Chapter 508 - 490: Tiemu Xiaoyun’s Challenge

"Tiemu Xiaoyun, I heard you killed a Hall Master of the Profound Bone Realm and even escaped from a Hall Master at the Mid-stage of the Profound Bone Realm. Not bad, not bad.

"With your merits this time, the Martial Arts Examination Nomination Order is definitely yours. In the upcoming city-wide Martial Examination, if you can break into the top ten, the Tiemu family will treat you as a Core Disciple and groom you."

Several elders of the Tiemu family smiled as they spoke to Tiemu Xiaoyun.

However, Tiemu Xiaoyun’s stern and deadly expression did not change at all. A trace of well-hidden killing intent even flashed in the depths of his eyes.

"Thank you for your high regard, elders, but I have a matter concerning Xiaoxiao. Why was she arranged for a blind date without my consent?"

His gaze locked directly onto the man on the left, his so-called third uncle, Tie Munan!

Tie Munan felt his gaze and immediately revealed a kind smile. "Xiaoyun, Xiaoxiao is getting older and has reached the age for marriage. I happen to know a suitable junior whose background is completely familiar to us. Having him marry Xiaoxiao is a good thing, isn’t it?"

"No!"

Tiemu Xiaoyun spoke coldly, showing no room for compromise.

"Xiaoyun, you know the rules of the Tiemu family. Some matters aren’t up to you alone to decide. You have to abide by the family’s rules."

"I said no!"

Tiemu Xiaoyun spoke slowly, emphasizing every word. He stared intently at Tie Munan, his hands already resting on the twin sabers at his waist.

Tie Munan’s aged face instantly darkened. "Tiemu Xiaoyun, you are currently only in the Muscle Forging Realm. Are you going to raise your hands against me?"

Just as the situation reached a breaking point, Tiemu Yan, the Grand Elder of the Tiemu family who was seated at the head of the hall, spoke indifferently.

"Enough. We will discuss Tiemu Xiaoxiao’s matter later. Tiemu Xiaoyun, we summoned you today because we have a mission for you."

As he spoke, an astonishing aura filled the entire hall, instantly suppressing both of them.

Tiemu Xiaoyun closed his eyes, quelling the anger in his heart.

Under Tiemu Yan’s aura, he felt a suffocating fear, as if he were facing a ferocious beast he was completely no match for. Tiemu Yan was the strongest person in the Tiemu family; even the Patriarch, Tiemu Tianyue, was far inferior to him.

"That Great Commander from the Outer City, Su Yu, cannot be allowed to smoothly participate in the Martial Examination. Otherwise, with his talent and the boost from the Martial Examination, breaking through to the Profound Bone Realm will definitely not be a problem for him. Use the rules of Zhenwu Mansion to challenge him. Severely injure him and prevent him from participating in the Martial Examination!"

"Su Yu? This person has immense talent. He defeated a Middle Dragon Tendon martial artist with the cultivation of the Jiao Tendon Realm, and borrowed the power of Taibai Armor-Breaking to kill two Profound Bone Realm experts. I am no match for him," Tiemu Xiaoyun flatly refused.

"The power of Taibai Armor-Breaking is an external force. Naturally, its use will be restricted in both the Martial Examination and friendly challenges. With your strength, defeating him will not be a problem. If you complete this mission, Xiaoxiao won’t have to go on that blind date."

"That’s not enough! Su Yu is a Great Commander of Zhenwu Mansion. Severely injuring him before the Martial Examination will ruin my future in the eyes of the Mansion Master and the Grand Masters.

"I want Xiaoxiao to leave the Tiemu family!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall instantly grew cold.

Tiemu Yan stared into Tiemu Xiaoyun’s eyes. Seeing that he had no intention of backing down, he said coldly, "Fine, I promise you. As long as you severely injure Su Yu and ruin his future, Xiaoxiao can leave the Tiemu family!"

"Are you serious?"

"Patriarch, does my word count?"

"What the Grand Elder says naturally represents our Tiemu family," Tiemu Tianyue hastily stood up and said respectfully.

"However, I have one more condition. That is, you, Tiemu Xiaoyun, can never leave the Tiemu family from now on. Otherwise, I will personally bring Xiaoxiao back."

Tiemu Xiaoyun remained silent for a long time before saying, "Deal."

Later, in a young woman’s bedroom at the front courtyard of the Tiemu family estate.

"Xiaoyun, did they give you a hard time?"

"No. Stay for a few more days, and I will send you to Jian’an Prefecture. Then you won’t have to stay with the Tiemu family anymore."

"Really, Xiaoyun? How... how on earth did they agree to that!"

Tiemu Xiaoyun didn’t say anything, merely rubbing her head again.

More than a decade ago, he and his sister were only five or six years old. They had been escorted here while fleeing from the Great Snow Mountain. However, their escort died right after arriving at Black Stone City. They could only survive by begging in the streets.

During those days, they had to fight wild dogs for food and brawl with other beggars for territory. That was also the first time he learned how to kill, and from then on, he was accompanied by slaughter...

Later, the two of them, along with many other children, were adopted by the Tiemu family. He originally thought the Tiemu family valued his talent, but as time passed, the other children died one after another...

Only he survived after swallowing that thing...

He knew then that what the Tiemu family coveted was something else entirely. Sooner or later, they would make a move against Xiaoxiao as well.

Now, no matter what, he finally had an opportunity. As long as he severely injured Su Yu, he could send Xiaoxiao away!

The next day, at Zhenwu Mansion.

Su Yu arrived here after supervising the completion of river dredging in the final section of his jurisdiction.

"Commander Su, congratulations. The canal dredging is completed, earning you fifty Merit Points... Killing two Hall Masters of the Profound Bone Realm earns you fifty points each..."

"According to Master Jin’s annotations, you have obtained a total of twelve thousand Merit Points this time. In addition, you have already secured a top-four spot in this assessment, qualifying you for the Martial Arts Examination Nomination Order!"

Hearing this, Su Yu was delighted.

Obtaining this Martial Examination Order meant he had become a seeded candidate for the Martial Examination, which would save him a massive amount of energy during the arena battles. More importantly, it would prevent him from encountering other seeded candidates too early, ensuring he wouldn’t expose his strength and trump cards prematurely.

His chances of securing first place had greatly increased!

"Brother Su, congratulations! To think a genius like me was actually overshadowed by you!"

Li Jingfeng had appeared to the side at some unknown time, dressed in his familiar black clothes and striking a pretentious silhouette.

"Jingfeng, you’re here. How are your injuries?"

"Injuries? What injuries? How could a mere enemy at the Early Stage of the Profound Bone Realm leave me with injuries? I’ve been in secluded cultivation these past few days, and my strength has reached a higher level. If I run into another Hall Master at the Early Stage of the Profound Bone Realm, I’ll cut him down with a single slash!"

Seeing him so confident, Su Yu simply smiled, cupped his fists, and congratulated him.

"Commander Su has already obtained the Martial Arts Examination Nomination Order. Truly impressive."

"Sigh, I’m so ashamed. The gap between Commander Su and me has widened again."

"Are you out of your mind? A Commander in the Tiger Tendon Realm like you is comparing yourself to Commander Su?"

"I heard that Commander Gu and Commander Tiemu have also obtained Nomination Orders. There should only be one Nomination Order left now!"

"Here he comes, here he comes! It’s Great Commander Tiemu Xiaoyun! Get out of the way!"

A commotion rippled through the crowd as Tiemu Xiaoyun approached with the imposing stride of a dragon and tiger. The chilling killing intent radiating from him made everyone shudder.

"Commander Tiemu Xiaoyun, these are your Merit Points. In addition, Master Jin has confirmed you as one of the top four. Congratulations on obtaining the Martial Arts Examination Nomination Order."

Tiemu Xiaoyun’s expression naturally remained freezing cold. He merely gave a slight nod as he accepted the Merit Token.

Afterward, his gaze turned toward Su Yu, sharp as an eagle’s.

"Commander Su, in accordance with the rules of Zhenwu Mansion, I formally challenge you to settle the grudge between you and the Tiemu family!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding area instantly fell silent, and everyone’s expressions changed drastically.

Tiemu Xiaoyun wanted to fight Su Yu?