Chapter 33

Looking at the robust young man who had taken the challenge first, the other unqualified clan members sighed with some regret, seemingly quite envious of this first person to take the plunge.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, sizing up the young man in front of him. Although he did not recognize all the clan members, he had some impression of this young man.

If his memory served him right, the young man's name was Xiao Ke, a member of the Elder's faction. He often followed Xiao Ning around, looking like a little lackey. In the past, when Xiao Yan was down on his luck, this young man had never shown him any kindness.

Recalling some old memories in his mind, a dangerous smile slowly crept onto Xiao Yan's lips.

Turning to meet the playful gaze of Xun Er, Xiao Yan smiled slightly, nodded under everyone's watchful eyes, and said softly, "Alright, I accept."

Seeing Xiao Yan agree so readily, a twitch appeared at the corner of Xiao Ke's eye, and a vague sense of unease quietly rose in his heart. His throat moved, and he suddenly regretted his rashness.

However, even with regret, it was now like an arrow on the string, leaving no room for backing out.

"Delusion, no one can advance four levels of Combat Qi in a year. This guy must have used some trick to deceive everyone! I can definitely defeat him!" After a moment of self-encouragement, Xiao Ke forced a smile and said, "Then let me see what my cousin Xiao Yan is made of!"

Xiao Yan smiled without a word, stood up, and walked to the training ground under everyone's gaze, then gestured for Xiao Ke to proceed.

Seeing the calm expression on Xiao Yan's face, Xiao Ke's unease grew even stronger. He laughed awkwardly and moved with stiff steps into the arena.

All eyes on the training ground turned to the two men in the center.

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan took a cloth from a servant behind him, wiped the water from his hands, and fixed his gaze on the scene below, his eyes filled with a hidden tension.

To be honest, not only were the young men finding it hard to believe Xiao Yan's achievements, but even Xiao Zhan himself felt a sense of unreality deep in his heart. It wasn't that he didn't trust Xiao Yan, but advancing four levels of Combat Qi in a year was almost monstrous. Even three years ago, Xiao Yan hadn't achieved such a speed.

Because the achievements were so remarkable, everyone found it hard to believe.

However, whether they believed it or not, once Xiao Yan engaged in combat, his true strength would be revealed, and everyone would see his true level!

Beside Xiao Zhan, the three elders' breathing quickened, their withered hands leaving deep marks on the armrests of their chairs. Their cloudy eyes stared at the scene with a complex expression.

On the stone training ground, all eyes were fixed on the two men. Whether Xiao Yan's previously displayed terrifying achievements were real or not would be revealed in the fight!

"Absolutely fake!" At the edge of the square, Xiao Ning licked his dry lips and said fiercely in a low voice.

"Should... be fake, right?" In the crowd, Xiao Mei bit her red lips and said with a hint of confusion, finding it equally hard to believe that this young man, who had been silent for three years, could suddenly achieve such terrifying results.

Under the complex gazes of everyone, Xiao Yan and Xiao Ke had completed the pre-fight formalities.

With their palms slightly raised, a faint Combat Qi enveloped them. Xiao Ke took a deep breath, stomped his foot on the ground, and charged straight at Xiao Yan.

There was nothing dazzling about this low-level fight; everything was the simplest form of confrontation.

"Mountain Splitting Palm!"

Rushing close to Xiao Yan, Xiao Ke's right palm gathered a bit of Combat Qi. He swung his right palm and slashed diagonally at Xiao Yan's chest.

Mountain Splitting Palm, a mid-level Yellow Rank combat technique, was only available to clan members above the fifth level of Combat Qi!

A gentle breeze blew Xiao Yan's bangs away, revealing a pair of pitch-black eyes. He blinked, and his narrowed eyes calmly watched the approaching palm.

Just as the palm was about to reach his shoulder, Xiao Yan calmly took a step to the left, his reaction honed by a year of physical training.

A single step, not too much, not too little, was enough to dodge Xiao Ke's attack. Slightly sidestepping, Xiao Yan's palm moved like a flower plucking a leaf, passing through Xiao Ke's arm and casually landing on his shoulder.

"Stone Crushing Palm!"

Stone Crushing Palm, a low-level Yellow Rank combat technique, could be learned with just three levels of Combat Qi!

A dull thud echoed as Xiao Ke's ruddy face turned pale upon being hit by Xiao Yan. He let out a muffled groan, staggered back, and finally lost his balance, falling flat on his back.

The entire arena fell silent, and Xiao Ke's defeat confirmed certain facts.

With a single palm, Xiao Yan defeated his opponent, shaking his head in boredom. This kind of opponent was truly unchallenging. He hadn't even used half of his true strength, let alone any trump cards.

Of course, unlike Xiao Yan's boredom, everyone outside the arena slowly closed their eyes. Since Xiao Yan could so easily defeat a clan member with six levels of Combat Qi, his strength must be above the seventh level.

In that case, the terrifying achievements Xiao Yan had displayed earlier... were real!

Advancing four levels of Combat Qi in a year was a miracle among miracles!

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan let out a heavy sigh, finally putting down the heavy stone in his heart.

"...Really, the seventh level..."

Looking at the defeated Xiao Ke, Xiao Mei slowly covered her red lips with her hand, her voice trembling in shock.

(Sorry, I intended to update around 12, but I fell asleep in front of the computer. O(∩_∩)O~ Please give me some votes!)