Chapter Thirty-One: You Must Believe in Others’ Bragging!

“What?” Di Yi was utterly astonished. He could distinctly sense the terrifying energy contained within that handprint—it was nearly on par with the Blazing Flame Palm he had just unleashed! And to think, this boy was only at the third stage of Core Formation. The realization made the greed in his eyes burn even brighter.

With a thunderous boom, the two were already close when the massive palm and the gigantic seal collided, instantly triggering a frightful explosion. The cultivators’ trading square had protective barriers, but they were woefully inadequate against such a strike. Debris rained down from above, the stone plaza was riddled with cracks, and at the epicenter of the blast, a pit several dozen meters wide yawned open.

As the two surges of energy crashed, Di Yi and Chen Xiang both leaped back, catching only the aftershock. Di Yi stabilized himself after just a few steps, relying on his cultivation to steady his stance. Chen Xiang, meanwhile, tumbled backward, sliding several meters before coming to a stop. Neither was injured, though their garments were now in disarray.

Di Yi’s eyes darted with intensity as he fixed his gaze on Chen Xiang, like a starving wolf eyeing a succulent prey.

“That’s definitely a mid-tier Earth-rank technique or above—nothing else could have such power! I must seize this boy!” Di Yi resolved inwardly.

A few Core Formation cultivators watching from afar were utterly dumbfounded.

“Holy crap! Someone at the third level of Core Formation just went head-to-head with a Nascent Soul cultivator—and fought to a draw? Am I still dreaming?”

“Hey, fellow Daoist, pinch me—am I awake or is this a dream?”

“I must have cultivated a fake path to immortality!”

Chen Xiang was none too pleased. He’d thought the Mountain-Splitting Seal would easily suppress his opponent, yet it had actually come up a little short. Disappointing, truly disappointing!

“Ding. Congratulations, Host ‘Chen Xiang’, for inspiring awe among cultivators. You have gained twenty reputation points.”

“Ding. Congratulations, Host ‘Chen Xiang’, for inspiring awe among cultivators. You have gained thirty reputation points.”

“Ding. Congratulations, Host ‘Chen Xiang’, for inspiring awe among cultivators. You have gained forty reputation points.”

“Ding. Congratulations, Host ‘Chen Xiang’, for inspiring awe among cultivators. You have gained twenty reputation points.”

Hearing the system’s notifications in his mind, Chen Xiang’s dissatisfaction eased a little.

Far away, Li Qiner stared in astonishment, her mouth agape. She had already witnessed this Young Master Li’s strength, but seeing him withstand a Nascent Soul cultivator without even relying on a spiritual artifact was enough to shock her anew. After all, the gap between Li Gongzi and Di Yi wasn’t just eight minor stages—there was an entire major realm between them!

Watching Chen Xiang’s figure—even a bit disheveled—her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat. He had strength, an unconventional mind, and a charm that couldn’t be hidden.

“Hmph! Old geezer, earlier I underestimated you and only used thirty percent of my strength. I didn’t expect I’d misjudged you. This time, I’ll use fifty percent. Are you ready?” Chen Xiang flicked his hand, stepped forward with his right foot, left hand behind his back, and beckoned at Di Yi with his right—a classic provocative gesture straight out of Ip Man.

The cultivators watching from afar, the city guards arriving at the scene, and the bystanders all gasped.

“What? He only used thirty percent? Is he for real?”

“Don’t believe him! Didn’t you see he was on the back foot just now? He’s totally bluffing.”

“You’re telling me you used only thirty percent? Are you sure you’re not in the Spirit Severing stage?”

Meanwhile, the city guards, upon seeing the crater at the plaza’s center, were incensed. Fighting here was one thing, but to destroy public property? How were they supposed to explain this to the city lord?

A Nascent Soul-level officer raised a hand to stop his subordinates, all Foundation Establishment cultivators eager to rush forward.

“Wait,” the officer commanded, his voice low. “Hold your positions.”

“Yes, sir!”

Though they didn’t understand why their leader was holding them back, none dared disobey.

The officer’s gaze lingered on the two at the center of the plaza. He recognized Di Yi as a guard from the City Lord’s estate, responsible for protecting the city lord or that good-for-nothing young master. If Di Yi was involved in a fight here, he must have his own reasons; it wasn’t his place to interfere. Besides, their ranks were equivalent—he couldn’t move against him.

His eyes shifted to Chen Xiang: Who was this youth? To stand against Di Yi, a Nascent Soul cultivator, with just third-level Core Formation… he was clearly no ordinary figure.

Di Yi’s face darkened at Chen Xiang’s words.

“Ridiculous! If that technique was only thirty percent of your strength, the whole cultivation world would be in chaos!” Di Yi sneered. He didn’t believe Chen Xiang for a second. From the start, Chen Xiang’s cultivation had been that of a third-level Core Formation—there was no hidden strength. If there was, only a Spirit Severing expert could conceal it so perfectly. With the city lord present, no such expert would dare cause trouble here.

“Really? Old geezer, I’ll still give you one hand, and only use half my strength. Let’s see if you can handle it!” Chen Xiang replied with a cocky laugh, completely unabashed.

Had he truly only used thirty percent of his strength? Of course not! With such a vast difference in cultivation, holding back would have spelled his doom. He’d used every ounce of his power in that last move, and it had only just managed to match Di Yi’s attack.

But the main thing was to put on a show and earn more reputation points! That last exchange had netted him nearly three hundred. Worth it—absolutely worth it!

Seeing Chen Xiang’s demeanor, Di Yi hesitated for the first time. He didn’t buy Chen Xiang’s words, yet the youth’s confidence planted a seed of doubt. What if he really was hiding his true strength? What if he was stalling for time?

Stalling? A flash of insight crossed Di Yi’s mind. That explanation made perfect sense! In their last clash, Chen Xiang hadn’t seemed to be hiding his cultivation. With so many eyes watching, he couldn’t back down now. Clearly, Chen Xiang was just trying to buy time, either to recover spiritual energy or to prepare a devastating move.

Given all the surprises Chen Xiang had already shown, one more wouldn’t be strange.

Having made up his mind, Di Yi attacked in a flash, charging straight at Chen Xiang. Regardless of the truth, he was willing to bet on his own judgment!

Chen Xiang was overjoyed to see Di Yi rushing at him. He’d wanted to attack first, but any move on his part would have given him away before he landed a blow.

Di Yi was blindingly fast. His massive saber crackled with energy, executing his signature technique—Sovereign Blade Slash, a high-tier Profound-rank martial art, perfected over a century.

“Damn, what power! He truly deserves to be a Nascent Soul cultivator.”

“What’s with that kid? He’s not even moving as this fearsome attack comes at him—has he been scared silly?”

“Alas, he’s done for. That last move must have drained most of his energy.”

The onlookers shook their heads in regret, certain Chen Xiang could not evade this strike.

“Young Master, watch out!” Li Qiner, snapping out of her daze, cried out anxiously as she rushed toward him. But she was too far away—she could do nothing.

Chen Xiang turned and flashed her a dazzling, heartwarming smile. Li Qiner, seeing that, suddenly felt at ease and stopped in her tracks.

Turning back, Chen Xiang addressed Di Yi, who was now within ten meters: “Old geezer, next time you should believe someone when they boast!”

“To be continued…”