"Are you Ye Yiming?"
Just as Ye Yiming was puzzling over the strange relationship between the two brothers, Wu Yaolin and Wu Yaoguang, Wu Yaoguang, who was sitting opposite him, spoke up.
Wu Yaoguang's tone was extremely indifferent, as if he didn't recognize Ye Yiming at all. This made Ye Yiming frown. It was believable that he, Ye Yiming, hadn't seen Wu Yaoguang before, given his reputation as a frivolous playboy. But to say that Wu Yaoguang, one of the renowned "Three Talents," didn't recognize him was a bit far-fetched. After all, the conflict between Duke Wu and Prime Minister Wu had lasted for over a decade, and Wu Yaolin harbored deep hatred towards Ye Yiming. Wu Yaoguang was no playboy, so his question could only mean one thing: he was pretending.
This guy is putting on airs!
This was Ye Yiming's only thought at the moment.
"Yes, I am Ye Yiming. What do you want, Second Young Master Wu?" Ye Yiming responded weakly. Even if the other party was acting superior, he had to accept it.
Ye Yiming's lackluster response made Wu Yaoguang frown. "I heard you have some conflict with my third brother, hence this competition?"
Damn it! It's obvious, why even ask?
Ye Yiming was now certain that this seemingly cold and aloof Wu Yaoguang was just putting on an act.
Seeing Ye Yiming's silence, Wu Yaoguang continued, "I watched your competition just now. My useless third brother was defeated in one move by you. Only then did I realize that you, Young Duke, are also exceptionally talented."
After saying this, Wu Yaoguang paused, giving Ye Yiming a peculiar look before continuing, "It seems you didn't have enough fun just now. How about a little match with me?"
So this guy came to pick a fight!
Ye Yiming understood now. Wu Yaoguang was here to cause trouble.
How about a match? I could spit on you and call it a day!
You're a mid-level Earth-tier warrior, and you're challenging me, a newly advanced Human-tier novice? How shameless can you be? Is the Wu family always this shameless?
Of course, Ye Yiming only muttered these thoughts to himself. He wasn't foolish enough to voice them. He knew better than to act rashly.
"What's wrong, Young Duke? Are you scared?" Wu Yaoguang, seeming to read Ye Yiming's thoughts, took a step forward.
"Since Second Young Master Wu is so interested, why not let me have a go instead?"
Just as Ye Yiming was about to say something, Ye Qi flashed in front of him, blocking Wu Yaoguang's view. Ye Yiming breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't ready to face an Earth-tier warrior directly.
The crowd below the stage had quieted down the moment Wu Yaoguang appeared. Even those dissatisfied with Wu Yaolin fell silent. The title of "Three Talents" was not given lightly. But now, seeing Ye Qi on stage, the crowd grew restless again. A fight between Earth-tier warriors was not something one saw every day.
Wu Yaoguang looked at Ye Qi standing in front of Ye Yiming and sneered, "Ye Qi? You're just a mid-level Earth-tier warrior. You weren't my match before, and you're even less so now."
With that, Wu Yaoguang took a step forward.
With just a simple step, Wu Yaoguang unleashed a powerful aura, pressing down on Ye Qi.
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"Thud! Thud! Thud!" Under Wu Yaoguang's aura, Ye Qi took three steps back before barely stabilizing himself.
"Earth-tier peak! You've actually advanced to the Earth-tier peak?" Feeling the immense pressure, Ye Qi was incredulous. The aura Wu Yaoguang emitted was that of an Earth-tier peak warrior!
Wu Yaoguang was actually an Earth-tier peak warrior!
Seeing the disheveled Ye Qi and hearing his words, Ye Yiming came to a shocking conclusion.
Is this the power of an Earth-tier peak warrior? Feeling the overwhelming aura, Ye Yiming was once again astonished by the strength of an Earth-tier peak warrior. The aura was directed at Ye Qi, but even the residual pressure was almost unbearable for him. If he had to face it all, it would be even worse.
Wu Yaoguang glanced at Ye Qi and sneered, "That's right! I am now an Earth-tier peak warrior!"
"Wow!"
As soon as Wu Yaoguang said this, the crowd below the stage erupted in excitement.
"Wu Yaoguang is an Earth-tier peak warrior now?"
"Yes! He admitted it himself. He's an Earth-tier peak warrior now!"
"Earth-tier peak warrior? Even the first of the Three Talents, Wang Weiyan, might not be a match for Wu Yaoguang now, right?"
"Indeed! I think the top of the Three Talents is about to change!"
Hearing the crowd's discussions, especially about him potentially replacing Wang Weiyan as the top of the Three Talents, Wu Yaoguang felt elated. Even his usually detested third brother Wu Yaolin seemed more tolerable.
"Second Brother!" Wu Yaolin didn't expect his brother to have reached the Earth-tier peak. He excitedly called out but fell silent after seeing Wu Yaoguang's cold expression, standing obediently aside.
"Second Young Master Wu, your skills are indeed impressive. I, Ye Qi, am no match for you. But could we let this matter go for today? Duke Wu is waiting for our young master to return for lunch. If we're late, I'll be in trouble. Could Second Young Master Wu give me a break?"
After saying this, Ye Qi was already sweating. As a mid-level Earth-tier warrior, it was tough to speak under Wu Yaoguang's pressure.
Hearing Ye Qi's words, Wu Yaoguang's aura faltered slightly. Ye Qi felt relieved. Mentioning Duke Wu was his strategic move, knowing Wu Yaoguang wouldn't dare to act rashly under Duke Wu's reputation.
Duke Wu's name wasn't to be taken lightly.
Ye Qi's move worked. Wu Yaoguang knew Duke Wu's protective nature, especially towards Ye Yiming.
Once, a prince from a small country came to Tianyang. After a conflict with Ye Yiming, the prince, who was highly talented, nearly killed Ye Yiming. Upon learning of this, Duke Wu was furious. Not only did he dismember the prince and feed him to dogs, but he also destroyed the prince's country, causing a great stir.
Wu Yaoguang remembered asking his grandfather, who had battled Duke Wu for decades, why he didn't seize the opportunity to stop Duke Wu. His grandfather's response was unforgettable: "A dragon's reverse scale must not be touched. Anger the nation, and blood will flow."
The nation's anger, Tianyang's anger, was Duke Wu's anger. His wrath would shake Tianyang and turn rivers of blood. Duke Wu's reverse scale was his only grandson, Ye Yiming.
Even Wu Yaoguang's grandfather didn't dare provoke Duke Wu during his rage. So how could Wu Yaoguang?
Wu Yaoguang was certain that if he touched Ye Yiming, there would be dire consequences. If it were his useless third brother fighting Ye Yiming, it would be considered child's play. But a peak Earth-tier warrior against a novice? That was blatant bullying. With thousands of witnesses, he couldn't justify it.
So, when Ye Qi mentioned Duke Wu, Wu Yaoguang hesitated. Fortunately, Ye Qi's words gave him an out. Yet, Wu Yaoguang didn't want to let it go entirely.
Humph! Ye Yiming, I won't hurt you, but I can still humiliate you.
Wu Yaoguang glanced at Ye Qi and then looked at Ye Yiming. "Since it's Duke Wu's wish, I won't object. Besides, it's unlikely I could spar with the Young Duke."
Pausing deliberately, Wu Yaoguang smiled at Ye Yiming, raising his voice, "After all, I'm an Earth-tier peak warrior. If I make a move, the Young Duke might fall immediately. Oh, maybe even before I strike, the Young Duke would be down. Isn't that right, Young Duke?"
Wu Yaoguang's words, filled with disdain, irritated Ye Yiming.
Damn, Wu Lao'er, will you die if you stop pretending?
Seeing Ye Yiming's displeasure, Wu Yaoguang smiled, "What? Young Duke, don't believe me? Let me show you."
Not good! Hearing this, Ye Qi sensed danger and tried to move, but the pressure on him intensified, making it hard to breathe.
Wu Yaoguang had held back earlier? This is his true power. Earth-tier peak warriors are indeed formidable!
If Ye Qi was struggling, Ye Yiming was in worse shape. Under Wu Yaoguang's increased pressure, he was already uncomfortable. Now, it was unbearable.
Ye Yiming's body bent forward under the pressure, almost bowing to Wu Yaoguang. Seeing this, Wu Yaoguang laughed. But then, to his astonishment, Ye Yiming lifted his head with difficulty, smiled, and said something that shocked everyone.
"Hey! Wu Lao'er, hello!"