"The Fang Family from Dongfang City! The young master of the Fang Family has actually come to Hundred Flowers Town!" a cultivator exclaimed in shock, clearly aware of the Fang Family's power.
"Quick, let's go! The Fang Family is powerful, we mustn't offend them."
"How did Xiao Chen end up in a feud with the Fang Family? This is bad."
The Fang Family guards quickly surrounded Xiao Chen and the Xinglan Sect disciples. There were more than 30 guards, and many cultivators in Hundred Flowers Town, upon realizing they were from the Fang Family of Dongfang City, fled the scene in fear.
"Senior Brother, the young master of the Fang Family is at the mid-Golden Core stage. His strength is even greater than that of the Xinglan Sect elders. We mustn't offend him," a Xinglan Sect disciple said fearfully.
"Xiao Chen, you ruined my plans. Today, I will tear you to pieces!" Fang Yunchong sneered coldly, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
"Xiao Chen, how did Fang Yunchong know you were in Hundred Flowers Town? Could there be Fang Family spies here?" the Ancient White Tiger asked in Xiao Chen's mind, puzzled.
"I don't know either, but the Fang Family's influence is vast. It wouldn't be difficult for them to track me," Xiao Chen replied softly, his gaze fixed on Fang Yunchong's sneering face.
"Xiao Chen, look at the jade pendant on Fang Yunchong's waist. Isn't that the same emerald green color the Zhang family's girl mentioned? Could he be the Flower Thief?" the Ancient White Tiger exclaimed telepathically.
Hearing this, Xiao Chen frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "A jade pendant alone proves nothing. Dongfang City is several days' journey from Hundred Flowers Town. Fang Yunchong wouldn't go to such lengths to come here. Besides, the Fang Family has a deep foundation; he wouldn't need to do something like this. Even if he's lecherous, aren't there more beautiful girls in Dongfang City?"
"Well, that's true," the Ancient White Tiger agreed.
"Young Master, what should we do with the Xinglan Sect disciples?" a Fang Family guard asked.
"Let them go. This matter has nothing to do with them. It only concerns Xiao Chen!" Fang Yunchong sneered.
"Senior Brother, isn't this better? Xiao Chen has a grudge with the young master. We can just watch the show and let the young master kill Xiao Chen for us. Isn't that better?" a Xinglan Sect disciple sneered.
"Hmph, that's fine," Ye Tian snorted coldly, a look of satisfaction on his face. However, he couldn't stop thinking about how Xiao Chen had managed to push him back with a single punch earlier, without even using his true essence. He couldn't believe the vast difference in their strength.
"Buzz!"
Fang Yunchong's true essence surged out from his body, the powerful mid-Golden Core stage energy causing the ground to tremble. The ground beneath Fang Yunchong's feet cracked like a spider web.
Fang Yunchong's hands moved quickly, and tree trunks formed from true essence appeared out of nowhere, binding Xiao Chen's hands and feet. Fang Yunchong sneered, "Xiao Chen, let's see how you escape this time!"
"Amazing! The young master is indeed at the mid-Golden Core stage. This power is terrifying!" a Xinglan Sect disciple exclaimed in fear, finding it hard to breathe under the oppressive aura.
"Wood attribute true essence, such powerful strength!" Ye Tian was also shocked, his eyes filled with fear. The Golden Core stage was not something the Bigu (Fasting) stage could compare to.
"This kid can't move, all of you attack him now! Beat him until he's barely alive, and leave the last breath to me. I want him to know the consequences of offending me!" Fang Yunchong ordered coldly, waving his hand to signal the guards to attack.
"Fang Yunchong, do you think you can deal with me with just these dogs?" Xiao Chen sneered, completely unafraid.
"Attack! How dare he ruin the young master's plans!"
"Beat this kid! He doesn't know his place!"
The Fang Family guards charged at Xiao Chen aggressively, shouting and throwing punches as they went.
"Buzz!"
"Get lost! Hah!" Xiao Chen's true essence surged out wildly, his powerful energy shaking the ground. With a shout, a terrifying wave of energy spread in all directions.
"Ahh!"
The powerful energy shattered the tree trunks binding Xiao Chen and sent the charging guards flying. They crashed into the surrounding buildings, the force of the energy startling the onlookers.
"What? Golden Core stage! That kid is actually at the Golden Core stage! How is this possible?" Ye Tian exclaimed in horror, his eyes wide with shock as he felt Xiao Chen's powerful aura.
"No way! Senior Brother, Xiao Chen is actually at the Golden Core stage!" a Xinglan Sect disciple said in disbelief.
"Oh my! Xiao Chen is a Golden Core stage expert! That's incredible! He just sent dozens of Fang Family guards flying with his aura alone!" an onlooker exclaimed in shock.
"I can't believe it. Xiao Chen is just a teenager, yet he's already at the Golden Core stage!"
"Xiao Chen, you are indeed remarkable. When I was chasing you, I could tell from your speed that you were a Golden Core stage expert! No wonder you weren't afraid," Fang Yunchong sneered. He had already guessed Xiao Chen's strength, so he wasn't surprised.
"Xiao Chen, be careful. This guy is no ordinary expert. He's stronger than most mid-Golden Core stage cultivators," the Ancient White Tiger warned.
"That's why I need to give it my all," Xiao Chen replied with a smile, his figure slowly rising into the air.
"Impressive, you've mastered flight. When I was chasing you, you didn't fly, so I thought you hadn't mastered it yet!" Fang Yunchong said, slightly surprised, as he also took to the air.
"This kid's speed is not inferior to mine. He's five or six years younger than me and already at the Golden Core stage. He's definitely not ordinary. I have to be careful. I don't know Xiao Chen's full capabilities, but since he's an enemy, I'll kill him now to prevent future trouble for the Fang Family," Fang Yunchong thought maliciously, a cold killing intent emanating from him.
Fang Yunchong's cold, vicious gaze swept over Xiao Chen, and he thought to himself, "Let's test his strength first."
"Bang!"
With that thought, Fang Yunchong launched the first attack, stepping on the air and charging towards Xiao Chen with a violent momentum. Xiao Chen was not to be outdone and charged forward as well.
"Oh? A head-on clash?" Fang Yunchong thought, slightly surprised.
"Bang!"
In the blink of an eye, the two collided with a powerful punch, the explosion of force causing the space around them to ripple like waves. Both were pushed back several steps.
"As expected of the mid-Golden Core stage. This guy's strength is impressive," Xiao Chen thought. Despite his powerful physique, he was evenly matched with Fang Yunchong.
"What a formidable opponent. His physique is strong enough to match mine. That punch just now seemed to be testing my strength. I haven't encountered such a strong opponent in a long time. Interesting," Fang Yunchong thought, his battle intent rising.
"Xiao Chen, you truly surprise me. When I was your age, I was only at the Bigu stage. I didn't expect you to reach the Golden Core stage with such a strong physique. Come, use all your strength to attack me. I haven't had a worthy opponent in a long time," Fang Yunchong sneered, though he was complimenting Xiao Chen, he showed no fear.
"Xiao Chen, from his words, it seems he's a battle maniac. Among the younger generation in Dongfang City, he has no rivals. How arrogant!" the Ancient White Tiger remarked telepathically.
"Isn't that perfect? I also want to see how strong I am," Xiao Chen replied with an evil smile, his battle intent also ignited.
"Buzz!"
"Bang!"
With that, Xiao Chen's true essence surged even more powerfully, a white light enveloping him as his aura soared. The space within several feet around him began to distort, and the buzzing sound spread. Xiao Chen then stepped on the air, his figure quickly transforming into a white light as he shot forward.
"Oh? Such speed! This power is indeed formidable!" Fang Yunchong exclaimed, not daring to be careless. He also surged his true essence and quickly charged forward.
"Bang!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Another fierce punch collided, followed by a series of intense hand-to-hand combat exchanges. The powerful blows echoed like explosions in the sky.
"What an incredible fight..." The cultivators below in Hundred Flowers Town were all stunned, watching the fierce battle in the sky without blinking.
"I didn't expect Xiao Chen to be so terrifying. No wonder he dared to defy the Third Elder in the Xinglan Sect. His strength is on par with the elders," a Xinglan Sect disciple exclaimed, trembling.
"Brother Xiao Chen is amazing. At such a young age, he can engage in such intense combat," Old Li exclaimed in shock, his heart racing with the sounds of the battle above.
In the sky, Xiao Chen relied on his strong physique to contend with Fang Yunchong, who was one level stronger. Their powerful energies clashed wildly, both of them fighting with all their might.
"Haha! Very good! Xiao Chen, you are making me more and more excited!" In the midst of the fierce battle, Fang Yunchong laughed excitedly.
"Xiao Chen, this guy's strength is extraordinary! His fists and feet are no weaker than yours," the Ancient White Tiger transmitted.
"Boom!"
After nearly five minutes of intense fighting, the two finally clashed with a punch, and with a loud bang, they both retreated to opposite sides. In the fierce hand-to-hand combat, neither side had the upper hand. Both of them, with determined eyes and smiles on their faces, were full of fighting spirit.
"Xiao Chen actually fought Fang Yunchong to a draw. Isn't Xiao Chen too terrifying? In the initial stage of the Golden Core, he actually can contend with the mid-stage Golden Core? This... this is simply unbelievable!" a disciple of the Xinglan Sect exclaimed in shock.
Ye Tian was also shocked, "Unbelievable? Xiao Chen is simply a monster! A teenager in his teens, it's impossible for him to have such terrifying strength!"