Ye Tian didn't go over right away. After all, what had happened the other day had changed his attitude toward Ye Shixue. 'A woman who could so easily go back on her word isn't worth my affection. In fact, I want to humiliate her, to make her regret her foolish actions.'
He knew that day was still a long, long way off. Only by mastering the Martial Skill the Divine Dragon had left him would he earn that right.
Ye Tian immediately stopped thinking about Ye Shixue and began to throw punches. After breaking through to the Fourth Layer, his strength had indeed increased significantly, something he could clearly feel.
Although the Thunderbolt Fist was a basic Fist Technique, it still packed a certain punch. The name itself—"Thunderbolt"—hinted at its power. When thrown, the punches were accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder and were incredibly fast, making it a Martial Skill many family disciples specialized in.
"Heh, Brother Tian, you actually broke through to the Fourth Layer. That's wonderful news! It seems my worrying was for nothing," Ye Shixue's voice came from behind Ye Tian.
Ye Tian slowly stopped, turning to look at the girl behind him—the one who had been etched into his very soul. His expression flickered, uncertain whether it was pain or confusion.
After a long moment, he finally spoke. "Ye Shixue, why isn't your Brother Feng training with you this morning? Or did he dump you, so now you're coming back to me?"
Ye Shixue didn't get angry at Ye Tian's words. Instead, she laughed charmingly. "Brother Feng will be here to join me in a moment. I know you always come to train early, so I made a special trip to see you. Now that you've broken through to the Fourth Layer, I have nothing to worry about.
By the way, I hope you don't mention what was between us to anyone. The fact that you were allowed to stay in the family is a stroke of luck for you. I'll be breaking through to the Fifth Layer soon, and then I'll naturally be able to become an Inner Sect Disciple.
Don't worry, when I make something of myself one day, I won't forget the kindness your father and your second uncle showed me. From now on, let's not see each other as much. This is a Spirit Charm Pill I specifically asked Brother Feng for. It's very precious, so don't lose it."
As Ye Shixue spoke, a purple porcelain bottle appeared in her hand. She slowly uncorked it and tipped out an elixir.
This must be the Spirit Charm Pill she mentioned. It was pure white, and one could faintly see fluctuations of Energy around it. It was indeed a very fine Spirit Medicine.
But in Ye Tian's eyes, it was the deadliest poison. This Spirit Charm Pill not only poisoned his years of affection for Ye Shixue, but it also poisoned his once-passionate heart.
"Since this Spirit Charm Pill is so precious, you should keep it for yourself. I've already broken through to the Fourth Layer and don't need it for now. Besides, how could I possibly take something you worked so *very* hard to obtain?" Ye Tian said with a cold smile.
He said the last few words with particular force. He had wanted to say, 'something you obtained with your own body,' but felt that would be too hurtful. After all, they had shared a history.
'Even though she's had a change of heart and now looks down on me, there's no need to wound her so deeply. Hating her is inevitable, but I want to make her regret her choice through my own true strength, not through petty revenge.'
A flash of anger crossed Ye Shixue's beautiful face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Ye Tian, do you really still think you're some kind of genius here? You're nothing. Here, you're nothing but the lowliest ant. If you won't accept my kindness, I won't force you."
"We'll see if I'm an ant or not in the future. I just hope that one day, you won't regret your foolish choice!" Ye Tian said, his face devoid of expression.
"HAHAHAHA! An ant that talks big? Kid, are you overestimating yourself?" Just then, Ye Feng's voice echoed from a short distance away.
"Brother Feng, you're here so early today!" Ye Shixue quickly ran to Ye Feng's side, looping her arm through his and leaning against his shoulder like a delicate bird.
A pang of bitterness went through Ye Tian's heart. He glanced at the approaching pair and smiled. "Even ants have their own way of surviving. You two needn't trouble yourselves with my affairs!"
After speaking, Ye Tian ignored the pair and resumed practicing his Thunderbolt Fist. Ye Feng's expression, however, clouded over, as if Ye Tian's words had provoked him.
"No wonder you dare to talk so big. To think you've broken through to the Fourth Layer. But even so, you're still just an ant. You might just lose your life in the family tournament, HAHAHAHA!" Ye Feng laughed.
Ye Tian had no desire to engage with Ye Feng any longer. He prepared to find a secluded corner to continue his morning training and headed directly toward the far side of the Martial Arts Training Ground.
"Hey, kid, stop right there! This young master is speaking to you, and you dare ignore me? It seems if I don't teach you a lesson today, you won't know your place!" Ye Feng's face was suddenly contorted with rage.
When Ye Feng arrived, he had seen the Spirit Charm Pill in Ye Shixue's hand and immediately understood the situation. He had planned to let it go for Ye Shixue's sake, but Ye Tian was being so tactless. He naturally had to teach him a proper lesson.
Ye Tian didn't stop. 'Even though Ye Feng's Power Realm is higher than mine, I'm not afraid of him. Duels to the death are only allowed in the ring. You can't just kill people wantonly elsewhere; it would result in severe punishment from the family.'
Seeing Ye Tian ignore him and keep walking, Ye Feng felt he was losing face. 'I'm a prominent Core Disciple in this family, after all. This Ye Tian is showing me absolutely no respect!'
"You're courting death!" Ye Feng roared, his figure flashing as he shot after Ye Tian, simultaneously throwing a powerful punch with his right hand.
If this punch landed, it would undoubtedly leave Ye Tian severely injured. This, too, was a Thunderbolt Fist, but its speed and power far surpassed Ye Tian's.
Ye Tian hadn't expected the guy to actually attack him in the Martial Arts Training Ground. It was too late to dodge; he could only turn and face the attack head-on.
Ye Tian also unleashed a Thunderbolt Fist, as it was the Fist Technique he was most familiar with.
By now, quite a few disciples had appeared in the Martial Arts Training Ground for their morning training. Seeing a fight break out, they naturally swarmed over to watch. Within a few breaths, a large crowd had gathered.
"Is there something wrong with Ye Tian's head? How dare he fight a Core Disciple like Ye Feng? That's just asking to die!" one disciple whispered.
Though the voice was quiet, everyone nearby heard it clearly. Ye Feng felt a surge of pride, a sense of smug satisfaction.
Ye Shixue, however, wasn't worried about Ye Tian's safety at all. Instead, she felt honored that everyone respected Ye Feng so much, reaffirming her belief that she hadn't chosen the wrong man.
"Look, it seems Ye Tian has broken through to the Fourth Layer. Does he really think the Fourth Realm can defeat Ye Feng, who's at the Fifth Layer? What a joke!" another person couldn't help but exclaim.
"Just two days ago, Ye Tian was only at the Second Layer. How could he break through to the Fourth Layer in such a short time? Did he have some kind of lucky encounter?"
Instantly, the Martial Arts Training Ground buzzed with renewed discussion. At that very moment, Ye Tian's and Ye Feng's Thunderbolt Fists collided.
Just as everyone expected Ye Tian to be defeated by Ye Feng's single punch, an unbelievable result occurred...
*(Dear readers, where are your collections? Your votes? This new book needs your support!)*