Chapter 38: Turning the Tables, Accepting the Challenge

"You don't believe I can complete a three-star mission?" Qingxi glanced at the speaker, raising an eyebrow. Inwardly, he mused that the cultivation world truly never lacked those self-important fools.

"I don't believe a word!"

The man walked over with hands clasped behind his back and an expression full of disdain. With each step, the aura around him surged, rising steadily: first layer of Qi Refining, then the second... all the way to the twenty-sixth, finally stabilizing.

This seemingly young man was, in fact, a seasoned inner disciple at Qi Refining twenty-sixth layer.

Qingxi swept his eyes over the man.

[Type: Human]
[Name: Zhou Yuanlong]
[Spiritual Root: Common]
[Cultivation: Qi Refining Twenty-sixth Layer]
[Note: This person is an inner disciple of the Spirit Origin Sect, with solid foundations. Among his peers, he is a minor prodigy, second only to those with spiritual-grade roots.]

"Arrogant just for reaching the twenty-sixth layer of Qi Refining? If he ever achieves perfection in Qi Refining, would he soar to the heavens?" Qingxi sneered inwardly, his lips curling up. He thought Zhou Yuanlong was truly courting disaster.

Perhaps the other believed him to be young, a soft target to be easily squeezed.

The crowd, seeing Zhou Yuanlong, mostly wore looks of surprise.

"It's Zhou Yuanlong! I heard he's completed more than a dozen two-star missions, and even joined forces to finish a three-star one. His points exceed six hundred—it's only a matter of time before he climbs the disciples' leaderboard."

"Zhou Yuanlong is only twenty-two years old and already has such achievements. He's quite remarkable, with a chance to break into the Innate Realm and become a true master."

"Wow, I'm so envious!"

Compliments rippled through the crowd, and some lovestruck female disciples nearly pushed their way forward.

Zhou Yuanlong lifted his chin, standing proudly before the mission hall. He glanced sideways at Qingxi and said, "So young, yet so fond of boasting. Do you think a three-star mission is something anyone can accomplish?"

"Zhou Yuanlong, don't look down on others,"

Before Qingxi could speak, Nie Yu stepped forward to defend him. As an alchemist about to reach the sixth rank, Nie Yu was considered upper-middle among the Dan Peak alchemists, and he certainly wasn't afraid of Zhou Yuanlong. More importantly, he couldn't let slip such a golden opportunity to curry favor with Qingxi.

Tang Hai and Tang Jiang, though silent, stood on either side of Nie Yu, making their stance clear.

Zhou Yuanlong ignored the Tang brothers outright, casting a glance at Nie Yu and said mockingly, "Oh, isn't this Master Nie from Dan Peak? The sun must have risen in the west today, actually speaking up for an outer disciple."

Recently, Zhou Yuanlong had teamed up with several top inner senior brothers to complete a three-star mission, which gave him a sense of inflated vision. Even if Nie Yu was soon to be a sixth-rank alchemist, Zhou Yuanlong didn't think much of him. In Zhou Yuanlong's eyes, once he broke into the Innate Realm, even a ninth-rank alchemist would have to rely on his favor.

He looked at Qingxi and, in a lecturing tone, said, "So young and already learning to boast—it's my duty as your senior brother to correct you."

"Correct me?"

Qingxi opened his eyes wide, thinking Zhou Yuanlong was far too conceited. He felt a strong urge to rub the other's face in the dirt.

But then Qingxi's lips curled up, his eyes narrowed like a sly old fox, and he said, "Zhou Yuanlong, is it? I just did a quick divination. In your past life, you were a dog—one that liked to catch mice."

Zhou Yuanlong's gaze sharpened, anger flickering. "You're insulting me?"

Qingxi spread his hands. "I didn't insult you—just stating a fact. As the saying goes, 'A dog meddles by catching mice.' If you're not a dog, why meddle? What business is it of yours which mission I take? Did I eat your family's rice?"

"You dare court death!"

Zhou Yuanlong was furious, his legs pushing off the ground like a tiger, rushing to Qingxi's side in an instant. He raised his hand, ready to strike down.

But suddenly, something occurred to him, and his arm froze in midair, not descending.

Qingxi stood his ground, his lips curled in a smile. "The sect rules: no private fighting within ten meters of the main hall—violation results in severe punishment. Do you dare?"

Zhou Yuanlong glared at Qingxi, gnashing his teeth, wishing he could hang this unfamiliar youth up for a beating.

"Such a sharp-tongued brat, using sect rules against me. But since you've provoked me, you're dead! If you dare leave the mission hall, I'll beat you until your own mother won't recognize you!" Zhou Yuanlong clenched his fists, suppressing his anger.

"I'm not leaving today."

Qingxi sat right down on the bench before the hall, crossed his legs, took a bite from a sugarcane he somehow produced, and beckoned to Zhou Yuanlong with his right hand. "Come over, then!"

Zhou Yuanlong was practically smoking with rage. He shouted, "You brat! I, Zhou Yuanlong, officially challenge you—do you dare accept?"

He was too angry to care about anything else. Generally, disciples were forbidden from private fights, but formal challenges were allowed.

The crowd was abuzz; Zhou Yuanlong was actually challenging a clearly new disciple.

"Zhou Yuanlong, you're a seasoned inner disciple—do you really need to challenge a newly-promoted outer disciple? Have you no shame?" Nie Yu stepped forward again, turning to Qingxi. "Junior brother, don't accept—refuse him!"

"Accept? Why wouldn't I!"

To everyone's surprise, Qingxi stood up, eyes shining. "I'll accept. But whoever loses must hand over all their redeemable points to the winner."

He'd been worrying about lacking points. Zhou Yuanlong, with his recent haul, was a fat sheep delivered to his door—how could he not take advantage?

No, not just once—he'd fleece him several times!

Qingxi calculated inwardly.

His words sent the crowd into another uproar.

"A newly-promoted outer disciple actually dares accept Zhou Yuanlong's challenge? Is he crazy?"

"They say men die for wealth, birds for food—today, someone's taking a beating for points. Truly, the world holds all kinds of wonders!"

"Hmph, an outer disciple probably can't withstand Zhou Yuanlong's aura alone. Isn't he courting death?"

Discussions broke out all around.

Nie Yu and the Tang brothers exchanged glances, surprised. But remembering that Qingxi was exceptionally clever—the one who devised the scheme that made the disciples of the Scarlet Flame Sect cry—they knew he wasn't a fool.

If he agreed so readily, he must be well prepared.

Could it be that Elder Ouyang Changfeng had given him another trick like last time?

The three began to imagine and convinced themselves it must be so.

Otherwise, how could someone at Qi Refining fifteen fight Qi Refining twenty-six?

"Wha... what? You accept my challenge? Did I hear that right?" Zhou Yuanlong was stunned, then sneered, "But as an outer disciple, how many points could you possibly have?"

"Not many—just three hundred seventy-three."

Qingxi produced his outer disciple token, infused it with energy, and a screen of light erupted, revealing two streams of numbers: one white, one red.

"He really does have over three hundred points—and they're all unredeemed! This outer disciple is rich!"

Everyone stared at the red numbers, nearly dropping their jaws.

Zhou Yuanlong rubbed his eyes, staring in disbelief at the two streams of digits.