Li Chengfeng's imposing presence bore down on Xiao Yan like an invisible mountain. The air around them seemed to freeze, and even Zhao Yu and the Ten Thousand Pills Pavilion's attendants turned pale with fright and involuntarily retreated several steps.
Xiao Yan, however, remained where he stood, his expression calm. Origin Qi circulated silently within him, easily dispelling the pressure of his opponent's presence. He looked at Li Chengfeng and said mildly, "Elder Li, what an imposing display. How have I, Xiao Yan, offended the Li Clan, that you've gone to the trouble of coming in person to 'clean house'?"
"Insolence!" Li Chengfeng roared. "You're a wild brat of unknown origins, yet you dared to injure the Li Clan's third young master in Tianbei City. That's a provocation against our clan! If we don't cripple you today, how can the Li Clan show its face?"
Li Minghao, standing behind him, immediately shouted, "Grand Elder, that's him! You have to avenge me! Break his arms and legs and show him how formidable the Li Clan is!"
Li Xuantong stepped forward, placing himself in front of Xiao Yan. "Elder Li," he said gravely, "Xiao Yan is a guest of the City Lord's Manor. He also helped us repel the Blood Shadow Cult remnants at the Welcoming Guests Pavilion, rendering a service to Tianbei City. Please think carefully before you act."
Li Chengfeng glanced at Li Xuantong, a flicker of wariness passing through his eyes before anger swiftly replaced it. "Commander Xuantong, this is a grudge between the Li Clan and this brat. There's no need for you to interfere. If the City Lord's Manor takes offense, I, Li Chengfeng, will bear the consequences alone!"
He was clearly determined to stand up for Li Minghao, both to protect the Li Clan's reputation and to take the opportunity to blunt the City Lord's Manor's edge.
"Do you mean to disregard the City Lord's Manor's rules, Elder Li?" Li Xuantong's expression darkened as Origin Qi began to surge within him. "I brought Xiao Yan to Tianbei City. I can't stand by and do nothing."
The two were on the verge of drawing swords, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Xiao Yan gently patted Li Xuantong's shoulder, signaling him to step aside. Then he stepped forward and looked Li Chengfeng straight in the eye. "Since you want to fight, Elder Li, I'll oblige. But will you fight me yourself, or send one of your subordinates?"
His tone was mild, but it carried an unquestionable confidence. He showed no fear whatsoever, even though his opponent was a Peak Origin King.
"Arrogant!" Xiao Yan's attitude thoroughly enraged Li Chengfeng. "Since you're so eager to die, this old man will grant your wish!"
Before he had finished speaking, Li Chengfeng moved. His figure flickered, and he appeared before Xiao Yan in an instant, striking out with his palm. A sharp gust followed the blow as his Peak Origin King presence erupted without restraint. With enough force to tear through the air, his palm headed straight for Xiao Yan's chest.
The palm strike looked simple, but it contained exceptionally refined control over Origin Qi. It was clearly a secret art of the Li Clan, and its power was not to be underestimated.
Li Xuantong and Master Liu couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for Xiao Yan. Though they knew he was strong, he would likely struggle against Li Chengfeng, a Peak Origin King.
Yet Xiao Yan's response exceeded everyone's expectations.
Faced with Li Chengfeng's powerful, weighty palm strike, Xiao Yan didn't dodge. Instead, he answered with a punch. His fist looked utterly ordinary, but it contained extremely concentrated Origin Qi, mingled with a faint, almost imperceptible trace of flame.
"Boom!"
Fist met palm, and a muffled impact erupted like a thunderclap.
A terrifying shockwave of energy spread outward from the two of them, shaking concentric cracks into the ground. Even the stone lions in front of the Ten Thousand Pills Pavilion trembled slightly.
Li Chengfeng felt an incomparably overbearing force surge from his opponent's fist, mixed with a scorching heat that burned his Origin Qi. He involuntarily stumbled back three steps before regaining his footing. His face paled slightly, and he stared at Xiao Yan in disbelief.
A young Intermediate Origin King had forced him back?
Xiao Yan also retreated a step, his arm tingling slightly, but a trace of fighting spirit flashed in his eyes. Li Chengfeng was indeed considerably stronger than the Wang Clan retainer and the black-robed man he had encountered before, making him just right for honing his skills.
"Interesting. No wonder you dared to be so arrogant." Li Chengfeng steadied himself. The contempt in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by gravity. "It seems I underestimated you."
"Enough nonsense. If you want to fight, then fight. I don't have time to waste here with you," Xiao Yan said mildly.
"Good! Very good!" Li Chengfeng was so furious that he laughed. "Today, I'll show you that the gap between an Intermediate Origin King and a Peak Origin King is a chasm you'll never be able to cross!"
He rushed in again, his hands rapidly forming seals. Origin Qi gathered in his palm, forming a massive golden battle-axe. Intricate patterns were engraved on its blade, and it radiated a ferocious presence.
"Li Clan secret art-Mountain-Splitting Axe!"
With a great shout, Li Chengfeng swung the golden battle-axe fiercely at Xiao Yan. Its blade bore the force to shatter mountains and split stone, as though it would cleave even space itself apart.
Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. Not daring to be careless, he circulated both kinds of Heavenly Flames within him at once. The Green Lotus Core Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame intertwined in his hand, instantly forming a flaming spear several yards long. Flames churned along its length, radiating a terrifying presence that made hearts tremble.
"Heavenly Flames: Shatter Delusion!"
Xiao Yan gave a low shout and hurled the flaming spear with all his might.
The flaming spear and golden battle-axe collided in midair with an earth-shaking boom. The golden axe's silhouette and the red flames annihilated and canceled each other out. A terrifying shockwave of energy spread in every direction, shattering the doors and windows of nearby shops and sending frightened passersby fleeing.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The two traded blows, exchanging dozens of moves in an instant. Li Chengfeng's Mountain-Splitting Axe was powerful and heavy, every strike carrying the force to split mountains and shatter stone. Xiao Yan's flaming spear, meanwhile, was nimble and overbearing; wherever its flames passed, even the air warped from the heat.
For a time, the two were locked in an even battle, neither able to gain an advantage.
Everyone present was stunned, especially the Li Clan guards and Li Minghao. They had never dreamed that Xiao Yan could fight the Grand Elder to such an extent!
Li Xuantong and Master Liu also breathed sighs of relief, looking at Xiao Yan with shock and admiration.
"Xiao Yan's strength probably far surpasses that of an ordinary Intermediate Origin King..." Master Liu murmured. He was even more curious about Xiao Yan's alchemy. Since he could use Origin Qi and flames to such an extent, his alchemy skills were probably unfathomable as well.
After several dozen more exchanges, Li Chengfeng gradually began to feel unequal to the task. Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flames were too overbearing. Though his Origin Qi was pure, it was being consumed rapidly under their scorching heat. Xiao Yan was also extremely experienced in battle, always able to avoid the brunt of his attacks at crucial moments, leaving him unable to bring his strength to bear.
"Brat, you're courting death!" A ruthless glint flashed in Li Chengfeng's eyes. Origin Qi surged wildly within him, and the light of the golden battle-axe grew even more brilliant. Clearly, he was about to use his trump-card technique.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan's gaze hardened. The Heavenly Flames within him also began to burn fiercely as he prepared to meet his opponent's strongest attack.
At that critical moment, an authoritative voice rang out. "Stop!"
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Zhou Xiaotian striding over with several elders from the City Lord's Manor, his expression exceedingly grim.
"City Lord Zhou!" Li Chengfeng stopped involuntarily at the sight of Zhou Xiaotian. Though unwilling to back down, he didn't dare act outrageously in front of him.
Xiao Yan also put away his flaming spear and stood quietly to one side.
"Li Chengfeng, how dare you!" Zhou Xiaotian walked between the two men, his gaze like a blade as he looked at Li Chengfeng. "You dared to fight in the streets of Tianbei City and disturb the peace. Do you have any regard for the City Lord's Manor's rules?!"
Li Chengfeng's heart tightened, and he hurriedly bowed. "Please calm your anger, City Lord. I acted on impulse. I only wanted to teach this brat, who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, a lesson and seek justice for a member of the Li Clan."
"Seek justice?" Zhou Xiaotian snorted coldly. "Xiao Yan repelled the Blood Shadow Cult remnants at the Welcoming Guests Pavilion and rendered a service to Tianbei City. Not only are you ungrateful, but you even want to attack him. Is that the Li Clan's idea of justice?"
He paused, then continued, "Li Minghao tried to forcibly seize Master Liu's Earth Core Fire Lotus at the Ten Thousand Pills Pavilion. He had only himself to blame when Xiao Yan taught him a lesson! I've already investigated the matter. The fault lies with the Li Clan, not Xiao Yan! If you dare stir up trouble again, don't blame me for punishing you according to the city rules!"
Zhou Xiaotian's words rang out like thunder, making Li Chengfeng's face alternate between green and white, but he didn't dare argue. Zhou Xiaotian was an Origin Ancestor, far stronger than him, and he had justice on his side. If Li Chengfeng persisted, he would only bring humiliation upon himself.
"Yes. I know I was wrong. Thank you for the reminder, City Lord." Li Chengfeng gritted his teeth and bowed as he answered. His gaze was full of venom as he looked at Xiao Yan, but in the end, he didn't dare attack again.
"Why aren't you taking your people and leaving?" Zhou Xiaotian said coldly.
Li Chengfeng didn't dare say another word. He glared fiercely at Xiao Yan, then turned and slunk away with Li Minghao and the Li Clan guards.
Only when the Li Clan members had gone far away did the people nearby breathe a sigh of relief. They looked at Xiao Yan with awe. This young man had managed to make the Li Clan's Grand Elder suffer a setback and had the city lord's protection; his background was probably no simple matter.
"Xiao Yan, you've been wronged," Zhou Xiaotian said, his tone much gentler as he looked at him. "The Li Clan uses its power to bully others. I'll give them a proper warning. You needn't worry."
"Thank you, City Lord." Xiao Yan cupped his hands, his opinion of Zhou Xiaotian improving somewhat.
"You're a talented man. Tianbei City needs strong experts like you." Zhou Xiaotian nodded in satisfaction. "I hope you'll achieve a good result in the Northern Region Young Strongest Expert List Competition a month from now and bring glory to Tianbei City."
"I won't disappoint you, City Lord," Xiao Yan said.
Zhou Xiaotian offered a few more words of encouragement, then left with the elders. After all, there was still plenty to take care of at the City Lord's Manor.
"Young friend Xiao, you're incredible! You even drove Li Chengfeng back!" Master Liu said excitedly, looking at Xiao Yan with admiration.
Zhao Yu nodded repeatedly. "Big Brother Xiao, you were so cool just now! The Li Clan won't dare act arrogant anymore!"
Xiao Yan smiled and said no more. He knew this was only temporary. The Li Clan would never let the matter rest, and they would surely seek another chance for revenge, especially at the Northern Region Young Strongest Expert List Competition.
In the days that followed, Xiao Yan continued to devote himself to cultivation at the Ten Thousand Pills Pavilion, occasionally exchanging alchemy techniques with Master Liu. Both his strength and his alchemy skills improved steadily.
As the Northern Region Young Strongest Expert List Competition drew closer, Tianbei City grew increasingly lively. Young experts from all over the Northern Region poured in, and talented young people with powerful presences could be seen everywhere on the streets. Conflicts over minor matters were inevitable, and an atmosphere of drawn swords and bent bows filled the entire city.
During this time, Li Xuantong came to see Xiao Yan several more times and gave him some information about the competitors.
Experts had gathered in force for this competition, and three stood out above the rest:
The first was Wang Hao, a genius of the Wang Clan, one of Tianbei City's three great clans. Despite his youth, he had already reached Peak Origin King. It was said that he had grasped a trace of the Wang Clan's inherited "Hegemon Qi," and his strength was exceptionally formidable.
The second was Su Muxue, a young female genius from Wind Snow City, another great city in the Northern Region. She had cultivated ice-type Origin Qi to its utmost. Though young, she could already contend with Peak Origin King experts, and her signature technique, "Thousand-Mile Ice Seal," struck fear into countless experts at the mere mention of it.
The third was a mysterious young man in black. No one knew his name, only that his strength was unfathomable. As soon as he arrived in Tianbei City, he had challenged several long-famous Origin King experts without suffering a single defeat. His attacks were ruthless, earning him the name "Cold-Faced Killer."
"These three are the strongest contenders for the championship. You must be careful if you encounter them," Li Xuantong cautioned.
Xiao Yan nodded, committing the names to memory. Competition brought progress, and he was full of anticipation.
Apart from those three, the other competitors were not to be underestimated either. Li Hao, the Li Clan's eldest young master, for example, had also reached Advanced Origin King. He was said to be somewhat stronger than even Li Chengfeng, and he was probably targeting Xiao Yan this time as well.
"By the way, there's one more thing," Li Xuantong suddenly said. "The rewards for this competition are extremely generous. The champion will receive not only ten thousand Middle-Grade Origin Qi Pills, but also a Sect Breaking Pill."
"A Sect Breaking Pill?" A trace of surprise flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. "A pill that can help someone break through to the Origin Ancestor realm?"
"That's right." Li Xuantong nodded. "A Sect Breaking Pill is a seventh-grade pill and extremely precious. Even in the entire Northern Region, it counts as a top-tier treasure. Many Peak Origin King experts would be willing to pay an enormous price for one."
Xiao Yan's heart stirred. He was already an Intermediate Origin King, only one step away from Peak Origin King. If he could obtain a Sect Breaking Pill, his chances of breaking through to Origin Ancestor would undoubtedly increase greatly.
"It seems I'll have to give this competition everything I've got." A trace of fighting spirit flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
Li Xuantong looked at the fighting spirit in his eyes and smiled. "I believe you'll definitely win the championship."
A few days later, registration for the Northern Region Young Strongest Expert List Competition officially began. The registration site was in the City Lord's Manor square.
Accompanied by Zhao Yu, Xiao Yan arrived at the square.
The square was already packed with people. Young experts from all over the Northern Region had gathered there, each with a steady presence and eyes full of confidence and fighting spirit. A long line had formed in front of the registration desk, and the City Lord's Manor guards responsible for registration were rushed off their feet.
As Xiao Yan waited in line, he heard the people around him discussing the competition. Almost everyone believed the champion would be one of Wang Hao, Su Muxue, or the mysterious young man in black.
"Have you heard? Young Master Wang Hao of the Wang Clan has already cultivated Hegemon Qi to the third level. He can smash a small mountain with one punch!"
"Su Muxue from Wind Snow City is no pushover either. They say her ice-type Origin Qi has already condensed into an 'Ice Spirit,' with boundless power!"
"Isn't that mysterious young man in black even stronger? Even Li Hao, the Li Clan's eldest young master, doesn't dare provoke him. They say he defeated 'Iron Fist' Zhang Meng, a Peak Origin King, in a single move!"
"Sigh, there are too many experts this time. I'm afraid we're only here to make up the numbers."
Xiao Yan listened silently, gaining a more concrete understanding of his opponents' strength, but growing even more eager as well.
Soon, it was Xiao Yan's turn to register.
"Name?" the guard in charge of registration asked.
"Xiao Yan."
When Xiao Yan gave his name, the people around him fell silent at once, and countless gazes turned toward him in unison.
"It's him! Xiao Yan, the one who injured Li Minghao and drove Li Chengfeng back!"
"He's entering the competition too?"
"I heard he's only an Intermediate Origin King, and he dares to enter? Isn't he courting death?"
"Hmph, I think his last victory has gone to his head. When he runs into Young Master Wang Hao and the others, he'll be in for it!"
The discussion rose and fell, most of it skeptical or mocking.
The guard in charge of registration also paused. He looked Xiao Yan up and down several times before saying with some surprise, "You're Xiao Yan?"
Xiao Yan nodded.
The guard asked no more questions. He recorded Xiao Yan's information and handed him a wooden token engraved with a number. "This is your number token. The competition officially begins in three days. You'll need the token to enter."
"Thank you." Xiao Yan took the wooden token and turned to leave.
Just then, an arrogant voice rang out. "You're Xiao Yan?"
Xiao Yan turned and saw a handsome young man dressed in white, accompanied by a group of Wang Clan members. He looked down at Xiao Yan, his eyes full of contempt.
It was Wang Hao, the Wang Clan's genius.
"Can I help you?" Xiao Yan said mildly.