(Fengzhuo, why did you show off so much? You need to be discreet and hide your strength!)
Du Changsheng scolded.
It was not a good idea to show off such strength, just in case he became a target—and it was especially true when Bai Zihan was here observing him.
Although he knew that it wasn’t even half the actual power that Nie Fengzhuo could muster, still from other people’s perception, Nie Fengzhuo appeared to be just a slightly stronger genius.
So, he could only show a bit of his strength, and others would believe that it was his limit.
Only when facing a powerful person should he disclose some of his actual strength.
But no!
He had to show off just now—and Du Changsheng knew the reason.
It was because Bai Zihan was watching, so he was showing off a bit to send a signal to the Bai Clan.
Nie Fengzhuo had finished his fight, but he still stood in his place, glaring at Bai Zihan.
Bai Zihan too stared back with a smirk.
(Fengzhuo, what are you doing? Stop glaring at him and go!)
Du Changsheng advised.
“Master, didn’t you say that I can become stronger by overcoming my adversaries? Then isn’t this a chance?”
Nie Fengzhuo said.
Du Changsheng had a bad feeling.
(Fengzhuo, stop thinking about doing something stupid! There’s no need for you to take the risk. Think about your goal. Don’t you want your revenge against Bai Xueqing?)
“…”
Nie Fengzhuo didn’t respond, still glaring at Bai Zihan.
Even the other people began to notice the abnormality.
“What is participant Nie Fengzhuo doing?”
Even the announcer was confused.
Just then—
Nie Fengzhuo pointed his finger at Bai Zihan.
“What is Nie Fengzhuo doing? Pointing his finger at Bai Zihan! Does he have a death wish?”
“Although we know what he went through, don’t you think he’s overestimating himself too much? Young Master Bai can crush him in seconds.”
“Tsk! Tsk! Nie Fengzhuo is making a big mistake. He must have become overconfident after defeating some weak people.”
“This is going to be interesting!”
…
The tension was rising, and everyone was anticipating an interesting event.
“Young Master Bai, how about a spar?”
Nie Fengzhuo issued the challenge.
Du Changsheng couldn’t help but facepalm—even though he didn’t have a physical body.
Just when he thought the situation was starting to improve, his stupid disciple had to go and make things worse.
As he’d said before, he was getting a very bad feeling from Bai Zihan—so strong that even he was surprised by it.
In any case, he knew that Nie Fengzhuo challenging Bai Zihan wouldn’t yield any good outcome, no matter whether he won or not.
“Stupid disciple, what are you doing? Listen to me and just take a step back!”
Du Changsheng said, slipping into a rare moment of panic.
“Master, I understand what you are saying! I really do!”
Nie Fengzhuo replied firmly.
“But if I back down just because I’m afraid to offend the Bai Clan, then what’s the point of my revenge? Do I need to cower just because they’re a bigger clan?”
He continued, “That kind of mindset would only make my cultivation path waver. Only by doing things without regret will I truly walk the path I must.”
Indeed, no matter how foolish he sounded, Du Changsheng couldn’t say anything.
If Nie Fengzhuo took a step back here, there would be countless times in the future when he’d do the same.
One could argue it is a wise decision—but on the path of cultivation, which is filled with hardship and danger, constantly dodging difficulties would only turn one into a coward.
On the other side, Bai Zihan stared calmly at Nie Fengzhuo.
He was pondering this unexpected challenge.
Should he accept?
Bai Zihan knew his chances of winning were quite high.
But of course, he couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that Nie Fengzhuo might have some trump cards that could overturn the fight.
Still, he was confident that his arsenal was far superior.
But if he accepts the challenge, he must ensure that Nie Fengzhuo dies.
Otherwise, the classic story of a protagonist growing stronger and returning to seek vengeance might play out—something Bai Zihan absolutely wanted to avoid.
Of course, killing him wouldn’t be easy—not with another Heaven’s Chosen watching from the sidelines.
And more importantly, Bai Zihan still hadn’t decided whether it was better to kill Nie Fengzhuo or keep him alive as a potential Immortal Emperor-level ally in the future.
“This guy… just because he’s gained some fame, he thinks he’s untouchable! Young Master, allow me to handle him!”
Said Kong Zhanghong, stepping forward furiously.
He was at the Nascent Soul Realm—same as Nie Fengzhuo, he believed.
Armed with the superior techniques of the Heaven Sword Sect and the Earth-Grade Sword gifted by Bai Zihan, he felt fairly confident in his chances.
But Bai Zihan knew better.
Kong Zhanghong would only end up becoming a stepping stone to make Nie Fengzhuo shine.
“No need,” Bai Zihan replied.
Whoosh!
With that, he leapt forward and instantly appeared before Nie Fengzhuo.
The sudden movement startled Nie Fengzhuo, who had underestimated Bai Zihan a little—but he still managed to maintain his composure.
“Is Young Master Bai accepting the challenge?”
“Yes! Teach this guy a lesson! Who would’ve thought Nie Fengzhuo would be so arrogant as to think he can beat Bai Zihan?”
“Can we finally witness the power of the Empire’s most talented Cultivator?”
…
The audience buzzed with excitement, thrilled by the prospect of the duel to come.
Bai Zihan stood tall before Nie Fengzhuo, his expression unreadable for a moment—then slowly, a slight smirk curled on his lips.
Amusement flickered in his eyes.
“Interesting,” he said, voice calm yet edged with something deeper.
“Are you being brave or is it just arrogance?”
He took a step closer, hands clasped behind his back, posture completely relaxed despite the tension in the air.
“Still, I wonder…” Bai Zihan tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp and gleaming, “Why would you challenge me, Nie Fengzhuo?”
Nie Fengzhuo’s expression didn’t change.
“You don’t need to pretend anymore, Bai Zihan,” he said coldly. “You’re not here by coincidence. You’re here because of Bai Xueqing, aren’t you? Either to observe me on her behalf… or for something worse.”
Bai Zihan froze for a beat—and then burst into laughter.
Not the kind of soft chuckle one gives to dismiss a fool—but a full-bodied, hysterical laugh that rang out through the air, startling some of the spectators.
“Hahahaha! Wait… wait—you think I’m here because of my sister?”
He repeated mockingly, as if Nie Fengzhuo had just told the joke of the century.
He shook his head, wiping an imaginary tear from the corner of his eye.
“You really are delusional.”
“You think I care about her affairs?”
Bai Zihan’s voice suddenly turned cold.
“Whatever Bai Xueqing does with her life is none of my concern.”
Nie Fengzhuo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
For a moment, confusion flickered in his heart. He had heard the rumors—rumors that Bai Zihan and Bai Xueqing didn’t get along.
That their relationship had been strained for years, even before she left the Bai Clan.
And now, seeing his expression, the rumors seemed to have some truth to them.
“Then why are you here? Don’t try to lie and say it’s just a coincidence,” Nie Fengzhuo said coldly.
“Well, you’re right—it’s not a coincidence,”
Bai Zihan replied, his expression calm and unreadable.
“I came to see you—my sister’s ex-fiancé. So what? Can’t I watch if I want to?”
Nie Fengzhuo was taken aback again.
Sure, there was no rule saying the Bai Clan’s young master couldn’t come to watch a competition…
But it still felt off.
Would someone as high as Bai Zihan really come just to watch him—a so-called “insignificant” figure in the eyes of the great clans?
“…”
Nie Fengzhuo couldn’t think of anything to say.
In most situations like this, shouldn’t the powerful young master just accept the challenge and shut his opponent up?
Why wasn’t Bai Zihan following the usual script?
Now he looked like a fool—someone who’d let a little fame get to his head, foolish enough to challenge someone far beyond his reach without any reason.
Bai Zihan’s gaze lingered on him for a moment longer.
“You’re indeed interesting.”
His tone was light, but underneath it was something sharper.
Amusement? Intrigue?
Then came the bombshell:
“How about this, Nie Fengzhuo? Why don’t you join the Bai Clan?”
He said it so casually—like it wasn’t earth-shattering.
(There’s no harm in trying.)
Bai Zihan thought to himself.
(An Immortal Emperor-level ally… that’s not something I should let slip away.)
A moment of absolute silence followed.
And then—chaos.
“What?!”
“Did he just say join the Bai Clan?”
“Is he talking about marriage? What is Bai Zihan thinking?!”
“Wait… wasn’t Nie Fengzhuo engaged to his sister before?”
Nie Fengzhuo stood stunned. For a moment, he couldn’t react.
Bai Zihan chuckled softly.
“Yeah, I know things didn’t work out previously. That engagement was cancelled. But there is no rule saying we can’t try again!”