On the bustling streets of Luo City, a sallow-skinned youth hurried through the crowded throng.

His eyes were sharp, his demeanor steady. Though his frame seemed frail against the wind, he moved with agility and speed.

"Did you hear? Ye Qian, the young lady of the Ye family, awakened her second Heavenly Soul yesterday! She's officially a Dual Heavenly Soul wielder now!!"

"Heard about it. With such commotion last night and the anomalies in the sky, who in Luo City didn't?"

Conversations of passersby drifted over.

Ye Qian? The renowned prodigy of Luo City?

The youth's pace slowed slightly.

Some passersby, noticing him, whispered, "Look, isn’t that Bai Ye from the Bai family?"

"He’s eighteen and hasn’t even awakened his Soul House... tsk tsk, such a stark contrast to Miss Ye Qian, who's his age!"

"Bai Chen was supposed to be the next head of the Bai family, but his status plummeted because of this useless son. He’s no longer in line for the position!"

"After all, one’s standing often depends on the achievements of the younger generation."

Ignoring the ongoing gossip, Bai Ye shook his head and quickened his pace towards the Bai residence.

Such remarks were a daily occurrence. Growing up in a prominent family like the Bai’s, failing to awaken a Heavenly Soul was a source of shame.

"Out of the way! Scum! Blocking my master’s path will have consequences!"

A shout broke the calm, followed by brawny guards pushing through the crowd, using their soul power, causing cries of pain.

Bai Ye, unable to dodge in time, stumbled, scattering the herbs he carried. As he went to pick them up, a guard, intentionally or not, crushed them underfoot.

Irritated, Bai Ye confronted the guard.

"Who's this brat? Seeking death?" the guard sneered.

"You ruined my things. Aren’t you going to explain?" Bai Ye demanded.

The guard, towering and muscular, eclipsed Bai Ye in his shadow.

"You want an explanation? Fine, here it is!" The guard swung a fist as large as Bai Ye’s head.

Bai Ye, not intimidated, dodged skillfully, countering with a swift kick to the guard's ankle.

The guard lost balance and fell hard, teeth clattering on the ground.

Silence ensued.

Eventually, someone exclaimed, "This kid just took down a second-stage Power Soul realm fighter??"

The guard, red-eyed with rage, lunged at Bai Ye: "I’ll tear you apart!"

The crowd backed away, alarmed.

"Run, kid! You can’t beat him!"

But Bai Ye stood his ground, poised for battle.

The guard, charging with full force, swung a punch that whistled through the air, narrowly missing Bai Ye who evaded with ease.

"My turn!"

Bai Ye's eyes narrowed. He seized the moment, striking the guard's chest with rapid, lightning-like punches.

The guard stiffened and fell...

The power behind Bai Ye's seemingly feeble punches was astonishing.

The crowd gaped in disbelief.

"Is this Bai Ye of the Bai family?"

"Who dares block my way?" A wealthy man on a horse emerged from the crowd.

Bai Ye observed him: opulent clothing, plump and greasy, his beady eyes fixed on Bai Ye.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"What are you? How dare you act up in front of me?" the rich man frowned.

"And what are you? So arrogant in Luo City?" Bai Ye retorted.

"Brat, do you know who I am?" the rich man sneered, "I’m a guest of the Ye family. Offend me, and you offend the Ye family, the whole of Luo City, understand?"

Ye family? So arrogant?

Bai Ye scoffed, exaggerating his tone, "So, a lapdog of the Ye family? To think they’d strut around Luo City in broad daylight. Luo City doesn’t bear the name Ye yet, but if it did, what then?"

The crowd murmured, especially those previously bullied by the rich man's guards.

The rich man, furious, shouted at the onlookers to shut up.

Bai Ye, seizing a stone, threw it at the horse, startling it. The rich man fell off, landing hard.

Laughter erupted.

"Master!" His guards rushed to help him up.

The rich man, glaring at Bai Ye, ordered: "Cripple him!"

"Yes!" The guards charged.

Bai Ye, his spirit roused, deftly evaded their attacks.

"These brutes are second-stage Power Soul, but lack finesse. I must end this quickly!"

Determined, Bai Ye launched an attack, knocking down the first guard with a powerful punch.

Two more punches, and the other guards fell.

His precision and power were remarkable.

Bai Ye brushed off his hands, turning to the rich man.

"What do you plan to do?" the man stammered, realizing Bai Ye was no ordinary opponent.

"I warn you, I'm a guest of the Ye family. Harm me, and they won’t let you off."

Bai Ye ignored him, raising his hand.

Slap!

The rich man’s cheek bore a bright red mark, and he fell, dazed.

"A guest of the Ye family? Impressive!" Bai Ye kicked, his foot sinking into the man's flabby body.

The rich man trembled, trying to rise, but Bai Ye pinned his head underfoot.

"Mercy... please..."

"Mercy? Weren’t you just threatening me?" Bai Ye pressed harder, the man's face turning red, screaming in pain.

The bystanders clapped, cheering for Bai Ye.

As Bai Ye was about to continue, a disturbance approached.

"Chen, my guest, who dares to mistreat you in Luo City?" a melodious voice cut through the noise.

The crowd parted for a group of Ye family members and a young lady on a white horse.

Dressed in purple, her beauty was ethereal, her presence commanding awe.

"It’s Miss Ye..."

"So beautiful! Worthy of being Luo City's most beautiful!"

Exclamations filled the air.

"Ye Qian, indeed a beauty," Bai Ye couldn't help admiring.

"Miss Ye, save me..." Chen pleaded.

"Don’t worry, Chen. In Luo City, no one dares harm you," Ye Qian said, her gaze landing on Bai Ye: "You're Bai Ye? The failure of the Bai family?"

"I'm Bai Ye, but not a failure," he shrugged.

"Proud over defeating some worthless guards? Not even a Heavenly Soul wielder, where do you get the courage to meddle with my guest? Now, help him up and apologize, or I might let you off."

"You want me to help?" Bai Ye frowned.

"Who else?" Ye Qian demanded. "Help him, then kneel and apologize. That might spare you."

"Interesting!"

Bai Ye smirked, lifting his foot as if to comply.

The rich man gloated, "See? I told you, you can't mess with me..."

But before he finished, Bai Ye's foot slammed into his head.

The impact was tremendous.

The man rolled away, bleeding, barely breathing.

The crowd was stunned.

Ye Qian's expression turned icy, murderous.

"Sorry, I slipped," Bai Ye feigned innocence.

"You... dare defy me?" Ye Qian seethed, "You have guts, but you’ll regret this."

"Defy? It was an accident. After all, Luo City isn't yet named Ye, is it?" Bai Ye mocked.

The crowd's murmurs grew louder, siding with Bai Ye.

Ye Qian glared at the groaning rich man, wishing she could tear him apart.

"Don’t slander the Ye family. We knew nothing of his misdeeds!"

"Wasn’t he your guest?" Bai Ye pointed.

"Not anymore," Ye Qian denied swiftly, not wanting to lose the city's support.

"Good!" Bai Ye nodded, then said coldly, "Then this matter between us has nothing to do with you, Miss Ye. Why interfere?"

Ye Qian, realizing she was being manipulated, clenched her fists, lowering her voice, "Bai Ye, take my advice. Quit while you're ahead. Killing you would be effortless. This is your last chance. Let it go, or you'll regret it."

But Bai Ye, undaunted, shouted, "Leave!"

The sound echoed down the street.

Ye Qian, shocked, exclaimed, "You dare insult me?"

"Didn’t you hear? Leave!" Bai Ye repeated.

Ye Qian, her soul power stirring, calmed herself, her eyes cold, "Bai Ye, I know you lack soul power, but that won’t save you. Killing you here won’t erase the humiliation you brought upon me and the Ye family. But don't think I have no way to deal with you."

"You brought this upon yourselves," Bai Ye retorted.

Ye Qian, frosty,"Enough talk, Bai Ye," Ye Qian snapped. "Listen, in ten days, I'll set up a challenge at the Bai residence. I'll make you pay double for today's humiliation. The Bai family will lose all dignity because of you. You'll be the family's disgrace, scorned by all!"

The crowd gasped at her words.

"Is Ye Qian using this as a pretext to target the Bai family?"

Bai Ye, undeterred, smiled, "You want a fight? Then let's fight! But let's keep it between us, no need to involve our families. I'll accept your challenge!"

Ye Qian, expecting to intimidate Bai Ye, was surprised at his resolve.

"Fine!" she huffed. "But don't hide when the day comes!"

"I'll be the first to step up," Bai Ye replied coolly.

"We'll see on the stage then!" Ye Qian, her expression icy, turned and left.

Ye Qian's face turned grim at the murmurs from the crowd. As she mounted her horse and rode away, her eyes bore a sinister look, "Bai Ye, I know you lack soul power, a dead pig not fearing boiling water. Killing you here won’t erase today’s humiliation, but don’t think I can't handle you."

"You brought this upon yourself," Bai Ye coldly stated.

Ye Qian, her face as cold as frost, responded sharply, "Save your words, Bai Ye. Listen up, in ten days, I will personally set up a challenge at your Bai family's estate. Everything I suffered today, I’ll return to your family manifold. The Bai family's honor will be utterly destroyed because of you. You'll be their disgrace, the object of universal scorn!"

The crowd sucked in a cold breath at her declaration.

"Is Ye Qian seizing the opportunity to trouble the Bai family?"

Bai Ye, hearing this, laughed fearlessly, "You want a battle, then we'll have one! But let's keep our family out of this. You set the stage, I'll rise to the challenge!"

Ye Qian, not expecting Bai Ye to remain unflinching, coldly retorted, "Fine! But let's see if you have the same courage in ten days. Don’t hide away!"

"Rest assured, I’ll be the first on the stage," Bai Ye stated flatly.

"Then we'll meet at the arena," Ye Qian said, her tone icy as she departed.