Not interested in making his acquaintance?
Hearing the Desolate Old Monster’s words, the expressions on Chu Tianxiong’s and Daoist Xuanqing’s faces instantly darkened.
They had kindly introduced Su Mo to the Desolate Old Monster, but he was so full of himself that he refused to associate with him. ’What a complete fool.’
’Fine. You’ll regret this.’
The Desolate Old Monster glanced at Su Mo and asked, feigning ignorance, "You’re from the Xiao Family of Qingyang City?"
"We are."
Su Mo replied.
The Desolate Old Monster continued, "Then do you know who I am?"
Su Mo shook his head.
This was the first time he and the Desolate Old Monster had met. He had no idea who the man was, nor did he know his identity as an ancestor of the Desolate Empire’s Royal Family.
"Let me tell you the truth. I am an ancestor of the Desolate Empire’s Royal Family, known as the Desolate Old Monster!"
the Desolate Old Monster declared proudly.
Su Mo chuckled. "The Desolate Old Monster? Heh, what a unique name. It’s certainly memorable."
The Desolate Old Monster’s brow furrowed slightly.
’As a subject of the Desolate Empire, it’s bad enough he doesn’t kneel before his sovereign, but now he’s casually mocking my name?’
’Where did this insolent peasant come from? He has no manners at all.’
The Desolate Old Monster said, displeased, "I don’t care who you are. As long as you live on the lands of the Desolate Empire, you’d better act like one of its subjects. Understand?"
"I don’t."
Su Mo said flatly.
In the Martial Arts World, the strong were revered. The size of one’s fist was the only true principle. He could completely ignore the Desolate Old Monster’s status as a royal ancestor.
However, the Desolate Old Monster was relentless. "If you don’t understand, then I’ll teach you. The next time you see me, you must bow to me!"
What!
’He’s telling Elder Su to bow?’
Seeing this, Chu Tianxiong, Daoist Xuanqing, and the others at their side panicked, breaking out in a cold sweat.
’This is Elder Su we’re talking about!’
’They were practically falling over themselves to curry favor with him, yet this Desolate Old Monster dared to pull rank and demand that Elder Su bow?’
’Is he insane?’
Just as the two were about to speak up and stop him, they heard the Desolate Old Monster refuse, "Don’t try to persuade me. Whoever tries will have to answer to me."
Chu Tianxiong and Daoist Xuanqing were utterly speechless.
’The Desolate Old Monster is courting death.’
Su Mo sneered, "Heh, I’m afraid you couldn’t bear it."
’It’s one thing for this old fool to act all high and mighty in front of me; I can let that slide. But now he’s lecturing me to my face?’
’Is he asking for a beating?’
The Desolate Old Monster snorted coldly. "Hmph, there’s nothing I can’t bear. This time, out of respect for Sect Leader Chu and Daoist Brother Xuanqing, I’ll forgive you. But not next time."
With that, the Desolate Old Monster walked away, not forgetting to shoot a glance back at Chu Tianxiong and Daoist Xuanqing.
’He’s just a little brat. Look at the two of you, scared out of your wits.’
Heh!
’Hmph. I refuse to believe all this nonsense.’
However, Daoist Xuanqing and Chu Tianxiong both secretly shook their heads.
’The Desolate Old Monster is almost certainly a lost cause.’
Seeing the Desolate Old Monster leave on his own accord, Su Mo couldn’t be bothered with him any longer. He turned to Chu Tianxiong and said, "Sect Leader Chu, please hurry and open Qu Luo’s Tomb so we can go in."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianxiong was suddenly put in a difficult position.
On one side was Ouyang Cheng, the Young Sect Leader of the Celestial Moon Sect; on the other was the immensely powerful Su Mo.
He couldn’t afford to offend either of them.
Noticing Chu Tianxiong’s troubled expression, Su Mo instinctively asked, "Sect Leader Chu, is there a problem?"
"Well, it’s like this..."
Chu Tianxiong recounted what had just happened.
Su Mo pointed at Ouyang Cheng and asked, "So you’re saying if I defeat him, I can take my people into Qu Luo’s Tomb?"
"Defeat me?"
Ouyang Cheng looked at Su Mo with utter disdain. "Silly boy, are you still asleep? Or are you just daydreaming?"
’It’s fine if you want to act tough!’
’But first, you need the strength to back it up. Otherwise, you’re just asking for humiliation.’
"Your mouth stinks!"
Xiao Lang stepped forward and said, "There’s no need to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Young Master, let me handle this. I promise I won’t disappoint you!"
"Alright."
Su Mo agreed without hesitation.
Although Xiao Lang was only a Late Stage Warrior, he could withstand an attack from a Mid Stage Grand Martial Artist. Fighting Ouyang Cheng would be a completely one-sided beatdown.
This was also a good opportunity to give a disciple from the Xiao Family some practice.
"A Late Stage Warrior?"
Ouyang Cheng sized up Xiao Lang in the crowd and said scornfully, "Even though you’re a bit stronger than him, you’re still no match for me."
"What? Did you say I’m stronger than our Young Master?"
Xiao Lang asked, exasperated, "Hey, big guy, are you blind, or did someone poke your eyes out with a stick?"
Ouyang Cheng was completely bewildered.
’Isn’t a Late Stage Warrior stronger than someone at Martial Disciple Great Perfection?’
’Is this kid sick in the head? He doesn’t even understand the basic hierarchy between Martial Artist Realms. Was his entire cultivation a waste?’
Ouyang Cheng shook his head helplessly, feeling like he’d run into an idiot.
’Do I really have to fight an idiot?’
’How embarrassing would it be if word of this got out?’
The others were also completely bewildered, unable to understand what Xiao Lang was saying.
The Desolate Old Monster shook his head. "As expected of a minor family. They don’t even understand cultivation Realms. To think they come from our Desolate Empire... What an embarrassment."
However, Xiao Lang didn’t think he was wrong at all. With a look of adoration, he said, "Let me tell you, our Young Master is far stronger than me. I’m not even worthy of being compared to a single hair on his body."
"I don’t give a damn what you say! If you want to fight, let’s fight! I could kill you with a single finger." Ouyang Cheng was furious, feeling like he was being played for a fool. He decisively extended his right index finger and jabbed it toward Xiao Lang.
"Fine. I’ll stand right here and let you poke me!"
Xiao Lang stood his ground, not moving an inch.
’He’s not even going to dodge?’
’How arrogant!’
Ouyang Cheng channeled all his power into a single finger, thrusting it viciously toward Xiao Lang’s chest while roaring, "Die for this young master...!"
BANG!
A dull thud exploded from Xiao Lang’s chest.
’It’s over!’
Everyone around shook their heads, feeling sorry for Xiao Lang.
A master at the Early Stage Martial Artist Realm attacking a Warrior with his full strength... The result was a foregone conclusion.
Xiao Lang was sure to die.
Ouyang Cheng had even aimed for Xiao Lang’s heart. Even if Xiao Lang was a Body Cultivator, he wouldn’t be able to withstand it; his heart would be ruptured.
But just then... CRACK!
The sound of a bone shattering suddenly reached everyone’s ears.
Immediately after, Ouyang Cheng let out a bloodcurdling scream.
"AHH, my finger is broken...!"
Ouyang Cheng shrieked, his face a mask of terror as he stared at Xiao Lang. "You... Is your body made of steel?"
What!
’A body made of steel?’
Everyone looked at Xiao Lang in disbelief. They couldn’t imagine his body being so tough that it shattered Ouyang Cheng’s finger on impact.
’But Ouyang Cheng is an Early Stage Martial Artist!’
’Could it be? Is his body really made of steel?’
"Nope. It’s just a normal body."
Xiao Lang shook his head, denying it.
Ouyang Cheng refused to believe it. "Impossible! My attack just now clearly hit steel. Otherwise, my finger wouldn’t have shattered from the impact! You’re either hiding something under your clothes or wearing steel armor. Take off your shirt and let everyone inspect it!"
"Fine, I’ll take it off!"
Though a little embarrassed, Xiao Lang still took off his upper garment in front of everyone, revealing a chest full of bulging muscles.