The Tang family's first contender was a female cultivator named Tang Xi, renowned as the Tang family's most celebrated prodigy. With a singular fire spiritual root, she stood out among her peers. At just over thirty years old, she had already reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. According to the Tang family's expectations, advancing to the Golden Core stage before the age of fifty posed no challenge for her.

With such exceptional talent, even the five great clans would spare no effort in nurturing someone like Tang Xi, which made her status in the Tang family exceptionally high. From a young age, she stood at the pinnacle of privilege, never overshadowed by anyone—especially not another female cultivator.

However, just a few days ago, during a match, a young female guest cultivator from the Wang family stole the spotlight. She won ten matches in a row, each victory claimed with a single strike and a kick, earning her a reputation for being invincible in the Foundation Establishment stage. Even the Third Master expressed interest in recruiting her to the Tang family, a prospect that seemed excessively bold.

Tang Xi hadn't attended the event in person that day, so she didn't fully believe the rumors. Nonetheless, she had come today to personally confront this so-called "Han Lin" of the Wang family and see for herself whether the famed one-strike, one-kick victories were genuine.

Faced with such a bold challenge, the spectators around the stage were instantly thrilled. On one side was the Tang family's prodigious daughter, and on the other, the recently celebrated female guest cultivator. How could such a match not ignite anticipation? Everyone hoped Zhang Yiyi would immediately accept the challenge, giving them a chance to witness an extraordinary showdown. Was the true Foundation Establishment champion among the lesser northern families Tang Xi, the Tang family's prodigy, or Han Lin, the dark horse guest cultivator?

"She's challenging me directly?" Zhang Yiyi instinctively looked at Elder Du beside her. The female cultivator on the stage was clearly no ordinary individual, and Zhang Yiyi couldn't fathom why she was being singled out. Was it simply because she had won a few matches recently?

"This is Tang Xi, the Tang family's prodigy," Elder Du said bluntly. "She possesses a single fire spiritual root, and her cultivation and combat abilities are exceptional. If you're confident, you should accept the challenge."

"So, I have the option to accept or decline?" Zhang Yiyi's focus seemed different from Elder Du's. She grasped the situation well enough to understand that she wasn't strictly required to face Tang Xi.

Tsk. It wasn't a question of whether she dared to accept the challenge, but rather that Tang Xi's sudden interest in her spelled trouble. Zhang Yiyi wasn't keen on fighting someone like that.

"Of course. However..." Elder Du's tone shifted quickly as he added, "Whether or not you fight is up to me, not you. You don't have a choice. Besides, Tang Xi was already assigned as your opponent from the start. So, up you go."

Among the four Foundation Establishment cultivators representing the Tang family, Tang Xi was undoubtedly the strongest. Who else would Elder Du have Zhang Yiyi face? That said, Tang Xi's proactive challenge showed that the siblings' recent fame had spread far and wide.

Zhang Yiyi was speechless. Elder Du's words were unreliable—one moment he implied she had a choice, and the next, he declared she had none. Fine. If she had to fight, so be it. As a guest cultivator and enforcer, she would follow orders.

Leaping onto the stage, Zhang Yiyi cupped her fists toward Tang Xi, who stood on the opposite side. "Han Lin of the Wang family seeks Daoist Tang's guidance."

"So you're Han Lin?" Tang Xi didn't rush to attack. Instead, she scrutinized Zhang Yiyi from head to toe, her gaze haughty. "I heard you won all ten matches in the qualifiers a few days ago, each with just one strike and one kick?"

"It seems Daoist Tang has come here because of the rumors." Zhang Yiyi remained unfazed by Tang Xi's arrogant demeanor and replied calmly, "That's correct. I am Han Lin."

"A mere rogue cultivator with triple spiritual roots, and such mediocre talent at that—yet you've reached the Foundation Establishment stage so quickly and even possess considerable combat strength. It seems you've had great opportunities and extraordinary luck." Tang Xi's gaze turned mocking as she added with a faint smile, "I wonder, aside from your so-called single-strike, single-kick technique, do you have any other skills? If you're so arrogant, you'd better have some cards up your sleeve for protection."

From these brief words, Zhang Yiyi could sense Tang Xi's blatant hostility. This woman was ruthless, wasting no time digging a massive pit for her. By implying that Zhang Yiyi's accomplishments were solely due to luck and great opportunities, Tang Xi was essentially encouraging others to target her for the supposed "fortune" she carried.

Moreover, how was she being arrogant? She hadn't killed anyone or severely injured her opponents, yet she was labeled as such? Zhang Yiyi couldn't understand Tang Xi's logic, but the malice directed at her was undeniable.

"Daoist Tang jests. Anyone capable of stepping onto this stage must have their own fortunes and opportunities," Zhang Yiyi retorted without batting an eye. "Compared to someone like you, who stands far ahead, how could someone like me dare show off? As for whether I have other skills besides my one-strike, one-kick technique, you'll find out soon enough in our match."

"Tsk, quick-witted and sharp-tongued, but I dislike that kind of attitude," Tang Xi sneered. "I originally planned to spare your life, but now, that seems unnecessary."

At those words, many spectators below the stage were immediately riled up. To them, the promise of bloodshed was the ultimate thrill.

"Oh, so Daoist Tang intends to take my life. In that case, I suppose I'll have to be extra cautious in the upcoming match," Zhang Yiyi replied, completely unfazed by Tang Xi's threat. She wasn't even annoyed; she couldn't be bothered. After witnessing the reckless disregard for rules in the previous matches between the Sun and Li families, she had mentally prepared herself for someone to exploit the rules wantonly.

Now, hearing someone with no grudge against her openly declare they wanted her dead? She was starting to get used to it.

In a world where killing was permitted within the rules, who needed a reason? Ultimately, she had been too naive, imagining these people to be better than they really were. Zhang Yiyi began to reflect. She had been influenced too deeply by the legal system of her previous life. Years into the cultivation world, she still hadn't fully embraced its brutal reality.

If she continued clinging to her naive outlook, it would eventually become her downfall—a fatal weakness she could no longer afford.

Seeing that Zhang Yiyi didn't take her threat seriously or, rather, didn't care, Tang Xi sneered coldly. Her gaze locked onto Zhang Yiyi like a predator sizing up its prey. "Arrogant and ignorant. Do you really think your so-called skills make you invincible in the Foundation Establishment stage? You're nothing but a frog in a well. Today, I'll show you what it means to always be someone stronger and a world broader than your imagination!"

Zhang Yiyi felt a bit awkward at Tang Xi's tirade. The lines sounded more like the script of a cliché villainess—almost begging for a face-slapping response.

A prodigy of a mid-sized family, going out of her way to challenge someone, then spewing all this nonsense instead of just fighting?

"I may not be a sword cultivator," Tang Xi continued, "but I will use one strike and one kick to end your life!"

That last remark left Zhang Yiyi utterly speechless. Who's the arrogant one here? To declare in front of everyone that she'd use Zhang Yiyi's signature technique to kill her—Tang Xi must either be extremely confident or utterly delusional.

"Are you sure?" Zhang Yiyi suddenly felt like she was dealing with a lunatic. Someone so fixated on stealing her one-strike-one-kick fame had to be out of their mind. But then again, Tang Xi was already famous—did she really need more attention? Could it be that this "prodigy" was just plain dumb? Did she not realize how embarrassing it would be if she failed?

"Of course I'm sure!" Tang Xi showed no hesitation, her confidence teetering on the edge of arrogance.

"What if you can't do it?" Zhang Yiyi countered.

"There's no such possibility!" Tang Xi dismissed her without a second thought, her disdain evident.

"How can you be so sure? How about we make a bet in front of everyone?" Zhang Yiyi, thinking about her tight financial situation, decided to take this opportunity to make a profit. "If you fail to kill me with one strike and one kick, you'll owe me 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones. Dare to bet?"

"Trying to provoke me?" Tang Xi sneered. "You'll be dead, so what right would you have to collect?"

"Who says I'll be dead? My life is long-lasting and well-protected. Not only will one strike and one kick fail to kill me, but even countless strikes and kicks won't take me down." Zhang Yiyi dropped her playful tone and stared at Tang Xi with unflinching seriousness. "Don't worry; I'm not taking advantage of you. Since this is a bet, the stakes should be the same for both sides. If you really can kill me with one strike and one kick, my brother will compensate you with 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones. Do you dare?"

Her tone was bold, almost mocking. Since Tang Xi wanted to kill her with such dramatic flair, Zhang Yiyi saw no harm in squeezing a hefty sum out of the situation.

With the Tang family's influence, Zhang Yiyi, as a rogue cultivator and a mere guest under a minor family's banner, naturally wouldn't dare to kill Tang Xi in a fair match. Even if Tang Xi openly declared her intent to kill, the consequences of retaliation were too severe. But this didn't stop Zhang Yiyi from making her point—and hopefully, some money. Ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones might sting Tang Xi's pride and finances, but it was a small victory for Zhang Yiyi.

"Fine! Since you're so eager to hand me spirit stones, why not oblige you?" Tang Xi scoffed. "But can you and your brother even afford 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones?"

"You don't need to worry about that, Daoist Tang. Surely, you're not afraid my brother will back out in front of all these witnesses?" Zhang Yiyi glanced down at her brother, Luo Qiheng, signaling him to confirm.

Luo Qiheng, expressionless as ever, nodded calmly. He didn't seem the least bit concerned about the possibility of Zhang Yiyi losing and saddling him with debt. This was clearly a setup, and Tang Xi had walked straight into it.

To everyone's surprise, even the Wang family head spoke up: "If this wager is officially agreed upon, my Wang family will cover Han Guest Cultivator's 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones, should she lose. Of course, that's only if Miss Tang can truly take her life with one strike and one kick."

With this declaration, Tang Xi had no choice but to accept. Refusing now would mean admitting that all her earlier bluster was empty talk.

"Fine! Then I'll grant your wish!" Tang Xi agreed without hesitation, though the faces of her Tang family companions were far from pleased.

"Third Master, isn't Tang Xi being a bit too reckless today?" one of Tang Jin's trusted aides muttered below the stage.

The aide was dissatisfied with Tang Xi's arrogance. Though a prodigy with a rare single fire root, she seemed far too overconfident. The idea of defeating the Wang family guest cultivator with just one strike and one kick was sheer lunacy.

"Let her be," Tang Jin said dismissively. "What's 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones? Consider it a lesson to clear her head."

Though his words sounded indifferent, the aide couldn't help but sense that Tang Jin wasn't just allowing Tang Xi to stumble but actively encouraging it. It was as if her impulsiveness amused him.

Whether he was indifferent or merely indulging her, Tang Jin's attitude left his aide increasingly baffled.