Just as many people thought Ye Tian would be gravely injured, or even killed, by this strike, an unbelievable situation occurred.
After Ye Tian's fist and Ye Feng's claw clashed, Ye Tian was knocked back several meters before stabilizing himself. His face was a little pale, but he didn't seem to be seriously hurt.
But the once-imperious Ye Feng was sent flying dozens of meters like a kite with a snapped string. He spat out several mouthfuls of blood mid-air and was unable to get back up after he crashed to the ground.
Ye Tian's strike had actually shattered one of Ye Feng's arms!
It would take immense power to do such a thing. At the same time, Ye Feng's Heart Vein had also suffered a severe blow. To make matters worse, even if he didn't die, he would be crippled.
"Feng'er!" From within the crowd, a middle-aged man shot forward like a bolt of lightning, rushing to Ye Feng's side to check his injuries.
He then took a red Elixir from his robes and placed it in Ye Feng's mouth, his face twisted in a terrifying rage.
A powerful aura began to radiate from his body. He slowly stood up and stared at Ye Tian. If looks could kill, Ye Tian would have died many times over.
No one had expected such an outcome. Even Ye Feifei hadn't thought Ye Tian would be so formidable, capable of shattering Ye Feng's arm with a single punch. Even she couldn't do that.
Everyone looked at Ye Tian with a mixture of confusion and terror, unable to understand when the "trash" in their minds had become so powerful.
Who was Ye Feng? He was an Inner Sect Disciple, a master at the One Vein Fifth Layer! Yet now, he had been defeated by an Outer Disciple who was only at the Fourth Layer.
More importantly, he had been defeated in a single moveβa complete and utter defeat. In their hearts, some people were already beginning to see Ye Tian not as trash, but as a genius.
"Brat, how dare you be so vicious to my son! A person with such a cruel heart has no reason to remain in this world!" the middle-aged man snarled at Ye Tian.
His figure flashed, leaving an afterimage as he lunged toward Ye Tian. Ye Tian knew this was the Elder in the family most notorious for being overprotective.
It was because of him that Ye Feng dared to be so audacious. In front of such a powerhouse, Ye Tian felt he had no power to resist whatsoever. The only thing he could do was dodge quickly.
He swiftly executed the Third Form of the Flowing Cloud Step, dodging the attack at the very last second. It was an incredibly close call.
"Ye Hongtao, what do you think you're doing? As an Elder, you dare to attack a family disciple so viciously? You are too insolent!" Ye Weitian's voice suddenly rang out.
His voice was loud and carried a powerful, penetrating force. Everyone on the Martial Arts Training Ground was shocked. The Patriarch was actually reprimanding an Elder for the sake of an Outer Disciple. This was something that had never happened before.
Ye Hongtao hadn't expected this either. He glanced at Ye Weitian and said, "Patriarch, this brat was so ruthless to my son. If I don't teach him a lesson, how can I possibly swallow this indignation?"
"Teach him a lesson? If Ye Tian hadn't dodged in time, would he still be alive? As an Elder, you are this overprotective. You can forget about your position. You are hereby demoted to Protector. You'd best reflect on your actions!" Ye Weitian said.
At this, the expressions on Ye Shixue and Ye Hu's faces turned strange. They found it hard to believe the immense strength Ye Tian had suddenly displayed today.
And now the Patriarch was even reprimanding an Elder for his sake. This meant the Patriarch saw value in Ye Tian. Perhaps Ye Tian would become a key disciple to be nurtured.
Ye Hu worried if his own status within the family would change in the future. Meanwhile, Ye Shixue was thinking, 'I was so cruel to leave him, and now he has risen like a comet. Was my choice wrong?'
'Should I go back to his side? But it seems I no longer have the right to. If he really becomes someone superior to others, will I regret my decision then?'
At this moment, Ye Hongtao wished he could tear Ye Tian to pieces. But with the Patriarch protecting him, he could only give up for now. 'But once we leave here, it will still be easy to get rid of a mere Outer Disciple.'
'I've contributed so much to the Ye Family, even if without great merit, I have toiled hard. I can't believe Ye Weitian would treat me this way for an Outer Disciple. One day, I will make Ye Weitian pay for this humiliation.'
Ye Hongtao didn't linger. He picked up Ye Feng and walked away. The duel between Ye Feng and Ye Tian today had finally come to an end.
However, the way the crowd looked at Ye Tian had undergone a world-shaking change. Before, it was disdain and contempt. Now, it was envy, surprise, and admiration.
"Ye Tian, come with me to the side hall. I have some questions for you!" Ye Weitian said to Ye Tian.
"Understood," Ye Tian said calmly. 'I didn't expect today's battle to cause such a commotion. The days ahead will surely be difficult. That Ye Hongtao will definitely retaliate against me.'
'Perhaps that's also why Ye Weitian has summoned me. I have to find a way to gain his protection.'
Afterward, the crowd gradually dispersed, all discussing the matter between Ye Tian and Ye Feng. Ye Tian's huge transformation was difficult for anyone to believe.
Ye Tian followed the father and daughter pair, Ye Feifei, to an elegant side hall. "Ye Tian, your performance today was excellent! Fei'er has already told me about you, so you have no secrets in front of me," Ye Weitian said.
Ye Tian shot a frustrated glance at Ye Feifei. 'How could this girl do that? Still, it's a good thing it was the Patriarch. If it were someone else, this would be a lot more troublesome.'
"Thank you, Patriarch, for helping me out of that situation. I will remember this kindness," Ye Tian said calmly.
"I saw that you've cultivated both the Flowing Cloud Step and the Thunderbolt Fist to the Perfect Realm. That was quite surprising. You are only a Fourth Layer Martial Artist. Even with Martial Skills at the Perfect Realm, you shouldn't have such immense Attack Power. How did you do it?" Ye Weitian voiced his doubts.
Ye Tian immediately realized that Ye Feifei hadn't told Ye Weitian that he had already broken through to the Fifth Layer.
"Perhaps Ye Feng only looked tough on the surface but was actually just an embroidered pillow. I used my full strength in that last attack. I was also surprised it had so much Attack Power," Ye Tian said.
Ye Feifei, however, was secretly amused. 'You killed a Gale Wolf with a single punch. How could Ye Feng possibly be your match? And you're still hiding it from my father.'
"I actually came to the Martial Arts Training Ground today because of Fei'er. She told me how formidable you were and how talented you are. I didn't believe it at first, but now I'm starting to understand.
"The family will give special care to such an outstanding disciple. Since you were able to defeat Ye Feng, you can directly become an Inner Sect Disciple. I will arrange for someone to take you to your new room later," Ye Weitian said.
"Thank you, Patriarch. I will work hard," Ye Tian said respectfully.
"Father, you can go handle your affairs! I want to talk to Ye Tian alone!" Ye Feifei suddenly interjected.
Ye Weitian gave Ye Feifei a curious look, then chuckled. "A grown daughter can't be kept at home! Can't be kept!" He then exited, leaving Ye Tian and Ye Feifei alone in the room.
Hearing Ye Weitian's words, Ye Tian's heart tightened. It meant he had seen through Ye Feifei's feelings. "Feifei, your father, he..."