chapter 8

Everyone in the hall looked at Xia Yan. Suspicion rose in their hearts.

– The first prince had always been lenient before. But to challenge the second prince of his own free will… had he developed some special skill?

– No, don’t be fooled, fellow ministers. He’s just showing off. I mean, look at him… there’s not a trace of spiritual Qi in his body. The difference between him and the second prince is as great as the distance between heaven and earth!

– You’re right… and to think, I almost flinched at Princess Tang’s choice. What a shame that the first prince suddenly decided to start grasping at straws!

– If only the first prince had decided to wait patiently again. Now there is no turning back for him.

– …

The surrounding ministers and officials one by one voiced their opinions. It seemed obvious to them that Xia Yang was just pretending to be strong so as not to lose face in front of Tang Dyer. However, since Xia Fangan was his opponent, no one believed that he could avoid the coming disaster.

– Hey, when did you learn how to threaten, big brother? Don’t worry, I’m not angry about it. If ostentatious talk makes you happy, go ahead by all means. I just hope you don’t choke on your own words when the time comes.

A fierce light flashed in Xia Fanhan’s eyes.

The air crackled and a sharp aura rose around him, which turned from unshakeable to almost palpable rage in a matter of seconds.

Tension rose between them.

But before his neck could tense from the tension, Xia Fanghan touched Xumi’s storage ring on his left hand. A faint white glow seeped through the air and formed into a long blazing spear. A twisting black serpent sign was described from tip to blade.

– Xia Yang, Xia Fangan, no mortal wounds are allowed. This sparring must not turn into a duel not for life but for death.

Emperor Xia approved this marriage, but he had no hope for his eldest son. Xia Yang had constantly shamed him over the years by being profligate and unable to provide any male heirs.

His second son, on the other hand, was a different story. From childhood, he showed signs of a strong underlying tendency to cultivate. Possessing the highest perception among all his brothers and the fastest rate of development, he has proven to be a talent blessed by heaven.

Xia Fangkhan completely gave him back his face. He was his favorite, and so he hoped that the second princess would choose him over Xia Yan, giving the young man a stronger claim to the throne.

Tang Dyer watched in silence as Emperor Xia made her decision. It would have been inappropriate for her to interfere in the internal affairs of the Xia Imperial family. And she had to admit that she was also a little curious about Xia Yan and his power.

Soon the gazes of everyone present focused on the two figures in the center of the main hall. To the other imperial princes, this duel was simply a game. But for the court ministers and officials, the outcome of the duel would let them know which lord they would need to follow in the future. The hundred summoned beauties had similar thoughts.

Once the general and imperial guards surrounded Xia Yang and Xia Fanghan in a tight ring, ensuring that the consequences of their battle would not affect the others, Emperor Xia gestured for them to begin.

– Since you are the youngest, I will let you make the first move, the second brother.

Xia Yan’s eyes were dim and indifferent.

– Those should be my words. But since you have already proposed to me, it would be wrong of me to refuse.

“In any case, if I attack first, it will give me the opportunity to demonstrate the new cultivation technique I recently learned from ‘Master Yu.’ You would be wise to listen to me, brother. Don’t lose before I have a chance to enjoy myself!”

With a contemptuous smile, Xia Fangan began to spin his long fire spear so fast that it became a dancing ring of fire.

Tentacles of heat, light, and turbulent spiritual Qi rushed through the main hall.

– Profound Flame Spear!

With a shriek, Xia Fanghan rushed forward. The flame of his spear stretched out from the tip like a whip and whipped at Xia Yan’s body.

The spectators’ hearts fluttered as they felt the suggestive power behind the second prince’s attack.

– Your imposing manners are not so bad.

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Xia Yang did not try to dodge or move into a defensive posture. Instead, he relaxed and looked at Xia Fanghan’s approaching attack as if it was just a faint breeze.

– What is the first prince doing? Wouldn’t he even try to dodge!

– He’s not paralyzed by fear, is he?

Before the worry, suspicion, and foreboding could further overwhelm them, the tip of Xia Fanghan’s spear struck Xia Yan’s body.

“Boom!”

Flame and iron erupted in hellish flames on the flesh, scorching giant scars on the jade tiles of the main hall and the golden bricks.

To everyone’s surprise, however, Xia Yang remained unperturbed. Pieces of his clothes were burned to the ground. But now that some of his flesh was exposed, they could see that his skin was intact.

– What?!

The princes and officials stared at Xia Yan’s unharmed body in astonishment and disbelief.

– O-He’s fine after such a blow?!

Tang Dyer’s eyebrows arched in surprise.

As long as a cultivator did not reach the Extreme Realm, his physical body remained within the Mortal level. Even a Core Realm expert’s body wouldn’t be able to come out unscathed if they didn’t defend themselves or dodge an attack that was equal to a 9th Stage Yuan Realm expert’s strength. Only a cultivator of the Extremity Realm could accomplish such a feat.

Was it possible for the first prince to reach this realm?

– How is such a thing possible! – Xia Fangan exclaimed in shock. He was completely free of the power he had invested in this blow. And yet, Xia Yang was fine.

– Brother, you made me think that this new technique of yours would be very strong. But I must say I am disappointed. Is this your limit?

Xia Yang carelessly shook the ash off his body. His calm movement seemed like an insult to Xia Fanghan.

– You rejoice too soon, big brother!

Furious anger erupted from Xia Fanghan’s eyes.

Monstrous waves of turbulent spiritual Qi shook the walls of the main hall.

This overpowering pressure caused the audience to feel awe.

“The second prince is finally getting serious.”

– Since you have some skills… then try to block it out, brother!

Now, using all his strength, Xia Fangan rushed forward. The flames on the tip of his long spear turned into a ferocious fire dragon as he swung it with blinding speed.

With this strike, he would defeat Xia Yan and reclaim his name.

– Little brother, I only let you take the first step,” Xia Yan whispered quietly. – You seem to have mistaken my kindness for weakness.

Xia Yan pushed his right foot back and clenched his fingers into a fist.

His eyes became sharp as blades.