Chapter Nineteen: A Friendly Duel
Walking steadily forward, Hao Shengyi kept probing indirectly, hoping to hear about Chen Xuan’s experiences venturing down the mountain, so he could compare them with his own. But what kind of person was Chen Xuan? Having read countless novels in a past life, he lied with such reason and composure that his face never flushed nor breath faltered.
Thus, a tale of “thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west; never underestimate a young man in hardship” flowed effortlessly from his lips.
Behind him, Wu Jiang listened in utter confusion.
What the hell?
What broken engagement?
What three-year agreement?
What striving for success?
How did any of this make sense?
Did Chen Xuan really have such a past?
Scratching the back of his head, Wu Jiang felt completely at a loss.
To one side, Wang Wu, Luo Hai, Zhang Li, and the other Left Dao disciples all felt a solemn awe, secretly admiring him.
So this Senior Brother Chen had such a background?
He had once been a master with nine layers of Qi accumulation, the foremost genius of the Five Poisons Sect. Then, for some unknown reason, his internal energy stagnated for three years, even regressing to just one layer. From then on, within the sect, he suffered constant bullying and ridicule—but he never gave up!
Truly an extraordinary man!
And on top of that, even his fiancée had broken off their engagement!
Such heavy blows—if it had been any of them, they would have surely collapsed long ago.
Yet this Senior Brother Chen relied on immense willpower to gradually train himself back up.
Their gazes upon Chen Xuan brimmed with admiration.
Even Hao Shengyi’s eyes shifted, half in disbelief.
*Flick!*
Fame +15.
Suddenly, a streak of green light flashed.
Chen Xuan’s eyes brightened, heart filling with joy.
Could fame really be gained this way?
Damn, he was practically a genius!
He almost laughed aloud.
He began to suspect he was a favored child of fortune, blessed wherever he went.
Just then—
The interface changed again, a light screen popping up.
Current [Task Two] completed!
System settling accounts!
Settlement complete!
Reward: 180 experience points!
Reward: 1 luck point!
Reward: 1 year of internal energy!
...
Chen Xuan smiled inwardly.
Double blessings!
Not only had his fame increased by 15 points, but Task Two was also completed, granting him another 180 experience points.
He silently opened the interface.
Host: Chen Xuan
Identity: Five Poisons Sect Disciple
Internal Energy: 3 years
Stamina: 600
Experience Points: 180
---
Cultivation Technique: Iron Shirt Mastery (100/240)
Title: Castration Hand
Fame: New to the Jianghu (21/140) (Every 5 fame points grants 1 luck point)
Luck: 6 (At 40 luck points, a grand gift pack can be unlocked)
Current Gift Pack: Unavailable
Current Task: (1) Quickly uncover and resolve the truth behind the disciple’s midnight death in the Five Poisons Sect. Deadline: 8 days. Voluntary abandonment deducts 300 experience points. (Remaining time: 5 days, 7 hours, 59 minutes, 56 seconds)
...
Except for the slightly discordant title, Chen Xuan was quite satisfied with the rest.
However, he refrained from using the 180 experience points for now.
Iron Shirt Mastery had already reached completion; he preferred to save points to enhance his internal skills.
After all, he still had the Huagong Great Technique, Eight Steps to Escape the Cicada, and Five Poisons Heart Sutra to master.
All three were highly important techniques—he just needed to see which one he could first feel the connection with.
“I never expected Senior Brother Chen to have such a past. I truly admire you, Brother Chen. How about we spar a little later?” Hao Shengyi suddenly looked at Chen Xuan with a smile.
He intended to test Chen Xuan, for such a story sounded too fantastical.
Facing Chen Xuan in combat could only benefit him, with no downside.
Even if he lost, it would only confirm that Chen Xuan was once a nine-layer Qi master, a loss he could accept. But if he won by chance, it would rapidly boost his fame.
Chen Xuan’s eyes lit up eagerly.
If he could openly defeat Hao Shengyi, his fame would surely rise again.
Even a draw would suffice.
After all, he had Iron Shirt Mastery—why fear?
“Alright, I was just thinking the same,” Chen Xuan smiled.
“In that case, shall we invite the sect elders to witness and arbitrate?” Hao Shengyi’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
“That would be best,” Chen Xuan replied with a smile.
Wu Jiang’s expression changed sharply behind them; he hurriedly said, “Senior Brother Chen, you must not…”
What strength did Chen Xuan truly hold? How could he dare compete with Hao Shengyi? If he lost, the Five Poisons Sect would be utterly disgraced.
“Is there an issue, Senior Brother Wu?” Hao Shengyi turned to Wu Jiang with a smile.
Wu Jiang’s face shifted as he said, “Senior Brother Chen just rushed back from outside; he may not be in the best condition.”
“Don’t worry, I’m in great shape. It’s just a friendly spar, nothing will happen,” Chen Xuan said with a confident pat on his chest.
Showing his skills openly before the elders would surely increase his fame!
How could he refuse such an opportunity?
“Hao Senior Brother, please invite the elders. Where shall we spar?” Chen Xuan smiled.
“How about the square?” Hao Shengyi replied with a grin.
“Good!” Chen Xuan clapped his hands and laughed.
Hao Shengyi immediately gave orders, having someone lead Chen Xuan to the square while he hurried off to summon the elders.
Several Left Dao disciples smiled as they guided Chen Xuan.
The story Chen Xuan had just told deeply moved them, and they had already developed a quiet admiration, showing subtle reverence in their every gesture.
Wu Jiang’s heart churned as he cursed silently, then limped away swiftly to inform their sect master.
---
Chen Xuan’s true strength—how could he not know?
That nonsense about broken engagements and three-year pacts was all lies!
How could Chen Xuan possibly be a match for Hao Shengyi?
He must notify the master quickly to stop Chen Xuan before the Five Poisons Sect lost face again.
Ignoring Wu Jiang, Chen Xuan smiled and walked toward the square.
...
In a secluded courtyard,
The Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and Sixth Elder, all injured and weakened, sat sighing heavily in their chairs.
Just then, Wu Jiang limped in, calling out, “Master, something’s happened! Chen Xuan… Chen Xuan has returned alive…”
“Hm? He’s still alive?” The Second Elder, He Yun, flickered his eyes and suspiciously said, “Isn’t it good that he’s alive? What trouble could there be?”
He had been worried about how to explain Chen Xuan’s death to Qian Dacai; now that he was alive, that was enough.
“He’s challenging Hao Shengyi of the Seven Kill Palace and wants other Left Dao elders to witness it,” Wu Jiang hurried on.
“What?” The three elders’ faces darkened as they rose abruptly.
“He’s courting death!” The Sixth Elder shouted.
“Damn it, this brat’s too arrogant. Go stop him!” The Second Elder ground his teeth.
The Five Poisons Sect had already suffered enough disgrace; if this kid caused more trouble, it would be even worse.
Better if he’d died at the hands of the righteous path than cause chaos everywhere.
They all rushed toward the square.
However, upon arrival, they found that the other three major Left Dao factions had all arrived ahead of them.
News spread rapidly; the entire Left Dao community was aware first-hand.
The square’s perimeter was packed with people—both young and old—chattering eagerly, questioning the details.
The disciples who had heard Chen Xuan’s story animatedly recounted the “thirty years east bank, thirty years west bank” tale before their elders and fellow brothers.
A group of Left Dao experts displayed various expressions—doubt, surprise, disdain, astonishment, sneers—all were present.
Such stories might fool the young newcomers to the Jianghu, but to them, they were easily seen through.
“Everyone, please listen!” The Five Poisons Sect’s Second Elder He Yun suddenly shouted, gathering his inner energy to fill the square. “We face external threats now and must remain vigilant. Don’t take this as a joke. I urge you all to disregard it and return quickly.”
“Ah, Brother He, why worry over youngsters playing around?” one elder countered.
“Exactly, they’re just kids, what do they know? Just having fun—nothing serious will happen.”
“Rest assured, we’re here watching; nothing will go wrong.”
The other Left Dao elders smiled and tried to calm the situation.
Seeing the Five Poisons Sect embarrassed was a source of amusement for them.
Though the Left Dao seemed united, they were all schemers at heart, and even in aiding the Five Poisons Sect, some sought to take advantage.
So they would never refuse such a challenge.
In the square, Hao Shengyi also smiled confidently.
No matter how fantastic Chen Xuan’s story was, the real test was in combat.
With so many Left Dao experts gathered, if he could defeat Chen Xuan, his reputation would soar.
At the very least, it would deepen the impression these elder fiends had of him.