"This is going to be a good show. That guy's completely insane. Does he really think he can challenge Ye Qinghan, a Qi Martial Realm Second Heaven expert, just because he used some bizarre trick to defeat Shen Daofeng, a mere Martial Power Realm cultivator? Does he have any idea how huge that gap is?"
"Who knows? Ye Qinghan is the pride of Tayun Academy. She reached the Qi Martial Realm at fourteen! Other than those two freaks, Chu Qingcheng and Xue Dangdang, who else at the academy can even compare to her?"
"I heard that back when Shen Lang's old man was still the Patriarch Shen, he went to the Ye Family to propose a marriage. But Ye Qinghan rejected him in public. So, you could say there's a little history between them… hehe…"
Seemingly unaffected by Shen Lang's provocation, Ye Qinghan's expression remained placid as she spoke coolly, "I don't mean anything by it. I just think you've already made your point. You should be merciful when you can. No matter what, he is your cousin, after all."
Shen Lang was still smiling, but there was no trace of mirth in his eyes. "What do you mean, 'humiliating my own cousin'? When I was the one being bullied by him, I don't recall you ever stepping in. Since when did my business become your concern?"
Just when the crowd expected Ye Qinghan to fly into a rage, she just shuddered slightly and turned away. "Whether you let him go or not is your business. I have no interest in getting involved."
"Hold on," Shen Lang called out, drawing out the words.
Ye Qinghan stopped but didn't turn around. She merely tilted her head slightly as Shen Lang continued, "There's one thing we need to get straight. You don't have to keep trying to distance yourself from me."
The crowd was stunned. What did he mean? Was he trying to woo Ye Qinghan? Why else would he say such a thing? It was just… his tone...
"Because we have absolutely no relationship whatsoever," Shen Lang said calmly. "My father went to your family to propose a marriage on my behalf. I know he did it for my own good. You refused. That was your decision, and you had every right to make it. But from beginning to end, it had nothing to do with me. Because…"
Everyone's ears perked up, waiting for Shen Lang to finish. Then, they heard him let out a derisive laugh and drawl, "I've never liked women with no tits and no ass."
BOOM!
The crowd of onlookers erupted. Hearing this, his best friends, Lin Feng and Su Hen, felt like dying.
'Holy shit, does he have a death wish? Who does he think Ye Qinghan is? She's the crown jewel of Tayun Academy! They say after she killed a Demon Beast with one sword strike, she was so worried it wasn't dead enough that she went back and stabbed it two more times. This woman is absolutely ruthless…'
A Qi Martial Realm Second Heaven master!
"You!" Ye Qinghan never imagined Shen Lang would say something so vile, especially in front of such a large crowd. She whirled around, pointing a trembling finger at Shen Lang, unable to form a complete sentence for a long moment. Her face was flushed crimson with rage, and her entire body began to shake.
At this moment, although the onlookers feared Ye Qinghan, every last one of them couldn't help but sneak glances at her figure.
Now, this Ye Qinghan was undeniably a beauty, with delicate features and a tall, slender build that was indeed quite impressive. However… while Shen Lang's words were crude, they weren't exactly wrong. She looked every bit the female warrior, clad in Silver Armor, looking valiant and heroic. But if you were looking for curves, you were out of luck.
"Shen Lang!" Ye Qinghan practically spat the two words through gritted teeth.
Shen Lang wore an innocent expression. "Right here."
"The day you reach the Qi Martial Realm, I will challenge you to a battle. You will face the consequences for provoking me today!" Having said her piece, Ye Qinghan spun around and strode away quickly.
"I'll think about it. I don't make a habit of fighting women," Shen Lang said with a laugh. He then kicked Shen Daofeng aside and added lazily, "From now on, when you see me, get the hell away. And keep your dogs on a leash; don't let them run around biting people."
Shen Daofeng, of course, had woken up a while ago. It was just that every time he so much as twitched, Shen Lang would kick him, each blow forcing him to spit up a mouthful of blood. So, he had learned to be smart, lying obediently on the ground without moving a muscle.
Now, as if granted a grand pardon, he frantically waved over his lackeys, blood still pooling in his mouth, and scrambled away.
The way the onlookers looked at Shen Lang completely changed, as if they were seeing him for the very first time. Their gazes held a mixture of admiration and fear. One by one, they departed.
Just then, Lin Feng and Su Hen ran over, their faces grim.
"Young Master Lang, that was awesome, but you'd better figure something out, and fast…" Lin Feng was quicker on the uptake than Su Hen.
"Are you talking about Ye Qinghan, or Shen Daofeng's older brother, Shen Jianfeng?" Shen Lang asked, unconcerned.
Lin Feng sighed heavily. "Shen Jianfeng, of course! He's a Qi Martial Realm expert! You beat Shen Daofeng so brutally, Shen Jianfeng is sure to come after you. I heard he just broke through to the Qi Martial Realm Third Heaven three months ago. It's not that I'm looking down on you, Young Master Lang, but the Qi Martial Realm is on a whole other level. A guy like Shen Daofeng might be at the Peak of the Martial Power Realm Ninth Heaven, but even twenty or thirty of him wouldn't stand a chance against a Qi Martial Realm Third Heaven master. Why don't you ask for a leave of absence and lie low for a while?"
"Don't worry. I know how to deal with him," Shen Lang said thoughtfully. "By the way, do either of you have any Gathering Spirit Plates? Help me collect some over the next few days. The more, the better."
As he spoke, he took out Shen Daofeng's Sumeru Ring and emptied all the Gold Coins from within. A quick glance revealed there were over two thousand of them.
"Take these Gold Coins and help me collect Gathering Spirit Plates. Buy as many as you can. This bastard was pretty loaded. My monthly allowance is only a hundred Gold Coins, and Xue Dangdang already scammed fifty out of me. Damn it!" Shen Lang stuffed the coins into a bag and tossed it to Lin Feng, who was the most business-savvy of the group.