Proving Oneself (1)

"Why do you have the right to challenge elder brother Li Yang?"

"You're just a trash who just became a Qi Warrior, Li Yu Tian! You can't even summon your martial spirit anymore!"

Yu Tian ignored the insults and jeers from his cousins. He continued to stare calmly at Li Yang with complete confidence.

"Why do you say that, cousin Yu Tian?" Li Yang raised a hand to silence the others. The older boy attempted to be polite, but Yu Tian could see some anger hidden in his eyes.

"Isn't it obvious?" Yu Tian smiled. "You don't deserve to stand beside her."

Hearing his words, Li Yaoyao immediately flushed slightly red. She used her cultivation to control the blood rushing to her face, trying to remain calm.

"C-Calm down..." The pretty girl willed herself. Unfortunately for Yu Tian, it seems that Li Yaoyao misunderstood his intentions and words.

"Oh?" Li Yang's mouth immediately curled into a frown. "So you deserve to stand beside her?"

"Maybe." Yu Tian shrugged, stretching his arms. Opening his eyes, his stare became sharp and hostile. "I only know for sure that you don't."

Li Yang immediately released his spiritual pressure as a sixth level Qi warrior. The youths began to stand back as he walked towards Yu Tian with a furious gaze. "And I know for sure you're just a trash who just became a Qi Warrior!"

"Then come and watch this trash defeat you!" Yu Tian also released his battle intent, his lighting crackling around his body. He also began approaching Li Yang, prepared to battle.

Li You Zi's old eyes widened when he sensed Yu Tian's aura. He was the only one to know that Yu Tian's cultivation had actually increased by 2 whole levels after just breaking through to Qi Warrior only a few days ago.

Even with a fortuitous encounter, it was still very abnormal to suddenly jump levels like this that was permanent. Pills and formations had similar effects to boosting one's strength, although their effects were temporary.

Is this boy hiding any other secrets on purpose?...

"Stop!"

Both Yu Tian and Li Yang were forced away when Li Ming suddenly stepped in between them. "Stop it, the both of you!"

"Hmph." Li Yang's cold stare remained on Yu Tian, who returned the look without backing down.

"Li Yu Tian, what is the meaning of this?" Li You Zi sighed. Of course, he already had an inkling to what was on the boy's mind.

Putting his hands together as a show of formality, Yu Tian spoke in a confident manner that was not too fast or too slow. "I mean what I said, patriarch."

"He doesn't deserve that spot." Yu Tian jerked his thumb towards Li Yang. "It should be mine for getting first in our last clan tournament."

Hearing his words, some of the members began whispering among themselves. Only the older youths that supported Li Yang continued to remain steadfast, sneering at Yu Tian.

"Does it matter? Your cultivation is still lower than Li Yang's." One of them taunted. Yu Tian simply smiled and closed his eyes, drowning out their words.

Li Ming frowned because Yu Tian did have a point in mentioning the clan tournament. Theoretically speaking, if Li Hao Ran was still alive, both he and Li Yu Tian would be the ones representing them at the inter-clan competition.

The only reason Li Yang was picked was because his cultivation was the highest of all the children under 16. Yu Tian did deserve this spot, but his cultivation had troubles progressing and he was only currently a level 2 Qi Warrior.

Not only that, but his martial spirit also had issues. Li Yang was their decided chance on having a better result in the tournament.

"Quiet, all of you!" Li Ming finally silenced the crowd with a stern shout.

"How do you suggest we resolve this then?" Li You Zi asked Li Yang and Yu Tian, stroking his beard.

Li Yang put his hands together and also faced towards him. "I think it's a simple solution, patriarch."

"Since cousin Yu Tian believes he deserves the spot..." A cunning glint flashed past the youth's eyes. "Why don't he and I have a competition to see who deserves it?"

"Li Yang, you are older than Yu Tian by nearly 5 years." Li You Zi reminded him. "You had more time to improve your cultivation."

Yu Tian stepped forward, radiating confidence. He seemed completely unfazed by the advantages Li Yang had over him. "It's fine, patriarch."

"I've fought more difficult battles anyways." This duel was what he wanted, and Yu Tian didn't believe Li Yang would be as difficult as his fight with Li Hao Ran. "I accept the challenge."

Unfortunately, he didn't have Qiu Xue with him now. If he could still use [Martial Spirit Fusion], Yu Tian felt that this battle would be a complete pushover with his martial spirit by his side.

Qiu Xue, I hope you can wake up soon...

Seeing how the boy wasn't afraid of the age and cultivation difference, Li You Zi finally relented. "Since it seems like both of you are in agreement, let's hold a duel where the winner gets to participate with Li Yaoyao."

"We'll hold it in the backyard in one shi chen."

...

Two hours later, a large crowd has gathered in the Li clan's backyard. Word spread around fast that Yu Tian and Li Yang would be having a fight for the remaining spot to particiapte in the inter-clan competition.

Not only the youths, but even some of the adults had put down their work to also come to watch the commotion.

The once fancy stage that was destroyed had been replaced with a cheap version in the backyard. Instead of smooth, grooved tiles, there was now only rough, uneven stone to provide friction.

Li Yang was already there, standing on the stage and confident of his victory. He had learned that although Yu Tian won the clan competition 2 years ago, that incident had caused him to lose talent and be unable to summon his martial spirit.

"Heh." Li Yang found the younger boy foolish, reveling in past glories. Without his martial spirit, there was no scenerio in which Li Yang sees himself losing, but he was still cautious as Yu Tian seemed a little too comfortable facing him.

"Where is he?" Li You Zi's eyebrows furrowed. There was still no sign of Yu Tian, and it's already 15 minutes past 2 hours since his announcement.

Li Gang was in the crowd, a gloating look on his face. He couldn't wait to see Yu Tian being taught a lesson by Li Yang and being brought down a peg or two. "Hehe. You're so foolish, Li Yu Tian."

The only person who seemed worried about him was Li Yaoyao. She also felt that Yu Tian was biting off more than he could chew with this fight. After all, how would he be able to deal with Li Yang and his martial spirit?

"He's here!" A voice in the crowd shouted, pointing to the approaching boy.

Yu Tian yawned, stretching as the crowd allowed him to pass and jump onto the opposite side of the stage. The former god had taken a quick nap for an hour and felt extremely refreshed, his condition at its peak.

He would've had another extra hour to rest, but he had to get an earful from Yae as the little fox lectured him on his recklessness. Eventually, she relented after understanding the necessity of his actions.

"I need to save my mother and reawaken Qiu Xue." Yu Tian simply told her before leaning into his pillow to rest.

Now, he felt ready as he faced against Li Yang. Even without a martial spirit, Yu Tian wasn't afraid of the older boy in any manner.

"Are you boys ready?" Li Ming asked them as he also stepped onto the stage, raising his arm. Seeing them nod, he lowered his arm to signal the start of the battle.

"Begin!"

Li Yang slowly approached him, igniting fire Qi on his hands. "Here I come, little cousin."

[Fireball]

Launching the balls of flame from his hand, Yu Tian was unfazed as he easily dodged them, swerving to the side. Li Yang was shocked to see the younger boy's smooth movements.

"Are you only going to dodge?" Li Yang asked as he continued to throw projectiles towards Yu Tian.

"Of course not." Yu Tian charged up his lightning Qi on his body. Moving with incredible speed, he charged towards Li Yang and stretched out his hand.

[Shockwave]

"Tsss..."

The speed of Yu Tian's attack caused Li Yang's facial features to turn serious as the wave of electricity hissed towards him. Putting his hands together, Li Yang used prepared another Qi techinque.

He didn't want to summon his martial spirit in this battle, but the younger boy started triggering a sense of danger that he couldn't ignore.

[Firewall]

"Hong!"

Yu Tian frowned to see his technique being nullified by the sudden barrier of fire shooting up in front of him. He was also forced back by the heat, unable to get into range for melee combat.

A few stray embers had also singed his new robe, darkening the fabric from the extreme heat.

Li Yang had also learned that Yu Tian was extremely talented in martial arts before this duel. After seeing his opponent's movements, it further convinced Li Yang on avoiding direct combat.

He wasn't going to be foolish enough to attempt trading blows with the younger boy. Li Yang believed that this was the reason Yu Tian was able to defeat cultivators at a higher level.

Yu Tian also seemed to figure out his train of thought. "Oh, I see. You're pretty smart."

"I admit your martial arts are higher than mine." Li Yang nodded, igniting his aura around himself. There was no way to break this stalemate while holding back, so he had to use more of his strength.

"However, your cultivation is still lower!"

"Does it matter?" A voice behind him made Li Yang's spine chill when the flames cleared.

[Alpha Force]

"H-How?" He was stunned to see Yu Tian already behind him.

With a slight bounce, Yu Tian's body had seemingly lowered itself almost towards the ground as he charged. Empowered by lightning Qi and extension of his legs to gain additional distance, he was able to get behind his opponent through their blind spot, using the momentum to carry him.

"Thud!"

Li Yang used his arms to shield his body, barely able to block a hard punch that made his arms sting. However, he was then sent flying by a kick to the solar plexus, sprawling onto the stage.

"That movement!" Li Ming was amazed at when he saw Yu Tian's footwork to arrive behind Li Yang. Even Li You Zi's eyes lightened up from seeing his grandson's Qi technique, which looked like a blur with slight afterimages.

Yu Tian waited for Li Yang to pick himself up. The former god didn't want to immediately end the battle because he wanted to prove a point to the clan.

"Even if I lost talent and can't use my martial spirit, I am still more talented than the rest of you."

"You're pretty good." Li Yang's gaze was complicated.

Yu Tian was a good 5 feet away from him when he forced the younger boy back with his flames. However, even with the distance, his cousin was still able to close the gap at an instant without a Qi technique.

This was true real talent in martial arts!

Seeing how Li Yang started to finally take him seriously, Yu Tian didn't feel that badly towards him now. The youth might've looked down on him at first, but the former god could tell that Li Yang's gaze had become respectful and serious.

"You're not so bad yourself, knowing to avoid direct combat with me." Yu Tian complimented back.

Li Yang nodded. "I still want to participate in the inter-clan competition though."

"As do I."

"..."

Both boys stared at each other, unwilling to compromise with the other. With a regretful sigh, Li Yang decided it was time to use all of his strength.

"I'll come at you with all I've got now." Li Yang's aura suddenly increased significantly, causing Yu Tian to be pushed back as his feet slid on the stage.

"Come out, my martial spirit!"