"Little Aunt, it's not necessary. I can leave."
Terra Su shrugged. After all, he had already killed the man and vented his anger. He didn't really care where he stayed, and he wasn't particularly keen on staying with the Jiang Family.
It was just a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Leaving the Jiang Family, he had better options.
"Little Terra, don't say anything!"
Sophia Xu said fiercely, standing protectively in front of Terra like an old hen shielding her chicks. "You've always helped your little aunt. This time, let me shield you for once, okay?"
"Alright."
Terra felt a warmth in his heart and smiled.
He wasn't worried because he knew that as long as Sophia stood with him, the other party would have to compromise.
Sure enough, Mark Jiang's eyes flickered after hearing Sophia's words, and his imposing manner weakened significantly. "Second Lady…"
Sophia decisively interrupted him, "If Little Terra leaves, Emma and I will leave too. There's no room for negotiation!"
Mark Jiang's eyes flickered, and he was at a loss. Normally, the first and third branches wouldn't care if Sophia left; they might even be eager for her to leave sooner.
But the problem was, Emma Jiang couldn't leave now. If she left, how could they compete for her spot at Tianyue Academy?
Realizing this, Mark Jiang didn't dare to insist on Terra leaving.
With a gloomy face, Mark Jiang said, "Understood, Second Lady."
Without looking at the corpses on the ground, he waved his hand and said, "Let's go!"
He then led a group of armed guards away, clearly to report to Otto Jiang.
Sophia watched their backs and sneered, then called for servants to clean up the corpses.
"Little Terra, just stay at the Jiang Family with peace of mind. If we leave, we leave together," Sophia said firmly.
"Got it, Little Aunt."
Terra smiled and turned back to his room.
This birthday banquet seemed like a great victory for Terra, but the sense of crisis in his heart grew stronger.
He had offended the Wang Family multiple times, and they wouldn't let it go easily. Moreover, Otto Jiang and Robert Jiang would eventually discover that the Patriarch's Seal wasn't in that cave.
When that time came, the wrath of the Wang Family, Otto Jiang, and Robert Jiang would all fall upon him. Therefore, before that happened, Terra needed to improve his strength as much as possible.
"Heh, the Wang Family, Otto Jiang, and Robert Jiang, let's settle our past life's debts slowly in this life," Terra's eyes flickered with a cold light.
But before that, Terra's immediate task was to prepare for the duel with Miles Ye in five days.
Clearing his thoughts, Terra continued his Tempering Bath.
In four more nights, the Tempering Bath would be complete.
Time flew by, and four days passed quickly.
During these four days, Otto Jiang's side was quiet, with no other actions.
It seemed as if he had given up on swapping Emma Jiang's spot at Tianyue Academy for Liz Jiang.
But Terra knew that Otto Jiang wouldn't give up. He was just waiting for the best opportunity.
However, what Terra didn't know was that his name had spread throughout Clear River City overnight.
He had become the hot topic of discussion in every corner of Clear River City—a fifteen-year-old genius at the Condensing Origin Realm, something unprecedented in the city's history.
Moreover, this fifteen-year-old genius had defeated Sean Wang, a genius at the first level of the Condensing Origin Realm!
Even more shocking was that both Master Mo, the president of the Alchemy Guild, and Qin Shopkeeper, the elusive figure from Drunk Immortal Residence, had shown up to support Terra.
These two usually didn't give face to anyone in Clear River City, yet they both appeared for Terra. The implications were intriguing.
For a time, Terra's name became synonymous with an unparalleled genius, even overshadowing the former top genius of Clear River City, Miles Ye.
In the past few days, everyone in the streets and alleys was discussing whether the title of Clear River City's top genius would change hands.
At this time, another explosive piece of news spread—
Terra Su would duel Miles Ye at the Clear River City duel platform in five days!
This explosive news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Clear River City. From family elders to common folk, everyone was talking about it.
People were concerned about whether the title of Clear River City's top genius would change hands.
Most people were skeptical.
Because Miles Ye's talent was evident to everyone in Clear River City. He had broken through to the Condensing Origin Realm at eighteen and was now at the second level of the Condensing Origin Realm.
Moreover, Miles Ye was a student at Tianyue Academy, which meant he likely had access to the academy's martial techniques.
On the other hand, Terra was at the first level of the Condensing Origin Realm and didn't have the martial technique foundation of a Tianyue Academy student.
So, the outcome of this battle seemed obvious.
Terra, of course, was unaware of all these discussions.
He was fully immersed in his intense training, taking Minor Origin Elixirs during the day to enhance his cultivation with the Chaotic Immortal Records and undergoing the Tempering Bath at night.
On the morning of the fifth day.
As the first rays of dawn pierced the darkness, Terra leaped out of the bath barrel.
His skin glowed with a jade-like luster, appearing somewhat translucent under the morning light.
If one were to touch his skin lightly, they would find it incredibly tough, almost as if a knife couldn't cut through it.
Terra knew that his skin now acted as a layer of armor. At least within the Condensing Origin Realm, it would be difficult for opponents of the same level to harm him.
Terra's physical defense was now top-tier among his peers. If he claimed to be second, no one would dare claim to be first.
Exhaling a breath of white air, Terra was very satisfied. "The Tempering Bath is finally complete."
He dressed and headed towards the duel platform in the southern part of the city.
Today was the day of his duel with Miles Ye.
Arriving at the duel platform, Terra was surprised to find a large crowd already gathered, filling the narrow streets to the brim.
But upon reflection, Terra understood. After the last birthday banquet, his reputation in Clear River City had skyrocketed.
However, he suspected that most of the people present weren't there to see him win, but to see how he would lose.
Thinking of this, Terra's lips curled into a cold smile as he strode towards the duel platform.
Under the platform, Miles Ye was already waiting. Today, Miles wore a moon-white brocade robe, looking elegant and handsome.
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