Chapter 22: with translation of chapter title

Wu Jinchang's arrogant expression froze; he felt like a lost clown, pretending to be tall as he crawled over to the monster's side, feeling pleased with himself.

Seeing the shocked expressions of his classmates beside him, Wu Jinchang resolutely drew his longsword and took a stance.

Come on.

Seeing Wu Jinchang ready for battle, Xiao Li naturally gave him the respect he deserved; with a pull of his right hand through the air, the Lightning Scale Spear manifested, accompanied by lightning, out of thin air.

His right foot tapped the ground, causing cracks to spiderweb across it, and Xiao Li's figure had already rushed to Wu Jinchang's face.

Lightning-fast speed even caught the wind off guard; Wu Jinchang's forehead hairs were split, his pupils suddenly constricted.

So fast.

The next moment, Wu Jinchang's body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Xiao Li appeared where Wu Jinchang had been standing, calmly retracting his spear and standing still, the long spear in his hand still crackling with fine lightning.

One move, crushing an eight-star Fighting Master.

Around him rose shouts like a mountain‑calling, sea‑surging tide, but Xiao Li was not satisfied in his heart; his fighting technique was still high Yellow Rank, too outdated. According to the original story, he might even fail to make the top five in the inner courtyard selection.

Hu Qian's wings trembled once, his vast Fighting Qi wings drawing the gaze of the entire crowd.

Fighting Emperor — absolutely what most people spend their lives seeking.

Xiao Li, come with me.

Hu Qian landed, his broad robes hiding a mighty aura, making Xiao Li feel no sense of oppression from him.

Xiao Li followed Hu Qian to a room, where there was also a little girl with her hair tied in sheep‑horn braids.

Hu Jia looked at Xiao Li doubtfully, 'Grandfather, who is he?'

Hu Qian chuckled, 'This is Xiao Li, a newly enrolled student; he's a guy far more talented than you.'

Upon hearing that, Hu Jia pouted her nose in displeasure, 'I'm the most talented person in the outer courtyard; how could there be someone stronger than me, and far superior?'

Hu Qian gave Xiao Li an apologetic smile, 'This is my granddaughter; she's young and hasn't formally started her studies at Canaan Academy yet, please excuse her.'

Xiao Li smiled indifferently, 'A very cute little girl, about the same age as my younger brother.'

The speaker meant nothing, but the listener took it to heart; hearing Xiao Li say he still had a younger brother, Hu Qian's interest stirred, and he asked calmly.

Hehe, what a coincidence; you're so talented, your brother must be extraordinary too — your family is really lucky to have such talent.

Hearing Hu Qian's words, Xiao Li curled the corner of his mouth in a triumphant smile; he simply wanted to spread the word about Xiao Yan early — with their two talents, if he could later get the elders of Canaan Academy to help, then when the three‑year agreement came up, ascending the Cloud Mist Sect would give him a bit more leverage.

Originally, Xiao Yan gathered his classmates and friends, but he couldn't get the true powerhouses of Canaan to act; otherwise, Xiao Zhan wouldn't have been snatched by the Soul Hall's mere Fighting Sect.

Thinking of Xiao Zhan, who always considered everything for him, Xiao Li's smile faded a bit; having transmigrated, if his father were still captured by the Soul Hall, it would be a disgrace to him as a transmigrator.

Xiao Yan's growth has many motivations, and Xiao Li shares them; letting his father stand openly behind their brothers is one of them.

My younger brother Xiao Yan's talent is not much different from mine; he just delayed his training for over a year due to some matters, so he should now be at the level of a Fighter.

Xiao Li's words were vague, and Hu Qian didn't press further; he simply decided to have the academy pay more attention to the Xiao family of Wu Tan City later.

After idle chatter, the two ignored the sulking little Hu Jia to the side and sat opposite each other.

'Tell me what you need; the academy didn't expect anyone to actually defeat a senior Fighting Master‑level student, so we haven't prepared anything. You know your own situation best — as long as it's not too outrageous, I can get it for you.'

Seeing Hu Qian's air of 'I'm not short on money,' Xiao Li blurted out, 'I want a lightning‑affinity Earth Rank fighting technique, I wonder…'

'Cough,' Hu Qian choked on his saliva, his nostrils twitching, 'The reward isn't that generous either.'

Xiao Li gave an embarrassed smile, also feeling his request was a bit over the top.

'According to the academy's discussion, if it's a fighting technique reward, the most they can give you is a mid‑low Profound Rank technique,' Hu Jia said, stating the result they had just discussed on the judging platform with the elders.

Before Xiao Li could speak, Hu Qian quickly added, 'But…'

Hu Qian lifted his tea cup and took a sip, nearly causing the just‑excited Xiao Li to topple over.

'Dean Hu Qian, please speak.'

A flicker of smile crossed Hu Qian's eyes: 'The academy can only give you this, but I…'

Xiao Li realized: this was Hu Qian seeing his talent and wanting to invest.

'Kid, thank you, Dean; if anything comes up in the future, just speak up — I will do my utmost.'

Xiao Li's words weren't fully satisfied, and the payoff wasn't immediate; Hu Qian valued his future, not just Xiao Li as a senior Fighting Master now.

Hu Qian nodded approvingly; 'The young are teachable.'

'I have no other requests; I only hope that when my granddaughter Hu Jia faces danger in the future, you'll lend a hand. I believe your future achievements will surely surpass mine.'

Hu Qian's words pointed to Hu Jia beside him; Xiao Li pondered briefly and agreed to the request — after all, it's just helping out later, exchanging it for a present‑day mid‑Profound Rank or higher fighting technique — worth it!

Hu Qian chuckled, a purple‑covered book appearing in his hand, which he handed to Xiao Li: 'If you have any cultivation problems later, feel free to ask me.'

Xiao Li took the fighting technique, acknowledged it, thanked him again, and then left the room.

After Xiao Li left, the long‑ignored Hu Jia finally couldn't hold it in.

'Grandfather, I don't need his help — I'm awesome!'

'Hahahaha, good, our Hu Jia is the strongest, but you can't underestimate Xiao Li either — he's a genius even the Grand Elder values. Trading a backup fighting technique for a future favor from at least a Fighting Emperor is definitely worth it.'

Hu Qian affectionately rubbed Hu Jia's head, a flash of astonishment in his eyes, still unable to forget the Grand Elder Su Qian's comment on Xiao Li.

'A true dragon emerges from the shallows; once he enters Canaan Academy and obtains a cultivation method worthy of his talent, his talent will truly shine.'

Indeed, Su Fei had inquired about the Xiao family's situation; clan chief Xiao Zhan personally admitted that a month ago, before they even had a low‑Profound Rank cultivation method, Xiao Li had relied on a high Yellow Rank method to reach the level of Senior Fighting Master — truly a monster.

……the Xiao family

Hearing Xiao Yan personally say he had become an apprentice alchemist, regained his talent, and seeing Xiao Zhan's face light up when he observed Xiao Yan recover the strength of a one‑star Fighter during testing — he hadn't been this happy in over a decade; his sons were all promising, and as a father he shared in the glory.

He pushed open Xiao Yan's door: 'Son, I heard you've returned to the Fighter rank, Father is coming…'

Seeing the room empty, with a paper covered in writing on the table, Xiao Zhan's sole went numb, his steps halted, and a familiar, unpleasant feeling welled up in his heart.

Xiao Zhan trembled as he picked up the slip; the first sentence made his vision go dark.

'Father, I went out to train with my teacher; I don't know when I'll be back, please take care…'

'Unfilial wretches! Three unfilial wretches!'

(End of chapter)