Chapter 5

"Qian'er, have you notified the capital?" Ye Wujian, the patriarch of the Ye family with white hair, glanced at the gate of the Bai residence and spoke calmly.

"Grandfather, please rest assured. People have already been sent to the capital." Ye Qian, standing beside him, did not open her eyes but nodded slightly.

Ye Wujian nodded in satisfaction: "That's good. It's about time. Get ready."

"Yes."

Ye Qian nodded. She could feel the admiring gazes of the people around her. The corners of her mouth curled up, and she slowly opened her eyes, which were filled with disdain and arrogance, like stars.

"This battle will not only boost my reputation but also provide a great opportunity for the Ye family to rise. Although I am known as the first genius of Luocheng, it is in name only. This competition will make me truly deserving of the title and attract attention from the capital! The Ye family will also thoroughly crush the Bai family, and the hegemon of Luocheng will change because of me!" She stared at the grand gate of the Bai residence and murmured.

At this moment, a guard rushed over and whispered a few words in Ye Wujian's ear.

Upon hearing this, Ye Wujian's narrowed eyes suddenly widened, and he barked: "Prepare quickly, don't be negligent!"

"Yes."

The guard nodded and retreated.

Not long after, the sound of hurried footsteps came from a distance. Everyone looked over and saw a crowd parting to make way for a luxurious carriage pulled by a snow-white unicorn, with a qilin pattern carved on it. On both sides were young men and women dressed in purple, all of whom had the qilin pattern on their robes.

"Qilin pattern? Are these people from the Holy Path Academy?" Some knowledgeable people in the crowd recognized their identities, and exclamations of surprise echoed around.

"Is it actually the Sage Master Shang of the Holy Academy?"

Another person shouted.

"Sage Master? One of the twenty-four Sage Masters of the Holy Academy? With tens of thousands of people in the vast Holy Academy, there are only twenty-four Sage Masters, each possessing extraordinary skills and a lofty status. I didn't expect Ye Qian to attract a Sage Master?"

The Ye family hurriedly welcomed them, and Ye Wujian was particularly excited. Perhaps even he didn't expect a Sage Master to arrive, so he hurriedly bowed: "The arrival of Sage Master Shang is a great honor for Luocheng! Since you have come to Luocheng, why didn't you notify us in advance so we could welcome you properly?"

"Sage Master, you are too polite. I was just passing by and heard there was a spectacle here, so I came to take a look. Please continue, don't let my arrival delay the event!" Shang Long said casually, his gaze sweeping around and landing on Ye Qian.

Ye Wujian noticed Shang Long's small action and understood, but did not point it out, smiling: "Sage Master Shang, you are too formal. Please take a seat!"

Ye Qian smiled, but the pride in her eyes could not be hidden. The Holy Path Academy had come for her, and even... sent Sage Master Shang Long personally!

This was an unparalleled honor!

Not long after, the guard ran over again.

"Reporting to the patriarch, the people from the Capital's Three Talents Academy have entered the city!"

"Patriarch, the people from the Starry Pavilion have arrived!"

"Patriarch, the Qinhai Sect has sent people to visit."

The guards reported one after another, and Ye Wujian's smile grew wider.

"Good! Good! Good!! Take good care of them, don't be negligent!"

"Yes, patriarch!"

Many famous forces had sent representatives, and the scene was lively.

At this moment, everyone understood why Ye Qian had suddenly set up a challenge against the Bai family! She wasn't really seeking revenge for Bai Ye's humiliation but wanted to spread her name and attract the attention of various powerful figures!

With her dual celestial souls, she was using the Bai family as a stepping stone to soar to the top!

Ye Qian was led by Ye Hu to meet the representatives of each faction. She was composed and calm, not only talented but also possessing a grand demeanor.

The representatives of each faction all showed admiration, and their gazes towards her became even more fervent.

At this moment, Ye Qian was too dazzling, as if the stars of the heavens were within her reach...

"The Bai family has arrived!"

At this moment, someone shouted, and everyone's attention focused on the gate of the Bai residence.

A group of people dressed in white silk robes walked out of the gate, led by Bai Qingshan.

This battle was not only for Ye Qian to gain fame and prepare to enter the capital but also a decisive battle between the Ye and Bai families!

Bai Qingshan walked out with his hands behind his back, his face expressionless, followed by the pillars and talents of the Bai family.

"Finally, Bai Qingshan, you've come out."

A cold light flashed in Ye Wujian's eyes.

Seeing the Bai family appear, especially the excellent talents like Bai Mu, Bai Mo, and Bai Lin, many people whispered to each other.

Bai Ye also walked to the stage with the crowd, but no one paid attention to him, not even Ye Qian.

"There are really a lot of people. Ye Qian is indeed known as the first genius of Luocheng, with dual celestial souls, and her reputation has spread far and wide. Just setting up a stage has attracted so many people to watch." Bai Ye looked around, muttering to himself.

Ding!!!

A deafening bell sound echoed throughout Luocheng.

"The time has come!"

The Ye family shouted.

People's spirits were lifted, and they looked at the stage.

On the Ye family side, Ye Qian leaped onto the stage like a celestial being, standing proudly in the center with her eyes closed, waiting quietly.

Countless eyes were fixed on her.

Ye Hu scanned the scene and stood up: "The Ye and Bai families have coexisted in Luocheng for a hundred years, with a close relationship. My daughter, Ye Qian, has recently made significant progress in her cultivation. I am not talented, but I wish to engage in friendly competition with the talented individuals of the Bai family. Of course, if the talented individuals within Luocheng are confident in their abilities, they can also come to the stage to challenge her. My daughter will not refuse. If anyone can defeat her, I, Ye, will promise to marry my daughter to him!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Arrogant!

Was she trying to step on the entire city? Perhaps, she was showing off her strength to the representatives of the sects present!

Bai Ye was also taken aback by Ye Qian's confidence.

Just as Ye Hu finished speaking, a terrifying soul force erupted from Ye Qian, enveloping her body like flames, causing the entire stage to tremble.

Those who were eager to step up immediately froze.

Fifth stage!

Ye Qian... had advanced to the fifth stage of the Soul Force Realm!

The crowd around the stage instantly boiled over!

Bai Mo, Bai Lin, and others, who were about to step up, all stopped, staring at the stage in shock.

"What's going on? When did Ye Qian reach the fifth stage?" Bai Qingshan's eyes widened, his lips trembling.

Ye Qian, with her dual celestial souls, now possessing fifth-stage soul force... she was virtually invincible!

"No wonder Ye Qian dared to say such things." Bai Ye's gaze shifted to Bai Mo and Bai Lin, who were pale and already afraid to fight.

Once they showed fear, they had already lost.

He took a deep breath, pushed through the crowd, and walked towards the stage.

Ye Qian had been standing on the stage for a while, but no one from the Bai family had moved, and the scene gradually filled with complaints.

"Why hasn't anyone stepped up yet?"

The Ye family watched the Bai family with amusement, while the Bai family members' faces turned red with embarrassment.

A fifth-stage dual-soul individual... none of these young talents could match her. If they lost, they would have their cultivation废除, who would dare to step up?

Even Bai Qingshan didn't expect this. He suddenly regretted accepting the Ye family's challenge. It turned out that this was a trap from the beginning...

But at that moment, a young man in plain blue clothes stepped onto the stage.

"Who is this person?"

"It seems to be Bai Ye, the son of Bai Chen from the Bai family!"

"Bai Ye? He's a waste, he hasn't awakened his celestial soul even at eighteen!"

"Eighteen and hasn't awakened a celestial soul? What is he doing here? Is he looking for death?"

The crowd erupted in chaos.

The Bai family members were also confused, and some of the younger members cursed Bai Ye, telling him to get off the stage quickly.

"Is there no one left in the Bai family? Sending such a waste to fill the numbers, is it because this waste hasn't awakened his celestial soul, so he's fearless?"

Ye Hu mocked.

The crowd burst into laughter.

The Bai family members lowered their heads, feeling ashamed.

Bai Ye glanced at the people around him, ignoring their ridicule and mockery, and focused his gaze on Ye Qian.

"Bai Ye? Ha, you do have the guts. I thought you would hide and avoid showing up, but you actually came."

"I said ten days ago that I would be the first to challenge you." Bai Ye shrugged.

"Don't think that just because you don't have soul force, it doesn't matter. After all, fists and feet have no eyes. If something goes wrong, I won't be responsible." Ye Qian smiled, but her eyes revealed a hint of killing intent.

A threat!

Bai Ye could hear it, but his expression didn't change, and he stood with his hands behind his back: "Don't waste words. Let's start. I'll let you make the first move."

"Let Ye Miss make the first move?"

The people below were surprised by Bai Ye's words and burst into laughter.

"I've never seen someone so full of themselves."

"Ye Miss, beat him up quickly."

The crowd shouted.

Ye Qian found it amusing. She knew Bai Ye knew some techniques, but how powerful could someone without soul force be?

She nodded repeatedly, a playful smile on her face: "Alright, this is what you said. Pay attention!"

As she spoke, Ye Qian rushed forward, her agile figure like a dancing butterfly.

But as Ye Qian approached, Bai Ye also moved. He raised his right fist, and a powerful force followed, his momentum like a tiger.

This momentum? This speed? So fast! Ye Qian's heart skipped a beat.

Bang!

Caught off guard, she took a hit on her shoulder and was forced to retreat.

The crowd's laughter froze.

Bai Ye, who didn't even have a celestial soul, had actually hit the first genius of Luocheng.

An accident! It must have been an accident.

"I was careless just now. This time, I won't let you get away!" Ye Qian's anger burned, her eyes filled with killing intent. She roared, her delicate hand enveloped in terrifying soul force, and she fiercely attacked Bai Ye.

This palm could shatter steel and break iron!

"Careless?"

Bai Ye snorted, his expression still calm. He seemed to have seen through Ye Qian's weakness. He took a half-step back, suddenly shifted his body, and deftly avoided Ye Qian's terrifying palm wind, then struck her back with his elbow.

The position for defense and counterattack was perfect!

Ye Qian stumbled, almost falling to the ground, and her soul force dissipated!

Bai Ye's movements were fluid and smooth.

How could his reaction be so fast? Is this guy really without a celestial soul?

Ye Qian's hatred boiled. Seeing the shocked expressions of the crowd and the disappointed looks of the Ye family, she pushed her celestial soul, the Butterfly Celestial Soul, to its limit. She moved gracefully like a fairy, using the technique 'Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves' to attack Bai Ye. The soul force in her palms was like falling leaves, moving with the wind, instantly covering half of the stage.

"Reacting fast? I'll make you have nowhere to hide!" Ye Qian said fiercely.

Bai Ye sensed Ye Qian's intent and stopped dodging. His eyes were like an eagle's, and he punched forward, still not using soul force, his momentum shockingly powerful as it struck Ye Qian's palm.

Bang!

The punch and the palm collided, and the soul force forced Bai Ye to take a few steps back. Ye Qian didn't give him any chance to catch his breath and attacked again.

Her delicate hand looked like it was made of porcelain, but the power was astonishing.

Bai Ye blocked with both hands, and the two exchanged punches and palms at a rapid pace, the speed making the crowd's eyes spin. What shocked the crowd was that Ye Qian had used soul force, while Bai Ye... still relied solely on brute strength to counter all her moves!

This was simply unbelievable!

"Her soul force is impressive. Ye Qian is indeed a genius. If it weren't for the 'Indestructible Body,' my body would have been shattered by now! But, is this all she has?"

In the blink of an eye, Bai Ye suddenly abandoned his defense, his hand suddenly forming a fist, like a venomous snake, and struck Ye Qian's abdomen with terrifying brute force.

Huh?

Ye Qian's beautiful eyes widened.

Bang!

Abandoning his defense, Bai Ye immediately took a palm to the chest, but he only moved slightly, showing no signs of injury. Instead, his punch, with its momentum undiminished, struck Ye Qian's abdomen hard.

Bang!

Ye Qian took several steps back, her body swaying, her face pale...

This was the power of the 'Indestructible Body.' His body was far stronger than Ye Qian's! Combined with the 'Force Control' technique, any part of his body could become a counterattack point in combat!

Ye Qian suffered a significant loss, her face tight.

At this moment, she no longer dared to underestimate Bai Ye. Few people in Luocheng could match her to this extent, and... he didn't even have soul force!

Ye Qian roared and charged again.

Bai Ye remained calm, facing Ye Qian head-on. Wherever she attacked, he let her attack, and then countered with a punch.

Bang!

Thud!

Bang!

Thud!

...

Every time Bai Ye took a palm, Ye Qian would take a punch.

After several rounds, Ye Qian's expression twisted, her brows furrowed, while Bai Ye was only slightly out of breath. Ye Qian's soul force seemed to