C20 Fighting a Lifeanddeath Battle

Upon noticing Qin Xianyi's puzzled expression, the great elder quickly added, "Miss Qin, perhaps you're unaware, but Yang Xiao, despite being a Yang family disciple, harbors deep jealousy towards Yang Xuan for being the designated Prince Yang. His envy is so intense, yet he's oblivious to his own limitations. He's rashly challenged Yang Xuan to a duel to the death. This duel is scheduled to take place in three days. If you have no pressing engagements, you might consider extending your stay at Yang Mansion. You would then have the opportunity to witness the battle."

Qin Xianyi furrowed her brow and remained silent. She glanced at the great elder before turning her gaze to Yang Xiao, her expression one of confusion.

The great elder inwardly lamented, realizing that inviting such an esteemed genius from the Eight-wasteland to witness a minor skirmish was presumptuous. It was no surprise that she seemed disinterested.

While the great elder was lost in thought, a dashing young man emerged from the gates of Yang Mansion. It was none other than the accomplished Yang Xuan. Approaching Qin Xianyi with a respectful fist salute, he introduced himself, "Miss Qin, I am Yang Xuan."

Qin Xianyi's eyes moved over Yang Xuan, and a glint of recognition flickered in her gaze. Was he the one responsible for the unusual occurrence?

Disappointment settled in her heart the moment she laid eyes on Yang Xuan. She had hoped to encounter a genius capable of withstanding her sword, but now, standing before Yang Xuan, she realized her visit to Azure Connection City had been in vain, a squandering of her valuable time.

Even though Yang Xuan had masked his true power, his cultivation seemed fragile, easily shattered upon contact. While he might appear formidable to the average person, to her, he simply didn't measure up.

In contrast, she found Yang Xiao to be somewhat more impressive. His cultivation base was robust, nearly on par with her own, and his concealed power was something Qin Xianyi had yet to fully discern.

Qin Xianyi offered no response to Yang Xuan, who had approached her with a respectful greeting. Instead, she glanced back at Yang Xiao and declared, "In three days, we shall have our battle." With those words, she gracefully leapt onto her horse and rode off.

The entire household of Yang Mansion was left in utter astonishment by her actions.

What just happened?

Yang Xuan, who had been waiting for a response, was jolted out of his embarrassment and stood there, dumbfounded.

Was she really leaving just like that? Hadn't Qin Xianyi traveled a great distance to challenge him?

In that moment, the great elder snapped out of his daze and quickly approached Qin Xianyi, inquiring with due respect, "Miss Qin, what is the matter? Weren't you seeking a competition with our Yang Xuan?"

Qin Xianyi, seated on her horse, didn't even turn to face him as she replied icily, "A competition? I overestimated him earlier; he is not worthy of crossing swords with me."

Without waiting for a response, Qin Xianyi spurred her horse and vanished beyond the gates of Yang Mansion.

The Yang family members stood there, dumbstruck, unable to comprehend what had just transpired. Yang Xuan's face turned a shade of iron, feeling as though he had been utterly emasculated.

To travel such a distance, only to be told he wasn't worthy of facing her sword! What a profound insult!

"You were the one who sought a duel with me! And you're the one saying I'm not worthy!" Fuming with rage, Yang Xuan stormed off in the direction Qin Xianyi had taken, unable to bear the shame.

The great elder, witnessing Yang Xuan's rash departure, attempted to intercept him, but before he could utter a word, Yang Xuan had already vanished from sight.

With incredible speed, Yang Xuan caught up to Qin Xianyi's horse. Just then, Qin Xianyi abruptly reined in her steed, turned, and drew her sword, pointing it directly at the pursuing Yang Xuan.

An overwhelming force, akin to the weight of Mount Tai, brought Yang Xuan to an abrupt halt!

His face drained of color, Yang Xuan was astounded. This was the power of the sword!

Sword force! Incredulous, Yang Xuan stared at Qin Xianyi. It wasn't her captivating beauty that held his gaze, but the sheer disbelief that someone so young could have already mastered the essence of the sword. Could she truly be such a prodigious talent?

Seeing Yang Xuan immobilized by her effortless strike, Qin Xianyi sheathed her sword and said icily, "My casual blow has stopped you in your tracks. It appears I've overestimated the Yang family of Azure Connection City. The anomaly clearly doesn't originate from you."

With a glance at the great elder of the Yang Mansion in the distance, and then at Yang Xiao and his sister, Qin Xianyi shook her head and remarked, "Has Sect Master Yang truly lost his sight?"

Having said that, Qin Xianyi paid no further attention to Yang Xuan, who was in pursuit, and rode off at a gallop.

Left standing there, Yang Xuan's fists were clenched in fury, his face a mask of rage as he watched Qin Xianyi disappear into the distance.

Once Qin Xianyi had departed, Yang Xiao took Yang Weiyue back to their courtyard. He had no interest in the affairs of the Yang family; his focus was on spending quality time with his sister, honing his cultivation, and preparing for the competition at the Four-dragon Pavilion in three days' time.

Yang Weiyue, still in her room and not yet settled, suddenly said to Yang Xiao, "Brother, that lady was so beautiful. I've never seen anyone as stunning as her!"

Sitting at the bedside, Yang Xiao combed his sister's hair and looked at her with a smile. "My sister is just as beautiful, if not more so. You'll surely outshine her when you grow up."

Yang Xiao's words were sincere; with his own fair and handsome features, and his sister's delicate beauty, she was bound to become a breathtaking beauty.

Hearing this, Yang Weiyue's face lit up with a sweet smile, her heart brimming with happiness before she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiao retreated to the inner room, sat down cross-legged, and began to cultivate. With a battle against Qin Xianyi looming, and his current level of cultivation offering little assurance, he knew he had to make the most of his time to train.

Inside him, the Four-dragon Ring was shrouded by a thick barrier, with only one section breached by his efforts. This breakthrough had granted Yang Xiao extraordinary martial abilities: his incredible speed left elusive afterimages, and in moments of respect, he could instantly conjure a barrier to fend off incoming attacks.

If he could break through just one barrier, his cultivation would undoubtedly skyrocket. With this in mind, Yang Xiao began to channel his Vital Spirit, relentlessly assailing the formidable barrier of the Four-dragon Ring. Despite the Ring's vastness and the barrier's thickness, Yang Xiao persisted, though he was uncertain how long it would take for his efforts to bear fruit. His Vital Spirit was modest, but his relentless assault, albeit with minimal effect, was gradually bolstering his physical and spiritual strength.

Over the past several days, Yang Xiao had been cultivating tirelessly, night and day. Although there was little progress with the Four-dragon Ring, his cultivation level continued to advance at a pace far surpassing that of an ordinary person.

Time flew by, and the fateful duel between Yang Xiao and Yang Xuan was upon them. Yang Xuan's renown in Azure Connection City had ensured that news of their life-and-death struggle had spread far and wide, capturing the attention of both commoners and cultivators alike.

Today marked the day of the decisive battle between Yang Xiao and Yang Xuan. The Yang family had extended invitations to the major families within Azure Connection City to witness the event. To accommodate a larger audience, they had even relocated the martial arts platform to the exterior of Yang Mansion, signaling their intent to make the showdown a grand spectacle. This would not only showcase Yang Xuan's prowess but also reinforce the Yang family's prominence within the city.

Outside the Yang Mansion, the great elder had the servants erect an expansive martial arts platform, with seating arrangements meticulously organized for the families in attendance.

The Yang family's motives were clear, and the other families were well aware that Yang Xuan had ascended to a higher realm and was the talk of the town. Now was the time for him to demonstrate his abilities in combat. Although Yang Xiao's strength was not particularly noteworthy, facing a prodigious cultivator like Yang Xuan, few could expect a different outcome.

Despite the Yang Mansion's longstanding presence in Azure Connection City, it had been quite some time since any new, promising talent had emerged. This deliberate show of force was intended to deter any covetous glances from others within the city, signaling that the Yang family's younger generation was formidable.

Those who had come to observe the battle were fulfilling the Yang family's wishes. They were eager to witness the strength of the family's acclaimed top genius. Thus, today, the entire populace of Azure Connection City had gathered outside the Yang Mansion, all eager for a glimpse of greatness.

The Yang Mansion was abuzz with activity from the crack of dawn, completely swarmed by a bustling crowd. The noise and commotion were relentless!

Inside the main hall of the Yang Mansion, the Yang family elders had taken their places, and among them was Yang Xuan. He was clad in a long white robe interwoven with golden silk, impervious to ordinary blades. Around his neck hung a white jade pendant, an item of significance that one wouldn't dare wear in a duel unless it was extraordinary. This pendant, known as the Elemental Gathering Jade, could harness the surrounding Vital Spirit, ensuring its wearer remained alert and composed. Most crucially, it could provide a substantial amount of Vital Spirit when the wearer's own reserves were depleted or after a powerful strike. The potency of this jade pendant was not to be underestimated.

Clearly, the Yang Mansion had spared no expense for this duel, especially for Yang Xuan. Despite the high cost, everyone in the Yang family deemed it a worthwhile investment.

E Zhengqing, the house steward, stood by the great elder, assisting him with the incense. The great elder reverently bowed to the ancestral tablets in the hall with the lit incense in hand, then placed it before the tablets, proclaiming, "Today is the day our Yang family will break through the barriers of Azure Connection City. May our ancestors watch over us!"

Once the great elder had spoken, all those gathered followed suit with respectful bows.

With the formalities concluded, the great elder turned to Yang Xuan, who wore a stern expression, and solemnly advised, "Today's battle is critical! We cannot afford to take it lightly!"

The steward, E Zhengqing, echoed the sentiment, "Indeed! Prince, this is your day to rise to prominence. Show no leniency towards Yang Xiao; if he must be killed, then do so without hesitation." His eyes flickered with a hint of animosity as he spoke.