Chapter 24: The Duel with Xiao Li, the Battle Begins

Xiao Li indeed ascended to the realm of an Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warrior.

This made Xiao Bei nod in approval. Xiao Bei knew that a month ago, based on the aura Xiao Li exuded, it would take him at least half a year of steady improvement as a Seventh Rank Later Heaven Warrior to become an Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warrior.

Now, the aura of an Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warrior emanating from Xiao Li was already quite robust, and there were no signs of hidden ailments or internal injuries... "It seems Xiao Li has a strong will to endure, and he withstood the hardships when taking the pills... Unfortunately, he was incited by certain people."

Xiao Bei thought to himself.

At the same time, Xiao Bei deeply felt the ease with which large families cultivate talent and the difficulty for someone without a family to become a genius.

One, with some endurance, plus the family's foundational pills and guidance from strong individuals, can easily avoid many detours. The other, however, must endure hardships and continuously research and comprehend, requiring immense perseverance.

Of course, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Currently, the place where Xiao Bei and Xiao Li were located was a large valley in the back mountain near the Xiao family. The so-called platform was merely a pile of large stone blocks, about twenty meters long and wide. The stones were fragmented, clearly due to frequent duels by martial artists.

On ordinary days, this platform was used for competitions among the family's strong individuals to identify their weaknesses. Today, it was designated as the venue for the duel between Xiao Li and Xiao Bei.

The valley was quite wide, about two hundred square meters, with cliffs on both sides, about fifty meters high.

Today, the valley was surrounded by a crowd on all sides.

Most of these people were descendants of the Xiao family, some were servants, and others were part of the Tianlong Army led by the Xiao family. These people were practicing on the mountain and, hearing about the duel between two Xiao family descendants, came to watch.

Indeed, many people shared this mindset, and soon, the crowd grew larger.

Of course, a significant portion of these people had not seen Xiao Bei display his strength on the day the family's library was opened. It was hard for them to imagine that Xiao Bei, who was always considered a family waste and unable to practice martial arts, had become an Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warrior in such a short time.

Regardless of whether they doubted it or not, everyone wanted to see who would win between Xiao Li, who had also ascended to the Eighth Rank Later Heaven realm, and Xiao Bei, who was rumored to have transformed from a waste to a strong individual!

Xiao Li, standing at one corner of the platform, felt some doubt and regret for initially being incited by Xiao Yun and others to challenge Xiao Bei. After all, Xiao Li knew that Xiao Bei was indeed an Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warrior!

Moreover, Xiao Li knew that on the day the family's library was opened, Xiao Bei was already a late-stage Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warrior!

In other words, in terms of strength, Xiao Bei was a level higher than himself!

"I might have to use the move my father taught me; otherwise, I might lose."

Xiao Li made up his mind and regained confidence.

However, when he looked at Xiao Bei, who appeared calm, this confidence made Xiao Li feel somewhat uneasy.

Suppressing this unease, Xiao Li encouraged himself not to lose face, as it would be too embarrassing to be defeated by a former waste in front of so many people.

"Can we start?"

Below the platform, the most influential person, who could be considered a judge for today, was an elder brought by Xiao Li.

Xiao Bei could sense that this elder had the aura of a Ninth Rank Later Heaven Warrior.

From the words of Jiang Yuan, who was beside him, Xiao Bei learned that this elder was the steward of Xiao Qi, the eldest son of the Xiao family and his nominal father Xiao Feng's brother. This elder, named Xiao Wu, was not an easy person to deal with. It was said that he had some authority in the family's important medicinal room and held a position second only to the unknown Xiao steward.

Seeing Xiao Bei ask him, Xiao Wu's squinted eyes scanned Xiao Bei, then he pursed his dry lips and nodded.

"Begin."

As soon as these words, imbued with strength, were spoken, the noisy crowd fell silent, all eyes fixed on the platform!

Xiao Li made the first move!

He leaped up, spreading his arms like an eagle, and as he fell vertically toward Xiao Bei, he lifted one foot and stomped down with the other!

The martial aura stirred and struck Xiao Bei with this kick!

Xiao Bei remained calm, quickly retreating, and revealed his own martial aura, which was also that of an Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warrior, to block Xiao Li's martial aura before his leg even reached him.

Immediately after Xiao Li's kick missed, he quickly followed up with a punch to Xiao Bei's face after landing.

The move was fluid and powerful, with its merits.

When Xiao Bei twisted his body and quickly moved to the side, Xiao Li directly struck with an elbow!

"Three moves, I let them pass."

After saying this, Xiao Bei quickly retaliated against Xiao Li, who had just turned his head. His foot appeared first, hooking Xiao Li's elbow, then Xiao Bei's body suddenly shifted to the right, positioning himself next to Xiao Li. In Xiao Li's stunned gaze, Xiao Bei lifted his body, horizontally extending it 180 degrees, and with a strong pull, he disengaged, leaving Xiao Li's attacking foot hanging.

"Bang!"

Despite being protected by martial aura, Xiao Li still stumbled backward, and his robust body finally "thumped" to the edge of the platform.

"Your martial aura is not as strong as mine, your moves are not as varied, and your speed is slower than mine... admit defeat."

Xiao Bei said, looking straight at Xiao Li, who had stood up again, his face red.

"Xiao Bei! Don't be too arrogant! Take this move!"

Xiao Li roared, and his robust body, as Xiao Bei frowned and the crowd watched in surprise, began to grow and become even more robust!

"Rip!"

Xiao Li's entire body of clothes burst apart in an instant!

Then, Xiao Li did not stop. His face flushed, his body continued to swell, and soon, he was a full half circle larger than before!

Xiao Bei's expression changed slightly but quickly returned to normal. He even gave Jiang Yuan, who was watching him worriedly from below, a reassuring look.

At the same time, when Xiao Bei glanced at the steward Xiao Wu, he noticed that Xiao Wu's eyes showed no change, as if he had long known about Xiao Li's transformation.

When Xiao Li turned around and focused on Xiao Li again, the crowd below was already in an uproar.

A Xiao family descendant shouted—

"Expansion! Xiao Li has learned his father Xiao Qi's famous secret technique! Using this secret technique, Xiao Li's strength can instantly burst forth!"... "That's right, this is Uncle Xiao Qi's 'Expansion.' I never thought Xiao Li would have such a true transmission!"... "Yes, yes, looking at this, that Xiao Bei, who got lucky, is definitely going to lose."...

One after another, as Xiao Li's body expanded, the crowd buzzed with discussion, but the underlying message was that Xiao Li would become stronger, and Xiao Bei, the person they envied, would lose!