Chapter 6: Clash of Brothers—Xiao Lan vs. Xiao Bai

The entire arena fell silent as Xiao Bai and Xiao Lan stood across from each other.

This wasn't just another match.

It was a battle of pride, dominance, and status.

Xiao Bai was the eldest son of the Xiao Clan's patriarch, a recognized genius with a high cultivation level and powerful techniques.

Xiao Lan?

Until today, he was nothing more than a joke—a spoiled brat who had wasted his talent.

But now?

Now, the balance had shifted.

No one could ignore Xiao Lan anymore.

And Xiao Bai hated that.

He rolled his shoulders, letting his Dao energy surge around him, forming a faint silver aura—a sign of his early Silver Rank cultivation.

"I'll make this quick," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I won't even use my full strength."

Xiao Lan remained calm, his expression unreadable.

He wasn't afraid.

This wasn't his past life, where he was an average human.

He had cultivation now.

He had control.

He had a plan.

Elder Xiao Feng raised his hand. "Begin!"

Xiao Bai moved instantly.

A blur of silver shot toward Xiao Lan, his palm glowing with Dao energy.

Fast.

But predictable.

Xiao Lan dodged at the last second, shifting his body just enough to avoid the strike.

The crowd gasped.

Xiao Bai's fist slammed into the stone platform, leaving behind a crater.

Boom!

He's strong.

But strength alone isn't enough.

Xiao Bai recovered quickly, twisting his body into a spinning kick.

Xiao Lan ducked low, sliding backward to gain distance.

"Stop running!" Xiao Bai snapped, frustration creeping into his voice.

Xiao Lan smirked. "Why? Can't keep up?"

Xiao Bai lunged again, his attacks faster, sharper—but still reckless.

Every strike he threw, Xiao Lan avoided with minimal movement.

The crowd watched in shock.

"How is he dodging everything?"

"He's reading Xiao Bai's attacks…"

Xiao Bai's frustration exploded. "Enough of this!"

He leaped back, gathering Dao energy into his palm.

"Silver Fang Palm!"

A blast of silver light shot toward Xiao Lan.

A direct hit would end the match instantly.

But Xiao Lan's eyes gleamed.

Now.

Instead of dodging—

He stepped forward.

Xiao Bai's attack closed in—

And at the last second—

Xiao Lan twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the blast.

BOOM!

The shockwave exploded behind him, sending dust and debris flying.

But Xiao Lan was untouched.

Before Xiao Bai could react—

Xiao Lan struck.

A single, precise punch to Xiao Bai's ribs.

"Guh—!" Xiao Bai staggered back, his eyes widening.

He hadn't even seen the attack coming.

The crowd erupted in disbelief.

"He hit him! He actually hit Xiao Bai!"

Xiao Bai's face twisted in rage. "You—!"

He lunged again, throwing a wild punch.

Xiao Lan sidestepped effortlessly.

Then—BAM!

A knee to the stomach.

CRACK!

An elbow to the shoulder.

Xiao Bai stumbled, gasping for breath.

The pain was real.

The humiliation was worse.

For the first time in his life—

He was losing.

Xiao Bai's breathing was ragged, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go.

He was stronger.

He was faster.

But Xiao Lan was outmaneuvering him at every step.

He clenched his fists, his Dao energy flaring violently.

"I'll kill you!"

With a roar, he pushed his cultivation to the limit. His aura exploded, shaking the platform.

He wasn't holding back anymore.

Silver Rank true power.

Xiao Lan's expression remained calm.

He had been waiting for this moment.

Xiao Bai charged, his palm glowing with raw Dao energy.

A direct hit would break bones.

Xiao Lan inhaled deeply.

His body moved on instinct.

As Xiao Bai's attack came down—

Xiao Lan's foot slid forward.

His body twisted.

And then—

He redirected the attack.

A sharp pivot of his wrist, a shift of weight—

And Xiao Bai's own momentum betrayed him.

WHOOSH!

His attack missed completely.

For a split second, he was off balance.

And that was all Xiao Lan needed.

A palm to the chest.

A burst of internal force.

CRACK!

Xiao Bai flew backward, crashing into the stone violently.

Silence.

Xiao Bai coughed, his body trembling.

He couldn't move.

The air was heavy.

The entire crowd froze in shock.

Then, Elder Xiao Feng's voice rang out.

"Winner—Xiao Lan!"

No one cheered.

No one spoke.

They were too stunned.

Xiao Bai—the clan's rising star—had been defeated.

And by who?

By the very person they had mocked for years.

Everything had changed.

Xiao Bai gritted his teeth, his pride shattered. He wanted to stand, to deny this outcome—

But his body refused to move.

Above, the elders exchanged glances of disbelief.

Even Xiao Ming, their father, had gone silent, his expression unreadable.

But Xiao Lan?

Xiao Lan simply turned and walked away, his face calm, his steps steady.

Because in his mind, this was just the beginning.