C13 Wind and clouds

At the back of Ye Family Property, there was a mountain covered with thick greenery. In the depths of the forest, the gentle breeze rustled the leaves. A few birds happily flew through the leaves, and the afternoon sunlight shone through the gaps between the leaves onto a thin figure.

The scent of the forest was filled with the fragrance of the earth. Every leaf and every blade of grass was giving off their own vitality.

Ye Yang sat cross-legged on a huge boulder, his hands forming a seal in front of his chest. Streams of air flowed around his body as the essential Qi of heaven and earth slowly gathered towards him. It was as if there was a powerful magnet inside his body that was trying its best to absorb the energy of heaven and earth.

After a while, Ye Yang slowly opened his eyes and felt the Genuine Qi that had already filled his dantian. He muttered to himself, "Training in the forest is indeed much better than at home. Now that the Genuine Qi is completely filled in me, it is the right time to break through. There are still two hours before the duel. I might as well take the opportunity to rush to the Sixth Empyrean of Spirit Condensation, so that I can be at the same Empyrean as Ye Yun! "

Thinking about this, he no longer hesitated. Closing his eyes, he gathered the Genuine Qi in his body together and accumulated all his energy, preparing to break through the barrier.

Now throngs of people jammed in front of the Life and Death Arena of Ye Family. Today was the day that the son of the Family Head of Ye’s, Ye Yang, and another core disciple, Ye Yun, would have their life and death duel.

The entire clan knew about it. Although they didn't really understand the reason for the duel, they could guess that it was a battle between two forces of the clan, a duel that might affect Ye Yang's future path.

Other than a few members who needed to stand guard on their rounds, almost everyone was present. Ye Lingtian was calmly sitting on the side of the judge's seat. Because Ye Yang was participating in the life and death duel, the family did not allow any relatives of the participants to be judges with regard to fairness.

There was a total of 10 judges. Other than the four core elders, there were also a few other elders who were co-hosting the event.

A martial servant of the Ye Family rushed to Ye Lingtian's side and whispered a few words into his ear. Hearing that, Ye Lingtian's face darkened, he looked towards the door, only to see a dozen people walking in.

A man pioneered the legion was around fifty years old, with a blade scar across his forehead. It was no one other than the Family Head of Zhao Family, Zhao Yongsheng.

Zhao Yongsheng came in front of Ye Lingtian and smiled, "Today is the day of the life and death duel for the Young Patriarch of Ye Family. I, on behalf of Zhao Family, am here to show support. I hope you don’t mind my arrival out of blue invitation.”

Ye Lingtian looked coldly at Zhao Yongsheng, "It’s a private matter of my family and has nothing to do with you. How come ten years have passed and you've already forgotten about the pain?"

Zhao Yongsheng's finger gently touched the scar on his forehead, the hatred in his eyes didn't need to be concealed at all. Zhao Yongsheng said, "You don't need to remind me, I have always kept this scar on purpose. Every time I look in the mirror, I would think back to what happened that year. The disgrace you have brought me, I will have you pay back sooner or later. But today, I'm not here to settle scores. I'm only here to enjoy the duel."

Ye Lingtian glanced at Zhao Yongsheng and said, "This is an internal affair of my Ye Family. There's no need to bother you, the Family Head of Zhao. You should just go back to where you came from."

"Hahahaha, you can't say it like that, even though you are the Family Head of Ye, you are not the only one who can make a decision for the family affairs. I am invited to come here today. Don't you think so, the Great Elder? "Zhao Yongsheng laughed unrestrainedly.

Ye Lingtian turned his head to look at the Great Elder. The Great Elder had changed from his usual modesty and humility, and said with a smile that barely moved the flesh, "Patriarch, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you. I invited the Family Head Zhao over to observe the duel, and it's also for the fairness of the competition. I do believe that you can understand it. Don’t you, my lord?”

To their surprise, Ye Lingtian did not flare up at all. Instead, he smiled faintly and said, "Since your guests are here, the Great Elder, you should make some proper arrangements. It is not good to let the guests stand here, in case anyone thinks that we, the Ye Family, do not know how to treat guests well." After saying this, Ye Lingtian just closed his eyes to rest and ignored the surroundings.

The Great Elder and Zhao Yongsheng looked at each other and they could see the deep astonishment in the other's heart. The cultivation methods that Ye Lingtian was cultivating in was Lion and Tiger Technique, a high-level technique of Profound Rank, and those who cultivated in this method would become irritable and impetuous. However, they didn't expect that Ye Lingtian had not explode on the spot after being provoked by the two of them so many times today.

The two of them were puzzled, but now it was not the time to confuse. They found some seats to settle down and waited quietly for the duel to start.

The Ye Family's Life and Death Arena was a square, roughly seven meters in width and length, the ground was reinforced by gigantic rocks, and it was extremely sturdy. Even if one Soldier Level martial cultivator could use all his strength and would not cause any damage to the arena.

After the time it takes for an incense to burn, the Disciplinary Elder stepped into the arena, stood at the center, and said loudly, "According to the Assembly of Elders, Ye Yang and Ye Yun are allowed to fight the Life and Death duel. Once on the Life and Death Arena, life or death is rested within the hand of destiny, regardless of the result, the grudge will be settled here. No one shall seek revenge afterwards, otherwise he or she shall be punished by family disciplines."

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "Next, the two contestants will enter the arena."

The elder had just finished speaking when a figure jumped onto the stage. This person was Ye Yun. Although Ye Yun was only seventeen years old, he had trained in the martial arts for many years, his physique was even sturdier and stronger than average adults.

Ye Yun cupped his fists respectfully to the Disciplinary Elder. The elder had a very high position in the clan, so Ye Yun did not dare to be rash.

The elder nodded his head slightly, then stopped moving, Ye Yun retreated to the side and waited for Ye Yang to appear.

But after quite a long time, Ye Yang still did not show up. The Disciplinary Elder was slightly startled as he coldly asked, "Is Ye Yang here in the crowd?"

After waiting for quite a few minutes, there was still no reply. No one made a sound.

"What's going on, where's Ye Yang? "

"Is he too afraid to show up?"

"How is that possible? The duel was proposed by him. If he doesn't come, the consequences will be very serious!"

"It can’t be more serious than losing on the arena! That's the Life and Death Arena. If you lose, you might lose your life. No matter how serious it is, can it be more serious than losing your life?"

The fact that Ye Yang did not come aroused a lot of whispers. Although most of the speculators were not quite optimistic about his winning the duel, they still admired his courage to the point that not everyone would dare to fight for dignity at risk of one’s own life.

"Haha, I didn't expect the young master of the Ye family would escape right before the duel. If this were to spread out, it would definitely become a big joke in the Eight Desolations City, don't you think so, Patriarch Ye? "Zhao Yongsheng laughed.

Being defeated by Ye Lingtian when he was still a teenager had always been seen as a great humiliation to him, and he had always been looking for an opportunity to take revenge for many years. Unfortunately, even if an accident happened to Ye Lingtian a dozen years ago and his cultivation had always been stuck at the Third Empyrean of Battle Master. Though he had now cultivated to the same realm as Ye Lingtian, he was still no match for him.

Now that he could use this to humiliate his opponent, of course he wouldn't let go of this rare opportunity.

"Don't worry, my son is not one of those trash from Zhao Family. Escaping before the duel is a patent of your Zhao Family. If it wasn't for you escaping fast, you would have already become a ghost under my blade, how could you continue to linger on until now?" Ye Lingtian said indifferently.

"You …" Zhao Yongsheng stood up abruptly and pointed at Ye Lingtian, but he could not find any words to refute Ye Lingtian. After all, he had indeed escaped from Ye Lingtian in a sorry state back then. “Alright, let's see how long you can be tough like this. Today, let’s see if that good-for-nothing son of yours dares to come and die!

"You don't need to worry about my son. I heard that in the Eight Desolations City, someone's son suddenly disappeared for no reason. After searching for a few days, someone wasn't able to find anything. In the end, someone had no choice but to place a bounty of 100,000 gold coins for hints to find his son. However, up until now, the someone still couldn't find anything. You better pray that you're lucky. Your son, who does everything wrong, is most likely to be taken away by the heavens …"

Ye Lingtian did not know that Zhao Zihao was killed by Ye Yang, otherwise, he would not have casually used this matter to provoke Zhao Yongsheng.

But when Ye Lingtian said this, the suspicion towards the Ye Family was dispelled. After all, no one was crazy enough to kill someone's son, and they still dared to mock him in such a blatant manner.

Zhao Yongsheng's face was ashen. Although he had guessed that his son's fate was not good, being pointed out to his face almost made him go mad.

Just thinking about what he had to do next, he forcefully suppressed his anger, put on a cold face and refused to look at Ye Lingtian.

Seeing that Zhao Yongsheng did not continue, Ye Lingtian stopped as well. He frowned and was secretly anxious, "What is he planning to do?"

Seeing that Ye Yang did not dare to come, Ye Yun felt disdain in his heart. He turned to the Disciplinary Elder and said, "Since Ye Yang is too cowardly, to show up, could you make the announcement that I am the winner of this duel?”

The Disciplinary Elder expressionlessly replied, "According to the Clan Rules, if Ye Yang does not appear within the time it takes for an incense stick to finish burning, he will be expelled from the Ye Family. Now, someone shall come and burn the incense." After saying this, the Disciplinary Elder waved his head. A family martial servant came on the arena and lit on a license stick.

Many people did not know that the rules of the Life and Death Arena were this serious. If Ye Yang did not come, he would be kicked out of the clan.

At the other corner of the arena, a dozen or so Ye family girls gathered together. They were all looking at the arena and clenching their small fists in anxiety.

"Sister Qing Xuan, do you think Ye Yang will come?"

"Yeah, I want to know too. I'm so worried!"

Ye Qingxuan was also nervous in her heart. A thin layer of sweat had already covered the area between her brows as she sighed and said, "I don't know either. I actually hope that he won't come …"

"But if he doesn't come, he will be kicked out of the clan. If he does, Ye Yang will be very pitiful."

"If he comes, he might be killed as well! What should we do? I feel so anxious!"

Ye Qingxuan gently stroked the few strands of hair that were scattered in front of her eyes as her jade-like hands lightly brushed past her ears. A complicated expression flashed across her eyes, and she slowly said, "It's useless to worry now, we can't change anything. We can only wait in peace."

"That Ye Feng always pretends to be so gentle, I never expected him to be this sinister. Is it not enough for him to bully Ye Yang every day? Does he really want to put him to death?"

Unknowingly, an incense stick had already burnt to the close end. The Disciplinary Elder looked at the stub of incense and said, "Now, I shall announce the result of today’s duel. The winner is, Ye -"

"Wait!" A lazy voice rang out. "Sorry, I sweated from training. So I went back to take a bath. Sorry about being late!"

A slender black figure walked step by step toward the arena. The sound of his footsteps seemed to step on people's hearts, causing their hearts to tighten.

Dressed in black robes, he stood proudly on the duel stage. His sword-like eyebrows were bright and his handsome face carried a trace of a smile. To the girls below the stage, this smile was too lethal. Especially those girls who were a bit familiar with him were even screaming.

Ye Yang smiled back at the girls, then confidently nodded to Ye Lingtian who was sitting below the stage, and then said to the Disciplinary Elder: "Can we begin now?"

The Disciplinary Elder glanced at him and a strange look flashed across his eyes. He then recovered his previous indifference and said, "Let the duel begin, regardless of life or death!"