The arena was deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Although the other party hadn't spelled it out, his implication was already crystal clear.
The Former Chief Military Commander, Chen Yang.
Wang Teng maintained his position holding the wine glass, but his expression shifted rapidly, his eyes filled with wariness and doubt. As for the rich young masters who had been bragging so loudly, they had been scared out of their wits the moment Cao Shuo was obliterated by a single dry leaf. Now, upon realizing that the person before them was Chen Yang himself, every last one of them turned ashen and began to tremble uncontrollably.
Even as they desperately tried to compose themselves, their bodies couldn't stop shaking.
TAP, TAP, TAP.
Unable to bear the psychological pressure any longer, many subconsciously backed away, their heads bowed, not daring to meet Chen Yang's gaze.
Chen Yang sat across from Wang Teng, one hand hanging naturally while the other tapped lightly on his knee. He said with a chuckle, "What's the matter? Let's continue the fun from earlier. Don't let the party die down."
GULP.
Many swallowed hard, their expressions grim. They all instinctively turned to Wang Teng, their eyes pleading for help.
His face steely, Wang Teng clenched his jaw and said, "I don't know what you're talking about, and I have no desire to argue with you. Please leave my Wang Family immediately." As he spoke, he pointed toward the main gate. "My Wang Family is teeming with experts today. You'd better not be too arrogant."
Chen Yang raised his eyelids slightly, a smile that wasn't quite a smile gradually spreading from the corner of his mouth. He didn't speak, just sat there with that smile that didn't reach his eyes, looking meaningfully at the flustered Wang Teng, who was desperately trying to appear calm.
"I told you to leave. Are you pretending not to hear, or are you just refusing to go?" Chen Yang's attitude and expression ignited an uncontrollable rage in Wang Teng, who roared with all his might.
However, despite his domineering words, the seemingly fierce Mr. Wang kept backing away, as if trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and Chen Yang. The others were rigid with tension, not daring to make a rash move.
"Why run?" Chen Yang smiled. "These past few days, haven't you repeatedly declared in public that you wanted to challenge me? You even said that it was my honor to be your first opponent after your return from Yuning Mountain."
CLAP, CLAP.
Chen Yang applauded, his face a mask of admiration. "Such a majestic and domineering presence, wasn't it?"
"I'm here now. What's wrong? Have you lost the courage to even make a move?"
A cold wind suddenly gusted as dark clouds loomed overhead. A slight, unreadable smile played on Chen Yang's lips, as if the gloomy shift in weather had actually improved his mood.
Wang Teng's face had turned a deep, livid purple. He stared at Chen Yang, who seemed to be toying with him as if he were a monkey. The last shred of confidence in his heart crumbled, and he retreated several more steps. Recalling his earlier boasts, his face flushed crimson to the tips of his ears.
"Come on," Chen Yang beckoned with his finger. "Today I, Chen, will give you a chance."
HUFF, HUFF.
Wang Teng's already labored breathing became even more rapid. He had only been posturing, running his mouth to boost his own status, assuming Chen Yang was too busy to bother with him. But now, the man himself had appeared.
Was there even a need to fight? The invisible aura Chen Yang exuded was enough to envelop the entire scene, crushing Wang Teng and making it hard for him to breathe. Besides, with the Former Chief Military Commander's fearsome reputation, Wang Teng, no matter how conceited, didn't dare to actually attack him.
Fearing battle was one thing, but he had to find a way to save face. Wang Teng forced himself to calm down and asserted confidently, "I was injured recently by someone using underhanded methods, so I'm not in peak condition right now. Once my injuries have fully healed, I will personally seek you out for a match."
Chen Yang burst into laughter. "Kid, do you really think I'm that easy to fool? Qin Hao merely slapped you a few times. What kind of injury is that?"
"You…" Wang Teng's face flushed with embarrassment, leaving him speechless.
BOOM!
Chen Yang remained seated, but he extended an open palm and struck at Wang Teng through the air.
Wang Teng, who had been on high alert, reacted instantly. The moment Chen Yang lifted his hand, he retreated swiftly. His reaction seemed extraordinary, but in the next second, he was struck by the palm imprint, and blood streamed from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
With a sudden bang, Wang Teng staggered, his knees eventually giving way and hitting the ground. He struggled to stand up, but Chen Yang merely spread his fingers and struck down again. The attack descended like an immortal's fatal caress on his head.
Just as Wang Teng managed to push himself up, his knees smashed onto the ground once more. His face was as white as a sheet, and his entire body trembled violently.
"He… he couldn't even withstand one seemingly casual palm strike?"
"He can't even fight back?"
The surrounding scions stared at the convulsing Wang Teng, their faces stunned. A moment later, they couldn't help but suck in sharp breaths of shock.
"ARGHH…" Wang Teng roared, consumed by an unspeakable humiliation. He felt as if he had been stripped naked in public.
"The great Former Chief Military Commander, launching a sneak attack! Heh, I, Wang Teng, have finally seen the methods of a so-called great figure," Wang Teng accused self-righteously.
"Your mouth is certainly sharp," Chen Yang said with a sarcastic laugh, leaning back comfortably in his chair and picking up a dead leaf.
Wang Teng straightened his back but dared not meet Chen Yang's eyes. He appeared dignified, but inwardly, he was terrified beyond belief.
Too terrifying!
"However, a sharp tongue alone won't make you famous." Chen Yang toyed with the leaf, his smile filled with mockery. "A lack of strength isn't frightening. What is… is when a piece of trash insists on pretending to be superior. Those kinds of people are always the first to die."
Wang Teng was speechless.
Trash. A fraud. These words were like sharp daggers stabbing deep into Wang Teng's heart.
The onlookers finally understood. This Wang Teng, this self-proclaimed peerless prodigy, was nothing but useless trash who was completely incapable of fighting back against Chen Yang. And this was the man who had shamelessly challenged the Former Chief Military Commander. It was utterly laughable.
"I said I'm not in my best condition, otherwise…" Wang Teng continued to argue, but halfway through, he trailed off. Never mind what the others thought; even he could feel how hollow and shameless his words were.
"Will you shut up already!" Wang Qing, who had been let through by Yang Hu, suddenly bellowed. He strode forward and kicked Wang Teng, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Can't you see the reality of the situation? Even if you cultivated for another hundred years, you would never be a match for Chen Shuai!" Wang Qing feigned fury, chiding righteously, "Quickly admit your mistake and beg for Chen Shuai's forgiveness!"
"A piece of trash trying to pass himself off as a hero. How laughable," Yang Hu, who had followed him in, sneered. "I wonder, does this Young Master Wang Teng feel any shame?"
Wang Teng fell silent. Then, he could only lower his head and apologize. "I'm sorry. I overestimated myself. I admit my mistake. I hope you will overlook my transgression, sir."
With that said, Wang Teng struggled to get up.
BOOM!
With a flick of two fingers from Chen Yang, a dead leaf shot out and severed a large tree beside Wang Teng, sending dust and debris everywhere.
"Did I say you could get up?" Chen Yang said with a smile.
Wang Teng froze.