It wasn't even an attempt at humor, but apparently I'd busted Qiang's gut. When he finally stopped laughing, he put his hands on my shoulders, causing me to back off out of being extremely uncomfortable. "You really are something, for a human. Finally, I have someone to surpass!"
Looks like I've played it right this time. "I'm happy for you...just don't challenge me like every week or something, okay?"
"Oh no," he said, drawing back and actually wagging a finger at me, "next time, I'm going to be well prepared. This time, you were enough Realms above me that a human would even be expected to win against at least an ordinary Sacred Beast. We'll see what happens once I reach the First Purification Realm myself!"
"Fair enough," I said, extending my hand for him to shake, and he took it. "Until then."
"It's a promise!"
As I was leaving the Challenge Hall, a voice called out to me. "Outer Disciple Xu Zuhui!"
