The sudden cry made both the Grand Elder and Chen Yi stop and turn, their gazes landing on Feng Xiaotian. Both were surprised, unsure of the Godwind Academy youth's intent in blocking their way at this moment.
In contrast, Feng Ao's face instantly changed, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He knew his grandson too well. Ever since hearing about Chen Yi's astonishing talent at Grand Martial Academy's opening, Feng Xiaotian had harbored doubts and dissatisfaction. No matter how much of a genius Chen Yi was, could a ten-year-old really reach such a level? He always suspected the Body Sect exaggerated his feats.
This long-standing skepticism had finally turned into a strong urge to verify the truth for himself—to challenge Chen Yi directly. But could Feng Ao allow such a thing? If Feng Xiaotian, proud but six years older, lost to this boy, could his pride bear the blow? His confidence might be shattered in an instant. Yet, if he won, wouldn't that be a grave insult to the Body Sect? Either outcome would only harm Godwind Academy and Feng Xiaotian himself.
Feng Ao hurried forward to scold and pull his grandson back, but the Grand Elder raised his hand slightly to stop him and looked calmly at Feng Xiaotian, not angry at the youth's audacity, but asking gently:
"Young man, you've stopped us. What is it you want?"
Feng Xiaotian felt the Elder's gaze, as ordinary as it appeared, pierce straight through him, making his heart skip a beat. Still, he took a deep breath, straightened his back, and looked at Chen Yi with burning eyes:
"Junior Feng Xiaotian respectfully asks the Wisdom Brain Douluo and Young Lord Chen for forgiveness… I wish to seek guidance and spar with Young Lord Chen!"
The crowd erupted in commotion, all eyes fixed on Feng Xiaotian and Chen Yi, filled with shock, curiosity, and anticipation. The Godwind Academy genius was challenging the legendary young sect master of the Body Sect—was he really so bold?
The Elder frowned slightly, looking at Feng Xiaotian with a gaze that was still peaceful but now tinged with sharpness:
"You appear to be about sixteen, having reached the thirty-fifth rank at such a young age. That is indeed worthy of being called a genius in the Heaven Dou Empire."
But then, the Elder's gaze lingered on Feng Xiaotian:
"However, based on that alone, to challenge our sect's young master… Some things are simply unrealistic."
Sixteen years old, thirty-five ranks—a remarkable achievement unattainable by ordinary soul masters. But compared to Chen Yi, the gap was vast. Between a ten-year-old Soul King and a sixteen-year-old Soul Elder, it was not just the difference between top and average geniuses, but a chasm.
Chen Yi met Feng Xiaotian's stubborn, fiery gaze, feeling both speechless and a bit helpless. In Chen Yi's eyes, Feng Xiaotian was a unique presence on the Douluo Continent—born with full innate soul power, but not making the most of his talent, a "bad hand played poorly," so to speak. Yet, he was living proof that even if soul power cultivation isn't the hardest, it can still lead one to the realm of Title Douluo.
Chen Yi shook his head and looked at Feng Xiaotian, his tone calm and direct, not mocking, just stating a fact:
"Brother Feng, you're not my match."
Feng Ao forced a polite smile and hurried forward, trying to smooth things over:
"Young Lord Chen speaks the truth. The young lord is a true prodigy—how could my grandson possibly compare? He's just a brash youth; please don't take offense."
As he spoke, Feng Ao desperately sent soul power transmissions to Feng Xiaotian:
"Xiaotian, stop fooling around and apologize to the Wisdom Brain Douluo and Young Lord Chen right now! Do you understand what's at stake?"
But Feng Xiaotian, determined, ignored his grandfather's transmission. He stared intently at Chen Yi, clenching his fists even tighter, and spoke with resolve:
"Please, Young Lord Chen, I ask for your guidance!"
Feng Xiaotian's challenge was not only to break this "myth" that felt so unreal and prove his own strength, but for another, unspoken reason. Not long ago, during an exchange with the neighboring Blazing Fire Academy, he had met a girl named Huo Wu, whose fiery, dazzling presence immediately captivated him. But no matter how he tried to get close, Huo Wu remained indifferent. Feng Xiaotian believed that if he could defeat the famously divine Young Sect Master Chen Yi, he would become famous and prove his worth, surely winning Huo Wu's admiration.
Chen Yi saw Feng Xiaotian's determined eyes and persistent stance—he would not turn back until he hit a wall. He couldn't just refuse; that would be too domineering and impersonal. Besides, despite the puppy-love foolishness, Feng Xiaotian was otherwise a decent person. With so many eyes on him, if Chen Yi refused outright, it would only make him seem petty or arrogant as the young master of the Body Sect.
After a brief thought, Chen Yi made up his mind. He looked at Feng Xiaotian and said calmly:
"Since Brother Feng insists on a duel, I accept.
No need to go anywhere else—let's just have a friendly spar right here."
Feng Ao's heart clenched at first, but as he observed the Elder's expression—showing neither displeasure nor anger, just a wry smile as if watching juniors play—he relaxed a little. As long as the Wisdom Brain Douluo didn't take offense, a friendly exchange among the youth would do no harm. Perhaps Xiaotian would finally recognize the gap and stop obsessing over his own soul skills.
The soul masters who had been about to disperse grew excited at the news that Chen Yi had accepted the challenge, quickly backing up to leave enough space for the duel. Many powerful soul masters found the best vantage points to observe, not wanting to miss a single detail. This was the first time the mysterious young sect master of the Body Sect had publicly taken action. Who wouldn't want to know—just how strong was this peerless prodigy who had earned the praise of even the Golden Crocodile Douluo?
...
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