Chapter 85: Auburn Feather's Challenge

At the center of countless gazes stood a young man with a cold, chilling expression, a faint sneer playing on his lips—it was none other than Auben Yu, the prodigy of the Auben family and the only son of Auben Shan!

A wave of shock and disbelief swept through the crowd. They distinctly remembered that not long ago, Auben Yu had only been a fifth-level Fighter. How could he have suddenly leapt to the seventh level in just a few days?

Although the speed of cultivation does increase after condensing the Fighter’s Qi Cyclone—unlike before, when it took a year or two to advance a single rank—once one became a Fighter, it was sometimes possible to rise several levels in a single year. Still, no matter how fast one trained, it was impossible to advance two levels in just a few days!

Such inhuman speed surpassed even Su Yi’s legendary three-level advancement in a single year!

Amidst the shock, someone finally couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master Auben Yu, have you truly broken through to the seventh level?”

“Of course. How could I dare to make up tales before all these esteemed seniors and experts?” Auben Yu replied with a trace of pride on his face.

Seeing the astonishment—especially on Lie Chen’s face—Auben Shan was overjoyed. Laughing heartily, he said, “Well, Lie Chen, it seems your Lie family won’t be taking first place this time!”

Lie Chen snorted, his gaze lingering on Auben Yu for a moment before he said, “Indeed, a seventh-level Fighter. But your aura is somewhat unstable—perhaps you boosted your strength with medicine?”

Although high-level Fighters could often hide their true strength from those of similar rank unless they released their full aura, such tricks were useless before someone like Lie Chen, a Fifth-Rank Douluo. He could sense it with a thought.

Lie Chen simply hadn’t paid special attention to Auben Yu until now, nor was it his habit to scrutinize every younger competitor’s strength upon meeting them.

Hearing Lie Chen’s explanation, the others finally understood—it was thanks to medicine. But what kind of medicinal herb could be so potent as to boost strength so dramatically in such a short time?

“No matter what, this time my Yu will surely win. Lie family, be prepared for second place!” Auben Yu snorted, then turned his cold gaze toward Su Yi. A hint of menace glimmered in his eyes as he said, “And you, Su Yi—don’t blame me if I don’t hold back later.”

Su Yi furrowed his brow slightly at Auben Shan’s threat but didn’t take it to heart. He was surprised, yes, but the mere power of a seventh-level Fighter was nothing to fear.

Noting Auben Yu’s increasingly vicious glare, Su Yi’s mind raced. He said, “If Auben Yu truly has the strength, I won’t blame him. But to improve so quickly… Clan Leader Auben Shan, could it be you used the Infernal Fire Lotus?”

The moment Su Yi’s words fell, another wave of shock rippled through the crowd—the Infernal Fire Lotus!

This was a legendary strength-boosting elixir. While it was of little use to Douluo or Doulong, those of the Profound Rank, it was renowned for its miraculous effects on Fighters and Battle Adepts. Among all the medicines available on the market that could aid Yellow-Rank cultivators, the Infernal Fire Lotus was second to none.

Consuming a single Infernal Fire Lotus could raise a Battle Adept’s strength by three whole levels! Who could doubt such miraculous effects? If Auben Yu had indeed taken the Infernal Fire Lotus, his sudden surge in power was no longer a mystery.

However, such forceful advancement through medicine was usually approached with great caution. The standard practice was to take it in several doses, slowly refining and absorbing its power over at least half a month, often a month or more.

If Auben Yu had consumed the fiery, qi-boosting Infernal Fire Lotus in just a few days, was he not afraid of his body exploding? But more importantly, the Infernal Fire Lotus was a precious herb, fetching a price of no less than a hundred thousand gold coins.

Most families could not afford it. Moreover, everyone in Changling City knew—the Lie family possessed such a Fire Lotus, but it had been stolen!

Sure enough, at the mere mention of the Infernal Fire Lotus, Lie Chen’s face darkened. His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept toward Auben Shan, his voice cold and low, “Auben Shan, did you really use the Infernal Fire Lotus?!”

Sensing the undercurrent of anger, the crowd grew tense—would a fight break out here and now?

That little bastard Su Yi! Auben Shan cursed inwardly, but his lips curled into a sneer as he met Lie Chen’s gaze. “It was only half a Lotus,” he replied, “or do you think it was the one stolen from your Lie family?”

Lie Chen’s face relaxed slightly at that. Indeed, if the Auben family had stolen it, his own house would have been finished long ago. As for the true story behind the Auben family’s Lotus, that could be investigated later.

Seeing the tension ease between the two, the others breathed a collective sigh of relief. Auben Shan, however, glared at Su Yi with murderous intent, as if he wished to tear him apart. Mei Ya, lounging calmly against her chair, couldn’t help but smile, glancing at Su Yi. “You really do love stirring up trouble.”

Su Yi rubbed his head sheepishly and simply grinned.

Seeing Su Yi’s calm, unconcerned expression—even after learning that Auben Yu was now a seventh-level Fighter—only intensified Auben Yu’s murderous intent. Old and new grudges welled up in his chest. He felt that only by tormenting Su Yi before killing him could he ease his hatred.

That day, before everyone’s eyes, Su Yi had broken his right hand, turning him from a celebrated genius into a laughingstock. How many times had Auben Yu heard the mocking words, “A fifth-level Fighter can’t even defeat a cripple!” The more he heard, the deeper his hatred grew. In his recovery, he had accepted the Infernal Fire Lotus, even though it conflicted with his own qi attribute, just to gain strength!

He hadn’t realized before how excruciating the overbearing medicinal power could be—his body felt ready to explode at every moment. More than once he nearly gave in, but the support of his father and his overwhelming desire to kill Su Yi had kept him going.

Burning with resentment, Auben Yu nearly rushed at Su Yi the moment he saw him today. Yet he could not break the rules of the tournament. Now, at last, the opportunity had come—he and Su Yi had both advanced to the final match!

A cold smile tugged at his lips as Auben Yu leapt from the VIP seats, landing in a few swift steps atop the dueling platform. He turned, pointed at Su Yi, and shouted, “Su Yi, do you dare face me in battle?!”

At this, the other finalists’ eyes lit up with delight. Outwardly, there were six competitors, but with five spots to fill, eliminating just one meant victory was already in hand.

The tournament’s rule—that losers in the same-level competition were disqualified—gave weaker families a golden opportunity. Not only had it allowed them to reach the finals, but now their chances of advancing to the top five had greatly increased.

Although six would compete, everyone knew that the first round would determine the top five—the rest would be a contest for first and second place. In fact, the fifth, sixth, and seventh-level Fighters might not even need to fight to secure their spots in the top five. It might seem unfair, but no one objected; after all, strength spoke for itself, and the strongest deserved to win.

This was, in a sense, the privilege of the strong. There had been instances before where the top ranks were decided by strength alone, without the need for matches.

Of course, anyone could attempt a challenge—hence the point-naming challenge rule. But the two families with third and fourth-level Fighters in the finals clearly did not wish to cross ranks. In fact, they were anxious not to be picked in the first round.

After all, surviving the first round meant securing a place among the top five, a hard-won opportunity. Why risk standing out?

Even the new finalist, who had taken Auben Yu’s original place—Qina, the arena master with a fifth-level Fighter—did not wish to compete first. As he worried, Auben Yu unexpectedly stepped forward to challenge Su Yi.

A moment ago, Auben Yu’s leap in power had shocked him; now, this turn of events brought secret joy. Neither Auben Yu’s sudden strength nor Su Yi’s mysterious might posed a threat to him anymore.

As Auben Yu’s challenge rang out, the audience’s excitement soared. Rumors of the enmity between Auben Yu and Su Yi had long circulated, but one thing was certain—they were enemies!

What could be more thrilling than two sworn foes meeting in battle?

And this was the very first bout of the finals! By now, most understood its significance. While Su Yi’s position was unaffected, if Auben Yu lost, the Auben family—a major city power—would be excluded from the top five!

The news of Auben Yu’s ascension to the seventh level had already spread like wildfire, fueling the crowd’s fervor. Wouldn’t the fight be all the more dramatic?

Moreover, Su Yi’s true strength would finally be revealed!

At this moment, whether they doubted Su Yi had become a Fighter or firmly believed in the ancient law, all eyes turned to Su Yi standing in the VIP section.