Chapter 233: Issuing a Challenge

"Zhang Xinxiong?"

As soon as this tall man with shoulder-length hair appeared, the surrounding crowd erupted in excitement.

"This is going to be interesting. The senior brother of the Nei Yuan is stepping in personally—does Xu Xiaoshou still dare to act up?"

"That's right, Young Zhang... I haven't seen him fight in ages. I heard he was already at half-step Zongshi level several years ago, but he's been suppressing his cultivation."

"Exactly! Zhang Xinxiong is from the highest generation in the Nei Yuan. In the whole place, only Zhao Xidong, who hasn't graduated yet, can outrank him!"

"Zhao Xidong... the enforcer?"

"Mm-hmm!"

"Hiss..."

Many people who had rushed over upon hearing the news, whether they knew the details or not, were getting fired up by the crowd's discussions.

This hidden big shot of the Nei Yuan didn't have much of his past known to them.

But his relationship with Lan Xinzai was out in the open—it was incredibly close!

In the eyes of outsiders, she was like a forbidden treasure, and now she had been hurt so badly. How could Zhang Xinxiong let it slide?

Based on the various tactics he used to dominate the Nei Yuan a few years ago, today's matter wouldn't be brushed off, even if Zhao Xidong were here!

Xu Xiaoshou looked up at the giant in front of him, feeling a bit amazed.

Before this, the burliest tall guy he'd seen was probably Zhou Tianshen.

But compared to this one, that was like a small sorcerer meeting a great wizard!

Just look at those shoulders, those muscle lines...

When his friendly hand didn't get a response, Xu Xiaoshou casually reached out and touched Zhang Xinxiong's deltoid muscle, asking curiously, "Is this real muscle? How did you build it? By eating protein powder or something?"

The entire scene froze.

Everyone was stunned, feeling like their jaws had dropped and shattered beyond repair.

"This..."

"Received admiration, passive value +32."

"Received envy, passive value +7."

Even Zhang Xinxiong himself was taken aback by Xu Xiaoshou's bold move.

Had he... just been taken advantage of?

This was a body that even Lan Xinzai wouldn't dare touch!

"Courage commendable!"

"Received encouragement, passive value +1."

Zhang Xinxiong snorted coldly, stepped forward, and grabbed Xu Xiaoshou by the collar, his face turning completely icy.

"You have the scent of my Zhang family blood on you..." He tilted his head and whispered in his ear, "Yuan Tou—you killed him?"

Xu Xiaoshou was lifted up like a little chick, a sight that made the onlookers feel even more sympathy in their eyes.

"He has no chance to fight back at all..."

"That's right, that arrogant Xu Xiaoshou has finally met his match today."

"Still, when you think about it, he's just an outer Wai Yuan disciple. I really don't get how he's survived this long with all his antics."

"Heh, why don't you try messing with Lan Xinzai? Forget Zhang Xinxiong—even she herself could take you down."

"Tch, anyone can sneak attack. If I went up, I could do it too!"

"You think you could?"

"I could!"

"You think..."

"Shut up!"

"Received sympathy, passive value +12."

"Received jealousy, passive value +11."

Xu Xiaoshou seemed truly caught off guard as he was seized. He stared deeply at Zhang Xinxiong and said, "Yuan Tou... had nothing to do with me."

"Heh!"

Zhang Xinxiong chuckled coldly. He glanced at the battered Lan Xinzai, his eyes burning with anger.

He didn't care about Yuan Tou!

But his own people... they could be scolded or disciplined as much as they wanted, but no one else could touch them!

"So, how do you want to die?"

Xu Xiaoshou's face was turning red from the grip. He teared up and turned his head toward Zhao Xidong.

"Lord Zhao, he's threatening me."

Zhang Xinxiong's mouth twitched.

This guy was nothing like what he'd imagined.

"Received a curse, passive value +1."

Zhao Xidong suddenly felt a headache coming on. This kid was completely insane!

He was here to arrest him, so how had he turned into a shield for protection?

But as an enforcer, with an old Nei Yuan figure like this threatening a mere Wai Yuan disciple right in front of him, he couldn't just stand by.

"You all want to fight, right?"

"Fine, let's go to the life-and-death arena. I'll take you there." He said this with a look of resignation.

The crowd was stunned— they'd never seen Zhao Xidong enforce the law so half-heartedly before.

Wasn't it supposed to be that no matter who the perpetrator or victim was, they'd all be sent to the punishment platform first for trial?

Had he changed his ways?

"If it were me, I'd be tired too..."

A soft sigh echoed through the crowd's thoughts, pulling everyone into that sense of frustration.

If they encountered a troublemaker like Xu Xiaoshou, they might handle it even worse than Zhao Xidong!

While the crowd pitied the young man being held up, they saw him light up at the words.

"The life-and-death arena?"

"Is it the kind where one of us has to die?"

A bad feeling flashed through Zhao Xidong's mind.

What was going on...?

He'd only meant to reverse-psych them a bit, so why was this guy getting excited?

Recalling the grudges between Xu Xiaoshou and Zhang Xinxiong, he suddenly realized that maybe this kid had murder on his mind too.

Could he win...?

Wait, it seemed there was a real chance of a fair fight?

Look at what happened to Cheng Xingchu, and then to Lan Xinzai...

Zhao Xidong was completely baffled.

This didn't make sense. Just a few days ago, this guy was still lingering in the Houtian realm—how could he suddenly match up to someone like Zhang Xinxiong?

"Huff..."

He took a deep breath and said firmly, "You heard wrong. Private fights are allowed in the Nei Yuan, but death matches are forbidden!"

Xu Xiaoshou looked up at the figure above.

Zhang Xinxiong's lips curled into a smirk as he said with interest, "You want to challenge me?"

No one knew the Nei Yuan rules better than him, having fought his way through them.

Private fights weren't banned, but if enforcers caught them, the punishment was severe!

Death matches were strictly prohibited, but for deep grudges, you could issue a challenge and apply for a life-and-death arena to settle it once and for all!

It was ironic— that arena where others wouldn't dare step foot, he, Zhang Xinxiong, had walked down from time to time again, right up to today!

"I don't know the procedures for issuing a challenge..."

Xu Xiaoshou looked puzzled at what Zhang Xinxiong said. After a pause, he changed tack and said seriously, "But if you could drop dead right here, I'd be more than happy!"

At that, the onlookers who had been munching on snacks couldn't hold back anymore. One by one, they jumped up in disbelief!

How could this young man, lifted like a helpless chicken with such a frail body and insignificant presence, say something like that?

"Damn, I'm impressed with Xu Xiaoshou!"

"Just for that line, next year I'll pour one out at his grave!"

Zhang Xinxiong was amused.

A newborn calf doesn't fear the tiger—that's exactly what this was!

Kill a few Xiantian experts, injure a few superiors, and think you can leap straight to the heavens?

Had he even been weaned?

His eyes narrowed, and killing intent surged. The ground cracked with a series of snaps.

The surrounding grass and trees swayed in the wind, creating an eerie scene.

With a few clangs, several unsteady snack-munchers stumbled and fell.

The crowd quickly backed away, their faces losing all traces of mockery. They wouldn't even think to jeer at those on the ground now—everything was deathly silent!

Had Zhang Xinxiong... gotten serious?

"Don't know the procedures, huh?"

Zhang Xinxiong grinned and said, "I'll give you that courtesy today and issue the challenge for you. I won't say I'm bullying the weak..."

"I'll give you a month to prepare. When the time's up, you die!"

Xu Xiaoshou covered his nose in disgust, kicked his feet in the air a couple of times, realized he couldn't reach the ground, and let out a long sigh.

"Sorry, a month is too long. I don't plan to give you that much time."