"Ye Zhengyang, come out. Today I challenge you here."
Ye Chen pointed directly at Ye Zhengyang and declared his challenge, instantly causing jaws to drop all around.
Including Ye Ao and the three elders, everyone was utterly astonished, even dumbfounded.
Who was Ye Zhengyang? The ninth level of the Houtian Realm, the publicly acknowledged number one among the Ye family's younger generation, with formidable strength. In contrast, everyone's impression of Ye Chen still lingered on the cultivation waste at the third level of the Houtian Realm.
A cultivation waste at only the third level of Houtian challenging the ninth-level Ye Zhengyang—wasn't this like holding a lantern in a latrine—looking for trouble?
However, almost everyone had overlooked the fact that Ye Chen had easily dealt with Ye Hua, who was at the sixth level of Houtian, earlier. Perhaps they were too shocked by the current event, causing them to forget.
Ye Zhengyang snorted, his expression unfriendly. "It seems cousin's skills have improved quite a bit recently, and he even wants to challenge me. But that's fine, it'll also let cousin understand not to be arrogant and overconfident. Remember, there is always someone better, and skies beyond skies."
By the end, he spoke almost word by word, filled with mockery.
The gazes others directed at Ye Chen were even more filled with pity.
Ye Zhengyang at the ninth level of Houtian versus Ye Chen at the third level—it would absolutely be a one-sided beating. It seemed the waste Ye Chen was destined to be taught a lesson by Ye Zhengyang today.
Only Elder Yan, floating nearby, looked at Ye Zhengyang with pity and said, "Little Chen, aren't you just bullying him?"
"No!" Ye Zimei exclaimed sharply, her willow-like eyebrows furrowed. "Brother Ye Chen is only at the third level of Houtian. Fighting you will only bring him harm. Uncle Ao, you can't just stand by and let Ye Zhengyang attack. It's not fair."
The Second Elder snorted coldly. "Zimei, shut up. Since this challenge was initiated by Ye Chen himself, no one can stop it, not even the Family Head. Isn't that right, Family Head?"
Ye Ao frowned, his sword-like brows knitting together. Xia Wei was extremely worried and shook her head at him, urging him not to let their son take such a risk. But Ye Chen gave him a reassuring look.
At this point, he could only choose to believe Ye Chen. "Fine. This challenge is unavoidable. Ye Chen will challenge Ye Zhengyang. During this time, no one is allowed to intervene."
"Ye Ao, you bastard..." Xia Wei couldn't help but scold, her face full of worry. Even if Ye Chen had made some breakthroughs recently, how could he face the publicly acknowledged number one, Ye Zhengyang?
The few who truly cared were filled with anxiety.
The Great Elder suddenly chuckled. "Family Head, how about this? In half a month, it will also be Ye Chen's coming-of-age ceremony. According to the rules, during his ceremony, it should also be the qualification battle for the family heir. Everyone has the right to challenge Ye Chen to compete for the position of the next Family Head. Since we're already here, why not make today's challenge count as the coming-of-age ceremony's challenge for the next Family Head position?"
This old scoundrel... Ye Ao's expression turned ugly. How could he not know this old scoundrel's intentions? It was pure, unadulterated ambition.
Everyone else also understood the Great Elder's meaning, their expressions changing one after another.
Yet, Ye Chen actually nodded. "Agreed. If Cousin Ye Zhengyang defeats me, the position of the next Family Head can naturally be given to him."
Hearing this, almost everyone was stunned. Ye Chen agreed far too readily. Couldn't he see this was a plot by the three elders?
Only the faction of the three elders was overjoyed. Ye Zhengyang, in particular, wore a full smile, as if the Family Head position was right before his eyes, within easy reach.
Ye Ao frowned deeply. Ye Zimei's expression changed drastically, and she hurriedly tried to stop it. "Brother Ye Chen, you absolutely must not do this."
Looking at this girl who repeatedly stepped forward to defend him, Ye Chen felt a warmth in his heart. He pulled her to his side and, under the envious and jealous gazes of the crowd, ruffled the girl's dark hair with one hand, a confident smile that seemed to dazzle others hanging on his face. "Don't worry. Just watch me later."
Then he smiled slightly, looked at Ye Zhengyang, and nodded. "Perfect. I've made some breakthroughs recently and also wanted to see how much of a gap remains between me and the ninth level of Houtian."
But everyone's gaze towards him was even more filled with mockery and pity. Challenging Ye Zhengyang and even using the Family Head succession position as collateral—he truly was a waste. That term was absolutely correct.
Ye Zimei wanted to stop him, but seeing the confidence on his face, she could only sigh softly and not intervene further. But she secretly resolved that if Ye Chen encountered danger, she would be the first to step in and block the enemy.
Then Ye Chen said, "However, I also have one condition."
"What condition?" the Great Elder asked.
Ye Chen said, "The condition is simple. During the challenge, no matter what happens, no one else is allowed to intervene."
Everyone was dumbfounded. What kind of condition was this? Had this waste gone mad, seeking his own death? No restrictions meant that even if Ye Zhengyang beat him to death during the process, no one could stop it.
"Ye Chen—"
"Brother Ye Chen—"
"Young Master—"
Xia Wei, Ye Zimei, and Huan'er couldn't help but speak up. What kind of condition was this? It was clearly very disadvantageous to himself.
"Good, I agree." Ye Zhengyang agreed without a second thought, his gaze towards Ye Chen even more mocking.
Since this waste proposed such a condition, he had even less to hold back. Although he didn't dare to actually kill this waste, he could definitely make him understand how foolish it was to propose such a condition.
During the duel, he would definitely make this waste understand just how unforgettable the consequences of offending him would be...
In the main hall, many clan members quickly cleared a wide space, leaving enough room for Ye Chen and Ye Zhengyang to duel.
The two stood on opposite sides of the spacious hall, separated by five zhang, facing each other from a distance.
Ye Zhengyang smiled. "Cousin Ye Chen, since the battle has begun, don't blame me for being merciless—"
The moment his words fell, he pushed off with both legs, his entire body shooting forward, a fist aimed directly at Ye Chen's head.
This punch was fast, accurate, and fierce, slicing through the air. The force of this single punch alone was enough to reach a thousand jin, causing people's expressions to change.
Starting with a heavy blow right away—it seemed Ye Zhengyang was truly angered by Ye Chen.
Many clan disciples seemed to foresee the scene of Ye Chen being sent flying. He was just a waste at the third level of Houtian. How could he withstand a punch from Ye Zhengyang at the ninth level of Houtian?
Even if it was just a casual punch, it wasn't something he could endure. This was the vast gap between realms.
*Thud—*
Everyone heard a heavy, dull impact. The moment Ye Zhengyang threw his punch, Ye Chen also struck out like lightning, meeting fist with fist.
However, in what everyone saw as a laughable move, when the two fists collided, a heavy, muffled sound echoed, and fierce winds erupted. The ground itself seemed to tremble three times.
Centered around the two, the solid bluestone floor cracked, fissures spreading out within a three-zhang radius.
Ye Chen's figure did not retreat, standing firm as a mountain. Only his clothes were ruffled by the fierce wind. Under the incredulous gazes of everyone, he had actually withstood Ye Zhengyang's punch head-on.
But what was most shocking wasn't this. It was that in this collision, Ye Zhengyang himself couldn't help but stagger back three or four steps before stopping his retreat.
Ye Zhengyang, who held the absolute advantage, had actually been forced into a disadvantage!
Everyone was stunned, their mouths agape, unable to believe the scene before their eyes—
How was this possible?