Lu Zhenhai nodded quickly: "Okay! I'll have someone prepare the best guest room for Xiao Xiao. If you need anything, just let the servants know."
After Lu Duxian and Lu Yuexi saw Xiao Chen off from the main hall, the elders in the hall finally spoke.
The First Elder looked at Lu Zhenhai first, his tone tinged with worry: "Patriarch, although that young friend Xiao can kill a mid-stage Nirvana cultivator, the He family's external aid is a half-step Tai Xu realm cultivator!"
"Is he really up to the task? Or... should we consider the suggestion from the City Lord's Mansion?"
The other elders chimed in, "Yes, Patriarch, the City Lord's Mansion said that as long as Miss Yuexi is willing to marry into their family..."
"The city lord will not only help us deal with the He family, but will also provide spiritual vein support for our Lu family. In this way, the Lu family will be able to gain a firm foothold!"
Upon hearing the words "City Lord's Mansion," Lu Zhenhai's face instantly darkened, his eyes filled with disgust.
"Enough! Don't mention the City Lord's proposal again! Don't you all know who that City Lord is?"
"He's after Yuexi, not trying to help the Lu family! Once Yuexi marries into the family, it probably won't be long before he completely swallows up the Lu family!"
He knew that city lord's character all too well; outwardly kind, but inwardly ambitious, relying on his half-step Dao Realm strength over the years...
They have secretly absorbed many smaller forces. If the Lu family really marries Lu Yuexi into their family, it will be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.
"But..." The Grand Elder wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Lu Zhenhai.
"No buts!" Lu Zhenhai said firmly. "I believe in Xiao's abilities and I will never let Yuexi suffer any injustice. As for the He family, with Xiao here, we may not be without a chance of victory!"
Seeing Lu Zhenhai's resolute attitude, the elders could only remain silent, though their hearts were still filled with worry.
After all, the gap of being half a step into the Void Realm is not something that can be easily bridged. Can young friend Xiao really create a miracle?
Meanwhile, in the guest room, Xiao Chen was sitting by the window, his fingers lightly tapping the table.
Half-step into the Void Realm?
It just so happens that he hasn't had a proper chance to test his skills since breaking through to the Nirvana Realm, and this core disciple of the Yuan Yang Sect is a worthy opponent.
Time flies, and the agreed-upon day of the competition is fast approaching.
As dawn broke and the courtyard of the Lu residence was still covered in morning dew, Lu Yuexi lifted her skirt and tiptoed to Xiao Chen's guest room. Her fingertips landed on the door, and she gently knocked three times.
"Brother Xiao, are you awake?" Her voice was soft and gentle in the early morning, with a hint of worry that she couldn't hide.
The door was quickly opened, and Xiao Chen, dressed in a clean, dark-colored outfit, with his hair tied up and a calm expression, entered.
There was no tension in his eyes, as if he were going to a banquet rather than a life-or-death contest.
"morning."
He nodded slightly, his tone remaining calm.
Looking at his composed demeanor, Lu Yuexi's worries did not lessen in the slightest.
She bit her lower lip, but still couldn't help but speak up: "Brother Xiao, the He family's external aid is a core disciple of the Yuan Yang Sect who is at the half-step Tai Xu Realm, and his strength is extremely strong."
“If you feel unsure, you can leave now. I will not blame you. Besides, you have already repaid the favor you owed me.”
She was genuinely afraid that Xiao Chen would take on this uncertain match for the sake of the Lu family, and if he got injured, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen smiled faintly, his eyes filled with certainty: "Don't worry, I can win."
There was no extra explanation, yet it carried a kind of inexplicable reassuring power.
Looking into his determined eyes, Lu Yuexi swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue and could only nod: "Then... let's go, Father and the others are already waiting at the door."
The two walked out of the courtyard side by side and soon met up with Lu Zhenhai and Lu Duxian who were waiting outside. The four of them headed towards the competition arena in the center of Yong'an City.
When they arrived at the competition venue, it was already packed with people, including disciples and cultivators from the He and Lu families.
Many ordinary cultivators and civilians from Yong'an City also wanted to watch this competition that would determine the ownership of the Yunlan Mountains.
In the center of the arena stood a huge white jade arena, surrounded by defensive formations to prevent the aftershocks of the competition from injuring the spectators.
As the Lu family approached, the crowd quieted down, and all eyes turned to Xiao Chen.
After all, he was an outsider to the Lu family, and everyone was curious about the background of the helper the Lu family had found.
The He family members were already waiting by the arena. He Xiong, the head of the He family, was dressed in a dark red robe, with a burly figure and sharp eyes.
His eyes were full of disdain as he glanced at Xiao Chen, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Lu Zhenhai, is this the outside help you found?"
He looked Xiao Chen up and down, noting that Xiao Chen was tall but not muscular, and didn't look very old.
His tone grew increasingly contemptuous: "Thin arms and legs, you've probably just entered the Nirvana Realm, haven't you?"
"If you can't find any good outside help, just tell me. My He family can send any guard who's better than him!"
The surrounding He family disciples burst into laughter, echoing He Xiong's mockery, their eyes filled with contempt as they looked at Xiao Chen.
Lu Zhenhai's face instantly turned ashen, and his clenched fists turned white.
Before the competition even started, He Xiong had already humiliated him like this; it was simply outrageous! He was about to retort when He Xiong beat him to it.
He Xiong patted Lu Zhenhai on the shoulder, his tone feigning "regret": "Old Lu, I advise you not to place your hopes on him, lest you lose too badly and be unable to save face. Your Lu family is destined to lose this competition!"
These words were like a slap in the face to everyone in the Lu family. Lu Duxian was so angry that he wanted to step forward to argue, but Lu Zhenhai stopped him.
Now is not the time to turn against them. If we take action now, it will be tantamount to the Lu family admitting defeat, and the Yunlan Mountains will be completely destroyed.
Xiao Chen stood aside, not saying a word from beginning to end, just looking at He Xiong with calm eyes, as if He Xiong's sarcasm and the laughter around him had nothing to do with him.
His gaze swept past He Xiong and landed on a young man dressed in yellow sect robes.
The young man had an arrogant face and was surrounded by the aura of a half-step Tai Xu Realm cultivator. He must be the outside help that the He family had invited, Zhao Lie, a core disciple of the Yuan Yang Sect.
Zhao Lie also noticed Xiao Chen's gaze, snorted coldly, his eyes full of disdain, as if he were looking at an ant that he could crush at any moment.
Lu Yuexi gripped her sleeves tightly, watching Xiao Chen's retreating figure, her heart filled with both anxiety and anger.
She was afraid that Xiao Chen would get angry because of these taunts, and even more afraid that Xiao Chen was really no match for Zhao Lie.
Just then, Xiao Chen spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly carried throughout the entire arena: "Whether you lose or not is not up to you. We'll see who's the best in the ring later."
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