Let's See What He's Made Of!

"That was roughly what happened."

In Shanzhou First High School's conference room, a figure with a long, steady aura sat before a long table cast from bluestone.

He wore an elegant long robe, his hands clasped and resting before him. Looking at the several figures seated on either side of the table, he said with a gentle smile:

"Though it's somewhat hard to believe, Tang Yao really was defeated by an unknown Martial Science Student.

"I watched the relevant footage of that match. That Martial Science Student was called Ye Li, and he came from Linhai City. He was indeed rather frightening—he could be considered the dark horse that surprised me most in this year's Martial Exam."

The moment the youth said this, everyone present was visibly moved.

They had heard of the Young Pavilion Master of the Qingshan Sword Pavilion. Not only was she a Second-Tier Level Six martial artist, but she had even defeated a Second-Tier Peak martial artist across levels...

If they remembered correctly, their own captain had once regarded her as a formidable contender for this year's Martial Exam.

Yet she had actually been defeated in advance.

"Ye Li?"

In the seat closest to the youth sat a sweet-looking girl. Her long hair fell to her waist, her eyes were lively, and her lips red against her white teeth.

Upon hearing him, she crossed her snow-white right leg over her left, propped up her chin, and looked curiously at the elegant youth:

"Brother, why haven't I heard much about someone like him before?"

"That's why he's a dark horse." The elegant youth glanced at her, his eyes full of indulgence, and smiled.

"Also, he seems to possess a secret technique that grants an enormous boost. He is only at Second-Tier Level One, yet after using that secret technique, both his strength and speed completely crushed Tang Yao at Level Six.

"However, everything comes at a price. Since this secret technique is so tyrannical, its consumption and side effects must be severe.

"You can see that from how Ye Li sought a swift battle the moment he activated the secret technique."

Hearing that, the girl laughed delicately. "So he's just relying on an overpowered secret technique? When all is said and done, his own strength is far too low!"

"Wan'er, you must not underestimate your enemy."

The elegant youth said somewhat helplessly, "According to the footage, even without activating his secret technique, he could fight Tang Yao, a Second-Tier Level Six martial artist, without falling into a disadvantage."

"No matter what, he counts as a powerful enemy. If you encounter him then, you must not be as reckless as before."

"Okay." Yang Wan agreed rather unwillingly.

Yet she still gave an unconvinced snort.

"A Second-Tier Level One little shrimp—could this auntie really fail to beat him? You're worrying over nothing..."

"You..." The elegant youth shook his head helplessly.

Then he looked at the rest of the solemn-faced group and continued, "Everyone, there is one more thing you need to keep in mind."

"This Ye Li is exceedingly vicious when he makes a move, without the slightest intention of showing mercy. If you encounter him during the Martial Exam, try not to clash with him."

"If possible, it would be best to make friends with him."

Having said that, he silently waited for their reactions.

"Make friends?" someone asked in confusion. "Captain Yang, are we going to form an alliance with him?"

"That's right."

The elegant youth named Yang Wanfeng smiled faintly and said with great poise, "As long as he does not intend to compete for the Martial Exam championship, there is no direct conflict between us. It would be better to make a friend."

"But since he can defeat Tang Yao, he definitely won't willingly give up the championship, will he?"

The person who had asked frowned tightly and asked worriedly, "Captain Yang, what if he refuses to form an alliance?"

"Then beat the hell out of him!"

Yang Wan excitedly waved her fist. "My brother has already lowered himself to make friends with him. As long as Ye Li has any brains, he should hurry up and roll with the tide! Otherwise... heh heh! This auntie will beat him until he submits!"

As a Second-Tier Level Six martial artist, she had great confidence in her own strength.

Although Tang Yao, who was at the same level as her, had already lost, Yang Wan still did not care much.

It was not blind confidence. The Yang Family of Shanzhou was renowned for its Blood Burning Secret Technique, and in terms of foundation alone, it was far stronger than that second-rate sword pavilion in Qingshan City.

There was even a rumor within Ying Province—

[Whenever one encounters a direct descendant of the Yang Family, if they are at the same level, they must not be confronted head-on!]

Those brief three sentences were enough to illustrate the Yang Family's secret techniques' formidable tyranny.

Yang Wanfeng and Yang Wan had relied on both the Yang Family's foundation and their own talents to become the two brightest stars of Shanzhou First High School.

When the brother and sister joined forces, they could battle even a Third-Tier martial artist!

Having said that, Yang Wan licked her sharp canine tooth, flames seemingly blazing in her lively eyes.

"Since we both use secret techniques, we'll see whose secret technique is stronger when the time comes!"

Yang Wanfeng's gaze remained calm as he said slowly, "Wan'er, do not underestimate him. Even if we fail to win him over, try not to fight him first."

"Ah! Why?!" Yang Wan puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.

"For the sake of your Martial Exam results, and for Ye Li's life."

"Wan'er..." A trace of coldness surfaced on Yang Wanfeng's elegant face as he raised his eyes and explained:

"If that man hurts you, what do you think will happen to him?"

His icy voice echoed through the entire conference room, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became thick with killing intent.

Looking at the cold-faced youth, everyone recalled fragments of the past, and they could not help but shudder.

The previously gentle and elegant Yang Wanfeng now appeared as terrifying as the Asura of a Thousand Hands in their eyes.

They all remembered that during the previous Exchange Competition with another province, someone on the opposing side had accidentally injured Yang Wan in a match.

When Yang Wanfeng took the stage afterward, he flew into a rage and tore through seven opponents in a row—an out-and-out sister-obsessed maniac!

Yang Wan had clearly thought of that incident as well.

She immediately stuck out her tongue and smiled playfully. "Hehe, I'll be careful."

No, you absolutely won't...

Hearing the girl's words, everyone immediately had the same thought.

Yang Wan might make it sound nice, but with her spoiled and overbearing temperament, there was an eighty-to-ninety percent chance that she would still go looking for trouble with Ye Li.

Thinking of this, everyone exchanged glances and gradually revealed gloating expressions.

Hopefully, Ye Li would be smart enough to obediently form an alliance with them. If so, everything would be easy to discuss.

Otherwise, if he provoked Yang Wan and, in turn, set Yang Wanfeng ablaze with rage, he would really suffer untold misery...

"Then."

As his gaze swept over the crowd, Yang Wanfeng's smile returned, and he said gently:

"Today's meeting ends here. Everyone may disperse."

"Um."

Just then, a team member timidly raised his hand. "Captain Yang, I also heard something else about Ye Li."

"Go ahead."

With Yang Wanfeng's nod of approval, the team member cautiously said:

"He seems to have obtained Fengyun University's only Recommendation Quota for this year. If he still comes to participate in this Martial Exam, could it be because he is aiming for the championship?"

The moment those words were spoken, everyone's expressions changed slightly, and they all turned to look at Yang Wanfeng in the seat of honor.

As they remembered, he had said more than once that he wanted to secure Fengyun University's Recommendation Quota this year, so that both he and Yang Wan could enjoy generous enrollment benefits.

Not only did they know about this matter, but most of the students at Shanzhou First High School knew as well.

And yet, the fruit had been snatched away by some stunned fool who had suddenly sprung out of nowhere...

This was bad.

After losing so much face, Captain Yang was probably going to be furious! Everyone instinctively held their breath.

"..."

Sure enough, under everyone's gaze, Yang Wanfeng's expression turned completely cold.

He looked at the speaker and asked seemingly calmly, "Are you sure he obtained the Recommendation Quota?"

"I heard several friends from Qingshan First High School say so..."

"That's too much!"

Yang Wan immediately rose to her feet and stomped angrily. "Why does he deserve it? Just because he defeated Tang Yao?"

"My brother can do that too! Why didn't they give it to my brother?!"

"...Wan'er, sit down."

Yang Wanfeng took a deep breath and forced out a smile. "It's fine. The teachers at Fengyun University must have their own considerations for doing this."

Though he said so, a trace of anger still welled up in his eyes, and even his interlocked fingers clenched tightly.

Suppressing the fury in his heart, Yang Wanfeng smiled as if nothing had happened.

"However, since he is a recommended student, he must be quite capable.

"If he truly comes to participate in the Martial Exam and contend for the championship, I will personally go meet him."

By the end of his words, everyone could clearly hear the gritted-teeth venom in his voice.

"Brother, you're far too nice!"

Yang Wan looked at him indignantly, gritting her teeth. "That bastard obviously got in through the back door. He'd better not let this auntie run into him!"

"Otherwise, I'll strip him naked and hang him from a tree, then see exactly what he's made of!"