Ye Tian spoke loudly, and many people on the Martial Arts Training Ground heard him, attracting everyone's attention.
"You think you're worthy, you little brat? Since you're looking to die today, I'll be happy to grant your wish!" the disciple sneered arrogantly.
In his eyes, Ye Tian was nothing but a loser. Beating him up would be a great way to show off, which was a very pleasing thought.
A small crowd started gathering around them, eager to see what new state Ye Tian would be beaten into this time.
"That Ye Tian really doesn't know his own limits. How dare he provoke a guy like Ye Qiang? I heard Ye Qiang is about to break through to the Fifth Layer. He's a dead man for sure today," one disciple commented.
"I know, right? Ye Tian is so stupid. Ye Qiang is on great terms with Ye Feng. Even if he somehow manages to beat Ye Qiang, Ye Feng will come looking for trouble," another added.
"I'd bet anything Ye Tian gets beaten half to death today. You should stay away from clueless guys like him, or you'll get dragged down too!"
The chatter across the training ground was incessant, and Ye Qiang, basking in the attention, smugly assumed everyone was showing him respect.
Ye Tian, however, had a different take. 'Since this Ye Qiang is so close to Ye Feng, maybe my fight with Ye Feng won't have to wait for the tournament after all.'
"Ye Qiang, don't get ahead of yourself. In a moment, I'll show you the meaning of pain!" Ye Tian said calmly, his tone as frigid as winter frost.
"Cut the crap. Seems you didn't get beaten enough by Ye Feng last time. Today, I'll leave a lasting impression on you and teach you that some people are not to be trifled with!" Ye Qiang jeered.
Ye Tian wasted no more words. In a flash, he unleashed a swift Thunderbolt Fist, aiming straight for Ye Qiang.
No one expected Ye Tian to attack so suddenly, giving his opponent no time to prepare. 'How despicable!' they all silently cursed.
Ye Tian's attack was incredibly fast. Ye Qiang couldn't react in time and only managed to throw up his arms in a desperate block as the fist was upon him.
Ye Tian's powerful fist struck Ye Qiang squarely. He had used eighty percent of his strength in that blow; its Attack Power was immense.
'I was tempted to use my full strength,' Ye Tian thought, 'but I was worried I might kill him with one punch.' After all, his Thunderbolt Fist could kill a Gale Wolf in a single blow, let alone a weakling like Ye Qiang.
Even at eighty percent strength, the punch sent Ye Qiang flying over ten meters. He arced through the air in a graceful parabola, spraying a trail of crimson blood before crashing to the ground, where he lay, unable to get back up.
Ye Tian cracked his knuckles and slowly walked over to Ye Qiang. "And you dared to run your mouth in front of me," he chuckled softly. "So fragile. Consider this a lesson. If you ever dare to swagger in front of me again, I'll end you."
The punch had shattered Ye Qiang's sternum, causing severe internal injuries. But as much as his body ached, the inner turmoil and rage he felt toward Ye Tian were far greater.
But Ye Qiang was stubborn and had a high tolerance for pain. He forced himself back to his feet, coughing up two more mouthfuls of blood in the process. His face was deathly pale.
"Ye Tian, you're quite skilled at sneak attacks! Only a despicable villain like you would win in such a dishonorable way," Ye Qiang spat furiously.
"Despicable? Villain? Dishonorable?" Ye Tian retorted. "You couldn't even take a single punch, and you have the gall to stand here making excuses? If I were you, I'd have slunk away long ago instead of staying here to embarrass myself."
Ye Tian's words seemed to enrage Ye Qiang all over again. He moved to attack, but his arm only made it halfway up before he dropped it, his face contorting in unbearable pain.
Large beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks.
"So, who's the loser now?" Ye Tian said mildly. "From now on, you'd best give me a wide berth. If I hear you calling anyone a loser again, you'll find yourself bedridden for a few monthsâor longer."
Though he was speaking to Ye Qiang, his words were meant for everyone present. Anyone with a brain understood his message.
Ye Tian swept his gaze over the crowd before turning to walk back to his quarters. He had no interest in hearing what they had to say.
After Ye Tian left, the onlookers were all frozen with shock. Nobody could have imagined that the boy everyone considered a loser could defeat Ye Qiangâone of the top ten Outer Disciplesâwith a single punch.
"How did Ye Tian get so strong all of a sudden? Was that the Thunderbolt Fist he just used? I swear I saw a flash of lightning," one disciple said, still rattled.
"So Ye Tian beat Ye Qiang today, but his troubles are just beginning. Ye Feng won't let him get away with this. Looks like we're in for another good show!" another disciple chimed in.
Only Ye Qiang himself knew the suffocating humiliation and pain in his heart. The shame of being defeated in a single move made him want to tear Ye Tian limb from limb. All his prestige had vanished into thin air.
"Ye Tian, your victory lap won't last long! I'll pay you back double for what you did to me today!" Ye Qiang roared.
With blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and a pained expression twisting his features, he looked utterly ferocious.
Ye Tian, on the other hand, was in high spirits. 'Beating up Ye Qiang is as good as beating up Ye Feng,' he thought. 'It's just a little warning shot for him. If he really has the guts to come after me, I'll deal with him the same way I dealt with that Gale Wolf.'
Back at his quarters, Ye Tian walked to his table, poured a cup of tea, and began to drink it slowly. But then, an image of Ye Shixue suddenly surfaced in his mind, leaving him feeling dejected and heartbroken.
He found it strange himself. 'Why am I still thinking of her? If anyone should be on my mind, it's Ye Feifei.'
Speaking of Ye Feifei, Ye Tian was puzzled. 'I remember Feifei saying she'd come up the mountain to see me, but I haven't seen her for days. Could she be mad at me?'
The more he dwelled on it, the more unsettled he became. Ye Tian forced the thoughts from his mind. He had now more or less mastered the Flowing Cloud Step. The main reason he'd learned it so quickly was that the Martial Skill wasn't very high-level.
Another factor was the Dragon Ball Energy, which had dramatically improved his sight, hearing, and even his intellect. In the past, learning it would have taken him at least a couple of weeks.
With a flicker of intent, the First Form of the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique appeared in Ye Tian's mind. Gradually, he entered a state of Meditation.
Meanwhile, Ye Qiang was being helped back to his own quarters by another disciple. "Brother Qiang, we can't let this go! We have to make that brat Ye Tian wish he were dead!"
"That's right, I want him dead! Go and get Brother Feng. Tell him I need to see him about something important!" Ye Qiang ordered.
The disciple immediately left the room and ran toward Ye Feng's residence. Another storm was brewing...