C3 Fighting!

"Do you really believe the Qiao family is worthy of marrying Xue?"

A voice, cold and laced with mockery, drifted in from outside the main hall.

Inside, Jiaang Zhengzu, Jiaang Xue, Jiaang Zhengshan, and the rest of the Jiaang family were startled, turning their heads in unison to see who had spoken.

A young man, dressed in a long white robe marred with bruises, was making his way into the hall, his face set in a grim expression. It was Jiaang Lin.

In the corner, Qiao Kai, Qiao Junhan, and the Qiao family people fixed their unfriendly gazes on Jiaang Lin, eyes glinting with hostility.

Jiaang Lin had the audacity to insult the Qiao family so openly!

"Bad boy, your insolence is asking for trouble!"

A Qiao family expert, unable to contain his anger, unleashed a formidable aura.

In a blur, he lunged forward, his palm striking out towards Jiaang Lin.

*Thump!*

A muffled impact resounded as a figure swiftly interposed himself between Jiaang Lin and the attacker, repelling the Qiao family expert with a single palm strike.

This defender was none other than Jiaang Lin's father, Jiaang Zhengzu.

"Patriarch Qiao, my son lacks discretion. Please accept my apologies for any offense caused by his earlier remarks."

Jiaang Zhengzu, having deflected the attack, quickly turned to Qiao Kai with a bow and an apologetic look.

"Let it go. For the sake of Patriarch Jiaang, I'll overlook it this time. But there won't be any leniency if it happens again."

Qiao Kai responded, signaling the Qiao family expert to stand down.

He had come to seek a marriage alliance with the Jiaang family and preferred not to sever ties over this incident.

Besides, the Qiao family had not yet solidified their status as the preeminent Martial Dao Family in Clear Water Town. A premature conflict with the Jiaang family would not bode well for them.

"Thank you for your generous understanding, Patriarch Qiao,"

Jiaang Zhengzu said, his smile conveying gratitude.

He swept his gaze across the room and fixed his eyes on Jiaang Lin.

"Lan, how did you end up here?" Jiaang Zhengzu asked, a wry smile on his face.

He had never anticipated Jiaang Lin's sudden appearance, especially after his recent confrontation with the Qiao family, which had nearly resulted in disaster.

"I heard the Qiao family was seeking a marriage with Xue, so I came," Jiaang Lin said with a smile.

His eyes then scanned the room, landing on Qiao Kai, Qiao Junhan, and the other Qiao family experts, a coldness flickering in his gaze.

In his past life, it was these very people who had murdered his father and driven Jiaang Xue to suicide, leading to the downfall of the Jiaang family.

His heart harbored nothing but loathing for the Qiao family; there wasn't an ounce of fondness.

Now, with the Qiao family at their doorstep with a marriage proposal, Jiaang Lin was vehemently opposed.

He was determined to thwart the Qiao family's intentions today and, in time, after cultivating his strength, he planned to eradicate them once and for all.

"Sigh! You can't stop this; don't come here and complicate things further," Jiaang Zhengzu said, shaking his head in resignation.

"Father, let me handle this," Jiaang Lin replied, his smile unwavering. His father's concerns didn't weigh heavily on him.

He was well aware that he was seen as nothing more than a failure by his own family and was notoriously known as such throughout Clear Water Town.

Yet, he was powerless to change the course of events.

Rashly opposing the Qiao family would only bring more chaos to the Jiaang family.

But Jiaang Lin was no longer the man he once was.

Reborn, he didn't consider the Qiao family of Clear Water Town, or even the entire Divine Martial Continent, as a threat.

With that, Jiaang Lin disregarded his father's attempts to stop him and strode directly toward where Qiao Junhan stood.

His eyes bore into Qiao Junhan with a cold intensity, reminiscent of a Monarch gazing down upon his subjects from on high.

Qiao Junhan's brow furrowed at the sight of Jiaang Lin daring to look down on him with such disdain. A chill flickered in the depths of his gaze.

Rumor had it that the Jiaang family was burdened with a failure, one whose meridians were blocked, rendering him incapable of martial cultivation—his name, Jiaang Lin.

And now, this very failure stood before him, audaciously casting a cold, dismissive glance at the First Martial Dao Talent of Clear Water Town. Naturally, Qiao Junhan felt a surge of displeasure.

Likewise, Qiao Kai and the rest of the Qiao family shared this sentiment, their hearts brimming with indignation.

"In one month, on the Central Battle Platform of Clear Water Town, we shall have our duel. If you win, I will agree to Xue marrying you. If you lose, your Qiao family must cease all entanglements with the Jiaang family. What do you say?"

Jiaang Lin's voice rang out, clear and resolute, brimming with a confidence he had never shown before.

The crowd was taken aback.

Jiaang Lin was challenging Qiao Junhan?

How could a so-called failure, unable to cultivate martial arts due to his blocked meridians, boldly challenge the top prodigy of Clear Water Town, Qiao Junhan?

The shock rippled through all present.

Jiaang Zhengzu was stunned, Jiaang Xue was stunned, and the Jiaang family people were equally taken aback.

Qiao Kai, Qiao Junhan, and the other Qiao family members were all visibly shaken by Jiaang Lin's abrupt challenge.

It took a moment for Qiao Junhan to compose himself from the shock, a malicious grin spreading across his lips.

"Do you mean what you say?"

Qiao Junhan inquired.

"A promise made is a promise that cannot be retracted," Jiaang Lin responded.

"Very well, I accept your challenge," Qiao Junhan said with a sneer, looking down at Jiaang Lin with deep scorn.

A failure who couldn't even cultivate had the audacity to challenge him? It was a fool's errand.

Qiao Junhan was confident that Jiaang Lin could not possibly defeat him in just one month. After all, even the most gifted prodigy couldn't go from zero to Qi Gathering Level Two in such a short time, let alone be considered on par with him.

"Patriarch Jiaang, you truly are a tiger father with no canine son. Your young master is so ambitious; he's bound to achieve greatness in the future!" Qiao Kai remarked, recovering from his initial astonishment as he turned to Jiaang Zhengzu, his words laced with unmistakable sarcasm.

Jiaang Zhengzu remained silent, his brows furrowed deeply.

"I believe the young master is correct. May I ask if Patriarch Jiaang would consent?" Qiao Kai inquired, a smile playing on his lips.

At this, Jiaang Zhengzu's frown deepened. How could he agree? He knew all too well that his son, Jiaang Lin, was incapable of cultivating martial arts. How could someone who couldn't cultivate martial arts hope to defeat a Martial Dao Talent like Qiao Junhan in a month? Yet, if he refused, he would dishearten his son and publicly admit that even he, as a father, lacked faith in him.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Jiaang Zhengzu was torn.

"Big Brother, since Lan is so inclined, let's just agree," Jiaang Zhengshan suggested with a chuckle. He had never held his nephew in high regard and was inwardly repulsed by him. The Jiaang family had been disgraced by having a member who couldn't cultivate martial arts. If Jiaang Lin were to meet a tragic end at the hands of Qiao Junhan in a month, it would serve his purposes perfectly. To him, Jiaang Lin was worthless, and his death would be inconsequential.

Jiaang Zhengzu ignored Jiaang Zhengshan's comments, as if he hadn't heard them at all.

"Father, believe in me, please agree!" Jiaang Lin finally spoke up, his gaze locked on Jiaang Zhengzu, radiating an unwavering confidence and determination. His face was lit with an optimistic smile.

Witnessing the resolve in Jiaang Lin's eyes and the warmth of his smile, Jiaang Zhengzu felt a mix of emotions.

Observing the unwavering determination in Jiaang Lin's eyes and the hint of a smile on his face, Jiaang Zhengzu was once again taken aback. He suddenly realized that his son had changed, becoming more confident and brighter than before, no longer the silent, self-deprecating, and timid youth he once was.

"Alright, I agree!" Jiaang Zhengzu finally declared in a resolute tone.

At this point, he had no other choice but to accept the Qiao family's persistent marriage proposals. His only option was to place his bet on his son, trusting that Jiaang Lin would defeat Qiao Junhan publicly in a month's time.

"Patriarch Jiaang, as the head of the family, you must honor your word!" Qiao Kai said, his smile broadening. He hadn't expected Jiaang Zhengzu to actually consent; it seemed foolish to him.

Did he truly believe his worthless son could defeat Qiao Junhan?

What a laughable thought!

"I, Jiaang, have always honored my word. Master Qiao, rest assured. And as for you, Patriarch Qiao, I trust you won't break your promise," Jiaang Zhengzu replied with a smile.

"Don't worry. I, Qiao, will certainly keep my promise," Qiao Kai responded, rising to his feet with a smile.

With that, he led his son Qiao Junhan and a host of Qiao family experts out of the Jiaang family estate. Jiaang Zhengshan and the other senior members of the Jiaang family also departed in succession. Before they left, each cast a contemptuous glance at Jiaang Lin.

How could such a worthless individual dare to challenge Qiao Junhan? It was utterly ridiculous!

Soon after, only Jiaang Lin, Jiaang Zhengzu, and Jiaang Xue remained in the main hall of the Jiaang family.