Chapter 9: The Impossible Challenge: Fight With Li Xiao
One month passed swiftly. Within the Xiao family, the challenge between Duan Liyang and Li Xiao spread like wildfire. No one could believe that an outer, Level 0 boy would dare challenge an established Level 3 cultivator like Li Xiao. Most disciples considered Duan Liyang a fool who had sought his own demise. Their whispers echoed in the training grounds, in the family halls, and even among the servants.
Ren Hao, throughout this month, was brimming with confidence. He was often seen with Li Xiao, mocking Duan Liyang and assuring others that the challenge would be a public humiliation for Duan Liyang, resulting in his permanent expulsion from the Xiao family.
Li Xiao, too, was arrogant, viewing Duan Liyang's challenge as a minor annoyance he would crush with a single blow.
But Duan Liyang was oblivious to all of this. He remained engrossed in his training, utilizing every moment to refine his offensive power and stabilize his internal energy.
The blue particles in his eyes now appeared more active, and although the headache persisted, it had become familiar to him, like a part of his body. His speed was incredible, and his subtle control over wind was now so innate that it felt like his second skin.
The day of the challenge finally arrived.
With the first rays of morning light, the main training grounds of the Xiao family filled with disciples and a few elders. In the center of the grounds, a formal arena had been set up. People were excited and eager, curious to see how Li Xiao would 'teach a lesson' to that 'impossible' boy.
Amidst the crowd, the chubby boy stood, his heart pounding, his face etched with deep worry. He watched Duan Liyang approach the arena. "Duan Liyang," he whispered, fear in his voice. "Li Xiao is very cruel... you should concede... staying alive is more important." His eyes fixed on Duan Liyang's thin, small frame, which in no way matched Li Xiao's imposing presence.
From a distant balcony, Xiang Rui stood, her eyes fixed on the arena, specifically on Duan Liyang. She had heard of Li Xiao's ruthlessness, and she had heard of Duan Liyang's challenge.
She knew it was madness. But she had also seen a new confidence in Duan Liyang's eyes, a glint that belonged only to someone who had overcome an internal barrier. This confidence did not match the innocence she had first seen in the cultivation examination room.
An elder announced the challenge. "Duan Liyang versus Li Xiao! Both contestants enter the arena!"
Li Xiao entered the arena with a confident smirk. His steps were firm, his cultivation aura exerting pressure over the grounds. Behind him was Ren Hao, grinning triumphantly.
Then, Duan Liyang arrived. He was dressed in his usual clothes, which now seemed a bit loose, his body feeling more agile and light than ever.
There was no fear on his face, no nervousness, just a calm, unwavering resolve. His eyes were fixed directly on Li Xiao.
As Duan Liyang looked closely at Li Xiao, the blue particles in his eyes shimmered. His unique vision clearly showed the energy flowing within Li Xiao's body.
Duan Liyang's eyes widened. Li Xiao's energy flow, its density... it was not Level 3! It was far more powerful. Li Xiao was actually at Level 4!
Duan Liyang was in shock. He had never imagined Li Xiao would be so powerful. Challenging a Level 3 was already madness, but Level 4... it was suicide. But instead of fear, a strange glint appeared in his eyes.
Li Xiao looked at Duan Liyang, his smirk arrogant. "You've made the biggest mistake by taking this challenge, little worm. Today, I'll show you how foolish you are."
Li Xiao glanced at the surrounding crowd, then looked back at Duan Liyang, his voice now louder so everyone could hear. "An ignorant worm like you has no way of knowing this, but I'm not just at Level 3." He puffed out his chest proudly. "I have already broken through to Level 4 Cultivator!"
All the disciples and some elders present on the grounds were stunned. A storm of whispers erupted. "What? Level 4?" "How is this possible? How did he break through so fast?" Ren Hao's face was also filled with surprise; he, too, was unaware of Li Xiao's secret breakthrough. This was another arrogant display from Li Xiao, which he had kept hidden to shock everyone.
Li Xiao cast a contemptuous gaze at Duan Liyang. "Kneel before me, Duan Liyang. Leave the Xiao family. If you do that, I will let you live." There was a clear threat in his voice.
Duan Liyang recalled the painful experiences on the ground and his helplessness before the Furry Wolf. He felt the worry of his friend, the chubby boy. He also remembered the trust in Xiang Rui's eyes. Above all, he remembered the insult to his mother. The flame within him ignited.
He stood straight, no shadow of pain or fear on his face, only an unwavering resolve. Duan Liyang took a deep breath; the energy within him now felt even more concentrated. He said not a single word, merely took a step forward towards Li Xiao. This was not a refusal to fight; it was a declaration.
Li Xiao's smirk vanished, anger clouding his eyes. "So, you seek death!" He lunged at Duan Liyang with a powerful fist, the energy erupting from his punch tearing through the air.
Duan Liyang reacted. His vision saw Li Xiao's punch in slow motion; he could also clearly see the energy flowing within his body, concentrating in his attacking fist. Duan Liyang did not attempt a direct defense. Instead, he used his heightened speed and subtle control over the wind. He slipped past Li Xiao's strike, the fist narrowly missing his cheek.
Li Xiao gasped in shock. "What?" He hadn't expected Duan Liyang to be so fast. He threw another powerful punch.
Duan Liyang stepped back, dodging the punch again. He began to move around Li Xiao in an invisible, wind-based dance, easily evading every attack. Whispers started rippling through the crowd. "How is this possible? Li Xiao's punch should be too fast for a Level 0 child!"
Ren Hao's face began to pale. He knew it was Duan Liyang's speed, but he hadn't expected it to be so precise.
Duan Liyang decided to counterattack now. As Li Xiao threw another powerful kick, Duan Liyang dodged right beside his leg and thrust his right fist towards Li Xiao's lower abdomen. He compressed his internal energy into his fist, turning wind particles into a concentrated force, and punched.
'Pop!'
A sharp sound echoed, and Li Xiao stumbled. Surprise filled his eyes, as he felt a small, but piercing force disrupting the flow of his internal energy. "What... what was that?" he gasped, panting with pain.
Duan Liyang pursued him. He began to revolve around Li Xiao like a vortex, each punch thrown by concentrating wind in his fist. 'Pop! Pop! Pop!' Each strike landed on different parts of Li Xiao's body, disrupting the flow of his internal energy, shaking his organs.
Li Xiao was now panicking. He was attacking with all his might, but Duan Liyang's invisible strikes were constantly injuring him from within. He couldn't see Duan Liyang; his speed and the unpredictable nature of his attacks had completely disoriented him.
"You... what are you?" Li Xiao shrieked, his eyes now filled with terror, not arrogance.
Duan Liyang did not reply. He concentrated all the remaining energy in his body. The blue particles in his eyes glowed. He saw a weak point in the flow of energy within Li Xiao's body – an instability that was perfect for his final punch.
He rooted his feet to the ground, compressed his internal energy into his fist, and turned the wind around his hands into an invisible blade. He delivered the final blow.
'Boom!'
A loud, echoing sound resonated, and Li Xiao was sent flying into the air. A deep pain erupted in his body, and he felt that the core of his internal energy had been severely disrupted. He fell to the ground with a loud thud and lay unconscious.
Silence fell over the grounds. There was no sound. All the disciples' eyes were fixed on Duan Liyang, who stood calmly, his fist still clenched, the wind subtly swirling around him. He had defeated Li Xiao. A Level 0 boy (as they believed him to be) had defeated a Level 4 cultivator, and so decisively.
Ren Hao's face had turned completely white. His eyes were wide, his jaw slack. He was trembling. He knew Duan Liyang was no ordinary human.
The chubby boy emerged from the crowd, tears in his eyes, but they were tears of joy and disbelief. "Duan Liyang!" he whispered.
On the distant balcony, a calm, victorious smile graced Xiang Rui's face. Her eyes were fixed on Duan Liyang. "I knew it, little brother, you would win." she whispered, a sparkle in her eyes that reflected her unwavering faith in Duan Liyang's victory.
A roar of applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.
Just then, an experienced elder with a solemn face entered the arena. His stride commanded authority, and the crowd made way for him. This was the same elder who usually oversaw the cultivation examination room – Xiang Rui's grandfather. He went directly to the unconscious Li Xiao and began to examine him carefully. He took Li Xiao's wrist and checked the flow of his internal energy.
As the elder examined Li Xiao's internal meridians, his face gradually turned numb. His eyes widened, filled with profound disbelief. Li Xiao's internal meridians, which are crucial for cultivation, were severely shattered, as if an invisible force had destroyed them from within. This was an injury that would likely cripple Li Xiao for life, forcing him to never cultivate again.
Duan Liyang looked at Li Xiao's unconscious body, then up at the sky. His journey had just begun.
End of Chapter 9