Ning Rongrong was woken up by the commotion and walked out of the Sword Cottage. Seeing a group of people targeting Ye Chen, she was visibly annoyed. Pointing at Yao Hai's nose, she shouted, "Don't go too far! I've already warned you—whoever dares to bully someone under my protection will be torn to pieces by me. I don't care who it is!"
Instantly, the disciples who had come to confront Ye Chen all went quiet, lowering their heads in fear.
But Yao Hai's face turned dark. He couldn't stand seeing the girl he liked defending another man.
Clasping his fists, Yao Hai gritted his teeth and said, "Miss Rongrong, this is a private matter between me and Ye Chen. I believe even Sect Master Ning wouldn't interfere too much."
At the mention of Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong's momentum faltered. Her father admired Yao Hai a lot. As a core external disciple of the sect, and possessing an attack-type spirit unlike the usual auxiliary types in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Yao Hai was highly valued.
Despite only being 14, Yao Hai had already reached level 26, a talent regarded as among the best in the sect, and was nurtured closely by the elders.
Just then, a figure descended from the sky—it was none other than the sect master himself, Ning Fengzhi.
"Father!"
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
All the disciples bowed in shock. They never expected this dispute would attract the sect leader himself. Was he here to support Yao Hai?
"Disciples greet Sect Master Ning!"
Yao Hai lowered his head, a smile creeping onto his lips. Now that the sect master was here, no one could stop him from challenging Ye Chen.
"Stand up," Ning Fengzhi said expressionlessly before smiling and picking Ning Rongrong up. "My silly girl, why haven't you come home in so many days? Don't you miss your father?"
"Daddy, I've been cultivating with Brother Ye Chen. You're always saying I don't work hard enough!"
Ning Rongrong pouted. Ning Fengzhi dotingly tapped her forehead. "You clever little thing. I just don't want you to get bullied out here."
Suddenly, Yao Hai fell to his knees and shouted, "Sect Master, your daughter has definitely been taken advantage of by that Ye Chen! I even heard him say they've been sleeping together these days—who knows what else happened—"
"Silence!"
SLAP!
A resounding slap landed across Yao Hai's face. Ning Fengzhi's expression turned stern. "Do you think you can insult my daughter like that?"
"Yes, yes! I spoke out of turn. But that Ye Chen—"
SLAP! SLAP!
Two more slaps knocked Yao Hai to the ground.
Ning Fengzhi flexed his hand and coldly said, "You think you're worthy to judge Ye Chen?"
"Good job, Daddy!" Rongrong cheered, punching the air with her small fists before planting a kiss on her father's cheek.
All the surrounding disciples gasped. They hadn't expected the Sect Master to take Ye Chen's side so firmly. Could it be that Yao Hai wasn't as favored as rumors claimed? Was Ye Chen actually the one more valued?
"You…" Yao Hai stood up, disbelief written all over his face. He never thought the man who used to treat him kindly would slap him over and over.
He turned to glare at Ye Chen, his eyes bloodshot.
"It's all your fault. Rongrong doesn't like me because of you. Even the Sect Master turns against me because of you."
A single thought consumed him—kill Ye Chen.
But doing that inside the sect was near impossible. The sect master protected Ye Chen. He needed a legitimate excuse.
Suddenly, he shouted, "If we don't fight today, then I challenge you to a life-or-death duel. I don't care how many years it takes—you can't refuse!"
In the sect, a life-or-death challenge must be accepted. If a higher-level opponent initiates it, they must freeze their cultivation and wait until the challenger catches up before the duel can proceed.
If the lower-level party initiates, it can be executed at any time.
"Ye Chen..." Ning Rongrong whispered the rules in his ear.
After hearing them, Ye Chen chuckled. "Why wait years? Since today is a challenge day, let's do it now."
Then he turned and walked toward the dueling arena.
Gasps filled the air.
"Is he crazy?! Yao Hai is already a level 26 Grand Soul Master, and Ye Chen doesn't even have a spirit ring yet!"
"Using a Soul Trainee to fight a Grand Soul Master? This has to be the most absurd duel in history!"
Even the elders gathered quickly to watch. Bone and Sword Douluo stood on the rooftop with Ning Fengzhi and Rongrong.
"Can he win?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
Bone Douluo shook his head. Sword Douluo said flatly, "Even I couldn't beat someone like Yao Hai at Ye Chen's age. He'll lose."
"You don't understand him! Ye Chen will definitely win!" Rongrong insisted.
They sighed. "Girls grow up too fast…"
On the arena, Ye Chen stood firm, sword in hand. Yao Hai summoned his Sea Flame Spear, a weapon of roaring blue flames.
The temperature spiked. Pressure descended.
"Alarming strength. This won't be easy," whispered a disciple. "Yao Hai's already level 28!"
Ye Chen's blade met the spear—CLANG! The clash threw him back, smashing him into the ground.
Blood at his lips, he grinned.
"That's what power feels like. How exciting."
He charged again, eyes gleaming.
"Die!" Yao Hai roared, striking down again. Ye Chen blocked—but this time, was only knocked back a few meters.
"He's getting stronger?"
Yao Hai grew uneasy. Ye Chen's power felt far beyond a mere Soul Trainee.
Time to end it.
Yao Hai hurled his spear into the air. It broke into countless flames, forming a fiery constellation over the arena.
His strongest skill—Sea of Flames.
"Time for me to get serious," Ye Chen muttered, standing tall as the flames descended.