C9 Battle!

"This can't be happening."

Lan Zheng's pupils dilated, his gaze fixed on Ye Yun with utter incredulity.

Ye Yun had intended to rest a bit longer, to bask in Leng Wuyan's concern for him.

But Lan Zheng was spiraling out of control.

He had crossed the line, even resorting to poisoning Ye Yun.

With no other option, Ye Yun slowly rose to his feet and made his way to Leng Wuyan's side.

He murmured in her ear, "Wife, thank you."

His voice was a hushed whisper meant for her ears alone; he had no desire to stir up any more trouble than necessary.

"Let me handle this. You take a break."

His voice, deep and charismatic, carried an undeniable allure.

With those words, Ye Yun turned away, his expression shifting dramatically to one of authority and command.

"I laced the cup with poison. How are you unscathed?"

Lan Zheng mumbled to himself in disbelief.

It wasn't just Lan Zheng who was in shock; the disciples who had been in contact with Ye Yun couldn't fathom it either.

In a matter of days, Ye Yun had transformed, as if reborn.

Who would have guessed that just yesterday, he was deemed a nobody, stuck at the first layer of Body Tempering?

Now, standing by the Great Empress, he exuded confidence and dominance.

Ye Yun squinted and asked, "Was that your shadow I saw last night?"

Lan Zheng instantly knew Ye Yun had feigned the poisoning to catch him out.

His gaze darted around, teeth clenched, silent.

"I see now!"

The puzzle of why Ye Yun hadn't been affected by the poison was suddenly clear to Lan Zheng. He could only curse his own lack of diligence.

No longer concealing the truth, he confessed.

"Yes, it was me you saw, and I was the one who poisoned you. What are you going to do about it?"

Lan Zheng's voice wavered as he spoke.

Then, his eyes bulged as he sensed a formidable Spiritual Force closing in on him.

"This can't be allowed!"

Before Lan Zheng could even process what was happening, Ye Yun had materialized before him, his hand gripping Lan Zheng's throat.

With his other hand behind his back, Ye Yun challenged, "Did you just imply I'm less than you?"

"Or perhaps less than anyone else?"

Ye Yun extended the hand that had been behind his back, pointing at Lan Zheng's disciples.

His commanding presence sent a wave of fear through them, causing them to shake their heads, too terrified to meet his gaze.

Regardless of the circumstances, no one could have imagined that the formidable and merciless youth before them was considered a nobody just yesterday. Now, with the Sect Master's backing, he was untouchable.

Those who had once scorned Ye Yun and tormented him were now busy scheming ways to ingratiate themselves with him when the opportunity arose.

Lan Zheng let out a sneer but remained silent. Despite his efforts to appear composed, he was secretly sweating bullets, striving to preserve his dignity.

Sweat beaded on Lan Zheng's forehead as he struggled to maintain his composure. "Are you implying that I'm less than you?" Ye Yun pounded on Lan Zheng's chest with force.

Lan Zheng's face flushed with embarrassment. He had always dismissed Ye Yun as worthless, but now, a vivid memory flashed through his mind: his effortless defeat at Ye Yun's hands the previous night.

Ye Yun's gaze was fixed intently on Lan Zheng's face, unwavering. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lan Zheng slowly lifted his head. The moment he locked eyes with Ye Yun's mocking grin, his complexion turned ghostly white.

With a swift motion, Ye Yun pushed Lan Zheng's neck, sending him tumbling to the ground with a heavy thud. In that instant, not a single person dared to help him up.

Ye Yun's voice, both magnetic and pleasant, filled the air once more, a stark contrast to the tenderness he had shown Leng Wuyan. "If you doubt my words, we can settle this with a fight!"

"As an Inner Sect disciple at the Origin Opening Stage Layer Eight, aren't you ashamed to resort to such despicable tactics?"

"You claim your actions were for the honor of the sect. Do you truly believe you were in the right?"

Lan Zheng, visibly shaken by Ye Yun's relentless interrogation, looked up at the disciples gathered in the hall. Despite the fact that a majority opposed Ye Yun, none had crossed the line.

Yet now, Lan Zheng realized he would no longer be able to show his face in the Inner Sect.

"It's all Ye Yun's fault. Decades of my hard work have been destroyed by his mere presence," Lan Zheng thought bitterly, refusing to introspect and instead casting all blame on Ye Yun.

From her seat, Leng Wuyan observed silently as Ye Yun took control of the situation.

She nodded in approval, thoroughly impressed by Ye Yun's performance.

Leng Wuyan looked up at Ye Yun and was momentarily taken aback. His features were refined, his eyes clear and tranquil, and he carried himself with an air of gentle sophistication that was truly captivating.

It dawned on Leng Wuyan just how striking Ye Yun was. Despite having encountered countless men over the millennia, she had never been so enchanted by one.

Yet, she was the Sect Master of the Heaven Smiting Sect.

As the Great Empress, she couldn't allow herself to be hindered by love. In just one month, she would confront a formidable foe.

She considered revealing to Ye Yun the events that would unfold in a month. Indeed, that was her intention.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd.

The atmosphere was thick with tension and unease, the rapid breathing of those present almost audible.

Ye Yun ascended a few steps to stand before Leng Wuyan, his back to her.

He noticed the disciples frozen in place, their gazes fixed on him with astonishment.

He was acutely aware of the myriad of shocked eyes upon him.

"Should anyone here have doubts, step forward and challenge me!" he declared.

Silence. No one dared utter a word.

Ye Yun's prowess was well-known. Not even Lan Zheng could best him, much less anyone else.

"Whoever remains unconvinced, this is your final opportunity," Ye Yun proclaimed, and the hall lapsed into deathly quiet.

With a single palm strike, Ye Yun had vanquished Lan Zheng!

In just one day, he had advanced his cultivation and mastered the Heaven Smiting Sword Technique Manual!

The revelations were staggering.

No longer could anyone dismiss Ye Yun as worthless.

They had assumed the Great Empress lacked insight, but it turned out they were the ones who had been truly oblivious.

Suddenly, someone came forward, presenting all the magical treasures he possessed with utmost respect. "Young Master Ye, please accept these gems as a wedding gift from me."

"Senior Brother, I've prepared some gifts for you. I insist you take them."

One by one, those eager to ingratiate themselves with Ye Yun and those fearful of his retribution rushed forward to offer their treasures.

Ye Yun stretched out, feeling the urge to claim all the treasures before him. Yet, he hesitated, concerned that Leng Wuyan might reproach him for his greed.

Glancing back at Leng Wuyan, he searched her face for a sign.

There she was, gazing at Ye Yun with an unreadable expression that seemed to silently consent to his intentions.