[Bonus chapter]Finals Begin! Li Yu Tian vs Li Hao Ran(1)

"That's the time. I'll be heading over to the stage now." Yu Tian bowed politely as he dismissed himself.

Nodding, Shan Dong Hai turned to his granddaughter, patting her head while Yu Tian ran off.

"So what did you two talk about?" The old man questioned Shan Qian Xue.

The little tomgirl rolled her eyes. "Nothing much. We just ate and I tried to warn him on quitting the tournament again, but he wouldn't listen."

"Why?" Shan Dong Hai was curious. "He has already won against opponents with higher cultivation than him."

He knew his granddaughter's martial spirit gave her the ability to sense a person's cultivation without having to be in combat. However, the old patriarch still had faith in Yu Tian having a chance.

"Yu Tian won against ones with only about 2 levels ahead of him." Shan Qian Xue shook her head. "His opponent is a Qi Warrior, while he's still only a level 6 Qi Novice."

"I don't think he stands a chance, but he didn't listen to me." The tomgirl shrugged.

"Hmm." Shan Dong Hai agreed with her thoughts.

It was one thing to win against someone a few levels ahead of you, but an opponent who's already in the next rank seems much too difficult to overcome. Shan Dong Hai also felt that Yu Tian would be having his most difficult fight yet.

If he didn't have any tricks left, Yu Tian's defeat was already certain.

...

"Let the finals begin." The Li clan elder announced loudly. "Li Yu Tian versus Li Hao Ran!"

Both of the boys stepped onto the stage. Yu Tian was still a bit dirty and muddy from digging up the wild potatoes for Shan Qian Xue, but it didn't show too much on the black robe.

Meanwhile, Li Hao Ran was wearing a pure red robe that was spotless. His hair was also neat and clean, giving off a large contrast between the two.

Not only that, but he was also slightly taller by a head above Yu Tian.

Li Hao Ran maintained his death stare towards the younger boy. Remembering how his opponent had been holding and touching Li Yaoyao, and causing her to blush, reignited the fury and jealousy in his heart.

All of the spectators and elders have returned to their positions. Most of the eliminated participants have also joined to watch, including Li Yaoyao and the wounded Li Gang. The said boy shared Li Hao Ran's glare of hatred towards Yu Tian.

Sipping tea, both Li Chang and Li Cheung were pleased. By a miracle, their plan had managed to succeed and the little bastard reached the finals, facing off against Hao Ran.

There was no doubt in their mind that the child they invested in would utterly defeat Yu Tian. Although Li Hao Ran's pyro serpent hasn't developed any martial skills yet, the Qi techniques that he learned should be more than enough.

Then, they would finally be able to drive the trash and his mother out of the Li clan. Not only that, the position of patriarch would be theirs once they threathen Li You Zi with Li Mei Ling.

As for the rest of the elders, they patiently waited for the final match to begin, unaware of the oncoming storm.

...

"Ready?" Both Yu Tian and Li Hao Ran nodded. "Begin!"

"Come out!" Summoning his martial spirit instantly, Yu Tian was stunned as a powerful wave of fire Qi from his opponent made him take a step back.

Soon, the pyro serpent emerged from the flames. It curled around Li Hao Ran's body before slithering in front of him, hissing menacingly at Yu Tian.

"That thing certainly grew fast." The former god noted.

Back when Li Hao Ran's martial spirit had just awakened, it was just a tiny snake that could barely wrap around his arm. After a time period of about 3 months, it grew to almost the same size as Li Gang's ember bear.

As expected of high grade martial spirits, there was a blue aura surrounding it. The hints of purple in the aura symbolised it to be at the peak tier of high grade.

"Meow." Sensing the challenge, Qiu Xue also materialised out and climbed onto his shoulder.

"Qiu Xue, you should head back." Yu Tian didn't think this battle would be safe. trying to coax the kitten back into his body.

The cultivation difference was nearly half a full rank, and Yu Tian knew that he was at a huge disadvantage. He didn't want his martial spirit to be hurt in the conflict, but Qiu Xue was adamant about staying.

"Attack!" Both Li Hao Ran and his pyro serpent struck first.

[Eyes of Eternity]

Yu Tian lunged back to dodge a powerful axe kick, then twisted in the air to avoid the serpent's sharp fangs. Li Hao Ran then willed his martial spirit to use its tail and smash the younger boy down, but the former god was able to use his lightning Qi to gain a burst of speed.

"Boom!" Yu Tian managed to barely dash past where the pyro serpent struck. He looked warily at the damage on the stage, an apparent deep crack in the stone tiles.

The pyro serpent was much more faster than the ember bear. Although the power was slightly lower than Li Gang's martial spirit, it's still enough to cause heavy damage to him if it landed a direct blow.

Yu Tian also sensed hints of a killing intent which made him become more cautious. Li Hao Ran didn't seem to be attacking to win, but was actually using enough force meant to cripple or kill him.

...

"A Qi Warrior already?" Li You Zi and some other elders murmured as they realized Li Hao Ran's true cultivation level.

"No, something is wrong." Thinking of something, he narrowed his eyes at Li Chang and Li Cheung. "Those two old foxes tried to change the tournament list too."

The Li patriarch already felt that his cousins were up to no good. However, he hasn't figured out their purpose yet.

If they only wanted Li Hao Ran to win, why would they put so much thought and care into Yu Tian?

...

Placing his hands together, Li Hao Ran focused on his internal Qi. Yu Tian didn't know what he was doing until a blast of fire came towards him, forcing him to roll to the side.

[Fireball]

"A Qi technique?" Yu Tian knew that Qi Warriors could start using Qi techniques, but he didn't expect Li Hao Ran to already know how to perform one so soon.

The fireball expanded upon coming into contact with the stage, sending embers towards Yu Tian. Forced to block, he lifted his arms and groaned in pain from having his injuries against Li Yaoyao be affected again.

Li Mei Ling had already helped him apply some medicine onto those wounds. Unfortunately, they still needed some time to heal. Li Hao Ran's attack dealt more damage to the old burns, even though Yu Tian covered his arms with lightning Qi.

The pyro serpent lunged at him again, causing Yu Tian to be suddenly pushed back while supporting Qiu Xue on his shoulders. Li Hao Ran could've taken this chance to push them off the stage, but he still had his mission to complete.

[Fireball]

Shooting another projectile at Yu Tian, the former god was preoccupied with the pyro serpent and had limited space to maneuver.

[Eyes of Eternity]

Twisting around, he managed to narrowly dodge the Qi technique again thanks to the ability of his eyes. However, the spread of the embers still managed to graze areas of his body.

"Why didn't you push me off the stage?" Yu Tian asked, his eyes narrowing. 

Li Hao Ran laughed triumphantly, ignoring his question. "How pitiful, little rat."

"Talking as if you've already won." The former god scoffed back.

"Hmph." Li Hao Ran sneered, making a new hand sign. "Let me show you another technique I've learned then, trash."

[Inferno Chains]

"What?" Yu Tian was stunned when the Qi from Li Hao Ran's body began to converge to his feet, leeching into the stone underneath them.

Suddenly, tendrils of flame lashed out from the ground. Although Yu Tian managed to dodge most of them by jumping into the air, one of the tendrils still managed to latch onto his right leg when he landed.

"Argh!" Li Hao Ran's technique burned into his skin while immobilizing his leg, forming into a bright red chain.

...

"[Inferno Chains]?" Li You Zi stared in shock at Li Hao Ran using a technique from the Li clan's most precious archives.

"Li Chang, Li Cheung. What is the meaning of this?" He growled.

Those archived techniques were extremely powerful, and were also major awards to individuals who have made great contributions or accomplishments for the clan. Although [Fireball] was a normal technique that any family member who reached Qi Warrior could practice, [Inferno Chains] was one of their most important techniques reserved for the elders.

Li Cheung smiled. "What could you mean by that, patriarch?"

"You know what I mean." Li You Zi scowled. "Why does Li Hao Ran know [Inferno Chains]? You know that the move isn't something to be used in the clan tournament."

Li Chang stood up this time, smirking. "Ah, but patriarch. Li Hao Ran has dutifully cultivated to Qi Warrior in these 3 months."

"So why can't a junior learn a strong Qi technique?" There was a dangerous glint in his eye.

Li You Zi's eyes widened. He finally knew what the two grand elders wanted to do against Yu Tian.

Turning towards the stage to observe the battle, his heart sank.

...

"Ahh!" Yu Tian couldn't help but cry out from the searing agony.

Li Hao Ran roared with laughter, savouring Yu Tian's painful expressions. The only downside to this Qi technique was that he was rooted in place, but his pyro serpent could easily finish the rest.

"Go!" The older boy commanded his martial spirit to attack his opponent.

Still in pain, Yu Tian forced himself to jump with his left side to dodge the pyro serpent's fangs. The sudden movement caused the [Inferno Chains] to tighten around his right leg, torturing him with more intense pain as he fell face-first onto the ground.

Trying to use his lightning to break free, it proved fruitless as they weren't able to overpower his opponent's fire Qi.

"Hahaha!" Li Hao Ran relished in Yu Tian's suffering. "This is why you are trash!"

"Shut up." Yu Tian panted, sweat covering his brow from the burning agony.

The former god's gaze was defiant and cold, causing Li Hao Ran to feel uncomfortable from the glare given by the younger boy. He growled in displeasure, commanding his pyro serpent to continue attacking.

"Argh!" Yu Tian's cries echoed from the stage as he was forced to continuously dodge the strikes.

...

"Yu Tian!" Seeing her son in intense suffering, Li Mei Ling stood up. She turned to the announcer. "Please! Stop the fight!"

The mother ran towards the stage but was intercepted by a figure. "Elder Chang?"

Li Chang smiled coldly, blocking her way to the stage. "I think we should let the younger generations resolve their conflicts, right niece?"

"You dare?" Li You Zi was fully infuriated now, standing up with enough force to break his chair. "Stop the fight now!"

"I'm sorry, patriarch." Li Cheung stepped in front of Li You Zi. "But I think you should stay out of the family's consensus, unless you wish to step down."

Li You Zi's heart sank when many of the Li clan family members stared at him with cold eyes. The rest didn't dare look at him, not wanting to get involved.

Li Yaoyao wanted to say something, but her mother covered her mouth and hugged her daughter tightly. This was something beyond their control. Trying to help would only get you persecuted as well.

"Don't worry, Yu Tian won't die." Li Chang's smile was pleasant compared to his poisonous words. "However, a trash's path on cultivation should end here."

Seeing his friend in trouble, Shan Dong Hai was about to stand up and help. However, two voices reached his ears, immediately forcing him to stop.

"The internal troubles of other families should be left alone." The representative from the Yun clan looked at him with dark intent. "It would be unfortunate if us older generation should fight and something to happen to the young miss."

"Just let them solve it out themselves, Patriarch Shan." The Sima clan representative took a sip of tea and commented calmly.

Noticing that both elders of the other families were supporting Li Chang and Li Cheung, Shan Dong Hai could only helplessly sit down.

It was apparent that the Li clan's grand elders had this all planned out, even working with the Yun and Sima clans. Shan Qian Xue stared at her grandfather desperately, who could only hold her hand in comfort and shake his head.

If he got involved, they would target his granddaughter. Qian Xue was strong, but even she would be helpless against these old monsters who were War Grandmasters. The bigger issue would be his actions would be equivalent to declaring war with the other clans.

Shan Dong Hai stared back towards the stage with a bitter look. "Child... Only you can save yourself now."