"Impressive!"
"It's a martial master! And at least a level four martial master!"
"This young man can't be over twenty, truly a once-in-a-lifetime genius!"
Seeing Ye Tian repel the oncoming martial artists merely with his protective qi left the spectators in awe, each voice filled with admiration. The elegantly dressed youth hadn't anticipated Ye Tian's prowess, leaving him dumbfounded. His subordinates, too, dared not approach, their faces etched with reverence.
"Get lost!" Ye Tian coldly directed his gaze at them, causing immediate panic as they scrambled backward. The elegantly dressed youth, scrambling to his feet, ran away while shouting threats: "You... you wait! I, this young master, will not let this go! Hmph!"
A group of bruised and battered guards hurriedly followed behind, not daring to steal a glance at Ye Tian.
"What a bunch of useless fools!" Liu Hongwu scoffed derisively.
"Let's go," Ye Tian said nonchalantly, not considering the youth's threats significant, especially given his status as a member of the Blood Garment Guard; he knew that as long as he did not err, even the lord of Black Blood City would not dare to challenge him.
"Okay!" Liu Hongwu nodded, and the two made their way toward the inn.
However, as they passed through the crowd, a kind-hearted martial artist cautioned, "Brother, you should leave Black Blood City quickly. The person you just struck is Ding Hui's brother."
"Ding Hui? Who is that?" Ye Tian asked, perplexed, looking at Liu Hongwu, who merely shook her head.
"You don't even know Ding Hui? Well, you're from Blood Jade City, so it's understandable." The man's expression turned serious as he lowered his voice. "Ding Hui is our city's greatest prodigy, having reached level seven at just twenty-five. He has even been specially promoted by the city lord to become a captain in the Black Armored Army."
"A level seven martial master at twenty-five!" Liu Hongwu exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. "The youngest level seven in Blood Jade City, Xue Yun, is already thirty-five."
Ye Tian felt a flicker of surprise, though it didn't overwhelm him; after all, he too was a level seven martial master, a fact unknown to outsiders, and he was only nineteen.
"I've heard of Xue Yun; he's the son of your city lord. However, he pales in comparison to Ding Hui," the man replied, shaking his head. "Oddly enough, despite Ding Hui's remarkable talent, his brother Ding Yao, the one you just hit, is a cultivation fool, barely reaching level five. He wouldn't even qualify to carry his brother's shoes."
"However, both Ding Hui and Ding Yao lost their parents at a young age and rely on each other, which has forged a deep bond between them. So, now that you've harmed Ding Yao, Ding Hui will undoubtedly seek revenge."
The man's warning was clear.
"Understood. Thank you, uncle!" Ye Tian clasped his fists together in gratitude and departed with Liu Hongwu.
Upon returning to the inn, Ye Tian discussed the situation with the other captains before accompanying Liu Hongwu out of the city, watching as she disappeared into the distance.
---
The next morning, the sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow that enveloped all of Black Blood City, draping the grand ancient city in a shimmering silk of light.
Yet, under such a splendid sky, the inn where Ye Tian stayed was surrounded by hundreds of Black Armored soldiers.
At the inn's entrance stood four menacing warriors of the Black Armored Army, their blood surging with fury, unmistakably the leaders of the group.
Upon learning of the situation, the innkeeper hurriedly rushed out, his face beaming with false cheer as he saw the soldiers. "Ah! Esteemed heroes of the Black Armored Army, what can I assist you with? I would gladly lay down my life for your service!"
"Less talk! Hurry and bring out that group of Blood Garment Guards. Tell them this young master has come to settle a score!" one of the leaders barked.
"Yes, yes, of course! I'll fetch them at once!" the innkeeper stammered, bowing repeatedly before dashing back inside.
The commotion quickly drew a crowd, murmurs echoing around them.
"Another confrontation with Ding Yao. I wonder who will be unlucky this time!"
"Shh, keep your voice down, or you'll be in trouble."
"Look! There are four captains of the Black Armored Army. To have four arrive at once, just who is staying in that inn?"
The onlookers speculated fervently.
Shortly after, Ye Tian emerged, leading a hundred Blood Garment Guards, ready to face the Black Armored soldiers.
"Ah, the Blood Garment Guards! This is a true clash of titans!" The crowd recognized them immediately upon seeing their distinctive blood-red attire.
"Four captains!"
The ten captains following Ye Tian felt a chill run down their spines, their expressions tense as they surveyed the four leaders. However, Ye Tian remained calm, his gaze cutting toward the elegantly dressed youth as he coolly stated, "It's you again!"
The youth, unable to withstand Ye Tian's piercing gaze, scurried behind the four captains, calling out, "You think you can escape after offending me, Ding Yao? Hmph!"
Ye Tian ignored his taunts, fixing his icy stare on the four Black Armored captains. "What is the meaning of this?"
The captains scrutinized Ye Tian in return, and the eldest among them spoke coolly, "We come under the orders of our captain to duel with you. If you win, this matter ends here. If you lose, you must apologize to Young Master Ding."
"Your captain is Ding Hui?" Ye Tian realized their purpose immediately.
"Indeed!" one of the Black Armored captains replied coldly. "Our captain stated that regardless of the outcome, Ding Hui is his brother, and he cannot simply overlook this matter. However, considering your status as a Blood Garment Guard, should you defeat us four, this incident will be settled."
"One against four? Isn't that a bit shameless?" someone in the crowd mocked.
One of the Black Armored captains shot a cold glance at the bystanders, then turned back to Ye Tian. "Originally, our captain intended to deal with you personally. However, you are merely a hundred-man captain, so we shall handle this among ourselves. This is not unfair, and we'll even allow you a moment to recover your strength."
"Enough of the chatter; you four can attack together!" Ye Tian interjected, waving his hand. His voice, though not loud, resonated clearly throughout the crowd.
At that moment, thousands had gathered around, and his words ignited a stir of disbelief. Everyone considered Ye Tian's confidence outrageous, daring to confront four Blood Guard captains alone. It was well known that the weakest among these captains was at the fourth level of martial mastery, while the strongest had already reached the sixth level.
Given Ye Tian's youth, he hardly appeared to be a sixth-level martial artist; this audacity seemed a direct path to ruin.
The eldest of the four captains furrowed his brow, regarding Ye Tian intently, and calmly remarked, "Young man, becoming a captain of the Blood Guards at such a young age speaks to your remarkable talent, yet talent alone does not equate to skill. It is wise to remain grounded."
"If you have no further nonsense to utter, you may proceed," Ye Tian replied, his tone unruffled and direct.
The spectators were left speechless; how could one be so brazen as to dismiss the Black Armored Army's captains in such a manner?
"You are exceedingly arrogant. Allow me, Xiao Fei, to show you your place!" One of the Black Armored captains, unable to contain himself, charged forward. His dark hair billowed as he moved, leaving a blur in his wake as he surged toward Ye Tian.
"It's Xiao Fei! Though he is only a fourth-level martial artist, he is merely thirty years old and possesses the potential to become a captain in the Black Armored Army!" Among the onlookers, many recognized him.
"Look! Xiao Fei is drawing his blade—this is his signature technique, 'Layered Waves Slash!'"
A black blade ignited with searing brilliance, its dense energy swirling forth like tumultuous ocean waves, ready to engulf Ye Tian. Dozens of blade strikes surged forward, resembling an unending tide, crashing and trembling the earth.
The atmosphere was charged with tension as the relentless blade strikes dazzled the spectators, who were captivated and on edge.
However, Ye Tian remained remarkably composed. He stood immobile like a mountain as the blades approached, simply raising his hand to unleash a single palm strike. Instantly, an explosive force surged forth like a flood breaching a dam, obliterating Xiao Fei's attacks in mere moments.
"Impressive!"
"Clearly, he operates on an entirely different level!"
A cacophony of astonishment erupted from the crowd.
The spectators, not oblivious, recognized from this display that Ye Tian's strength vastly eclipsed that of Xiao Fei—he was on an entirely different plane of power.
Even the three Black Armored captains who had yet to engage were wide-eyed, their shock evident.
Indeed!
As the crowd gasped in awe, Ye Tian stepped forward, unleashing his Thunderclap Palm. Nine formidable palm shadows appeared as if they were tangible, enveloping Xiao Fei in a torrent of overwhelming energy.
"Pfft!" Xiao Fei's face drained of color; despite his desperate defense, he could not withstand Ye Tian's might and was sent flying, blood spewing forth.
In just two palm strikes, a fourth-level martial artist was vanquished.
Silence fell over the area, all present immersed in disbelief, including the Black Armored soldiers.
Only Ye Tian's Blood Guards erupted in jubilant cheers, their faces alight with excitement.
"To defeat Xiao Fei in just two moves—this boy must be at least a fifth-level martial artist!"
"Goodness! He appears to be barely twenty!"
"This is an unparalleled genius; I can almost sense another Ding Hui on the rise, though regrettably he hails from Blood Jade City."
The astonished exclamations continued to ripple through the crowd.