Dressed in a fiery armor, Huo Linfei looked incredibly extraordinary with the heroic aura he was radiating. He was the one who had issued Xiang Shaoyun a written challenge but had gone missing after the challenge was accepted.
But now, he was stepping forward because he had found out that Xiang Shaoyun was not the one who had broken through into the Skysoar Realm. In fact, when he found out about that, he had given the overseer a tongue-lashing for the face he had lost when he fled from battle.
He wanted to complete the challenge he had issued Xiang Shaoyun now. Although Huo Linfei was not as strong as the Lightning Kid, there was only a tiny gap between the two. For the Lightning Kid to send Huo Linfei against Xiang Shaoyun, one could say that he was already taking his opponent seriously.
Huo Linfei pointed at Xiang Shaoyun with his saber and shouted, "Xiang Shaoyun, come fight me if you have the balls!"
Xiang Shaoyun shot Huo Linfei a glance before howling in laughter, "HAHAHAHA..."
Xiang Shaoyun's laugh was filled with contempt, causing Huo Linfei to feel extremely humiliated. He said, "What are you laughing at? Are you scared of fighting me?"
"Who is the scared one here? Don't you remember yourself fleeing after issuing me a written challenge? And you have the nerve to talk about someone being scared here? Can't you feel any shame?" shouted Xiang Shaoyun who glared back at Huo Linfei.
Everyone stared at Huo Linfei in astonishment. Evidently, this was the first time many of them were hearing the story.
The gazes felt like a slap to Huo Linfei's face. He braced himself and responded, "Since I was the one who had issued you the written challenge, how would I be scared of you? Let's fight today, then. I shall kill you before the Land of Soul Springs opens!"
"Why should I fight you? Are you stupid?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
Everyone blanked out, not expecting such a response at all.
Huo Linfei fumed. "Say that again if you have the balls!"
"Sure. You are a total idiot. The Land of Soul Springs is opening soon, but instead of preserving strength to fight for the soul springs, you are challenging me instead? Outsiders would think we are mortal enemies or something. In truth, regardless of the result, you will still suffer from our battle. Will you still have any chance at getting a soul spring then? Ask yourself, are you stupid? You are being used like a tool without even realizing it!" said Xiang Shaoyun with an incomparable disdain in his voice.
Huo Linfei's expression shifted several times as he listened to those words.
The guardian beside Zi Jingyun said, "Vice alliance leader, don't listen to his lies! He is trying to sow dissent!"
Xiang Shaoyun pointed at the guardian and said, "You, come out. Let's have a chat."
"I have nothing to say to you," replied the guardian.
This guardian was one of the four great guardians of the Lightning Alliance, Luo Wen.
"I challenge you!" said Xiang Shaoyun.
"W-why the hell are you challenging me? The vice alliance leader is the one challenging you!" said Luo Wen with fear on his face.
Luo Wen had similar strength to Qiu Chonglei. Since Qiu Chonglei had suffered such a terrible defeat in the hands of this person, he was definitely not a match.
"So? I will fight you first. If I lose, I naturally can't fight your vice alliance leader anymore. But if I win by fluke, it won't be too late for me to fight your vice alliance leader then. Why? Are you not willing to exhaust some of my strength for your vice alliance leader? Do you have so little respect for your vice alliance leader?" said Xiang Shaoyun. His sharp words rendered Luo Wen completely speechless.
Zi Jingyun had to interrupt, "Xiang Shaoyun, I have to admit you have a great mouth. I hope you can continue to remain this cocky. Let's leave. We can't let outsiders laugh at the Cloud Margin Pavilion by squabbling among ourselves. I was only here to see if Xiang Shaoyun is a ballsy person, anyway. He did not disappoint."
Zi Jingyun then turned and left. The other Lightning Alliance people quickly followed him as well.
But Huo Linfei was hesitating. He finally gave Xiang Shaoyun a deep look before declaring, "We will fight sooner or later."
Xiang Shaoyun shrugged indifferently. After the Lightning Alliance left, Hua Honglou gazed at Xiang Shaoyun with a mesmerizing smile on her face.
"Hey, why are you staring at me like that? Don't tell me you have gotten yourself smitten by my grace?" Xiang Shaoyun asked in a narcissistic manner.
"Yes, I am totally smitten by you," said Hua Honglou while winking her large eyes.
"Sure, you may warm my bed tonight. Although we have no beds here, well, grasses are everywhere. We can perhaps...," said Xiang Shaoyun with a perverted smile.
"You are so shameless," said Hua Honglou.
"Thank you for the praise," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Stop messing around already. Although Xiang Shaoyun's attempt to sow dissent has failed, there will definitely be some cracks in their ranks now," said Li Yaxuan as she looked at Xiang Shaoyun with a look of admiration.
"No, it won't be that easy. Strength is still the most important," said Chen Zilong. "But Lightning Kid got something right. We can't let the outsiders look down on us."
"Um. The strongest of them, the Myriad Sword Sect and the Devil Blood Society, have extremely terrifying geniuses. We have to be united against outsiders. We can't afford to squabble among ourselves for now," said Hua Honglou.
"Well, if nobody provokes me, I won't be bothered to create trouble for anyone else either," said Xiang Shaoyun nonchalantly.
"Ok. Let's talk about our next move," said Hua Honglou. They then started drawing up their plans.
Since Xiang Shaoyun was not a Red House member, he wanted to move away from the discussion. But Hua Honglou spoke out before he could leave, "Since you have touched my chest, you have to take responsibility over me." That forced Xiang Shaoyun to stay helplessly.
In truth, when entering a unique space like the Land of Soul Springs, one would have to act in according to the ever-changing circumstances. No amount of plans would be helpful. But the Red House was evidently rather capable as most of the plans they had drawn were aimed at any possible unforeseen circumstances.
The higher-ups of the Red House were extremely loyal to Hua Honglou. They would remember every word of hers and carry out her orders seriously. Xiang Shaoyun even had the feeling that if Hua Honglou was a man, she would definitely have a much larger rallying power, establishing a faction that was far stronger than the Lightning Alliance.
However, it was pointless to talk about what-ifs.
"Xiang Shaoyun, you are not a Red House member. But I still hope you can help us and lend a hand when required," said Hua Honglou when she was alone with Xiang Shaoyun.
"What do I stand to gain?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"If you want, you can cup another feel!" said Hua Honglou.
"Haha, you will be my bed warming maid sooner or later. I'm not interested in that reward," said Xiang Shaoyun. "Don't worry, I will help if possible. You only need to locate a few people for me afterwards."
"Who?" Hua Honglou asked.
"You will know after asking Gong Qinyin, but that will have to wait until we're back at the pavilion," said Xiang Shaoyun.