Volume One, Chapter Eleven: The Jester's Ploy, Defeating the Ruins with a Single Finger

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Hearing a dog bark, Tang Xi’s face was full of mockery.

“Mu Fan, do you hear where that dog is barking from?”

Mu Fan looked around anxiously. “Hey, Brother Xi, where’s the dog? Oh! It’s actually far away yet so close at the same time!”

Upon hearing this, Xu Wuhen’s expression darkened ominously. In the entire Tenth Royal City, who would dare insult him? The anger turned to a bitter kind of laughter.

“Haha! So you’ve become a Qi Refining cultivator now, overflowing with confidence. I’ll make you understand that even among Qi Refining cultivators there are differences—just like our fates. You are but a drifting weed, while I... am the rising morning sun soaring to the heavens.”

“I hereby formally challenge you. If you’re a man, accept my challenge.”

More and more spectators gathered, each showing different expressions. Many sympathized with Tang Xi—of all people, he had to offend Xu Wuhen.

The Xu family was rising to unprecedented heights, and as the young master of the Xu clan, Xu Wuhen acted arrogantly.

He had not done anything blatantly illegal, so people could only curse him behind his back.

Seeing Tang Xi remain silent, Xu Wuhen turned to Qing Hua.

“Qing Hua, I have fulfilled what I promised you, but he isn’t worth you doing this for.”

Qing Hua’s expression remained calm and indifferent as she looked at Tang Xi. Her thoughts had changed; this lifetime’s Tang Xi seemed different.

Tang Xi waved his hand. “If you want to spar, fine. But let’s raise the stakes: whoever loses must kneel and walk from here to the gate, repeatedly calling me a loser. How about that?”

“Hmph! I accept this challenge,” Xu Wuhen declared.

…

In a street arena in the Tenth Royal City—a place established for cultivators or warriors to spar, always popular—the news of the duel between the unknown worthless student from the Tenth Academy and the genius from the First Academy, Xu Wuhen, the Xu family’s young master, spread quickly.

Most took it as mere entertainment, but some students saw it as a matter of pride between the two academies.

The First Academy’s students were carefree, confident that victory was within reach.

“Come on, Young Master Xu! Beat that guy from the Tenth Academy!”

Meanwhile, the Tenth Academy’s students, though somewhat doubtful of Tang Xi, still cheered him on.

“Tang Xi, don’t be afraid if you lose. The soul of the Tenth Academy must not be lost. You can lose the fight, but never your spirit.”

In the center of the arena, Tang Xi and Xu Wuhen faced each other.

Tang Xi’s expression was calm, but beneath that calm lay a terrifying murderous intent. He couldn’t kill Xu Wuhen in front of so many witnesses today, but he would definitely collect some interest.

Xu Wuhen’s aura surged as his strength at the fifth layer of Qi Refining became obvious.

In his hand appeared an A-grade immortal sword. Using swift footwork, he swung a dazzling sword slash at Tang Xi. Many students felt chills run down their spines.

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“Tang Xi, die!”

Tang Xi’s lips curled into a slight smile. Using his finger as a sword, he slashed out a three-meter-long sword intent that shattered the indestructible arena.

Xu Wuhen’s figure was instantly blown backward. Many didn’t understand what had happened—only a few knew that another genius had emerged in the Tenth Royal City.

Tang Xi slowly approached Xu Wuhen, who looked utterly incredulous. A spot of blood appeared on his brow; he had just felt as if he had passed through the gates of hell.

Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could that useless guy become so strong? It must be an illusion.

He wanted to counterattack, but the next moment, his eyes rolled back in his sockets, paralyzed with fear, locked in cold eye contact with Tang Xi, feeling as if a sharp sword was pressed against his entire body.

He dared to move slightly, only to be hit with excruciating pain.

“Ah~ ah~, it hurts so much!”

Tang Xi leaned close to Xu Wuhen’s ear with a sinister smile.

“The pain you feel now is not even a fraction of what I endured. Our life-and-death debt, I will repay it item by item.”

After saying this, Tang Xi withdrew the sword intent released by his chaotic sword body and laughed loudly.

“I thought Young Master Xu was formidable! Turns out he’s just a clown.”

“Young Master Xu, please! I imagine the future heir of the Xu family doesn’t break his word!”

“You... Tang Xi, don’t go too far. Are you really going to be this ruthless?”

Xu Wuhen’s voice was low but audible to all present.

A wave of scorn filled the air, making Xu Wuhen want to die on the spot.

He scrambled up in disgrace and fled without looking back.

Tang Xi’s goal had been achieved; this was only the beginning. There was more to come.

…

“Brother Xi, you didn’t just Foundation Establish, did you? That sword just now—I don’t think even I could have blocked it.”

“Really? Not yet. Just a mere Qi Refining level seven. Not worthy of respect.”

“Damn, awesome,” Mu Fan gave a thumbs-up.

“Watch your manners—can’t you see there’s a beauty beside us?” Tang Xi glared at Mu Fan.

Qing Hua looked at Tang Xi. Tang Xi thought she was about to say something fangirl-like.

“Awesome~”

Tang Xi was speechless.

…

Several hours later, the news that Tang Xi defeated Xu Wuhen and Xu’s disgraceful escape without keeping his word had spread throughout the Tenth Royal City.

Rumors grew more exaggerated, some even claiming Xu Wuhen was defeated by Tang Xi with a single fart. The power of gossip is fearsome!

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At the Xu family estate, one of the most prominent clans in the Tenth Royal City—Mingyu Gouchen Royal City—the architecture was grand and imposing.

In a spacious and vigorous room, Xu Wuhen knelt before a middle-aged man.

The jade stone the man held was crushed in his hand. This jade could gather immortal energy from heaven and earth, nourish the body and meridians, and prolong life—extremely valuable.

“Trash. You’ve ruined the Xu family’s reputation.”

“Father, it’s that little bastard’s fault for deceiving me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have fallen for it.”

“Hmph! Stay inside for a while. That brat won’t have a future.”

Xu Wuhen brightened. “Thank you, Father. But that little bastard might have obtained some extraordinary opportunity.”

“Oh? Explain.”

Xu Wuhen recounted everything about Tang Xi, while Xu family patriarch Xu Quan tapped his fingers lightly on the chair.

“Only the Bronze Gate could cause such sudden change in someone. I understand the situation. Without my order, you are not to go out.”

“By the way, your mother returned during your Immortal Path Entrance Exam.”

“Father, what exactly is my uncle’s identity? You’ve kept it from me all my life whenever I asked.”

“When the time is right, you’ll know. Anyway, with your uncle around, our Xu family will never fall.”

…

Tang Xi, Mu Fan, and Qing Hua deliberately went out for a feast. They planned to eat casually but ended up indulging more and more. Tang Xi treated the meal; Qing Hua paid the bill.

They spent over two thousand immortal martial coins. Tang Xi and Mu Fan were poor, but Qing Hua saved the day; otherwise, it would have been awkward.

Qing Hua’s appetite was small; Tang Xi and Mu Fan ate most of the food. Qing Hua quietly watched Tang Xi eat.

“I say, Miss Qing, Brother Xi has so many flaws; how come you like him?”

“What are you talking about?” Tang Xi slapped Mu Fan’s arm. “I have plenty of merits—tall, handsome, and strong.”

“Ugh~ Brother Xi, your thick skin is your greatest merit.”

“Ha ha~”

Qing Hua’s clear laughter rang out, amused by the two jokers.

For a moment, Tang Xi was stunned.

How could such a beautiful girl be attracted to him?

…

…