Chapter 25

(10 PM is when I get home, and I'll probably keep this overtime schedule until the New Year, so updates will be sparse. I'll try my best to keep them coming, and write more when I have the time! Because of the headache-inducing work, I've been staring at a computer all day, and my eyes are really hurting! Finally, I need two votes, as votes cure all ills, and even eye strain!)

Lan Bofu fell heavily to the ground, clutching his face and rolling around in agony!

His lower face was a bloody mess, spewing fresh blood, and he let out a muffled, piercing scream that made everyone who heard it feel a bit queasy!

The two servants who had accompanied him saw the situation and one immediately rushed to help Lan Bofu up, while the other ran off!

However, Lan Bofu, in his pain and confusion, struck the servant trying to help him, knocking him to the ground.

Xiao Ran had already shown considerable restraint by not killing Lan Bofu on the spot!

But the crystal silk enhancement gloves were quite interesting. If Xiao Ran had a pair, even at the first level of Qi cultivation, he could use the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms with the same power as Hong Qigong after refining his dantian and spirit acupoints on Mount Hua!

However, in broad daylight, beating someone and then robbing them was something Xiao Ran couldn't bring himself to do!

"If I had known, I should have made a bet with Lan Bofu before the fight. Otherwise, all this effort would be for nothing!"

Xiao Ran regretted it in his heart, sighing at his lack of experience!

He sheathed his sword gracefully and turned to leave!

At this moment, the servant who had been knocked down by Lan Bofu suddenly jumped up: "Xiao Ran, don't you dare run!

You think you can just beat someone and run away? There's no such easy thing!

Besides, you can run away from the monk, but not from the temple..."

Then the servant started spewing a torrent of foul language. This kind of person, who had long been mixing in the streets, could curse with anything. He was willing to go all out, knowing that if Xiao Ran left like this, he would have no good end!

His companion had definitely gone to get help. If he could hold Xiao Ran back until the Lan family arrived, his fate would be much better!

In the human realm, martial arts were extremely prevalent, and street fights were a daily occurrence. Calling for help after losing a fight, though despised, was not unheard of!

Hearing this, Xiao Ran stopped in his tracks. He thought that the true qi left in his eye acupoint by Wang Gong would take a day to dissipate, making this the strongest moment before his Qi cultivation. If the Lan family sent someone, he would take them on!

After all, if two families like theirs didn't want a full-scale war, even if the Xiao family sent more people, they wouldn't let the Gongfus fight!

If the Gongfus fought, it would mean a full-scale war between the two families. But if the young generations fought, it was just a kids' fight!

Xiao Ran's attack seemed severe, shattering half of Lan Bofu's face, but in the Ancient Continent, various miraculous elixirs and medicines were abundant, and the methods to treat such injuries were far more advanced than on Earth!

Lan Bofu's injuries would fully recover in one or two months at most!

Xiao Ran turned around and said, "I'll wait a bit before leaving, but if I hear another word from your dog mouth, you'll end up lying next to your master!"

The servant, under Xiao Ran's gaze, fell silent like a cicada in winter.

He wasn't a member of the Lan family, and even if Xiao Ran killed him, the Lan family wouldn't avenge him!

Xiao Ran thought that the Lan family and the Xiao family were about equal in strength. Though they were wealthy, they weren't a large, well-established clan. There were only three young people in the younger generation!

The eldest, Lan Boyu, was twenty years old and had reached the first level of Qi cultivation, having broken through this stage four or five years ago!

The second, Lan Yan'er, was the same age as Xiao Ran, and her third-level Qi cultivation was enough to make her a standout among her peers in Jin Guang City. However, she had already gone to Jin Guang Sect.

Even if she were still in Jin Guang City, she wouldn't stand up for Lan Bofu!

So the one who would come would be Lan Boyu!

Lan Boyu had been at the first level of Qi cultivation for four or five years and might be close to the second level. Xiao Ran decided to test the power of the Nine Swords of Dugu!

Xiao Ran was feeling confident and full of himself after his victory!

At this moment, a whistling sound broke the air, and a green figure darted through the crowd, crouching next to Lan Bofu!

His hands moved like the wind, sealing the vital points on Lan Bofu's face and applying ointment.

Lan Bofu felt a cool sensation seep into his face, and the excruciating pain was instantly reduced by half!

Seeing that Lan Bofu was out of danger, the man finally relaxed and said to those around Lan Bofu, "Take the third young master back first!"

However, Lan Bofu struggled to sit up, pushing away the servant. Though he couldn't speak, he glared at Xiao Ran with intense hatred!

The man understood Lan Bofu's meaning and said softly, "Alright, Third Brother, watch as your elder brother avenges you!"

Fathers and sons fight together, and brothers fight tigers together!

This man was naturally the eldest of the Lan family, Lan Boyu!

Lan Boyu stood up, towering over Xiao Ran by more than half a head. He was extremely handsome, and his sister Lan Yan'er was a famous beauty, so his looks were also good!

Though Lan Boyu's face was usually as gentle as jade, it now carried a hint of anger. He said, "Xiao Ran, we must admit we misjudged you!

You, a mere third-level Body Cultivation, managed to defeat my third brother, who is at the first level of Qi cultivation. You do have some skill!

You're not a complete waste, but because of the Lan family's decision to break the engagement, you hold a grudge and seek trouble with my third brother, which is truly petty!

My third brother is only fifteen!

Even if you weren't a waste, even if you were a genius, with such a ruthless and cruel heart, our family would never marry our second sister to you!"

Though Lan Boyu had a gentle name, his thoughts were vicious. In one sentence, he made Xiao Ran seem despicable and justified the Lan family's decision to break the engagement!

Xiao Ran chuckled, "Young Master, your tongue can turn the living into the dead!

If you want to fight, just say so. What's the point of these empty words for us martial artists?"

Though Xiao Ran's words lacked profound reasoning, his straightforwardness resonated with the martial artists, and some of the onlookers started to cheer!

Lan Boyu's face remained unchanged, but he was secretly pleased. He had been worried that Xiao Ran would back down, but Xiao Ran had actually challenged him!

Lan Boyu took a step forward, "If you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"

His clothes fluttered without wind, and under the Phoenix-Breaking Eye, Xiao Ran could clearly see that Lan Boyu's true qi was nearly ten times stronger than Lan Bofu's, flowing like a mighty river without any stagnation!

"He's already at the second level of Qi cultivation! This true qi might even be stronger than Wang Zhongyang's, who broke through to the fourth level of Qi cultivation after refining his true qi to a high level and advancing to the innate stage on Mount Hua!

It seems the Ancient Continent is at least a different level in terms of internal cultivation compared to the martial arts world!"

Xiao Ran slowly drew his sword, pushing the Phoenix-Breaking Eye to its limit, his gaze fixed on Lan Boyu!

Lan Boyu said, "I suppose you learned some sword techniques from somewhere, which allowed you to defeat my third brother, who was just at the first level of Qi cultivation. But today, I'll show you that in martial arts, true qi is the king!

Die!"

The previously gentle Lan Boyu suddenly became fierce, his figure flashing as he struck Xiao Ran's face with a palm!

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!

If Feng Buping had seen this speed, he would have regretted his own slash.

If Dongfang Bubai had seen it earlier, he would have been motivated to train harder and not spend so many years embroidering on Blackwood Cliff!

If Xiao Ran hadn't refined the Phoenix-Breaking Eye, he might not have reacted in time to Lan Boyu's speed!

But now, Xiao Ran saw clearly and thrust his sword at Lan Bofu's throat!

The front of a martial artist is always the most well-protected area, especially the throat, but Xiao Ran found the one weak point and attacked it!

Lan Boyu's speed was fast, but his body couldn't move faster than the sword!

Lan Boyu let out a light "hmm" and his initial contempt finally vanished.

"No wonder you could injure my third brother! This sword technique is quite good..."

Though his true qi was strong, he was only at the second level of Qi cultivation, and it couldn't be released externally. It could only protect his body internally, making it impossible to resist a sharp sword!

Lan Boyu's figure flashed, and he reached out to grab Xiao Ran's sword!

Xiao Ran, as if he had anticipated this, made his sword tremble, drawing an arc in the air, evading Lan Boyu's palm and aiming for his eyes!

Lan Boyu was startled and involuntarily took a step back!

Xiao Ran, not letting up, attacked with thirteen consecutive strikes, forcing Lan Boyu to retreat continuously!

The Nine Swords of Dugu advance without retreating, attack without defending!