C22 A Fool!!

"The Battlestage awaits your pathetic self!"

Su Tianci declared icily. As his words fell, he turned and galloped off, a procession of Du Family elites in tow, their presence formidable.

"Du Shaomu is actually taking up the challenge!"

"Quick, to the Battlestage! You don't want to miss Su Tianci's moment of triumph!"

"Is Du Shaomu seeking a thrashing or a death wish? He's seriously going to face Su Tianci in combat!"

"Not only is Du Shaomu worthless, he must be a fool too!"

Crowds surged forward, a multitude of figures swiftly joining the exodus.

No one wanted to miss this clash; it was the talk of North Cloud City, a spectacle to behold.

The anticipation was palpable, especially among the fervent young men and women.

After much convincing, Du Shaomu had finally reassured his mother, Jiang Rou, that he had a strategy to counter Su Tianci.

Taking his time to get ready, Du Shaomu eventually stepped out.

Under the surprised stares of Liu Tong and others, Du Shaomu mounted his Black Scaled Horse and set off for the Battlestage at a leisurely pace.

"Wait for me, young master!"

Du Xiaohou hurried to catch up, determined to be there to watch over him.

"Stay here, I'm going to check it out!"

Liu Tong hesitated briefly before deciding to follow. Should any mishap occur, he was resolved to safeguard the honor of the Lee Family's prospective son-in-law.

Soon after, Xiao Lan, the housekeeper of the Lee Family, blended into the throng.

North Cloud City was abuzz with excitement; those who heard the news converged on the Battlestage from every direction.

Shops shuttered their doors as members of the city's prominent families and influential circles set out to witness the showdown between Su Tianci and Du Shaomu.

Despite the widespread belief in Su Tianci's assured victory—given Du Shaomu's inability to cultivate and his audacity in accepting the challenge—the sheer improbability of the match only heightened the public's curiosity to see Su Tianci's grace in action.

Moreover, with Du Shaomu's expulsion from the Su Family and his impending marriage to the esteemed young lady of Fengling City—a match that outshone the Su Family's influence—his notoriety was now resonating throughout North Cloud City.

In such a scenario, the clash between Du Shaomu and Su Tianci was an event no one wanted to miss.

The Battlestage, situated in the largest square of North Cloud City, was said to be established and maintained by the city's major families. It was so robust that not even a martial general could easily damage it.

The terrain around the Battlestage was expansive, with majestic mountains encircling the distance. A throng of people had already swarmed the area, creating a bustling atmosphere as if the entirety of North Cloud City was converging on the site.

"Go Su Tianci!"

"Victory to Su Tianci!"

Numerous youths were vocally rallying behind Su Tianci, their excitement palpable.

Su Tianci, a prodigy of the Su Family seen once in a century, was a figure who seemed to be touched by destiny itself. In North Cloud City, he was the hero worshiped by legions of young men and the fantasy of just as many young women.

At that moment, Su Tianci stood in his battle armor, gripping a long spear that radiated golden light and exuded a piercing presence. He exuded a natural charisma and an aura that was felt rather than seen.

"Challenge my Su Family, and today, I shall have that wretch kneeling before me!"

Su Tianci's voice, amplified by his Essence, reverberated through the crowd, sending ripples of anticipation.

"Du Shaomu has arrived!"

A stir echoed from the back of the crowd near the square's entrance.

Eyes turned to Du Shaomu, who approached at a leisurely pace atop a Black Scaled Horse, his demeanor serene and untroubled.

The crowd parted ways, creating a path for him, while their gazes trailed him with a mix of scorn, pity, sympathy, and mockery.

Perched on the Black Scaled Horse, Du Shaomu, merely fifteen, had a lean yet tall stature, with shoulder-length black hair. He bore no hint of malice or intimidation.

"That's the son of a maid who married into the Su Family, but squandered his chance. He ended up in a brothel, nearly losing his life over a dalliance!"

"Now, having found support from the Lee Family of Fengling City, he's grown bold, harboring resentment against the Su Family and seeking retribution!"

"But what does it matter if he's backed by the Lee Family of Fengling City? Trash will always be trash; he's no match for Su Tianci!"

Many onlookers pointed and whispered about Du Shaomu, including representatives from the prominent families and influential powers of North Cloud City.

Unfazed by the murmurs around him, Du Shaomu observed everything with a cool detachment. Under the watchful eyes of many, he confidently strode onto the Battlestage.

"I thought you'd be so terrified you'd wet yourself and flee to Fengling City to hide. Surprisingly, you, the so-called 'trash,' have the guts to face me in battle!" Su Tianci, with his spear in hand, pointed it directly at Du Shaomu. His armor gleamed, and his cape billowed heroically.

"Su Tianci will triumph!" The crowd erupted once more, inspired by Su Tianci's commanding presence.

Su Tianci certainly had an air of distinction about him—dashing and bold, with striking features, piercing brows, and eyes like twinkling stars. He held a golden spear, his demeanor sharp and imposing, drawing the heated gaze of many young men and women.

Du Shaomu stood in silent repose, hands casually clasped behind his back, exuding tranquility. Facing Su Tianci, his deep gaze betrayed no hint of intimidation. Despite lacking any overtly oppressive aura, Du Shaomu was not overshadowed by Su Tianci's brilliance. Instead, he radiated an effortless composure and serenity that was impossible to overlook, as if he existed beyond the reach of the other's intensity.

"Hey, have you noticed? Isn't Du Shaomu supposed to be the son of a servant girl, a worthless non-cultivator? Yet, there's something different about him," some girls in the crowd murmured, their eyes drawn to Du Shaomu. Clad in a spotless blue and white robe, his angular, clean-cut face left a lasting impression.

"No wonder he managed to marry the daughter from the Lee Family of Fengling City. She must have been charmed by his looks," some onlookers commented with a mix of jealousy and scorn.

The son of a servant, once taken in by the Su Family and then cast out, had won the affection of Miss Lee from Fengling City. This irked them—it just seemed too unfair.

"Are you deaf to my words, you piece of trash?" Su Tianci's expression darkened further as he realized Du Shaomu was ignoring him.

Finally, Du Shaomu lifted his eyes, giving Su Tianci a brief glance. "Impatience and incessant chatter, like a nagging wife—what kind of genius does that make you? You're more like a fool. If someone like you can be a disciple of the Heavenly Martial Sect, it really says something about the sect, doesn't it?"

"You dare to spout such nonsense, you worthless scum? For that alone, you deserve death!"

Su Tianci's gaze darkened to its utmost, seething with indignation. No one had ever dared to belittle and insult him so brazenly.

"You, the contemptible son of a servant wed into the Su Family, so arrogant and presumptuous. If you can withstand just three of my moves, I'll consider the feud between my Su Family and you settled. Don't say the Su Family has been unfair to you; this is your only chance to prove yourself in battle. Otherwise, someone of your lowly status would never even have the opportunity to face me!"

Su Tianci's voice, imbued with his vital essence, echoed around the entire Battlestage.

He didn't give a second thought to this so-called trash. Today, his goal was to crush him underfoot for all to see, to restore the Su Family's honor, and to show the Lee Family of Fengling City that the person they esteemed was nothing more than refuse the Su Family had cast aside. He intended to represent the Su Family and beat this trash back to his original, pitiful form!

"Survive three moves? How audacious of you, Su Tianci!"

Nobody believed Du Shaomu stood a chance; his defeat seemed certain.

Yet, as Su Tianci declared the grudge would be settled if Du Shaomu could endure three moves, many spectators couldn't help but admire Su Tianci's martial valor and magnanimity.

"You think you're something special, you deluded fool? Today, no one can save you!"

Du Shaomu's initially dismissive look towards Su Tianci turned icy in an instant, brimming with lethal intent. To insult his mother was a transgression that could only be paid with Su Tianci's life.

"Even trash like you dares to be so insolent? You're seeking death!"

Su Tianci bellowed, his rage uncontainable after being repeatedly disrespected by this nobody. He stepped forward, his inner essence roiling, as golden metallic energy coalesced into a spear, bursting forth with a brilliant light.

His armor gleamed, his cape billowed, and his entire being radiated with an intense glow.

In that moment, Su Tianci was a sight to behold, his presence so formidable that it sent shivers down the spines of many onlookers.

"Su Tianci has ascended to the first level of the Martial Spiritual Stage!"

"My goodness, he's reached the Martial Spiritual Stage!"

Someone in the crowd detected the aura emanating from Su Tianci, a true testament to a disciple of the Heavenly Martial Sect. In just two years within the sect, he had astonishingly advanced to the Martial Spiritual Stage.

"You're nothing but trash, and today I'm going to beat you down to where you started!"

Su Tianci exuded confidence. His bold claim of needing only three moves was born from a desire to thoroughly humiliate his opponent, to crush him completely and leave him groveling at his feet.