Xiao Chen didn't move; he simply stared coldly at the crowd, his thoughts unreadable. Xiao Jian slowly made his way over, the crowd parting to let him through as he smirked mockingly at Xiao Chen.
"Why so quiet, little brother? Ignoring me isn't very polite, is it?" Xiao Jian taunted, reaching out with his right hand to grab Xiao Chen's wrist, intending to pull him forward.
But when he tried to pull, he found himself unable to move Xiao Chen's wrist. A flicker of shock crossed his face. How could this wastrel have such strength? He was just about to channel his inner energy to force Xiao Chen along.
Xiao Chen jerked his hand free, breaking Xiao Jian's grip in full view of everyone, and said coolly, "Don't trouble yourself, brother. I'll go on my own."
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd. How could this "wastrel" have managed to shake off Xiao Jian's grip? Although Xiao Jian hadn't used his internal energy, he was at the peak of Martial Practitioner, only a step away from Martial Master, several levels above Xiao Chen. Could it be that this failure had somehow gained a miraculous opportunity and condensed his martial soul?
Xiao Jian was momentarily stunned, his face clouding over as he realized Xiao Chen had made him lose face in public. His expression darkened, and he quickly followed Xiao Chen to the Spirit Testing Stone, unaware that he had been the first to insult Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen approached the Spirit Testing Stone, his face clouded with bitterness. He knew his own strength well enough, and there was no point in backing down now. He resigned himself to the inevitable jeers and criticisms he'd receive, which oddly enough, helped him regain his composure.
He placed his right hand on the Spirit Testing Stone, channeling a faint flow of energy from his dantian through his meridians and down his arm. As the energy reached his palm, the stone began to change color, starting from pure white and gradually shifting to a pale red.
In moments, Xiao Chen's forehead was covered in sweat. The stone seemed to be drawing out all his energy, yet its color remained a faint red, with no further changes.
"Xiao Chen, ninth rank of Soul Refining, no progress," the First Elder, Xiao Qiang, announced dispassionately from behind the stone.
Xiao Chen withdrew his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Around him, the Xiao family disciples collectively exhaled in relief. It seemed that Xiao Chen was indeed the same as ever, still at ninth rank with no breakthroughs—no miracle had occurred.
Xiao Jian sneered. He'd felt a momentary shock earlier, but now he could relax. Resuming his usual mockery, he chuckled, "Little brother, you certainly have a unique talent. Eight years, and you're still stuck at the ninth rank of Soul Refining. I daresay no one in the entire Qin Kingdom has talent like yours! Ha!"
The rest of the Xiao family disciples laughed along with Xiao Jian. Even the First Elder, standing behind the Spirit Testing Stone, frowned slightly. Although he held back any comment, he couldn't help feeling regret. Xiao Jian had talent and was diligent in his training, but his lack of magnanimity would surely limit his future. In six months, the Xiao family would face a critical duel for the control of the Seven-Cornered Mountain, and the elder doubted Xiao Jian's ability to bear the responsibility.
Xiao Chen remained silent, his face expressionless as he looked at his supposed "older brother." This was the man who mocked him instead of offering comfort, who delighted in his humiliation. If this was his brother, then Xiao Chen decided he didn't need such a brother at all!
Xiao Jian placed his hand on Xiao Chen's shoulder with a mocking grin, saying, "Don't feel bad, little brother. Take it slow; who knows, maybe in a few more years, you'll finally condense a martial soul. Wait, why are you kneeling? No need to go that far. I can't handle that kind of respect."
Xiao Jian had infused his hand with inner energy, channeling half of his peak Martial Practitioner power into his grip. He was furious with Xiao Chen for publicly shaming him and had no intention of letting him off easily.
Forced to one knee, Xiao Chen felt the overwhelming pressure bearing down on his shoulder. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn't shake off Xiao Jian's grip. His forehead broke into a cold sweat under the force pressing him down.
The crowd began to jeer.
"Master Xiao, showing off your skill like this is too much, isn't it?"
"Only Xiao Chen could kneel with such style!"
Xiao Chen clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, drawing blood as his body trembled with repressed rage.
Unwilling!
I'm not willing to be humiliated like this!
A fierce, ancient resentment surged through Xiao Chen's soul. Was this your desire? he thought to himself, sensing the echo of anger left behind by this body's former soul. Although long extinguished, the eight years of suppressed frustration and resentment in this body's soul roared to life under this provocation. Xiao Chen felt it clearly: a spirit who would never be content as a failure, who refused to accept a lifetime of humiliation.
No one willingly chooses to be useless! No one endures mockery and scorn without a choice! No one wants to look up from the bottom forever!
You are Xiao Chen, and I am Xiao Chen. Let me live for you. I'll wash away these years of humiliation and make those who mocked you, ridiculed you, and humiliated you regret it!
Xiao Chen's eyes snapped open, a cold, resolute gleam shining within them. The passivity and numbness that once colored his gaze were gone, replaced by unyielding determination. "I, Xiao Chen, will not remain a failure!"
He rolled backward with all his might, springing to his feet behind the Spirit Testing Stone. His gaze fixed icily on Xiao Jian, who had been enjoying the crowd's laughter and had momentarily let down his guard. Surprised, Xiao Jian hadn't expected Xiao Chen to break free, and anger flared in his eyes as he prepared to retaliate.
Suddenly, a torn piece of cloth flew at him, landing squarely across his face. The slap was so forceful it left a red mark, and Xiao Jian's face turned pale with shock and rage. The cloth had come from Xiao Chen's sleeve, which he had torn himself.
"Fine. You've accepted it. Seven days from now, I'll challenge you right here—to a duel to the death. From today on, you are no longer my brother. Never again!" Xiao Chen declared coldly, his voice as chilling as if it had come from the depths of hell.