Chapter 261 - 260: Fighting Qin Xiaoran
Chapter 261: Chapter 260: Fighting Qin Xiaoran
The courtyard was exquisitely scenic, filled with pavilions and terraces, small bridges over flowing streams, and a smattering of rare flowers and exotic plants.
Several hundred young disciples had already gathered. They were all elite talents from various sects and prominent families, here to offer birthday congratulations. The men were dashing, the women were lovely, and while their auras varied in strength, the weakest among them possessed at least a Seventh Grade Cultivation. It was truly a gathering of elites.
The moment the three of them appeared, they immediately drew the eyes of more than half the attendees.
Fang Han, in particular, became the absolute center of attention.
Curiosity, scrutiny, admiration, jealousy, defiance, a thirst for battle... a myriad of complex emotions intertwined in the gazes directed at him.
Evidently, the news of him defeating Lei Gang in a single move had already spread.
"So that’s Fang Han of the Qingxuan Sect?"
"He’s so young! I heard Lei Gang from the Iron Fist Sect didn’t even last a single move against him the other day!"
"Number one hundred on the Celestial Pride List... Looks like he has real talent and isn’t just lucky."
"And beside him are the Qingxuan Sect’s True Inheritors, Luo Bingyun and Qin Hao, right? The Qingxuan Sect has really produced a wealth of talent in this generation."
Whispered discussions spread through the crowd.
Many young talents took the initiative to approach and greet Fang Han’s group, their words laced with the intention of building connections.
Fang Han remained calm, returning their greetings one by one. His demeanor was appropriate—neither arrogant nor overly familiar.
Luo Bingyun was as aloof as ever, offering only a slight nod, her words as precious as gold.
Qin Hao, on the other hand, was more forthright, even chatting for a bit with those who seemed to be on his wavelength.
However, amidst this seemingly harmonious atmosphere, several sharp, ice-cold gazes, filled with undisguised hostility, stabbed toward them like poisoned needles.
Fang Han sensed it and turned his head to look.
Not far off, a group of disciples in Netherworld Pavilion attire were gathered together. Their leader was none other than the grim-faced Qin Xiaoran!
"Fang Han..."
Seeing Fang Han’s gaze meet his, Qin Xiaoran’s eyes flashed with a cold light. Instead of looking away, he snorted, pushed through the crowd, and strode directly toward Fang Han and his companions.
Wherever he passed, the crowd parted automatically. An invisible scent of gunpowder seemed to fill the air.
Everyone’s gaze converged on them, filled with anticipation and excitement.
The show was about to begin!
"Fang Han, you finally decided to show up. I was starting to think you wouldn’t dare!"
Qin Xiaoran stopped about ten feet from Fang Han. His gaze was like a hook, locked onto Fang Han, his voice thick with suppressed rage and ridicule.
"You jest, Brother Qin. How could I possibly miss Senior Zhang’s birthday banquet?"
"You, on the other hand... despite being knocked off the list, you still have the heart to attend a birthday banquet. I must admit, I don’t quite understand."
Fang Han had seen a portrait of Qin Xiaoran before, which was why he recognized him at a glance.
He looked at Qin Xiaoran with a placid expression, his tone tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible mockery.
Every word was a dagger to the heart, striking right at Qin Xiaoran’s sore spot.
"Fang Han! Don’t you dare get cocky! If I hadn’t been in seclusion, leaving me with no recent combat record, how could you have gotten on the list by a fluke?"
Qin Xiaoran’s face flushed crimson in an instant. Veins pulsed on his forehead, and his breathing grew heavy as he roared.
"Today, in front of everyone, I challenge you! I want to see just what the man who knocked me off the Celestial Pride List is made of. Do you dare to accept?"
His booming voice echoed throughout the courtyard, instantly drawing everyone’s full attention.
As a representative of the Qingxuan Sect, refusing a challenge under the watchful eyes of so many would undoubtedly damage the sect’s prestige.
Naturally, Fang Han could not refuse.
Besides, he never had any intention of refusing.
"Since Brother Qin insists on humiliating himself, I will grant your wish."
The corner of Fang Han’s mouth curved into a cold arc, his gaze as sharp as a sword.
"I accept your challenge."
"Good!"
A vicious smile flashed across Qin Xiaoran’s lips.
"How refreshing! After you, then!"
He pointed toward a spacious arena in the center of the courtyard, which had already been constructed and was paved with hard Cyan Gang Stone.
The crowd instantly erupted, surging toward the arena, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.
"They’re going to fight! Qin Xiaoran is challenging Fang Han!"
"A duel between the new and old number one hundred on the Celestial Pride List! Now this is going to be a show!"
"Who do you think will win?"
"My money’s on Qin Xiaoran. He was a veteran on the list, after all, with a deep foundation. He must have improved during his seclusion!"
"I think Fang Han has a better chance. He defeated Lei Gang in a single move!"
Amidst the clamor, Fang Han and Qin Xiaoran, one after the other, slowly ascended the arena stage. They stood facing each other, separated by a distance of about fifty feet.
The atmosphere instantly grew taut with tension!
Meanwhile, in an elegant three-story pavilion separated from the garden by a single wall, the third floor offered a perfect, unobstructed view of the arena.
At this moment on the third floor, a dozen or so men and women with unfathomably deep auras were seated by the railing, sipping tea and chatting idly.
Seated in the center was the man of the hour, Zhang Yuanshan, Patriarch of the Zhang Family. He had a ruddy complexion, and his aura was as vast and boundless as a misty sea, making him impossible to read.
To his left and right were none other than Shen Moyan, Hall Master of the Qingxuan Sect’s Inheritance Hall, and Elder Kumu of the Netherworld Pavilion!
Clearly, this was where the most honored guests of the birthday banquet were gathered.
The commotion in the adjacent courtyard naturally did not escape their senses.
Seeing Qin Xiaoran challenge Fang Han, looks of interest appeared in the eyes of the powerful figures.
Shen Moyan held his teacup, his gaze fixed on Fang Han and Qin Xiaoran facing off below. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips as he spoke to the gaunt-faced Elder Kumu beside him.
"Elder Kumu, your Nephew Qin seems a bit impetuous. Elder Zhang’s birthday banquet is a joyous occasion. It’s fine for the young ones to spar and exchange pointers, but it would be unseemly if things were to get out of hand."
Elder Kumu’s eyelids twitched upward, and his voice, raspy like sandpaper, replied:
"Master Shen, you worry too much. It’s normal for hot-blooded youths to be competitive; we were all the same at their age."
"Xiao Ran has been in seclusion for several months, and his Cultivation has improved considerably. This is a perfect opportunity for him to ask for a few pointers from your sect’s newly risen prodigy. I trust Master Shen won’t mind letting the juniors test their Martial Dao?"
His words were placid, but they hid a sharp edge. He seemed to have great confidence in Qin Xiaoran.
Shen Moyan simply smiled and said no more, his gaze returning to the scene below. But deep in his eyes, a faint flicker of anticipation appeared.
’Fang Han, don’t you let the Sect down.’
On the arena stage, the atmosphere was as frozen as ice.
Qin Xiaoran stared death at Fang Han, the rage and killing intent in his eyes practically bursting forth.
Provoked by Fang Han’s words, the humiliation and resentment that had festered within him for days erupted in an instant.
"Such a sharp tongue! Let’s see how arrogant you can be after I rip that mouth of yours to shreds!"
Qin Xiaoran let out a low roar and, without another word, unleashed his aura with a BOOM.
A tyrannical wave of Inner Qi, far surpassing the Early Stage of Fifth Grade, surged from his body like a volcanic eruption, kicking up gusts of bone-chillingly cold wind.
The pair of ghostly blue claw blades on his hands was instantly enveloped in a dark light so thick it seemed tangible.
A spectral glow pulsed from the tips of the blades, emitting a heart-pounding sharpness and an eerie, sinister energy.
"Middle Stage of Fifth Grade?!"
"Qin Xiaoran actually broke through to the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade!"
"No wonder he was so confident!"
A wave of gasps erupted from below the stage.
The faces of many who had been optimistic about Fang Han’s chances instantly grew solemn.
Middle Stage of Fifth Grade versus Early Stage of Fifth Grade—the gap in both the volume and quality of their Inner Qi was significant, undoubtedly tipping the scales of victory.
Cheers erupted from the area where the Netherworld Pavilion disciples stood, and even a slight twitch pulled at the corner of Elder Kumu’s placid face.
Luo Bingyun and Qin Hao exchanged a glance, and both saw a hint of worry in the other’s eyes.
They knew all too well that at the Fifth Grade level, even the gap of a single minor realm was enormous.
Faced with Qin Xiaoran’s sudden eruption of Middle Stage Fifth Grade Cultivation and his incomparably fierce claw attack, the faintest hint of solemnity flickered deep in Fang Han’s eyes, but his expression remained as placid as still water.
Just as the dark claw shadows, tearing through the air, were about to strike his body—
VMMMM!
The aura around him also changed abruptly, as an equally vast, majestic, and pure Inner Qi burst forth with a ROAR.
It was a deep, almost ink-blue color, and as it flowed, it carried the agility and sharpness of the wind. It was, unbelievably, also at the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade!
SHIIING!
The Flowing Wind Sword sang as it left its sheath. Though drawn later, it arrived first, striking with impossible precision at the most critical point of Qin Xiaoran’s claw attack in the nick of time.
CLANG—!
A piercing screech of metal on metal exploded outward, sending sparks flying!
A visible shockwave of qi erupted from the point of impact, blasting outward and causing the robes of the disciples closest to the stage to flap violently, their cheeks stinging from the force.
Both figures swayed slightly before sliding back half a step in unison. They were evenly matched!
"What?! You... you’re also at the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade?!"
The vicious smile on Qin Xiaoran’s face froze instantly, replaced by utter, incredulous horror.
His eyes went wide as he stared at Fang Han, as if trying to see right through him.
He had gone into arduous seclusion and, relying on his sect’s resources and his own foundation, had just barely managed to break through to the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade. He had thought it would be more than enough to crush Fang Han and redeem himself.
But he had never, ever imagined that Fang Han’s Cultivation would be on the exact same level!
Below the stage, an even greater uproar ensued!
"Middle Stage of Fifth Grade! Fang Han broke through too!"
"Middle Stage of Fifth Grade after just over a year since his Entry Level... That Cultivation speed is terrifying!"
"No wonder he could beat Lei Gang in one move! His Cultivation had already reached this Realm!"
"Now this is a real fight! Since they’re both at the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade, the outcome is anyone’s guess!"
The disciples of the Qingxuan Sect, however, were greatly invigorated. They clenched their fists, hope rekindled in their eyes.
Up in the pavilion, an imperceptible flash of approval crossed Shen Moyan’s eyes. He lifted his teacup and took a gentle sip.
Elder Kumu’s brow, on the other hand, furrowed almost invisibly.
"So what if you’re also at the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade? I have practiced my Claw Technique for years! How can your Swordsmanship possibly compare?"
Qin Xiaoran quickly suppressed his shock, and the ferocity in his eyes intensified.
He knew he absolutely could not show any fear now, or he would lose half the battle before it even began.
Before his voice had even faded, his figure blurred, transforming into three phantom-like shadows, indistinct from one another, that pounced on Fang Han from different angles!
As he brandished his twin claws, streaks of black claw shadows filled the air—treacherous and cunning, carrying a bone-chillingly cold qi and a strange fluctuation that felt as if it could tear one’s very soul apart. They enveloped Fang Han, targeting all his vital points.
The wind from his claws shrieked, as if countless vengeful spirits were wailing, disturbing the minds of all who heard it.