Watching Chen Xiao's retreating back, Lan Qing'er felt a slight sense of loss. From childhood, wherever she went, people treated her like a star, but Chen Xiao's attitude was merely like that of an ordinary friend, which, in turn, made her feel a little disappointed by his farewell.
No one noticed Lan Qing'er's girlish thoughts. After Chen Xiao left, the square returned to its usual order, but undoubtedly, everything that had just happened made everyone present remember Chen Xiao's name.
"Brother Xiao is Brother Xiao, always so cool no matter where he goes!" On the way back, Xiao Liuzi flattered Chen Xiao with a grin.
"Aren't you embarrassed by me?" Chen Xiao joked, recalling Xiao Liuzi's awkwardness when he learned his spiritual root was only first-grade.
"Hehe, how could I be..." Xiao Liuzi's face flushed red; he was deeply ashamed of his earlier behavior.
Just then, Chen Xiao suddenly stopped. Xiao Liuzi was wondering why Chen Xiao had stopped so abruptly when he heard Chen Xiao say with a cold smile, "You've been following for a long time, it's time to show yourself."
Chen Xiao had long noticed he was being followed, and he could guess who it was without even thinking.
Indeed, as soon as Chen Xiao spoke, a gust of wind sounded, followed by a fleeting black shadow. In the next moment, an arrogant figure appeared before Chen Xiao and his companion. Needless to say, this person was Wang Hao.
"Not bad, you actually noticed me." Wang Hao's face was ashen, his voice icy. He had quietly trailed Chen Xiao since he left the square, intending to teach him a lesson in a secluded spot, but he hadn't expected to be discovered by Chen Xiao first.
"Of course, who is Brother Xiao? Noticing the tracking of some unknown nobody is no big deal," Xiao Liuzi said with disgust. The "unknown nobody" he referred to was undoubtedly Wang Hao, whom Lan Qing'er had claimed not to know earlier.
He could also tell that there seemed to be some past conflict between Wang Hao and Chen Xiao. Since Wang Hao was Chen Xiao's enemy, he naturally wouldn't hold back his words.
"You..." Hearing Xiao Liuzi's words, Wang Hao was indeed furious. He suppressed his anger, glanced at Xiao Liuzi, and said contemptuously, "Hmph, a nobody is a nobody, and his follower is also a nobody."
"Hey, what are you talking about..." Xiao Liuzi was displeased by Wang Hao's words and angrily rolled up his sleeves.
"You think a nobody like you can fight me?" Wang Hao's eyes narrowed, and he said fiercely.
Xiao Liuzi then remembered the significant gap in strength between him and Wang Hao. His body stiffened, but he refused to back down verbally, saying, "Brother Xiao, let's go. Don't waste your breath on this nobody."
Chen Xiao naturally wouldn't leave. He stepped in front of Xiao Liuzi and stared at Wang Hao, saying sternly, "He is not my follower, but my friend. Also, in my eyes, you are worse than a nobody."
Hearing Chen Xiao's words, Xiao Liuzi was deeply moved but also inwardly lamenting. His opponent was at the fifth level of Body Refining. The two of them combined wouldn't be a match for him. This was bad.
Wang Hao, upon hearing this, burst into laughter, "Haha, a nobody who hides behind women dares to be so arrogant. Now that that woman isn't here to help you, I want to see what gives you the right to challenge me."
Chen Xiao rolled his eyes at Wang Hao and said coldly, "If you want to fight, fight. Why all the nonsense?"
Chen Xiao knew he couldn't escape today. It was better to have a good fight. Although there was a three-level difference in cultivation between him and Wang Hao, showing cowardice before the battle was definitely not his style.
"You brat are lucky. I didn't kill you last time, but since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish." Wang Hao, seeing the usually weak and incompetent Chen Xiao become so tough, felt his authority challenged. Grinding his teeth in anger, a strong fighting intent surged within him, and he struck Chen Xiao with a palm.
Facing Wang Hao's attack, Chen Xiao showed no panic. Although Wang Hao had the cultivation of the fifth level of Body Refining, in terms of pure strength, Chen Xiao was not much inferior to Wang Hao. Thus, Chen Xiao clenched his fist and met Wang Hao.
Fist and palm collided, emitting a dull thud. Both were forced back several steps.
In the first exchange, they were evenly matched, but their moods were vastly different.
Chen Xiao was secretly delighted. The effect of cultivating the God Slaying Art exceeded his expectations. He had thought he would only be able to contend with a martial artist at the fourth level of Body Refining, but he hadn't expected to fight evenly with someone at the fifth level.
On the other hand, Wang Hao's face showed surprise, and his heart was filled with shock.
"How is this possible? This nobody's cultivation has only improved by one level compared to a few days ago, but why could he, who had no power to resist me a few days ago, now fight me evenly across levels?"
"No, I absolutely cannot let this nobody continue to grow like this. I must take his life today." Recalling his past grievances with Chen Xiao, Wang Hao's killing intent flared. He quickly mobilized the vital energy within his body, and a ball of flame faintly appeared on his palm.
"Flame Burst Palm!"
Wang Hao decided not to hold back. The martial skill Flame Burst Palm was the highest-level martial skill he possessed, a low-grade Profound tier martial skill, whose power was absolutely not to be underestimated.
Seeing Wang Hao use a martial skill, Chen Xiao also adopted a serious expression. He quickly urged the vital energy within his body and unleashed the first stance of the Six Harmonies Fist, Collapsing Fist, which he had just learned. A faint blue glow appeared on his fist.
Looking at the faint blue glow on Chen Xiao's fist, Wang Hao sneered, "Hmph, do you think a mere Yellow tier martial skill can resist my Flame Burst Palm? You truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!"
"Flame Burst Palm, go!"
With a roar, Wang Hao thrust out his Flame Burst Palm. The moment the vital energy left his palm, it emitted a deafening explosion.
"Six Harmonies Fist, Collapse!"
Chen Xiao's expression changed slightly. He punched out, forcefully resisting the Flame Burst Palm. However, he had underestimated the power of the Flame Burst Palm, and coupled with his Collapsing Fist being only at the minor accomplishment stage, the power gap between the two was vast. This time, when fist and palm met, a roar erupted, and Chen Xiao was sent flying backward.
"Pfft!" Chen Xiao spat out a mouthful of blood. He was clearly not lightly injured by Wang Hao's palm.
"Hmph, no match for me!" Wang Hao, having gained the upper hand, immediately became smug. He condensed flames on his hand again, intending to finish Chen Xiao.
"Flame Burst Palm, go!"
Wang Hao pressed his advantage. Just as he was about to strike with a palm, he suddenly felt a strong gust of wind coming from behind him. It was too late to turn around and defend, but if he didn't turn and continued to strike Chen Xiao, he would likely be hit before he could even touch Chen Xiao.
All of this happened in a flash. The attacker clearly chose the opportune moment to strike, but Wang Hao's reaction was also quick enough. He rapidly adjusted the vital energy within his body and, with a forward somersault, narrowly dodged the sneak attack from behind.
The attacker, failing to land a blow, showed a hint of annoyance on his face. At this moment, Chen Xiao recognized him as the robust youth who had guided him in using the Spirit Testing Stone in the square.