Facing Yang Boyuâs attack, Ye Qingchen stood motionless, appearing as if he were scared stiff. Seeing this, the surrounding Outer Sect Disciples couldnât help but scoff.
"Yang Boyu is moving too fast. That loser Ye Qingchen canât even react!"
"Ye Qingchen is pathetic! He doesnât even know how to dodge!"
"What a shame Yang Boyu beat me to it. Otherwise, I could have dropped Ye Qingchen with one punch, and his Cultivation Resources would be mine!"
"..."
Amidst the disciplesâ chatter, Yang Boyuâs fist was already less than a foot from Ye Qingchenâs face. At that moment, Yang Boyu was already celebrating internally, fantasizing about how he would use Ye Qingchenâs Cultivation Resources once he got them.
However, in the next instant, the fist he had aimed at Ye Qingchenâs face struck nothing but air!
It missed? How is that possible?!
A look of disbelief spread across Yang Boyuâs face. An instant later, his vision blurred as a fist shot straight toward him.
BANG!
Yang Boyu had no time to dodge. The punch connected squarely, and he collapsed to the ground, out cold.
A one-punch knockout! Seeing this, all the Outer Sect Disciples fell dead silent. Many of them hadnât even seen how Ye Qingchen had moved. Several Outer Sect Disciples who were familiar with Yang Boyu couldnât help but swallow hard.
Yang Boyu was a Fifth-layer Martial Artist, the champion of their townâs trial. His strength was formidable. Yet, Ye Qingchen, who had moved second, knocked him out with a single punch. Just how powerful was he?
Is this the same loser Liu Wenzhuang was talking about?
At that moment, they finally understood. Liu Wenzhuang had completely misled them.
After knocking out Yang Boyu with one punch, Ye Qingchenâs gaze swept over the Outer Sect Disciples. "Is there anyone else who wants to challenge me?" he asked coldly.
Instantly, all the Outer Sect Disciples took an instinctive step back. They were bold enough to bully a soft target, but they wouldnât dare provoke an iron plate. No one dared to accept Ye Qingchenâs challenge.
Many Outer Sect Disciples even felt a secret thrill.
Thank goodness I didnât rush to challenge him. Otherwise, Iâd be the one on the ground right now, lying there like a dead pig!
"Iâm just passing by!"
"The weatherâs turning; I need to go get my laundry!"
"Iâm heading to the Sect Martial Technique Pavilion. Little San, want to come with me?"
The Outer Sect Disciples scattered in a flash. Two of them hastily carried the unconscious Yang Boyu away. Soon, only a handful of people remained at the courtyard entrance. It wasnât that they werenât afraid of Ye Qingchen, but that their reactions were a beat slower than everyone elseâs, and they hadnât managed to slip away yet.
Just then...
SHUFFLE, SHUFFLE, SHUFFLE...
The sound of footsteps heralded the arrival of Liu Wenzhuang, who was leading Huang Xiaoshuai and several other Outer Sect Disciples.
Upon seeing Liu Wenzhuang, Ye Qingchen greeted him as warmly as a long-lost relative. "Brother Liu Wenzhuang, I was just about to look for you, but you beat me to it! You must be here to deliver my Cultivation Resources. Iâm truly moved that you keep your promises!"
Hearing this, Liu Wenzhuangâs face burned hot. "Ahem, letâs not rush to talk about the Cultivation Resources. Iâm here to propose another bet with you!"
"Another bet? What is it? Tell me," Ye Qingchen said, blinking.
Liu Wenzhuang announced, "A one-on-one duel between you and me! If you lose, our previous wager is canceled!"
Hearing this, the few Outer Sect Disciples who hadnât left yet looked at him with immense pity. Having just witnessed Ye Qingchenâs prowess, they didnât think Liu Wenzhuang stood a chance of defeating him.
"And what if I win?" Ye Qingchen asked with a smile.
Liu Wenzhuang shook his head, his face a mask of confidence. "Itâs impossible for you to win!"
Ye Qingchen shook his head in turn. "Thatâs not a sincere offer. Letâs just forget it. I donât like wasting my time on things with no reward."
Seeing Ye Qingchen refuse, Liu Wenzhuang grew anxious and turned to Huang Xiaoshuai. "Huang Xiaoshuai, give me your Cultivation Resources! Iâll use them as the stake for my duel with Ye Qingchen!"
Without a momentâs hesitation, Huang Xiaoshuai shook his head like a rattle-drum. "Liu Wenzhuang, I think we should just forget it!"
Huang Xiaoshuai was all too aware of Ye Qingchenâs combat strength and didnât believe a Fifth-layer Martial Artist like Liu Wenzhuang could defeat him. If he lent Liu Wenzhuang his Cultivation Resources and he lost, it would be a long time before he got them back, if ever. That would put him in a terrible position.
"Whatâs there to be afraid of?" Liu Wenzhuang declared with supreme confidence. "Iâve already broken through to the Sixth Layer of the Martial Artist Realm! My strength has soared, and dealing with Ye Qingchen will be a piece of cake! After I win, Iâll give you a tenth of the spoils as a reward!"
"The Sixth Layer! Alright then!" Huang Xiaoshuaiâs attitude changed immediately.
Liu Wenzhuangâs cultivation is a layer higher than Ye Qingchenâs, and he promised me a tenth of the winnings. This might be worth the risk!
Taking Huang Xiaoshuaiâs Cultivation Resources, Liu Wenzhuang brandished them in front of Ye Qingchen. "Iâll bet these against you. Do you dare to accept? If you wimp out, thatâs fine too. Our previous wager will just be voided!"
Ye Qingchen grinned. "A bet? Why wouldnât I bet? These resources may not be much, but even a mosquitoâs leg is still meat!"
Ye Qingchen threw Liu Wenzhuangâs own words right back at him.
Hearing this, the corner of Liu Wenzhuangâs mouth twitched violently. He clenched his fists, and without even a word to begin, he threw a heavy punch straight at Ye Qingchen.
Facing the surprise attack, Ye Qingchen didnât even bother to dodge. He simply reached out, caught Liu Wenzhuangâs fist, and, with a surge of immense power, squeezed hard.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The sickening sound of splintering bone echoed as Liu Wenzhuang shrieked in pain, his face a mask of utter horror. "You... your cultivation is... the Seventh Layer of the Martial Artist Realm!"
The moment Ye Qingchen struck, Liu Wenzhuang had sensed his opponentâs true Cultivation Realm, and terror flooded his heart. He never imagined that Ye Qingchen, the person he considered utterly worthless, would possess a cultivation a full layer higher than his own. The reality was far beyond his wildest expectations.
Huang Xiaoshuai could no longer stay calm.
His cultivation has jumped two layers in such a short time! How is that possible?!
His heart pounded with shock, which quickly gave way to a sharp pang of regret.
Looks like Liu Wenzhuang is doomed to lose his bet with Ye Qingchen again!
"It hurts! It hurts! Let go! If you donât let go, my hand will be crippled!" Liu Wenzhuang shrieked, drenched in a cold sweat from the agony.
"Produce what you owe, and I will naturally let go," Ye Qingchen said indifferently.
"Fine! Iâll give it! Iâll give it!" Liu Wenzhuang tremblingly took out the Cultivation Resources from his robes with his other hand, ready to hand them over.
However, just as he did...
"What kind of skill is there in bullying the weak? Boy, let go of my brotherâs hand at once! Otherwise, Iâll be the one to cripple yours today!"
A cold voice rang out as a young man dressed in Inner Sect Disciple attire confidently strode forward.