"It was him. It really was him. There's no mistake. I just looked at his portrait—this is the man."
The instant Ye Yang appeared, everyone's expressions became wonderfully varied!
After all, he had charged alone straight into the dragon's lair and tiger's den—and, more importantly, onto Azure Cloud Sword Sect's turf.
"That's right. Could there be some misunderstanding? He dared to come alone without bringing any helpers. Does he really think he has nothing left to lose, or is he brimming with confidence in himself?"
Everyone looked over, wanting to use their own methods to examine just what made the young man before them so virtuous and capable, and where he had such strength and skill.
Before it had even begun, the situation was already completely one-sided. No one thought highly of him. Other than that fool who had spent a fortune betting on Ye Yang to win, nobody had chosen him.
He immediately drew everyone's attention. The crowd began discussing and debating among themselves, trying to figure out just what kind of great person he was.
"Big brother, are you sure? Are you trying to fool me? This isn't something you can joke about. We have to take it one step at a time. Otherwise, I won't be able to answer for this."
One of them grew solemn. He had no idea what the other man was trying to do.
"Don't worry. I can joke with you about anything else, but never this."
The speaker gently patted the other man's shoulder, his eyes filled with sincerity and resolve.
He slowly turned around and swept his gaze across the surprised, curious, and doubtful faces around him. The corners of his mouth curved into a calm smile.
"What's going on? Why do I have the feeling I'm seeing things? Could he really be the Heaven-Chosen? Could he truly be the Son of Heaven's Mandate?"
Sunlight streamed through the sparse clouds and spilled over him, coating him in a faint golden radiance. It was as though the air itself was filled with an unquestionable confidence and composure.
"Why are you all staring at me like that? Am I really that impressive? I'm just an ordinary person who came to honor an appointment."
Being watched by so many people, Ye Yang also felt baffled and embarrassed. He had no idea what they were trying to do.
At first, only one person had been watching him. In the end, everyone had turned their eyes toward him and begun sizing him up from head to toe. Those gazes alone were enough to make anyone's entire body feel uncomfortable.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze. Everyone's attention was deeply drawn to him, and even their breathing came to a halt.
"Damn it, what kind of trick did this brat use? He's drawn everyone's attention away. Does he have a protagonist's halo or something?"
One wrong step led to mistake after mistake. A tiny error could trigger a chain reaction. Some people were merely watching the show, while even more wore expressions of schadenfreude.
As time trickled away, the atmosphere at the scene became unusually grave. One of them glanced around and only then realized that the timing was perfect.
"Let's begin. I'm in a hurry, so I hope you won't disappoint me."
Ye Yang's voice was clear and firm. He lightly shook his sleeve, like a battle general about to take the stage, his eyes flashing with a light that could not be underestimated.
"What? This brat is actually urging them on? Could something be wrong with his head? Shouldn't he be thinking about how to admit defeat, swallow his pride, or escape?"
"Exactly. Does he really think he's a God of War? Does he really think he holds absolute control? Does he honestly believe he can control everything?"
"If you ask me, this brat's brain is broken. He's spouting such grand words here, as if we came to cheer him on. We're only here to watch him make a fool of himself."
The air around them seemed to solidify with his words, and everyone felt an invisible pressure quietly spreading.
"What a powerful aura, and what extraordinary composure. Could this brat really have some strength? Or is he just a good-for-nothing, completely unaffected by it all?"
Ye Yang lightly tapped the ground with his toes. His figure soared into the open space like a swallow, and before anyone knew it, an ancient-looking longsword had appeared in his hand. The blade shimmered with a deep-blue chill, appearing even more mysterious beneath the sunlight.
"Heh heh, so what if I admit that you're powerful? Since I dared to come to this appointment, I'm already prepared. I won't fear you, much less let you frighten me."
At that moment, a sonorous voice rang out. Everyone could not help admiring his courage and sense of responsibility. No one else possessed his nerve or bravery.
"Old friend, today I'll let you have a thorough, glorious feast. Let them see what you're capable of. Let them know you aren't someone to be trifled with, nor someone they can casually push around."
Ye Yang pointed his sword toward the heavens. The tip trembled lightly, as if resonating with heaven and earth. A contest of honor and strength quietly began in this flash of lightning and spark.
Azure Cloud Sword Sect had sent four elders to maintain order, specifically to show how seriously they took the matter. Every one of them possessed extraordinary cultivation, with even the weakest already at the eighth level of Martial Saint.
Any one of them could establish a sect and become its founder. Unfortunately, within this sect, they were merely outer sect elders.
One could imagine how profound and powerful the inner sect elders were. It was simply inconceivable. This was the foundation of a super sect.
"Brat, are you ready? If you are, say so, and we'll officially begin. Once it starts, there's no possibility of calling a halt midway unless one person voluntarily admits defeat."
"Exactly. This is no joke. Of course, if you have any personal grievances, you can resolve them on the Heaven's Pride Arena. You can sign a Life and Death Contract. The decision is up to you."
Everyone grew expectant, eager to enjoy this brilliant spectacle. They did not want to waste time, much less let the matter become needlessly complicated.
"Elders, there's no problem. I can attack at any time, and I can make my move whenever you're ready. Begin."
Ye Yang knew perfectly well that the elders were only putting on an act. Naturally, they would favor their own sect's people!
Keep pretending. Go on, keep pretending in front of me. Let's see how long you can keep it up. Don't think I don't know. Don't think I haven't seen through you.
But he did not care. Before absolute strength, what kind of waves could they possibly make? Besides, they had already exchanged blows yesterday.
The best of the Thirty-Six Stratagems was attacking the mind. Unorthodox tricks might struggle to enter the halls of greatness, but they were being very direct: they would simply use the simplest, most primitive weapons to settle the fight and determine the victor.
"Very good. I originally intended to spare you and let you retreat after recognizing the gap between us. Since you're so ignorant of your place, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Ye Yang had rejected him outright long ago. How could the other man possibly have expected to get his way so easily?
"Very well. Since that's the case, there's nothing more to say. Take this!"
"Just what I wanted. Isn't this exactly what you had in mind? Come on."
The two had yet to truly clash, but sparks were already flying between them. At that moment, heaven and earth seemed to fall into silence.
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