DANIEL

“Daniel, have you been hiding your strength?”

Daniel smiled slightly. “If you can hide yours, why can’t I?”

“Daniel, don’t rejoice yet. I haven’t lost to you!” Lu Xuan tried to stand up, but Daniel didn’t give him the chance. He moved very quickly and stood before Lu Xuan, placing his sword at Lu Xuan’s neck.

“You’ve lost!” Daniel smiled, seeing Lu Xuan’s face that could not accept this reality.

“How could I lose to you? Please explain to me how you can be stronger than me? I’m not just a talented disciple, but I also come from a strong background. While you, you have no background, so how can you be stronger than me?”

Daniel didn’t answer. He just smiled as usual. However, when Liu Qingyun was about to announce the winner, an old man’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Fa Wa, why didn’t you tell me there was such excitement happening at your place?”

Fa Wa immediately stood up, frowning. He saw an old man coming with two middle-aged men and a young man about Lu Xuan’s age.

Fa Wa recognized the man; he was the patriarch of the Endless Valley. “Gan Feng, what are you doing here?”

Gan Feng sneered. “I came specifically to see who the winner of your sect’s competition would be. Now let the champion fight my disciple! Xing Han, face him.”

“Yes, Patriarch.” Xing Han did not wait for Fa Wa’s approval; he immediately went to the martial arena.

Fa Wa was very angry. However, Gan Feng stared at him sharply. “Fa Wa, are you afraid your disciple will lose? If you’re scared, just say that your sect’s disciples are incompetent and admit defeat.”

Fa Wa cursed the old man in his heart. ‘Damn, if this old bastard didn’t have a son working in the empire, he wouldn’t dare to cause trouble in my place. I can’t refuse this challenge; if I do, I’ll lose face.’

Fa Wa was stronger than Gan Feng. The difference was, Gan Feng had someone in the She Empire, so he acted arrogantly wherever he went in the She Dynasty.

“Daniel, face him and show your abilities!” Fa Wa shouted to Daniel.

Xiao Tian furrowed his brow at the scene. "Daniel is no match for him; that man has 280 inner strength circles, almost breaking through to a fourth-class warrior."

Ziyan Rouxi seemed to mishear; since when did her adopted brother become a keen observer?

Daniel cupped his hands. "Patriarch, I will fight him!"

Xing Han sneered coldly. "Trash, step forward!" he taunted fearlessly.

Without hesitation, Daniel leaped forward, swinging the sword he held. The blade glowed with a mysterious purple energy.

With swift and agile movements, Daniel launched a series of attacks, both slashes and thrusts. However, Xing Han seemed unperturbed. He dodged Daniel's attacks easily as if dancing among the rain of swords.

Clang—

Daniel executed a fast and decisive strike with his sword, but Xing Han calmly and deftly used his scabbard to block the attack. Xing Han didn't even draw his sword, as if mocking Daniel's efforts to wound him.

On the other side, Xiao Tian felt anxious about the situation. He turned to FA Wa and said, "Grandfather, Daniel is not his match. From Xing Han's attacks, he intends to launch a surprise attack and incapacitate Daniel. This can't be allowed." Xiao Tian's expression was worried while FA Wa pondered momentarily, observing the ongoing fight between Daniel and Xing Han.

"Tian, I know that. But no other student can compete with him under the age of 17. I hope Daniel surrenders before he gets hurt.” Fa Wa smiled bitterly at this one-sided fight. The boy named Xing Han wasn't even attacking despite clearly having greater inner strength; he was merely toying with Daniel.

"Grandfather, let me fight him! I won't let that old man humiliate you in your own Sect."

"Tian, you haven't even trained. How can you fight?"

Xiao Tian looked at his grandfather with sincere eyes, his face full of determination. "Grandfather, Tian will be honest. I often trained without your knowledge. My strength is enough to drive out that uninvited guest!" he said firmly.

Seeing Xiao Tian's serious face, Fa Wa was slightly confused, unsure whether to believe him. His brows knitted together as he observed every detail of Xiao Tian's expression.

After a few moments of contemplation, Fa Wa made up his mind, deciding to trust Xiao Tian. After all, he knew his adopted grandson's character; he wasn't one to joke, especially in such a situation.

Fa Wa nodded slowly, then patted Xiao Tian's shoulder with confidence. "Go ahead! But, if you can't fight him, admit defeat immediately." Fa Wa was very worried; even though others hid their strength, he could see everything. However, he couldn't see Xiao Tian's strength.

****

"Trash, it's time for me to end this fight!" Xing Han suddenly drew his sword and moved swiftly, intending to kill Daniel; he didn't want just to injure him.

However, just as Xing Han's sword was about to reach Daniel's neck and take his life, a shadow suddenly flashed by with incredible speed. Xiao Tian was already standing before Daniel, protecting him from Xing Han's attack. With extraordinary strength, he pinched Xing Han's sword with two fingers, stopping the lethal attack in Daniel's face.

"That's enough! Or I'll teach you a lesson!" Xiao Tian said with a bone-chilling tone.

Everyone in the room was shocked by the young man's sudden appearance. The elders and disciples were stunned; even Fa Wa, Xiao Tian's adopted grandfather, was utterly astonished.

Xing Han furrowed his brow, puzzled by the figure who dared to stop him. He stared at Xiao Tian, who appeared younger than him. But what intrigued Xing Han was the cold aura from Xiao Tian as if it could freeze every soul that approached him.

XIAO TIAN

"Do you intend to join the fight? If you want to fight, I don't mind taking on both of you simultaneously!" Although Xiao Tian had stopped his attack, Xing Han still did not take Xiao Tian seriously.

Xiao Tian shook his head. "Do you not understand my meaning? If you don't, then fine, I'll make you understand."

Xiao Tian looked sharply at the Patriarch of the Boundless Valley. "Old man, I don't know where you come from. But your actions in our Sect don't reflect those of a master. If you want a fight between disciples, this isn't the way. My Supreme Sword Sect will satisfy your desire for a battle."

Hearing the sharp comments from a child, Gan Feng's face turned red, anger rising in his expression. As a patriarch of the Boundless Valley, how could he tolerate the words of a child who didn't understand the martial world? But before he could unleash his fury, Fa Wa, standing beside him, spoke first.

"Gan Feng, don't you feel ashamed of your childish behavior? Tian's words are true! If you want to see the strength between Boundless Valley and our Supreme Sword Sect's disciples, I'd be happy to fulfill your wish," Fa Wa said teasingly as if challenging Gan Feng. "But for now, sit here, and we will watch the battle between our disciples peacefully," he continued, pointing to the chair prepared beside him.

Gan Feng held back his anger. The two disciples from the Boundless Valley and the Supreme Sword Sect began preparing for the fight.

Everyone present could feel the tension in the air; they were not only shocked by Xiao Tian's actions but also by Fa Wa's words as their patriarch.

"Will the patriarch let Tian fight that person?"

"I don't know! But from the patriarch's words, it seems so. But you know, Tian's daily activities only involve sweeping the yard; he has never trained. So how could Tian have the ability to fight that person?"

People began questioning Xiao Tian's actions and Fa Wa's words. In their judgment, Xiao Tian was a child uninterested in martial arts. This was evident because the child was never seen training.

****

Gan Feng restrained his anger and reluctantly sat beside Fa Wa. "If that's your opinion, it would be better. I can see who the true genius of your Sect is?"

Fa Wa looked at Xiao Tian. "Tian, are you sure you want to fight?"

Xiao Tian smiled faintly. "Grandfather, Tian doesn't want to fight because this person doesn't interest me. But his actions in our Sect are too arrogant, so I can't remain silent."

Xiao Tian looked at Daniel. "Senior Daniel, you can step down; let this person be my concern."

Daniel hesitated a bit because he shared the same thoughts as others. But Xiao Tian's strength in stopping Xing Han's attack made him think otherwise. "Alright, junior brother, be careful. This person is still hiding his strength."

"Senior doesn't need to worry; leave this to me." Xiao Tian smiled warmly at Daniel.

Xing Han snorted coldly. "Are you done with the pleasantries?"

Xiao Tian smiled slightly. But within his smile hid a ferocity unknown to Xing Han.

Daniel exited the martial arts arena, leaving Xiao Tian to face Xing Han.

Now, all eyes were on him. They wanted to see if the lazy boy had any martial arts skills.

Xiao Tian stood tall in the middle of the arena, his sharp gaze fixed on Xing Han, who mocked him with a sneering tone. "Boy, don't blame me for being ruthless! Swords have no eyes, so don't blame me if you get seriously injured," Xing Han taunted while gripping his sword tightly.

The people around the arena suddenly realized that Xiao Tian was weaponless, and they began to murmur with concern. At a critical moment, Daniel moved quickly. "Junior brother, take this!" Daniel shouted as he threw his sword towards Xiao Tian.

Xiao Tian swiftly caught the sword Daniel threw. He nodded, "Thank you, senior." His words were full of respect, but his tone remained calm and confident.

After Xiao Tian held a weapon, Xing Han looked at Fa Wa. "Can the fight begin now?"

Fa Wa nodded in agreement, then raised his hand as a signal that the match could start. After receiving Fa Wa's approval, Xing Han didn't want to waste time. He tried to humiliate the boy in front of him.

Xing Han immediately unsheathed his sword, leaping at high speed.

Xiao Tian didn't move; he still stood calmly. When Xing Han made a slash, Xiao Tian only lifted his sword, still in its sheath.

The sound of clashing weapons echoed through everyone. However, seeing Xiao Tian easily block the attack, people were convinced that Xiao Tian had the skills and wasn't just boasting to seek attention.

XIAO TIAN ||

After blocking Xing Han’s sword slash, Xiao Tian swiftly twisted his wrist with agility. The sword, previously used to block Xing Han’s attack, became a deadly strike aimed at Xing Han’s abdomen.

Bang—

“Ugh...” Xing Han was thrown several meters away. After stabilizing himself, he suddenly spat out blood from his mouth.

Xing Han glared at Xiao Tian viciously while wiping his blood. “Kid, I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to have such strength. Now, you won’t have another chance to defend yourself!” Xing Han released his true aura. Now, everyone could feel Xing Han's power.

“Damn, this kid Xing Han has a massive amount of inner energy, he's nearly a fourth-class warrior. What do we do? Tian is surely going to be defeated by him!”

“Don’t panic, look at Tian’s face. Even though that guy revealed his power, Tian is still very calm. It means Tian has a way to deal with him.”

Many people doubted Xiao Tian, while some remained optimistic about the boy.

“Kid, now it’s time to end this fight!” Xing Han shouted, igniting a burning fighting spirit within himself. He raised his sword high, channeling all the energy in his body. Suddenly, a tremendous energy burst from Xing Han’s sword, making the wind around the arena chaotic. His sword gleamed, indicating the power ready to destroy the opponent before him. “DANCE OF A HUNDRED SWORDS!” Xing Han yelled, initiating his ultimate attack.

In an instant, hundreds of sword shadows appeared around him, moving rapidly and unstoppably. Seeing Xing Han using the sword skill of the Boundless Valley, Gan Feng smiled proudly.

“That boy named Tian is going to die. This is the third most powerful sword technique below the level of a heavenly king warrior. Even an earth king warrior would struggle against this sword technique. Xing Han is very talented; even though he's only 15 years can already perform this technique.” Gan Feng grinned evilly.

****

Seeing Xing Han’s potent attack, Xiao Tian was slightly intrigued by his sword technique. His eyes glowed slightly; if anyone could see deep into Xiao Tian’s eyes, they would be astonished, for there seemed to be thousands of stars shining within them.

Xing Han attacked fiercely, but Xiao Tian still hadn’t drawn his sword. He could dodge Xing Han’s attacks with ease.

Xiao Tian even offered advice as Xing Han attacked. “Your sword skill is strong, but you lack power when using it. You also aren’t smooth when changing the rhythm of your attacks, even though the sword technique you mentioned could become deadly. “Bastard, if you can use a sword technique, do it! Don’t just criticize me!” Xing Han was furious; his opponent could always predict the direction of his attacks easily. He was extremely angry. At this moment, Xing Han received a lecture from an opponent far younger than himself. Xing Han’s lungs felt like they would explode from his rage.

Seeing Xing Han’s increasingly substantial but unsubstantial attacks, Xiao Tian lost interest in continuing the fight.

Xiao Tian, who had only been dodging, now began to attack. He had lost interest in fighting. The boy played with his sword still in its sheath, twisting it and then slashing at Xing Han’s wrist.

Slash—

“Ahh…” Xing Han screamed in pain, his sword flying out of his hand and landing far away. Xiao Tian appeared in front of Xing Han with an icy face; his kindness and calmness had vanished, replaced by a gaze that contained a hint of murderous intent.

Splash—

Splash—

Xiao Tian slapped Xing Han’s face violently. He continuously delivered several slaps, and finally, Xiao Tian kicked Xing Han’s waist hard.

Bang—

Crack—

Xing Han wasn’t just thrown far; his ribs were shattered.

He vomited blood continuously. All his strength disappeared; he no longer could stand.

Xiao Tian walked slowly toward Xing Han; his cold expression terrified the man.

“What is this?” People stared at each other in disbelief. Not only Gan Feng, the patriarch of the Boundless Valley, but even the people of the Supreme Sword Sect didn’t expect such an outcome.

People have now changed their views of Xiao Tian. Those who had always thought the boy had no talent and was very lazy about practicing martial arts found out he was not a lazy person. Xiao Tian said he was skilled but had not wanted to showcase himself until now.

Xing Han looked at Xiao Tian in horror. “Don’t come near me! Stay away from me!” Xing Han tried to stand but was utterly powerless.

Xing Han lay helplessly on the ground, his body full of wounds and blood. Xiao Tian, who had been walking casually, suddenly felt anger. In an instant, his body shook, and he appeared before Xing Han with incredible speed.

Baang—

Xiao Tian’s hard kick landed on Xing Han’s body, sending him flyback several metersng. Han’s ribs weren’t just broken; they shattered into pieces. Intense pain flooded his entire body, making Xing Han scream in agony.

After that, Xiao Tian didn’t stop. He ran again and arrived in front of Xing Han once more. Then he stepped on Xing Han’s chest.

“Stop!” Gan Feng stood and shouted. A fighting aura and a hint of murderous intent emanated from his body. However, Xiao Tian ignored him. Instead, he glared at Gan Feng with sharp eyes.

“Old man, why are you stopping me? What did I do wrong?” Seeing Xiao Tian’s gaze, Gan Feng felt he wasn’t looking at a 9-year-old boy. There was a strange feeling seeping into his body. He felt like a god of death was staring at him.