I Can See Your Combat Power

In the end, the master warrior settled his internal strife and smoothed his killing intent. He gazed at the fully alert Tang Luo and spoke lightly, “If I really wanted to take action, you’d have nowhere to escape.”

There was an overbearing manner to his words, as if he had already got a hold of Tang Luo. However, Tang Luo, who had already evaluated the situation, was not swayed by such an underlying threat, his expression as calm as still water, showing disdain for argument.

Looking at the young man who still remained on guard, Xiao Jinlin shook his head and asked, “If it is a matter of collecting rent, you should name the price. How much will it cost to lease Nanping Peak and Danyang Mountain?”

-One thousand spiritual plants, ten million catties of grain.”

“Alright.” Xiao Jinlin’s expression remained the same, he spoke lightly. In three days, I will deliver the goods to the Du Clan’s territory. But let me make it clear, this rent will only be paid once.”

Without guessing, they knew that the thousand spiritual plants and ten million catties of grain were meant to suppress the plague and famine. Apart from the Tang and Mi families, the Xiao family was the only one in Xiling who could easily supply this much grain.

But while ten million catties of grain may sound plentiful, once fed to the masses in the mountains, it would only last about ten days. After ten days, famine would still persist, what would Tang Luo do then?

Upon hearing Xiao Jinlin’s words, Tang Luo nodded, “Of course, in that case, I „ won’t bother the head of the Xiao Clan any further, my parting presents itself.”

“No need to see me off.”

As Tang Luo departed the camp, his eyebrows knitted together, his face filled with puzzlement.

Despite having resolved the most crucial issue at hand, the food shortage, he felt no joy. That was because Xiao Jinlin’s reaction was too odd.

When Xiao Jinlin misunderstood that he possessed the Earth Spirit Body, the sudden surge of killing intent within him was incredibly clear. If the playful look in his eyes in the beginning was just a joke towards a younger generation, the subsequent killing intent was a stress response to the perceived threat. Rationally, neither of these emotions should have appeared within him. This was his first encounter with Xiao Jinlin. The title of ‘the First to Shed Mortality’ held no value in the eyes of a strong warrior at the peak of the Fierce Realm. Mockery and trials were only used towards one’s own juniors. Xiao Jinlin could have adopted such an attitude towards Xiao Ziyu, but he should not have adopted such an attitude towards himself.

Then there was the ominous killing intent. As a warrior who had possessed the Earth Spirit Body for more than sixty years, even if Tang Luo had genuinely awakened the Earth Spirit Body bloodline, Xiao Jinlin should not have seen him as a threat. However, he still revealed his killing intent, indicating that he believed that Tang Luo’s awakening of the Earth Spirit Body posed a significant threat to him, enough that he subconsciously wanted to get nd of him.

But having had such thoughts, why did Xiao Jinlin suppress them? Tang Luo didn’t believe he could have immunity from death due to his status as a Sect Head’s direct descendant. This was indeed intriguing.

While traveling and thinking, he was about to leave the Du Clan’s campsite. Suddenly, Tang Luo felt an astonishing heat blocking his path. He looked up and found that it was Xiao Ziyu standing in the middle of the road.

This former number one figure who shed his mortality stepped forward with a face full of combativeness, his eyes seemed ablaze: “Fight me!”

“Not interested.” Tang Luo’s thought process was abruptly interrupted, he frowned and spoke unhappily: “Don’t block the way.”

Xiao Ziyu, looking at Tang Luo’s dismissive rejection, found his fighting spirit inflaming even further. Provocatively, he said, “If you want to pass, you have to defeat me first! You took shortcuts at the Hundred Dragons Camp just now, but you can’t do that in a real fight!”

Since the battle with Jiang Lin, all of Xiling had crowned Tang Luo the number one figure to shed his mortality. Xiao Ziyu initially thought he could be indifferent to fame and fortune, but when that title was taken away, he spent several sleepless nights.

Persistence without reward for ten years, instant fame with one battle. When he finally achieved renown, he found that he could no longer return to his previous state of solitary practice.

He needed attention, to attract the gaze of everyone wherever he went. The only way to do that was to defeat Tang Luo and reclaim the title of the number one figure to shed his mortality.

Scratching his head, Tang Luo was not at all moved by this seemingly arbitrary challenge. Let out a sigh, he said, “Can’t you act maturely? All inns and tea shops are gone. What’s the point of disputing such fame?”

-There is no number one in poetry, but there has to be a number one in martial arts!” Xiao Ziyu raised one finger solemnly: “Xiling can only have one no.l person who shed his mortality, it’s either you or me!”

“Xiling?” Tang Luo said speechlessly: “What Xiling are you talking about? If you so desperately want to be no.l, then that’s it. From now on, you are the number one person who shed his mortality in Xiling.

After saying that, Tang Luo wanted to bypass Xiao Ziyu, but his way was again obstructed.

Compared to life and death, winning or losing is more important to honor. For Xiao Ziyu, defeating the Tang Luo, who defeated Mi Chu, was his only competitor and goal from all of Xiling. But the other party’s dismissive attitude made him feel he was being underestimated.

The face of the young man with red hair was flushed, and he was trembling with anger: “You haven’t even fought me, yet you act like you have already won. That’s why it’s so important to see who will be the last number one to shed his mortality in Xiling, don’t you understand!?”

“What I don’t understand, is why you think you can beat me.” Tang Luo spread his hands, helplessly said, “You’ve seen Mi Chu’s fate, do you still want to fight?”

Xiao Ziyu was very strong, but he was only at the same level as Mi Chu. He was far superior to ordinary people who’ve shed their mortality, but he still couldn’t escape the restrictions of physical body and spiritual power. With his current strength, fighting him was like bullying a child, he really wasn’t interested. “Without fighting against strong opponents, how can you break your limits!” Xiao Ziyu’s fighting spirit surged. Eight flame dragons emerged from his back, the bloodline of the Fire God exploding completely. He was enveloped in a divine fire armor, as if the Fire God descended to Earth: “Xiao Ziyu of the Xiao Clan, I beseech you, Tang Luo, to give me the honor of sparring with you!”

“Stop!”

Just as Tang Luo was about to refuse, he heard a stern shout from above his head. A figure landed in front of them. It was Xiao Qi.

Xiao Ziyu saw the newcomer, his face darkened, and he extinguished the anger from his body and said with a bow: “Young clan head, I…”

“We’ll talk about this later.” Xiao Qi waved his hand, turned around, and said to Tang Luo with a bow, “Please forgive him, Chosen One, and don’t take Xiao Ziyu’s words too seriously.”

Looking at Xiao Qi who strangely appeared from the sky and intervened in the conflict between him and Xiao Ziyu, Tang Luo suddenly had a flash of inspiration. It was as if he had an epiphany, tying together the inexplicable respect of Xiao Zheng and Xiao Qi, and the strange attitude and emotional control of Xiao Jinlin, and came up with a reasonable explanation.

“So that’s it.” Tang Luo finally understood why renting was such an easy matter. But since both sides were hiding their intentions, it indicated a significant plan. He wondered if should he help them on their way? Looking at Xiao Ziyu who was still resentful after being stopped by Xiao Qi, a plan formed in Tang Luo’s mind. He looked at Xiao Qi and barked out angrily, “I will never forgive Xiao Ziyu!”

Bypassing Xiao Qi, Tang Luo’s gaze met with Xiao Ziyu’s. Coldly, he announced, “Since you dare unduly challenge me, be prepared to be trampled into the mud.. I give you one month to prepare for your funeral, in one month, atop Red Cloud Peak, I, Tang Luo, will accept your challenge!”