Zhongli Hui was highly admired among the Chi Yi tribe; the young men of the Southern Yi were always notoriously unrestrained. The younger women’s side of the tribe was especially open, and countless times men had come to blows, even fighting to the death, just to win the heart of a desired woman. Many young men of the Southern Yi would spare no expense to gain the affection of a woman they admired.

Before Zhongli Hui had even indicated who she favored, the young men of the Chi Yi often fought until their heads were bloody over her. Now, seeing Zhongli Hui reveal an unusual affection for a strange young man from the Central Plains at the bonfire party, it immediately ignited the jealousy of these Chi Yi youths?

Although Zhou Qiangwei was from the Central Plains, because she was a woman, the Chi Yi tribesmen viewed their chieftain marrying a Central Plains woman as a favorable bargain. As for Zhongli Hui, she was the brightest pearl of the Chi Yi tribe; the idea that someone might steal the tribe's jewel from their hands was absolutely unacceptable.

Duo Luo was the foremost young master in the Chi Yi tribe, second only to Zhongli Jingyi. He was a disciple of Elder Kuta of the Divine Archery Sect, and Kuta was one of the sect’s rare Bagua Heavenly Scholars. The Divine Archery Sect was known throughout the Southern Yi for its protectiveness. If Zhongli Jingyi hadn't brought back the last three pages of the Divine Archery Canon from the Heavenly Mountains, Duo Luo would most likely have been the next chieftain of the Chi Yi.

Duo Luo did not compete with Zhongli Jingyi this time, partly because he knew Zhongli Jingyi’s contributions—bringing back the final three pages of the Canon—were too great. The other reason was his deep affection for Zhongli Hui.

Zhongli Hui was Zhongli Jingyi's biological sister. In order to win the beauty’s favor and affection, he magnanimously chose not to cross paths with Zhongli Jingyi. In Duo Luo's mind, only he was worthy of Zhongli Hui. The sudden appearance of Ji Changkong, combined with Zhongli Hui showing him such warm and intimate attention, naturally infuriated Duo Luo.

Duo Luo held considerable prestige within the Chi Yi. With one enthusiastic call from him, many Chi Yi youths who already harbored ill feelings toward Ji Changkong quickly voiced their agreement. The atmosphere of the bonfire party, which had been filled with laughter and merriment, instantly shifted.

"Duo Luo, you—what are you doing?" Zhongli Hui, who had been excited by the few jars of Storm Rain Fragrance, suddenly looked flustered. She frowned as she set down the jars of wine, glaring somewhat petulantly at Duo Luo.

"What am I doing?" Duo Luo sneered, striding forward with the imposing gait of a dragon, casting a look of disgust at Ji Changkong. He turned to Zhongli Hui and demanded, "Is this Central Plains man more important to you than the brothers who spill blood for the tribe? You never willingly share the best Storm Rain Fragrance you brew with us, yet for his arrival, you bring out your finest aged vintage. Why? Does a mere Central Plains person outweigh our contributions to the tribe?"

"Exactly! Why should he get to drink it when we can't!"

"Central Plains men are never good, Little Hui, don't let yourself be deceived!"

Those Southern Yi youths who had long disliked Ji Changkong shouted loudly, looking ready to stir up trouble now that they had a bit to drink.

"You—you're being utterly unreasonable! This is my wine that I brewed myself; I can give it to whomever I please. What business is it of yours?" Zhongli Hui flared up, her voice tight with anger. "Duo Luo, no matter how many words you use, I will never like you. You are too despicable!"

Duo Luo’s face contorted with anger. Biting down hard, he managed, "You don't like me, but you like this pretty boy from the Central Plains?"

"Pretty boy?" Ji Changkong shook his head and let out a soft, amused laugh. He took a step forward and said leisurely, "Friend, I truly did not wish to interfere, but perhaps you should watch your words when you speak. Must you bark like a mad dog?"

"Who are you calling a mad dog?" Duo Luo, either drunk or enraged, flushed crimson.

"Whoever's words involve me is a mad dog," Ji Changkong replied with a relaxed smile, displaying an air of untamed freedom.

"You brat, daring to insult me, Duo Luo, within my Chi Yi territory! Don't you know who I, Duo Luo—" Duo Luo’s face was red and swollen, and he let out a harsh, menacing laugh.

"Enough!" Zhongli Jingyi could no longer restrain himself. He cut off Duo Luo's impending words, walked coldly to his side, and said, "Duo Luo, he is my friend, Zhongli Jingyi. Mind your manners."

"Friend?" Duo Luo roared with laughter, the sound sharp and chilling. "You don't help your own kin but side with an outsider. Zhongli Jingyi, have you forgotten yourself already just because you became chieftain? You should remember that I, too, have a claim to the chieftainship. If I truly contested you, you might not necessarily sit on that seat!"

"What? You still aren't convinced?" Zhongli Jingyi’s expression hardened. He suddenly nodded. "Duo Luo, I can give you a chance. When you sober up, find an opportunity to fight me. If you can defeat me, I will willingly hand over the position of Chi Yi Chieftain. How about that?"

"Do you truly believe you can defeat me without fail?" Under so many watchful eyes, Duo Luo found it difficult to retreat gracefully, his face dark.

"Brother Jingyi, it seems my arrival has caused you trouble. I apologize; perhaps I should leave sooner." Ji Changkong looked somewhat awkward. He hadn't anticipated things escalating in this direction. He had been on guard, constantly worrying that Zhou Qiangwei and her mother, Wen Er'tian, might bring him problems. He never imagined that the trouble would come from Zhongli Hui.

"Brother Ji, don't leave! It's rare for you to visit; don't pay attention to those senseless people." Hearing Ji Changkong’s intention to leave, Zhongli Hui anxiously called out to keep him, and Zhongli Jingyi also hurried to persuade him to stay.

"Outsider, what business brings you to the Southern Yi? Central Plains people never arrive with good intentions. Unless you explain clearly, you won't leave the Chi Yi tribe today!" Duo Luo bellowed.

Ji Changkong, who had worn a gentle smile until now, raised an eyebrow, and his expression suddenly turned grim. "Duo Luo, is it? Who do you think you are? You are not the Chi Yi Chieftain; what right do you have to stop me? Furthermore, with just you, can you even stop me?"

"Hah! Whether I can stop you or not, you can try!" Duo Luo roared with mad laughter.

Zhou Qiangwei frowned. She knew Ji Changkong’s strength and ruthlessness, and Duo Luo held significant sway among the Chi Yi youth. If a real fight broke out, she feared neither side would be able to easily clean up the mess, so she intended to intervene.

"Qiangwei, don't interfere." Zhou Miaoshan appeared out of nowhere, gently shaking her head at Zhou Qiangwei.

"Why not?"

"Letting Duo Luo make a fool of himself in front of everyone will cause his standing in the eyes of the tribe to plummet. For Jingyi, this situation can only bring benefits, not harm. Although Duo Luo didn't contend for the chieftainship, he has great influence over certain younger tribesmen. If Ji Changkong utterly defeats him, Duo Luo’s reputation will suffer a major blow. Ji Changkong is Jingyi’s friend; if Ji Changkong wins, it will only boost Jingyi’s prestige within the tribe." Zhou Miaoshan lowered her voice, and when she looked toward Ji Changkong, there was even a faint glimmer of expectation in her eyes.

"But, but if this happens, Ji Changkong might become the enemy of the Chi Yi!"

"It doesn't matter. He won't be coming back to the Chi Yi Tribe anyway, and he doesn't need anything from them. With his skill, leaving the Chi Yi Tribe will be simple. Jingyi is friendly with him and certainly won't stop him." Zhou Miaoshan explained. There was one thought she kept unspoken: if he couldn't stay in the Chi Yi Tribe, then you [Zhou Qiangwei] wouldn't have opportunities to communicate, and you wouldn't have to keep overthinking things.

"Let’s see how you stop me." At that moment, Ji Changkong chuckled and walked directly toward Duo Luo, aiming to collide with him.

A flicker of hidden resentment flashed across Duo Luo's eyes. He made no move to evade; instead, the bones in his body let out a series of sharp cracks. His whole body suddenly seemed to inflate, his aura completely transforming to appear extremely dangerous.

"Whoa, that's Elder Kuta's Swelling Breath Technique! Impressive. No wonder Duo Luo claimed he didn't compete—look how profound his mastery of the Swelling Breath Technique is!"

"Indeed, Duo Luo is truly the strongest among our Chi Yi youth!"

The surrounding Chi Yi tribesmen murmured amongst themselves, many faces alight with excitement. Having consumed alcohol, their fighting instincts were high, and they were thrilled to witness a spectacle.

"No!" Zhongli Hui shrieked.

Duo Luo stood motionless, a cold smile plastered on his face. His muscles seemed fully engorged. Already powerfully built, he now resembled a small mountain, emitting an oppressive aura that made breathing difficult.

When he reached about ten feet in front of Duo Luo, Ji Changkong abruptly stopped and gently closed his eyes.

His mind clear as a mirror, he imprinted the facial expressions of everyone around him in his consciousness: Zhongli Hui's anxious worry, Zhou Miaoshan's complicated look, Zhou Qiangwei’s hesitation, and Zhongli Jingyi’s composed tranquility—all were cataloged in his mind.

The emotions in the eyes of everyone before and behind him did not escape his observation. He paid particular attention to Zhongli Jingyi. Seeing that Jingyi made no move to intervene, nor showed any intention of doing so, Ji Changkong realized that Jingyi perhaps also wanted him to teach Duo Luo a lesson.

With this understanding, Ji Changkong nodded silently, then suddenly took a large stride forward, aiming his shoulder directly at Duo Luo’s shoulder.

Crack! Crack!

A crisp sound of shattering bone echoed from the point where their shoulders met.

The Chi Yi tribesmen wore cold smirks, thinking this boy was truly overconfident, daring to collide shoulder-to-shoulder with Duo Luo, who had mastered the divine technique. He deserved to have his shoulder broken.

Stepping sideways to avoid entanglement, Ji Changkong's expression remained calm. He shook his head and stated in a voice neither too loud nor too soft, "Pathetically weak."

With a muffled boom, Duo Luo’s massive, mountain-like body suddenly collapsed. The bone in his shoulder was unnaturally twisted backward at an angle. Though his face was etched with pain, he bit down hard and uttered no cry. Lying flat on his back with his feet pointing skyward, he could only glare fixedly at Ji Changkong, his expression a bizarre mix of agony and shock.

Those old and young Chi Yi members who had been ready to mock Ji Changkong froze like wooden statues. The noisy, clamorous bonfire party fell into sudden, profound silence.