"Who are you, and do you realize the consequences of your actions?"
The original plan to kill had been disrupted, and the audacity of the boy who ruined his plans critiquing him further infuriated Yang Wanliu, leaving no room for a pleasant expression.
Although this was just a private arena, considering the Yang Family's current standing in Ancient Moon City, it wasn't a place to be carelessly interrupted. Minimizing it could be seen as a hasty rescue, but at its worst, it was a direct challenge to the dignity of the Yang Family.
"I'm sorry, she is my friend, and I couldn't just leave her. If Young Master Yang holds a grudge, feel free to direct it at me!"
Yun Xiao protected Hu Ying'er behind him, and as she heard his words, the Lady of the Hu Family's eyes couldn't help but moisten. She had originally thought that her whims had been exposed and was sure to be reprimanded severely by Brother Xingchen, but she didn't expect to be defended like this.
Hu Ying'er knew the debt she and the Hu Family owed Brother Xingchen was already immense. Now, he had stepped into the arena to save her and had spoken such words, clearly taking the matter into his own hands.
In truth, Yun Xiao's words were sincere, but his greater interest lay in the Thunder Wood in Yang Wanliu's hands. Be it for personal or public reasons, he could not stay out of it.
However, to the audience who heard Yun Xiao's words, they couldn't help but admire him because they could sense that this black-robed youth's Cultivation might not be much stronger than that of the girl behind him, appearing to be at the Spirit Vein Realm Early Stage as well.
Clearly, Yun Xiao was also concealing his true strength, and having witnessed Hu Ying'er's anomaly just now, they did not take him for a genuine Spirit Vein Realm Early Stage Cultivator. But even if he reached Qi Seeking Realm Early Stage, how could he possibly defeat Yang Wanliu, who was at the Middle Stage of the same realm?
"Kid, are you challenging me?"
As expected, upon hearing Yun Xiao's presumptuous words, Yang Wanliu no longer bothered with a weakened girl and instead looked with interest at the unfamiliar black-robed youth, his eyes holding a faint hint of murderous intent.
There's a saying that trouble comes from speaking too much, and strife arises from standing out. In Yang Wanliu's mind, Yun Xiao's actions were tantamount to overstepping, and such overstepping may well cost him his life.
"Would Young Master Yang set up this arena only to be afraid of accepting a challenge from a Cultivator at the Spirit Vein Realm Early Stage?"
Yun Xiao gently patted Hu Ying'er's shoulder and then turned around with a hint of mockery in his words, which infuriated Yang Wanliu. He thought to himself, is this not a ridiculous way to seek death?
"Fine, since you're so eager for death, I shall oblige!"
Enraged, Yang Wanliu had no other thoughts in mind. As he spoke, a dense Meridian Qi emanated from him, the aura of the Qi Seeking Realm Middle Stage completely undisguised.
"Now that the challenge is underway, I have a small request. I wonder if Young Master Yang would agree!"
Just when Yang Wanliu was about to lose his patience and strike, that black-robed youth spoke again with such composure that it piqued everyone's interest.
"Thinking of begging for mercy now, isn't it a bit too late?" Yang Wanliu sneered, automatically assuming the boy wanted to back out. And at this point, why would he spare someone who dared to challenge his authority?
"No, no, Young Master Yang misunderstands!"
As Yang Wanliu's words faded, the black-robed youth shook his hands frantically, then said, "I've heard that if someone defeats you, they can choose any Treasure from the Yang Family Treasure Vault to take away, right?"
Perhaps this was Yun Xiao's true purpose. He didn't care much for the items within the Yang Family's vault; what attracted him was merely that piece of black wood in Yang Wanliu's hands.
"Hmph, my Yang Family's word is as good as Jiuding's; we would never go back on our word."
Yang Wanliu snorted coldly, seemingly displeased with Yun Xiao's questioning, and then added with a sneer, "However, if you want to obtain a treasure from my Yang Family, let's see if you have the ability!"
What the Young Master of the Yang Family implied was clear: the Yang Family would keep their word, but to take away a treasure, one must first defeat him, the Defender.
"I certainly have the ability, but I'm not interested in any other treasures. If I win, I only want the piece of wood in Young Master Yang's hands, how about that?"
In this moment, Yun Xiao finally revealed his ultimate goal, which instantly turned Yang Wanliu's smug smile into a gloomy expression. He had never expected that the youth who had just stepped into the arena would set his eyes on his Thunder Wood, indeed a bold move.
One must know that this piece of Thunder Wood is a recent acquisition of Yang Wanliu, and it has a rather peculiar origin, significantly enhancing his combat power by several folds—an envy-worthy exotic weapon indeed.
In Yang Wanliu's heart, although the Yang Family possessed many treasures, none compared to the value of this Thunder Wood. With that in mind, the vision of this black-robed youngster did not seem too shabby.
"How so? Are the items in the Princely Heir's hands not considered as belonging to the Yang Family? Or is it that the Princely Heir is unsure of his own victory, and thus dares not stake this as a wager?"
Seeing some hesitation in the Princely Heir of the Yang Family across from him, a trace of a cold smile flashed through Yun Xiao's heart. With these words spoken, even if Yang Wanliu had many concerns, he likely had no room to retreat.
In terms of eloquence, perhaps ten Yang Wanlius combined would not be a match for Yun Xiao. This tactic of provocation was also used to perfection. Especially under such collective scrutiny, Yang Wanliu would never admit any apprehension.
This setup of a combat arena was designed to elevate the newly esteemed power of the Yang Family in Ancient Moon City. Should he dare not meet the challenge of a challenger, the Yang Family would have lost their momentum before the fight even started.
Just as Yun Xiao said, if Yang Wanliu dared not accept, it would be an admission of his lack of confidence. Given that he currently suppressed his Meridian Qi Cultivation to the Spirit Vein Realm Early Stage, not accepting a challenge from such a Low-level Practitioner would undoubtedly invite criticism of his courage.
"Fine, I accept your challenge!"
Provoked by Yun Xiao's taunting, Yang Wanliu's pride surfaced instantaneously as he spoke in a deep voice, then added, "You sharp-tongued brat, I will certainly smash your teeth one by one!"
It appeared that Yang Wanliu was not a fool. He knew Yun Xiao's words were a rouse, but he was immensely confident in his own strength, sure that he could win even against this youth at the Qi Seeking Realm Early Stage.
Seeing a thick surge of Meridian Qi emanating in front of Yang Wanliu, Yun Xiao lightly patted Hu Ying'er on the shoulder, signaling her to step down and wait for him.
At this point, Hu Ying'er did not try to act tough, and she knew—as long as her 'Starry-Elder Brother' took action—that Princely Heir of the Yang Family would have a hard time walking away unscathed.
Hu Ying'er had witnessed Yun Xiao's formidable display of power, where even those at the Late Stage or Peak of Qi Seeking Realm were no match for him, let alone this Young Master of the Yang Family at the Qi Seeking Realm Early Stage.
Seeing that Hu Ying'er had left the danger zone, Yun Xiao held no further concerns, and just as he turned his head back, a majestic aura suddenly assaulted him—it seemed Yang Wanliu couldn't wait any longer to make a move.
Yang Wanliu's attack this time seemed to be a sneaky attempt. Had it been an ordinary prodigy, they might have been caught off guard instantaneously, and the outcome of the battle would be obvious.
But who was Yun Xiao? Even as he saw Hu Ying'er off the platform, his powerful Power of Soul had already sensed the assault behind him. Thus, upon turning around, he gracefully sidestepped to the left, dodging the sudden strike.
"This youngster, he is indeed concealing his strength!"
Dodging the attack so leisurely made a trace of a cold smirk flash in Yang Wanliu's eyes, for he believed his strike would not be avoided by a regular Spirit Vein Realm Early Stage Cultivator, let alone avoided so effortlessly.
"Do you really think that's the end of it?"
The reason a cold smirk appeared in Yang Wanliu's eyes was that the ambush was not his ultimate goal. He knew the black-robed youth dared to challenge him, and if he couldn't avoid even one strike, he truly would be a fool.
Therefore, though Yun Xiao's response was impressive, it did not surprise Yang Wanliu too much. He had anticipated this result, and the hidden card he had been concealing was finally played.
Boom! Crack!
Just as Yun Xiao dodged that sneak attack, a silver bolt of thunder and lightning suddenly appeared at the spot he had stepped away from, descending out of nowhere with blinding speed, striking directly at Yun Xiao's back.
"Yang Wanliu's attack with the Thunder Wood truly takes one by surprise!"
Witnessing this scene, many below the platform sighed with emotion, thinking that such an abrupt attack of thunder and lightning, let alone a Spirit Vein Realm Cultivator, even a strong assailant in the Middle Stage of the Qi Seeking Realm would likely be unable to dodge in time.
Just when everyone thought the black-robed youth had some skill, they all shook their heads now. Struck by the Thunder Wood's lightning bolt in an instant, this kid couldn't possibly have the Lotus Light protection like the young lady before, could he?
The crowd was right; Yun Xiao indeed did not have the Lotus Light protection. Coincidentally, the spot where Yang Wanliu's Thunder Wood attacked, hitting the back below his shoulders, may not have the effect Yang Wanliu and the others imagined.
There, Yun Xiao had activated his second Ancestor Vein, a Thunder Attribute Ancestor Vein to be precise. The bolt, harmful to others, became nourishment for Yun Xiao's Thunder Attribute Ancestor Vein, which absorbed it all in an instant.
"Tsks, such Thunder Power would be great if there were more of it!"