(Kang Gu)
After staying outside for about half an hour, Xian Xi finally returned to the hall. As he stepped inside, he immediately noticed the tense atmosphere. All the clan elders were staring at one particular spot with grim expressions. Following their gaze, Xian Xi saw a dense crowd gathering around something—or rather, someone.
His eyes narrowed in curiosity as he approached the crowd. At the edge, he finally saw the cause of the commotion: Jean Si. Opposite her stood a golden sect disciple, his posture brimming with arrogance.
"You peasant bitch, you actually dare to turn down this big brother's request? You will face the consequences right now!" the golden sect disciple raged.
Xian Xi frowned. He tapped a young boy in the crowd, who gasped in shock upon recognizing him. The boy stammered, "L-Legendary Xian Xi! What's going on here?"
Xian Xi raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
The boy gulped. "The Golden Sect disciple tried to force Senior Jean Si into accepting his advances, but she rejected him, and he flew into a rage."
Xian Xi's frown deepened as he processed the information. Jean Si had done nothing wrong, which gave him a sense of relief. But when he turned his attention back to the unfolding scene, his expression hardened. The Golden Sect disciple was about to slap Jean Si with his hand, which glowed with shimmering divine energy.
Jean Si closed her eyes, bracing herself for the slap she was sure would disfigure her face. But after a few moments, she felt nothing. Instead, a familiar fragrance filled the air. She opened her eyes to see Xian Xi firmly holding the golden sect disciple's wrist, the crowd's reactions slowing to a stunned silence.
"No way! He caught it!"
"That disciple's hand was covered in divine energy! Even someone in the Energy Divine Realm would have a hard time stopping that!"
"Totally amazing!"
"I smell trouble coming..."
Whispers flooded the hall, and the Golden Sect disciple scowled, glaring down at Xian Xi.
"How dare you interfere with my business? Do you know who I am?" he roared.
Xian Xi shrugged nonchalantly. "Who are you?"
The Golden Sect disciple laughed darkly. "I am Kang Gu, third young lord of the Golden Sect!" he declared.
The crowd gasped. Everyone knew Kang Gu—a notorious tyrant in the Golden Sect. Though barely at the eighth stage of the Energy Divine Realm, his father's influence had already placed him as a core disciple. Kang Gu was infamous for his monstrous behavior, especially his tendency to chase after beautiful women—and to get whatever he wanted at any cost.
A cold shiver ran through the crowd as they realized the extent of Xian Xi's trouble.
But Xian Xi remained unfazed. "So what?" he asked casually.
Kang Gu's smile twisted into something cruel. "So, you'd better kneel before me while I'm still in a good mood. Lick my shoes, and I'll let you go," he said.
Xian Xi's expression hardened as he smiled coldly. "How about you lick my shoes instead?"
The entire hall fell silent, unable to process what they'd just heard. Even Kang Gu was momentarily stunned before he burst into maniacal laughter.
"Very good! Very good!" Kang Gu said between laughs. "When I came to this trash city, I thought I'd be bored to death. But who knew I'd find someone foolish enough to entertain me!"
Xian Xi kept his icy smile. The crowd stood in perfect silence, waiting for the inevitable clash.
But then Kang Gu's expression turned sinister.
"Just a moment ago, I might have spared you half of your body, but now…" he trailed off with a murderous grin. "Not even the heavens can save you from me."
Xian Xi remained unshaken, his smile unwavering. "You wish to fight me?"
Kang Gu laughed darkly. "More like crushing you."
Xian Xi's eyes gleamed with determination. "Then what are you waiting for?"
The crowd erupted in whispers and gasps.
"Is Xian Xi insane?"
"He's totally courting death! Even if he's a top genius, he hasn't reached the Divine Energy Realm yet! He's no match for Kang Gu!"
"Xian Xi is being plain arrogant!"
Xian Xi ignored the muttering crowd and stared coldly at Kang Gu. Jean Si, watching the scene unfold, rushed to grab Xian Xi's hand.
"Xian, you don't have to fight him! Not only is he stronger than you, he's Kang Gu—the third young lord of the Golden Sect!" Jean Si pleaded, fear clouding her voice.
Xian Xi looked at her and gave a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. Just move aside, and I'll be done with this guy in an instant."
Gently, he pushed Jean Si to the side and rolled up his sleeves.
"Anyone who messes with my loved ones will pay," Xian Xi declared, his voice low but filled with conviction.
Kang Gu sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You're simply asking for death!"