Chapter 147: Chapter 147: The Challenge Begins

In Shen Haoran’s courtyard, Long Mo, Long Zhen, and Shen Haoran were seated around a stone table.

Long Mo was savoring a cup of fragrant tea, while Long Zhen wore a sour expression, his fingers drumming restlessly on the tabletop. Shen Haoran simply watched the two brothers with a faint smile, his thoughts a mystery.

"How can you two be so calm? The guy’s challenged you right on your doorstep, and you’re in the mood for tea?" Long Zhen said resentfully, looking at his brother, Long Mo. He then pointed at Shen Haoran.

"Brother Shen, what’s so funny? How can you still smile? Don’t you know how arrogant Li Ge is? He announced your duel to the entire sect and even boasted that he’d crush you under his foot to show you the might of a disciple from the Dragon and Tiger List! Aren’t you going to do something, say something back?"

Hearing this, Shen Haoran shrugged and said, "Do I need to?"

"Of course you do! To deal with a scoundrel like Li Ge, you need to be even more arrogant than him! Beat him down, show him who’s boss, and then..." Long Zhen clenched his fist, muttering to himself, but Long Mo cut him off before he could finish.

"How boring. Such childish games! He’s only setting himself up for humiliation," Long Mo said flatly.

He then turned his gaze to Shen Haoran and asked, "You want to fight your way onto the Dragon and Tiger List?"

"Mhm, it’s pretty obvious!"

"Your chosen opponent is too weak."

"I just want to test the waters. Besides, Li Ge might seem weak to you, but it’s a different story for me. He’s two Small Realms higher than me, after all!" Shen Haoran chuckled.

At this, Long Mo gave Shen Haoran a rare eye-roll. ’You bastard,’ he thought, ’why didn’t you mention those Spirit Aspects were two whole Great Realms above you when you were facing them down?’

"Finish it quickly. I’ll be waiting for you to challenge me!" Long Mo stared at Shen Haoran, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. It wasn’t that Long Mo was naturally aloof; he had simply never met a worthy opponent. Shen Haoran, however, was someone who could fully ignite his passion.

"Don’t be in such a rush. You don’t get fat from a single bite. I have to climb my way up slowly," Shen Haoran said nonchalantly.

Shen Haoran actually had his own plans. ’I’ve been relying on Elder Yan too much lately,’ he thought. ’That’s not good for my development. I’ve decided to rely on my own strength to carve a bloody path for myself up the Dragon and Tiger List!’

"Oh, right. This is for you," Shen Haoran said, as if suddenly remembering something. He took a Small Jade Bottle from his robes. "You should be on the verge of a breakthrough. This ought to help." With that, a delicate fragrance filled the courtyard.

"This is... Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion?" Long Mo exclaimed, staring at the milky-white liquid.

Shen Haoran nodded. "You could say that." This was the leftover Thousand Illusion Spirit Marrow he hadn’t used before. After Elder Yan diluted it, there was just enough for two portions—one for each of the Dragon Brothers. Long Mo had helped him a great deal on their journey, so it was only right to show his gratitude.

Long Mo accepted the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion, giving Shen Haoran a grateful glance. He had truly been on the verge of a breakthrough but couldn’t seem to cross the threshold. This potion arrived at the perfect time.

"Thank you!" Long Mo wasn’t one to show his emotions, so this simple expression of gratitude was rare. After thanking him, Long Mo dragged Long Zhen out of Shen Haoran’s courtyard, eager to return and begin his secluded Cultivation.

After the Dragon Brothers left, Shen Haoran once again closed his eyes to cultivate. The duel was at noon the next day, and he wouldn’t waste a single moment. As for the rumors outside, he paid them no mind. ’Who will be the one getting stomped on? We’ll find out tomorrow.’

Time flew by during Cultivation, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon the next day. By now, the Wood Spirit Hall’s Central Martial Arts Arena was surrounded by countless disciples, and the air buzzed with incessant, noisy chatter.

"This is Li Ge’s home turf today! That kid is going to get completely wrecked!"

"Even if it wasn’t his home turf, do you think that kid would win? I really don’t know where a newcomer gets the nerve to challenge a master on the Dragon and Tiger List!"

"Beats me!"

"Come on, come on, place your bets! Newcomer Shen Haoran versus the Dragon and Tiger List master, Li Ge! Ten to one on Shen Haoran! Two to one on Li Ge! Step right up, don’t miss out, place your bets!" Amid the crowd’s chatter, Qi Dai set up a table below the Martial Arts Arena, opened a betting pool, and began to hawk, drawing a huge crowd of disciples.

"Me, me, me! I’ll bet on Li Ge to win!"

"Me too!"

In just a few minutes, hundreds of disciples had flocked over to bet, but every single one of them put their money on Li Ge. Shen Haoran’s side remained completely empty, even when the payout was raised to fifty to one!

"The payout for Shen Haoran is raised again! One hundred to one! Why don’t you bet on him!" Qi Dai said.

"Do you think we’re stupid? A new disciple beating a master from the Dragon and Tiger List? Don’t be ridiculous! I’m still betting on Li Ge!"

"Yeah, we’re still betting on Li Ge!" the surrounding Martial Artists all shouted. The scene was incredibly boisterous.

In stark contrast to the lively commotion around the Martial Arts Arena, two elders stood facing each other atop a towering ancient tree not far away. They were none other than Elder Huo and the mysterious Elder Zhong.

Gazing down at the bustling Martial Arts Arena, Elder Zhong frowned. "Elder Huo, is this the disciple you recruited? Isn’t he a bit rash? A new disciple daring to provoke someone from the Dragon and Tiger List—aren’t you worried something will go wrong?"

"Haha, Elder Zhong, you worry too much," Elder Huo laughed. "This is how young people should be! Full of vigor. A bit of impulsiveness is a good thing! Besides, so what if he’s new? Didn’t the Sect Leader himself seize the top spot on the Dragon and Tiger List as a new disciple back in the day?"

Hearing this, Elder Zhong was at a loss for words.

"Elder Zhong, this kid is no ordinary person. Just wait and see, you’re in for a surprise!" Elder Huo said with a mysterious smile before turning his gaze back to the arena.

A short while later, noon arrived, and Shen Haoran’s figure finally appeared in the crowd’s view.

"He’s here, he’s here! That kid’s here!"

"He actually has the guts to show up. Good that he came, though. Now we’ve got a good show to watch!" the crowd murmured.

Shen Haoran paid no mind to the crowd’s chatter. With a relaxed expression, he walked up to the Martial Arts Arena and leaped lightly onto the stage.

Just then, Li Ge also stepped onto the Martial Arts Arena. He walked over to Shen Haoran and sneered, "I thought you’d be too scared to even show your face for the past few days. I have to commend your courage for standing here!"

However, Shen Haoran didn’t pay him any mind, only offering a faint smile.

Seeing Shen Haoran’s nonchalant demeanor, a fire of nameless anger ignited in Li Ge’s heart. ’I’m a master on the Dragon and Tiger List, and this new disciple is ignoring me!’

"Hmph! Sometimes, courage just leads you into an abyss! As a newcomer, you should stick to your place instead of coming here to play to the gallery! I’ll make you understand that those on the Dragon and Tiger List are beings you can look up to but never hope to reach!" Li Ge barked.

"Yeah, Brother Li, teach this kid a harsh lesson for his arrogance!"

"Li Ge, beat him so badly his own mother wouldn’t recognize him! Make him pay for cheating us out of so many cultivation resources!"

"Brother Li, show him the power of our Wood Spirit Hall!"

Shouts rose from the crowd below. They were all disciples of the Wood Spirit Hall. During the new disciple assessment, Shen Haoran had taken all of their resources, so they held a deep grudge against him and were now hurling endless insults his way. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Shen Haoran, however, offered no response. He simply looked at Li Ge and said flatly, "Are you finished? If so, can we fight now?"

"Fine! Since you’re in such a hurry to die, I’ll grant your wish!" With that, the aura around Li Ge’s body erupted. An invisible shockwave of energy expanded from his center, sending dust swirling into the air.

"Brother Li is truly worthy of his spot on the Dragon and Tiger List! That aura is far stronger than any ordinary Tier Three Spirit General’s!" someone in the crowd exclaimed in admiration, feeling the pressure from Li Ge’s power.

"Obviously! Brother Li has even defeated a Tier Four Spirit General! The masters on the Dragon and Tiger List are on another level. Look at that kid—he’s probably scared stiff!" another person chimed in.

Shen Haoran stood motionless in front of Li Ge. His robes whipped about in the gale created by Li Ge’s aura, making him look as though he was indeed frozen in fear.

Seeing that Shen Haoran hadn’t moved an inch, a cold sneer touched Li Ge’s lips. He launched a punch straight at Shen Haoran’s head, the sheer force of it creating sonic booms as it tore through the air.

"Die!"