Chapter 96 Tang Yan, Do You Dare Fight Me?

"Mm. You shut yourself in the courtyard and cultivated for eight days, so I never had the chance to tell you about the Eastern Region Grand Competition. I had planned to call you out directly, but I didn't expect you to come out on your own first," Lin Xiao said with a smile.

After inviting the two of them into the courtyard, Tang Yan seated them and began pouring tea.

Lin Xiao explained, "In this Eastern Region Grand Competition, the cities with the greatest reputation are Fang City, Qing City, and Song City. If nothing unexpected happens, all three cities should have people enter Azure Dragon Academy. After them comes Yu City. Some believe Su Wei may be chosen as well. Only our Yun City is still looked down upon."

"Hmph, that's too much! A pack of snobs with eyes on top of their heads. This time, we'll make them regret looking down on us!" Lin Dongxue said indignantly.

"What formidable figures do those three cities have? Why are they so highly regarded?" Tang Yan caught the key point and asked with curiosity.

"Yun City has always placed last in past Eastern Region Grand Competitions, and we rarely take part in matters organized by the Eastern Region, so you know little about the other cities.

"Fang Xuan and Cheng Gong of Fang City, Du Shu of Qing City, and Song Ze of Song City are collectively known as the Four Young Masters of the East Domain. Their strength is all above Black Rank Fourth Grade.

"For the younger generation to possess such strength, they can be counted as geniuses even in all of Tingxiang. That is why they are favored the most."

Tang Yan was inwardly startled. The Eastern Region Grand Competition clearly stipulated that only those under twenty-five could participate. Yet these people had already stepped into Black Rank Fourth Grade or above before turning twenty-five. Such talent was indeed astonishing.

"Has anyone stepped into Fifth Grade?"

"I am not certain. At the very least, they are at mid Fourth Grade. This is only the information gathered on the surface; it does not rule out the possibility of someone reaching Fifth Grade. Besides, the Eastern Region has five cities. Who can say whether there are other hidden geniuses?"

After saying this, Lin Xiao's gaze fell on Tang Yan with deep meaning. He paused, then continued, "This Eastern Region Grand Competition does not lack Fourth Grade experts. There are also many experts at the peak of Third Grade, such as Song Qing of Song City, Sun Long of Qing City, and that friend of yours, Wan Fei. This year's Eastern Region Grand Competition will be fiercer than before."

"This time, is it only the Martial Contest?" Tang Yan asked.

"Correct. It will depend purely on martial strength. However, if you obtain the qualifications for Azure Dragon Academy's selection, there will be many more matters to be examined afterward."

After Lin Xiao finished speaking, he suddenly thought of something and added, "In this Eastern Region Grand Competition, not only will the city lords of all five cities be present, people from Azure Dragon Academy will also come. If someone fails to obtain a high rank but displays ability and talent that catches Azure Dragon Academy's eye, they may even be directly recruited."

"If one obtains a rank in the Grand Competition, is there any Reward?" Tang Yan asked casually, though his ears quietly perked up.

"The chance to contend for a place in Azure Dragon Academy is already the greatest Reward. However, if one wins first place, there will usually be an additional Reward. The others receive nothing."

After the City Lord finished speaking, his tone shifted. "With experts as numerous as clouds, what are your thoughts on this Eastern Region Grand Competition?"

Tang Yan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "The outside world does not favor Yun City. That may not be a bad thing.

"With Liu Zhi, Yun City's so-called number one, standing in front, everyone will be a little less guarded against Dongxue and me.

"Dongxue and I have both reached Black Rank Third Grade. With such strength, if our opponents underestimate us, we will have a few more chances of victory. This year, at least, Yun City will not place last again."

Lin Xiao stared at Tang Yan and said, "The Grand Competition's ranking is decided according to the highest-ranked person from each city. For example, if the champion is Song Ze of Song City, then even if second through tenth place all belong to Fang City, first place in this Grand Competition will still belong to Song City. So if we do not want to place last, we must at least defeat Su Wei of Yu City. If you face him, how many chances of victory do you have?"

"He has already reached the peak of Black Rank Third Grade. My odds of victory are perhaps fifty-fifty," Tang Yan estimated.

"Father, why don't you spar with Tang Yan? Wouldn't that give you a rough judgment?" Lin Dongxue interjected from the side.

Hearing this, Lin Xiao's eyes brightened.

Last time, in a mere ten days, Tang Yan had increased Lin Dongxue's fighting strength by severalfold.

Lin Xiao had also borrowed Tang Yan's method of teaching Lin Dongxue. When sparring with Lin Dongxue, he was no longer gentle, but exchanged moves with her in an extremely aggressive manner. Over these eight days, Lin Dongxue's strength had risen another step.

Because of this, Lin Xiao was also extremely curious about Tang Yan's fighting strength.

A trace of heat likewise flashed through Tang Yan's eyes. To find a powerful sparring partner would be greatly beneficial to his own strength as well.

As though sensing the battle intent rising from Tang Yan, Lin Xiao laughed loudly and said, "Tang Yan, do you dare fight me?"

"City Lord, you won't use your full strength, right?" Tang Yan was no fool. If the City Lord struck him with a full-strength palm, he feared he would be beaten into a smear of flesh on the spot.

Hearing Tang Yan's words, Lin Xiao laughed and scolded, "Nonsense. Am I that reckless? At most, I will use the strength of Black Rank Fourth Grade. How about it?"

"Father, you're bullying him!" Before Tang Yan could answer, Lin Dongxue cried out from the side.

"You girl, why is your elbow turning outward? Are you feeling sorry for him?"

"Father, you're awful!" Lin Dongxue's cheeks flushed pink. She glared at Lin Xiao in shy anger and wanted to turn away, but she could not bear to miss the fight. In the end, she only stamped her little foot in annoyance and said nothing more.

Tang Yan's thoughts turned quickly.

As the City Lord of Yun City, even if Lin Xiao learned his true strength, he would not spread it outside. Tang Yan could spar with him at ease.

He immediately said, "Black Rank Fourth Grade is fine."

A sharp light flashed through Lin Xiao's eyes.

For Tang Yan to dare accept this condition meant Black Rank Third Grade posed little threat to him. For a moment, Lin Xiao grew even more interested in Tang Yan's strength.

He smiled faintly and said, "Good. Make your move!"

Tang Yan did not stand on ceremony. Phantom Step unfolded to its limit, and his body moved like a swift gale as he rushed toward Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao's heart gave a jolt.

How was this brat so fast?

True Qi circulated swiftly through him as he raised his fist and punched toward Tang Yan.

Seeing Lin Xiao's fist coming to meet him, the corner of Tang Yan's mouth lifted slightly.

His body had been charging straight ahead, yet without slowing in the slightest, he shifted half a meter to the left.

His fist also changed its path, howling toward the City Lord.

Lin Xiao's gaze sharpened.

This fellow could still change direction at such speed?

Fortunately, Lin Xiao's battle experience was incomparably rich. He also possessed an Earth Rank expert's understanding of the Martial Dao. His advantage over an ordinary Black Rank Fourth Grade was far from small.

His body leaned back slightly. With a simple adjustment of direction, the two men's fists collided.

"Bang!"

Because Lin Xiao had changed the path of his attack at the last moment, the force behind his punch had been slightly reduced.

Tang Yan had also changed his direction of attack earlier. Logically speaking, the force behind this brat's punch should have been much weaker than his own.

But after their fists collided, Lin Xiao discovered in astonishment that the force of Tang Yan's punch had actually remained at the peak of Third Grade!

This made no sense!

In their first exchange, even after using the strength of Black Rank Fourth Grade, he had failed to gain the advantage. Lin Xiao felt his old face was somewhat difficult to preserve.

After some thought, only by taking the initiative and beating Tang Yan until he was in sorry shape could he recover his dignity.

But before he could make his move, his eyelid suddenly twitched.

After a full-powered strike, this brat Tang Yan did not even need to catch his breath. He swung his fist and charged over again!