171: Chapter 171 Challenge

Everyone’s gaze shifted back and forth between the old man and Chen Zilong, trying to discern some clue from their expressions.

Finally, the elder from the Xuan Yin Sect spoke slowly; his voice remained low, yet it carried a peculiar gravity.

"This old man’s Daoist title is 'Tian Yin.' I am the Great Elder of the Xuan Yin Sect’s Qingyan Branch."

He introduced himself first, and then, with his gaze still fixed on Chen Zilong’s face, he said slowly:

"I observe that although Fellow Daoist’s aura is restrained to the point of being nearly non-existent, the sheer depth and majesty of your blood and qi circulation far exceeds that of any mortal, or even ordinary Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Cultivators."

"Though your spiritual energy fluctuations are nearly imperceptible, their quality is so pure and condensed that they faintly exude a sense of perfect harmony."

"Furthermore, your physical body faintly glows with a precious light, and your bone density is far beyond the norm..."

"This is certainly not something that can be achieved through ordinary body tempering techniques."

Elder Tian Yin paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Sir, you are certainly not as simple as you appear on the surface."

"Might I ask your esteemed name? Would it happen to be Chen?"

Chen Zilong’s heart stirred slightly; this old fellow’s eyes were indeed sharp.

After recovering to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, he had deliberately suppressed his aura to the Qi Refining level.

However, while the traces of his physical foundation and the essence of his spiritual energy could fool a supercilious dandy like Wang Bufan, they could not escape the notice of an experienced cultivator who was also at the Nascent Soul Stage.

His expression remained unchanged as he gave a faint nod.

"Indeed. I am Chen Zilong."

"As I thought."

A look of "as expected" appeared on Elder Tian Yin’s face. He cupped his fists, his tone becoming somewhat polite. "Fellow Daoist Chen, if I am not mistaken, you are not a member of the Zhou Family, but merely a guest staying here?"

"Today’s matter is a private affair between a junior of my Xuan Yin Sect and the Zhou Family. Since you are not a party to this, why not simply take your leave?"

"My junior was ignorant just now, and his words were quite offensive. I shall apologize to Fellow Daoist on his behalf."

These words were like a sudden thunderclap, violently striking the silent hall!

"What?!"

Wang Bufan was the first to lose his composure and cry out.

He stared wide-eyed, looking back and forth between his elder and Chen Zilong.

His face was a mask of disbelief and absurdity. "Elder! What are you saying? He... he’s a cultivator? And... 'Fellow Daoist'?!"

He pointed at Chen Zilong, his finger trembling as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

Zhou Yi suddenly sat bolt upright, which aggravated his injuries and caused him to cough violently.

Yet his eyes remained fixed on Chen Zilong, filled with shock, confusion, and a sliver of hope born from desperation—an indescribable mix of emotions.

Zhou Xiao was even more thoroughly stunned.

She slowly turned her head to look at the taciturn Guard beside her—the man who had accompanied her for ten years, and whom she had always regarded as nothing more than a "mortal martial artist with a well-tempered body."

A cultivator?

A cultivator who could make a Xuan Yin Sect Nascent Soul Elder address him as "Fellow Daoist" and even apologize on a junior's behalf?

These past ten years...

Just how much had he been hiding?

Those occasional seclusions, those moments where he seemed as stiff as a paper effigy...

Countless details flooded her mind, leaving her thoughts in a tangled mess.

The Wang Family’s attendants were in an uproar, whispering among themselves. Their gazes toward Chen Zilong shifted instantly from contempt to suspicion and wariness.

After the initial shock and sense of absurdity passed, Wang Bufan looked at Chen Zilong’s still-calm face. A surge of fury from being toyed with and looked down upon, mixed with his inherent arrogance, rushed to his head.

He suddenly burst into loud laughter, his voice filled with malice.

"Good! Excellent! So you’re a fellow who hides his true self! Since you’re a cultivator, that makes things even simpler! It saves people from saying I’m bullying a mortal!"

He took a step forward and pointed at Chen Zilong, declaring proudly:

"Then we shall follow the rules of the cultivation world! A duel! One battle to decide the winner! Do you dare to accept?"

His eyes darted around as he added in a venomous tone:

"If this young master wins, I won’t take your life. Instead, you will serve the Xuan Yin Sect as a slave for a hundred years—as my war servant! What do you say?"

"Wang Bufan! You are despicable!"

Zhou Xiao was trembling with rage. "You have cultivated for over a hundred years and possess a Nascent Soul cultivation!"

"Even if Guard Chen is a cultivator, he looks to be only in his twenties or thirties. How could his cultivation possibly compare to yours? You are clearly just bullying the weak!"

Wang Bufan sneered.

"Since when has the cultivation world cared for such logic?"

"Might makes right!"

"Don’t dare? If you don’t dare, then kneel down right now and make up for those hundred kowtows and hundred calls of 'Grandpa' from earlier. If I’m in a good mood, I might just spare your pathetic life!"

Chen Zilong had been watching this farce with cold detachment. Only now did he finally speak.

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly cut through all the noise. "And if you lose?"

"I lose? Hahaha!"

Wang Bufan laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, doubling over until tears nearly came to his eyes. "I would lose to you? What a monumental joke!"

"Fine, fine, fine! Since you insist on asking, this young master will tell you!"

"If I, Wang Bufan, lose to a shadow-hiding fellow like you today, you may kill me or do as you wish!"

"My Wang Family will not have a single word of objection!"

He spoke with absolute certainty, brimming with confidence; he simply did not believe it was possible for him to lose.

"Very well."

Chen Zilong nodded, his face devoid of expression. "Then, in one month's time."

"A month? I don't have that kind of patience!"

Wang Bufan gave a cruel grin. "Three days! In just three days!"

"I will formally deliver a letter of challenge to the Zhou Family. The time and place will be written within!"

"When the time comes, don't be so scared that you wet your pants and fail to show up!"

Having said that, he shot a fierce glare at Chen Zilong, cast a complicated look at his own silent Elder Tian Yin, and flicked his sleeve.

"We’re leaving!"

He led the group of Wang Family attendants as they stormed out of the Zhou Family’s hall.

However, compared to the absolute certainty they had arrived with, their departing figures seemed to carry a hint of inexplicable frustration and doubt.

Silence returned to the hall, but the atmosphere was now entirely different.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on the Guard who still stood in his original spot.

Feeling those gazes, Chen Zilong sighed inwardly.

It seemed he was now fully embroiled in this mess, and any hope of remaining low-key was gone.

Three days, hm...

He looked toward the direction where the Wang Family had disappeared, and deep within his eyes, a very faint, cold glint flickered.