Chapter 76: I'll Ruin You First!

The Hall of Xiaolou suddenly emerged, undoubtedly catching everyone by surprise. Although Chen Chen today had made a stunning showing, winning five consecutive matches and shocking the entire realm, his aura ultimately proved incapable of competing with that of Xiaolou City. All that Chen Chen had displayed was sufficient to enter the highest echelon of the new moon city's younger generation, but Xiaolou—he was worthy of reaching the level of the four great sects' supreme talents. If Chen Chen were to suddenly declare war against Xiaolou, perhaps few would be surprised, at most considering it an overreach. Yet Xiaolou stepping forward—that was far too intriguing...

Was he seeking to spar with Chen Chen? No, absolutely not! With Xiaolou's status, pride, and strength, how could he lower himself to fight a newcomer from the New Moon Xuanfu? But if not that, then what did he intend to do?

Xiaolou stepping forward, his gaze lingering on Chen Chen, also struck the latter with surprise. He smiled at once: "Xiaolou, the Lord, has overpraised me. I'm merely a ordinary disciple of the New Moon Xuanfu, unworthy to bear the title of 'new star.' Only you, Xiaolou the Lord, deserve to be called a 'star' in the New Moon City."

"Hahaha!" Xiaolou laughed, that laugh carrying an unmistakable monarch's aura, hardly fitting for a sixteen-year-old boy: "Brother Chen, you are far too modest. I'm sure that after today's spar, your name will resound throughout the New Moon City. And your future achievements will be limitless. For me, Xiaolou, to have come to witness this in person is a great blessing."

Chen Chen's face lit up with delight, quickly saying: "Lord Xiaolou, your words are truly overwhelming. With my meager abilities, I'm nothing before you, like a glowing lamp before a bright moon—hardly worthy of mention. I wonder, Lord Xiaolou, what instruction do you have for me? I, Chen Chen, will listen with the utmost reverence."

"Heh, Brother Chen need not be so modest. Whether you're a lamp or a moon, it's obvious to all present. My bold approach is a request of respect toward Brother Chen. Having witnessed his magnificent display, defeating five top disciples from the seven sects, I was struck by admiration and also felt a stirring of curiosity, wishing to spar with Brother Chen—would Brother Chen permit it?" Xiaolou fixed his gaze on Chen Chen, smiling courteously.

Xiaolou's words caused a ripple of whispers to sweep through the hall, even Chen Chen momentarily stunned.

"Xiaolou is actively challenging... Ah no, no—it's him actively seeking to spar with Chen Chen? This... doesn't make sense."

"Chen Chen is extremely powerful; I believe he's the first disciple of the New Moon Xuanfu in a hundred years, but Xiaolou and him are not even on the same level. How could Xiaolou proactively propose a spar? No matter how you look at it, it defies reason."

"Perhaps the seven sects lost too embarrassingly this time, and Lord Xiaolou is seeking to restore their honor, while making Chen Chen understand what a true genius is."

Chen Chen didn't answer immediately, standing there in a daze, as if utterly stunned by Xiaolou's words. During this moment, his eyes never left Xiaolou's. The distance between them was no more than five steps, their demeanor and aura both calm and refined, yet beneath that outwardly harmless surface, Chen Chen could sense the dense, powerful spiritual force and the overwhelming invisible aura—like a beast lurking in the depths of a abyss, motionless until stirred, then terrifying beyond measure.

But these things mattered not. What mattered was that in the depths of his eyes, Chen Chen saw a chill of cold, sinister energy.

He recognized such energy all too well.

Xiaolou intended to destroy me! This was Chen Chen's immediate realization, his heart instantly turning cold.

But why? He and Xiaolou had never crossed paths, nor had any conflict of interest. Today was merely their first meeting. Surely Xiaolou had no reason to act so.

Was it simply to suppress this "new star," who had just begun to emerge, potentially becoming his future enemy?

So, did his performance today make him feel even a little wary?

If so, then this seemingly gentle young lord must possess devilish cunning and a calculating heart.

Upon this thought, Chen Chen suddenly grew uneasy and said: "Lord Xiaolou, you wish to spar with me? This... I mean, while I humbly declined, though I've only recently joined the New Moon City, I've heard Lord Xiaolou is already halfway into the True Yuan Realm, my meager spiritual power is vastly inferior to his, facing him in a spar would be terribly frightening." Yet immediately, he straightened his expression and added: "But since Lord Xiaolou holds me in such high regard, I naturally cannot refuse. To spar with the renowned Xiaolou—this is the greatest honor for me, Chen Chen."

"Very good!" Xiaolou nodded approvingly, smiling: "Since it's a spar, of course we must maintain the most basic premise. Brother Chen has already fought five battles, his energy expenditure must be enormous, and his left arm is already injured. Before we begin, Brother Chen should rest a while, and when his spiritual energy recovers, we'll have a fair match."

"No, it's unnecessary." To everyone's surprise, facing this extremely reasonable yet entirely advantageous proposal, Chen Chen shook his head without hesitation: "I may have used some energy, but I still have some reserves left, sufficient to spar with Lord Xiaolou. As for the injury to my arm, it's minor and shouldn't hinder anything. Besides, it's just a spar, not a life-or-death battle, fairness doesn't matter, and there's no need to delay Lord Xiaolou and everyone's time because of my minor exertion and small wound."

Chen Chen's words completely stunned everyone in the hall. For those not deaf, they could hear from his words a... extreme confidence and arrogance!!

"Holy shit! This Chen Chen... what does he mean by 'I still have some reserves left, I should be able to spar with Lord Xiaolou'? Who does he think he is? Who does he think Xiaolou is?"

"Chen Chen is undoubtedly a top-tier genius, I'll admit that. But he's so bold in the face of Xiaolou, daring enough to be so cocky—it's like he doesn't know his own station, courting disaster! Xiaolou could easily trample him underfoot."

"Sigh, never mind. He's only just arrived in the New Moon City, probably only heard of Xiaolou's reputation and doesn't know how terrifying he truly is. I bet if he stayed another month in the New Moon City, I wouldn't dare say those words even with ten times his courage."

"Heh, this is interesting. I imagine Xiaolou, upon hearing his words, will grow angry. Perhaps he'll end up utterly humiliating and devastating him... heh, now we have ourselves some entertainment."

"Brother Chen!" Xiao Snowyu, eyebrows knitted tightly, immediately whispered urgently: "That Xiaolou, though the same age as you, is completely different from the person you just fought—he's not even in the same league. You must be careful..."

"Relax, sister. My current condition isn't as bad as you think. Besides, it's just a spar with Lord Xiaolou, no matter the outcome, it's nothing serious."

"But..."

Xiao Snowyu was about to say more, but Chen Chen cut him off with a calm smile, gave him a reassuring glance, then turned toward Xiaolou: "Lord Xiaolou, we should begin now, how about it?"

Actually, Chen Chen had already made no retreat possible with his words. Xiao Snowyu could only sigh silently in her heart, sit down in silent worry.

Xiaolou smiled, though his smile was noticeably stiff, visible to all—perhaps in his lifetime, he had never encountered someone so bold as to challenge him so directly. He squinted his eyes, slowly said: "Since Brother Chen insists, then I naturally respect Brother Chen's wishes. But Brother Chen's current state is truly worrying—five consecutive battles have drained his spiritual energy, his defensive power must be far diminished, possibly about to collapse. If I strike him then, he might suffer serious injury."

"Heh, Lord Xiaolou worries too much." Chen Chen smiled carefree: "In a spar, slight injuries or even serious ones are quite normal. Besides, facing Xiaolou with my current state is my own resolve. Even if I were to suffer grave injury, I wouldn't blame you. All present can testify to that. So, Lord Xiaolou, do as you wish, let this newcomer get a proper glimpse of the New Moon City's top youth's strength."

Chen Chen's words sent shockwaves through the elders of the New Moon Hall, nearly causing them to tumble from their seats. Meanwhile, from the seven sects' side, especially the outer disciples of Xiaolou's sect, many burst into laughter.

This damn fool... he's literally digging his own grave and preparing to jump in himself!!

Xiaolou stared deeply into Chen Chen's eyes, that gaze... like looking at a fool.

"Though... if Chen Chen were to accidentally seriously injure Lord Xiaolou..."

Chen Chen's words caused the seven sects' side to erupt in laughter once more, several people laughed so hard they clapped their bellies and rolled on the ground, like they'd heard the funniest joke in the world. But the New Moon Xuanfu side had not a single person smiling—each face bore expressions of urgent concern... if possible, they desperately wanted Chen Chen to take back every word he'd said to Xiaolou... except for Meng Chong. He bit his teeth, his face trembling with suppressed laughter, nearly breaking through several times.

This idiot, digging his own grave and preparing to jump in himself! So utterly foolish... Xiaolou, you just make sure you beat him to near death, beat him half to death!

"Hahaha!" Xiaolou laughed heartily: "If I, Xiaolou, were injured by Brother Chen, it's because I'm not skilled enough, so I bear no blame toward Brother Chen. All present can serve as witnesses."

Xiaolou's words had just fallen, Chief Elder of Yang Sect, Chen Zhengzai, shouted loudly: "Both of you, rest assured. We have many people present today, many eyes watching—this will give you reliable testimony. If either of you suffers serious injury in the spar, neither can blame the other, or else you'd be seen as ungrateful and despicable."

Chen Zhengzai's words prompted all the great sects to respond in kind. Their words, naturally, were directed toward Chen Chen and the New Moon Xuanfu, for no one would believe Chen Chen could possibly injure Xiaolou.

Chen Chen, already drained and bearing a minor wound, had virtually no chance at all.

Chen Hengan's face grew pale, seeking help with desperate eyes toward Qin Wuyou, who, under pressure from the seven sects, slowly nodded.

"Good! Since that's the case, I'll go ahead and properly spar with Brother Chen. Brother Chen... please show mercy."

The four characters "show mercy," Xiaolou said with a sharp edge.

Chen Chen gave a faint smile, said nothing, his breath growing calm, his gaze growing solid, the spiritual meridian's first realm gate reopened!

According to Juliet's warning, his current physical condition could only open the final dozens of seconds on the first realm gate, or else his body and meridian would exceed their limit, suffering unpredictable damage.

But dozens of seconds... that's enough!!

In Chen Chen's eyes, an extremely dangerous light flickered...

I never challenged you, never provoked you, yet you intend to destroy me.

If that's the case...

Then I'll destroy you first!!