Chapter 33: This Young Master Deserves An Award

Chapter 33: This Young Master Deserves An Award

Lan Junjie cut a much cleaner figure compared to the sorry mess Chen Haoran had left him. His stride was confident, his head held high, and his qi-enhanced claps were filled with mockery. A final loud clap saw the crowd clearing a path to the stage for him and his entourage. The majority of them were white-haired Lan family relatives, but a few more humble figures trailed behind them. Chen Haoran spied one servant carrying a long cloth-wrapped pole.

Lan Cis unconscious form was carried over to the group. Lan Junjie didnt spare his fallen cousin a glance and approached the edge of the stage.

Quite the impressive performance, Chen Haoran. Lan Junjie flashed him a mocking smile. Trying to wash away the shame my sister inflicted on you?

Chen Haoran sneered. Do you want to get slapped again?

Lan Junjies mockery collapsed into a scowl. I see you still dont know how to hold your damn tongue.

Spare me the preaching and get to your point.

Is it not obvious? Youre here offering a reward to any who can dethrone you.

You? Chen Haoran incredulously asked. Go bring your sister here and stop wasting my time.

Lan Junjies scowl deepened and he lept up to the stage. The servant carrying the cloth pole followed him. I am more than enough to deal with your buffoonery. Dont think we havent noticed you trying to get my sister's attention with your actions. After today you will bother her no longer.

And youre the one whos going to stop me?

Youll find that Im not the same person who you attacked before, Lan Junjie flared his qi, Qi realm Sixth-Layer. He must have been on the verge of a breakthrough the last time they met.

So you advanced a layer and thought you were reborn, is that it? Chen Haoran laughed. Do you think youll advance to the Seventh-Layer once I beat your ass again?

Lan Junjie ignored the taunting and held out his hand. The servant hastily unwrapped the cloth-covered pole and revealed it to be a bone-white spear. The tip of it shone with a serrated, steel gray spearhead. Dont you go begging for mercy.

Dont think I wont slap you again.

Chen Haoran raised his sword. The audience grew silent with anticipation. They circled each other on the stage. Chen Haoran darted forward, attempting to bait a response, but Lan Junjie held firm. It seemed hed have to make the first move.

Using his sword as a hammer Chen Haoran battered at Lan Junjies spear. His sword struck nothing but air though as Lan Junjie rolled his weapon with the blow and brought it back up in a lightning-quick slash towards Chen Haorans head. He stepped forward and caught the haft of the spear on his neck rather than the blade. Cycling his qi to carry away the force of the blow Chen Haoran stabbed forward with his sword. Lan Junjie deftly avoided the patterned steel and distanced himself.

He looked at Chen Haoran with narrowed eyes. Chen Haoran smiled back at him. Lan Junjie had clearly noticed something was off about that last exchange but he couldnt tell what.

Im thankful youre such a moron, Lan Junjie. Chen Haoran smiled. None of this would be possible if you werent. Indeed, his biggest worry was that Lan Junjie had figured out he had an Earth-rank cultivation from the last beating he handed him and informed Lan Yao, and by extension the Lan family. Its time for this play to end, however.

Veins bulged on Lan Junjies neck. What are you planning you bastard? The note of confusion in Lan Junjies tone was music to his ears.

Chen Haoran charged. White stars whirled around Lan Junjies feet and obscured his movements.

Too bad Lan Junjie was nowhere near as fast as Lan Fen or Song Yuelin.

Chen Haroan cycled his qi and forced his way past a vicious stab. Lan Junjies glowing palm flickered out like a rain of petals. Chen Haorans fist scattered them and buried into his gut. Lan Junjie jumped back to lessen the blow and fell to his knees.

What!? He looked at Chen Haoran with wide eyes. It seemed that he finally felt the truth.

Chen Haoran laughed and felt exhilaration course through him. His sword glowed blue.

Lan Junjie gritted his teeth and flared his qi. He shot toward Chen Haoran like a cannonball. Stars burned phosphorous white along his legs and his arms shone a vibrant green.

Canyon Carving Sword

Blue light carved the stone stage in half. Lan Junjies momentum reversed and he was swept away in a river of energy. Dust kicked up in a cloud and cleared off with another pulse of Chen Haorans qi. Lan Junjie was buried in a trench that extended from the arena, his bone-white spear was split down the middle. A green light was quickly fading from his body, the remnants of some defensive treasure perhaps? It was clear that even when holding back Chen Haoran underestimated just how strong the Canyon Carving Sword was.

The crowd was silent. Shock and awe briefly robbed them of their reason. Chen Haoran looked for Song Yuelin and found him in the sea of faces. Song Yuelin gave him a thumbs up.

He breathed.

Lan Yao! Qi carried his roar clear and far. Is this who you send to face me? A Sixth-Layer with only a mere Profound-rank cultivation to his name? Chen Haoran circled the edge of the ruined stage. I will not be further insulted like this, Lan Yao! I will not be made a fool of by your lies! He flared his qi and dust and debris were carried off with its force. Face me again Lan Yao! We will see whose Earth-rank is superior!

The crowd was roused from their stupor as if a bomb had gone off. Shock, fear, excitement, a thousand different emotions for a thousand different people blended together. Chen Haoran felt thousands of daggers staring at him. Song Yuelin appeared next to him. The daggers he felt were momentarily blunted.

Shall we go, Young Master Chen? Song Yuelin asked.

Theres still one more thing we have to do. Chen Haoran looked over to Lan Junjie. His companions had rushed over to his fallen form and shot Chen Haoran fearful looks.

Get your storage bag ready, Song Yuelin.

He was going shoe shopping.