Reon's eyes landed on the last new feature—Favorability.
With a wry chuckle, he clicked on it.
…
[Favorability:] -9 (Disdain)
…
Reon let out a small, dry laugh.
"Yeah. No surprise there."
Her sudden interest in me wasn't a good sign. She clearly held no goodwill toward me.
Did the original Xue Taiyang wrong her in some way?
Or was it something else?
Before he could ponder further—
"What's wrong, Brother Xue?"
Yi Ran's voice jolted him from his thoughts.
He immediately wiped away any sign of his inner turmoil and put on a casual smile.
"N-No, it's nothing."
Yi Ran's playful expression didn't waver.
"So? Shall we begin our duel?"
She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable—but there was a glint in her eyes that sent a warning through his instincts.
Danger.
Reon took a step forward, about to respond—
"Wait. I have something to say."
A new voice interrupted.
Reon turned toward it, his gaze landing on Yang Lie.
The arrogant young man had somehow managed to stand again, though his sect robe was torn, his face still swollen and bruised.
He seemed to have taken a healing pill, though his injuries were far from healed.
Reon raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? He's still standing after that?"
Yi Ran crossed her arms. "What do you want now, Yang Lie?"
But Yang Lie's gaze wasn't on her. It was locked onto Reon, burning with mockery and resentment.
"Xue Taiyang. Do you not dare fight me? Are you afraid?"
Reon's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What are you talking about?"
Yang Lie sneered.
"Oh? I guess you're afraid. After all, a man humiliated before the entire sect by a mere junior who just joined would be nothing more than a coward."
"Why is he bringing that up now?" Reon thought, his expression unreadable.
Yang Lie's voice sharpened.
"Tell me, Xue Taiyang. Do you still call yourself a man? Or are you just a disgrace?"
"You never even thought about redeeming your honor? How could you be so shameless?"
The air in the arena tensed.
Yi Ran's expression darkened. "Yang Lie, don't escalate this into something unnecessary."
Reon frowned.
"Why is he insulting me when I've done nothing to him? Well I guess he is doing that to Xue Taiyang... But still that was months ago."
But Yang Lie ignored Yi Ran.
His lips curled into a sneer as he delivered the final blow.
"I wonder… if your parents knew they had raised such a shameless son, how would they feel?"
Silence.
A sharp, suffocating silence.
The moment those words left Yang Lie's lips—
A terrifying aura erupted.
BOOM!
A deafening shockwave exploded across the arena.
The sheer force shook the ground.
Weaker disciples staggered back from the arena's boundary, struggling to catch their breath.
The arena's defensive formation shuddered violently, straining against the immense power of the blast.
Murmurs broke out among the audience.
"What… just happened?"
"Did anyone see it?"
"No! I swear, Yang Lie was just talking, and then—"
"Then why is there a massive slash across the arena floor?"
Their shock deepened as they took in the aftermath.
Blood trickled down Yang Lie's cheek.
His fingers trembled as he absentmindedly touched the wound.
"What…?"
His eyes darted around in confusion.
"What just happened? Why is there a hole in the ground beside me? And why am I bleeding?"
Yi Ran's lips parted slightly, but she remained silent, her mind replaying the moment.
She had seen it.
"The instant Yang Lie insulted his parents—Xue Taiyang moved.
He charged his sword with aura in a fraction of a second and delivered a single, casual slash."
And the aftermath?
Nothing much.
Just a single deep, clean cut from Reon's position—passing an inch from Yang Lie's body—to the boundary of the arena.
A devastating line of destruction.
Yi Ran's gaze flickered with intrigue.
"Interesting. You're really interesting, Xue Taiyang… just like Senior Brother said."
Her fingers tapped against her arm thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, Reon slowly walked toward Yang Lie.
He stopped just inches from the stunned disciple, his expression calm.
Then, he smiled.
"Don't worry, Brother Yang. I forgive such immature behavior from a junior."
His tone was light—almost casual.
"Besides, I was an orphan. I had no parents to teach me shamelessness. So, I'm sure they wouldn't mind having such an unruly son."
Yang Lie's face twisted in rage.
"Huh?! What are you saying? I don't need your damn forgiveness! Fight me if you're a man!"
Reon's smile deepened, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Why should I fight someone who lost so pathetically to Sister Yi despite having heavenly abilities?"
The mockery in his voice was subtle—but undeniable.
"You lowly peasant bastard! What did you just say?! You aren't even worth my breath!"
Yang Lie's aura flared, his fury reaching its peak. He lunged forward—
But—
A hand gripped his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.
A Minor Elder had intervened.
"Enough."
The Elder's voice was firm, his sharp gaze settling on Yang Lie.
"Xue Taiyang has already chosen to fight Yi Ran. If you wish to challenge him, wait for your turn in the next Monthly Dueling Event."
"And you've already received a challenge from someone else to face him."
Yang Lie gritted his teeth.
"N-No! I have to fight him now!"
But the Elder remained unmoved.
"Your opponent is Zi Chen. Step down."
Yang Lie's fists trembled with frustration.
But he had no choice.
He was forcibly removed from the fight.
…
[Ding! Yi Ran's Favorability has increased by 10.]
Reon blinked.
"Huh? Why did it suddenly go up?"
For a moment, he was genuinely confused.
But before he could dwell on it—Yi Ran's eyes met his.
"Brother Xue, now that the obstacles are cleared, we should begin our duel."
Meanwhile—
From the luxurious seating area above the arena, a man leaned back, shaking his head before rising to leave.
His gaze lingered on Reon for a brief moment.
Then, he chuckled.
"Xue Taiyang… it seems you're somewhat capable."
His eyes gleamed with interest.
"I'll be keeping an eye on you in the Inner Sect Ceremony."
Then, his lips curled into a smirk.
"But... why is my dear soon-to-be sister-in-law so close to you? Should I inform my cousin about this?"
The man was none other than—the Top Disciple of the Outer Sect.