Chapter 20

Dongfang Lingtian and Dongfang Haoyang both belong to the branch of the Jingyun Dongfang family.

In the ancient continent, from the imperial royal family down to the famous and prestigious families, clan members and descendants are typically divided into main line, branch line, collateral line, and distant relatives.

The main line descendants are the direct core, the inheritors of the family, and in the imperial family, they would be the crown princes.

The branch line descendants are those who have branched off from the main line, forming the backbone of the family, and are also legitimate blood descendants.

In comparison, the collateral line descendants are much less significant, existing as dependents of the family, often in the largest numbers. Many of them will branch out to develop independently, having little say within the family.

As for distant relatives, the relationship with the main family determines their status and position.

For example, the manager Wang, relying on his status as Wang Yun's cousin, bullied the Wei family, sometimes even not taking Wei Deyou seriously.

Dongfang Lingtian and Dongfang Haoyang entered the Jingyun Martial Academy one month apart. Although they are closely related by blood, they are direct competitors within the family.

Currently, they are competing for the precious spots to enter the upper academy of the Jingyun Martial Academy. If they both enter the upper academy, they will then compete for the spots to enter the county martial academy, and may even face the selection of major sects.

The Dongfang family does control the Jingyun Martial Academy, but they cannot openly violate the rules of the academy to favor their own clan members. While they can gain many conveniences due to their status, they still need to rely on their own strength and ability to stand out among thousands of lower academy students!

Therefore, recruiting useful talents in the academy has become a necessary choice to increase their strength.

This is also a test from the family for the two of them!

Wei Changfeng did not know there were so many intricacies in the academy before. After listening to Dongfang Lingtian's explanation, he understood the cause and effect of the entire event.

It is normal for Dongfang Haoyang to recruit him, and it is also a normal choice to give up on him.

But Wei Changfeng is absolutely not a clay figure to be kneaded at will!

Dongfang Lingtian spoke frankly: "Junior Brother Wei, although Junior Brother Chaohai said you are good, I have not seen your abilities yet, and I have no intention of recruiting you to serve me for the time being."

"Let's just be friends and treat each other as equals, how about that?"

His status is undoubtedly much higher than Wei Changfeng's, and it is rare for him to say such words. The key is that his attitude is sufficiently sincere, without any sense of condescension.

In comparison, Dongfang Haoyang appears much more immature.

Wei Changfeng smiled and said, "Alright!"

What kind of person is he? Even if Dongfang Lingtian's words are sincere, he would not immediately pour out his heart.

To others, Wei Changfeng's attitude seems somewhat perfunctory.

Lin Chaohai showed a hint of dissatisfaction.

After all, he was the one who recommended Wei Changfeng to Dongfang Lingtian, and the latter's performance undoubtedly affects his face.

Dongfang Lingtian did not mind, raised his cup, and said with a smile, "That's great, let's have another drink!"

"Wei Changfeng!"

Just as Dongfang Lingtian finished speaking, a thunderous roar came from outside the window: "Get out here!"

Everyone in the private room was taken aback.

Wei Changfeng was also stunned, not understanding what had happened, and not knowing who he had offended.

A young man in a green robe immediately stood up, opened the window, and looked down at the street below the Yaoyue Tower. He then turned back and said, "It's Hao Xiong. I thought his voice sounded familiar. This guy has a very bad temper!"

Dongfang Lingtian asked Wei Changfeng in surprise, "Have you ever had a grudge with Hao Xiong?"

Wei Changfeng shook his head, "No."

This was the first time he had heard this name, after all, his predecessor had left the academy three years ago.

However, the surname "Hao" made Wei Changfeng's heart stir, and he asked, "Do you know the relationship between Hao Ren and Hao Xiong?"

"Hao Ren is Hao Xiong's younger brother!" someone immediately answered.

Wei Changfeng immediately understood, "Then I know. This morning, I beat up Hao Ren!"

"What?"

The young man in the green robe was very surprised, "Hao Ren is a very unreasonable guy, with a cultivation level of the third stage of Body Tempering, and he has a group of helpers. Many new students have suffered at his hands, often being extorted and bullied."

Wei Changfeng said, "He wanted to take over my dormitory, so I beat him up and drove him away."

Everyone understood, and the way they looked at Wei Changfeng changed.

If his identity as a pill master made them look at him more favorably, then being able to defeat Hao Ren, who was at the third stage of Body Tempering, was another matter entirely.

The martial academy values martial prowess, and true strength earns respect.

"Is that so!"

Dongfang Lingtian sneered, "The younger brother got beaten, so the older brother came over. These two brothers have quite thick faces!"

The young man in the green robe said, "Hao Xiong is much stronger than Hao Ren. He has been in the academy for four years and is currently at the fifth stage of Body Tempering. He is proficient in Iron Sand Palm and the Horizontal Golden Bell Shield, and has a good chance of advancing to the upper academy."

"Wei Changfeng, I know you're in there!"

Hao Xiong's voice rang out again, "Do you want to be a coward and hide forever?"

Dongfang Lingtian frowned and said, "Junior Brother Wei, I'll send someone down to talk to him."

"No need!"

Wei Changfeng stood up, his expression calm, "Since he has come to me, I will go and meet him!"

If Dongfang Lingtian were to resolve this matter, Wei Changfeng would truly become a coward. His current strength is still low, but his pride remains!

"Junior Brother, you are quite bold!"

Dongfang Lingtian clapped his hands and said, "Let's go together and see what Hao Xiong is made of!"

So the six of them left the private room and went down to the ground floor of the Yaoyue Tower.

Hao Xiong was still shouting outside, and there were many onlookers, including academy students.

He was not stupid, standing on the opposite side of the street without blocking the entrance to the Yaoyue Tower, and not running inside to shout, otherwise the Yaoyue Tower would not be so polite.

Wei Changfeng stepped out of the entrance, facing Hao Xiong without any fear, and asked, "I am Wei Changfeng. Where is your cowardly younger brother?"

Hao Xiong was extremely tall, standing a foot taller than Wei Changfeng, with a broad back, a bear-like chest, a square head, and large ears. His eyes, like copper bells, glared fiercely, and there was a long scar on his left cheek.

Seeing Wei Changfeng come out, he licked his lips, raised his fist, and growled, "Finally willing to come out? Then kneel down for me, crawl back to the academy, and kowtow to my younger brother to apologize, or else..."

"Or else what?" Wei Changfeng asked calmly, "Are you going to fight me here?"

He already had two medium-grade Tiger Strength Pills in his hand. If it came to a fight, he would fight to the death on the street!

Dongfang Lingtian, who followed Wei Changfeng out, shouted sternly, "Hao Xiong, you have been in the academy for four years, do you have the face to fight a new student? If I report you to the academy's disciplinary hall, do you think you can still be so arrogant?"

Old students bullying new students in private is tolerable as long as it is not too excessive, but in public, it is a different matter. The reputation of the academy cannot be tarnished.

So if Hao Xiong dares to act, Dongfang Lingtian is confident he can make him pay!

Hao Xiong's pupils involuntarily contracted, clearly recognizing Dongfang Lingtian, "It's you, Dongfang Lingtian!"

Dongfang Lingtian is a member of the Dongfang family, and is naturally superior in the Jingyun Martial Academy. Hao Xiong did not expect Dongfang Lingtian to stand up for Wei Changfeng, and suddenly found himself in a difficult position.

His temper is indeed fierce, but he is not stupid, otherwise he would not have been able to stay in the academy until now.

Beating up a new student with no background is easy to handle, but if he offends a member of the Dongfang family, he might find himself unable to move in the academy, with no future.

However, if he were to leave now, Hao Xiong would not be able to swallow his pride and lose face.

"He has already studied in the academy for two years, how can he be considered a new student?"

At this moment, Wei Kai and Dongfang Haoyang came out of the Yaoyue Tower together. The former sneered, "As academy students, what is wrong with sparring and competing?"

This sudden turn of events left Hao Xiong stunned. He recognized Wei Kai but did not understand why he was speaking up for him.

Both are surnamed Wei, could they be enemies?

While he was stunned, Wei Kai patted Dongfang Haoyang's shoulder and said, "This is Dongfang Haoyang of the Dongfang family, a true new student of the academy. He will vouch for Senior Brother Hao!"

Dongfang Haoyang said expressionlessly, "That's right, sparring and competing should be handled reasonably by the disciplinary hall."

Two members of the Dongfang family, at odds with each other?

The onlookers were in an uproar, and many academy students looked at each other in surprise.

Dongfang Lingtian's face turned grim. He did not expect Dongfang Haoyang to play this card.

Hao Xiong, however, did not care. With the support of Dongfang Haoyang and Wei Kai, he suddenly felt much more confident.

"Wei Changfeng, do you dare to compete with me?"

"If you don't, either leave the academy or kowtow to my younger brother to apologize!"

"Do you want to compete?" Wei Changfeng's eyes turned cold, "Then I will oblige you!"

"In a month, during the lower academy's small competition, I will challenge you to a life-or-death match on the life-or-death arena. Do you dare to sign a life-or-death contract with me?"

Sign a life-or-death contract, fight on the life-or-death arena!

It's insane!

All the onlookers, including the academy students, let out exclamations of shock.

No one expected that as a new student, Wei Changfeng would be so resolute, willing to fight a life-or-death battle with Hao Xiong!

After all, signing a life-or-death contract means no mercy on the life-or-death arena, and the match will not end until one is dead or the other is victorious. This is the most extreme choice for academy students.

Most importantly, Wei Changfeng is challenging an opponent with the strength of the fifth stage of Body Tempering, Hao Xiong!

Hao Xiong was also a bit surprised, but then he laughed loudly, "Sign a life-or-death contract? You have guts! I'll sign it with you!"

Under the gaze of countless surprised, mocking, ridiculing, and pitying eyes, Wei Changfeng remained calm, as if the one who had just decided to fight to the death was not him.