Wang Xiaoqiang's eyes sharpened as he stared intently at the blood lines swirling around Li Bali, which seemed both real and illusory, moving as he did. However, upon closer observation, one could still discern the number of blood lines.

There were four in total.

Blood Condensation Realm with a Small Achievement is represented by three blood lines and possesses 38 Bear Strength.

Blood Condensation Realm Middle Stage is indicated by six blood lines and possesses 47 Bear Strength.

With four blood lines, Li Bali had not yet reached the Middle Stage of the Blood Condensation Realm. Nevertheless, he should still have possessed around 40 Bear Strength.

With 40 Bear Strength, coupled with Li Bali's Fifth Transformation of the Immortal cultivation base, he could crush Wang Xiaoqiang with just one hand.

However, Wang Xiaoqiang did not show any signs of fear, because even if Li Bali was formidable, he wouldn't dare to do anything to him within the Outer Sect Disciple area. Right now, to Wang Xiaoqiang, Li Bali was nothing more than a paper tiger.

Even if Li Bali defied the sect rules and tenaciously tried to kill him, Wang Xiaoqiang still had the Penglai Immortal Sword to rely on,

and the Patterned Beast,

which was to awaken in two more days. By then, Wang Xiaoqiang would have a Pet Beast with strength equivalent to that of an Eighth-Level Demon Barbarian, making killing Li Bali as easy as turning over one's hand.

Right before Wang Xiaoqiang's eyes, that Outer Sect Disciple Zhao Xiong, as if intentionally, led Li Bali directly to the dining table near where Wang Xiaoqiang was sitting. As he passed by, Zhao Xiong winked and nudged his chin up at Wang Xiaoqiang, signaling Li Bali to take notice of Wang Xiaoqiang.

Li Bali sat down at the dining table with an air of authority, his cold gaze fixed on Wang Xiaoqiang.

Wang Xiaoqiang met his gaze without a trace of fear on his face.

Wang Xiaoqiang's composure left Li Bali somewhat puzzled. It was well known that a look from a cultivator at the Blood Condensation Realm and Fifth Transformation of the Immortal could exert an invisible pressure, forcing one to avert their gaze, shudder in fear, and not dare to look directly. Yet, Wang Xiaoqiang dared to meet his stare without showing any fear.

This was quite abnormal!

However, after discerning Wang Xiaoqiang's cultivation realm, Li Bali still scoffed contemptuously and blustered, "A mere ant like that isn't even worth the effort of being crushed by my two fingers."

Wang Xiaoqiang knew he was referring to him. However, since Li Bali wasn't naming names, he wouldn't respond directly. After all, verbal bravery wouldn't earn you any more respect.

So, he turned his head away and continued eating silently.

The more Wang Xiaoqiang ignored Li Bali's provocation, the angrier Li Bali became. In his view, Wang Xiaoqiang's indifference was a sign of contempt, the height of arrogance.

Seeing Li Bali's angry expression, Zhao Xiong cautiously offered, "Cousin, why don't you have some food as well?"

Because Zhao Xiong and Jiangg Ba were sworn brothers, he also referred to Li Bali as cousin.

Li Bali waved his hand dismissively, saying with disgust, "No need, that's not fit for human consumption!"

Li Bali was speaking the truth; the meals for Outer Sect Disciples, to someone like him, were so unappealing that the mere sight of them could turn one's stomach.

Though it was a harsh truth, his words were extremely arrogant, essentially insulting all the Outer Sect Disciples. In an instant, many turned to look, and murmurs of discontent began to spread.

Clearly, everyone was expressing dissatisfaction with Li Bali. However, their voices were very soft, as though they were afraid of being heard by him. Even so, to Li Bali, their murmuring was an irksome noise. With a sweeping glare full of killing intent, the murmuring instantly died down.

However, at that moment, a voice rang out, "Haha... Zhao Xiong... you're really going to get your fill today..."

Just after Li Bali had claimed that it was not food fit for humans, someone reminded him to eat his fill, which caused Zhao Xiong considerable embarrassment. However, when he turned to look at the person who had reminded him, he became livid with rage, as the person speaking to him was none other than Wang Xiaoqiang.

"You little brat, what do you mean by that?" Zhao Xiong glared furiously, wishing he could immediately come over and strangle Wang Xiaoqiang to death.

Unashamed and undisturbed, Wang Xiaoqiang said leisurely, "Hehe, Zhao Xiong, it's obvious you hate me to the bone. How about this, I'll give you a chance. Let's settle our score on the life-and-death duel stage, shall we?"

"Afraid of you? I could crush you to death with just one finger," Zhao Xiong said viciously.

"Uh, you agree, then? That's really great. But I'd remind you to stuff yourself well. Just in case I hit too hard today, at least you'd die on a full stomach. Hahaha... just kidding..." Wang Xiaoqiang laughed heartily.

Around them, some disciples also covered their mouths, snickering quietly.

Wang Xiaoqiang's words carried a double meaning, not only counterattacking Li Bali's arrogant statement but also mocking and ridiculing Zhao Xiong.

"You..." Zhao Xiong glowered at Wang Xiaoqiang, momentarily at a loss for words. He had come today to avenge Jiangg Ba, even inviting Jiangg Ba's cousin to bolster his presence. In reality, he was somewhat wary of Wang Xiaoqiang.

Since Wang Xiaoqiang had been able to kill Jiangg Ba, his strength was surely not as simple as Divinity Transformation; it must be higher. Zhao Xiong was currently unable to fathom Wang Xiaoqiang's true strength. However, even after hesitating, he didn't want to lose momentum and raised his fists, saying, "Later on the stage, I'll smash every bone in your body to avenge my brother Jiangg Ba."

"Haha... I'm so scared!" Wang Xiaoqiang replied with a sneer, shrinking his neck and said, "Zhao Xiong, you're so fierce, won't you consider giving me three moves?"

The Outer Sect disciples around them had been watching this warm-up verbal battle before the life-and-death duel, wondering how Zhao Xiong would react to Wang Xiaoqiang's sudden show of weakness and request for a handicap.

Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Zhao Xiong immediately looked uncomfortable. While it did feel good to strut around with arrogance, it inevitably came with significant risks. With the demise of Jiangg Ba as a cautionary tale, he dared not agree. Besides, he still couldn't gauge Wang Xiaoqiang's true power and was very anxious.

"Ah Xiong, just let him have three moves. He's nothing but a frog at the bottom of a well. I'd like to see how high he can jump," Li Bali, seeing Zhao Xiong speechless under Wang Xiaoqiang's pressure and feeling annoyed himself, immediately stirred Zhao Xiong up while cracking his knuckles. The four bloodlines around him proudly spun rapidly in intimidation.

Zhao Xiong's face turned from red to white, but he never dared to agree, and so he went to get his meal with his head down.

Seeing Zhao Xiong's frustrated demeanor, everyone couldn't help but laugh out loud.

In the Outer Sect, Jiangg Ba was a tyrant and Zhao Xiong his henchman, the lackey. The Outer Sect disciples had long been oppressed by Zhao Xiong and now found relief seeing his usual arrogance thwarted.

Listening to the mocking laughter, Li Bali couldn't help but stand up abruptly, his small eyes staring intently at Wang Xiaoqiang.

The intense aura locked onto him, forming an invisible pressure that almost suffocated Wang Xiaoqiang,

Li Bali was indeed extraordinary.

However, Wang Xiaoqiang still managed to keep a relaxed and joking demeanor on the surface.

"Kid, if you're brave enough, let's find a place to spar. How about I let you have ten moves?" Li Bali said provocatively.

Wang Xiaoqiang coldly stared at Li Bali and said, "So you don't have much confidence in Zhao Xiong, do you? What you're saying is, the one walking off the stage alive today is me, and the one dying is Zhao Xiong?"

Li Bali faltered, realizing he had fallen into a trap of words, glared furiously at Wang Xiaoqiang, then returned to his seat thoroughly dejected.

Wang Xiaoqiang cursed inwardly, stood up, and said to Li Bali, "Tell Zhao Xiong I'll be waiting for him on the life-and-death stage. Tell him to make it quick."

Then, wrapping his arm around Yang Ling's jade neck, he walked out of the cafeteria.(To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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