The Outer Sect disciple examination of the Sword Sect was considered a grand event in Jingzhou. The Great Qin Empire had nine provinces, with countless cities in each. The Sword Sect was located within the territory of Jingzhou, and it attracted many disciples from nearby cities, noble families, and wandering cultivators. Among them, the number of talented individuals was beyond counting. Competing for a spot in the top ten was no small challenge.
The top ten spots were highly coveted, offering rewards such as medicinal pills, talismans, and magical treasures, as well as the chance to receive focused training from the sect, with far more cultivation resources than others.
While talent was important, resources for cultivation were even more so. Even if one were a genius, without the sect's strong support, they could easily become a waste of potential.
Yang Ye’s goal was to make it into the top ten, not just to vindicate Elder Qian, but also to gain the sect's attention. Liu Qingyu, already a powerful figure on the Outer Sect rankings, had clearly garnered the sect’s favor. If Yang Ye failed to gain the sect's attention and surpass Liu Qingyu, how could he talk about getting revenge on the Liu family?
Thinking of the Liu family, and especially Liu Qingyu, a cold glint flashed in Yang Ye’s eyes. No matter what, he would make them pay for their wrongs.
Suppressing the killing intent within him, Yang Ye took a deep breath and arrived at the training field, planning to ask Elder Qian about the situation at his family’s home. Right now, his greatest concern was the well-being of his mother and sister in Annan City.
“Trash, stop right there!”
As soon as he entered the training field, someone called out to him. Hearing the voice, Yang Ye frowned and turned to face the speaker. When he saw the person’s appearance, a cold murderous intent flashed deep in his eyes.
The one who had called out to him was a young man around his age. He had sword-like brows, bright eyes, and wore a green robe. A playful smile lingered on his face. On either side of him stood two other disciples, also wearing green robes. They were both Outer Sect disciples!
Yang Ye didn’t recognize this man, but he knew exactly who he was. The person in front of him was undoubtedly Liu Qingyu.
The training field was filled with many Outer Sect disciples training. When they saw the five blocking Yang Ye’s path, many of them stood up and curiously watched the interaction.
“I am Liu Qingyu.” Seeing the cold look in Yang Ye’s eyes, Liu Qingyu’s lips curled into a playful smile. “Yang Ye, I never thought you’d become a Xuan practitioner and even kill Duan Jun despite being at a lower level. Quite the surprise, isn’t it?”
“Wow...”
Upon hearing Liu Qingyu’s words, many nearby Outer Sect disciples gasped, then looked at Liu Qingyu with admiration.
“Is this Liu Qingyu, ranked 29th on the Outer Sect rankings? Why isn’t he training on the Seven Refining Peak, coming here instead?”
“A powerhouse on the Outer Sect rankings? Does that mean he's an innate practitioner? My heavens, an innate practitioner at only sixteen or seventeen years old! The Outer Sect really is full of monsters!”
“I heard that some Inner Sect elders have already taken notice of him. Once they do, entering the Inner Sect will be his next step, and his future is limitless!”
...
As the surrounding disciples gazed at Liu Qingyu with admiration, his pride grew even more apparent.
Looking at Liu Qingyu, Yang Ye took a deep breath to suppress the murderous intent within him. He then said flatly, “Are you done?”
It must be said that Yang Ye’s calm expression was exactly what his opponent hated the most. Liu Qingyu found it especially irritating. Hearing Yang Ye’s dismissive words and seeing his indifferent demeanor, Liu Qingyu narrowed his eyes, as if an idea had crossed his mind. He chuckled softly and said, “Yang Ye, originally, we could’ve become relatives. My father was interested in your mother, and my brother liked your sister. That would’ve been a great fortune for your family. But you... you just didn’t know what was good for you.”
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Yang Ye sneered and interrupted him. “Liu Qingyu, I’ve got an idea. I think I’ll take a liking to your mother and all the women in your Liu family. Why don’t you have your mother and all the women in your family marry me? That way, we’d become relatives too, wouldn’t we?”
At his words, the surrounding Outer Sect disciples were shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief. The person before them was ranked 29th on the Outer Sect list! Though disciples were only allowed to fight on the Life-and-Death Stage, Yang Ye’s audacity seemed to know no bounds.
Liu Qingyu’s expression darkened. A surge of aura erupted from his body, and with a flick of his finger, a sharp white sword energy cut through the air, accompanied by a piercing wind as it shot toward Yang Ye.
He knew the rules forbidding disciples from fighting outside the Life-and-Death Stage, but he believed that these rules only restricted the weak. Even if he killed Yang Ye right then and there, the sect would never do anything to him. After all, he was already an innate practitioner, and Yang Ye was just an ordinary disciple.
The sword energy was extremely fast. The surrounding disciples barely saw it; all they saw was a flash of white light.
At the moment Liu Qingyu made his move, Yang Ye immediately sensed a dangerous aura locking onto him. In that instant, he realized there was no way to dodge it—his only option was to break through the sword energy. But the sword energy was too fast, and he couldn’t react in time.
“This is the power of an innate practitioner?” As the feeling of death enveloped him, Yang Ye murmured to himself.
Just then, Elder Qian appeared by Yang Ye’s side. With a wave of his sleeve, a gust of wind blew out, and with a loud “boom,” Liu Qingyu’s sword energy dissipated into the air.
“Liu Qingyu, the sect has rules. Unless it’s on the Life-and-Death Stage, no disciple may attack another. Have you forgotten?” Elder Qian said, his voice tinged with anger. Yang Ye was a Five Elements Xuan practitioner, and Elder Qian would never let him die here.
Upon seeing Elder Qian, Liu Qingyu’s eyes flickered. He suppressed the killing intent in his heart, cupped his fists, and said, “Ah, Elder Qian, Yang Ye insulted my family. I was just teaching him a lesson. It wasn’t meant to go any further.” Despite his anger, he didn’t dare show it. After all, he was still an Outer Sect disciple, under the jurisdiction of the Outer Sect elders.
Elder Qian snorted coldly but did not punish Liu Qingyu. Although Liu Qingyu was an Outer Sect disciple, his talent was exceptional, and some Inner Sect elders were already paying attention to him. This minor incident wasn’t something Elder Qian could discipline him for.
“Since there’s no problem, then I’ll take my leave,” Liu Qingyu said, cupping his fists to Elder Qian before turning to leave. However, just as he was about to walk away, Yang Ye spoke up.
“Wait…”
Liu Qingyu turned around, a strong sense of disdain on his face. “What is it?”
Elder Qian frowned, about to speak, but he saw Yang Ye walk up to him and point at Liu Qingyu, saying, “Liu Qingyu, I know you want to kill me. I’m giving you the chance now. Three months from now, let’s duel on the Life-and-Death Stage. Do you dare?”
To walk the path of martial arts, one had to be bold, persevering, and never retreating. Yang Ye didn’t want to leave himself an escape route—he needed to push himself!
Hearing Yang Ye’s challenge, the surrounding Outer Sect disciples gaped, their mouths wide open in disbelief. A servant disciple challenging an Outer Sect disciple was already shocking enough, but now, this servant disciple was challenging Liu Qingyu, who was ranked 29th on the Outer Sect list and already an innate practitioner. Was he trying to defy the heavens?
“Haha...” Liu Qingyu snapped out of his surprise and burst into laughter. Seeing Elder Qian about to speak, he quickly said, “Fine, I accept. Three months from now, we’ll meet on the Life-and-Death Stage. I hope you don’t disappoint me.” With that, he laughed a few more times, seemingly eager to leave before Elder Qian could stop him, and quickly departed with his companions.
After Liu Qingyu left, Elder Qian sighed. “Yang Ye, you were too impulsive. You’re only a sixth-grade Xuan practitioner now, and the gap between you and an innate practitioner is huge—really huge!”
Yang Ye replied solemnly, “Elder Qian, I know. This is a desperate move for me. He tried to kill me just now. You were here to stop him, but what if next time you’re not around? If he kills me, will the sect punish him? No, they won’t. That’s why I’ve set up this three-month challenge. He won’t dare attack me in these three months. That gives me a chance!”
Hearing this, Elder Qian’s lips moved as if to say something, but in the end, he remained silent. He knew exactly what Yang Ye was getting at. But to surpass an innate practitioner in three months? That was practically impossible. Even though Yang Ye was a Five Elements Xuan practitioner, it was still beyond his reach. Three months was just too short.
After a long silence, Elder Qian patted Yang Ye on the shoulder and said, “Kid, I was going to reveal your Five Elements Xuan Qi, but now it seems that can’t happen. If we reveal it, Liu Qingyu will never give you a chance to rise. For now, you must rely on your own efforts. You have the resources—use them and cultivate. You’ll need to be strong enough to face him. Understand?”
Yang Ye nodded. He may not have had many opportunities before, but now, with the little vortex and the energy stones from Bao’er as well as the protective pills from the Outer Sect elders, he had a chance to fight back. This time, it wasn’t just for his mother and sister—it was for himself.
If you fight, there’s a chance. If you don’t, you have none.
That’s why he had taken the challenge, leaving himself no retreat!
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve already been to Annan City. I’ve warned the Liu family, and they won’t bother your family for now. Your mother and sister are fine; they just miss you,” Elder Qian said.
Mother, sister!
Hearing those words, a soft smile appeared on Yang Ye’s usually determined face. These two were his motivation, his faith. No matter how difficult or exhausting the journey, he didn’t care as long as they were safe.