237: Even mosquitoes don't buzz as loudly as you! I'm going to sleep after I'm done.

A strange atmosphere descended upon Qiankun Hall.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the audacious Marquis of Champion, Xiao Tiance, who dared to openly denounce the Divine Master as a "soft rice eater" in court.

Among the military officers, many young generals close to Xiao Tiance showed looks of satisfaction.

They had long been annoyed by Su Chen.

How could a weak-looking pretty boy climb over all their heads the moment he arrived? And even share the same status as the Empress?

Just because he was born well, into the Everlasting Su Family?

On the side of the civil officials, a group of veteran ministers led by the Old Prime Minister looked worriedly at the Empress on the Dragon Throne.

The Marquis of Champion's move seemed to be challenging Su Chen, but in reality, it was challenging the Empress's imperial authority!

This was a forced confrontation!

Su Chen slumped on his throne and picked his ear, feeling as if he had heard some incredible term.

[Soft rice man?]

[Is he talking about me?]

[Damn! Although I really am suspected of eating soft rice, can this be said in front of so many people? I have a reputation to maintain, okay!]

[Who is this guy? Is he that brave? To insult the Empress's man as a soft rice eater to his face, does he not want to live, or does he think his life is harder than iron?]

In Ji Hongxue's phoenix eyes, a cold golden light flashed.

She spoke slowly, her voice devoid of warmth, yet it caused the temperature of the entire hall to drop several degrees.

"Marquis of Champion, watch your words."

"How can you presume to fathom the capabilities of the Divine Master?"

"Step down!"

However, today's Xiao Tiance was clearly blinded by jealousy.

Instead of stepping down, he knelt on one knee with a "thud," his voice becoming even more impassioned.

"Your Majesty! This subject is not questioning your decision, but is merely indignant for the military soul of our Great Xia!"

He suddenly looked up, his gaze shooting toward Su Chen like a sharp sword once again.

"The soldiers of my Great Xia bleed but do not weep! The military merits of my Great Xia are carved out from mountains of corpses and seas of blood with blades and spears! They are definitely not earned by a mere mouth and a few nonsensical metaphors!"

"This subject is untalented but wishes to 'exchange pointers' with the Lord Divine Master!"

He emphasized the words "exchange pointers," the provocative intent in his speech no longer concealed.

"To verify if the Lord Divine Master truly possesses talent that spans the heavens and the earth!"

"If the Lord Divine Master can defeat me, I am willing to apologize publicly and take thirty military strikes!"

"If the Lord Divine Master... loses!" The corner of Xiao Tiance's mouth curled into a cruel arc, "Then please have the Lord Divine Master get out of the Great Xia Imperial Palace himself, and never set foot in the Central Plains again!"

Mad!

He's completely mad!

Every single official in the court was shocked by Xiao Tiance's words until their scalps went numb.

This was no longer a challenge; this was forcing Su Chen to sign a life-and-death waiver!

Everyone's gaze instinctively turned toward Su Chen, who had been slumped on his throne from beginning to end, looking as if none of this concerned him.

They wanted to see how this fiancé of the Empress would respond.

Would he be fly into a rage? Or would he use the Empress's authority to forcibly suppress the matter?

At this moment under the spotlight.

Ji Hongxue narrowed her phoenix eyes, about to lash out in anger.

She would never allow anyone, in any way, to provoke the Divine Master she personally appointed!

However, before her words could leave her mouth, they were interrupted by a lazy, impatient voice.

"So noisy."

Su Chen picked his ear and slowly stood up from that throne that was so comfortable it made him want to die.

He didn't even glance at Xiao Tiance kneeling on the ground, but only said to Ji Hongxue on the Dragon Throne with a face full of annoyance:

"Even a mosquito doesn't buzz as much as you."

"Since someone wants to be beaten, then hurry up."

"After the fight, I still need to go back to sleep."

That tone, that expression—it was as if he wasn't responding to a duel concerning face and status, but was shooing away a fly buzzing in his ear that had disturbed his dream.

Disregard for others!

Extreme disregard for others!

"You!"

Xiao Tiance was so enraged by this attitude that he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

He lunged up from the ground, his fists clenching with a crackling sound, and the pressure of a third-layer Saint King uncontrollably erupted, sweeping through the entire hall.

"Good! What a Divine Master Su! Truly sharp-tongued!"

He laughed out of extreme anger, his eyes filled with hideous killing intent.

"Since the Lord Divine Master is so confident, then please!"

"Your Majesty! Please allow this subject to compete with the Lord Divine Master here in Qiankun Hall!"

Ji Hongxue took a deep look at Su Chen.

From the depths of Su Chen's seemingly lazy eyes, she captured a hint of... playfulness and impatience.

She suddenly understood.

Although this man was lazy, his pride would never allow anyone to trample upon it.

Since he wants to play, then I will play along with him.

"Granted."

Ji Hongxue opened her vermillion lips and uttered a single word.

"Someone, set up a Barrier!"

As soon as the words fell.

In the depths of the hall, four Imperial Senior Attendants with unfathomable auras appeared simultaneously.

The four of them stood at the four corners of the hall, forming seals with their hands and chanting under their breath.

Hum—!

A translucent golden light screen instantly rose from the center of the hall, enveloping Su Chen and Xiao Tiance within.

Upon the light screen, dragon and phoenix totems circulated, emitting a terrifying power sufficient to withstand a full-strength strike from a Peak Great Saint.

Within the Barrier, a space of its own was formed.

The civil and military officials retreated one after another, clearing the central area, each craning their necks to watch the show.

Inside the Barrier.

Xiao Tiance looked at Su Chen, who was still yawning opposite him, the cruel sneer on his face becoming more hideous.

He wanted to use the most brutal method to completely crush this pretty boy! To let him know what true power was!

"Divine Master Su, please grant me your guidance!"

Xiao Tiance gave a loud shout and no longer suppressed his cultivation.

Boom!!!

The terrifying aura of a third-layer Saint King soared into the sky like a volcano!

Golden saint power boiled around him, turning into visible runic chains that emitted a deafening roar.

Behind him, a majestic Qilin phantom dozens of feet high roared at the sky!

That was his Dharma Image! The Qilin War Body!

The entire Qiankun Hall trembled violently under this pressure, as if it would collapse at any moment.

Outside the Barrier, those with weaker cultivation among the officials had already turned pale and retreated repeatedly, their eyes filled with horror.

"So... such strong pressure! The Marquis of Champion's strength is even more terrifying than the rumors!"

"This is already the top combat power of a Middle Stage Saint King! That Divine Master Su... how can he block it?"

"It's over. That Divine Master Su seems to have an ordinary aura; I'm afraid he won't even be able to take a single move!"

Everyone felt that there was no longer any suspense in this battle.

On the other hand, Su Chen.

He still looked like he hadn't woken up yet, with an unremarkable aura about him; not to mention a Dharma Image, not even a trace of spiritual energy fluctuation could be felt.

He just stood there quietly, as if a gust of wind could knock him over.

Looking at him like this, the disdain and cruelty in Xiao Tiance's eyes reached the extreme.

"Soft rice man, die!"

He sneered, stopped talking, and stomped his right foot heavily on the ground.

"Boom!"

The entire Barrier shook.

He turned into a golden stream of light, carrying the terrifying power to shatter mountains and crack the earth, and threw a punch fiercely toward Su Chen's nose!

Space shattered inch by inch under this punch!