"Xiao Ming, Chen Xuanji!"

"You two are here for...?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Zuo Guangchen’s voice was filled with shock and disbelief.

He never imagined, not even in his wildest dreams, that these two would show up together at such a moment.

The top two on the Celestial Pride List, representing two great holy lands!

Xu Yang suddenly turned his head, his expression darkening.

Without a doubt, they have come with ill intent!

"Arriving uninvited—surely Mr. Zuo isn’t going to turn us away?"

Xiao Minglang’s laughter echoed in the grand hall as he entered with Chen Xuanji.

Zuo Guangchen also followed them in.

Xiao Ming and Chen Xuanji bowed respectfully to Mr. Zuo, then fixed their gazes on Xu Yang.

"What a coincidence—I didn’t expect you to be here too," Xiao Ming feigned surprise.

Xu Yang sneered, "Weren’t you coming for me?"

Xiao Ming clicked his tongue and shook his head slightly, "You really think too highly of yourself."

Xu Yang remained unruffled, calmly watching the pair.

Mr. Zuo finally spoke up, his expression betraying neither joy nor anger, "Mr. Xiao and Mr. Chen, your sudden visit—might I ask your purpose?"

Chen Xuanji replied, "We wish to obtain a few drops of Earth Spirit Milk!"

On hearing this, Xu Yang’s pupils contracted sharply.

Everyone in the hall showed different reactions.

Zuo Guangchen’s face clouded with gloom; he glanced over Xiao Ming and Chen Xuanji, then looked up at Mr. Zuo.

Mr. Zuo’s face remained unchanged, "I’m sorry, but the Earth Spirit Milk has already been promised to Mr. Xu."

"Oh? Is that so? Then it seems we came just in time—it hasn’t reached Xu Yang yet, has it?" Xiao Ming chuckled playfully.

Mr. Zuo shook his head slightly.

Xiao Ming immediately tossed out a Storage Ring, "Mr. Zuo, inside you’ll find the resources to exchange for Earth Spirit Milk; moreover, when it comes time for quota contention—regardless of the ranking of the Five Elements Celestial Realm and Star Nebula Infinite Sea, and regardless of Dongyang Profound Sect’s ranking, each party will cede ten quotas to Dongyang Profound Sect!"

"The token of promise from Five Elements Celestial Realm and Star Nebula Infinite Sea is also inside."

Xu Yang’s expression changed dramatically; he glared at Xiao Ming, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

He quickly looked towards Mr. Zuo.

Twenty quotas...

Mr. Zuo took the Storage Ring and glanced inside, surprise flickering on his face.

He hesitated briefly, then looked apologetically at Xu Yang, "Mr. Xu, I am truly sorry!"

"Twenty quotas are of critical importance to our Dongyang Profound Sect!"

"..."

Xu Yang clenched his fist tightly, his face ashen.

"Many thanks, Mr. Zuo!"

Xiao Ming shot Xu Yang a mocking look, "Giving such a treasure as Earth Spirit Milk to you would be an utter waste!"

Xu Yang retorted coldly, "Impressive."

With that, Xu Yang turned to leave.

"Wait."

Xiao Ming suddenly called out to Xu Yang.

Xu Yang turned to glance back.

Xiao Ming’s expression was half smiling, half sneering, "I’ve been looking for you for ages—you’re just going to walk away like this?"

"What do you want?"

"Back then, you weren’t qualified to challenge me. But now, perhaps you have some strength."

"Do you dare fight me?"

Xu Yang’s heart stirred; he replied coldly, "The wager will be the Earth Spirit Milk!"

"Fine."

Xiao Ming agreed without hesitation, the mockery in his eyes deepening.

Zuo Guangchen stared blankly at Mr. Zuo.

Things had developed far beyond his expectations.

Xu Yang versus Xiao Ming?

Can he win?

Admittedly, he knew he was far inferior to Xu Yang—but as for Xiao Ming’s strength...

"Mr. Zuo, might we spar here in your sect for convenience’s sake?" Xiao Ming looked towards Mr. Zuo.

"It would be our honor!"

Mr. Zuo smiled faintly and instructed Zuo Guangchen, "Chen’Er, go make the arrangements—and fetch five drops of Earth Spirit Milk."

"Yes."

Zuo Guangchen took a deep breath and obeyed respectfully.

Upon hearing "five drops" of Earth Spirit Milk, Xu Yang shot a long look at Mr. Zuo, feeling a strange ripple in his heart.

"Xu Yang, let’s go."

"Today, I’ll grant your wish—and show you just how vast the gap between us truly is."

Xiao Ming gave a proud smile and strode out of the hall.

Xu Yang stared at Xiao Ming’s back, eyes cold as ice.

As Xu Yang and the others headed for the Dongyang Profound Sect’s training grounds,

Zuo Guangchen was speaking with Mr. Zuo.

"Father, why did you agree to their terms?" Zuo Guangchen asked, both puzzled and angry.

Mr. Zuo sighed, "Xiao Ming and Chen Xuanji came together—do you know what that represents? It’s the Five Elements Celestial Realm and Star Nebula Infinite Sea joining forces to exert pressure."

"If I refused, the challenge awaiting our Dongyang Profound Sect would be far worse than the struggle against the War King clan!"

The War King clan only profited because they caught the other side off guard and managed not to suffer losses!

Could Dongyang Profound Sect do the same?

The answer was no!

Thus, he had to agree!

Zuo Guangchen gnashed his teeth, "They’ve gone too far!"

Mr. Zuo smiled wryly, "You needn’t concern yourself with what comes next. As for the Earth Spirit Milk... Xu Yang will receive it."

Zuo Guangchen stared, then gave a bitter smile, "So that means out of ten drops, they’re gone too—we have almost nothing left!"

"It doesn’t matter!"

Mr. Zuo dismissed it with a wave.

Though Earth Spirit Milk was precious, it was rarely needed in everyday circumstances.

And although he’d agreed to Xiao Ming and Chen Xuanji, the two holy lands were no fools.

They would still move against Dongyang Profound Sect!

You can’t put all your eggs in one basket!

It’s imperative to form a secret alliance with the War King clan—time is of the essence!

...

Dongyang Profound Sect, martial grounds.

Many disciples and officials were gathering rapidly.

When they learned Xiao Ming and Chen Xuanji had arrived together, the crowd was in an uproar.

After all, they were much stronger than Zuo Guangchen—top-level prodigies rarely seen, let alone first and second together!

Especially since it was rumored that Xiao Ming was about to spar with Xu Yang, who had recently risen to fame.

The excitement grew even louder.

"Is that Xu Yang? I heard even Chen Xuanji came up short against him—is that for real?"

"Still, this guy’s guts, challenging Xiao Ming, is nothing short of bold."

"After all, he’s from Daqian. I doubt he’s a match for Xiao Ming."

"I’ve never seen Xiao Ming fight before—hope that Xu Yang can hold out a while, so I can get a good look today."

...

The square was packed; in just moments, nearly every informed disciple had rushed over, a massive crowd.

In the groves and mountain peaks nearby, figures radiating powerful auras stood tall and silent.

Some at the peak of True Monarch, some in the Shenxiao Realm.

All were intrigued by this duel.

Chen Xuanji glanced at Xu Yang, suppressing his murderous intent, and said coldly, "Xu Yang, today you’ll learn the gap between you and Xiao Ming; and when the quota battle comes, I’ll show you what true pain and despair mean!"

"We’ll see."

Xu Yang was completely indifferent.

Not arrogance—though wary of Chen Xuanji, he knew he was still far less terrifying than Xiao Ming!

Soon, Zuo Guangchen hastened over.

After handing a Storage Ring to Xiao Ming, he looked at Xu Yang with concern before quickly withdrawing.

Swoosh!

An old man descended from the sky.

The terrifying aura unique to the Shenxiao Realm swept out, instantly silencing the entire martial ground.

"I am Yue Hong, elder of Dongyang Profound Sect’s Punishment Hall. It’s our honor to have Xiao Ming and Xu Yang duel here in Dongyang Profound Sect. I shall serve as referee."

Yue Hong was stern and taciturn, nodding slightly as his tone grew solemn: "Since this is a sparring match, only skill will be tested—no blood feud, no mortal combat!"

"Should anything happen to either of you in Dongyang Profound Sect, our sect cannot bear the responsibility!"

"If the situation turns dire, I will intervene immediately!"