"First, I'll go to Yuanyue Academy to see Zhou Mu and Qing Luo."
After leaving the Ye Family, Ye Yunfei had these concerns on his mind and strode toward Yuanyue Academy.
Up to now, Zhou Mu was the brother Ye Yunfei acknowledged the most in his heart.
Su Qingluo was the girl Ye Yunfei was most grateful to.
Inside Yuanyue Academy, on the school paths, students came and went, making it a lively scene.
The academy's management of its students was not strict.
Whether or not to attend classes, and which martial instructor's class to attend, were entirely the students' own choices.
There were even some disciples from martial families who, after paying the tuition fee, rarely came to the academy, choosing instead to cultivate entirely within their own families.
This philosophy of management was, it was said, related to the master of the academy.
However, the master of the academy was a very mysterious figure.
One who seldom made an appearance.
"Everyone from the Ye Family, kneel down before me!
Kowtow a hundred times."
Suddenly, a voice full of disdain rang out.
"Oh?"
Ye Yunfei raised his head and looked ahead.
A large crowd of students was gathered up ahead, packed tightly, layer upon layer.
In the middle of the crowd, a large empty space was cleared.
Two groups of young people were facing off against each other.
One group had each and every one of them been beaten to the point of being bloodied and bruised, some with broken limbs, a rather pitiful sight.
"Shi Shaojie, you've gone too far!
How dare you provoke us like this—aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of our Ye Family!"
One of the youths, whose left wrist was broken, revealing white bone fragments, cradled his broken hand and questioned angrily.
"The Ye Family is about to be annihilated. What is there to fear?"
A youth in a yellow robe stood proudly, a face full of disdain as he sneered coldly.
This yellow-robed youth was Shi Shaojie!
The younger brother of Shi Xiaodie and the young master of the Shi Family in Yuanyue City.
Shi Shaojie possessed strength at the Eighth Level of the Body Tempering Realm, making him the leading figure among the Shi Family's younger generation and one of the prominent figures among Yuanyue City's youth.
It was said that among the younger generation in Yuanyue City, he could rank within the top five!
Over a dozen fierce-looking youths, all wearing arrogant expressions, stood by Shi Shaojie's sides.
These youths were all from the Shi Family.
"Originally, I came specifically to find that trash Ye Yunfei today. He actually dared to publicly write a letter of divorce, insulting my sister.
He deserves death ten thousand times over.
Since that trash Ye Yunfei didn't come to the academy today, his sin will have to be borne by you."
Shi Shaojie crossed his arms in front of his chest and spoke coldly.
"These past two or three days, Shi Shaojie has come to Yuanyue Academy every day. They say he's specifically looking for Ye Yunfei."
"Since he can't find Ye Yunfei, he's taking it out on the other Ye Family disciples."
...
The students watching the commotion all around discussed amongst themselves.
"I don't have that much time to waste on you Ye Family trash.
Now, I'll count to three. If you still don't kneel down and kowtow, I'll break both legs of every one of you.
One, two..."
Shi Shaojie started counting.
All those Ye Family disciples were both frightened and furious, knowing Shi Shaojie would definitely not let them off.
"Don't be afraid! At worst, we'll fight it out with him!"
One of the Ye Family disciples suddenly roared, his expression tragic yet determined.
"Fight?
You piece of trash, with what will you fight me?"
Shi Shaojie let out a cold laugh, his expression extremely disdainful.
"You trash from the Shi Family, if you kneel down and kowtow a thousand times each,
I might consider letting you off."
It was at this moment that a flat, calm voice suddenly spoke.
Ye Yunfei pushed through the crowd and slowly walked in.
"Ye Yunfei is here!
I've heard his cultivation has recovered."
"So what if it's recovered? He's only at the Third Level of Body Tempering. He's no match for Shi Shaojie."
The people around immediately recognized Ye Yunfei.
"Ye Yunfei, you trash!"
Shi Shaojie's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed dead on Ye Yunfei.
"Young Master Yunfei!"
The dozen or so Ye Family disciples, upon seeing Ye Yunfei, couldn't help but rejoice.
Their hearts also instantly relaxed.
They knew that with Ye Yunfei's arrival, they were completely safe.
At the clan meeting two days ago, they had personally witnessed how Ye Yunfei had unleashed his might, defeating Ye Lei, who had already broken through to the Ninth Level of Body Tempering, in a single move!
Shi Shaojie standing before them was no match for Ye Yunfei at all!
"You're good.
The disciples of our Ye Family need this kind of fighting spirit."
Ye Yunfei looked at the Ye Family disciple who had just shouted about fighting Shi Shaojie with an appreciative gaze, and asked with a smile.
"I am Ye Xiaodong, replying to Young Master Yunfei."
That Ye Family disciple hurriedly answered.
"Good. I will suggest to Father that we appropriately increase your cultivation resources each month.
Remember, a martial artist cultivates not only martial skills but even more so the heart—a heart that charges forward courageously, never yielding no matter what hardships or dangers are faced.
Only then can one travel further on the path of martial arts."
Ye Yunfei nodded and spoke in an encouraging tone.
"A heart that charges forward, never yielding... Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Yunfei!"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Ye Xiaodong seemed to grasp some enlightenment, vaguely feeling as if he had caught hold of something.
The part about increasing his monthly cultivation resources especially sent him into raptures.
"Trash Ye Yunfei, come over here and meet your death!"
Shi Shaojie stared at Ye Yunfei, eyes blazing with fury, his face contorted with viciousness.
He realized that after Ye Yunfei arrived, he hadn't even glanced at him directly once, which further enraged him, causing him to grind his teeth.
"I will count to three. If this Shi Family trash hasn't knelt down and kowtowed a thousand times,
you will go over there and slap him a hundred times first."
Ye Yunfei pointed at Shi Shaojie and spoke to Ye Xiaodong.
"What?"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, everyone around was stunned.
It must be understood, Shi Shaojie was at the Eighth Level of Body Tempering, while Ye Xiaodong was only at the Second Level.
The difference was immense.
Asking Ye Xiaodong to slap Shi Shaojie a hundred times—was that even possible?
Likely, Ye Xiaodong would be instantly killed before he could even get close to Shi Shaojie.
"Young Master Yunfei..."
Ye Xiaodong was startled.
"Haha, good, good, very good.
I'll stand right here. Let's see what ability this Second Level Body Tempering trash has to slap me a hundred times."
Shi Shaojie was so angry that he laughed.
"I think this trash's brain must have a problem. How can he speak such nonsense?"
"Our Young Master Shi is a top expert who ranks among the top five in the younger generation of Yuanyue City. This trash can be killed with just one finger from Young Master Shi!"
...
The Shi Family disciples beside Shi Shaojie all roared with laughter, throwing out various taunts.
"One, two, ..."
Ye Yunfei started counting, his expression appearing extremely serious.
"No way?
Is he really taking it seriously?"
Everyone was a bit dumbfounded.
"Three.
Xiaodong, go ahead. Slap him a hundred times, not a single one less."
Ye Yunfei spoke softly.
"Heh heh..."
Shi Shaojie was at the peak of his rage, letting out a cold sneer. He stood in place, a trace of killing intent flashing deep within his gaze.
"Young Master Yunfei, really... slap him?"
Ye Xiaodong was somewhat panicked and flustered.
"Do you remember what I told you just now?
If you believe in me, go."
Ye Yunfei said calmly with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Alright! I'll go!"
Ye Xiaodong gritted his teeth, also deciding to go all out. Without further hesitation, he strode towards Shi Shaojie.
"Die!"
Shi Shaojie's fury soared.
A Second Level Body Tempering trash actually dared to come forward to slap his face? If this got out, what face would he have left in the future?
Rumble rumble...
Torrents of spiritual power surged out from within his body like a mountain collapsing and seas pouring forth. Instantly, dust was kicked up and stones scattered across this open space.
"So terrifying!"
The watching students around all retreated in fear.
Suddenly.
"Ahh!"
Shi Shaojie suddenly let out a loud scream, his expression one of extreme agony.
He clutched his head with both hands, his face pale as paper. Cold sweat the size of soybeans continuously dripped down.
He even swayed unsteadily on his feet.
"Make your move. Don't waste time."
Ye Yunfei's placid voice rang out.
The reason Shi Shaojie was in such a state was because Ye Yunfei had employed the Soul-Devouring Needle.
Even Ye Zhongnian, with his Earth Realm strength, couldn't withstand the Soul-Devouring Needle; Shi Shaojie had even less ability to resist.
"Right!"
Ye Xiaodong gritted his teeth; he was already completely committed. Taking big strides forward.
*Slap slap slap...*
His palms continuously whipped against Shi Shaojie's cheeks, the crisp sound of slaps rhythmically punctuating the air.
At this moment, Shi Shaojie felt his head was about to explode, in agony to the extreme. He didn't have even a shred of strength left to resist.
*Slap slap slap...*
A string of crisp slapping sounds rang out continuously.
All around them, silence reigned.