C5 The Entire Audience Was Shocked!

Ye Xiangyang looked at Ye Xianghui with a cold, mocking smile. "You grovel before others, utterly lacking in dignity. And you have the audacity to claim you'll mentor me? Take a good look at yourself. Do you really think you're qualified?"

His words sent shockwaves through the crowd. Everyone stared at Ye Xiangyang as if he were a creature from another world, stunned by his audacity to openly insult Ye Xianghui. He was clearly courting disaster.

The newcomers to the outer circle were left speechless. They speculated that even if Ye Xiangyang were to grovel and beg Ye Xianghui for forgiveness, it was uncertain whether Ye Xianghui would spare him. Ye Xiangyang's tirade seemed like a deliberate attempt to enrage Ye Xianghui.

"Ye Xiangyang is digging his own grave. He thinks he's something special with his Grade 2 talent, but he has no sense of restraint," someone muttered.

"Exactly, he's the epitome of arrogance and ignorance."

"This time, Ye Xiangyang is bound to get a thrashing he won't forget."

Within the Ye Family's Inner Courtyard, the members regarded Ye Xiangyang as an anomaly. No newcomer had ever stepped into the Inner Courtyard without showing the utmost respect to those who came before them.

Yet this year, Ye Xiangyang had the gall to insult Ye Xianghui right to his face. He clearly didn't grasp the gravity of the situation; he was practically begging for his downfall.

If Ye Xianghui couldn't discipline even Ye Xiangyang, how could he ever hold his head high in the Inner Courtyard again? Regardless of Ye Xiangyang's identity or the severe punishment he might face from the family, Ye Xianghui was determined to set straight this clueless individual who neither understood the stakes nor the subtleties of human relations.

"Ye Xiangyang doesn't give a damn about you. He even called you a dog," someone taunted.

"Ye Xianghui, are you going to stand up for yourself? If you turn out to be a coward, you'll lose our respect."

"Ye Xianghui, if you're not up to it, I'm willing to step in for you."

Ye Xianghui's eyes were already blazing with fury. As a member of the Inner Courtyard and a scion of the Ye's Compound, being humiliated by someone from the outer circle was intolerable. If he didn't put Ye Xiangyang in his place, how could he ever maintain his authority?

Moreover, when Ye Xianghui viciously assaulted Ye Xiangyang yesterday, Xiangyang was in a weakened state, frail as a leaf in the wind. A single punch from Xianghui could incapacitate Xiangyang for an entire day.

"You're going to pay for those words."

Ye Xianghui's frame shuddered as he charged forward, his feet pounding the ground in rapid succession, barreling towards Ye Xiangyang. His movement whipped up the surrounding air, howling like a gale and swirling the dust into a tumultuous cloud that enveloped Xiangyang.

"Ye Xiangyang, prepare to meet your end! Like a Ferocious Tiger Dashing Down the Mountain!"

All of Ye Xianghui's rage flooded his mind. It wasn't just Xiangyang's taunts that enraged him; after all, Xianghui was a member of the Ye family's Inner Courtyard, a One Star Profound Warrior with considerable status in Zhenhai City. The fact that a newcomer, a mere rookie who had just set foot in the compound, dared to insult him in front of a crowd was intolerable. If Xianghui couldn't make Xiangyang quake with fear, force him to kneel, weep bitterly, and beg for mercy, how could he ever maintain his authority within the compound? This was about establishing dominance, about instilling fear.

Xianghui was like a ferocious tiger descending upon its prey.

Many spectators shut their eyes, anticipating the inevitable outcome. They knew Xiangyang was doomed. Those on the outskirts were generally impoverished, malnourished, and physically weak. And given that Xianghui was indeed a One Star Profound Warrior, a towering figure, overpowering a feeble youth seemed like child's play.

A thud echoed in everyone's ears. Many assumed it was Xiangyang hitting the ground.

But when they opened their eyes, they nearly lost their breath from shock. It was Ye Xianghui sprawled on the ground, his complexion deathly pale, his mouth contorted in agony.

Shock filled every onlooker's gaze. What on earth had just happened?

During Xianghui's assault, Xiangyang hadn't flinched. He planted himself in a solid horse stance, channeling all his strength into his arms. His skin quivered as if he were once again hoisting that heavy vat from the previous night, directing every ounce of his power into his hands.

Ye Xiangyang paid no mind to the hands Ye Xianghui had grabbed, as his fists hammered down on Ye Xianghui's shoulders.

Ye Xianghui was clueless to the fact that Ye Xiangyang had become a Profound Warrior Two Star overnight.

Ye Xiangyang's blow sent Ye Xianghui crashing to the ground. His head smacked the earth, nearly knocking him out, as the momentum of his own charge propelled him down.

Stepping forward, Ye Xiangyang's foot bore down on Ye Xianghui's right hand, the cracking sound audible to all.

On the ground, Ye Xianghui wailed in agony.

Without hesitation, Ye Xiangyang dashed forward, his left foot landing squarely on Ye Xianghui's left hand, the snap of breaking bones ringing out clearly.

A rush of triumph surged through Ye Xiangyang as he reveled in the power he wielded. The sound of Ye Xianghui's bones shattering fueled a fiery passion within him. Gone were the days of helplessness under others' torment; the thrill of dictating someone's fate was intoxicating.

In the depths of his soul, he vowed, "I must grow stronger."

Ye Xianghui writhed in excruciating pain.

"Ye Xiangyang, you're merciless," Ye Xianghui cried out, "My hands are completely ruined."

With a disdainful snort, Ye Xiangyang retorted, "Yesterday, eight of you ganged up on me, leaving me unconscious. Weren't you the merciless ones? You even gave me a parting kick and vowed to beat me whenever you saw me. How is that not ruthless?"

"Bully others, and you invite bullying upon yourself," Ye Xiangyang declared, standing his ground and sweeping his gaze over the crowd. "Let it be known—if anyone dares to bully me, I'll make sure they end up with broken arms and legs."

Ye Xianghui was a living testament to that promise.

Ye Xiangyang stood tall, an unassailable war deity, commanding respect and exuding an air of brazen confidence. The atmosphere was palpably tense.

The Ye family's disciples were taken aback, none having anticipated such a turn of events. Despite being a fool, Ye Xianghui was a Profound Warrior One Star. Yet there he lay, bested and broken by Ye Xiangyang.

This was a slight against every one of them.

"You're speaking too boldly. I'm curious to see how you plan to leave me with broken arms and legs," he sneered, a figure steeped in malice and deceit.

Among those who had tormented Ye Xiangyang the day before was Ye Xiangming, a practitioner of the Profound Warrior Two Star level. The chasm between a Profound Warrior Two Star and a Profound Warrior One Star was vast and unbridgeable.

Ye Xiangyang was aware that no one present had exceeded the Profound Warrior Two Star rank. His own Profound Strength might have been lacking, but the Martial God Heavenly Arts had endowed him with power on par with a Two Star. Coupled with his mastery of the Southern Bear Fist that very morning, he was eager to put a Two Star's prowess to the test.

"So you're Ye Xiangming, aren't you? Don't think I've forgotten you were among those who picked on me yesterday. Come at me. I'm eager to see what makes a Profound Warrior Two Star so formidable."

Pride surged within Ye Xiangyang, fueling a defiant spirit. That night, he had awakened the small black cauldron, which bestowed upon him the Martial God Heavenly Arts and the essence of fifty Profound Qi Pills, granting him newfound might.

Today, he was not the same man who could be easily pushed around.

With that in mind, he felt justified in how he chose to deal with them, no matter the approach.

Ye Xiangming was itching for a brawl.