Chapter 56: Challenge Yuan Xiao

Suddenly, Situ Ya stepped forward, which made Liao Yan and the old man Situ Chuan both heave a sigh of relief. If things continued like this, the grand competition would likely drag on until nightfall. Fortunately, Situ Ya was always extremely intelligent, and her public intervention suggested that she had a good solution.

"Hmm." After receiving Liao Yan's permission, Situ Ya nodded and then surveyed the surroundings, her eyes glinting with a seductive light. She pondered and said, "The four geniuses of the Flowing Cloud Sect taking turns to fight a new disciple who has just joined is indeed unfair. I suggest this: Tian Zhan, your proposal will still be implemented. The four geniuses of the Flowing Cloud Sect will first engage in internal battles, determining a potential opponent for Shen Chen. On the other side, Shen Chen will also choose an opponent to fight first, and then face the winner among the four geniuses. This would be relatively fair!"

"Good, let's decide it this way!" Liao Yan clapped his hands and laughed. This way, he not only appeased both Shen Chen and Tian Zhan but also greatly saved time.

On the stage, the old man Situ Chuan, hearing his daughter's suggestion, immediately expanded on it and suggested to Liao Yan, "Sect Master, to save even more time, I think this method should also apply to other disciples who wish to challenge. There's no need to stick to the small details!"

"Hmm, that makes sense!" Liao Yan nodded in agreement and then glanced at the positions of Zhong Ling and others, saying, "Zhong Ling, Yuan Xiao, Fang Han, you three are among the top four inner disciples. Qi Zheng has said that if you wish to challenge him, you can directly find him without having to stand out in the grand competition. I hereby specially permit you to find Qi Zheng. He is near the cliff at the back of Yunlan Peak!"

Hearing this, Zhong Ling and the other two were immediately delighted and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Sect Master!" They were eager to head towards the stone path behind the Zixia Hall leading to Yunlan Peak.

"Wait, Yuan Xiao can't leave!"

However, before the three could move, a voice suddenly rang out on the stage. Shen Chen, ignoring the old man Situ Chuan's previous warning, rushed forward and said seriously, "My first chosen opponent is Yuan Xiao. If he leaves, who will I fight!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding crowd was taken aback, and Liao Yan frowned.

However, the Sect Master still treated Shen Chen well and did not fly into a rage. After a moment's thought, he looked at Yuan Xiao, who was about to turn away, and said, "Shen Chen is currently ranked fifth, and challenging those behind him is indeed inappropriate. So, Yuan Xiao, you stay behind!"

"But, why should I be the one to stay..." Yuan Xiao was somewhat flustered upon hearing this, but he quickly swallowed his words. He realized that if he complained, it would seem like he was pointing the finger at Zhong Ling, who was ranked fourth. Should he argue and insist that Zhong Ling stay instead?

With this thought, Yuan Xiao immediately lost his temper. Before Liao Yan could speak, he gritted his teeth and said unwillingly, "I will follow the Sect Master's orders!"

"Yuan Xiao, don't be不服气 (unconvinced). If you can't even defeat Shen Chen, what do you have to challenge Qi Zheng?" The Bloodthirsty Lion Chen Fanghao suddenly stood up, his presence intimidating without anger.

"Yes, Master!" Yuan Xiao bowed respectfully, but deep in his eyes, a trace of resentment flashed. He felt that since he returned to the sect, his master's attitude towards him had changed significantly. His master often mentioned Shen Chen in front of him and sometimes even compared the Shen Chen of today with the Yuan Xiao of the past.

This made Yuan Xiao harbor a grudge, thinking that his master no longer looked favorably upon him. Now, Chen Fanghao had said such things in public, which made Yuan Xiao lose face, and he couldn't help but transfer his anger to Shen Chen.

"Old man, I will make you watch as the person you favor is utterly defeated by me!" Yuan Xiao suppressed his anger and walked step by step towards the stage.

In the center of the stage, Shen Chen looked at the young man approaching with a gaze like a venomous snake and was unusually solemn.

This opponent, Shen Chen had never underestimated.

Not to mention his genuine third rank, even the brief encounter they had that day had made Shen Chen take him seriously.

"That day, I said I would make you regret offending me!" On the stage, Yuan Xiao slowly approached, his aura rising at an astonishing speed. Six blood rays had already appeared on his arms, and soon, two more appeared on his left thigh.

Eight blood rays!

A genuine eighth rank of the Blood Fusion Realm!

Seeing this, Shen Chen's expression became even more solemn. Yuan Xiao had already cultivated to the eighth rank of the Blood Fusion Realm, which was indeed a reason for him to be proud!

Compared to him, Shen Chen's own strength seemed somewhat lacking. Three blood rays slowly appeared on his right arm, and only two on his left.

After breaking through to the fifth rank of the Blood Fusion Realm through that painful method that night, although Shen Chen had continuously practiced hard and now barely reached the peak of the fifth rank, the gap between him and this opponent was still significant—three whole ranks. Of course, if the mysterious meridian in his head was counted, the gap would be slightly smaller, but still two ranks apart!

"Really can't understand, is there even a need for this battle between the fifth and eighth ranks of the Blood Fusion Realm?"

"You can't say that. After all, Cao Shun's cultivation was also one rank higher, yet he was defeated decisively."

"Ha ha, you're thinking too simply. Don't forget, Yuan Xiao is also a genius who excels at challenging higher ranks. Otherwise, he wouldn't be challenging Qi Zheng's authority."

"Let's see. Perhaps that guy can create a miracle..."

The surrounding disciples did not know that Shen Chen had a hidden blood ray. Seeing such a significant difference in cultivation, many were worried about how long Shen Chen could hold out.

Shen Chen was a genius in the sect, and almost no one denied this. His achievements in slaying Lin Hai and defeating Cao Shun in one move had earned him this honor. However, don't forget that Yuan Xiao was also an outstanding figure among the current generation of disciples in the Flowing Cloud Sect. In front of him, many outstanding disciples' brilliance would dim. In the eyes of the surrounding crowd, including some hall masters and enforcers, Shen Chen would likely not be an exception. The clash between geniuses was destined to have a sad ending...

"Clang!"

Just as everyone was worried about Shen Chen's situation, he suddenly made his move, his iron sword unsheathed. As soon as he started, purple rays appeared on the tip of his sword.

"Let me see how well you have mastered the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword!" Not far away, Yuan Xiao was also not to be outdone. Two fine iron gauntlets were fitted on his ten fingers.

These high-quality volcanic iron gauntlets were specially forged by Yuan Xiao at great expense, specifically to challenge Qi Zheng. To achieve a quick victory, Yuan Xiao was willing to give the gauntlets' first use to Shen Chen.

However...

A woman's first time should result in a red stain, and his gauntlets' first use should also see red. The blood from Shen Chen's body would be perfect for sharpening the sharp iron spikes on the gauntlets.

"Boy, your glorious record ends today!"

Yuan Xiao sneered and then launched a Black Tiger Heart Rip, tearing towards Shen Chen.

The last time, Shen Chen had been caught off guard from behind, almost having his iron sword broken. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

"Lightning Flash!"

Shen Chen's feet moved in the Shadow Fox Steps, his figure darting like a ghost. His sword danced, slicing through the air with a purple lightning bolt.

It must be said that high-level sword techniques and martial arts are inseparable from exquisite footwork. The incomplete Nine Cuts of the Shadow Fox and the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword were both like this. Otherwise, their power would be greatly