I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

Hiss...

The onlookers all gasped. They had expected to witness a brutal display of the strong preying on the weak.

But to their surprise, the drama only grew more intense. If it weren't for the fact that the main character today was Yang Wei, they might've even clapped in delight.

Yang Wei's expression turned dark. He had finally found a perfect cultivation vessel and was just about to forcefully bring her back to Lieyang Sect.

Yet he kept getting interrupted one after another. Now his fury surged, and only one thought remained in his mind—no matter who showed up today, he was going to take that woman!

"Such big talk. I'd really like to see who dares to stand—"

As he spoke and turned around to see who had come to court death, the word "me" got stuck in his throat the moment he laid eyes on the person.

His rage extinguished in an instant, replaced by shock and surprise. Staring in disbelief, he asked:

"Xiao... Xiao Chen? What do you mean by this?"

The crowd froze the moment they heard the name "Xiao Chen." Their eyes widened, and they instinctively took several steps back. Their gazes toward Xiao Chen were filled with confusion and wariness.

Xiao Chen sneered. "The person you were about to hit is my junior. And you still ask what I mean?"

That one casual sentence instantly shattered most of Yang Wei's intimidating momentum. He was no longer as arrogant and overbearing as before.

"Senior Brother, fellow disciples—thank you."

Ye Beixuan cupped his hands slightly in thanks, feeling a heavy weight lifted from his heart.

He had dared to confront Yang Wei head-on earlier not only because he still had the sword token from his master, but because he knew his fellow disciples were present at the exchange conference.

If it really came to a fight, he, Ye Beixuan, had no fear of Lieyang Sect. Even if he killed Yang Wei on the spot, he could still leave Baiyun City safely.

"Mm."

Xiao Chen gave a short response, his tone cold and authoritative as he looked down at Yang Wei.

"Are you going to crawl away, or do you want me to send you flying?"

Humiliation—blatant, unfiltered humiliation.

Yang Wei's face turned uglier. He glanced at the nearby woman out of the corner of his eye, and quickly made a decision.

If he could take that woman as a concubine, he would surely break through to the Spirit Nurturing Realm within five years and complete his mastery of the Lieyang True Intent.

Missing such a rare cultivation vessel would slow his progress by ten years or more.

As the saying goes: A man will die for wealth as a bird will for food.

Moreover, he hadn't come unprepared. Though Xiao Chen was strong, Yang Wei had his own backing. His great-grandfather was already in the Ye residence, while Xiao Chen's master, Half Saint Chu, remained at Wendao Academy.

Even if his great-grandfather struck Xiao Chen down, he could leave Baiyun City with ease. There would be no fear of retaliation.

As for Wendao Academy questioning the matter—he didn't care. Lieyang Sect was backed by Dayan Holy Land, a long-time rival of Wendao Academy. If it came to a confrontation, Dayan Holy Land would shield them.

"Hmph!"

Yang Wei gave a cold snort. "Xiao Chen, others may fear you, but I, Yang Wei, do not! I was going to give the Ye family some face, but you've now humiliated me again and again. Since that's the case, I will take her with me today no matter what!"

Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes, a smirk appearing at the corners of his lips.

"I don't know what gave you the courage to provoke me, but since you insist, go ahead—reveal your trump card. That way you won't feel cheated when you lose."

The crowd instantly fell silent. One thought emerged in everyone's mind—Xiao the Prodigy wasn't just going to defeat him physically, he was going to crush his spirit.

Ye Beixuan looked at Xiao Chen with admiration.

'This... this is what it truly means to return one's tactics upon them. One day, I must become a man like Senior Brother!'

Yang Wei's face turned red as fire. He felt as though Xiao Chen's words were sharp slaps across his cheeks.

"You've forced my hand!"

As he spoke, his storage ring flashed. A bronze-colored ancient bell floated into the air.

On the surface of the bell were nine carved suns, each one vividly lifelike, as if it might ignite into reality at any moment.

The moment the ancient bell appeared, it glowed like a blazing sun, and the surrounding air turned searing hot, drenching nearby spectators in sweat.

Among the crowd, some knowledgeable observers recognized it and exclaimed in shock.

"That's the Jiuyang Ancient Bell! A Half-Saint Artifact of the Jiuyang Grand Sage!"

"Rumor has it that Yang Wei is Jiuyang Grand Sage's favorite great-grandson. I didn't expect the Grand Sage to actually pass on his signature Half-Saint Artifact to him."

"No wonder he dares to challenge Xiao Chen. With a treasure like this, the Jiuyang Ancient Bell carries the power of a Half-Saint!"

Xiao Chen looked at the bell and said flatly, "This is it? I'm sorely disappointed."

Yang Wei's expression grew darker.

"Don't get cocky, Xiao Chen! With this Jiuyang Ancient Bell, I can borrow the power of my great-grandfather. You're not even a King Realm cultivator yet. Even if you were, you couldn't block a strike from him! Today, I'll shatter your so-called invincibility!"

Xiao Chen smiled. "Very well. I'll give you that chance. Begin your performance."

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Yang Wei had become so arrogant he'd revealed his entire trump card. Yet instead of seizing the opportunity to stop him, Xiao Chen just stood there waiting?

Only Ye Beixuan and the other disciples of Wendao Academy watched with eyes full of amusement—as if they were watching a monkey show.

"With my essence blood, I summon!"

Yang Wei shouted as he slit his wrist and smeared his essence blood onto the ancient bell, chanting incantations as he did.

The nine suns on the bell flew out, suspending themselves in the sky above the Ye residence.

Seeing the nine suns emerge, Yang Wei's face lit up with ecstatic pride.

'I never imagined that I, Yang Wei, would one day be renowned across the land. After I defeat Xiao Chen, I'll be the number one prodigy of the Xuantian Continent! I'll replace my uncle and become the leader of both Lieyang Sect and Dayan Holy Land!'

As for losing? That thought didn't exist. With the Jiuyang Ancient Bell—how could he possibly lose?

As the nine suns rose, the lively Ye family plaza suddenly fell silent.

All eyes turned skyward to gaze at the blazing solar spectacle.

At the Precious Treasures Pavilion—

Cao Youqian looked up at the sky, then patted Ye Lingkun on the shoulder and said, "Young Master Kun, your Ye family sure knows how to liven things up—creating nine suns for atmosphere."

Ye Lingkun shook his head. "Young Master Qian, this isn't from our Ye family. There's only one explanation—someone is fighting with a supreme-grade spirit artifact."

The Ye family's Ninth Elder interrupted, "Not just any supreme artifact. Those nine suns carry traces of true Dao meaning. It must be a Half-Saint Artifact. Looks like the Jiuyang Ancient Bell of Lieyang Sect."

Cao Youqian's face lit up with gleeful anticipation. "So there's going to be a show?"

Ye Ninth Elder: "..."

Ye Lingkun: "..."

Chu Feng laughed. "Perfect timing. Let's go take a look. It's been a while since I've seen a good scene."

With that, he stepped forward and disappeared on the spot. The other elders followed closely behind.

When Chu Feng and his group landed, they were surprised to find Xiao Chen standing off against some unfamiliar youth.

Cao Youqian muttered, "Master, are we... watching a show that involves us now?"

Chu Feng nodded. "Exactly. Like running to watch a house fire and realizing it's your own home burning."

Despite their words, neither master nor disciple showed any intention of interfering.

Xiao Chen looked at the nine blazing suns exuding Half-Saint pressure and said indifferently:

"This is your trump card? Barely worth mentioning."

As the words fell, the entire crowd fell into silence. Every gaze bounced between Xiao Chen and Yang Wei...

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