Clan Gathering Concludes

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Boom!

Ye Chen blasted apart the first streak of starlight with a punch, followed by the second, the third... By the end, the speed of Ye Chen's punches could no longer keep up with the number of streaks. His upper body took several heavy hits, producing explosive clangs like metal striking iron.

Looking again, aside from several holes torn in his clothes, Ye Chen was completely unscathed. A layer of jade light covered his tough, dense skin—an indication that the third art of the Jade Tempering Body Strengthening Art had reached major completion. He was only one step away from entering the Fourth Art—Jade Shattering Rebirth.

"What kind of defensive art is that? It can withstand the attacks of the Star Point Sword Art head-on!"

"Too astonishing. What other methods has this boy yet to reveal? Every time it comes down to the wire, he turns the situation around."

"I think Ye Xuan is in danger too. This boy is far too terrifying. He keeps pulling out one trump card after another; no one can fathom him."

Listening to the discussions of several important figures nearby, Ye Tianhao felt the same way. Looking back, Ye Chen had first defeated Ye Feng with a single punch, then easily dealt with Ye Jun, pulled off an upset against Ye Tang, and now fought Ye Xuan to a standstill. One surprise followed another, leaving even him somewhat numb.

They looked toward Shen Yuqing as if their hearts were linked, and the two stared at one another in speechless dismay.

Ye Batian was numb as well. He had originally wanted to watch Ye Chen fail, but who would have thought that even Ye Xuan could not handle him? Didn't that mean Tang'er was no match for Ye Chen at all?

"This is simply outrageous! How did this brat rise so suddenly?" After taking several heavy breaths, Ye Batian glared fixedly below.

On the field, Ye Xuan bit her lower lip and thought bitterly, Let's see how many attacks you can block!

All the True Qi in her body gathered at her fingers as Ye Xuan repeatedly ran them along the blade. As her True Qi rubbed against the Glazed Sword, a marvelous change immediately arose, as though it fused with the hidden sharp Qi within the sword, forming those indestructible blades of starlight.

Sssh, sssh, sssh...

Some of the starlight blades lost their aim and carved the ground into a sight of devastation too horrible to behold. Some spectators even had their weapons sliced apart, causing them to leap away in horror.

"What terrifying Qi Force. Just how did Ye Chen block it?" Only now did everyone truly understand the might of the Star Point Sword Art. It was absolutely not something an ordinary person could withstand.

The clothes over Ye Chen's upper body burst apart, revealing muscles that were slightly youthful yet extraordinarily powerful. Several starlight blades shot toward him, and in the instant they came within a hair's breadth of his skin, the jade light on its surface erupted with astonishing power, effortlessly shattering the incoming attacks.

Roar!

Ye Chen's long hair flew wildly as he charged at Ye Xuan with mountain-like pressure, throwing a punch through the air.

Ye Xuan was somewhat flustered. Ye Chen's strength was gradually crushing her confidence, and she began to doubt whether she could receive this punch. Otherwise, why would such wild thoughts be running through her mind?

"I'd like to see whether your fist is harder, or my Glazed Sword is sharper!"

Regathering her confidence, Ye Xuan gave a clear shout and switched the sword back to her right hand. Carrying her former pride, she thrust straight ahead to meet Ye Chen's fist.

Clang!

The sword tip met the fist, scattering faint sparks, as though that fist was not formed of flesh and blood, but forged from the hardest metal.

The Glazed Sword bent under the tremendous force, but quickly sprang straight again without the slightest sign of damage. Yet the force of the blade's rebound also sent Ye Xuan flying backward, blood seeping from the corner of her lips.

Ye Chen's Momentum grew even stronger. He pursued her closely and threw another punch.

Pfft!

This time, Ye Xuan could no longer withstand the backlash of True Qi. The sword flew from her hand, her face turned pale and bloodless, and her eyes lost their former brilliance.

The training ground fell silent for a moment before erupting in a tremendous wave of noise.

"What twists and turns! Who would have thought Ye Chen would claim first place in the end? Who could have imagined it beforehand?"

"If I'd known, I should have bet on Ye Chen to win. Five Taels of Silver could have multiplied tenfold."

"Damn it, I bet ten taels on Ye Tang! That was a month's wages for me."

With the match over, those most anguished were not the others, but the Ye Family servants. They had secretly opened a gambling pool, intending to rake in a huge fortune, but when the results came out, most of them were dumbfounded and stunned, filled with endless regret.

Only the people behind the gambling pool were ecstatic. This time, their income was five or even ten times greater than usual—enough for them to live carefree for a long while.

Third Elder was the first to regain his senses. He cleared his throat and announced loudly, "First place goes to Ye Chen. We will now decide second and third place."

At this, the servants who had lost their entire fortunes remembered that they had also bet on second and third place. Perhaps they could win back a little of their capital.

As for making a profit, they could forget it. Who told them to have such poor judgment?

The following matches held no suspense. Ye Hai easily defeated the demoralized Ye Tang and became third place in the Clan Gathering, while Ye Xuan naturally took second place. First place, of course, went to Ye Chen, who had cut his way through every opponent and risen powerfully. At the same time, he was the Ye Family's most celebrated figure at present.

As the rewards were handed out, Third Elder smiled at Ye Chen. "Continue working hard. Never become arrogant or complacent."

"I will, Third Elder," Ye Chen said.

"Good. With geniuses like you in the Ye Family, we old folks can rest easy."

Once the Low-Grade Storage Spirit Ring was in hand, Ye Chen immediately put it on his finger, then tossed one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones and ten thousand taels' worth of Banknotes inside.

Letting out a breath of stale air, Ye Chen turned his head and discovered Ye Xuan looking at him.

"The next time we meet, I'll defeat you." Ye Xuan had already adjusted to the contrast brought by her defeat. What she found difficult to accept was that she had actually lost confidence at the crucial moment. That was something she could not tolerate.

Ye Chen said unconcernedly, "Then you'd better pick up the pace. I've already started exerting myself."

"Hmph!"

Ye Xuan gave a cold snort and said nothing more.

"Haha, Ye Chen, you're one of the targets I'm chasing too. Don't run out of steam halfway through." Among the contestants, Ye Hai lived up to his name, his heart as broad as the sea. He took defeat more openly than the others and greeted Ye Chen.

Ye Chen rather admired Ye Hai. "Now that this Clan Gathering is over, are you still going to roam the martial world with your master?"

Ye Hai nodded heavily. "Of course. Roaming the martial world is my dream, and I'll never give it up. This time, Master said he'll take me to the most dangerous place in the Black Dragon Empire to temper myself and broaden my horizons. But after today's farewell, we probably won't meet again until the end of next year. I'm really looking forward to it."

"Me too. I wish you another step up in strength."

"Thanks for your kind words. Let's go have a drink later. I bet you haven't had alcohol before."

"I've had a little. I'm sure I can handle it."

When the award ceremony ended, Ye Tianhao rose energetically, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you all for coming to watch the Ye Family's annual Clan Gathering. Next comes the banquet. I hope everyone will attend."

"Good. Food that costs nothing tastes best—so long as the Ye Family Head doesn't feel the pinch," someone joked.

Ye Tianhao laughed heartily. "Not at all. Eat to your heart's content, everyone. I'm happy today."

As everyone headed toward the banquet hall, two people in a corner of the training ground stood out in particular.

"Elder Hai, how strong is this boy?"

"Very strong, but still not equal to our Hai Family's geniuses—unless he can advance to the True Condensation Realm."

Hearing this, the man sighed. "In recent years, geniuses have emerged one after another in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. I truly wonder what sparks they will strike in the future. Perhaps they will leave the Heavenly Wind Kingdom and make a name for themselves throughout the Southern Zhuo Region."

"Difficult! Our Heavenly Wind Kingdom ranks at the bottom in strength within the Southern Zhuo Region, and our geniuses cannot compare with those of other kingdoms. There might be some hope if we had a leading figure."