That Man

"That's... that man!"

"Whoa! The chief commander has actually emerged from seclusion!"

Excitement spread across the Snake-People's faces when they saw the newcomer. They all knew who he was: the second-strongest member of the Snake-People Tribe and the foremost of its eight commanders.

"Big brother! You're finally here! This is the guy who's going to become Her Majesty's husband!"

The moment Mo Bass saw him, he rushed to his side and pointed at Long Xiao on the platform, cursing angrily.

"Oh?"

The burly Snake-People man looked up at Long Xiao, his eyes carrying a trace of scorn and contempt. He seemed deeply dissatisfied with him.

"I watched your fight for a little while just now. This fellow has some strength."

"Heh, but... he's still far from good enough. Don't worry. I'll make Her Majesty see that this brat isn't worthy of her!"

His words filled everyone with anticipation. The chief commander was the strongest in the Snake-People Tribe apart from the queen, but he was a cultivation fanatic who spent years in seclusion, so he had remained absent until now.

"Chief commander! We're behind you! Smash that brat to pieces!"

His arrival set the entire crowd ablaze.

Long Xiao showed no fear at the sight of the big, bald fellow, though he was surprised by how much prestige the man enjoyed.

The chief commander bowed toward Medusa, his bald head gleaming.

"Hei Du pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Medusa had also been taken aback when she saw him arrive. She had never expected him to emerge from seclusion at this particular moment. Was it a coincidence?

She nodded and said, "Hei Du, congratulations on advancing to a three-star Dou Emperor."

Long Xiao sent Yue Mei a voice transmission. "Mei'er, who's this ugly fellow?"

Joy surged through Yue Mei when she heard his voice transmission. She hurriedly explained, "He's Hei Du, the chief commander of the Snake-People Tribe. His position is even higher than mine. He's a cultivation fanatic who spends most of his time in seclusion. If he's appeared now, he's probably here because of you."

"He's the queen's foremost admirer, and he's also said to be the man in the tribe most likely to end up with her."

Oh? So he's coveting my Shasha?

Long Xiao raised an eyebrow at her words.

"Ahem, Long Xiao, the chief commander has challenged you. Will you accept?"

While Long Xiao was distracted, Medusa's voice reached his ears.

Long Xiao turned toward Medusa and smiled. "As Her Majesty's man, how could I possibly back down?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "man."

"Shut your mouth! Who gave you the nerve to disrespect Her Majesty? I'll pull out your teeth one by one!"

Hei Du spoke arrogantly, murderous intent spilling from his body and filling all the Snake-People below with dread.

"Hei Du, are you trying to rebel?"

Medusa narrowed her eyes, and a dangerous aura spread outward.

Hei Du's heart jolted at the sight. He had never expected Medusa to be so furious.

Still, he steeled himself and said, "Your Majesty, I have no intention of rebelling. This brat has insulted you. I merely wish to seek justice for you and rid you of this sinner."

A cold gleam flickered in Medusa's eyes at his words.

"In that case, settle it on the platform," Medusa said coldly.

"Fine! The dignity of our Snake-People Tribe is not for the likes of you to profane. I'll tear you into ten thousand pieces with my own hands!" Hei Du said through gritted teeth as he approached Long Xiao.

Long Xiao ignored him and instead cast Medusa a pleased look.

After hearing Yue Mei's explanation, he had thought Medusa might have some romantic history with Hei Du. Yet the way she defended him warmed his heart.

Then he turned toward Hei Du, who was brimming with murderous intent, and smiled. "Three moves."

The crowd erupted at those words. What arrogance!

Three moves? What did Long Xiao mean?

Would he defeat the chief commander in three moves, or give him three free attacks?

Or was he asking the chief commander to give him three free attacks? After all, the chief commander was a Dou Huang expert!

But Long Xiao soon gave them their answer.

"I'll give you three free attacks."

"Damn you! You dare look down on this commander? You're courting death!"

"Black Wind Slash!"

Enraged by Long Xiao's words, Hei Du gripped his saber with both hands. Black Dou Qi radiated from his entire body as he charged at Long Xiao.

The overwhelming pressure of a Dou Emperor swept down, bearing upon Long Xiao and intimidating the Snake-People below.

"So this is a Dou Emperor's strength? That brat is dead! He actually dared to give my big brother three free attacks?!"

Mo Bass roared from below the platform. He had never imagined Long Xiao would dare to be so arrogant.

That attack was powerful enough to kill someone like him.

Everyone waited eagerly to see what would become of Long Xiao.

Long Xiao watched the black blade descend toward him, his gaze calm and unchanged.

He thrust out a palm, and a massive golden dragon claw appeared in the air.

The dragon claw seized the black saber tightly, preventing it from descending even a fraction farther.

Every Snake-People spectator was dumbfounded.

What was going on? Long Xiao had actually caught Hei Du's slash bare-handed?

This was a high-grade Xuan-tier Dou Technique powerful enough to kill a Dou Emperor!

"Chief commander? Weak strength, slow speed. You'd better show me what you can really do!"

"Attacking is my way of showing you respect. Not using a weapon is my way of showing you mercy."

A mocking smile curled Long Xiao's lips.

As he finished speaking, Long Xiao gently closed his hand. The golden dragon claw crushed the black blade into countless fragments.

Long Xiao's words struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, booming through Hei Du's mind.

Respect? He's not just trying to kill me-he's trying to crush my spirit!

Long Xiao's words were naked humiliation. A dignified Dou Huang expert like him had actually been humiliated by a Dou Wang brat?

He had never seen anyone so arrogant in his life!

"You have two attacks left. Get on with it."

Long Xiao spoke indifferently.

"You..."

Hei Du's face turned livid. He glared at Long Xiao with blazing eyes, wishing he could tear him to pieces.

When had a dignified Dou Huang expert like him ever suffered such humiliation?

He had indeed underestimated Long Xiao's strength this time, but he refused to believe a mere Dou Wang could block his next attack!

He gritted his teeth and swung his arm fiercely. Black mist swirled around it, condensing into a ferocious black python that lunged at Long Xiao.

"Wild Snake Fist!"

Long Xiao continued to sneer at Hei Du's attack. "A close-combat Dou Technique?"

A contest of physical strength? He had never feared one.

He possessed a Divine Body, after all.

Long Xiao let the punch come straight at him, then reached out with his left hand and caught it effortlessly. With a violent twist, he tore the black python apart.

"What?! This strength..."

Hei Du was shocked. He had never imagined that Long Xiao, who looked so slender and frail, would possess such a terrifying physique.

Unwilling to concede, he gathered terrifying power in his left hand and blasted it toward Long Xiao's chest, even as Long Xiao held his right hand captive!

This punch carried all his strength. A Dou Emperor's full-powered strike was enough to destroy a mountain!

Boom!

With a dull thud, Hei Du's fist struck Long Xiao squarely in the chest.

"Bang!"

The tremendous crash echoed across the entire square. A visible ring of ripples spread outward, and Hei Du was sent flying backward!

Everyone witnessed an astonishing sight. After taking that punch, Long Xiao's chest remained completely unscathed. Even his clothes had not torn; they were merely a little wrinkled.

"How can this fellow be such a monster? Is he even human?"

Hei Du spat out a mouthful of blood, his face deathly pale. He had clearly suffered a serious injury.

"Perhaps we were all wrong. Only a mighty dragon dares cross the river..."

The old commander murmured to himself, his expression growing grave.

Long Xiao's strength far exceeded his imagination. To overcome someone of a higher realm with such combat prowess, he had to possess extraordinary talent!

Mo Bass no longer knew what to say. Long Xiao's strength far surpassed his expectations. He even suspected that Long Xiao was a Dou Zong expert.

"Long Xiao, have you been hiding your strength?"

Hei Du wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked at Long Xiao as he asked.

Long Xiao glanced at Hei Du indifferently. Rather than answer, he simply said, "Your three moves are over. Get down."

Long Xiao gave a cold shout and stamped his right foot against the ground. The entire surface trembled, and a deep fissure split the earth. Then he leaped into the air and brought his foot down toward Hei Du.

Hei Du's expression changed drastically. He tried to dodge, but there was no way to escape. Beneath that descending foot, his body seemed imprisoned, leaving him unable to move.

"Bang!"

Long Xiao's right foot slammed into the black armor covering Hei Du's chest.

Crack!

The black armor shattered instantly!

"Pfft..."

As though Mount Tai had come crashing down upon him, Hei Du was stomped straight into a deep crater.

"You've lost!"

Long Xiao spoke indifferently, then withdrew his right foot and stood where he was, waiting for Hei Du to get up.

Though that stomp was not fatal, it was enough to inflict serious injury.

Every Snake-People spectator was utterly shaken by the sight.

They had never imagined Long Xiao would be so powerful!