Chapter 221: How Can You Beat Me?

Zhao Xidong watched as Xu Xiaoshou furtively rubbed his fingers, paced back to his seat on the lower side, and felt utterly bewildered.

Impossible!

Why could this guy succeed, while he himself, after spending so many years navigating the world of romance, had failed?

Could it be...

That he was more handsome than him?

Xu Xiaoshou relished the warmth on his hand, but his thoughts were not as salacious as the other two imagined.

Unlike Mo Mo's peculiar right hand, he hadn't figured anything out this time, as Yu Zhiwen's oddity wasn't related to that.

But!

If he suddenly poked someone in the eye right after arriving, it would just feel off...

Way too abrupt!

Xu Xiaoshou felt a bit of a toothache.

"What are you doing?" After being stared at by Zhao Xidong until he felt uneasy, he snapped back and asked.

"Nothing."

Zhao Xidong suppressed his irritation. Even with a hundred questions in his heart, he didn't want to utter another word to this guy.

If he couldn't grasp the situation, fine, but if they started chatting, he might end up getting so angry he'd make himself sick.

Thinking of this, he glanced across and suddenly relaxed, leaning back in his chair.

A smirk played on his lips, as if he were about to pull out a blade of grass from his pocket and chew on it while watching the show.

Just look at the other side...

Cheng Xingchu was practically steaming with anger.

He was a very straightforward person and had a hard time hiding his emotions.

Especially now, when he saw Xu Xiaoshou subconsciously pinching his hand with lingering satisfaction, he nearly exploded on the spot.

Originally, he hadn't thought much of this Yuan Ting Jing initial-stage kid, but now...

He swore that this Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't make it out of the council hall alive!

Jiang Bianyan was a bit dissatisfied with Cheng Xingchu's behavior. The fact that Yu Zhiwen thought highly of Xu Xiaoshou was, in his view, quite dignified.

At least, it was crucial to show goodwill now if they wanted to get the "You Si Jian" sword sheath later.

But why was Cheng Xingchu getting so worked up?

They hadn't even started fighting, and his emotions were already blowing up...

Oh well, luckily Xu Xiaoshou was only at the Yuan Ting Jing initial stage.

Jiang Bianyan felt confident of victory, but to fully secure the selection, he still needed to maneuver a bit more.

"Ye Gongzhu, this Xu Xiaoshou has only just entered the Xiantian realm. If he's going to compete with Xingchu, won't that be a bit..."

"No problem."

Ye Xiaotian knew exactly what Jiang Bianyan was up to with his feigned retreat, but he was genuinely afraid that the Sheng Shen Hall side might look down on someone at the initial Xiantian stage and refuse to fight Xu Xiaoshou!

That would be disastrous!

Relying on this Xu surname kid now, inviting the gods is easy, but sending them away is hard.

He pointed at the young man who had just sat down and said, "You can't measure Xu Xiaoshou's combat ability by his cultivation. He has some tricks up his sleeve."

"Oh?"

Jiang Bianyan raised an eyebrow. Hidden trump cards?

But if his cultivation couldn't keep up, crossing two whole realms like Ju Wu and Shang Ling, what trump card could hurt Cheng Xingchu?

It's not like only you have trump cards—Cheng Xingchu isn't simple either!

"Still, it's not quite right. Duels can be unpredictable, and if someone gets hurt, it'll be troublesome." He sighed lightly again.

"Ah, it's fine."

Ye Xiaotian waved his hand casually, deliberately showing a bit of confidence in his expression, and said:

"How about this? If Jiang Dianzhu is worried, let Xu Xiaoshou decide the content of the match himself?"

As soon as he said this, Zhao Xidong was stunned and looked at the dean in disbelief.

What are you playing at? This is serious business!

People could die!

He suddenly wanted to stand up, but two fingers on one side pinched his clothes.

He turned around.

Qiao Qianzhi shook his head slightly, signaling him to stay calm.

"These old guys..."

"Is it really okay? It's a matter of life and death. One Cheng Xingchu is enough to crush Xu Xiaoshou?"

He glanced to the other side, watching Xu Xiaoshou with his somewhat bewildered expression, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Has it already started?"

Feeling helpless, he leaned back in his chair. Across from him was the spirited young man, full of fighting intent, and Zhao Xidong zoned out for a moment.

"Cheng Xingchu, what's with all your bravado? Do you even know you're done for..."

"This is actually a pretty good choice."

Jiang Bianyan muttered to himself, but inside, he was thrilled.

As long as Xu Xiaoshou takes the fall, the spot is secured, and Ye Xiaotian won't be able to back out.

Then, using this battle as leverage, he could coax Yu Zhiwen with some charm...

Ahem, anyway, that sword sheath won't get away.

"Cheng Xingchu, what do you think?" Jiang Bianyan asked.

"I'm fine with anything."

Why would Cheng Xingchu refuse? He was just waiting for the talk to end so he could thoroughly beat this annoying guy.

"The rules are yours to set. Bring it on!"

Xu Xiaoshou looked at the fired-up Cheng Xingchu, feeling completely puzzled.

"What are you looking at? Did I say I want to fight you?"

Cheng Xingchu's anger stalled, and he felt deflated.

"Huh?"

Xu Xiaoshou turned to Ye Xiaotian with a questioning look.

This time, he wasn't playing hard to get. Why did they call me here just to fight? What's the logic?

It would waste energy, expose my cards, and there's no reward...

What does this no-name guy have that makes it worth my while?

Everyone turned to the head seat, and Zhao Xidong once again sensed the power of the young man beside him.

So this guy not only stands up to me but even dares to challenge the dean?

Xu Xiaoshou is fearless!

Ye Xiaotian was also caught off guard. He'd anticipated everything except that Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't want to fight.

This was a great opportunity to bring glory to Ling Gong...

Well, yeah, that's not something Xu Xiaoshou would do!

He suddenly felt a headache. If it were anyone else defying orders, he'd have ways to punish them.

But this guy has Sang Lao backing him...

Thinking of Sang Lao, Ye Xiaotian's eyes darted around, and an idea struck him. He immediately sent a voice transmission: "Do this for me—take down Cheng Xingchu, and I'll overlook everything you got from Tian Xuan Gate."

"Really?" Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed aloud.

Ye Xiaotian: ...

Hold back!

He forgot he couldn't send voice transmissions properly...

Jiang Bianyan thought it was funny. Was that tactical advice?

He glanced to the side, feeling there was nothing more to say, and sat steadily like Mount Tai.

"As long as you beat Cheng Xingchu, forget the Hei Luo Jian Qiao—for that, I'll give you more rewards later." Ye Xiaotian said this openly.

What Xu Xiaoshou got from Tian Xuan Gate was originally the stake in his bet with Sang Lao, so it should belong to him anyway.

With so many witnesses back then, and Qiao Qianzhi still sitting here, it wouldn't be right to meddle further, so he promised other rewards.

That way, he could rest easy.

But Xu Xiaoshou got excited.

What he got from Tian Xuan Gate wasn't just the Hei Luo Jian Qiao!

With Ye Xiaotian agreeing outright and giving his word, that meant the "Feng Yin Zhi Jie," "Sheng Ming Ling Yin," and "A Jie" could all be out in the open too.

The other stuff didn't matter, but if A Jie could be released for some fresh air, it would be great for its mental growth.

And in critical moments, he wouldn't have to worry and could use it as a trump card.

Thinking of this, Xu Xiaoshou's gaze toward Cheng Xingchu turned completely greedy.

This wasn't a person—this was the key to unlocking his treasures!

Break him, and everything would be mine.

Out in the open!

"Come on, let's fight!"

Xu Xiaoshou stood up, his momentum surging. "How do you want to compete?"

Zhao Xidong pressed a hand to his forehead.

It's happening. I just hope he doesn't go too far...

Not the referee, but worrying like one—that was Zhao Xidong's current state. He was already poised for action.

Cheng Xingchu, oblivious to the danger, stood with his hands behind his back, full of disdain.

"I said, you set the rules!"

"Alright!"

Xu Xiaoshou finished with a shout, then completely reined in his aura and plopped back into his chair.

Everyone: ???

"Questioned, passive points, 6."

"The match!" Cheng Xingchu was furious.

"What's there to match?" Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands helplessly.

"I already gave you the chance. If it's not about cultivation, what could you possibly beat me at?"