Xu Mansion.
Jiang Fan and Xu Youran returned, stepping in the morning light.
"Fan." Xu Youran looked at the gate of the Xu Family but hesitated to step inside.
Because this was a duel destined for defeat.
The result would be that she had to marry Lu Zheng.
Looking at Jiang Fan in front of her, a heavy feeling surged in her heart as she bit her lip and said:
"It doesn't matter if you lose. Don't blame yourself. I won't blame you, understand?"
During these days of being together, she had already regarded Jiang Fan as her husband.
If he really lost, she would never marry Lu Zheng.
At worst, she would die once more!
Feeling her mood, Jiang Fan held her hand and calmly said, "I said I would protect you."
"Now and forever, it will always be so!"
With that said, he led her by the hand and stepped into the gate of the Xu Mansion.
After ten years of living under other's roof.
Today he would soar to the skies.
Jiang Fan had never been more eager to face the eyes of the Xu Family.
He wanted to prove himself!
He was not a wastrel!
He, Jiang Fan, was worthy of Xu Youran!
Their return caused a stir among the entire clan.
Xu Zhengyan hurried over with others, chastising angrily: "Xu Youran, where the hell have you been? Do you want to scare us to death?"
Facing her father's anger, Xu Youran's expression darkened, and she said, "Father, are you worried about my safety, or are you worried you can't fulfill Lu Zheng's wish and the family will lose a backing?"
"If it's the former, Father need not worry; the Xu Family would be the same with or without me. Having my sister is enough."
Xu Zhengyan, full of anger, found himself speechless.
The existence of Xu Yining had always made Xu Youran feel neglected and secretly bullied by Wang Yingfeng.
He said grudgingly, "Alright, it's good you're back."
Noticing that Jiang Fan was still holding her hand, he frowned slightly and asked, "Jiang Fan, how has your cultivation been lately?"
Jiang Fan calmly wrote two words, "Not bad."
Not bad?
Xu Zhengyan was surprised.
Could it be that someone without a spirit root had indeed made some progress?
However, considering that even Lu Zheng with a nine-grade spirit root hadn't broken through in three days, Jiang Fan was even less likely to succeed.
"Follow me. The clan members are already waiting in the hall."
He led Jiang Fan and Xu Youran to the main hall of the Xu Family.
Dozens of Xu family members, both young and old, from the direct and collateral lines, were all present.
Some young Xu Family girls dressed in bright colors were laughing and chatting around Lu Zheng, hoping to catch his favor.
Xu Yining also had a smile on her face and occasionally spoke with Lu Zheng.
When she saw Jiang Fan return, her smile disappeared, and she said coldly, "I thought you wouldn't dare to come."
"At least you still have some manliness left."
Clan members glanced over, inevitably comparing Lu Zheng and Jiang Fan.
Some of the more acerbic ones even directly uttered harsh words.
"I really don't understand where he got the courage to duel with Lu Zheng."
"He has eaten the Xu Family's food for ten years and still doesn't understand his status, thinking he can compete with Big Brother Lu?"
"If I were him, I wouldn't wait for Big Brother Lu to say anything. I would offer Xu Youran myself to at least save face."
...
Jiang Fan's face showed no expression.
In ten years, he had heard too many cold remarks and was already numb to them.
He didn't waste any words, stood in the middle of the hall with a straight posture, and wrote confidently, "When do we start?"
His confident aura made everyone's expressions change slightly.
Xu Yining looked at him with a mix of surprise and curiosity, unable to help but evaluate him from head to toe.
Today's Jiang Fan gave her an indescribable feeling, as if a confidence from deep within his bones was radiating outward.
Could he be confident in winning today's duel?
But how could that be possible?
Shaking her head lightly, she said, "The result of this duel was decided long ago. Does it matter when it begins?"
The female clan members who supported Lu Zheng rolled their eyes.
"He acts like he's the one with a nine-grade spirit root."
"It's just the last shred of dignity since he's about to lose his wife."
"I can't wait to see him break down and cry. Haha!"
Wang Yingfeng lightly tapped her teacup and leisurely began, "Jiang Fan."
Everyone quieted down to listen to the matriarch speak.
"Do you remember the bet of this duel?"
"If you can't match Lu Zheng, then it's unfortunate, but Xu Youran will have to marry Lu Zheng."
Jiang Fan looked at her coldly and wrote, "If Lu Zheng loses, I also expect you to keep your nephew in check and stop him from thinking a toad can eat swan meat."
Bang!
Wang Yingfeng slammed the tea cup onto the table, her phoenix eyes filled with anger.
A mere dependent dared to speak to her like that?
She snorted coldly, "If Zheng loses, he naturally would not have the face to ask Xu Youran to marry him."
"If you lose, you will leave the Xu Mansion for good. The Xu Family will no longer owe you!"
Jiang Fan, with his hands behind his back, confidently wrote, "Good!"
"Let's have a clear winner then!"
Wang Yingfeng simmered with anger and said, "Zheng, go ahead!"
"Use your full strength. Even if you don't break through, as long as you've progressed, it's a win."
"After all, it's impossible for Jiang Fan to break through!"
Lu Zheng confidently stepped into the center of the hall, facing Jiang Fan from a distance.
The disdain on his face was almost palpable.
"Competing against someone with a nine-grade spirit root, your family ancestors would be proud."
He sneered, raised his fists, and swung them fiercely through the air.
Bam—
It sounded like firecrackers exploding, with the cultivation of Fifth Layer Perfection making the air tremble.
Xu Yining couldn't help but be amazed, "No breakthrough? That shouldn't be!"
With ten bottles of Qi Cultivation Liquid, even someone like her with a Sixth Grade spirit root would have broken through.
The clan members exchanged puzzled looks.
This outcome was unexpected.
A nine-grade spirit root didn't seem as powerful as they thought.
The scene became awkward.
Wang Yingfeng smoothed things over, saying, "The path of cultivation is tough with every step. Advancing to the Fifth Layer Perfection in just three days is already impressive."
The clan members, though finding it strange, didn't think much of it.
The female relatives who were fawning over Lu Zheng spoke in agreement.
"The matriarch is right. Anyone else would probably remain stagnant."
"Yes, no matter what it's still better than a waste without a spirit root."
"Advancing to Perfection is already remarkable and has secured an undefeated position."
Hearing this, Lu Zheng puffed up his chest with pride and smirked, "What say you, Jiang Fan?"
"Although I didn't break through, I at least progressed."
"You still lose!"
He couldn't help but look fervently at Xu Youran.
In his mind, he already pictured a scene of dominating her.
Jiang Fan smiled as he wrote, "Nine-grade spirit root, supported wholeheartedly by Qin Changsheng, and this is it?"
His words grated on Wang Yingfeng's ears, and she impatiently pounded the table. "The celestial dragon above, and a mere worm on the ground, what right do you have to mock?"
Celestial dragon?
Jiang Fan's smile widened as he raised his fist and violently swung it through the air!
A pure strand of spiritual energy shattered the atmosphere.
And shattered everyone's expectations!