Immortal and Martial Dual Cultivation Chapter 2 - Anger, Life-and-death Duel

Xiao Chen stayed perfectly still, merely casting a frigid glare at the onlookers, leaving everyone guessing at his inner thoughts. Xiao Jian spun toward the group and advanced unhurriedly. The audience cleared a path for him, their expressions brimming with eager anticipation for the upcoming drama as they fixed their eyes on Xiao Chen.

“Brother Chen, why aren’t you budging? Don’t you plan to show your big brother some respect?” Xiao Jian sneered, seizing Xiao Chen’s wrist with his right hand and dragging him forward.

Yet, as he tugged, Xiao Jian discovered he couldn’t budge Xiao Chen’s wrist at all. Shock surged through him—how could this waste possess such tremendous power? Just as he prepared to channel his Essence and force submission…

With a fierce shake, Xiao Chen hurled off Xiao Jian’s grip right before the crowd’s eyes, retorting icily, “No need for big brother to trouble himself. I can walk on my own.”

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the assembly. How had this waste managed to shake off Xiao Jian’s hold? True, Xiao Jian hadn’t unleashed his body’s Essence, but his cultivation had hit the peak superior Grade of Martial Disciple, just one step from Martial Master. His realm towered over Xiao Chen’s by several levels, so had this waste somehow pulled off a miracle and formed his Martial Spirit?

Xiao Jian, shaken loose by Xiao Chen, stood stunned for a moment before his face twisted into an ugly scowl. This Xiao Chen had the audacity to embarrass him publicly. Gloomily, he trailed after Xiao Chen. He conveniently forgot his own earlier attempt to shame Xiao Chen.

Positioned before the Magic Sealing Stone, Xiao Chen’s face showed bitter resolve. He knew exactly his cultivation level, yet retreat was impossible now. At worst, he’d face more mockery, a thought that oddly steadied his nerves.

Extending his right hand, Xiao Chen pressed it against the Magic Sealing Stone and circulated the faint Spiritual Energy within him. Strands of Spiritual Energy surged from his Dantian to the acupoints in his arms via his meridians, swiftly converging in his right palm. Beneath his touch, the Magic Sealing Stone began shifting hues, its pure white gradually fading to a pale red.

Soon enough, sweat beaded across Xiao Chen’s brow, as the Magic Sealing Stone exerted a strange sucking force, draining his Spiritual Energy relentlessly. Still, its color held steady at that faint red.

“Xiao Chen, 9th Grade of Spirit Refinement. No progress.” First Elder Xiao Qiang, stationed behind the Magic Sealing Stone, announced flatly.

Shaking his head, Xiao Chen pulled back his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead. The Xiao Clan disciples around him sighed in relief. This waste remained the same pathetic figure—no miracles, stuck at 9th Grade of Spirit Refinement.

A cold laugh escaped Xiao Jian. He’d been taken aback earlier, but now recalling his intent to torment him, he slipped right back into his bullying mode.

“Brother Chen, what a freakish genius you are. Eight years of cultivation and you’re still lingering at 9th Grade of Spirit Refinement. In the entire Xiao Clan—no, across the Great Qin Nation—only you boast such ‘talent’! Haha!”

Laughter erupted from all the Xiao Clan disciples in the hall. The First Elder behind the Magic Sealing Stone merely furrowed his brow in silence. He found it regrettable—Xiao Jian had decent talent and worked hard at cultivation, but lacked any real kindness. He wouldn’t go far. The elder wondered if this boy could even endure the Promise of Ten Years coming in half a year.

Xiao Chen stayed silent, his face locked in icy composure. This was his elder brother, who chose humiliation over comfort. Might as well have no brother at all!

Xiao Jian reached out and clapped Xiao Chen’s shoulders with both hands, grinning wickedly. “Brother Chen, don’t lose heart—take your time. Maybe in a few more years, you’ll condense your Martial Spirit. Hey, Brother Chen, why are you on your knees? No need for that; I don’t merit it.”

When Xiao Jian clapped, he infused his Essence, unleashing roughly half a peak Martial Disciple’s power. After Xiao Chen’s public slight earlier, he had no plans to go easy.

Sweat drenched Xiao Chen's forehead as he dropped to one knee on the ground. Xiao Jian's hand, charged with Essence, slammed down heavily on his shoulder. No matter how much power he mustered, Xiao Chen couldn't break free from Xiao Jian's hold.

A jeering voice rose from the crowd, “Young Master Chen, even with such outstanding cultivation, you don’t have to use such a method to display it!”

“Young Master Chen is indeed Young Master Chen—even the way he kneels shows such elegance.”

Xiao Chen shut his eyes tight. His fists clenched so hard that nails pierced into his palms. Blood trickled slowly down, while his body trembled without cease.

Dissatisfaction!

He was not resigned!

A burning resentment from the depths of his soul surged through Xiao Chen's body. He was not resigned! Is that you? Xiao Chen whispered. This intense resentment originating from the soul appeared to belong to the body's original owner. Even in death, the eight years of pent-up grudge exploded forth—he was not resigned!

No one would choose to be trash forever! No one could endlessly tolerate the jeers and humiliations from others! No one would accept bowing to others for life!

You are Xiao Chen; I am Xiao Chen too. I shall live on for you, erasing these eight years of shame. I will make those who ridiculed, insulted, and tormented you taste true regret!

Xiao Chen's eyes snapped open with ferocity. The usual cold, vacant gaze gave way to a brilliant shine, his eyes burning with unyielding resolve. I, Xiao Chen, will never remain trash!

With a forceful push downward, he rolled swiftly backward, rising to stand behind the Magic Sealing Stone. A icy stare fixed on Xiao Jian. Delighted by the laughter of the surrounding Xiao Clan disciples at Xiao Chen's expense, Xiao Jian had eased his vigilance after the earlier surprise escape. Frustration welled up again as he recalled it, prompting him to lunge forward once more.

A shredded cloth fragment shot out, striking his face with tremendous force like a slap. It had been ripped from Xiao Chen's sleeve, clearly launched by Xiao Chen himself.

“Very good, since you have already received it, I hereby challenge you to a life-and-death duel seven days later. From now on, you are no longer my big brother, and you never will be again!” Xiao Chen stared coldly at Xiao Jian as he declared, his chilling voice echoing as if from the depths of nine hells.