A Challenge

"Yo, what a fragile thing. Trash was trash after all. Lin barely used any strength, and his life was already gone. Even ants clung to life in secret—why couldn't trash keep a lower profile?"

Seeing that Tang Tian had no reaction at all, Qin Yuexi instead broke into delighted laughter, heedless of the occasion as she mocked him.

"Why bother?"

Lin Yichen said only three words.

Although the force behind Tang Tian's punch just now had greatly shocked him, capable of standing against the combat strength of someone at the High Blood-Burning Realm.

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

Qin Tiande was shrewd and calculating, his eyes deep and unreadable. Secretly gathering his strength, he watched Tang Lingyun with caution.

Though the one who had died was only a useless young master of the Tang Family, it 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 surely die!

"Cough, cough..."

Just as the atmosphere had become 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 his feet.

The power behind Lin Yichen's punch had indeed been formidable. Any cultivator in the Meridian Refining Realm, even one in the Blood-Burning Realm, would have died without question.

Fortunately, the power of the Mysterious Black Tower had cleansed his tendons and marrow. The strength of his physical body had already far surpassed his realm.

"He isn't dead?"

Everyone present was greatly astonished, especially Qin Yuexi and Lin Yichen. Their expressions were exceptionally vivid.

A Meridian Refining Realm piece of trash had survived a strike from an expert at the High Blood-Burning Realm. That already made him a genius capable of challenging above his level!

Trash? Genius?

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

Instead, when Qin Tiande learned that Tang Tian was not dead, he secretly let out a breath. This was not yet the time to tear all pretenses apart and fight the Tang Family to the death.

Besides, Tang Tian was only trash. Whether he lived or died would not affect Starfall City's situation in the slightest.

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

If Tang Lingyun had not been standing beside Tang Tian, he would have dearly loved to go over and add another punch.

"Sorry to disappoint everyone."

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

He was not someone who enjoyed suffering losses. He would repay today's punch a hundredfold one day.

Lin Yichen's gaze turned cold. To be honest, he really was disappointed, though he could not help but feel relieved as well.

Even if he was an inner disciple of the Falling Star Sect, if he killed the other man's son before the Tang Family head, he likely would not leave the Tang Family alive.

"You failed to kill me this time, so 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 fairly serious injuries.

If his willpower had not been strong enough, he feared he would already have fallen unconscious.

Lin Yichen's expression darkened. Why did every word that came out of Tang Tian's mouth change its flavor?

They had exchanged one move, and he had failed to kill Tang Tian in a single strike, which was already humiliating enough. Now, killing Tang Tian had somehow become an act of charity?

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

Lin Yichen sneered. The reason he would not attack again was certainly not a matter of face, but a matter of his life.

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 to the death in the city square. No one may interfere. How about it?"

A smile curled at Tang Tian's lips. Together with the blood he had yet to wipe clean, it made him look somewhat savage and frightening.

"What?"

Everyone present froze, shocked and unable to believe it!

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

Just what had happened to Tang Tian in Starfall Forest?

How had the withdrawn Tang Tian become so bold that "arrogant" was now the only word for him?

"Giggle..."

Qin Yuexi immediately burst into sweet laughter, her laughter breaking the silence in the hall.

"Today, I have truly seen what it means to overestimate oneself. Lin barely failed to take your life with one move because he showed mercy. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really want to die that badly."

Seeing Tang Tian's utter lack of self-awareness, the disdain in Qin Yuexi's beautiful eyes grew even stronger, completely undisguised.

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 fear that if I truly kill you, the Tang Family head will not let me off."

Lin Yichen believed Tang Tian's challenge to be 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? Do you want to die that badly?"

Although he did not understand how Tang Tian had survived Lin Yichen's punch, this one-month challenge was utterly suicidal.

Tang Lingyun's face darkened, and his gaze flickered.

He hesitated somewhat, but when he saw the resolute look in Tang Tian's eyes, he decided to choose faith in him.

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

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

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

"Don't worry. In a fight to the death, I will not let my father interfere. As for you, I am more worried that you will not be able to handle it and will have the Falling Star Sect intervene."

Tang Tian, who had been a powerful expert in his previous life, understood perfectly well the situation where beating the young brought out the old.

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

Lin Yichen nodded, then clasped his hands toward Qin Tiande. "Uncle Qin, I shall return now and inform my father to go to the Qin Family and present the betrothal gifts. Farewell."

After saying that, he turned and left with an easy grace.

Qin Yuexi opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.

From the moment she first saw Lin Yichen—handsome and refined, talented and promising at such a young age—she had fallen in love at first sight.

As for Tang Tian, the more she looked at him, the more she despised him; the more she looked, the more disgusted she became.

Qin Tiande looked at Tang Lingyun and laughed heartily. "Though your worthy nephew was somewhat rash, his courage is commendable. Once my daughter's wedding date is set, Brother Tang must come and share a drink. Though we may not become in-laws, our friendship remains. Yuexi, let us go."

In his view, as long as the boundlessly promising Lin Yichen became the Qin Family's son-in-law, they would be holding onto the Falling Star Sect's thigh.

The Qin Family's status in the Heavenly Dragon Empire would then become anything but ordinary.

Tang Xiaohai shot Tang Tian a resentful look, as though he hated iron for not becoming steel. With a cold snort, he violently flicked his sleeve and left.

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

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

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

His eyes fixed tightly on Tang Tian. "Tian'er, you have grown up and have your own thoughts now. But when doing things, you must think thrice before acting. Give Father a reason for that challenge just now."

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