Chi Yi Xiu, twenty years old this year, had instantly become the First Warrior of the Chi Yi Tribe ever since he personally slew a wounded adult Pixiu when he was twelve.

The Pixiu—a ferocious beast descended from the Primordial Era—was, upon maturity, at least a Rank Six savage beast. Anyone not possessing the realm of a Grandmaster would face certain death encountering one. Yet, Chi Yi Xiu, only twelve at the time, managed through sheer force of will to kill a fully grown Pixiu, albeit one that was already severely injured.

Initially, when he brought back the carcass of the Pixiu, no one believed he possessed the strength to slay such a creature. His peers, especially, resented the character 'Xiu' (Pixiu) being associated with his name, for that represented an unparalleled glory.

Consequently, the other youths challenged him one by one, but he defeated them all single-handedly. Even those aged fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen challenged the twelve-year-old, and without exception, they all fell. Finally, everyone was forced to acknowledge his feat of killing the Pixiu. However, since it was an injured beast, his name remained Chi Yi Xiu, not Chi Yi Pixiu.

Regardless, a warrior who could fell a Pixiu was a first in the entire history of the Chi Yi Tribe.

It was essential to understand that although the Chi Yi Tribe boasted several hundred Soul Masters, for unknown reasons, their people could not cultivate True Qi. They relied entirely on their formidable physical prowess for combat. Typically, an adult Chi Yi tribesman possessed physical strength capable of contending with a Martial Master. However, in a straight one-on-one fight, a Chi Yi warrior would absolutely lose to a Martial Master, as the latter possessed True Qi and Battle Techniques far surpassing the tribesmen, despite being weaker physically.

Their inability to cultivate True Qi meant their warriors could never achieve truly devastating offensive power; physical strength, no matter how immense, had its ceiling.

In the history of the Chi Yi Tribe, those reaching the level of a Fourth-Rank Warrior were exceedingly rare. As for Fifth-Rank Warriors, those equivalent to a Grandmaster, none had ever appeared.

And an adult Pixiu was, at minimum, a Sixth-Rank Savage Beast. How could a warrior who struggled to reach the Fifth-Rank possibly vanquish an adult Pixiu?

It was for this very reason that Chi Yi Xiu became the first warrior in countless years to bear the name 'Xiu' in the Chi Yi Tribe, cementing his status as the First Warrior.

When they saw him dealing with the matter, the others present were stunned. Although he couldn't cultivate True Qi, every Chi Yi tribesman knew Chi Yi Xiu was at least a Fourth-Rank Warrior—a level capable of contending with a Congenital Martial Master. The youngster before them, while able to defeat the Chi Yi Flame Leopard, could, at best, contend with an average Martial Master. Why would it necessitate the personal involvement of Chi Yi Xiu?

Immediately, several other burly men stepped forward, intending to challenge Ye Jingyu, but Chi Yi Xiu cut them off with a wave of his hand.

"Outsider, do you dare accept this challenge? If you win, everything I possess will be yours, including my honor and my life. If you lose, everything you possess will belong to me." Chi Yi Xiu stood there, coldly looking down at Ye Jingyu.

Looking at the giant before him, who towered over him by at least half his height, and gazing at his absurdly developed musculature, Ye Jingyu was momentarily stunned.

This... was this even human?

Could a human grow this tall? A full zhang—that was over three meters! Even though Chi Yi tribesmen were universally massive, standing over three meters tall... that was terrifying.

"Ye Jingyu, don't accept the challenge. You are not his match... He is the First Warrior of our Chi Yi Tribe, Chi Yi Xiu!" Seeing Ye Jingyu's dazed expression, Jiu Feng, standing nearby, mistook his hesitation for indecision. Forgetting her status, she grasped Ye Jingyu’s wrist and gently urged him.

In her view, although Ye Jingyu could injure the Chi Yi Flame Leopard, he stood no chance against Chi Yi Xiu. For the past eight years, Chi Yi Xiu's position as First Warrior had never wavered; even her own father could not withstand more than three moves against him. How could Ye Jingyu, no matter how skilled, possibly defeat him?

Moreover, the most crucial point: Chi Yi Xiu was the biological older brother of the Chi Yi Flame Wolf. Seeing his brother brutalized and stepping up now clearly meant he intended to kill Ye Jingyu.

After all, Ye Jingyu was an outsider. While he had the Elder Ancestor's permission to stay, if he died during a challenge, no one would mourn him.

For this man who had shown her kindness first, Jiu Feng truly did not wish to see him perish.

"Outsider, do you dare accept the challenge or not..." Chi Yi Xiu completely ignored Jiu Feng’s words, his fierce gaze locked immovably onto Ye Jingyu.

Seeing Chi Yi Xiu's scornful eyes and looking at Jiu Feng, whose face was etched with worry behind him, a faint smile touched Ye Jingyu's lips.

Having been in this world for so long, apart from his estranged father, this was the first time... the very first time he felt someone genuinely care for him.

It was a care stemming from the depths of the heart, a sensation that felt wonderfully comfortable—a feeling Ye Jingyu thoroughly enjoyed.

He glanced at the enraged crowd surrounding them, then at the fierce men who seemed to regard Jiu Feng as less than human. Ye Jingyu's smile broadened.

Gently releasing Jiu Feng's soft hand, he took a deliberate step forward. A calm voice issued from his mouth: "I accept your challenge, Chi Yi... Xiu..."

He was neither a hero nor a fool who would blindly rush into a fight upon provocation. But he understood that sometimes, as a man, certain things—even without full confidence, or perhaps with no confidence at all—must be done.

This concerned not only his dignity but also Jiu Feng’s fate.

Even though the man before him exerted immense pressure, even though this man was the First Warrior of the Chi Yi Tribe, Ye Jingyu knew he had to accept the challenge, and moreover, he had to defeat him.

Otherwise, not only would his own life be forfeit, but Jiu Feng, too, would become an object passed among them. The mere thought of those beast-like men assaulting Jiu Feng’s delicate body sent a spasm of horror through him. He absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen.

Hearing Ye Jingyu actually accept the challenge, Jiu Feng’s body visibly trembled. From Chi Yi Xiu’s eyes, she detected killing intent—naked, undisguised murderous intent. This meant that should Ye Jingyu lose, he would have no chance of survival.