C10 My Nickname Is the Little Sht Pounder!

Ho Liao looked at Yu Long and said, "Since the challenge system of the Fatebinder Hall has been around for a thousand years, and your three friends have earned the right to challenge, it's all about having the ability. As the saying goes, 'A hero is not defined by their origins.' Are you, as a proper disciple of the Flying Cloud Sect, really afraid of some rogue cultivators?"

Yu Long, surprisingly, seemed to think Ho Liao was on his side and nodded frequently.

Ho Liao continued, "Why not compete with them right now? After all, you've already been expelled from the Flying Cloud Sect once. Getting kicked out of the Fatebinder Hall wouldn't be much worse. The Flying Cloud Sect is much bigger anyway, and you've already developed a pretty thick skin!"

Yu Long's expression changed immediately, turning dark as he glared at Ho Liao and said coldly, "Young friend, even if you started cultivating from the womb, you wouldn't be my match. I suggest you know your place. This contest for the Fatebinder Hall leader is not something you have a say in!"

Seeing Ho Liao speaking up for him, Old Xing quickly added, "If you don't follow the rules, anyone can stand up for what's right. Why shouldn't the young friend speak his mind?"

Yu Long, hearing Old Xing's words, pondered to himself. This kid, even if he reached the Soulkeep stage, would only have a single level at most. As a small rogue cultivator, he might have at most two energy nodes. I already have four levels, with eight energy nodes. Plus, with my blade technique, each burst of energy from a node is enough to defeat seven or eight like him. Maybe I should just take him out to make a statement!

Having made up his mind, Ho Liao looked at Yu Long and said coldly, "Young friend, if you're intent on getting involved with the position of Fatebinder Hall's leader, I won't oppose it. But according to the rules among cultivators, we can challenge each other, and life or death is left to fate. Are you willing?"

"You're so old, and you still want to bully a young friend!" the three companions of Xing Lao Er shouted almost in unison.

The female cultivator suddenly laughed, "Challenges between cultivators have been a tradition since ancient times. How is that bullying? By that logic, aren't you three bullying Yu Long by challenging the position of Fatebinder Hall's leader?"

Her sharp words left Xing Lao Er and his companions speechless.

The young and fiery newcomer couldn't stand the woman's taunts and disdain, so he spoke up, "I accept Yu Long's challenge, and what if I win?"

"If you win, it proves your strength. I'll support you, and whoever you back for the Fatebinder Hall's leader, I'll support them too. How about that?" the female cultivator replied with a mischievous smile.

"Do you think I'm a fool?" Ho Liao retorted disdainfully. "A fight to the death will decide it. Once I settle things with Yu Long, the leader of Fatebinder Hall will naturally change. Do I need your support for that?"

"You're quite clever, young friend. So, what do you propose?" the female cultivator asked in return.

"It's simple. I want you all to bow and admit your mistake. Remember, cultivators in this world shouldn't be divided into ranks. Got it?" Ho Liao said mischievously. "Maybe I won't kill Yu Long, as long as you kneel in front of Fatebinder Hall for three days and nights!"

"Arrogant fool!" Yu Long roared, "I'll crush you to pieces!"

His eyes blazed with murderous intent as he fixed his gaze on Ho Liao. In his right palm, a swirling energy vortex had formed, a sign of power leaking from a burst energy core, indicating Yu Long was ready to strike.

Sure enough, with a flick of his right hand, a long sword flew through the air, aiming straight for Ho Liao's face.

Having experienced the Sword Spirit Technique once before, Ho Liao remained calm. He focused on the incoming sword, and a burst of sword energy shot out, targeting the middle of the blade.

With a thunderous crash, the sword shattered into pieces.

Ho Liao was overjoyed at the sight, marveling at the invincibility of the Sword Spirit Technique.

Yu Long, on the other hand, was stunned. He had never witnessed such a bizarre and powerful martial skill, especially from someone at the fourth level of Soulkeep.

The female cultivator's face turned pale. Such a young and formidable fighter seemed unheard of in her former sect.

Even the three men with Elder Xing were dumbfounded. They had seen battles where opponents fought above their level, but never with such clean and decisive victory.

"Do you concede?" Ho Liao asked, not without a hint of pride.

"It's just one sword broken!" Yu Long replied, trying to maintain his composure.

"Alright!" Ho Liao said confidently, "Let's continue then!"

"I have plenty of weapons here. How many attacks can you withstand?" Yu Long shouted defiantly, knowing his opponent was just a first-level cultivator.

"Alright, take this!" Ho Liao declared, launching his attack. His sword energy shot straight toward Yu Long's chest.

Startled, Yu Long hurriedly used his blade control technique, grabbing the nearest flowerpot to block the attack. He didn't have time to reach for one of the many swords he had in the hall.

With a crash, the sword energy shattered the flowerpot, losing only half its power before continuing toward Yu Long. He dodged desperately, but the energy still grazed his right arm, taking a significant chunk of flesh.

Screaming in pain, Yu Long quickly applied healing pills, both externally and internally. Ho Liao watched silently, not making another move.

Once Yu Long had tended to his wounds, Ho Liao smirked and asked, "Ready to concede?"

Yu Long's eyes were full of resentment and unwillingness. He wasn't about to give up easily. Even though the resources in the city were limited, he had managed to advance a level. He couldn't bear to lose. The reason he didn't dare challenge Xing Lao Er and his group was that he knew Xing Lao Er practiced a sinister technique that sacrificed bloodline resources to rapidly boost power, making him a formidable opponent.

Before Yu Long could respond, the woman suddenly giggled and said, "Hey there, sorry about this, but I just remembered I left something cooking back home. It's probably ready by now, so I gotta run. Catch you later!" With that, she took off into the sky and flew away.

She can fly? Could she be at the True Spirit level? But why would someone like that run away? Ho Liao was puzzled.

"Kid, she's just using a flying tool. Didn't you see that mist under her feet? It's called a Cloud Glide Talisman. It helps cultivators fly for miles, but it's a one-time use. Got it? Don't embarrass me by thinking everyone who flies is a True Spirit cultivator," the Book Spirit chided in Ho Liao's mind.

As the woman flew off, she muttered to herself, "Darn it, everything was going according to plan with Yu Long. I was supposed to get half of Qeydiff's resources. Who would've thought this little troublemaker would show up and ruin everything? It's hard enough for us independent cultivators to get resources, and now it's all gone!"