Chapter 15: The City Encounter: Clash with the Kai Clan
After his victory over Li Xiao and the consumption of the herbal medicine, Duan Liyang's body had physically matured. He was now taller and sturdier, but his old clothes no longer fit him properly, causing him discomfort.
The next morning, he decided to leave his oversight duties in the Xiao family's outer grounds and head to the nearby city to buy new clothes for himself.
He was walking on the road leading to the city when his gaze fell upon a clothing shop. His old clothes were making him uncomfortable, and he knew he needed new ones immediately. He stopped in front of the shop, contemplating whether to go inside, as he had never bought clothes for himself before.
Just then, a familiar, playful voice reached his ears. "Ah, Duan Liyang! You're here?"
Duan Liyang turned. It was Xiang Rui, a faint smile on her face, and her movements as graceful as ever. She stopped beside Duan Liyang, mischief sparkling in her eyes.
"At a clothing shop? Little brother, boys often come to clothing shops when they need to buy clothes for a girl." Xiang Rui said with a smile, a twinkle in her eyes. "Who is she? Anyone special?"
Duan Liyang's face immediately flushed red. He was taken aback. He hadn't expected Xiang Rui to tease him like this. "No! No, Big Sister!" he stammered, his eyes fixed on the ground. "I... I need to buy clothes for myself. I didn't know this was a girls' clothing shop!"
Xiang Rui chuckled softly. "Oh? Alright, alright. Come on, I'll go with you. You probably need some good advice." Both exited the Xiao family compound and headed towards the city.
The city was far busier than the Xiao family compound. The streets were filled with merchants, citizens, and cultivators. Duan Liyang bought some new clothes for himself, which now fit him better. Xiang Rui offered him a few suggestions, playfully teasing him about his choices.
After buying clothes, they were returning towards the Xiao family compound. Just then, a commotion caught their attention. In a secluded alley, a young girl from the Xiao family, likely an outer disciple, was being harassed by three individuals.
One of them, standing in the middle, had an arrogant aura, and his clothes were not of the Xiao family. Duan Liyang's heightened vision told him that this boy was from another big family, the Kai family, and his power was extraordinary.
"Leave her alone!" Duan Liyang roared, anger flaring within him.
The Kai family youth turned, arrogance in his eyes. "Oh, look who it is! Some worms from the Xiao family." He looked at Duan Liyang and Xiang Rui with contempt. His name was Kai Long. His gaze fixed on Xiang Rui, and a disgusting lust gleamed in his eyes. "Wow, such a beautiful fairy from the Xiao family. Why don't you come with me, and I'll leave this little girl alone?"
Duan Liyang's face turned red with fury. He had never seen anyone speak with such vulgarity.
Xiang Rui did not show much anger, but her voice was cold, like ice. "Come and catch me, if you can."
Kai Long laughed. "What do you think? I'm not afraid of little kids like you." He lunged at Xiang Rui, cultivation energy glinting in his fist. Duan Liyang's unique vision saw his internal energy – Kai Long was actually a Level 8 Peak Stage cultivator! Xiang Rui herself was at Level 7 Peak Stage. This was an incredible difference.
Xiang Rui reacted. Her speed was like lightning, and she barely dodged Kai Long's strike. She made a complex movement in the air, pushing an invisible energy blast towards Kai Long.
Kai Long was surprised for a moment, but he retreated in time to save himself. Still, the energy grazed his shoulder, causing him a slight injury and burning a part of his clothes.
Kai Long's eyes widened. "You! You...!" he screamed. "Bodyguards! Go and catch her!"
Kai Long's three bodyguards immediately moved forward. Duan Liyang saw their energy with his eyes – they were all Level 4 Low-Level cultivators.
One bodyguard, whose aura was far denser than the others (and Duan Liyang's eyes confirmed he was at Level 9!), swiftly moved towards Xiang Rui. The other two advanced on Duan Liyang.
"Leave her alone!" Duan Liyang roared. He concentrated the power of 'Ocean Blast' in his fist. As the Level 4 bodyguard lunged at him, Duan Liyang's heightened vision read his every move. He swiftly dodged and, swinging his 'pop' punch through the air, delivered a direct blow to the bodyguard's stomach. 'Boom!' The bodyguard was sent flying and crashed heavily to the ground, groaning in pain.
The second bodyguard, who was heading towards Duan Liyang, lunged at him. Duan Liyang used the same technique. He quickly dodged and delivered a powerful 'pop' punch to the bodyguard's head. 'Boom!' He too fell to the ground, unconscious.
Duan Liyang was panting, but determination was etched on his face. He looked at Kai Long, and his gaze also flickered towards Xiang Rui and the single Level 9 bodyguard.
An intense exchange unfolded between Xiang Rui and the Level 9 bodyguard. The bodyguard, whose speed and power were extraordinary, continuously attacked Xiang Rui.
Xiang Rui, herself at Level 7 Peak Stage, was defending with all her might and launching counterattacks, her every move ripping through the air.
Just then, some Xiao family soldiers, who were on patrol in the city, heard the commotion and arrived. They assessed the situation and immediately intervened. Their presence brought the fight to a halt. "This is Xiao family territory! What are you doing here?" a soldier asked Kai Long.
Kai Long knew he had to retreat now. His bodyguards were injured, and the Xiao family soldiers had arrived. He clenched his fists. "This isn't over! You and this girl, you'll see!"
Kai Long left with his injured bodyguards.
Xiang Rui was panting slightly, her breaths coming in quick succession. Stopping Kai Long, a Level 8 Peak Stage cultivator, and a Level 9 bodyguard had not been easy for her, even though she herself was at Level 7 Peak Stage. A faint weariness showed on her face.
Duan Liyang looked at Xiang Rui. "Are you alright, Big Sister?"
Xiang Rui smiled, weariness in her smile. "Yes, little brother. Just a little heated." She looked in the direction Kai Long had left, a deep glint in her eyes. "That Kai Long. We will meet him again."
Duan Liyang nodded. He had faced another powerful adversary today, and he knew his journey was still fraught with dangers. But he now had 'Ocean Blast,' and he knew he was ready to face every challenge.
End of Chapter 15