C100 The First Battle

"Sister Lin!"

Han Feng tugged at Lin Qingshan with a sense of urgency. They were in the Xuanyuan Arena, after all, on someone else's turf.

Old Man Zhang's face turned to stone.

It had been ages since anyone had dared to address him in such a manner.

Just as Old Man Zhang was on the brink of anger, Lin Qingshan released a burst of aura indicative of a late-stage Eleven-star Human Rank. Old Man Zhang's features tensed, but he managed to swallow his fury.

"So, you're an Eleven-star Human Rank expert. Seems I've underestimated you."

Han Feng quickly interjected, "Elder, please accept my apologies on behalf of my sister. We're not being presumptuous. Our strength is genuine. I'll fight five matches a day. You can observe, and if I show the slightest sign of fatigue, feel free to call off my matches. Consider it a forfeit on my part."

Old Man Zhang's initial concern was genuinely for Han Feng's well-being. Lin Qingshan's retort had irked him, but her formidable strength meant he had to bite his tongue.

With Han Feng's apology, Old Man Zhang's ire cooled considerably.

He gave a wry smile. "Well then, let's do it your way. I'll be watching."

Old Man Zhang had stepped in out of recognition for Han Feng's potential, not wanting to see a promising talent fall prematurely. He wasn't there to pick a fight. Now that Han Feng had offered him an out, Old Man Zhang graciously took it.

"Miss, I was a bit out of sorts earlier. If I've caused any offense, please disregard it."

Lin Qingshan exhaled, "I was too hasty myself."

Meng, feeling relieved, chimed in, "Mr. Han, Miss Lin, let me show you to your rooms."

Once they arrived, Meng explained, "Mr. Han, while your abilities are certainly impressive on the First Layer, you lack a track record. For now, you'll be in a Lower-grade room. Achieve four straight victories, and you'll qualify for a Medium-grade room; seven wins will secure you a spot in an Upper-grade room."

"And if you can pull off ten consecutive victories, Mr. Han, you'll earn a place in the VIP room."

"These rights remain in effect indefinitely. Even if you leave and come back later, you'll still have access to rooms that match your level until you, Mr. Han, ascend to the second floor."

"The lower-tier rooms on the second floor are every bit as good as the top-tier rooms on the first floor."

Upon entering a lower-tier room on the first floor, Han Feng immediately covered his nose with his sleeve, as the room was thick with dust. The moment he opened the door, a cloud of dust billowed out.

Lin Qingshan's mouth twitched, and through clenched teeth, she said, "Brother, please hurry up and fight. No one could live in this room."

Meng's face was a picture of embarrassment.

Han Feng gestured for Meng to leave, then took it upon himself to start cleaning, clearing two spots to sit down.

"Sister Lin, we can switch rooms tomorrow. Let's not bother with a thorough cleaning here; as long as we can sit, it's fine. We're moving on tomorrow anyway."

Han Feng spoke as he took a seat.

Now alone, Lin Qingshan lifted her veil and rolled her eyes. "Men just don't care about these things, but I can't stand it. Move over, I'll do the cleaning."

It seemed that women indeed had a knack for household chores, as Lin Qingshan quickly had the place looking much better.

A sense of warmth surged in Han Feng's heart. "If only you could always be like this," he thought, Lin Qingshan's actions evoking memories of a cozy family home.

In his past life, Han Feng had known such a home as a child, with his father working outside and his mother taking care of the house and cooking, each with their own duties.

"What's on your mind, little brother?" Lin Qingshan inquired, noticing Han Feng's distant gaze after she finished cleaning.

Han Feng snapped back to reality, slightly embarrassed, "Oh, it's nothing."

Lin Qingshan sensed he didn't want to elaborate and left it at that.

At the front desk.

Meng approached Old Man Zhang and asked, "Senior Zhang, what's the plan for the matches?"

Old Man Zhang, stroking his beard, replied, "The rules dictate that the first three matches be against Human Rank One-star, Two-star, and early Three-star opponents."

"For the subsequent two matches, let's set him up against two fairly standard Human Rank Three-star peak fighters. It'll give me a chance to see if the kid's all talk."

"Even if he's just boasting, with his Three-star Human Rank pinnacle cultivation, he wouldn't sustain any disabilities or incurable injuries, even against an ordinary opponent at the same level."

Meng let out a chuckle. "Senior Zhang, you've always had a soft heart."

"I half expected you to pit him against five peak Three-star Human Rank martial cultivators, including some of the more formidable ones, just to get back at him."

Old Man Zhang huffed dismissively. "I'm not that low."

"Besides, the kid had clear, honest eyes, not those of a liar. Plus, he gave me an out. If I went after him again, I'd be the one looking small-minded."

The night slipped away.

The next day, the Xuanyuan Arena buzzed with life once more, the sounds of combat and cheers echoing through the battle hall.

"Good morning, Elder Zhang."

Han Feng greeted Old Man Zhang upon spotting him.

Old Man Zhang gestured with a wave. "Kid, your match is after the next three. You're up for five consecutive battles, so get warmed up."

Han Feng just smiled, unfazed. To him, those at the Early Period Human Rank were hardly a challenge.

Seeing this, Old Man Zhang felt a twinge of intrigue. "Perhaps this young man really does possess exceptional strength."

Lin Qingshan followed Han Feng in silence, her veil once again shrouding her beauty.

Backstage, Han Feng watched the arena where two Two-star Human Rank fighters exchanged blows. After a heated exchange, the man in blue emerged victorious.

The second and third matches ensued.

To the average person or Mortal-rank Martial Cultivator, these bouts seemed thrilling, but to Han Feng, they were dull.

"It's your turn," Old Man Zhang announced suddenly. Han Feng stepped into the arena with a calm demeanor, drawing a wave of surprise from the crowd. His youth raised questions about his strength.

For a brief moment, the audience felt let down, suspecting the match might lack excitement.

Some of the gamblers among the Martial Cultivators held off on placing bets, unsure of Han Feng's capabilities.

From the stands, a middle-aged spectator squinted. "So, he's Han Feng. Hmph, he'd better lose. Otherwise, I'll make sure he learns that this arena is no place for kids to strut around."

The middle-aged man in question was none other than the sleazy uncle whom Han Feng and Lin Qingshan had encountered the day before.

"Please!"

"Please!"

On the Xuanyuan Arena floor, both Han Feng and his opponent exchanged formal bows. Without warning, his opponent launched a surprise attack.

A blatant sneak attack!

Unfazed, Han Feng reacted swiftly. As quickly as the attack came, his counter sent the assailant hurtling back even faster. In just a moment, the attacker was repelled, tumbling down off the platform.