Chapter 1610 - 1611: Rivals
Lin Chen looked at Xu Wei, whose expression had suddenly changed, and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just saw someone I didn't want to see," Xu Wei said coldly.
Xu Wei and Lin Chen disembarked from the boat, and a group of Xu family members gathered around them.
These Xu family members were the first group to arrive at Xuanling Island, preparing for this martial arts tournament.
Xu Wei glanced at a middle-aged man leading the group and said softly, "Uncle Xu Guang, Brother Xu Yun's injuries have healed well, so please don't be too sad."
Xu Guang was Xu Yun's father and the second elder of the Xu family. With a powerful son, Xu Guang held a high position in the family and even had a chance to become the future Sect Leader.
However, with his son crippled, all his years of effort were for naught.
"Hmph, those who dared to harm my Yun'er, I won't let them go," Xu Guang said with a cold tone.
Just then, a blond-haired young man behind Xu Guang stared at Xu Wei with a fiery gaze full of greed, lewdness, and admiration.
Facing the blond youth's fiery gaze, Xu Wei was indifferent, even directly ignoring it.
The blond youth smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister Xu Wei, I will avenge Xu Yun."
"You?" Xu Wei couldn't help but frown.
Xu Guang nodded beside her and said, "Indeed, this time I invited Lan Dian as our external support. You're also old acquaintances; Lan Dian has already agreed to avenge Yun'er."
"Miss Xu Wei, I'm willing to act this time, all for you," Lan Dian said with affection on his face as he looked at Xu Wei.
Xu Wei's expression remained cold. She had no reaction to Lan Dian's words, instead introducing Lin Chen: "Uncle Xu Guang, this is the help I hired, Lin Chen."
After hearing Xu Wei's words, the Xu family members all turned their attention to Lin Chen.
Their gazes carried a strange look, slowly shifting away from the increasingly humorless Lan Dian.
Lin Chen could only muster a wry smile; the trouble seemed to have appeared even before the tournament had begun.
At this moment, Lan Dian's gaze fell on Lin Chen.
From the beginning, he found the man suddenly appearing beside Xu Wei annoying.
Lan Dian stared coldly at Lin Chen, a sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth: "Xu Wei, do you really think this idiot can help the Xu family? His cultivation is just at the early stage of the Immortal Lord realm, it seems he barely just broke through. I've been at this realm for a year; are you really sure he can replace me?"
Listening to Lan Dian's provocative words, the people around Xu Guang could only offer wry smiles.
Arrogant as he was, Lan Dian had all but treated the Xu family members as servants in recent days. Many were no longer surprised at his arrogance.
But in their eyes, indeed, Lin Chen's strength couldn't compare to Lan Dian's.
Lan Dian had reached the early stage of the Immortal Lord realm a year ago and was now just a step from the middle stage.
Meanwhile, Lin Chen only recently advanced, his aura still unstable; the difference was clear.
Witnessing this scenario, Elder Xu Guang frowned.
"Miss Xu Wei, you should know about my son's situation; the Sun family went too far this time. This grudge needs avenging, and you know how important this tournament is to our Xu family. We can't afford to lose. Lan Dian has made a name among the youth in the Eastern Spirit Region; you can't let personal bias let someone unworthy endanger our family's future," Xu Guang said emotionally.
In Xu Guang's opinion, though Lin Chen wasn't weak among the younger generation, expecting him to achieve third place seemed like a pipe dream, considering his aura appeared weak. Instead, Lan Dian seemed more reliable.
Xu Wei's face darkened upon hearing this: "Uncle Xu Guang, Lin Chen was invited by grandfather; his strength has already been recognized by him."
Lan Dian sneered: "That's because the old man didn't know that I agreed to support the Xu family, or else he would choose me over him."
Saying this, Lan Dian looked at Lin Chen with playful eyes, taunting in his gaze.
"Kid, I'll give you a chance: leave now, before you embarrass yourself."
Turning to Xu Guang, he continued: "Uncle Xu, you see, it's not that I don't want to help; it's Miss Xu Wei who doesn't want my involvement. I originally agreed to participate out of respect for our families, but since she invited someone else, I'll let this brother take my place. Just don't blame me when the Xu family is eliminated."
Listening to Lan Dian's words, all the Xu family members frowned, looking displeased at Xu Wei and Lin Chen.
After all, Lan Dian's strength surpassed Lin Chen's, yet Xu Wei rejected a stronger ally for someone of average ability in this pivotal tournament. Her actions seemed overly selfish, considering the stakes for their family's future.
Finally, Lin Chen spoke up, looking coldly at Lan Dian: "What did you say?"
"I said get lost!" Lan Dian replied coldly.
"You're saying I'm not qualified to join this tournament?" Lin Chen replied with a cold smile.
Lan Dian also sneered: "Our difference in strength is obvious to everyone. Here's a chance: if you beat me, I'll leave; if you can't, you leave. How about that?"
Lin Chen smiled slightly: "Since you're so eager to leave, I shall accommodate you."
Lan Dian was momentarily stunned by Lin Chen's confident demeanor.
"Kid, I'm curious where you get this confidence," Lan Dian glared at Lin Chen, a hint of anger in his eyes.
The Xu family members watched the tension between the two, eagerly awaiting their duel.
Lin Chen chuckled calmly: "Confidence isn't mere talk; come on, let me show you the door."
Hearing Lin Chen's words, Lan Dian's eyes tightened, his gaze filled with murderous intent.
"Kid, you brought this on yourself; don't blame me," he snarled.
Feeling the murderous intent in Lan Dian's gaze, everyone's expressions tightened.
Those familiar with Lan Dian knew Lin Chen had angered him.
Many shook their heads privately; this young man was too arrogant. Lan Dian's violent nature meant crossing him could lead to death or being crippled, even if one survives.
Despite the situation, Lin Chen's expression remained calm, but Xu Wei knew that Lin Chen wasn't someone to be trifled with either.
"Enough, don't just talk; come on, stop acting like a woman," Lin Chen said coldly.
"You—" Lan Dian was thoroughly enraged by Lin Chen's words.
His aura surged, icy murderous intent spreading with flickers of lightning in his eyes.