Chapter 15: Open Challenge

## Chapter 15: A Challenge in Broad Daylight

"Master." Seeing Ge Hong arrive, the dozen or so disciples from Di Yang Peak below the stage instantly erupted in joy, scrambling to prostrate themselves.

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Ge."

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Ge."

The disciples in the arena also hurriedly cupped their hands in greeting. At the same time, they inwardly lamented for Ye Chen. Ge Hong was notorious for his vengeful nature; to incur his wrath was a fate more miserable than death itself.

"Master, save me, save me! Ye Chen is mad, he wants to kill me!" Zhao Long, pinned beneath Ye Chen's Tian Que sword, first flashed a trace of malevolent glee, then frantically pleaded with Ge Hong for help.

"That's right, Master, this Ye Chen's killing intent is far too heavy. He should be sent to the Enforcement Hall for severe punishment!" The disciples of Di Yang Peak once again began their clamor.

"Such evil thoughts at such a young age, what will he become in the future?"

"You must dispense justice for Senior Brother Zhao!"

"Silence!" Ge Hong roared, his face etched with unconcealed gloom. His personally tutored disciple had been defeated by a mere Qi Condensation first-level intern disciple. As the master, he had lost face utterly.

However, as he regarded Ye Chen, his eyes held a deeper astonishment. To be able to defeat Zhao Long indicated that Ye Chen was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

When he heard the disciple's report, even with his hardened resolve, he couldn't help but be startled. That day, he hadn't even bothered to glance at Ye Chen, yet this youth possessed such strength. In hindsight, he harbored a touch of regret. Had he taken Ye Chen in that day, this humiliating farce would not be unfolding now.

"Ye Chen, sheathe your sword!" Ge Hong stroked his beard, his voice imbued with boundless authority, like a decree from on high. "I have witnessed your strength. You are worthy to become my disciple, a disciple of Ge Hong."

"Master, this... what is this situation?" Below, a wave of astonished whispers erupted. "Martial Uncle Ge wants to take Ye Chen as a disciple? This is the first time I've ever seen Martial Uncle Ge be so proactive."

"Nonsense. Ye Chen went to such lengths, causing such a scene, was it not precisely to attract Martial Uncle Ge's attention? His goal is to enter Di Yang Peak, and now he has achieved it."

A cold smile played upon Ye Chen's lips at Ge Hong's words. He still did not lower the sword in his hand. He smiled and said, "Head Master, I appreciate your kindness, but I do not intend to become a disciple of Di Yang Peak."

*Whoosh!*

The crowd below instantly erupted.

What kind of person was Ge Hong? He was one of the three peak masters of the Outer Sect of the Heng Yue Sect, a figure countless disciples yearned to acknowledge as their master. Yet, his invitation had been rejected by a Qi Condensation first-level intern disciple.

Ge Hong inviting an Outer Sect disciple was unprecedented in history. And this very first instance was met with rejection.

"What did you say?" Ge Hong's eyes narrowed, a cold light flashing within them. His face darkened further, and a powerful aura suddenly permeated the air.

What was this? This was a blatant slap in the face!

He had already lost considerable face today, yet to recruit talent, he had been willing to humble himself slightly and invite Ye Chen. But now, he had lost face even more spectacularly. For him, he had become the greatest joke in the Heng Yue Sect.

"I said, I do not intend to become a disciple of Di Yang Peak." Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but Ye Chen remained neither servile nor arrogant.

A good horse does not eat the grass it has already grazed upon. This was his nature.

That day, he had been ruthlessly ignored. Now, he was invited with a commanding tone. Did they truly believe he, Ye Chen, was a principled blade of grass swaying with the wind?

"Good, very good." Ge Hong's laughter echoed, shaking the very heavens. But the laughter sent shivers down everyone's spines. All present could feel the rage simmering beneath.

"It's over, it's over. Ye Chen is going to suffer in the future. Martial Uncle Ge is vengeful; Ye Chen's days will be difficult indeed."

"He's given face but doesn't want it. Who does he think he is?"

"Release him!" A roar erupted, and Ge Hong glared angrily at Ye Chen. A powerful aura once again shook Ye Chen, causing him to spit blood.

"Forgive me, but I cannot release him. The bet was laid first, and he must die today." Ye Chen swayed a few times but managed to steady himself. A dagger was already pressed against Zhao Long's neck.

*Hiss!*

Suddenly, a collective gasp swept through the crowd below.

What was this? This was challenging Ge Hong's bottom line! This courage was truly extraordinary.

First, he defeated Zhao Long, humiliating Ge Hong. Then, he refused the invitation, causing Ge Hong to lose face. Now, he wouldn't even release the person. Was this meant to be a blatant humiliation of Ge Hong in front of all the disciples?

"You evil creature, you court death!" Ge Hong roared in fury, his long robe billowing in the wind. His palm was raised, ready to strike down.

But Ye Chen was already prepared. He had retreated over ten Zhang with Zhao Long.

"Head Master, I am a man, not a beast." Stopping his retreat, Ye Chen looked directly at Ge Hong, his words ringing with power.

And the dagger in his hand had already drawn a cut on Zhao Long's neck. The meaning was clear: Dare to move, and I will end him.

This scene caused the hearts of all the disciples below to leap into their throats.

"You dare threaten me?" Ge Hong stared death at Ye Chen, his voice bone-chilling.

"Head Master is overstating the matter." Ye Chen smiled coldly. "As I said, the bet was laid first, and he must die. If you wish for me not to kill him, or if you wish to take him away, that depends on how much sincerity you can offer. I have already taken a step back. If Head Master still insists on killing me, I can only perish together with your disciple."

Saying this, Ye Chen drew another cut across Zhao Long's neck.

He had gone all in. Since ancient times, wealth and status were found in peril. He didn't truly *have* to kill Zhao Long, and he didn't want to die either. But since he had already made an enemy of Di Yang Peak, he might as well go big. He might not be able to kill the person, but he couldn't release him for nothing either.

However, if Ge Hong truly intended to kill him, Ye Chen was resolved to die, but he would take Zhao Long with him before he went.

Ultimately, he was gambling. If he won, he would gain a fortune. If he lost, he would die without a burial place.

At this moment, the scene was eerily silent. The only sound was the pounding of hearts.

"Master, Master, save me, save me!" Zhao Long's roar broke the silence. He was truly afraid. He genuinely felt Ye Chen's killing intent. If Ge Hong truly made a move, he might indeed become Ye Chen's sacrifice.

"Head Master, what do you think?" Ye Chen smiled as he looked at Ge Hong. "We had a gamble on the Feng Yun Stage, and there was a life-and-death bet. You wouldn't really kill me in front of so many people, would you? You are a Peak Master; don't sacrifice your bright future by killing me, a nobody of an intern disciple. Furthermore, Zhao Long is a disciple you painstakingly cultivated. To bury him with me would truly not be worth it."

"Ye Chen, do you know what your actions today mean?" Ge Hong's voice was ice-cold, his face already hideously contorted.

"Of course I know, but I don't care."

"Then I shall send you on your way early." Ge Hong's expression suddenly turned frigid. He strode forward, having genuinely moved to kill.

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed, and he inwardly sighed, thinking he might have lost this gamble.

However, just at that moment, an ethereal voice drifted from the depths of a grand hall: "Ge Hong, killing a sect disciple is a grave offense. Do you wish to challenge the rules of my Heng Yue Sect?"

Indeed, these words made Ge Hong stop in his tracks. It was the voice of Dao Jie, the Head Master of the Outer Sect Enforcement Hall.

With a grim expression, Ge Hong looked to the side and said coldly, "Dao Jie, he is the one who attacked my disciple first. Do you expect me to watch my disciple be killed? Or are you deliberately protecting Ye Chen?"

"Protecting?" Ethereal laughter echoed from afar. "Their gamble on the Feng Yun Stage was a life-and-death bet. This was something they agreed upon beforehand. How can you claim Ye Chen is killing your disciple, and how can you claim I am protecting him? Moreover, Ye Chen has already taken a step back. Present your sincerity, and you can save your disciple. Why resort to killing? To lose is to lose, and one must accept it."

Here, the voice paused, becoming colder. "Cannot afford to lose and resort to killing? Do you think I am blind?"

"You..." Ge Hong was momentarily speechless, the sheer rage almost causing him internal injury.

Indeed, this was the truth of the matter.

With a life-and-death bet laid first, he had no right to interfere.

He could only blame his precious disciple for making such a large bet, and blame himself for being too confident in his tutored disciple.

Furthermore, having received a stern command and rebuke from that distant voice, Ge Hong regained a sliver of calm. He was certain that if he were to act at this moment, within an hour, he would be following Ye Chen to the grave.

Besides, he had invested considerable effort into cultivating Zhao Long. To simply let him be buried with Ye Chen would truly not be worth it.

After several thoughts, Ge Hong forcibly suppressed his rage and concealed his ferocious expression. From his sleeve, he produced a storage bag and flung it towards Ye Chen in the air.

Seeing the storage bag approach, Ye Chen did not reach out to catch it. Instead, he used his sword to block it, for he felt a terrifying dark energy emanating from the bag. To catch it rashly would result in serious injury.

"Insidious and cunning," Ye Chen cursed inwardly.

*Bang!*

The storage bag struck the Tian Que sword, producing a metallic clang.

Despite this, Ye Chen was still shaken, spitting blood as he retreated.

"You will pay a painful price for your actions today." Ge Hong arrived like a gust of wind and departed just as swiftly, taking Zhao Long with him. Only his ice-cold voice lingered in the air for a long time, refusing to dissipate.

(End of Chapter)