The central plaza of the Xiao Clan was buzzing with unprecedented energy. Banners embroidered with the clan’s crimson dragon crest fluttered in the high mountain wind, and rows of tiered stone bleachers were packed with thousands of outer and inner sect disciples, elders, and visiting dignitaries from neighboring cities.
At the center of the arena stood six massive martial platforms constructed from solid obsidian, designed to withstand the devastating impact of Qi-infused strikes.
Today was the Grand Inner Sect Evaluation Tournament—an event held once every three years to rank the young talents of the clan, allocate rare cultivation resources, and select candidates for the upcoming Sunfall Imperial Academy trials.
High up on the main viewing balcony sat the Grand Elders, draped in silk robes adorned with gold threading. Sitting right at the center was Grand Elder Xiao Tianbang, his face grim as he surveyed the crowd. Next to him sat a guest of honor whose presence sent chills through the spectators: Senior Envoy Chen, a representative sent directly from Crown Prince Zhao Zhen's personal guard.
Envoy Chen leaned back, swirling a cup of spirit tea with a cold, predatory smile. "Grand Elder, I trust this tournament will proceed smoothly... without any unfortunate disruptions from disgraced trash."
Elder Tianbang squeezed his armrest until the wood groaned. "Envoy Chen, rest assured. If Xiao Long dares to show his face today, the rules of the ring will ensure he pays for his insolence against the Second Prince."
Down at the registration concourse, a sudden hush fell over the surrounding crowd. Disciples parted like the Red Sea, whispering feverishly among themselves.
"Look! Is that... Fairy Ling Yue?!"
"Why is she walking behind someone? Who is that guy in the black robe?!"
"Wait, isn't that Xiao Long? The trash from the branch family who was supposed to be bedridden?!"
Leo sauntered through the arena concourse, wearing his signature black silk robe with a small, insulated wooden crate slung over his shoulder. Beside him, Ling Yue walked with her usual pristine posture, her ice-blue eyes warning anyone against stepping too close.
[CURRENT STATUS]
Host Name: Leo Miller (Xiao Long)
Realm: Body Refining Stage 7 (Progress: 100/3200 Chaos Qi)
Equipped Title: [Unkillable Bastard]
System Points (SP): 420
Current Mood: Excited to make money.
"Remember the plan, Senior Sister," Leo murmured, adjusting the strap of his crate. "I handle the matches, you handle the pre-orders. We're offering a 10% discount for anyone who pays in High-Grade Spirit Stones."
Ling Yue sighed softly, her cold demeanor twitching slightly. "You are entering a high-stakes clan tournament where elders want your head, and your primary concern is setting up a concession stand?"
"Location, location, location, Senior Sister," Leo smirked. "Target demographic: high-strung cultivators with severe performance anxiety and deep pockets. It's basic economics."
Before Ling Yue could reply, a loud, booming voice echoed across the arena through a sound-amplifying formation.
"MATCH 14, PLATFORM THREE! XIAO LONG VERSUS XIAO BA!"
A wave of jeers and mock laughter erupted from the western bleachers. A burly young man standing over six-foot-five leaped onto Platform Three, landing with a heavy THUD that cracked the obsidian tile beneath his boots.
It was Xiao Ba, the head of the Enforcement Hall's junior guards. Sitting comfortably at Body Refining Stage 7, his arms were wrapped in thick iron bracers, and his muscles bulged like solid granite.
"Xiao Long!" Xiao Ba bellowed, beating his chest like a gorilla. "Elder Lu sent his regards! You got lucky taking down those pampered imperial guards, but today, I'm going to snap your limbs one by one!"
Leo tossed his crate to Ling Yue, who caught it seamlessly. He stepped onto the obsidian platform, yawning lazily as he dusted off his sleeves.
"Stage 7, huh?" Leo chuckled. "Well, at least you're not an elder. I was getting tired of fighting senior citizens."
"DIE, BRAT!"
Xiao Ba roared, channeling his earthen Qi. His skin turned a dull grey color as he activated the Iron-Rock Body Technique. He charged across the platform like a runaway bull, his massive iron-clad fist aimed straight for Leo’s temple with enough kinetic force to shatter a boulder.
The crowd held its breath. Several younger disciples covered their eyes, expecting to see Leo's head smashed like a ripe melon.
Leo didn't dodge. He didn't even draw his cast-iron skillet.
Instead, he simply raised his left hand, popping a freshly spiced Spiritual Jerky Strip into his mouth, while extending his right palm casually forward.
BOOM!
A shockwave of air blasted across Platform Three, whipping Leo's black hair back.
The entire arena went dead silent.
Xiao Ba's massive, iron-reinforced fist—charged with full Stage 7 earthen power—had stopped dead in mid-air.
It was held firmly in place by Leo's single, relaxed right hand. Leo hadn't shifted his footing by a single inch.
[PING!]
[Enemy Strike Blocked Effortlessly!]
[Chaos Qi Passive Reinforcement Active!]
[Impact Kinetic Energy Converted to Heat: 0 Damage Taken!]
Xiao Ba’s eyes nearly bulged out of his sockets. "W-What?! Impossible! My Iron-Rock Fist has five thousand pounds of impact force!"
Leo chewed his jerky strip thoughtfully. "Mmm, nice power, but your form is sloppy. Too much weight on your front heel. Plus, your shoulder telegraphs the punch three seconds in advance."
Leo looked up, his dark eyes flashing with a sharp, golden glint.
"Let me show you a real counter-punch. Detroit Style..."
Leo pulled back his left fist, wrapping it in a dense, swirling vortex of dark-golden Chaos Qi.
"...The Eviction Notice."
THWACK!
A short, compact straight punch drove directly into Xiao Ba’s stomach armor.
The impact sounded like a cannonshell firing. The heavy iron chestplate exploded into a shower of metal splinters, and Xiao Ba’s eyes rolled back as the wind was violently blasted from his lungs. He flew backward through the air, shooting across the entire sixty-foot width of the platform, sailing over the barrier wall, and crashing directly into the front row of the judges' balcony.
CRASH!
Grand Elder Tianbang and Envoy Chen jumped back as Xiao Ba landed face-down right on top of their tea table, utterly unconscious and twitching weakly.
[PING!]
[Match 14 Winner: Leo Miller (Xiao Long)!]
[System Points Earned: +150 SP!]
[Audience Shock Factor: Maximum!]
Leo lowered his fist, blew a speck of dust off his knuckles, and turned toward the referee, who was staring at him with his mouth wide open.
"Ref? You gonna call it, or do I get a free win by default?" Leo asked smoothly.
"W-Winner... Xiao Long!" the referee stammered, his voice trembling over the sound formation.
The crowd erupted into chaotic murmurs and shocked gasps. On the main balcony, Envoy Chen’s face turned thoroughly ash-grey, while Grand Elder Tianbang’s knuckles turned white as he glared down at the nonchalant boy.
Leo casually walked back to the edge of the platform where Ling Yue was waiting. He popped open his wooden crate, revealing row upon row of freshly grilled, golden-brown Spiritual Beef Skewers sizzling over an embedded hot-stone formation, releasing a rich, heavenly scent of roasted garlic, cumin, and chili oil across the immediate concourse.
The nearby disciples, still recovering from the shock of the one-punch KO, suddenly sniffed the air, their eyes turning wide with absolute hunger.
Leo pulled a small, hand-painted wooden sign out of his crate and hung it over the railing:
[DETROIT CULINARY ARTEFACTS - SECTOR 3]
Spiritual Beef Skewer: 5 Low-Grade Spirit Stones (Restores 100% Stamina + 5% Attack Buff)
Chaos Jerky Strip: 3 Low-Grade Spirit Stones (Temporarily clears Dantian fatigue)
Special Combo: Buy 3, get 1 free! (Inner Sect Disciples get VIP seating)
"Alright, folks!" Leo announced, his voice carrying effortlessly over the crowd. "Matches are long, cultivation is exhausting! Replenish your meridians with authentic gourmet street food! Don't let your rivals out-eat you!"
Ling Yue stood beside him, holding a small velvet bag, and called out in her crisp, clear voice, "Form an orderly line. High-grade stones will receive priority service."
Within ten seconds, a stampede of over fifty inner sect disciples rushed toward Platform Three, pulling out pouches of spirit stones with desperate intensity.
"I want five skewers!"
"Here's ten High-Grade Spirit Stones! Give me everything in that top tray!"
"Fairy Ling, please accept my money first!"
High up on the main balcony, Envoy Chen slammed his hand onto the stone railing, shattering it into powder.
"Arrogant scum!" Chen hissed, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. "He treats the sacred Clan Evaluation like a night market! Elder Tianbang, send out your strongest core disciple for the next round. I want that boy crippled on that stage!"
Down below, Leo grinned as the notifications began flooding his screen, the sound of jingling spirit stones mixing with the sizzle of divine barbecue.
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