Chapter 189: Challenge Issued
Beneath White Python Peak, Su Yan rode the Shadow Horn Spider along the mountain path.
Disciples along the road looked at the newcomer in surprise, but Su Yan paid no attention and continued straight to the Training Ground before stopping.
Su Yan spotted Zhao Yi’an in the crowd.
The challenge invitation in his hand shot out like a flying dart.
Zhao Yi’an reacted abruptly and caught the incoming letter.
“Junior Brother Su, what do you mean by this?”
“You know me? Good.”
Zhao Yi’an was from the Qing Family lineage and had surely received the message, so he naturally recognized Su Yan.
“Challenge, climb the ranking. Will Senior Brother accept?”
Zhao Yi’an’s face showed shock, and he seemed somewhat incredulous: “You’ve only just reached 200th Place. Do you know my ranking?”
“169th Place, neither high nor low, just right. If Senior Brother doesn’t dare, I’ll put up a prize: thirty Return Intent Yuan Pills.”
Hiss!
One Return Intent Yuan Pill was worth at least three hundred First-order Origin Stones, and Su Yan was offering thirty at once—nearly ten thousand First-order Origin Stones. This was no small sum.
Using this as a wager for the challenge was certainly not light.
Zhao Yi’an felt suspicious, but he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, unable to back down.
If he refused the challenge, Zhao Yi’an’s reputation would be ruined.
At the very least, he would be branded as timid and afraid of trouble.
If he accepted, he didn’t know what tricks Su Yan had prepared.
More and more people gathered. Zhao Yi’an gritted his teeth and snorted coldly: “I accept. I hope Junior Brother doesn’t lose too quickly.”
With Zhao Yi’an’s agreement, he leaped into the center of the Training Ground.
Many disciples from White Python Peak immediately crowded around, their eyes filled with eagerness and curiosity. They hadn’t expected a Tiger Ranking Disciple to suddenly issue a challenge.
Su Yan stepped forward, arriving in the arena as well.
“Summon your Contracted Beast and True Intent, or you won’t have the chance.”
Su Yan’s words stunned many people.
How dare he?
Especially Zhao Yi’an, who laughed angrily: “Heaven High Earth Thick.”
He was furious, and at the same time, he wanted to seize this opportunity to severely injure Su Yan.
With a wave of his hand, a White Scale Boa appeared before him, several zhang long, its body as thick as a water tank.
Behind him, White Python True Intent emerged. The two struck from left and right, charging straight at Su Yan.
Seeing his moves, Su Yan smiled faintly, clenched his fist, and punched directly.
The fist blasted out, huge as a millstone, with shadows of the Star Moon Centipede and Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon attached to it.
“Boom”
With a muffled boom, the White Python True Intent and White Scale Boa were sent flying by his punch.
Cries of alarm rose one after another.
How was this possible?
Zhao Yi’an was already a True Intent Realm Third Realm martial artist with Great Accomplishment cultivation.
He had cultivated one or two martial skills. How could he fall behind in the first clash?
Not only were the onlookers baffled, but Zhao Yi’an himself was filled with shock and fear.
The power of that punch was in no way inferior to any Third Realm Great Accomplishment, or even Perfection martial artist.
This guy had been hiding his strength!
Zhao Yi’an’s long sword immediately flew toward Su Yan alongside the White Scale Boa.
The White Python Sword Technique danced like a silver net, airtight as it assaulted Su Yan.
Su Yan raised his gaze slightly. True Essence gathered around him. With the Heavenly Python Dharma Body unleashed, a Black Python shattered the sword light approaching his body.
His formidable physical body made Zhao Yi’an even more wary.
‘The Insect Consciousness Seed’s spiritual power boosts attacks, far more powerful than ordinary attack methods.’
Su Yan treated Zhao Yi’an as a whetstone to temper his new moves.
True Intent attacks stemmed from True Intent; the stronger the True Intent, the greater the power of the martial skills.
But at root, the source of True Intent power was bloodline, True Essence, and spirit.
The Insect Consciousness Seed was the most fundamental and powerful mental power.
‘Now, it’s time for you to lose.’
Su Yan focused his mind, activating the Insect Consciousness Seed’s power. Mental power spread wildly, converging into his True Intent.
The Poison Star Ape emerged. Su Yan raised his hand and lightly commanded: “Mountain Splitting!”
A Mountain Splitting punch gathered a massive fist in front of him.
Zhao Yi’an’s True Intent condensed momentum, attaching to the sword light as he slashed down heavily to block the punch.
However, the Poison Star Ape’s punch was like a collapsing Mount Tai, shattering the sword light like dry weeds and smashing into Zhao Yi’an.
With a muffled sound, Zhao Yi’an flew backward, crashing into the crowd, blood trickling from his mouth and nose, staining his collar, looking utterly wretched.
He won?
Just like that?!
Everyone was dumbfounded. Su Yan hadn’t even properly summoned his True Intent; he had only slightly manifested and boosted it.
Yet Zhao Yi’an, ranked 169th on the Tiger Ranking, had lost just like that.
“This kid has made it.”
In the Lecture Hall, the on-duty Danqiao Elder watched from afar as Su Yan summoned the Six-Winged Blood Centipede and flew up, unable to help praising aloud.
Accumulating momentum through battle, powerful spirit, Unrivaled Hardening. He currently appeared to be only True Intent Realm Second Stage Ruyi Stage.
But as long as he fought a few more battles, True Intent Realm Third Realm would be within easy reach. And continuing like this, even the Third Realm wouldn’t hold Su Yan back for long.
The crowd helped Zhao Yi’an up, and acquaintances came forward to console him.
The rest returned to the Martial Lecture Hall to continue listening to the lecture.
Some busybodies boldly urged the lecturing elder in the Martial Lecture Hall: “Elder Wei, Su Yan is clearly only a True Intent Realm Second Stage martial artist. How can he fight above his level? Then what’s the point of our cultivation breakthroughs?”
Wei Shengfeng glanced at the disciple. True Intent Realm Second Stage cultivation. He shook his head slightly.
“Do you think fighting above your level is something anyone can do?”
“Martial skills, physical body, True Essence, spirit, bloodline…”
Wei Shengfeng listed them one by one: “Excluding those with exceptional talent, if you put in tremendous effort on these, it becomes your trump card for fighting above your level. I don’t know about others, but just Su Yan’s displayed physical body and profound True Essence are no less than a Condensing Momentum Stage martial artist’s. How could he not fight above his level?”
The questioning disciple was immediately speechless. To hone a single aspect to Third Realm level with only Second Realm cultivation—this difficulty was probably greater than breaking through.
Moreover, the resources spent were unimaginable.
“This disciple is foolish and misguided.”
Wei Shengfeng nodded. The child could be taught.
“Heavenly Prodigies have their way of cultivation, seeking the Extreme Realm and solidifying the foundation of every step to go further. Ordinary martial artists have their way: break through first, then make up for it later. That’s also a method. And only by breaking through do you gain lifespan to do other things. Don’t aim too high.”
“It’s changed! It’s changed!”
A sudden burst of exclamations interrupted Wei Shengfeng’s words.
His eyes flashed with displeasure, about to scold, when he suddenly saw the Tiger Ranking Stone Tablet change again.
“Su Yan, Tiger Ranking 157th Place.”
His beard twitched as he calculated: Su Yan had only been gone for two quarters of an hour, and another unlucky one had been found?
His gaze immediately fell on the name at 158th Place.
“Who is Shattered Moon Peak’s Wang Han at 158th?”
The disciples exchanged glances. How to answer that?
“Entered the sect six years ago, also a Condensing Momentum Stage martial artist… Right, he’s the son of the Qing Family Chief Steward.”
Better not to say it; once said, it immediately sparked many associations.
“I heard the Qing Family wants to cause trouble for Su Yan. Could he be fighting back?”
“Maybe. The original 189th Place Pang Tianhu was also from the Qing Family. Senior Brother Zhao Yi’an seems…”
Not checking was one thing; checking revealed it was true.
This was going to be interesting.
“How many more Qing Family people are on the ranking?”
…
The crowd tallied them one by one. Seeing this, Wei Shengfeng knew the lecture couldn’t continue.
He simply let them discuss. Upon counting, 145th Place Fuyue Peak’s Du Zhengshi, 129th Place Qing Family direct daughter Qing Zixuan, and 98th Place Qing Tianyu were all from the Qing Family.
Du Zhengshi was True Intent Realm Third Realm at Perfection, just one step from breaking through to the Fourth Realm.
Qing Zixuan had already completed Condensing Momentum and attempted True Intent Divine Union, taking half a step. She could enter the Fourth Realm at any time.
As for Qing Tianyu, he was even a Fourth Realm martial artist, with strength notable even on Azure Dragon Peak.
Su Yan’s talent was strong, but he surely wouldn’t really plan to challenge them one by one, right?
…
Beneath Fuyue Peak, Du Zhengshi wore Black Armor, wielding dual hammers. The armored silver bear behind him had been beaten down and lay in a deep pit.
“Want to go again?”
Su Yan looked up at him. Behind him, Poison Star Ape True Intent condensed like a mountain guardian deity, its aura pressing down on Du Zhengshi.
Du Zhengshi tried to stand, but his manifested Mountain Spirit Beast True Intent had collapsed and couldn’t reform.
He smiled bitterly: “Junior Brother is highly skilled. I lost. Please show mercy, Junior Brother.”
The first half was for himself, but the latter was for the Qing Family.
But he was only the son of the Qing Family Chief Steward and couldn’t speak for the Qing Family.
Spoken tactfully.
Su Yan nodded slightly: “You’re not bad, but they started this.”
Su Yan turned and left, withdrawing the Poison Star Ape True Intent into his body. His voice carried back: “Tomorrow I wish to challenge Senior Sister Qing Zixuan of Azure Dragon Peak. Please pass the message, Senior Brother Du.”
Du Zhengshi’s pupils shrank. As expected, he was targeting the Qing Family.
Was it worth the Qing Family provoking such a young genius?
Su Yan descended from Fuyue Peak. He hadn’t even returned to Guizang Valley, but news of his challenges had already spread.
Normal Tiger Ranking changes were rare even once a month, especially beyond 200th Place.
But now, three changes in one day, all by the same person.
Su Yan’s name had long been noticed by everyone.
And now rumors spread that he wanted to challenge Qing Tianyu and his sister Qing Zixuan. In an instant, all disciples of the Seven Peaks One Valley were abuzz.
On Azure Dragon Peak, Qing Tianyu, Qing Zixuan, and Qing Tianyi gathered atop Cloud Azure Mountain.
“That brat Su Yan is bullying our Qing Family like this.”
Qing Tianyi’s face was full of anger, wishing he could tear Su Yan apart.
Qing Zixuan’s expression was icy as she snorted coldly: “You can scorn others, but they can’t fight back?”
“What do you mean?”
Qing Tianyi glared at Qing Zixuan, but her gaze swept over him, her perfected Condensing Momentum aura pressing down, instantly paling his face.
“Zixuan.”
Qing Tianyu interrupted Qing Zixuan’s aura. Qing Tianyi was his blood brother, after all.
A strange light flashed in Qing Zixuan’s eyes, and she snorted.
“We mishandled the Su Yan matter.”
The Qing Family wanted to establish its prestige, so it naturally set up some targets.
Like Ni Hai back then.
So-called geniuses couldn’t withstand the Qing Family, so fame and resources would flow to them.
Their approach to Su Yan was the same, but they hadn’t expected Su Yan to grow so fast, beyond their imagination.
“And then?”
Qing Zixuan retorted: “Now he’s going to knock every Qing Family member off the Tiger Ranking.”
“He can’t do it.”
A cold voice came. Qing Yunheng finally appeared, his gaze sweeping over the three: “Even if he can fight above his level, he can’t match Spirit Merging Stage.”
“Winning or losing isn’t the key.”
Qing Tianyu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly: “It took me eight years to reach 98th on the Tiger Ranking, but he did it in one year.”
For martial artists, time and age were sometimes the greatest chasm.
He could beat Su Yan once, but not forever.
If Qing Tianyu understood, how could Qing Yunheng not?
“Zixuan.”
Qing Zixuan’s expression changed. Sure enough, Qing Yunheng said: “You go ease relations between the Qing Family and him.”
At these words, everyone present fell silent.
On the surface, the Qing Family’s conflict with Su Yan was a matter of pride, but essentially it was a fight over resources.
This could be big or small, especially for someone like Qing Tianyi. Mishandled, Su Yan would become his insurmountable inner demon.
To resolve it, the Qing Family had to bow its head, and Su Yan had to accept.
But with the Qing Family’s face and interests on the line, it wouldn’t be easy.
There was another method, however: not only sparing the Qing Family’s face but also winning Su Yan over—the beauty trap.
“Second Grandpa, I’m a Qing Family daughter too.”
Qing Zixuan looked up at Qing Yunheng, unwillingness in her brows.
“His momentum is worth it.”
Qing Yunheng didn’t reply directly, but his words were exceptionally cold.
Qing Zixuan’s eyes dimmed, then brightened as if inspired: “Zixuan understands.”
Qing Yunheng set the tone, Qing Zixuan stated her position, but she left first.
Seeing this, brothers Qing Tianyu and Qing Tianyi didn’t linger and left one after another.
Only Qing Yunheng remained in his room, eyes narrowed in thought.
“Breaking two realms in a year, climbing into Tiger Ranking 200th Place—truly great talent… Who knew his temperament was so unyielding… I hope you take the steps I give you.”
His eyes flashed fiercely. He had dealt with self-conceited geniuses like Su Yan before.
If he insisted on opposing the Qing Family, some family methods would inevitably be used.
…
Early the next morning, many busybody disciples had already gathered beneath Azure Dragon Peak.
Azure Dragon Peak had the most disciples, but not a single one from other peaks was missing; they all found excuses to come.
Seven Peaks One Valley each had their inheritances, but they all belonged to the sect, with no restrictions on interaction.
The Training Ground below Azure Dragon Peak was now surrounded in layers inside and out.
“The Qing Family siblings are here.”
Qing Tianyu and Qing Zixuan arrived at the Training Ground first.
Qing Tianyu wore martial robes, his figure tall and straight, holding an Upper Second-order sharp weapon, the Azure Flower Sword.
Beside him, Qing Zixuan wore a light purple long skirt, her hair adorned with a purple jade gilt hairpin, black hair cascading like a waterfall behind her. Her figure was graceful, arms fair; outwardly soft, inwardly alluring, a unique charm.
She ranked 129th on the list, but her beauty was even more renowned in Beast King Sect than her martial arts.
Though unwilling in her heart, from a prestigious family, she had prepared herself.
“Su Yan is here!”
