C99 Old Man Zhang

"Yes, sir. Please hear me out."

"After securing ten consecutive victories on the First Layer, you have the opportunity to challenge a Middle-stage Human Rank martial cultivator and triumph. This feat earns you a Level 6 Pill."

"The number of Pills you receive depends on the number of star levels you've exceeded."

"For instance, if a Three-star Human Rank overcomes a Four-star Human Rank, they are awarded one Level 6 Pill."

"Defeating an opponent two stars higher, like a Three-star Human Rank besting a Five-star, or a Two-star defeating a Four-star, grants you two Level 6 Pills."

"Overcoming a three-star gap, such as a Three-star Human Rank defeating a Six-star, a Two-star beating a Five-star, or a One-star conquering a Four-star, yields four Level 6 Pills."

"The Second Layer operates under the same principle, but the Pills awarded are Level 7."

"The Third Layer does not feature this challenge."

Upon hearing this, Han Feng's eyes blazed with determination as he looked at Lin Qingshan. His intent was clear—he was set on heading to the Xuanyuan Arena.

Lin Qingshan responded with a smile, "Thank you for the information. We'll head to the Xuanyuan Arena to see for ourselves."

The waiter's body went weak at the sound of her voice—a sure sign of a stunning beauty.

By the time the waiter regained his composure, Han Feng and Lin Qingshan had already departed from the inn.

The waiter was left with a pang of regret. "Oh, I didn't even get a chance to see the lady's face."

Xuanyuan Arena loomed in the distance, a towering edifice.

Its entrance was impressively formidable.

Martial Cultivators lined up on either side, their icy stares scanning the area. They were ready to act at a moment's notice, eliminating any threat to the arena before it could take root.

Lin Qingshan murmured her admiration, "If I'm not mistaken, these Martial Cultivators are at least Four-star Human Rank, likely from one of the three major families."

"Let's go inside. I won't be competing. If I'm to enjoy a comfortable room, it's all on you now."

Han Feng thumped his chest confidently. "Sister, don't worry. You don't trust my abilities?"

"You're just a kid," came a mocking voice from a nearby uncle.

Han Feng's brow furrowed; he hadn't expected his words to be overheard. Without giving the uncle another thought, he and Lin Qingshan proceeded into the Xuanyuan Arena.

The uncle, trailing behind with a dark scowl, muttered, "Hmph, just another arrogant family scion."

"I hope I don't run into you in the arena. Taking down a family's young master is a particular pleasure of mine."

"And that one, playing coy. She thinks I can't tell she's a woman. With that figure, she's got to be a stunner. If I get my hands on her, heh heh..."

The uncle believed he was being discreet, unaware that Lin Qingshan, as a late-stage Eleven-star Human Rank expert, heard every word crystal clear.

A flicker of murderous intent crossed Lin Qingshan's eyes. She was about to react when she remembered that they were in Xuanyuan City, and more specifically, the Xuanyuan Arena. She had to restrain herself.

Here, the number of people who could best her wasn't large, but it wasn't small either.

"Sister Lin, what's the matter?"

Han Feng, sensing Lin Qingshan's distress, inquired.

They were over twenty meters apart, so Han Feng hadn't caught the uncle's lewd comments.

After taking a deep breath, Lin Qingshan recounted the incident to Han Feng, whose expression turned savage. "Sister Lin, rest assured, I'll make them pay in the arena."

They had learned from the innkeeper that the Xuanyuan Arena was a melting pot of characters—some noble, others nefarious and underhanded.

Little did they know they'd encounter such an individual even before stepping foot into the arena proper.

At the Xuanyuan Arena's registration desk.

The clerk, tasked with recording entrants, remained unfazed by Han Feng's youth and Lin Qingshan's concealed appearance.

Having been exposed to all manner of folk during her tenure, nothing could surprise her anymore.

The fourteen-year-old boy and the veiled woman in black were a relatively common sight.

"Sir, your details have been logged. Han Feng, fourteen years old, Three-Star Human Rank."

At that, the woman gave Han Feng an extra look.

"At just fourteen, he's already a Three-Star Human Rank. His potential is boundless; he's destined to become a Mystic Rank master."

She sighed inwardly. "Anyway, I'm just a clerk. Where this prodigy hails from or which clan takes interest in him is none of my concern."

Her expression neutralized.

Han Feng and Lin Qingshan exchanged pleased glances.

Turning to Lin Qingshan, the woman inquired, "And you, Miss?"

Lin Qingshan replied coolly, "I'm not competing. I'm simply here to guide my brother."

Realization dawned on the woman's face; such scenarios were not rare, with masters often accompanying their disciples.

She handed a map to Han Feng. "Mr. Han, we'll schedule your fight for tomorrow, if that's alright?"

"One fight per day?" Han Feng queried.

The woman smiled. "It's up to you. If you prefer, every two or three days works as well."

"No, what I mean is, can I fight several battles in one day?" Han Feng's combat prowess was well beyond the early stages of Human Rank. In the First Layer, he felt little urge to fight, eager instead to advance to the Second Layer, especially since he was on the cusp of a breakthrough.

The woman's brow creased.

Recovery post-battle was crucial, and it was rare for someone to request multiple fights unless they were supremely confident in their abilities.

"Please, allow me a moment to check," she said, excusing herself with an apologetic glance before slipping into a room behind her.

"Haha, Meng, what brings you here?"

An elder set aside his work, smiling warmly.

Meng beamed. "Senior Zhang, here's the situation..."

Old Man Zhang pondered for a moment. "I see. Let me go have a word."

Outside, Old Man Zhang addressed Han Feng. "So you're the young man eager for multiple battles in a day?"

"It's me," Han Feng said, looking down.

Old Man Zhang immediately cautioned, "Listen, the battles in the Xuanyuan Arena aren't like the family challenges you're used to. This place is dangerous. If you don't recover quickly enough between fights, you could be in serious trouble."

"Thanks for the concern, but I'm confident in my abilities," Han Feng replied firmly, shaking his head.

Old Man Zhang's displeasure was evident. Considering his stature and reputation, it was quite generous of him to offer advice to a youngster, and yet his counsel was dismissed.

"You need to be grounded, young man. Confidence is one thing, but too much of it veers into arrogance," Old Man Zhang said, his voice taking on a stern edge.

"Old man, I know my brother better than anyone. Just make the arrangements," Lin Qingshan interjected, her patience wearing thin. To her, Old Man Zhang was merely a Ten-star—nothing more.

Lin Qingshan had intended to be patient, out of respect for his age, but she couldn't stand by as he accused Han Feng of arrogance and attempted to chastise him. That was more than she could bear.