A profound silence enveloped the surroundings, with no one daring to utter a word, still reeling from the shock.
It was astonishing that a warrior at the seventh level of martial spirit could be bested in true essence by a mere newcomer at the second level; disbelief coursed through everyone.
Ye Tian's frigid gaze resembled a sharpened sword, causing anyone it touched to involuntarily shudder, a chill creeping down their spine, and a sense of trepidation settling in their hearts.
Even the Mad Blade, not far away, felt his expression harden, his previously casual demeanor now transformed into one of gravity and seriousness.
"As fellow disciples, competition is acceptable, but do you not feel ashamed for insulting others and bullying a newcomer?"
"Moreover, who was it that said they would strike him at every encounter?"
Ye Tian's voice was icy, his piercing gaze directed like a blade at the inner disciples who had previously attacked Lin Fei.
Lin Fei glared fiercely at them, his face ablaze with fury.
The inner disciples felt their breath catch, their expressions shifting to one of unease, with several glancing involuntarily toward a gaunt-faced youth.
Instantly, Ye Tian's gaze shot toward him as well.
"Fool!" The gaunt-faced youth cursed inwardly, realizing he had been exposed. However, rather than fear, he looked at Ye Tian with disdain. "So what if it was me? I am merely training you newcomers; you should be grateful."
"Is that so? Then allow me to train you!" Ye Tian retorted with a cold smile, not hesitating for a moment before unleashing ten blood pills, a terrifying wave of true essence erupting forth.
In the next instant, a colossal hand of true essence materialized in mid-air, descending with an overwhelming force upon the gaunt-faced youth.
"Ah…"
Caught off guard by Ye Tian's sudden attack, the gaunt-faced youth had no time to react before being struck by Ye Tian's celestial hand. He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, his body hurtling backward.
The surrounding inner disciples stood agape, astonished by Ye Tian's overwhelming strength as he faced them alone yet dared to strike so boldly.
The atmosphere fell again into a profound silence.
"Kid, I was careless before; do you truly believe you can defeat me? Do you think one person can stand against all of us?" Jiang Han, the one who had been sent flying by Ye Tian, approached with a dark expression, his eyes aflame with fury.
How could he have been bested by a newcomer?
Jiang Han felt a mixture of humiliation and rage, his countenance darkening as he glared at Ye Tian, his gaze imbued with icy malice.
Seeing Jiang Han rise again, the surrounding inner disciples breathed a sigh of relief, as if a pillar of support had returned, their morale partially restored; after all, one was merely a newcomer at the second level of martial spirit, while the other was a seasoned warrior at the seventh level.
"Careless?"
Ye Tian fixed his piercing gaze on Jiang Han, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he advanced.
"What? Do you wish to engage me again? This time, I won't be careless; don't expect to gain the slightest advantage. I will show you the true prowess of a seventh-level martial spirit warrior," Jiang Han said, his brow arching, a sinister smile spreading across his face as he slowly raised his hand.
"Did you just claim it was carelessness?" Ye Tian replied coldly.
"Hmm?"
Jiang Han was taken aback, his raised hand freezing mid-motion.
"Are you saying that a seventh-level martial spirit warrior being struck down by a newcomer at the second level is merely carelessness?" Before Jiang Han could respond, Ye Tian continued, his gaze frigid and laced with mockery.
Jiang Han's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with cold light as he fixed a steely gaze upon the approaching Ye Tian, a chilling aura emanating from him.
"What's the matter? Do you wish to fight me?" Ye Tian snorted lightly, now standing directly before Jiang Han, suddenly shouting, "Do you dare?"
Boom!
Ye Tian amplified his true essence, the powerful sound waves reverberating through the minds of all present.
"Do you dare?"
His chilling shout left everyone stunned, gazing at Ye Tian in disbelief.
Ye Tian raised his hand, pointing disdainfully at Jiang Han's nose. "Seventh level of martial spirit? Pfft! Do you believe that within a year, I could subdue you with a single hand? If you dare to strike today, unless you can kill me, once I surpass you, don't expect to remain safe within the Divine Star Sect."
Boom!
Jiang Han felt his mind reverberate with the weight of Ye Tian's threatening words, a sinking feeling washing over him, and any desire to engage in battle evaporated in an instant.
"My talent surpasses yours by tenfold, a hundredfold. Perhaps today I am not your match, but what about in the future?" Ye Tian's icy gaze swept over the surrounding inner disciples, his eyes ablaze with intensity, making them flinch.
"Do you have the courage to kill me?" Ye Tian's face was a mask of derision, and the inner disciples fell silent, for within the Divine Star Sect, internal strife was strictly forbidden; those who dared to harm their peers would face the wrath of all disciples and elders.
"If you lack the courage, it would be best not to provoke me; otherwise, I will remember each of you, and you shall all await my retribution!"
Ye Tian's cold gaze, sharp as a blade, swept across the faces of the inner disciples. Each one he met involuntarily lowered their heads, a chill running down their spines, their feet feeling the icy grip of fear.
Finally, Ye Tian's gaze settled on the Mad Blade, his eyes piercing and fierce.
The Mad Blade sensed Ye Tian's intimidating stare, a sudden weight settling in his heart; inexplicably, he felt as though he were being scrutinized by an ancient beast of terror.
Yet, Ye Tian was not stronger than him.
"You are the Mad Blade? I've heard you are the strongest inner disciple here. Do you believe that within a year, I could defeat you with a single move?" Ye Tian coldly addressed the Mad Blade, his tone indifferent.
The surrounding inner disciples gasped in surprise, their expressions shifting to one of anticipation, hoping that this strongest inner disciple could restore their dignity.
However, the outcome was disappointing.
The Mad Blade chuckled awkwardly, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect. "Of course I believe it! Junior Brother Ye, your talent is extraordinary; I suspect it won't take long before you surpass me."
"However, Junior Brother Ye, you are aware that the palace is rich in spiritual energy, greatly aiding our cultivation. Moreover, the sect encourages our competition, so I must apologize in advance for the challenge a month from now."
The Mad Blade adopted a humble demeanor, having witnessed Ye Tian's terrifying strength; he finally understood how formidable this young man's talent truly was and dared not offend him further.
As Ye Tian had stated, as long as he lived, with his immense talent, it would not be long before he surpassed them.
To offend such a prodigious genius would ensure their days in the Divine Star Sect would be far from pleasant.
The other inner disciples, hearing the Mad Blade's words, seemed to grasp the situation as well, their gazes toward Ye Tian filled with reverence.
Even the unwilling Jiang Han dared not speak further, fearing Ye Tian's retribution; in truth, he was filled with regret.
"I understand your words clearly; I will not hold a grudge for a normal challenge," Ye Tian replied nonchalantly, then helped Lin Fei to his feet and walked toward the nearby palace.
The surrounding inner disciples parted ways, none daring to obstruct their path.
"A month from now, I await your challenge."
Ye Tian's cold voice echoed, causing the Mad Blade's heart to leap; inexplicably, he suddenly felt uncertain about the upcoming challenge.
"Impossible! No matter how talented he is, he cannot possibly defeat me with only the second level of martial spirit!" The Mad Blade shook his head, confident in his strength as a peak seventh-level warrior, far superior to the recently ascended Jiang Han.
He had faith in his abilities.
"Ye Tian!
"Lin Fei, are you alright?"
As Ye Tian supported Lin Fei while walking over, the Thirteenth Prince, Yun Shuiyao, and Meng Shiyun approached, each wearing expressions of deep shame.
"Lin Fei, I apologize; we..." The two girls struggled to find the words, prompting the Thirteenth Prince to speak on their behalf, his face etched with regret as he looked at Lin Fei.
"Brother, there's no need to say anything. Even if you had intervened, it would not have made much difference; I hold no resentment towards you," Lin Fei generously reassured him, patting the Thirteenth Prince on the shoulder.
The Thirteenth Prince was momentarily taken aback, his mouth opening in surprise, at a loss for words.
Beside him, Yun Shuiyao and Meng Shiyun felt their eyes welling up with emotion.
"Ye Tian, I am truly grateful to you," Lin Fei expressed his heartfelt thanks to Ye Tian.
"As you said, we are all brothers; there's no need for such formalities!" Ye Tian replied with a smile, having grown to appreciate this friend over the past few months; otherwise, he would not have reacted so fiercely earlier.
"Brother!" Lin Fei nodded emphatically, his gaze toward Ye Tian filled with unwavering determination.
Little did Ye Tian realize that his words had bestowed upon Ye Cheng a formidable protector.
"Ye Tian!" At that moment, the Thirteenth Prince's expression turned serious. He produced fifty-five spirit stones from his pocket and handed them to Ye Tian, stating solemnly, "This is for you."
"Hmm? How did you acquire so many spirit stones?" Ye Tian exclaimed in surprise, and Lin Fei and the others looked on in astonishment.
"These were sent to me by my father; they are a reward for my achievement in entering the top ten, along with a few spirit stones as a prize from the Divine Star Gate," the Thirteenth Prince explained.
Upon hearing that they were sent by the King of Nanlin, the others nodded in understanding.
"Then why are you giving them to me? These spirit stones could significantly enhance your own strength," Ye Tian inquired, furrowing his brow in confusion.
Lin Fei and the others also regarded the Thirteenth Prince with puzzled expressions.
"Because I want you to defeat that Mad Blade in a month, to avenge Lin Fei and us!" The Thirteenth Prince's eyes blazed with intensity, his tone resolute.
Ye Tian was momentarily taken aback; he had not anticipated that the Thirteenth Prince would offer him spirit stones for such a purpose.
Lin Fei, Yun Shuiyao, and Meng Shiyun were also momentarily stunned, but soon exchanged determined glances, each seeing the resolve reflected in the others' eyes. They promptly retrieved their own spirit stones and offered them to Ye Tian.