Challenge Accepted

"I, Guo Xuefeng, humbly invite the Second Young Master to exchange a demonstration of our martial prowess."

The proclamation reverberated through the grand ancient edifice, reaching the loftiest dougongs. Yi Tian, looking down from the heights, felt a flurry of questions stirring within him. Why would this young man, Xuefeng, challenge him to combat? However, he didn't have any immediate answers and thus, his attention shifted to the unfolding scenario. He could tell by the collective gasp of the crowd that this confrontation was unexpected. His initial thought was to decline, but before he could voice his decision, Li Wei's outraged cry echoed throughout the chamber.

"How audacious of you to challenge the Young Master directly!" Li Wei's voice boomed, his face a mask of fury. He looked down at Xuefeng with exaggerated indignation, gesturing wildly. "Have you no respect for protocol?"

Yi Tian watched the scene unfold with growing perplexity. Li Wei's overreaction seemed unnecessarily dramatic. Down on the stage, Xuefeng's features tightened, yet he maintained his respectful posture. Bowing slightly, he appealed again, "Please, grant me this honor, Young Master!"

Li Wei looked down at Xuefeng and his lips curved into a smirk, "Absurd!" Turning to Yi Tian, he muttered in a voice barely loud enough to cross the room, "Tell him that I'll fight on your behalf."

As Yi Tian studied Li Wei, it became evident to him that the young man's theatrics weren't merely about defending his honor. Yi Tian's gaze turned serene as Li Wei, brimming with anticipation, spun around to look at the stage. Calmly, Yi Tian announced, "There is no need. I will participate."

Li Wei's eyes widened in surprise. He spun around to stare at Yi Tian, disbelief painting his features. Ignoring Li Wei's response, Yi Tian neared the low railing and gracefully jumped, prompting a look of astonishment to dawn on Xuefeng's face as he watched Yi Tian descend the vast distance from the third floor.

The audience fell into a hushed silence, as if watching a feather drifting gently in a tranquil breeze. The rustle of Yi Tian's robes filled the air, and with a soft tap, his shoes made contact with the stage.

The silence lingered for a few more moments before a single clap resonated through the hall, followed by another, then another. Soon, a thunderous applause filled the edifice, punctuated by whistles and cheers. The music subtly made its way back into the festive air, interweaving with the jubilant applause.

The announcer, his face still reflecting the amazement of the recent spectacle, was roused by the crescendo of cheers and melodies swirling around him. He raised his hands and announced, "What an extraordinary display by the Young Master! Ladies and gentlemen, it appears our competition isn't over yet. The Young Master has bestowed upon us the privilege of witnessing his martial prowess!"

The crowd's jubilation intensified at his proclamation, with spectators enthusiastically discussing the grace with which Yi Tian seemed to glide to the stage. Those seated at the back scrambled towards the front, clamoring against the wooden railings for a better view.

"The Young Master is exceptional!"

"This is the true caliber of the main family!"

As the crowd marveled at the spectacle, Yi Tian was taken aback by the overwhelming reaction. He hadn't expected such a response to his elementary utilization of the Drifting Cloud Form. The reaction reminded him of the captivating power of martial arts and cautioned him to consider the ramifications of their display in future situations.

...

"Please, grant me this honor, Young Master!"

The urgency in Xuefeng's second plea sharpened Yi Wang's attention, as he watched the unfolding drama with rapt curiosity. He wasn't sure which chamber Yi Tian occupied, the architectural design of the roof, with its large descending beams, effectively created a visual barrier.

His uncertainty over Yi Tian's decision was largely due to Li Wei, a troublesome young man who was often seen in Yi Tian's company. From what Yi Wang could discern, Li Wei was a known instigator who frequently dragged Yi Tian into all manner of mischief. Though the reason for their close association remained a mystery, Yi Wang hoped that Li Wei wouldn't interfere.

As he waited for a response to Xuefeng's challenge, a movement caught his eye. What he saw left him dumbfounded. Rising from his seat, Yi Wang moved closer to the edge of the viewing room.

"That's impossible," he murmured, his bewilderment growing. Yi Tian was a figure he understood well; apathy was one of his defining traits. He was largely indifferent towards martial arts, settling for just the basic training with Elder Feng during his younger years. Yi Wang even recalled an incident where, upon completing basic training and when Elder Feng attempted to introduce him to advanced techniques, Yi Tian feigned illness. Elder Feng had no choice but to relent, knowing that the path of martial arts was a personal journey and couldn't be imposed.

Hence, Yi Wang's astonishment was justified. Part of him wished to rush off and share this stunning revelation with his mentor, Yi Jun, yet the unfolding spectacle on stage was too captivating to leave.

...

"Ahem, Xuefeng." The announcer's voice gently intruded upon Xuefeng's thoughts, his hand lightly tapping the young man's shoulder.

Snapped out of his reverie, Xuefeng turned towards the announcer. His mind had been abuzz with uncertainty; should he continue and face Yi Tian or withdraw and seek advice from Yi Wang? As he pondered, he realized that backing out wasn't an option. He had already extended the challenge to Yi Tian; to retreat now would be seen as an act of cowardice.

With that thought, Xuefeng cast aside his doubts and faced Yi Tian, hands clasped respectfully. "Thank you for granting me this honor, Young Master," he said, his tone suffused with respect, eyes cast upon Yi Tian before him.

Yi Tian's face was serene, his lips curled into a subtle smile. He returned Xuefeng's gesture, hands clasped and said, "It's alright." His calm acceptance of the direct challenge left the crowd in awe.

The elderly announcer's features softened into a warm smile as he withdrew to the side of the stage, raising his hand, he announced the commencement of the match, "Begin!"

As the duel commenced, Xuefeng adopted a martial stance, while Yi Tian's lack of preparation puzzled onlookers. He remained motionless, poised like an unyielding pillar. Xuefeng was perplexed but concluded that Yi Tian didn't want to appear overly serious about the match. Undeterred, he launched the first attack.

Swiftly closing the gap between them, Xuefeng executed a powerful spinning kick towards Yi Tian's neck. As the foot whistled past, Yi Tian leaned back just enough to avoid the strike by a hair's breadth.

Most of the audience missed the intricate precision of the evasion, yet in the private chambers on the third floor, many watched in riveted silence. Xuefeng, however, was left bewildered as his foot swiped through empty air, feeling the sensation of a phatom contact.

Quick to recover, Xuefeng unleashed a punch towards Yi Tian's abdomen, only to watch as Yi Tian fluidly stepped back, avoiding the blow with a similar precision.

Xuefeng's confusion morphed into astonishment as Yi Tian effortlessly dodged his relentless assaults. Gathering himself, Xuefeng aimed a powerful kick at Yi Tian's side, only to be met with a resounding clap as Yi Tian blocked it.

Startled, Xuefeng barely had time to retract his foot when Yi Tian lunged forward, his advance as swift as a coursing river. With no time to react, Xuefeng was sent flying backward from the force of Yi Tian's punch.

Skidding to a halt, Xuefeng found himself on his back, clutching his chest as he gasped for air. The blow hadn't caused any injury, but it felt like a shockwave had run through his body, leaving him momentarily dazed.

As Xuefeng slowly sat up, Yi Tian gave him ample time to gather himself, lost in contemplation. This was his first experience with a martial arts duel. While he had dabbled in boxing for fitness in his previous life, it was never anything serious. Now, facing Xuefeng, he was gauging the strength of his opponent and testing his own skills. Xuefeng was agile and robust, his movements rapid even by Yi Tian's standards. But the breadth of martial arts knowledge that Yi Tian possessed made Xuefeng's moves appear predictable and lacking in surprise, offering little challenge.