C18 Challenge!(2)

"Child, I understand your distress, but your strength won't resolve anything. Step back now."

"Why shouldn't I speak up when my honor and the Lin family's reputation are at stake?" Lin Feng surveyed the Lin family elders and continued, "The Xia family has been allied with the Lin family for a century. Can a century of friendship not withstand one mistake of mine?"

The elders' expressions grew serene, and even Lin Yuanshan began to stroke his chin in contemplation.

Lin Feng's gaze then settled on Xia Qingyan, who was standing nearby.

Xia Qingyan felt an icy chill at her feet and a deep coldness enveloping her heart, as if she had plunged into an icy abyss.

"Miss Xia, you insist I violated you. Can you specify exactly how?" Lin Feng's words were like a rapier, thrusting directly into Xia Qingyan's core.

Xia Qingyan found herself speechless, unsure of how to respond.

Lin Feng shifted his attention to Xia Shanhou and inquired, "Uncle Xia, did you seek out a professional to verify Miss Xia's purity?"

Xia Shanhou's complexion turned stormy as he retorted, "My daughter is a treasure, not to be scrutinized by just anyone!"

"Is this the Lin Feng I knew?" Xia Qingyan fixated on him, finding herself unable to penetrate his facade.

The Lin Feng she remembered was always smitten with her, greeting her with a goofy smile. But now, he wouldn't even grant her a glance, his eyes brimming with lethal intent, igniting a wave of humiliation within her.

"Watch your tongue, you fool. Don't spout nonsense," Loong Tianfeng interjected.

Unfazed, Lin Feng let out a cold laugh and countered, "If I had truly desired Xia Qingyan, I would have claimed her maidenhood long ago. It would never have been your place."

The crowd was stunned by his declaration.

Lin Yuanshan, too, seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation. The dissolution of the alliance between the Xia and Lin families was evidently not as simple as Lin Feng's alleged transgression against Xia Qingyan.

"Loong Tianfeng, you incessantly label me as trash. But tell me, if your talent falls short of mine, doesn't that make you the bigger waste?" Lin Feng retorted with fury.

"That's laughable. My cultivation talent ranks among the elite in the entire Holy City. How could you, a mere country bumpkin, ever measure up to me?" Loong Tianfeng responded with disdain.

Loong Tianfeng wore his pride like a badge of honor. The Holy City stood as the heart of the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty's thirty-six domains, a place brimming with formidable figures and innumerable prodigies. Having unlocked five martial meridians, he was already a top ten contender in the Holy City, outstripping legions of young talents. And here was Lin Feng, a nobody from the capital of the Heaven Flipping Domain, audaciously claiming to be his superior!

Throughout it all, Loong Tianfeng had never given Lin Feng a second glance.

"You're the one who's courted this, so don't hold it against me," Xia Qingyan said, her lips curling into a smirk as she turned her gaze to Lin Yuanshan in the seat of honor.

"Uncle Yuanshan, my bodyguard Xia San is right outside the council chamber. Since Master Lin Feng boasts of his exceptional talent, perhaps he'd like to test his mettle against my guard?"

Sarcasm danced across Xia Qingyan's features.

"Your bodyguard is a third-layer Acquired Stage martial artist. How could our Second Young Master possibly stand a chance?" Lin Yuanqing rose to his feet, his voice thundering with indignation.

The elders of the Lin family all wore expressions of grim resolve at that moment.

Lin Yuandong watched Lin Yuanshan, seated at the head of the room, with a mischievous glint in his eye, seemingly anticipating the patriarch's decision.

The gap between one at the second layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm and another at the third layer of the Acquired Realm was vast, to say the least.

Undoubtedly, not even ten Lin Fengs could equal Xia San in combat.

Loong Tianfeng offered a dismissive smile and taunted, "He's the one who proclaimed his talent to be extraordinary. What's the matter? Are all members of the Lin family nothing but spineless weaklings?"

Loong Tianfeng's venomous words were adept at striking deep into the Lin family's vulnerabilities.

"Loong Tianfeng, never underestimate the Lin family's disciples. I'm here to challenge Xia San!" Lin Xuan, a fiery young man, emerged from behind an elder and bellowed with defiance.

"A mere neophyte at the First Layer dares to challenge Xia San? Step aside! You're not in his league!" Loong Tianfeng's voice thundered, unleashing an invisible force that sent shockwaves through the air.

Lin Xuan staggered back, clutching his chest from the sudden pressure.

"Lin Feng, what's the matter? Too scared to fight? Would you rather be branded a coward?" Loong Tianfeng's sneer deepened as he dismissively gestured, "Alright then, if you're too frightened to face me, just admit you're worthless three times, and we'll spare you the embarrassment of a fight."

"Don't push us too far, Loong Tianfeng. Just because the Loong family backs you doesn't mean we'll hesitate to confront you!" Several elders rose to their feet in an instant, their spiritual energy roiling, ready to act on Lin Yuanshan's command and take down Loong Tianfeng, whatever the cost.

If Lin Feng were to back down, the shame would fall not only on him but on the entire Lin family. The stakes involved the family's honor and interests, compelling the elders to stand united in opposition.

Xia Shanhou, sensing the tension, quickly summoned the Xia family's power.

A majestic green eagle soared into the void, locking eyes with the elders in a silent standoff.

"Who says I'm afraid to fight?" Lin Feng's voice cut through the murmurs, icy and resolute.

The Lin family's disciples and elders exchanged startled glances, and even Lin Yuanshan, seated at the head of the hall, furrowed his brow in confusion.

"The boy's actually stepping up to fight. But Xia San is a formidable warrior of the Third Layer!"

"Lin Feng, don't let your temper get the best of you. You're no match for Xia San. Don't throw your life away over pride!"

Ignoring the concerned voices of his family's elders and disciples, Lin Feng strode to the center of the hall. A smirk played at his lips as he fixed his gaze on Loong Tianfeng, "Not only am I ready to fight, Loong Tianfeng, but I'm also proposing a wager. The question is, do you have the courage to accept it?"

Loong Tianfeng gave Lin Feng a mischievous glance and asked, "Alright, what's the wager going to be?"