Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter Twenty-Two: Confrontation

After a short while, someone standing behind the group stepped forward. His gaze swept over the man who had spoken with Fang Tian earlier, signaling him to step back. That man nodded respectfully and retreated to the rear.

Thus, the one who appeared to possess a cultivation equal to Fang Tian’s now stood directly before him, hands clasped behind his back, exuding a profound and imposing aura. The crowd who had been mocking Fang Tian moments ago fell silent under this pressure, standing respectfully in place. The atmosphere shifted instantly, becoming tense and layered with subtlety.

With razor-sharp eyes fixed on Fang Tian, the man spoke in a deep voice, “Young man, are you the one who injured my nephew, leaving him unconscious up to now?”

As he finished, spiritual energy surged from him, the force infused with a gentle wind yet carrying a powerful impact, rushing toward Fang Tian. Fang Tian, unwilling to be outdone, summoned his own spiritual energy, clashing head-on with the incoming force.

The two streams of energy collided in an instant, producing a muffled boom that forced both men to step back. What had begun as a mere breeze was now transformed by their confrontation into a howling gale, kicking up a storm of dust around them.

Dust billowed as both men used their spiritual energy to disperse it, while those nearby shielded their eyes against the swirling grit. When the dust cleared, the two faced each other, Fang Tian’s gaze shifting from casual to stern. He sensed he was correct—this man’s cultivation truly surpassed his own, and he would need to proceed with caution.

Yet the other man was inwardly astonished, marveling that Fang Tian had matched him in the clash of spiritual energy. Clearly, this youth was no ordinary opponent.

The man spoke calmly, “Young man, you are exceptional. Despite your age, your cultivation is impressive.”

Fang Tian regarded him with curiosity. He had seen the Chen family patriarch before, but never this man.

“May I ask which member of the Chen family you are?”

As Fang Tian posed his question, the man seemed about to answer, when the earlier interlocutor suddenly jumped forward, shouting at Fang Tian,

“Youngster, this is the Second Lord of our Chen family, at the third tier of Spirit Gathering. You’re in no position to compare yourself! Frankly, your cultivation isn’t much—nothing impressive!”

“If you ask me, you’d best surrender now and save our Second Lord the trouble of subduing you!”

Seeing his subordinate vying to speak, the Second Lord’s expression soured. He turned, fixing the man with a cold glare that immediately silenced him and sent him scurrying back.

Then the Second Lord faced Fang Tian once more.

“Young man, I am Chen Shiqing, the younger brother of the Chen family patriarch.”

Fang Tian responded courteously,

“I am Fang Tian. Greetings, Second Lord Chen.”

Chen Shiqing was struck by Fang Tian’s politeness and felt a pang of appreciation, as if contemplating something further. He continued,

“Fang Tian, I see that you’ve reached the first tier of Spirit Gathering at such a young age—quite extraordinary. If you return with me and apologize to my nephew, the Chen family will let bygones be bygones. What do you say?”

Hearing this, Fang Tian silently mused,

“They want me to apologize? That’s pure fantasy. Better to prove myself through action!”

“Besides, Chen Shiqing doesn’t know my true cultivation. My display must have misled him into thinking I’m only at the first tier.”

“That’s good. When we clash, I’ll be able to catch him off guard.”

In that brief instant, Fang Tian weighed his options, then replied calmly, “I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Second Lord. I truly don’t see what wrong I’ve done, so I cannot agree to your request.”

Chen Shiqing sighed, addressing Fang Tian, “Very well. I’ll have to take you by force. If you’re injured in the process, don’t blame me!”

Fang Tian chuckled deeply and replied, “Rest assured, Second Lord—I am not as frail as your nephew!”

Chen Shiqing’s anger flared at these words. He snorted coldly,

“Such glibness! It seems I must teach you a lesson myself!”

Fang Tian retorted,

“Second Lord, don’t be so quick to claim victory. It’s not yet clear who will win.”

“Is that so? You’re just a novice at the first tier of Spirit Gathering. I’d like to see how you intend to leap two tiers and defeat me!”

“Then watch closely, and don’t say I bullied my elders afterward.”

Hearing this, Chen Shiqing trembled with rage, his face contorted by anger. Clearly, Fang Tian’s words had struck a nerve.

All thoughts of cherishing talent vanished from Chen Shiqing’s mind. He now only wished to subdue Fang Tian, torment him, and drag him back to the Chen family for punishment—on behalf of his nephew.

Without further delay, Chen Shiqing launched his attack, shouting, “Arrogant wretch! Prepare yourself!”

A fierce punch shot out, its momentum aimed squarely at Fang Tian’s face, Chen Shiqing pressing forward relentlessly. Fang Tian wasted no time; with a surge of spiritual energy, he summoned the longsword he’d planted in the ground earlier—prepared when the others approached, so none noticed.

The punch arrived in a flash. Fang Tian raised his sword to block, and as fist met blade, a thunderous boom erupted.

Fang Tian appeared to falter, driven back by the force of the punch, nearly losing his footing. But he remained composed, bracing himself against the ground with both feet, sliding back more than ten paces.

The once level ground now bore two deep furrows, a testament to the sheer ferocity of Chen S