chapter 21: Who's Next?

"Master Fenglei!"

"Welcome, Master Fenglei!"

The old man's figure landed on the ground as everyone knelt in respect.

Even Zhao Menghu lowered his head, stepped forward, and whispered, "Father."

This was the strongest person in the Zhao family—Zhao Fenglei.

"Grandpa!"

Zhao Qian's face lit up with hope as he shouted, "Grandpa!"

The despair gripping his heart eased as Zhao Fenglei, a peak Level Two Xuanwu Realm expert, appeared.

After all, no matter how strong Xiao Chen was, surpassing Level Three of the Xuanwu Realm was impossible.

"How dare you, boy! How dare you wreak havoc in my Zhao family!" Zhao Fenglei's voice was cold as he reproached Xiao Chen.

Zhao Menghu stepped forward and said humbly, "Father, I am no match for him. Please take charge!"

Zhao Fenglei nodded, his gaze falling on Xiao Chen. With confidence, he declared, "I don't care who you are. Leave my Zhao family's mansion now, and I'll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, you'll face the consequences."

Xiao Chen raised a brow. "You're quite confident. He had the same confidence earlier, believing the Xuanwu Realm could crush me." He gestured toward Zhao Menghu. "Yet he couldn't even withstand a single attack from me."

"He is not me!" Zhao Fenglei said arrogantly. "Menghu is only at Level One of the Xuanwu Realm. If I wanted to defeat him, it would take just one move."

As he spoke, Zhao Fenglei waved his sleeve, and a mysterious energy condensed into an ancient sword, pointing straight at Xiao Chen.

When the sword materialized, a wave of terror washed over the crowd. Some even bled from their eyes, overwhelmed by its power.

"Master Fenglei is too powerful!"

"Even a Level Nine Spirit Incarnation Realm expert wouldn't survive against him!"

Zhao Menghu's face was filled with awe. "Father, have you broken through again?"

With pride, Zhao Fenglei replied, "Indeed, I've recently ascended to Level Three of the Xuanwu Realm."

Gasps of shock echoed through the crowd.

"Level Three of the Xuanwu Realm! The heavens bless our Zhao family!"

Zhao Menghu laughed, his gaze turning to Xiao Chen. "Xiao Chen, your strength is impressive. Join my Zhao family, and today's events will be forgiven. Refuse, and you'll die here."

"You talk too much," Xiao Chen said, his tone icy. He surged forward with a punch. "Dreaming Fist!"

The terrifying energy emanating from Xiao Chen revealed his cultivation level—Level One of the Xuanwu Realm.

"Level One Xuanwu Realm, just as I thought." Zhao Fenglei smirked. With a casual wave of his sleeve, he intercepted Xiao Chen's attack while saying, "Xiao Chen, Menghu speaks wisely. Join my Zhao family, and I'll personally mentor you. With my guidance, you'll surpass me within ten years."

Bam!

To everyone's shock, Zhao Fenglei's sleeve exploded, unable to withstand Xiao Chen's force. Zhao Menghu, caught in the aftermath, was sent flying hundreds of meters.

Xiao Chen stepped forward, his voice dripping with disdain. "If I want to teach someone a lesson, you can't stop me. As for becoming your disciple, forget it."

"You're courting death!" Zhao Fenglei's expression darkened.

His pride wounded, he unleashed his power. "Xuan Level Lower-Grade Martial Art: Disillusioned Palm!"

A massive handprint formed, glowing with immense Xuan Qi, and hurtled toward Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen scoffed. "A minor skill like this?"

With a single step forward, the palm print shattered into fragments.

"What?!" Zhao Fenglei's face twisted in disbelief.

How could a Level Three Xuanwu Realm expert's full-powered attack be destroyed so easily?

Xiao Chen sneered. "Are Level Three Xuanwu Realm experts this weak? If this is all you've got, the Zhao family won't survive today."

The crowd was stunned silent.

Zhao Fenglei gritted his teeth. "You've forced my hand. Witness the true power of the Xuanwu Realm!"

The air around him erupted with invisible Sword Qi, forming a dense, razor-sharp shield. At the same time, his ancient sword emitted a piercing hum, radiating overwhelming energy.

In a flash, Zhao Fenglei charged toward Xiao Chen, his sword slashing down.

Boom!

The ground split beneath the weight of his Sword Qi.

Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed. "You think this is enough?"

With a cold shout, Xiao Chen extended his hand, summoning a long sword. His aura transformed instantly.

With one swift motion, he swung his sword.

Crack!

Zhao Fenglei's ancient sword shattered into countless shards.

"Impossible!" Zhao Fenglei staggered back, horror etched on his face.

Xiao Chen stood tall, his gaze cold and disdainful. "Who's next?"