Chapter 409: You Called Me

Xiaobai blinked its large ox eyes. It hadn't expected any martial artist of the younger generation, apart from that terrifying guy named Jin Zhongming, to be able to withstand one of its attacks head-on with pure physical strength.

Slightly annoyed, it said, "Don't get cocky!" With a whoosh, terrifying red flames erupted from its body. The heat was so intense it could melt iron. However, before Xiaobai could fully unleash its flames as an attack, Jiang Fan preempted it.

He drew the Sorrowfrost Sword from his back with a backhand motion and slashed through the air, shouting, "Heaven and Earth Starfall!" A chilling whoosh of extreme cold, accompanied by fierce sword energy, swept over Xiaobai. The surging flames, along with its massive body, were instantly frozen into an ice sculpture!

"Huh?" Nangong Xiaoyun covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide as walnuts. "You can even freeze Xiaobai's flames?" The mysterious ice sword, combined with a Heaven-tier sword art, was incredibly powerful! Liang Feiyan's heart pounded.

"Wait! What's going on?" "Foundation Establishment Realm, ninth layer perfected?" "He... wasn't he without a spiritual root?" "And what's with the power of that sword strike? Even a third-layer Core Formation martial artist wouldn't dare underestimate it!" The spiritual root-less individual he had looked down upon actually harbored such astonishing strength.

*Crack!* Xiaobai shook its entire body, shattering the ice that encased it. Its eyes were filled with anger and embarrassment. How could a dignified third-layer Core Formation ox demon be so casually suppressed by a mere Foundation Establishment Realm martial artist?

Annoyed, it bellowed, "Let's go again!" "Savage Charge!" It pawed the ground with its hind hooves, lowered its head, and charged at Jiang Fan with immense force.

Jiang Fan chuckled. They had agreed to test each other's strength, but somehow it had turned into a battle for honor! Undaunted, he raised both fists and slammed them directly into its massive ox head. "Battle Heaven!"

*Bang!* The terrifying impact sent Nangong Xiaoyun and Liang Feiyan stumbling backward. Xiaobai's colossal ten-meter body, far from sending Jiang Fan flying, was instead knocked back several steps, staggering.

Xiaobai hissed, sucking in a cold breath. Clearly, it had taken a solid hit.

Jiang Fan said, "You've used three moves; I suppose it's my turn now?" "Arrogant Dragon Regrets!" A multicolored finger technique struck Xiaobai, making it yelp in pain. But Jiang Fan showed no intention of stopping. Since he had started, he would continue until it was completely subdued.

"Lightning Dragon Electric Leg!" "Tiger Roar Dragon Cry!" "Nine Poisons True Scripture!" Under Jiang Fan's full-force assault, Xiaobai was beaten into rolling on the ground, taking hit after hit with no ability to defend itself.

Nangong Xiaoyun was utterly stunned. What kind of terrifying power was this? It was directly crushing a third-layer Core Formation demonic beast!

Beads of cold sweat appeared on Liang Feiyan's forehead. He was also only at the third layer of Core Formation. If he were Xiaobai, his fate would be no better. He would undoubtedly be pinned to the ground and beaten, completely unable to resist.

"Good thing I didn't provoke him," Liang Feiyan secretly thought with relief. Imagining making such a powerful enemy made his scalp tingle. He glanced at Xia Chaoge beside him. He moved a few steps away, intentionally maintaining some distance. It was better not to make a fool of himself by trying to compete with Jiang Fan for a woman. At the same time, he suddenly understood why Xia Chaoge regarded Jiang Fan with such high esteem. It was because he was truly worthy!

Given the strength Jiang Fan was currently displaying, among all Nine Sects, perhaps only Xia Chaoge could decisively defeat him. Even Jin Zhongming or the Azure Cloud Sect's chief disciple, whose fate was unknown, might not be able to suppress him.

While the intense battle raged inside the tent, the disciples lingering in the square suddenly changed their expressions. A figure, straight as a spear, carrying a three-foot Qingfeng sword, was striding menacingly toward them.

"Quick, let's go! That's Hua Xiangchen, the Supreme Dao Sect's senior disciple." "I figured the Supreme Dao Sect would react after Li Shiqian suffered such a major loss." "Hua Xiangchen must be here to settle accounts with Jiang Fan." "He's furious; let's keep our distance and avoid bad luck." The crowds of disciples scattered like birds. No one dared to incur Hua Xiangchen's wrath at that moment, including Li Shiqian, who was following him.

She had long since stopped crying and was following cautiously behind him. Having spent a long time with him, she knew Hua Xiangchen's temperament. He was usually mild-mannered. Such a murderous demeanor was utterly unprecedented!

Of course, she understood that Hua Xiangchen wasn't simply seeking revenge for her. He wanted to defeat Jiang Fan and wipe away his past humiliation! "Senior Brother Hua, don't be impulsive later," Li Shiqian said, somewhat worried about Hua Xiangchen's current state. If he struck too hard and killed Jiang Fan, it would become a huge problem. Not to mention how Ye Cangyuan, who was guarding this place, would react, the Azure Cloud Sect alone would never let it go. Could she, the "instigator," escape then?

Hua Xiangchen didn't turn his head, his face as cold as iron. "He harmed you like this, and you want me not to be impulsive?" Li Shiqian had a headache. *But you're clearly acting for your own humiliation, aren't you? If something really goes wrong, I'll be blamed!*

She advised, "Senior Brother Hua, just teach him a good lesson later, vent your anger, that's all. Don't be too harsh. Because Senior Sister Xia is protecting him; if you push her too far, she'll also intervene." She only wanted Jiang Fan to pay the price he deserved—to be severely injured and regret his actions. But not to die!

Hua Xiangchen laughed angrily, "What if Senior Sister Xia is protecting him? Today, no one can protect him! I said so!"

Soon, after some searching, they detected the sounds of a fight in the corner. Hearing Jiang Fan's familiar voice, he trembled with excitement. Finally! He had finally waited for this day! He would wipe away his past humiliation! He would use Jiang Fan's crushing defeat to cleanse the great shame of that day!

Overcome with excitement, his facial muscles twitched, and his features contorted uncontrollably. Li Shiqian was startled. This was definitely going to be fatal. "Senior Brother Hua, let's... let's come back another time," she suggested. She felt it would be better if someone else dealt with Jiang Fan. Hua Xiangchen's murderous look didn't seem like an act.

Hua Xiangchen turned his head and snarled, "Stop bothering me! You wait here! Don't come in without my permission!" With that, gripping Qingfeng tightly, his teeth gnashing, he excitedly strode like thunder into the large tent.

"Jiang Fan!!!" He roared through gritted teeth before even seeing anyone! But when he finally saw the scene before him, his expression froze. He saw Jiang Fan unleashing a series of terrifyingly powerful moves that made him gasp, beating a ten-meter-tall white ox into a pathetic retreat.

He recognized that white ox. It was Nangong Xiaoyun's spirit beast, the White Jade Ox. It was a formidable demonic beast with strength reaching the third layer of Core Formation! On a previous mission, he had been desperately pursued by a second-layer Core Formation demonic beast. Coincidentally, the White Jade Ox had passed by and, with a casual kick, had crushed the fierce beast's head. Since then, the White Jade Ox had left an indelible mark on his memory. Every time he recalled it, he was awed by its invincible power.

But what was he seeing now? The powerful White Jade Ox was howling in pain.

"No more, no more, boohoo," the White Jade Ox whimpered, genuinely terrified. It hid behind Nangong Xiaoyun, its gaze at Jiang Fan filled with fear. This wasn't it testing Jiang Fan's strength at all. Jiang Fan was clearly just testing *its* durability!

Only then did Jiang Fan stop, satisfied. "You took so many hits from me and didn't suffer any major injuries. You're quite tough-skinned and thick-fleshed, very suitable for riding." "Are you convinced now?"

The White Jade Ox hastily nodded its massive head. "I'll obey you obediently." "Just please don't hit me anymore." It knelt down before Jiang Fan, signifying its surrender.

Jiang Fan nodded. After dealing with it, he finally looked at Hua Xiangchen, who had suddenly burst in. A puzzled expression on his face, he asked, "Hua Xiangchen? Were you just calling my name?"