Chapter 10: Who Is the True Dragon

The Xu Residence.

Jiang Fan and Xu Youran returned, bathed in the morning light.

"Xiao Fan," Xu Youran said, gazing at the Xu family's main gate, yet hesitating to step inside. This was a competition she was destined to lose, and the outcome meant she would have to marry Lu Zheng.

Looking at Jiang Fan in front of her, an indescribable heaviness weighed on her heart. Biting her lip, she said, "It's okay if you lose; don't blame yourself. I won't blame you, alright?"

During their time together these past few days, she had already come to see Jiang Fan as her husband. If he truly lost, she would never marry Lu Zheng. At worst, she would die again!

As if sensing her state of mind, Jiang Fan took her hand and calmly stated, "I told you I would protect you. Now, and always!" With that, he led her by the hand through the main gate of the Xu Residence.

After ten years of living under their roof, it was time to ascend to the clouds. Jiang Fan yearned to face the Xu family's gaze more than ever. He wanted to prove himself! He was not a good-for-nothing! He, Jiang Fan, was worthy of Xu Youran!

Their return caused a stir throughout the entire clan.

Xu Zhengyan quickly rushed over with others, immediately scolding them, "Xu Youran, where have you been? Were you trying to scare us to death?"

Facing her father's anger, Xu Youran's expression darkened. She said, "Father, are you worried about my safety, or are you worried that if Lu Zheng's wish isn't fulfilled, the family will lose a powerful patron? If it's the former, Father, you don't need to worry. The Xu family is the same whether I'm here or not; having my sister is enough."

Xu Zhengyan, filled with anger, was momentarily silenced. Xu Yining's presence had always caused Xu Youran to be neglected and secretly bullied by Wang Yingfeng.

He grumbled, "Alright, it's good that you're back." Noticing Jiang Fan still holding her hand, he frowned slightly and asked, "Jiang Fan, how has your cultivation been recently?"

Jiang Fan calmly wrote two characters: "Not bad."

"Not bad?" Xu Zhengyan was surprised. Could it be that he, without a spiritual root, had actually managed to accomplish something? However, considering that even Lu Zheng, with his ninth-grade spiritual root, hadn't broken through a level in three days, Jiang Fan certainly couldn't have.

"Come with me. The clan members are already waiting in the hall." He led Jiang Fan and Xu Youran to the Xu family's main hall.

Dozens of Xu clan members, young and old, from both the main and collateral branches, were all present. Several young Xu family girls, dressed flamboyantly, were smiling and chatting around Lu Zheng, hoping to gain a bit of his favor. Xu Yining also had a smile on her face, occasionally exchanging a few words with Lu Zheng.

When she caught sight of Jiang Fan's return, the smile vanished from her face. She said indifferently, "I thought you wouldn't dare to come. At least you still have some semblance of manliness."

The clan members all looked over, instinctively comparing Lu Zheng and Jiang Fan. Some of the more harsh and sarcastic ones even spoke rudely.

"I really don't understand where he found the courage to compete with Lu Zheng.""He's eaten the Xu family's food for ten years and still doesn't understand his place or status, presuming to compete with Brother Lu?""If I were him, I wouldn't even wait for Brother Lu to suggest it; I'd just hand Xu Youran over myself. At least that way, he wouldn't completely lose face."

Jiang Fan's face was devoid of expression. After ten years, he had heard too much cold sarcasm and was long past feeling anything. Without a word, he stood tall in the hall, his posture upright, and wrote with a flourish of his brush: "When does it begin?"

His confident aura caused everyone's expressions to subtly change. Xu Yining's eyes showed surprise, and she couldn't help but scrutinize Jiang Fan from head to toe. The Jiang Fan of today gave her an indescribable feeling, as if there was a confidence radiating from his very bones. Could he possibly be confident in winning today's competition? But how could that be?

She gently shook her head and said, "A competition with a predetermined outcome, does it matter when it starts?"

The female clan members who supported Lu Zheng rolled their eyes."Look at his stance; anyone who didn't know better would think *he* was the one with a ninth-grade spiritual root.""It's just his last bit of self-respect, after all, he's about to lose his wife.""I can't wait to see him break down and cry, haha!"

Wang Yingfeng lightly touched her teacup and slowly began, "Jiang Fan." Everyone quieted down, listening attentively to what the matriarch had to say.

"You remember the wager for this competition, don't you? If you prove to be inferior to Lu Zheng, then, regrettably, Xu Youran will marry him."

Jiang Fan looked at her indifferently and wrote, "If Lu Zheng loses, then please keep your nephew in check and prevent him from continuing to covet what he cannot have."

Wang Yingfeng slammed her teacup onto the table, a flicker of annoyance in her phoenix-like eyes. How dare a mere hanger-on speak to her like that? She scoffed, "If Zhenger loses, he will naturally have no face to ask Xu Youran to marry him again. If you lose, then get out of the Xu Residence for good! My Xu family owes you nothing more!"

Jiang Fan, with his hands clasped behind his back, proudly wielded his brush and wrote, "Fine! Let's settle this now!"

Wang Yingfeng, seething with anger, said, "Zhenger, show him what you've got! Give it your all. Even if you don't break through a level, as long as you've made progress since before, you'll be considered the winner. Anyway, Jiang Fan can't possibly break through!"

Lu Zheng confidently stepped into the hall, facing Jiang Fan from a distance. The contempt on his face was almost palpable.

"To compete with someone of a ninth-grade spiritual root, your Jiang family ancestors would be proud if they knew." He scoffed with a grin, raised both fists, and swung them fiercely into the air.

A crackling sound, like firecrackers exploding, filled the air. His cultivation at the perfected fifth level of Qi Condensation made the very air tremble.

Xu Yining was taken aback. "No breakthrough? That shouldn't be!" Ten bottles of Qi Condensation fluid—even someone of her sixth grade should have broken through with that much.

The clan members exchanged glances. This outcome was truly unexpected. A ninth-grade spiritual root didn't seem as powerful as they had imagined. An awkward silence fell over the scene.

Wang Yingfeng smoothed things over, saying, "The path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties. To advance from the fifth level of Qi Condensation to perfection in just three days is already quite good."

Although many clan members also found it strange, they didn't dwell on it. The female clan members, whose eyes shone when looking at Lu Zheng, began to praise him appropriately.

"The Matriarch is right. Anyone else would probably be stuck in place.""Indeed, no matter what, he's certainly not comparable to a good-for-nothing without a spiritual root.""Advancing to perfection is already incredible; he's in an unbeatable position."

Hearing this, Lu Zheng puffed out his chest and smiled arrogantly. "What do you say, Jiang Fan? Although I didn't break through, I at least made progress. You still lose!" His gaze, full of fervor, turned to Xu Youran. In his mind, alluring images of her being possessed by him had already surfaced.

Jiang Fan raised his brush and smiled. "Ninth-grade spiritual root, with Qin Changsheng's full backing—and *this* is all you've got?"

These words grated on Wang Yingfeng. She impatiently slapped the table and retorted, "He is a true dragon from the heavens; what right do *you*, a mere crawling insect on the ground, have to mock him?"

"True dragon?" Jiang Fan's smile widened. He raised his fist and sharply punched the air!

A wisp of pure spiritual energy vibrated the air. And it shook everyone to their core!