"Young man, you are too arrogant for your own good!"
Suddenly, the old man behind Ouyang Shaoyu spoke in a deadpan voice. It was not loud, yet it carried a unique majesty, making it difficult for people to breathe.
He walked slowly to Ouyang Shaoyu, looked at Xiao Chen, and said in a low voice, "How dare you hit the young master of the Ouyang family. I don't care who you are—today, you will pay a heavy price!"
As he spoke, he glanced at the group from the Zhao family. In his opinion, Xiao Chen's backer had to be the Zhao family!
"Now, kneel down and apologize!"
The old man demanded imperiously.
His aura erupted, and a powerful force surged between heaven and earth, making nearly everyone's expression change.
"Xuanwu Realm!"
"He's actually a Xuanwu Realm expert!"
"Is he Ouyang Shaoyu's bodyguard?"
Even Zhao Qian's expression changed. Even the Zhao family could not afford to appoint a Xuanwu Realm expert to protect the younger generation of their family!
Had the Ouyang family become this powerful without anyone realizing it?
"I'm afraid things will not end well today."
Sighing, Zhao Qian felt even less optimistic about the Zhao family's position.
"You want me to kneel down and apologize? Do you think he's worthy of that?"
Xiao Chen smirked, answering rudely, "Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?"
"You're courting death!"
Hearing this, the old man became even more furious. His eyes flashed with a cold light, and a more powerful aura spread from his body, pressing down with an unbearable weight!
Many people's faces turned red, their bodies trembling.
One after another, they involuntarily stepped back, putting distance between themselves and the old man.
Their eyes were filled with terror.
"This young man dares to offend such a person. He must be tired of living!"
"Elder, I want him dead!"
At that moment, Ouyang Shaoyu roared.
"Don't worry, that's exactly what I'm thinking!"
The old man nodded proudly. Even without Ouyang Shaoyu's command, he had already made up his mind.
With a clenched fist, he condensed his Xuan energy, forming it into an arrow that shot toward Xiao Chen!
Buzz! Buzz!
The arrow trembled, slicing through the air with a terrifying sharpness.
Zhao Menghu and the others' expressions suddenly changed.
Even they would have to take such an attack seriously. Otherwise, they would suffer greatly!
"Watch out, Young Master Xiao!"
Zhao Menghu shouted in warning.
"What a cheap trick!"
Xiao Chen laughed with disdain. Then, he stomped hard on the ground.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
With a deafening sound, the solid ground instantly split apart, leaving deep fractures.
Then, numerous broken stones flew up and shot forward like arrows!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The old man's Xuan Energy arrow was shattered instantly, and the broken stones continued flying toward him!
"Oh no!"
The old man's expression changed drastically. He tried to retreat, but it was too late.
An intense sense of danger surged in his heart.
I'm a Xuanwu Realm expert, yet even I can't resist these mere stones?!
The realization sent chills down his spine.
But his speed was too slow!
The gravel whizzed through the air like deadly projectiles!
Bang!
A rock struck his chest.
Puff!
The old man staggered back, coughing up blood.
He looked up at Xiao Chen in utter shock.
With just a stomp, Xiao Chen had not only neutralized his attack but also seriously injured him!
How could such a young man be so strong?!
Was he even human?
"How is this possible? His kick…"
Nearby, Meng Chen gulped. He watched the scene in utter disbelief.
A single stomp, and he had injured a Xuanwu Realm expert?!
How could a sixteen-year-old boy accomplish such a feat?
At that moment, Meng Chen recalled how Xiao Chen had warned him earlier—how he had coldly threatened to behead him if he dared to speak again.
Now, Meng Chen finally understood.
This so-called "country bumpkin" hadn't been bluffing—he really had the strength to back it up!
His face burned with shame.
With Xiao Chen's strength, did he need to ride on someone else's success? Did he need to cling to the high branches of the Meng family through Meng Ye?
Compared to Xiao Chen, who even came close?
"With your strength, you can't even compare to Zhao Qian. Yet, you thought you could show off in front of me? Should I call you ignorant or just plain stupid?"
Xiao Chen placed his hands behind his back. His sharp gaze was like lightning. His words rumbled like thunder, shocking both the old man and Meng Chen!
"You… You defeated Zhao Qian?"
They turned to Zhao Qian in horror.
They could hardly believe it.
Zhao Qian was a peak second-level Xuanwu Realm expert—the strongest person in Tianyang Prefecture apart from the palace master!
And yet, he had been defeated by a sixteen-year-old boy?!
"What? This b*stard defeated Zhao Qian?!"
Lying on the ground, Ouyang Shaoyu was equally stunned.
His heart pounded as if a tidal wave had crashed into it.
Ignoring the pain on his swollen face, he shouted, "Master Zhao, is this true? This boy is slandering you!"
"How dare he insult you! Just kill him!"
Ouyang Shaoyu screamed desperately, his face pale with fear.
For him, Zhao Qian's response was like a bolt of lightning splitting the sky.
Meng Chen wasn't the only one shaken.
The Zhao family had ruled Tianyang Prefecture for hundreds of years—yet now, they had a new master?!
And this person was just a teenager?!
Even more shocking was the claim that Xiao Chen had defeated Zhao Qian!
The old man inhaled deeply. Clenching his fists, he cupped his hands and bowed.
"So it turns out we were facing a true expert. Apologies for our offense."
Xiao Chen sneered.
"Do you think a word of apology is enough? You're quite the interesting one. When you think you have the advantage, you throw your weight around. But the moment you realize you're in trouble, you offer a few flowery words and expect everything to be forgiven?"
His cold, mocking tone made the old man's expression darken.
For the first time, fear flickered in his eyes.
"What do you want, pray tell?" The old man asked in a low voice.
"Kneel down and apologize!"
The old man's face twisted in shock.
It was the same command he had arrogantly given to Xiao Chen earlier.
Back then, he had thought Xiao Chen was an insignificant insect, unworthy of respect.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, Xiao Chen had turned the tables—and now those very words were being thrown back at him!
And worst of all…
He had no way to refuse.