Chapter 5: The Strong Dominate, the Weak Submit

The moment Xiao Lan walked off the platform, the crowd erupted into chaos.

"He actually won!"

"How?! That useless fool has never trained a day in his life!"

"Xiao Zhen is at the peak of Bronze Rank! How did he lose?"

Xiao Lan ignored the whispers, but he could feel the weight of their stares pressing down on him.

Some were in shock.

Some were in denial.

But a few?

A few were beginning to see him differently.

That was enough.

He returned to his place among the disciples, but unlike before—the space around him was wider. No one wanted to stand too close, as if afraid his victory might be contagious.

Fear is setting in.

It wasn't just the fact that he won—it was how he won. No desperate flailing, no brute force. Precision. Control. Strategy.

And that was far more dangerous than raw strength.

From the high pavilion, the elders had taken notice.

One in particular—Elder Xiao Hong, head of the External Disciples—rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Interesting… This boy was a disgrace just weeks ago. How did he improve so suddenly?"

Beside him, Xiao Bai's father, Xiao Ming, scowled. "Hmph. It was a fluke. Xiao Zhen was careless."

Xiao Hong smiled faintly. "Perhaps. Or perhaps… your younger son isn't as weak as we believed."

Xiao Ming's expression darkened.

From below, Xiao Bai was seething. His fingers dug into his palm as he glared at Xiao Lan's back.

That bastard… He dared to humiliate my ally in front of everyone?

This wasn't part of the plan.

Xiao Lan was supposed to lose miserably.

But now?

Now, he had stolen the spotlight.

As the trials continued, the matches became more brutal.

Xiao Lan watched carefully, memorizing the fighting styles of his future opponents. Some relied on brute strength, others on speed, but very few fought with actual technique.

They waste too much movement.

Their defenses have too many openings.

If I had their cultivation level, I'd defeat them in three moves.

His mind analyzed every detail.

By the time his second match was announced, he already had a plan.

"Xiao Lan versus Xiao Wu!"

Xiao Wu was stronger than Xiao Zhen, an early Silver Rank cultivator. He stepped onto the platform, cracking his knuckles. "Hah! I'll make sure you don't get lucky twice!"

Xiao Lan exhaled slowly. No need to waste time.

The moment the match began—

He attacked first.

A flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Wu's face before he instinctively raised his guard.

But it didn't matter.

Xiao Lan's speed had increased. His blows landed like precise daggers, striking key pressure points with ruthless efficiency.

Xiao Wu tried to counter, but—

BAM!

A well-placed kick to the ribs sent him skidding across the stone platform.

Within seconds, the match was over.

Xiao Lan had won again.

The arena fell into stunned silence once more.

No one could deny it now.

Xiao Lan wasn't weak anymore.

After another hour of battles, the combat trials were nearing their final rounds.

Only the strongest remained.

Then—

"Next match—Xiao Lan versus Xiao Bai!"

A wave of tension exploded through the crowd.

"Finally! The young master is going to put Xiao Lan in his place!"

"Hah! There's no way that trash can beat Xiao Bai!"

Xiao Bai smiled coldly, stepping onto the platform with effortless grace. His Silver Rank cultivation radiated from him like a burning flame, his confidence unshaken.

Xiao Lan met his gaze, standing calm and unmoved.

There was no fear in his eyes.

That alone irritated Xiao Bai more than anything else.

He cracked his knuckles, grinning. "You've been enjoying the spotlight, haven't you, little brother?"

Xiao Lan tilted his head slightly. "I have."

Xiao Bai's smile twitched.

"Hah. Let me teach you something important, then."

He stepped forward, his Dao energy surging around him like a storm.

"The strong dominate. The weak submit."

He lowered into a stance.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to remind you exactly where you belong."

Xiao Lan exhaled slowly, his fingers flexing at his sides.

This fight…

Wouldn't be like the others.