Chapter 40: A Meeting with the Qing Family Head
After the intense events that transpired in the previous chapter, Qing Yu led Xiao Feng through the grand halls of the Qing family estate, her steps brisk but filled with purpose. Xiao Feng followed her in silence, his expression calm as always, as if the confrontation with the gangsters had been just a trivial task for him. They soon reached an ornate wooden door, intricately carved with patterns that represented the legacy of the Qing family.
Qing Yu glanced at Xiao Feng before knocking, her eyes filled with both gratitude and concern. "My father is inside. I'll explain everything to him, and then you can leave. You've done more than enough," she said.
Xiao Feng simply nodded.
Inside the room sat the head of the Qing family, a man of immense presence. He was in his late fifties, with streaks of silver in his hair and an aura of power that could only come from years of cultivating at the Spirit Sovereign realm. The current head of the Qing family exuded authority, his eyes sharp yet calm.
Qing Yu stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Father, this is Xiao Feng," she began. "He... saved me today from a dangerous situation with the Zhao family's men. If it weren't for him, I don't know what might have happened."
The Qing family head's eyes shifted toward Xiao Feng, who remained composed. He nodded slowly. "Is that so? I've heard rumors of conflicts brewing between our family and the Zhao family, but I never thought they would act so brazenly."
"Thank you," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "For saving my daughter, Xiao Feng. You have the Qing family's gratitude. If there's anything you need, anything at all, you have but to ask."
Xiao Feng shook his head slightly. "There's no need for rewards. I did what anyone should've done. I don't need anything in return."
The Qing family head raised an eyebrow, impressed by Xiao Feng's indifference to reward. "Very well. But know this, should you ever need our assistance, the Qing family will do its best to help you in any way we can."
As Xiao Feng turned to leave, he paused and looked over his shoulder. "If you ever need help dealing with the Zhao family... you can ask me."
There was a moment of silence, and then the Qing family head frowned deeply. "Do not speak such nonsense," he said sternly. "The Zhao family is one thing, but the real danger lies in the one backing them— the Third Supreme. You have no idea what you're offering to get involved with."
Qing Yu, standing beside her father, glanced at Xiao Feng, her voice rising in concern. "Didn't I warn you not to meddle in these kinds of things? The Third Supreme is not someone you can afford to provoke. You might even get killed."
Xiao Feng's expression remained unchanged. "I know who the Third Supreme is. And I can handle it."
The Qing family head's eyes narrowed, and for the first time, a genuine concern entered his gaze. "Handle it? The Third Supreme is at Spirit Sovereign Level 7, possibly Level 8. Even I, at Spirit Sovereign Level 4, wouldn't stand a chance. You don't understand the gravity of what you're suggesting."
Xiao Feng smiled faintly. "Then why don't we test it?"
The Qing family head paused, studying Xiao Feng's expression for any hint of arrogance or bluff. Seeing none, he sighed. "You truly believe you can take on such a force?"
Xiao Feng remained silent, his calmness itself an answer.
"Very well," the Qing family head said, standing up. "Let's make a deal. If you can defeat me in combat, I'll consider your offer. But don't think this will be easy."
With that, they headed to the Qing family's training arena. Word of the duel spread quickly, and by the time they arrived, the stands were filled with Qing family disciples and elders, all eager to see the young man who dared challenge the head of the Qing family.
"Is he crazy?" one disciple whispered to another. "He's fighting the head of the family? He's going to be crushed!"
"He doesn't stand a chance," an elder muttered. "The head of the Qing family is one of the most powerful Cultivator in Qing Family."
As they took their places in the arena, the Qing family head looked over at Xiao Feng. "I'll go easy on you," he said. "No need to get seriously injured over this."
Xiao Feng shook his head. "No need to hold back. Let's see who wins."
With that, the fight began. At first, the Qing family head held back, as promised. Xiao Feng matched his movements effortlessly, dodging and countering with minimal effort. The two were on par, exchanging blows, but neither gaining a clear advantage.
"You're impressive," the Qing family head admitted mid-fight. "For someone your age, to be able to keep up with me... I respect that. But now, I'll use more of my power."
As the Qing family head released more of his cultivation energy, his attacks grew fiercer. The arena trembled under the weight of his strikes. Yet, Xiao Feng continued to dodge and parry, never losing ground.
"He's keeping up with him!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
Then the Qing family head unleashed one of the Qing family's ultimate techniques, a Heaven-grade Level 6 technique called Heaven's Devouring Dragon Palm. As the powerful energy surged towards Xiao Feng, the crowd held their breath, expecting him to be overwhelmed.
But just before the attack could hit, Xiao Feng vanished from sight, appearing behind the Qing family head in the blink of an eye. Before the head could react, Xiao Feng disappeared again, reappearing at his side, his movements too fast to follow. The Qing family head tried to counter, but Xiao Feng's speed was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Xiao Feng's hand lightly touched the Qing family head's shoulder, and the elder cultivator froze in place. He couldn't even see Xiao Feng's movements, let alone counter them.
The crowd was silent, stunned by what they had just witnessed.
When Xiao Feng finally unleashed his cultivation aura, everyone was shocked to see that his cultivation level was Spirit Sovereign Level 5, surpassing the Qing family head, who was only at Spirit Sovereign Level 4.
Despite using his most powerful techniques, the Qing family head found himself unable to land even a single blow on Xiao Feng. After several attempts, he stopped, panting heavily, and raised his hand in defeat.
"I admit it," the Qing family head said, his voice filled with awe. "You've won."