he lived or died would not affect the situation in Starfall City in the slightest.

Lin Yichen clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth in secret. With his strength, he was already bullying the weak, yet he had failed to kill Tang Tian in one blow. He had truly lost face beyond measure.

If Tang Lingyun had not been standing beside Tang Tian, he would have dearly wished to go up and deliver another punch.

"Sorry to disappoint you all."

Tang Tian wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered.

He was not one to enjoy suffering losses. Today's punch would one day be repaid a hundredfold.

Lin Yichen's gaze turned cold. To be honest, he really was disappointed, but he could not help letting out a breath of relief as well.

Even if he was an inner disciple of the Falling Star Sect, if he killed the other man's son in front of the Tang Family head, he feared he would have a hard time leaving the Tang Family alive.

"Since you failed to kill me this time, this young master will take pity on you and give you another chance."

Tang Tian's body trembled slightly. After such a head-on clash, he had still suffered considerable injuries.

If his will had not been strong enough, he likely would have already fallen unconscious.

Lin Yichen's expression darkened. Why did every word that came from Tang Tian's mouth change in flavor?

They had exchanged one move, and neither had killed the other in a single strike. That was already humiliating enough. Now, wanting to kill the other had somehow become an act of charity?

"Tang Tian, I have to admit that you've surprised me, but that is all. If I strike again, wouldn't I be disgracing the Falling Star Sect?"

Lin Yichen sneered. The reason he did not act was certainly not a matter of face, but a matter of survival.

If he attacked again, Tang Lingyun would definitely kill him regardless of the consequences.

"Cut the nonsense. One month from now, you and I will fight a life-and-death battle in the city square. No one may interfere. How about it?"

A smile curled at Tang Tian's lips. Combined with the blood that had yet to be wiped clean, it made him look somewhat savage and frightening.

"What?"

Everyone present was stunned, filled with shock and disbelief!

Tang Lingyun's hand, which had been supporting Tang Tian, stiffened involuntarily. His face twitched as he stared at his son before him.

What exactly had happened to Tang Tian in Starfall Forest?

How had the withdrawn Tang Tian become so bold that "arrogant" was now the only fitting description?

"Hehe..."

Qin Yuexi immediately broke into a coquettish laugh, her laughter shattering the silence in the hall.

"Today, I have truly witnessed what it means to overestimate one's abilities. Lin dear sparing your life with one move was already an act of mercy. Tsk, tsk, tsk—yet you're so eager to seek death."

Seeing Tang Tian's utter lack of self-awareness, the contempt in Qin Yuexi's beautiful eyes grew even thicker, without the slightest attempt to conceal it.

Unfortunately, Tang Tian did not pay her any attention at all. That disregard only deepened her hatred for him by several degrees.

"You are merely an ant. I'm only afraid that if I truly kill you, the Tang Family head will not let me off."

Lin Yichen believed Tang Tian's duel challenge was nothing more than a joke.

The only person he truly feared was Tang Lingyun.

Tang Xiaohai recovered from his shock and roared, "Tang Tian, have you gone mad? Are you so eager to die?"

Though he did not understand how Tang Tian had survived Lin Yichen's punch just now, agreeing to a duel one month later was entirely an act of courting death.

Tang Lingyun's expression was grim, and his gaze flickered involuntarily.

He hesitated somewhat, but when he saw Tang Tian's resolute eyes, he decided to trust him.

He immediately said in a deep voice, "Tian'er, have you thought this through? So long as you make the decision, your father will support you."

Tang Tian took a deep breath. In the eyes of many, he was merely a low-level Meridian Refining Realm cultivator. Even with one month's time, he could at most reach the Blood-Burning Realm. Yet compared to Lin Yichen, who was at the high level of the Bone-Forging Realm, the difference would still be as vast as heaven and earth.

But he had this confidence, because in his previous life, he had been a powerful alchemist.

"Don't worry. In a life-and-death battle, I will not let Father interfere. As for you, I'm more worried that you won't be able to handle it yourself and will have the Falling Star Sect step in."

Having been a powerhouse in his previous life, how could Tang Tian not understand the situation in which beating the younger one brought out the older one?

"Fine. One month from now, I shall await your arrival!"

Lin Yichen nodded, then cupped his hands toward Qin Tiande. "Uncle Qin, I shall return at once and inform my father, so that he may go to the Qin Family with the betrothal gifts. Farewell."

After saying that, he turned and departed with graceful ease.

Qin Yuexi opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

From the moment she first saw Lin Yichen—handsome and elegant, young and accomplished—she had fallen in love with him at first sight.

As for Tang Tian, the more she looked at him, the more contemptuous and disgusted she became.

Qin Tiande looked at Tang Lingyun and laughed loudly. "Though your worthy nephew was somewhat reckless, his courage is commendable. Once my daughter's wedding date is set, Brother Tang must come have a drink. Even if we cannot become in-laws, our friendship remains. Yuexi, let's go."

In his view, once the promising Lin Yichen became the Qin Family's son-in-law, it would be equivalent to embracing the Falling Star Sect's thigh.

The Qin Family's standing within the Heavenly Dragon Empire would then become extraordinary as well.

Tang Xiaohai cast Tang Tian a disappointed glance, snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve hard, and left.

Only Tang Lingyun and Tang Tian, father and son, remained in the hall.

For a time, it was utterly silent, without the slightest sound.

After a moment, Tang Lingyun sighed and placed one hand on Tang Tian's shoulder.

His eyes fixed firmly on Tang Tian. "Tian'er, you've grown up and have your own thoughts now, but you must think thrice before acting. Give your father a reason for the duel appointment just now."

[Author's Note]: All three updates for today have been delivered.