I, Su Ye, Do Not Want It—It Is Beneath My Contempt!

Coach Li had taken the initiative to ask about your training progress, overlooking yesterday's unpleasantness.

Why did you have to bring that up?

Could it be that you really could master Extreme Shadow Swordplay to the Shadowless and Extreme Shadow stages in such a short time?

Li Aoxue's pretty face stiffened unpleasantly. Frowning, she stared at Su Ye, unable to fathom what this somewhat youthful-looking boy before her was thinking.

A shadow fell over him. Fang Li's towering one-meter-ninety frame stood before Su Ye like a pillar, overwhelmingly oppressive.

"Shadowless?"

"Kid, are you talking in your sleep?"

It was Fang Yuan's cousin, Fang Li, the one who had openly mocked Su Ye earlier.

Su Ye wore First High School's school uniform. Clearly, they were all seniors.

They had all entered the martial path only three weeks ago. Fang Li considered himself quite talented, yet he had only reached the Afterimage stage at the beginner level.

Naturally, he did not believe Su Ye could have reached the Shadowless stage!

Although the College Entrance Examination assessment did not consist solely of Extreme Shadow Swordplay, those who could reach the Shadowless stage before the exam were still rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns!

Take Li Aoxue, who had placed third in Shenyun City in the College Entrance Examination back then—she was only at the Shadowless stage even now!

Of course, that was because Li Aoxue's current realm and insight meant she no longer treated Extreme Shadow Swordplay as a required martial skill. Still, even with Li Aoxue's talent, she had failed to cultivate Extreme Shadow Swordplay to "Extreme Shadow," showing just how difficult it was to master this martial skill to completion.

Fang Li lowered his head to look down at Su Ye, his expression carrying icy amusement and a hint of menace.

"How about we spar?"

"Don't worry. I'll hold back a little. I definitely won't send you to the ICU."

He rubbed his fists together. The cracking of his knuckles mingled with the resonant hum of Martial Bones, and coupled with his massive frame, it was immensely intimidating!

Su Ye's eyes narrowed!

Martial Bones were contained within the body. Unless one was a Blood Nourishing Realm Martial Artist a major realm higher, it was difficult to directly determine how many Martial Bones another person possessed.

But with Fang Li deliberately unleashing them like this, Su Ye could make a rough estimate.

Six Martial Bones!

That was one more Martial Bone than Zhang Yuan had known about!

To have tempered six Martial Bones at this point meant Fang Li was basically among the top ten at First High School!

"Enough! Fang Li!"

Li Aoxue stepped in at that moment, stopping Fang Li.

Zhang Yuan wiped cold sweat from his brow and pulled Su Ye along, forcing out a smile. "My buddy just likes to joke around! He's joking!"

Fang Li was a vicious man!

Though he was only from a collateral branch of the Fang Family and his bloodline was not particularly close, his talent was extremely high. Most importantly, his temper was downright explosive!

Just yesterday, a student pursuing Li Aoxue had been beaten so badly by him that he was sent to the hospital!

Fang Li cocked his neck, his tone mocking.

"That's true. You did say you were going to master the Extreme Shadow stage."

"Ha ha!"

His sarcastic words set many of the students roaring with laughter.

The amusement at Fang Li's lips deepened as he sneered, "Didn't you say yesterday that you'd master the Extreme Shadow stage in the next few days?"

"How about I wait until you've mastered the Extreme Shadow stage before sparring with you?"

"Then I'll have to thank you for your guidance! Should I add another ten thousand as a fee of gratitude?"

Su Ye suddenly smiled and spoke.

"Sure."

His eyes seemed calm, yet he met Fang Li's gaze without yielding in the slightest.

Why refuse money falling into his lap for free?

Su Ye's expression remained indifferent. He already had his own plans.

Barring any surprises, by tomorrow he would temper his fourth Martial Bone, as well as... reach the highest stage of Extreme Shadow Swordplay!

The smile on Fang Li's face gradually faded, and a sharp edge slowly appeared in his eyes.

But Li Aoxue ultimately called out to stop him.

"Enough!"

"It's about time. Class is over for today!"

Fang Li gave Su Ye a long, deep look. Knowing that he could not cause trouble today with Li Aoxue present, he turned and left.

Su Ye, however, shook his head and said, "Coach Li, I'll practice in the sword hall a while longer."

"Besides, I'm waiting for someone."

He had just taken a Qi Recovery Pill, so naturally he would not waste his strength. Besides, having just comprehended the Shadowless stage, his hands were truly itching to try it out.

Someone snorted with laughter!

It was lunchtime, and he was still practicing?

And waiting for someone?

Wasn't it obvious that he was making excuses to avoid Fang Li because he feared retaliation?

"Not only a clown, but a complete coward too!" a student close to Fang Li snickered under his breath.

"He probably doesn't even know who he's provoked."

The others also shook their heads at Su Ye with pity in their eyes.

Fang Li was rather famous among them. In their view, Su Ye, an ordinary student whose school uniform was visibly old and worn, could never withstand him.

Yet Su Ye merely smiled faintly. All the mockery and ridicule washed over him like a breeze brushing his face, and he faced it calmly.

After the students had all left, and after he had sent the worried Zhang Yuan away first,

Su Ye remained alone in the silent Vast Sea Martial Arts School, practicing his swordsmanship by himself!

One sword strike after another!

With every strike Su Ye made, he took another step closer to the top ten before class placement!

The whistle of his sword cutting through the air grew faster and faster, as though it would pierce the very air itself!

"When faced with facts, ten thousand doubts will naturally melt away like spring snow beneath the sun!"

Half an hour later.

Lin Qingyue arrived at Vast Sea Martial Arts School and found Su Ye.

Impatience filled her delicate, pretty face. The moment she opened her mouth, she went straight to the point.

"Su Ye, I hope you won't spread word of our childhood betrothal."

"It will be good for both your Su Family and our Lin Family!"

At present, only a handful of senior elders in the Lin Family and Su Family knew of their engagement.

If others learned that she, the dignified Young Miss of the Lin Family, had a childhood betrothal to someone like Su Ye, it would be far too humiliating!

As though recalling something, a strange glint flashed through Lin Qingyue's eyes.

After all, Lin Qingyue would only marry the Su Family's heir. Only then could she obtain the great secret opportunity her father had mentioned within the Su Family.

Otherwise, why would she insist on breaking off the engagement and marrying Su Ling instead? Breaking off the engagement alone would have been enough!

Of course, Su Ling's talent was indeed astonishing, and Lin Qingyue was extremely satisfied with this marriage in her heart.

As for Lin Qingyue's fear of humiliation, Su Ye could naturally guess some of it. He replied calmly, "I won't publicize it."

Only then did Lin Qingyue's expression improve somewhat. She took out a bottle of pills and looked down at Su Ye with the coldness of one bestowing alms.

"These are Third-grade Marrow Tempering Bone Condensing Pills, among the finest of Third-grade Pills."

"Ten pills, worth no less than one million."

"They are more suited for tempering bones than Bone Tempering Pills. They're for you."

Su Ye suddenly laughed. "What is this? Hush money?"

Lin Qingyue's willow brows knitted together. "You think it's too little?"

Su Ye's position was now incomparably awkward. Though he possessed the direct bloodline, he had no elder to back him.

These ten Marrow Tempering Bone Condensing Pills were absolutely what Su Ye needed most, and they were a massive sum of money!

Su Ye did not even look at Lin Qingyue as he turned and walked away.

"I understand. You can leave now."

The reason Su Ye would not publicize their engagement was because it was beneath his contempt!

There was no other reason!

"Su Ye, you—!"

"Do you know what it means to refuse the pills I'm giving you?"

"Do you really still think your former status as the Su Family's Young Master means anything?! Or are you still dreaming of a toad eating swan meat, hoping to marry me by relying on that verbal promise from back then?"

Lin Qingyue's Beautiful Eyes seemed to spit fire as she stared fixedly at Su Ye's retreating back. The fury in her heart surged at once, and she recalled his unruly, defiant manner at the Su Family residence several days ago.

She was so angry that she laughed!

Did he really think he was somebody?!

You, Su Ye, only tempered a single Martial Bone a few days ago. That was merely the most ordinary aptitude!

Su Ye's words drifted on the wind, carrying coldness and unyielding pride.

"Lin Qingyue, I, Su Ye, do not want it because it is beneath my contempt."

"And besides... thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river."

"In the future, just don't regret breaking off our engagement and marrying another!"