Chapter 19 Challenge (2/2)

”That's enough!” The Chief Elder came over with a grim-faced look. He addressed all of them as he continued, ”No matter who dares to begin the fight, he will only earn himself severe punishment.”

Darren cast a cold look at the Chief Elder and answered, ”Our Chief Elder is really doing a great job in protecting every member of our family. I sincerely admire your diligence in your duty, sir.”

The Chief Elder's face darkened at Darren's sarcastic words. ”Don't push it, Darren,” he warned.

”You can relax. I don't have the nerve to do so, sir.” Then Darren turned to the crowd and announced loudly, ”Attention! I, Darren Chu, want to challenge the three geniuses of our family.” He had to strain himself to say 'geniuses' genuinely.

Leo, Nicholas, and Blake were thrilled to hear this. They were itching to fight.

”You'll regret what you just said, Darren! Don't blame me if you become permanently disabled from the fight,” Leo said with a smirk.

”Hell no! You won't even get the chance after I'm through with him! I'm going to teach this asshole a lesson,” Nicholas yelled, turning the hand that had been slapped before into a fist and making a punching motion.

”You've heard it, guys. It's Darren who wants to challenge us. We aren't bullying him. We have given him the chance to back down but he ignored it,” Leo addressed the crowd theatrically.

A voice rang out from the crowd. ”Please, calm down, Mr. Darren. It's a trap! That's exactly what they want!”

”He's right, Mr. Darren. Why don't you wait a few more years before challenging them? That's not a fair game!”

Darren's supporters all shouted for him to stop.

”Darren, did you think before you said those words? Leo is at the eighth stage. Just one attack from him can kill you. I'm not bluffing, bro!” Blake prodded.

Darren was unaffected. ”You don't have to play that with me, Blake. The one I want to challenge is not Leo.” At these words, Nicholas stepped in.

”You are such a wuss, Darren!” he teased. ”For a loser like you, your talent's a waste!” He was about to say something else, but Darren grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up to his face.

”Listen to me carefully!” Darren said threateningly. ”I want to challenge all three of you, together.” He glared at Nicholas for a moment before shoving him away.

Darren's words caused an uproar among the audience. They all began talking excitedly.

”What? Mr. Darren wants to challenge the three geniuses at the same time? Is he crazy?”

”Mr. Darren must have lost his mind. He'll get plenty of opportunities to take his revenge on them in the future. If I were him, I would work on my cultivation for a few years first, and then beat the shit out of them. Wouldn't that be a better way?”

”He won't do well in this fight. All three of them are at the eighth stage of Primary Realm. Mr. Darren made a bad choice.”

Meanwhile, the three other men were turning red with rage. Darren's words ignited the flames of anger within them.

Making such a bold statement in front of all these people was humiliating for them. They had to act fast to save face.

”I accept your challenge! I'll beat the shit out of you any way, Darren!” Leo snapped.

On the other side of the training ground, Abner, the second elder, whispered, ”What should we do now? Should I try to stop them?” He watched the scene unfold before him with worry.

”No, now is not the time,” the Chief Elder responded. ”It's a good opportunity to teach him a lesson. The arrogant child should learn that the whole world does not revolve around him.”

The other elders nodded. They understood what the Chief Elder was saying. Darren was filled with the grievance he had accumulated for years back at the Chu Clan. What the Chief Elder wanted was to stand up for Darren when he was in danger.

And it was time for the Elders to explain that the situation left them no choice then, although they wanted to help him and his sister. As a result, the tension between them and Darren lessened, as they hoped it would.

When Leo saw that none of the three Elders made a move to stop the challenge, he squinted his eyes and rushed Darren with an all-out attack.

”You are going to die now, asshole!” he shouted. ”I'll teach you a lesson the hard way!”

Nicholas and Blake decided to stand back and enjoy the show. Both of them refrained from replying to Darren's challenge.

But, defying everyone's expectations, Darren landed a hard punch in Leo's chest, causing him to get thrown back to the ground. Leo staggered to his feet, trying to retain his strong stance. Darren, however, remained unfazed.

”No way... You're also at the eighth stage of Primary Realm!” Leo said, bewildered. The realization caused him to lower his guard for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

Everyone watching was shocked at this sudden revelation. It seemed like this challenge was more evenly matched than they thought.