After composing himself, Ye Tian stepped down from the arena, feeling somewhat dazed. He couldn't help but feel partly responsible for his former childhood sweetheart ending up this way.
'I just don't get it,' he thought. 'The Dragon Pearl is incredibly rare. How did I get one, and Ye Shixue got one too? It's too much to be a coincidence!'
Ye Feifei slowly walked up to Ye Tian. "Brother Tian, you have to face the things that have happened. I don't know the full story between you and Ye Shixue, but I hope you can be happy. Don't put so much pressure on yourself."
Ye Tian looked up at Ye Feifei and said, "I understand. Feifei, don't worry about me. I'm fine!"
In his heart, Ye Tian wanted nothing more than to draw a clear line with Ye Shixue, but the memories and images of their past wouldn't let him. He just hoped she could be happy.
The family disciples below the arena watched Ye Tian, their faces full of confusion, not understanding why he had shown Ye Shixue mercy. After all, her previous actions had been utterly despicable; there was no need to go easy on someone like her, beautiful or not.
However, the murmurs died down after Ye Tian returned, and everyone's attention shifted back to the arena. The matches between Core Disciples were a great opportunity to learn new techniques and gain experience.
Before long, it was Ye Feifei's turn. The moment she stepped into the arena, she was met with a round of applause.
Standing in the arena, Ye Feifei smiled gently at Ye Tian. Then, she removed the veil from her face, revealing a beauty so stunning it could drive a man mad.
This was a deliberate, deeply considered act. Everyone in the Ye Family knew Ye Feifei always wore a veil, a custom with profound meaning.
For her to remove it in front of everyone, revealing her true face, could only mean one thing: she had found a man she loved and was willing to take off her veil for him.
At that moment, the disciples below the arena erupted. A fresh wave of discussion broke out, but everyone understood that Ye Feifei was doing this for one person: the genius who made countless other men jealous, Ye Tian.
Only a genius like Ye Tian was worthy of a peerless woman like Ye Feifei. In their hearts, everyone wished the couple well.
Although Ye Tian had seen Ye Feifei's face before, her removing the veil in front of so many people was an even greater testament to her feelings for him.
'Feifei, rest assured, I will never let you down!' Ye Tian vowed silently.
The match in the arena was an easy one. Ye Feifei effortlessly became the winner of her group. The moment she won, her eyes sought out Ye Tian. She wanted to share the joy of victory with him.
Seeing his beloved daughter's devotion to Ye Tian, Ye Weitian had no objections. If the two of them could really get together, the Ye Family might truly become powerful in the future.
"The three group matches have concluded! Will the winners of each group please come to the arena for the final contest of rankings!" Ye Weitian announced to the crowd from the arena.
Soon, Ye Tian and two others were on the arena. The other person was a Core Disciple whose Power Realm was at the One Vein Sixth Layer. His usual strength was on par with Ye Hu's.
He had originally planned on challenging Ye Hu, but Ye Hu had the misfortune of running into his bane, Ye Tian. 'Ye Hu couldn't even take a single blow from him, so I'm definitely not a match either.'
'I've already made up my mind,' he thought before stepping into the arena. 'If I just concede, I can get third place, which isn't bad. I'll build a good relationship with Ye Tian, avoid getting hurt, and still get a generous reward. It's killing three birds with one stone.'
Before the match could even begin, the disciple announced, "Ye Tian, Ye Feifei, I am no match for either of you. I choose to withdraw! You don't have any objections, do you?"
Ye Tian and Ye Feifei were both momentarily stunned but quickly understood. "No objections at all. You're a smart one. You knew you couldn't win, but you've managed to put us in your debt. We should keep in touch," Ye Tian said with a smile.
The Core Disciple nodded and stepped down from the arena. Now, only Ye Feifei and Ye Tian were left to compete for first and second place.
"Brother Tian, do you remember what I asked you before?" Ye Feifei asked softly.
"I remember! I'll give the first-place title to you. I really don't care about such empty honors," Ye Tian replied with a smile.
"No. You're a man—my man. I should be the one to yield. Besides, I'm not as strong as you are. First place is rightfully yours, so don't refuse it!" Ye Feifei said.
Ye Tian wanted to refuse, but seeing the determination in Ye Feifei's eyes, he knew anything he said would be pointless. He could only nod silently.
"Brother Tian, how do you plan to treat Ye Shixue from now on? Acting like this could easily make people misunderstand that you still have feelings for her," Ye Feifei couldn't help but ask. It was a question that had been weighing on her mind.
Although she trusted Ye Tian, his repeated leniency and tolerance toward Ye Shixue compelled her to ask.
Ye Tian smiled faintly and said, "We are strangers now. From this day forward, she will go her way, and I will go mine. We will have nothing more to do with each other. So don't worry. Right now, you are the only one in my heart."
Hearing such a definite answer from Ye Tian, Ye Feifei could finally put her heart at ease. Many of our readers can probably breathe a sigh of relief as well! No matter how indecisive Ye Tian might be, it was now impossible for him to have any further involvement with Ye Shixue.
Ye Feifei said no more, but walked directly up to Ye Weitian and said, "Father, your daughter gives up the fight for first place. You can announce the results now!"
Ye Weitian knew what Ye Feifei was thinking. He glanced at Ye Tian in the distance and then said to Ye Feifei, "You've gone a bit too far today. How could you remove your veil in front of all the family disciples?"
"I wanted you to understand your daughter's feelings for him! Now that what's done is done, you won't blame me, will you, Father?" Ye Feifei said with a smile.
"A daughter, once grown, cannot be kept at home! Since you've already gone this far, what can I say? I just hope you will be happy," Ye Weitian said with a benevolent smile.
"Thank you, Father! Ye Tian won't disappoint you!" Ye Feifei said with a smile.
Then, Ye Weitian announced the rankings of the family competition. Ye Tian became a well-deserved first place, Ye Feifei second, and Ye Shixue fifth. Ye Shixue was still very satisfied with this result; after all, she had come from the Outer Sect.
Next was the distribution of rewards according to the rankings. Everyone was overjoyed, with the sole exception of Ye Hu, whose expression was extremely ugly. Third place should have belonged to him, but unexpectedly, he had ended up in tenth.
A question lingered in Ye Hu's mind. 'Why wasn't Ye Tian affected by the Ten Fragrances Soft Tendon Powder?' He was very confident in the poison he had personally purchased. He planned to thoroughly investigate the matter.
It wasn't until sunset that the family competition was considered successfully concluded. Some were happy, some were in pain. Such is reality, and one can only face it.
Ye Tian and Ye Feifei were then summoned to the study by Ye Weitian. After closing the door, Ye Weitian said to them, "Now that Feifei has made her intentions clear, what are your thoughts?"
"Patriarch, rest assured, I will not let Feifei down! In this life, I will do my utmost to make her happy!" Ye Tian said very seriously.
"Remember your words. If my daughter is ever wronged in the future, I will hold you accountable!" Ye Weitian said.
"Father, you didn't call us in here just to say this, did you? Let's get to the real business!" Ye Feifei asked.
"You both know of Linyuan Academy, right? In half a year, the Academy will begin its enrollment. I want both of you to enter Linyuan Academy for your Cultivation!" Ye Weitian said…