Chapter 24

Wang Jian took several steps back, each step leaving a few-inch-deep footprint on the ground, barely managing to dissipate all the force. His face was somewhat flushed, and he had clearly been at a slight disadvantage in the exchange.

A figure landed among the crowd, with an extraordinary demeanor—it was Ye Kongming.

The surrounding disciples watched with rapt attention. This was a battle between the high-ranking members of two major academies, a confrontation between experts at the Xiantian realm, which was not something one could see just anytime.

"Ye Kongming, do you plan to protect your son?" Wang Jian shouted.

"Old man Wang, do you think I don't know? You are just using this to settle personal scores. My son was merely defending himself, and you dare to twist the facts and bully him!" Ye Kongming said with a cold snort.

"I am the head of the Punishment Hall. According to the rules, your son's behavior should result in the revocation of his martial arts and expulsion!" Wang Jian said sternly.

"Hmph, when did our Yiyuan Sect start punishing self-defense? My son was merely defending himself. Everyone here can vouch for him. You dare to twist the facts. I will report this to the Sect Leader and have you stripped of your position as the head of the Punishment Hall!" Ye Kongming said without backing down.

Wang Jian's thoughts raced. Others might not know who was right or wrong, but he certainly did. It was just because of some inexplicable grudge with Ye Kongming that he had vented his anger on his son. He had thought that by catching Ye Xiwén off guard and capturing him, he could say whatever he wanted. But he hadn't expected Ye Xiwén to dodge. If the matter reached the Sect Leader, he would not come out well. Although Ye Xiwén's attack was a bit heavy-handed, it was still self-defense. What could be done?

"Hmph, you will regret protecting your son today!" Wang Jian coldly snorted and turned to leave. He didn't even glance at Ma Ying, who had jumped out earlier, not to save his life but just to use him as an excuse.

"How powerful Ye Xiwén is! I never thought there would be such a hidden expert among the inner disciples. I never heard of him before, and he even managed to resist an attack from a Xiantian expert!"

"Tsk, tsk, that one strike was simply invincible. Even a Seventh Stage Houtian expert would have a hard time escaping. It was like a cage of heaven and earth!"

"What kind of prodigy is he? His Lightning Hand is extremely profound, and his sword technique is even more terrifying!"

"Xiwén, I never thought you could have such combat power in such a short time. That sword technique must be an intermediate-level sword technique, right?" Ye Kongming asked.

"Yes, I have mastered the 'Cold Moon Slash'!" Since it was already exposed, Zhang Yicheng had nothing to hide. However, he wouldn't actively mention that this sword technique was not an intermediate-level technique but a Xiantian-level technique, with two more moves.

"Good, good!" Seeing Ye Xiwén's sudden burst of combat power, Ye Kongming felt like laughing out loud. His children were all geniuses.

"Haha, I underestimated you before. With this combat power, you can even compete for the first place!" Ye Kongming laughed heartily. "Do your best!"

Ye Kongming didn't stay any longer and returned to the elder's seat, leaving Ye Xiwén alone. Due to the series of events, a considerable amount of time had passed, and the fourth round of the competition had already started. A young man in his early twenties stood on the stage, who was Ye Kongming's opponent this time, Tang Nian.

Ye Xiwén leaped onto the stage and said with a bow, "Ye Xiwén! I kept Brother Tang waiting!"

Tang Nian's face was somewhat complicated. He had seen Ye Xiwén defeat Ma Ying in one move and the argument with Wang Jian. He knew he would not be a match for Ye Xiwén. With his Sixth Stage Houtian strength, he could have easily made it into the top ten and even had a chance to become a core disciple next time. He had thought he would have a glorious moment, but he never expected to encounter Ye Xiwén and not even make it to the fifth round.

After a moment of hesitation, Tang Nian bowed and said, "Brother Ye, I admit I am not your match. I concede!"

Although the surrounding disciples were surprised by Tang Nian's concession, it was also expected. Tang Nian was a top ten candidate, but Ye Xiwén's decisive victory over Ma Ying had firmly established his position.

Ma Ying was one of the top five inner disciples, but he couldn't withstand Ye Xiwén's one move. Thus, Ye Xiwén naturally took his place and became the new top five in the hearts of many disciples.

So, Tang Nian's concession was both surprising and expected.

After Tang Nian conceded, the next disciple, also at the Sixth Stage Houtian, was still unwilling but was also defeated by Ye Xiwén in one move.

After two rounds, Ye Xiwén easily advanced to the top six. Besides Ye Xiwén, the original top five inner disciples were all present. In addition to them, one more disciple made it to the top six, with a strength of late Sixth Stage Houtian, also quite formidable.

Finally, Ye Xiwén encountered a true expert, the third-ranked among the top five, Zhang Xiang. Defeating him would secure a place in the top three.

"Ye Xiwén, please guide me!" Ye Xiwén said.

"Brother Ye, your cultivation is impressive. You even defeated Ma Ying!" Zhang Xiang said. "But Ma Ying is the weakest among the top five. I wonder if you can defeat me!"

Ye Xiwén knew about Zhang Xiang, who had had many fortuitous encounters at a young age and had been one of the top five inner disciples for a long time.

Zhang Xiang released his full aura, revealing himself to be a mid-Seventh Stage Houtian expert. No wonder he said Ma Ying was the weakest among them.

Many of the surrounding disciples were amazed. An inner disciple reaching the Seventh Stage Houtian was rare. Weren't Seventh Stage Houtian disciples already core disciples?

"Stone Drop Fist!" Zhang Xiang shouted, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp. He burst forward, his fists wrapped in a faint yellow true qi. This was a powerful fist technique he had learned from a partial manual during one of his fortuitous encounters.

Zhang Xiang instantly reached Ye Xiwén, his fists like two small mountains crashing down.

"Lightning Hand!" Ye Xiwén lightly shouted, his hands wrapped in lightning-shaped true qi, moving to meet him.

Ye Xiwén's hands struck six times.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

The two figures clashed, their movements blurring. Ye Xiwén was incredibly fast, while Zhang Xiang relied on brute force, smashing his fists down.

"Boom!" Ye Xiwén's Lightning Hand struck one more time, its power greatly increased. The palm wind broke through Zhang Xiang's fists and struck his chest directly.

"Bang!" Zhang Xiang was hit and flew off the stage.

"This round, Ye Xiwén wins!"

Ye Xiwén smoothly advanced to the top three.

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