Yan Xiaohai and the others had long since turned pale. No one had expected this outcome. Perhaps before, no one would have connected this Ye Chu with the Ye Chu who had slain the three members of the Rao family. But upon feeling Ye Chu’s sword-like edge, who could deny that this was the very Ye Chu who was currently making waves?
Yan Xiaohai was bloodless. The person standing before him was like an insurmountable mountain. A mountain he had no power to climb. Back then, he had been slapped and insulted by the three from the Rao family. Yet this man had simply killed them. They were simply not on the same level!
Yan Xiaohai and the others had heard many tales about Ye Chu. Hearing of his repeated bloody battles, each more heart-stopping than the last, he felt this figure was a monstrous genius, a mountain barrier before them that he could never surpass in this lifetime.
Some of his rival enemies would occasionally mention Ye Chu, always mocking him, “If you had any real ability, how could the three Kings of the Rao family have been slain by Ye Chu? You are truly useless!”
He had heard such words countless times. In a way, Ye Chu had become his nightmare. He had originally thought this nightmare would remain just a story, with no chance of them ever meeting, yet unexpectedly, the man stood right before him.
Yan Xiaohai felt life was far too absurd. Standing there pale-faced, he who had been so arrogant before now trembled with his hands.
Mount Zi fell completely silent for several seconds before someone suddenly laughed. A few cultivators at the centre of Mount Zi slowly walked towards Ye Chu.
“So you are indeed Ye Chu. I am Wang Wei…”
“Your name is like thunder to my ears. I am Xu Nan!”
“…”
On Mount Zi, the most elite cultivators all approached Ye Chu to introduce themselves. They cupped their hands in respect, showing extraordinary courtesy. Ye Chu had originally stood in a very remote spot, but at this moment, he instantly became the centre of attention, and many people involuntarily moved towards him.
Ye Chu nodded in acknowledgement to the cultivators who had introduced themselves, then his gaze shifted back to Yan Xiaohai, his eyes cold. “Lin Wen’s toes are right there. I hardly need to remind you, do I?”
The entire area fell silent for a moment again, all eyes turning to Ye Chu and Yan Xiaohai. This was the first time they witnessed Ye Chu’s aggressive dominance, exactly as rumoured, ruthless and arrogant. He truly intended to force Yan Xiaohai to lick Lin Wen’s toes.
Yan Xiaohai trembled with rage, his lips turning blue, his fists tightly clenched.
“Do not clench your fists so tightly. These hands of mine are already stained with plenty of blood. I would not mind staining them with a few more!” As Ye Chu spoke, his gaze involuntarily swept towards Tianxiezi. “Would you agree?”
Tianxiezi’s expression was equally grim. No one had expected that the Ye Chu, hailed as the madman of the Tianjiao Road, would belong to Qingmi Mountain. Although Tianxiezi was formidable, he knew he was no match for Ye Chu. Ye Chu’s slaughter of the three Rao Kings had already chilled the hearts of many cultivators.
Su Rong stared at Ye Chu in that moment, finding him incredibly unfamiliar. Just like when he had returned to Yao City, he possessed an overwhelming dominance and radiance that made hearts tremble. Before this, Su Rong had thought she had surpassed Ye Chu, holding an advantage over him that could dispel some of her lingering regrets from choosing to stay behind back then. Yet she had never expected him to be far more dominant and extraordinary than before.
Watching the most elite geniuses on Mount Zi all gather around Ye Chu, Su Rong could feel that the gap between them remained just as it was in Yao City that year. Even though she had transformed, Ye Chu’s circle and hers were still on completely different levels. Although figures like Wang Wei and Xu Nan might give her some respect out of deference to her master, she could not integrate into this circle. Yet, at this moment, these same people were actively drawing close to Ye Chu.
Life truly was as melodramatic as a soap opera. Recalling that scene on the balcony back then, Su Rong’s heart suddenly trembled.
“I hardly need to repeat myself! Either die, or lick. I do not have much patience!” Ye Chu said, looking at Yan Xiaohai.
Yan Xiaohai’s face showed resentment, his expression trembling. Yet ultimately, he slowly bent down, lowering his proud head. Compared to death, he was more willing to abandon his dignity.
Watching Yan Xiaohai lick his shoes, Lin Wen’s face flushed red with excitement, his body trembling. He actually got to experience this day. All along, he had endured constant humiliation from Yan Xiaohai and his group. But after today, Lin Wen did not believe Yan Xiaohai and the others would dare show their faces before him again.
Everyone stared blankly at the scene, thinking he truly was a madman. Forcing Yan Xiaohai to lick toes completely mortally offended the Tianxie Ancestral Land. Given their influence on the Tianjiao Road, Ye Chu’s path ahead would be far more difficult.
Tianxiezi’s eyes were practically spitting fire at this moment, staring deathly at Ye Chu, but Ye Chu paid it no mind whatsoever.
“I never expected you to be the madman spoken of by everyone on the Tianjiao Road!” Su Rong smiled sweetly at Ye Chu. Her smile was bright, yet carried a touch more restraint than before, lacking their previous familiar intimacy.
“Everyone along the way kept looking for trouble with me, so I could only fight my way through. I was forced into it. The name madman does not suit me!” Ye Chu replied with a smile.
“If I had known it was you earlier, I would not have worried so much about you.” Su Rong stood to the side, smiling faintly and beautifully. “I just did not expect you to have grown so strong after leaving Yao City.”
“Just sheer luck! But do you dare to walk so close to me now? Are you not afraid others will hunt you down?” Ye Chu looked at Su Rong and suddenly laughed.
“We do not really have a deep connection? Why would they hunt me down?” Su Rong seemed unconcerned, glancing at Yan Xiaohai before speaking. “Still, making enemies everywhere is never good. There are too many experts on the Tianjiao Road!”
Ye Chu shrugged and did not answer the question. Just as he was about to change the subject, Wang Wei and a few others approached him, smiling. “Your strength is extraordinary, and it is rumoured you have forged your own path. Might we be granted the chance to witness it?”
Seeing Ye Chu surrounded, Su Rong cast a glance at him. “Focus on your business, do not worry about me!”
With that, she turned and walked towards the other side. It was as if she and Ye Chu were truly just casual acquaintances!
Watching Su Rong leave, Ye Chu turned to Wang Wei and the others. “If you all wish to test it, then let us fight.”
Ye Chu figured that the blood of Wang Wei and the others would be highly useful, and it was a good opportunity to collect some. Besides, Ye Chu did not believe one could comprehend anything through mere talk. The most suitable method was still combat. Only then could one gain the deepest insights, using it to find a breakthrough opportunity to the King realm.
Wang Wei and the others exchanged glances, then laughed loudly. “It is rumoured you obtained holy liquid. How about we make a wager this time?”
“How do we wager?” Ye Chu stared at Wang Wei’s group.
“If you lose, you give us one vial of holy liquid. If we lose, whatever you want, as long as we have it on us, we will give it to you. How does that sound?” Wang Wei’s group stared at Ye Chu with burning eyes.