"Situ Zhanya, I want to duel you!"
In the north of Yaowang City, inside the Feixue Martial Academy, a youth's roar erupted like a sudden thunderclap, shocking the entire academy.
The Feixue Martial Academy did not forbid duels; as long as both parties agreed and no one died, the academy would not interfere. Over the past two years, several duels had taken place within the academy, but this time was completely different.
In the past, most duels were fought by wealthy young masters fighting over lovers, putting on a show to flaunt their power. This time, however, it was the first time a commoner martial artist had challenged a martial artist from an influential family.
Since ancient times, the poor did not fight the rich, and commoners did not fight officials.
On the Shenhun Continent, the gap between commoner martial artists and those from prestigious clans was as vast as heaven and earth.
When many people heard this news, their first reaction was: had Xiao Lang's head been kicked by a donkey?
Setting aside the fact that Xiao Lang, who was only at the Soldier Realm, was no match for Situ Zhanya, who was at the Master Realm, even if he managed to defeat Situ Zhanya through underhanded means, could he still remain in the academy after venting his anger? Although Situ Zhanya was not a direct descendant of the Situ family, the name "Situ" represented absolute power in Yaowang City.
Once they heard the whole story, many commoner martial artists felt pity for Xiao Lang, while becoming even more intrigued by this bizarre duel.
The two were dueling over a woman—the number one beauty of the academy, the young mistress of the Bu family, Bu Xiaoman.
The second young mistress of the Bu family had gone to Mogui Mountain to train and was injured by a profound beast. After recuperating for half a month, on her first day back at the academy, she seemed to have lost her mind.
Bu Xiaoman had always been cold and dismissive toward men. Yet, the moment she entered the academy gates, she blocked Xiao Lang's path in front of everyone and even had the Bu family openly gather information on him.
Bu Xiaoman and the eldest young master of the Situ family, Situ Zhantian, had long been betrothed—a fact known to everyone in Yaowang City.
Bu Xiaoman's actions were a direct slap to Situ Zhantian's face. Although Situ Zhantian was still training in Mogui Mountain, the people of the Situ family were not to be trifled with.
Thus, Situ Zhantian's cousin, Situ Zhanya, stepped forward aggressively. Situ Zhanya did not dare to provoke Bu Xiaoman, so Xiao Lang, a commoner martial artist, became the target of his hostility.
Situ Zhanya provoked him in every possible way, finally resorting to insulting the female members of Xiao Lang's family. This was the last straw. Xiao Lang, who had only been at the academy for half a year and was known for being honest and mild-mannered, could no longer hold back. He slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and roared.
"Miss, they have gone to the small grove."
Bu Xiaoqi anxiously tugged at Bu Xiaoman, who was sitting in the classroom, looking as beautiful as a flower. Bu Xiaoqi, a disciple of a branch family of the Bu clan, found it highly bizarre. Had Bu Xiaoman suffered a head injury in Mogui Mountain? Otherwise, why would she act so absurdly and without any restraint today?
It wouldn't matter much if Xiao Lang was crippled today, but if rumors spread, the Situ family would be fine, while the Bu family would lose face. Rumors could be deadly.
Bu Xiaoman sat quietly, her white dress resembling a budding lily.
Bu Xiaoman looked up and said softly:
"Tell everyone not to crowd around and make a scene. Wait here, I will go take a look."
Bu Xiaoman did not move, but a glint of amusement flashed in her beautiful eyes, which had captivated countless youths in the academy.
With the young mistress of the Bu family speaking up, the countless young men and women who wanted to watch could only stand awkwardly outside the small grove, waiting for either a proud and imposing Situ Zhanya to walk out, or a blood-drenched Xiao Lang to crawl out.
In the small grove, Situ Zhanya, dressed in fine brocade robes, sneered darkly. He looked mockingly at Xiao Lang, who wore cheap martial artist attire and had an ordinary, unremarkable appearance. Situ Zhanya felt exceptionally manly and domineering today, imagining how countless women would scream in admiration when he walked out later.
"Kid, there are some women that bastards like you have no right to touch!"
Xiao Lang looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, of average height—around one meter seventy-five. Dressed in black martial artist robes, he had a well-proportioned build, but his facial features were so ordinary that he would easily blend into a crowd without being noticed.
"To think no one followed us in?"
Walking into the grove, Xiao Lang showed no sign of anger as he swept his gaze around. Once he confirmed there were no onlookers, a strange, eerie curve formed at the corner of his lips.
That slight curl of his lips completely transformed his otherwise ordinary face.
There was only one word to describe it: demonic.
Brimming with a demonic aura!
It was hard to imagine how a person's face could change so drastically, and their temperament become so entirely different, from just a tiny curl of the lips.
Situ Zhanya had been slightly irritated by Xiao Lang's disregard for him, but seeing this face now filled with a demonic aura, he was utterly dazed. Was Xiao Lang changing his face? How could a person's temperament change so quickly and drastically?
Situ Zhanya felt an aura radiating from Xiao Lang that made his heart race and his legs tremble, causing his expression to change.
Situ Zhanya had felt a similar aura from several people in his clan, but they were all battle-hardened, blood-drenched experts. This aura was called killing intent—a presence that absolutely should not exist on a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth.
In the next second!
Situ Zhanya had no more time for idle thoughts, because Xiao Lang, standing opposite him, made his move. Like a fierce tiger, Xiao Lang lunged toward Situ Zhanya, his fist rapidly expanding in the latter's vision.
This was absolutely not the Mid-stage Fighter Realm!
Situ Zhanya's eyes filled with sheer terror. As a disciple of an influential clan, though he wasn't among the top tier of the younger generation, he was still at the Early-stage Battle Master Realm. Yet, he knew he could not match Xiao Lang's speed or the immense power packed into that fist.
Although Situ Zhanya knew in his heart that he was bound to lose, he instinctively threw out a punch to block Xiao Lang.
"Roar!"
Boom!
The two fists collided, but the outcomes were completely different. Xiao Lang did not budge. Situ Zhanya was sent flying. If not for a massive ancient tree standing two meters behind him, he believed he would have been knocked flat on his face.