The Central Square of the Lu Imperial City was a breathtaking sea of golden flags, white marble arenas, and roaring crowds. Over ten thousand cultivators, branch clan members, and prominent merchants from across the province had gathered under the bright morning sun to witness the annual Lu Clan Main Assembly.
In the elevated VIP pavilion, shaded by silk canopies and surrounded by dozens of armed guards, sat Patriarch Lu Tian and Madam Lin.
Patriarch Lu Tian reclined on a massive throne carved from solid gold, a huge jar of spiritual wine in his hand. Beside him, Madam Lin was fan-fanning herself with a feather fan inlaid with peacocks' tails, her ruby-studded robes glowing under the sunlight.
"Look at all these people, Lu Tian," Madam Lin hummed pleasingly, her dark eyes scanning the bustling arena below. "They all came to witness our Chen'er grace the main stage! If any of those rustic branch clan ruffians dare to smudge his clean white robes today, I will personally double their annual taxation!"
"Hahaha! Well said, wife!" Patriarch Lu Tian roared, downing half his wine jar in one giant gulp. "Though I doubt any of those cubs could touch Chen'er anyway! The boy's foundation is solid as a mountain!"
On the private lower balcony behind the main throne, Lu Chen leaned casually against the polished stone railing. He was dressed in immaculate imperial white silk trimmed with royal purple thread, his long, silky crimson hair tied neatly with a purple ribbon. His glowing purple eyes looked down at the bustling arena with lazy amusement.
Standing right behind him in the shadow of the canopy, Ye Qingxian held her icy sword close to her side. Her lithe body in dark blue combat silk was perfectly still, her silver hair catching the gentle breeze.
Lu Chen turned his head slightly, his eyes lingering on her fair neck and sharp, graceful profile.
"Qingxian," Lu Chen whispered smoothly, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
"Yes, Young Master?" Ye Qingxian replied softly, her crisp voice remaining professional.
"Did you slip the Seven-Day Absolute Itching Powder into the ceremonial incense near the contestant entry gate, as I requested?"
Ye Qingxian’s ice-blue eyes flickered slightly, but she gave a subtle, elegant nod. "It has been done, Young Master. The powder was infused into the welcome smoke. Anyone who walked through the northern gate within the last half hour has absorbed it directly through their pores."
"Excellent," Lu Chen smirked, taking a slow step backward until his shoulder lightly brushed against hers. He reached out with a warm, slender hand, casually resting his fingers against her soft, gloved wrist.
Ye Qingxian’s breath hitched instantly. Her fingers twitched around her sword sheath, and a subtle, rosy warmth spread up her neck.
"Young Master... we are in front of ten thousand people," Ye Qingxian murmured, her eyes darting nervously toward the crowded VIP area, though she made no move to pull her wrist away.
"Let them watch," Lu Chen murmured near her ear, a playful, dangerously attractive smirk gracing his lips. "Who would dare complain about the Young Master seeking comfort from his most beautiful shadow?"
Ye Qingxian’s heart hammered against her chest like a frantic drum, her cold sword-saintess aura melting completely into flustered silence.
Before Lu Chen could tease her further, a loud, booming voice echoed across the arena via a sound-amplifying spiritual array.
"NEXT MATCH! MAIN CLAN YOUNG MASTER, LU CHEN... VERSUS BRANCH CLAN GENIUS, LU XIAO!"
BOOM!
The massive crowd erupted into thunderous cheers and eager whispers.
"It's Lu Xiao! The branch clan kid who returned from the Northern Wilderness at the Peak Foundation Establishment realm!"
"I heard he swore to defeat Young Master Lu Chen in three moves to prove that hard work beats noble blood!"
"Hahaha! Is he crazy? Challenging the Young Master of the Imperial Clan?!"
Down on the stone arena, Lu Xiao leaped up into the air, landing heavily on the marble floor with a dramatic splash of red spiritual energy. He wore simple black robes, his eyes burning with intense, vengeful arrogance. On his left hand, the old black iron ring shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
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Lu Xiao folded his arms, pointing a finger directly up toward the VIP balcony where Lu Chen stood.
"LU CHEN!" Lu Xiao roared, his voice carrying immense spiritual pressure that echoed across the square. "Three years ago, you ignored my existence! You sat in your golden carriage while my branch clan was forced to bow! Today, on this stage, I will drag you down from your high horse and show everyone that your so-called Young Master talent is nothing but a mountain of pills!"
In the VIP seats, Patriarch Lu Tian’s eyes widened in thunderous rage. "WHAT DID THAT BRAT SAY?! GUARDS! BRING ME MY DRAGON HALBERD! I'LL BEHEAD HIM RIGHT NOW!"
"Sit down, Lu Tian!" Madam Lin snapped, though her face was equally frosty. "Let our Chen'er handle that arrogant stray dog!"
Up on the balcony, Lu Chen casually adjusted his purple ribbon, completely unfazed. He looked at Ye Qingxian, winking at her smoothly before floating down off the balcony like a weightless feather, landing effortlessly on the arena floor across from Lu Xiao.
[Ding!]
[Target Detected: Lu Xiao (Fate Hero Candidate)]
[Condition Activated: Seven-Day Absolute Itching Powder has taken full effect!]
[System Reminder: Resolve the fight peacefully to claim the 20,000 System Points and Heavenly Fortune Stealing Mirror!]
Lu Chen stood with his hands casually tucked behind his back, his crimson hair swaying softly in the wind. He gave Lu Xiao a warm, angelic, completely harmless smile.
"Cousin Lu Xiao," Lu Chen said smoothly, his voice carrying clear across the arena. "It fills my heart with joy to see you return safely from the harsh wilderness. If you feel wronged by the past, I am more than willing to discuss it over a warm cup of tea."
Lu Xiao sneered disgustfully. "Tea?! Put away your fake, hypocritical smiles, Lu Chen! Draw your weapon! I will defeat you in three moves!"
Lu Xiao stomped his foot, channeling his Peak Foundation Establishment energy to launch his signature dragon strike technique—
Twitch.
Suddenly, Lu Xiao’s body froze mid-stance.
A strange, unnatural sensation began to ripple across his skin. It started as a tiny tickle on his back, but within a fraction of a second, it exploded into an unbearable, burning, soul-tearing itch that covered every single inch of his body!
"Urk?!" Lu Xiao gasped, his eyes wide in absolute shock.
His thigh twitched. His arm twitched. The unbearable itch moved under his robes like ten thousand invisible ants biting him all at once!
"What... what is this?!" Lu Xiao hissed through gritted teeth, desperately trying to maintain his fierce, heroic martial pose.
"Cousin Lu Xiao?" Lu Chen asked, taking a concerned step forward with a face full of pure, innocent worry. "Is something wrong? Why are you shivering like a wet dog?"
"I... I am FINE!" Lu Xiao screamed, but he could no longer hold back.
Scratch! Scratch! Scratch!
Right in front of ten thousand spectators, the arrogant "Genius of the Northern Wilderness" suddenly began scratching his own shoulders furiously. Then his stomach. Then his back. Then his thighs!
"Hahaha! Look at Lu Xiao!" someone in the crowd shouted, bursting into laughter. "What is he doing?!"
"Is he doing a monkey dance?!"
"Why is he scratching himself like he has fleas?!"
"MASTER!" Lu Xiao panicked internally, screaming inside his mind toward his ring artifact. "MASTER, HELP ME! MY SKIN IS ON FIRE!"
Inside the ring, the ancient white-bearded spirit tried to channel spiritual energy to clear Lu Xiao’s body—only for the spirit energy to react with the powder, making the itch ten times worse!
"Xiao'er! It's a special alchemical toxin!" the ancient spirit yelled in horror. "It ignores spiritual defense! Do not channel energy or it will enter your bones!"
"AAAGH!" Lu Xiao howled in sheer agony, completely abandoning his martial technique. He dropped his sword, fell onto his hands and knees on the cold marble floor, and began wildly rubbing his back against the stone pillar like a desperate bear!
Scratch! Rub! Scratch!
The entire ten-thousand-man crowd went dead silent, staring at the scene in complete, stunned bewilderment.
Lu Chen walked over slowly, standing right beside the writhing, scratching Lu Xiao. Lu Chen looked down at him with immense compassion and gentle sadness, shaking his head.
"Ah, Cousin Lu Xiao..." Lu Chen sighed softly, his voice echoing across the arena through the sound array. "The Northern Wilderness is indeed a harsh place. You must have contracted severe mountain fleas due to poor personal hygiene. How heartbreaking... to see a branch clan genius reduced to such a state."
"LU CHEN... YOU... YOU SPITEFUL..." Lu Xiao wheezed, tears of utter humiliation and unbearable itching streaming down his face as he clawed at his own chest.
Lu Chen casually reached out, gently tapping Lu Xiao’s forehead with two fingers. A gentle wave of pure, non-lethal spiritual energy pushed Lu Xiao off the arena ring, tumbling him straight onto the grass below where his branch clan family members rushed over in panic.
"The winner... by forfeit due to... medical distress..." the grand referee announced awkwardly, shaking his head. "...is Young Master Lu Chen!"
BOOM!
The crowd burst into a mixture of roaring laughter and loud cheers!
Up in the VIP seats, Patriarch Lu Tian slapped his knee so hard the gold throne cracked. "HAHAHAHA! MOUNTAIN FLEAS! THE BOY HAS MOUNTAIN FLEAS! HAHAHAHA!"
Madam Lin shook her head, fanning herself with a proud smile. "My Chen'er is truly too kind. He didn't even strike his cousin, yet the boy defeated himself!"
Down on the arena floor, the golden mechanical prompt flashed brightly before Lu Chen’s purple eyes.
[Ding!]
[Quest Completed: 'Reform the Arrogant Hero'!]
[You defeated the Fate Hero Lu Xiao without spilling a single drop of blood or damaging his cultivation realm, inflicting 100% emotional and psychological damage!]
[Rewards Issued: 20,000 System Points!]
[Special Reward Issued: 1x Heavenly Fortune Stealing Mirror (Imperial Grade)!]
[Special Reward Issued: 1x Imperial Grade Alchemical Manual!]
Lu Chen smiled warmly, tossing a spatial ring into the air before catching it effortlessly.
He turned his gaze up toward the balcony. Ye Qingxian stood there, watching him with her ice-blue eyes. A faint, helpless, breathtaking smile touched her lips as she lo
oked down at her young master—the absolute, undisputed menace of the realm.