Chapter 640: Do You Still Want to Fight?

Xiao Yufan didn’t go all out nor did he directly throw down the opponent who was nearly incapacitated. Although these two were arrogant, they weren’t deadly enemies of his.

However, if he seriously injured the two brothers or crippled one of them, he would provoke the powerful faction behind them. A family capable of nurturing two such formidable young men must be of considerable standing…

“Do you still want to fight? You should know clearly that if this continues, you’ll only leave lying down, and you’ll lose your chance to compete for a top ten spot entirely!”

His voice low, Xiao Yufan glanced at the older of the two brothers before speaking slowly. Though a novice-stage expert in the Later Heaven Realm was formidable, he still didn’t take the two brothers seriously.

If it weren’t for the concern of offending their influential backers, Xiao Yufan would have already tossed the two off the platform in a spectacular fashion. He indeed wanted to establish his dominance, but he wasn’t so impulsive as to go that far.

Because of Gong Hao, the Gong family definitely harbored significant hostility toward him, so throwing Gong Luotian down wouldn’t have given Xiao Yufan any second thoughts—he found that guy extremely annoying anyway.

But these two brothers were different. When one has the advantage, one should show some leniency. As long as Xiao Yufan achieved his goal, there was no need to humiliate them excessively; a moderate display of dominance would still be impactful enough…

His target wasn’t them. Xiao Yufan could sense that many eyes had already turned to him. After defeating three experts of the Later Heaven Realm among the younger generation, many who had previously remained hidden were finally unable to stay quiet.

“Brother Xiao’s strength is indeed impressive. Losing to you, we have no complaints. But I still want to thank you for not seriously injuring my younger brother!”

The older brother wore a bitter smile. He had originally thought that even if they couldn’t successfully stop Xiao Yufan, they could at least delay him for quite some time. But who could have imagined that within less than ten exchanges, they had already been completely crushed?

Looking back, the older brother had a realization: Xiao Yufan had deliberately held back initially, not immediately using lethal force just to save their dignity. Otherwise, they might not have even lasted ten exchanges.

“We shouldn’t be enemies. I hope you two brothers can let go of your feud with Brother Hong from now on.”

“Fine!” The older brother’s mouth twitched violently. He could tell that Xiao Yufan’s tone wasn’t a suggestion but more like a command.

If it were anyone else, he would have been furious. But this was Xiao Yufan. Besides, if he said no, his younger brother might very well be thrown out of the arena.

Though dignity was important, one must also know when to yield. Xiao Yufan’s strength was terrifying. The two brothers had no desire to provoke such a formidable opponent. True, their family had the backing of a guardian temple, but Xiao Yufan’s support came from the Celestial Alliance.

To many, the Celestial Alliance was even more formidable than some guardian temples…

Everyone watched as the situation on the platform stabilized, feeling somewhat puzzled. Was it over already? It wasn’t as exciting as they had imagined, but Xiao Yufan’s performance had once again astonished them.

Together, the two brothers could match a peak Later Heaven Realm expert, yet they gained no advantage against Xiao Yufan. What did that say? Even a fool could understand.

The older brother walked over to Xiao Yufan, helped his younger brother up, and turned to leave the platform. Since neither of them could harm Xiao Yufan, an injured younger brother clearly had even less chance.

Their feud with Hong Zhong had originally stemmed from Gong Hao. They weren’t foolish enough to lose their heads over such a matter. It was better to conserve strength for the real challenges ahead. The top ten young experts would have the chance to explore a secret location—an opportunity too tempting to ignore.

The crowd murmured in astonishment. Three Later Heaven Realm experts, each one a prodigy, had all fallen to Xiao Yufan.

With three consecutive victories, Xiao Yufan’s reputation soared. Below the platform, Grandmaster Situ couldn’t help but smile slightly. His grandson, Situ Lingyu, had never disappointed him.

Xiao Yufan did not deliver a fatal blow, nor did he immediately throw the nearly incapacitated opponent off the stage. Although these two individuals were somewhat arrogant, they were not mortal enemies of his.

However, if he were to severely injure or cripple one of the brothers, he would undoubtedly provoke the forces behind them. The fact that these two brothers had been trained to such a formidable level indicated that their background was far from insignificant.

“Are you still going to fight? You should know that if this continues, you’ll only leave here lying down, and you’ll completely lose your chance to compete for the top ten spots,” Xiao Yufan said in a low voice, glancing at the elder brother. Although early-stage Postnatal Realm experts were strong, he didn’t take these two brothers seriously.

If it weren’t for the fear of offending the forces behind them, Xiao Yufan would have already thrown them off the stage in a spectacular fashion. While he did want to establish his authority, he wasn’t reckless enough to act impulsively.

Because of Gong Hao, the Gong family harbored significant hostility toward him. So, throwing Gong Luotian off the stage wouldn’t bother Xiao Yufan in the slightest. In fact, he found that guy utterly detestable and had no sympathy for him.

But these two brothers were different. Xiao Yufan believed in showing mercy when possible. As long as his goal was achieved, there was no need to humiliate them excessively. The impact would still be sufficiently intimidating.

Xiao Yufan’s target wasn’t them. He could sense that many eyes had already turned toward him. Defeating three Postnatal Realm young experts in a row had undoubtedly stirred up those who had been holding back.

“Brother Xiao’s strength is truly astonishing. Losing to you is no shame, but I still want to thank you for not injuring my younger brother,” the elder brother said with a bitter smile. He had initially thought that even if they couldn’t stop Xiao Yufan, they could at least delay him for a considerable amount of time. However, he hadn’t expected that in less than ten moves, Xiao Yufan had completely overwhelmed them.

Moreover, the elder brother had a nagging feeling that Xiao Yufan had held back from the start to spare their dignity. Otherwise, they might not have even lasted ten moves.

“We’re not enemies, I hope. I’d like to suggest that the grudge between you two brothers and Brother Hong be put to rest,” Xiao Yufan said.

“Alright,” the elder brother replied, his mouth twitching slightly. He could tell that Xiao Yufan’s tone wasn’t one of negotiation but more like a command.

If it had been anyone else, he would have been deeply offended. But this was Xiao Yufan, and that made all the difference. Besides, if he were to refuse, his younger brother might very well be thrown off the stage.

Dignity was important, but so was knowing when to yield. Xiao Yufan’s strength was terrifying, and the brothers had no desire to provoke such a formidable opponent. While they had the backing of a Guardian Temple, Xiao Yufan was supported by the Tian Alliance, which in many people’s eyes was even more impressive than some Guardian Temples.

As the situation on the stage stabilized, the crowd was left somewhat puzzled. Was it over? It didn’t seem as thrilling as they had imagined, but Xiao Yufan’s performance had undoubtedly left them in awe.

The two brothers, when fighting together, could hold their own against a peak Postnatal Realm expert. Yet, they had gained no advantage against Xiao Yufan. What did that mean? Even a fool could understand.

The elder brother walked over to Xiao Yufan, helped his younger brother up, and then turned to leave the stage. Neither of them could harm Xiao Yufan, and with one of them injured, there was even less of a chance.

The grudge between Hong Zhong and them had been instigated by Gong Hao in the first place. They weren’t so irrational as to let this escalate further. It was better to conserve their strength for the real challenges ahead. The top ten young experts would have the opportunity to explore a secret location, which held an irresistible allure.

The crowd erupted in murmurs. Three Postnatal Realm experts, each a prodigy in their own right, had all fallen to Xiao Yufan. With three consecutive victories, Xiao Yufan’s reputation had soared to unprecedented heights.

Old Man Situ, watching from below, couldn’t help but smile. His grandson, Situ Lingyu, had never disappointed him. Initially, he had thought that after undergoing the enlightenment process, Xiao Yufan might at best reach the threshold of the peak Postnatal Realm. But the reality had far exceeded his expectations.

If throwing Gong Luotian off the stage had only made the Guardian Temples take notice, then now, Xiao Yufan had truly earned their respect.

“This kid, when did he become so formidable? Did that old man Situ feed him some kind of miracle pill?” The hidden Guo family’s patriarch muttered, his expression dark and uncertain. Xiao Yufan’s entrance had been nothing short of shocking. Even Postnatal Realm young experts had fallen to him. Just how powerful was this kid?

The Guo family patriarch understood that Xiao Yufan and the hidden Guo family were now locked in a life-and-death struggle. Otherwise, Xiao Yufan wouldn’t have dealt such a heavy blow to Guo Chen back then. If this kid were to grow stronger, it would pose a fatal threat to the hidden Guo family.

Thinking of this, Guo Hongguang glanced at Guo Junyu, whose face was ashen, and Guo Chen, who sat with his eyes closed. Guo Junyu’s strength was only at the half-step Postnatal Realm, not even a true Postnatal Realm expert. Going up against Xiao Yufan would likely result in instant defeat.

As for Guo Chen, his strength was something Guo Hongguang was quite satisfied with. However, he noticed that ever since his grandson had emerged from seclusion, there was something off about him. His aura carried a sharp, blood-red hue.

At first, the Guo patriarch had thought it was due to the martial arts Guo Chen practiced. But now, it seemed more complicated than that. Otherwise, at this moment, Guo Chen wouldn’t be so eerily quiet.

After all, the person on the stage was Xiao Yufan, someone Guo Chen hated to the core. The humiliation he had suffered was something Guo Chen would never forget, and he would surely seek to repay it in full.

The Guo patriarch wasn’t worried. He knew that Guo Chen had met an extremely powerful master a little over half a month ago. It was likely that Guo Chen had gained significant benefits from this master’s guidance.

As if sensing the atmosphere on the stage, Guo Chen slowly opened his eyes. A flash of blood-red light flickered in his gaze, but he quickly closed his eyes again. The enlightenment he had received from his master hadn’t been fully absorbed yet, so he wasn’t going to act impulsively now.

On the stage, Xiao Yufan subtly detected a gaze filled with hatred. He frowned slightly but didn’t have time to dwell on it, as someone had already grown impatient and was preparing to make their move against him.

If throwing down Gong Luotian could only earn some attention from the guardian temples, then right now, Xiao Yufan had already earned their serious respect.

“When did this kid become so strong? Could that old man Situ have given him some miraculous pill?”

The elder of the hidden Guo family had a dark expression. Xiao Yufan’s appearance had already shocked him enough. If even young experts of the Later Heaven Realm had fallen to this kid, just how powerful was he?

The Guo family elder understood that Xiao Yufan and the hidden Guo family had reached a point of no return. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have struck Guo Chen so severely back then. If this young man continued to grow, he would undoubtedly pose a deadly threat to the Guo family.

Thinking of this, Guo Hongguang glanced at Guo Junyu, whose face was grim, and Guo Chen, who remained silently meditating with closed eyes. Guo Junyu’s strength was only at the half-step of Later Heaven Realm, not even a true Later Heaven expert. Going up there would only result in an instant defeat.

As for Guo Chen’s strength, Guo Hongguang was quite satisfied. However, he had noticed something strange since his grandson emerged from seclusion—the aura around him carried an unsettling crimson hue…

Initially, the elder had thought it was due to his martial cultivation techniques. But now, it seemed more complicated. Otherwise, why would Guo Chen remain so quiet at a moment like this?

After all, the person on the platform was Xiao Yufan—the one who had humiliated him so thoroughly. The pain of that humiliation was unforgettable, and he had sworn to repay every bit of it.

But the elder wasn’t worried. He knew that more than half a month ago, Guo Chen had met a master of terrifying strength. Presumably, he had gained many benefits from that senior expert…

As if sensing the tension in the air, Guo Chen slowly opened his eyes. A flash of crimson flickered briefly before he shut them again. He hadn’t yet fully absorbed the power bestowed by his master, so he wouldn’t act recklessly at this moment.

Suddenly, Xiao Yufan subtly sensed a gaze filled with hatred. He frowned slightly but had no time to dwell on it, for someone in the crowd had already grown impatient and was preparing to make their move against him…