Gently turning around, Galio tilted his head, a slightly fierce smile playing on his lips. "Li Xi, could I possibly have a chance to play with him?" Li Xi nodded with a smile, subtly raising his hand before him, and with a quiet, dark chuckle added, "When the opportunity arises, don't hold back." Galio smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly. Li Xi's words suddenly reminded him of a private conversation he'd once had with Galio Bi. At that time, Galio Bi had just received word of Xiao Yan's confirmation regarding his cultivation potential. After a long period of solemn, gloomy silence, Galio Bi had spoken to Galio with an expression of serious coldness. "Should the day ever come when Xiao's son from the Xiao family accepts your challenge and faces you—do not spare him. If you can defeat him on the spot, that would be ideal. Even if you can't, at the very least, disable one of his limbs. That would serve to eliminate one of the future threats to our Galio family." Gently echoing in his mind was his father's serious and cold tone as he spoke, and the smile on Galileo's face grew increasingly fierce, his gaze sharp and stern, fixed upon the calm-faced Xiao Yan standing at a distance. It seemed to him now that he could already foresee the young prodigy's demise at his hands. Galileo's confidence stemmed from his own strength—he had already ascended to the rank of Three-Star Battle User, and the cultivation technique he practiced was a high-tier, wind-based technique known as "Wind Roll." Combined with several battle techniques he mastered, he was nearly capable of challenging a regular Five-Star Battle User at a higher level without faltering. In comparison, although Xiao Yan's cultivation potential had returned, during the ceremony of his coming-of-age several months ago, his strength had only reached the eighth segment of Battle Qi. Even with the progress he had made since then, it still fell short of Galileo's level—this, Galileo believed with absolute confidence. Throughout the entire street, not only did Jaleo believe that Xiao Yan had absolutely no chance of victory, but even the surrounding mercenaries and Xiao Yu shared the same conviction. Regardless of Xiao Yan's exceptional talent, the gap in rank between them was simply too vast to be overlooked. "This imp is usually so sharp and perceptive—how could he have fallen for such a mediocre tactic?" Xiao Yu's face grew serious as she stepped forward, her tone filled with frustration and disappointment. "When did you become so easily inclined to show off? You knew you couldn't win, yet you accepted that challenge? Are you simply growing bored with life?" "You...,"望着固执的萧炎，萧玉气愤地跺了跺脚，修长性感的双腿向前一迈，直接挡在萧炎面前，手中绿色长鞭甩出，划破空气发出劈啦作响的声音："It's me who'll do it. I know you have great potential, but that's something for the future." Looking at the figure now facing away from him, Xiang Yan was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected this woman, who had been so fiercely opposed to him all along, to be so protective of him in front of others. He gave a slight nod of confusion, then slowly traced his gaze down her graceful shoulders, over her back, her slender waist, her full, curvaceous hips, and finally to her perfectly sculpted, sensuous legs. Astonished by the flawless curves of this seemingly wild woman's back, Xiang Yan pursed his lips. Just as his owner was about to notice, he quickly shifted his gaze, leaning slightly forward, as if resting his chin on the curve of her shoulder: "Um, didn't you used to want me to be killed?" The breath drifting through her ears caused Xiao Yu's body to instantly tense. Her delicate eartips flushed pink, and after a moment, she took a deep breath, her voice soft yet subtly trembling: "You should know your value to the family. Therefore, you cannot casually accept challenges from others. As your cousin, I have the right to step in and absorb some of the dangers on your behalf." "Hmm, rather unusual words," Xiao Yan said, shaking his head with a look of mild exasperation as he adjusted his posture. "Still, I'll let it go. My own matters can be handled. Women, then, might as well stay put." With that, he tightened the grip on his iron staff, shifted slightly to the side, and stepped gracefully aside from Xiao Yu, who had been blocking his path. Then, with a firm footfall on the ground, he charged straight toward Galiero, who had already grown increasingly impatient. Watching Xiao Yan's actions, Xiao Yu's delicate face grew flushed. As she reached for her long whip to pull him back, the light, graceful tone of the young girl caused her movement to pause. "Xiao Yin, believe him. He's not impetuous. If he lacks confidence, he wouldn't dare to challenge you." "Xun'er..." Turning around, Xiao Yu gazed at the smiling Xun'er, paused, and finally sighed, nodding in agreement—though her hands remained firmly gripping the whip. "Heh, little fool! Today, I'll have you regret this foolish move." Fixing her eyes on Xiao Yan, who was charging forward with his iron staff, Jaleo let out a cold laugh, swiftly gathering a steady, pale blue aura in his palms. Standing still, motionless, he suddenly bent his palms into sharp, claw-like shapes. At the tips of his fingers, the pale blue aura subtly coalesced into ten sharp spines. With a grim smile, he swung his hands, sending a gust of wind rushing past, and launched a powerful attack directly at Xiao Yan. Feeling the sharp, almost tearing sound of the air, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, and with a sudden, vigorous motion of his slightly curved left hand, he struck the ground before him. The invisible force impacting the surface instantly counteracted his forward momentum, abruptly halting his charge. Witnessing Xiao Yan's seamless control over the impulse generated by his own speed, the experienced mercenaries surrounding him erupted in awe. At the very moment his body came to a stop, the iron staff in his hand launched itself without pause, like a well-aimed, swift arrow, shooting straight toward Galiero's head. Seeing the staff hurtling toward him, Galiero sneered with disdain, then grasped his palm—glowing with a pale blue aura—and gave it a firm shake. A slight ripple passed through the air before several faint, pale blue gusts materialized spontaneously. As the staff passed through these small gusts, the force behind it was effortlessly absorbed and dispersed. With the support of its strength gone, the iron staff fell to the ground at a distance of just half a meter from Galio's head, emitting a crisp sound. "Ah..." As the crowd witnessed Xiao Yan's attack effortlessly deflected by Galio, they collectively sighed in resignation. With his advanced cultivation technique, Galio had nearly secured an unassailable position.