《Sword Master of the Nine Heavens》 Chapter 1: The Ten-Day Promise On the bustling streets of Luo City, a sallow-skinned youth hurried through the crowded throng. His eyes were sharp, his demeanor steady. Though his frame seemed frail against the wind, he moved with agility and speed. "Did you hear? Ye Qian, the young lady of the Ye family, awakened her second Heavenly Soul yesterday! She''s officially a Dual Heavenly Soul wielder now!!" "Heard about it. With such commotion last night and the anomalies in the sky, who in Luo City didn''t?" Conversations of passersby drifted over. Ye Qian? The renowned prodigy of Luo City? The youth''s pace slowed slightly. Some passersby, noticing him, whispered, "Look, isn¡¯t that Bai Ye from the Bai family?" "He¡¯s eighteen and hasn¡¯t even awakened his Soul House... tsk tsk, such a stark contrast to Miss Ye Qian, who''s his age!" "Bai Chen was supposed to be the next head of the Bai family, but his status plummeted because of this useless son. He¡¯s no longer in line for the position!" "After all, one¡¯s standing often depends on the achievements of the younger generation." Ignoring the ongoing gossip, Bai Ye shook his head and quickened his pace towards the Bai residence. Such remarks were a daily occurrence. Growing up in a prominent family like the Bai¡¯s, failing to awaken a Heavenly Soul was a source of shame. "Out of the way! Scum! Blocking my master¡¯s path will have consequences!" A shout broke the calm, followed by brawny guards pushing through the crowd, using their soul power, causing cries of pain. Bai Ye, unable to dodge in time, stumbled, scattering the herbs he carried. As he went to pick them up, a guard, intentionally or not, crushed them underfoot. Irritated, Bai Ye confronted the guard. "Who''s this brat? Seeking death?" the guard sneered. "You ruined my things. Aren¡¯t you going to explain?" Bai Ye demanded. The guard, towering and muscular, eclipsed Bai Ye in his shadow. "You want an explanation? Fine, here it is!" The guard swung a fist as large as Bai Ye¡¯s head. Bai Ye, not intimidated, dodged skillfully, countering with a swift kick to the guard''s ankle. The guard lost balance and fell hard, teeth clattering on the ground. Silence ensued. Eventually, someone exclaimed, "This kid just took down a second-stage Power Soul realm fighter??" The guard, red-eyed with rage, lunged at Bai Ye: "I¡¯ll tear you apart!" The crowd backed away, alarmed. "Run, kid! You can¡¯t beat him!" But Bai Ye stood his ground, poised for battle. The guard, charging with full force, swung a punch that whistled through the air, narrowly missing Bai Ye who evaded with ease. "My turn!" Bai Ye''s eyes narrowed. He seized the moment, striking the guard''s chest with rapid, lightning-like punches. The guard stiffened and fell... The power behind Bai Ye''s seemingly feeble punches was astonishing. The crowd gaped in disbelief. "Is this Bai Ye of the Bai family?" "Who dares block my way?" A wealthy man on a horse emerged from the crowd. Bai Ye observed him: opulent clothing, plump and greasy, his beady eyes fixed on Bai Ye. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "What are you? How dare you act up in front of me?" the rich man frowned. "And what are you? So arrogant in Luo City?" Bai Ye retorted. "Brat, do you know who I am?" the rich man sneered, "I¡¯m a guest of the Ye family. Offend me, and you offend the Ye family, the whole of Luo City, understand?" Ye family? So arrogant? Bai Ye scoffed, exaggerating his tone, "So, a lapdog of the Ye family? To think they¡¯d strut around Luo City in broad daylight. Luo City doesn¡¯t bear the name Ye yet, but if it did, what then?" The crowd murmured, especially those previously bullied by the rich man''s guards. The rich man, furious, shouted at the onlookers to shut up. Bai Ye, seizing a stone, threw it at the horse, startling it. The rich man fell off, landing hard. Laughter erupted. "Master!" His guards rushed to help him up. The rich man, glaring at Bai Ye, ordered: "Cripple him!" "Yes!" The guards charged. Bai Ye, his spirit roused, deftly evaded their attacks. "These brutes are second-stage Power Soul, but lack finesse. I must end this quickly!" Determined, Bai Ye launched an attack, knocking down the first guard with a powerful punch. Two more punches, and the other guards fell. His precision and power were remarkable. Bai Ye brushed off his hands, turning to the rich man. "What do you plan to do?" the man stammered, realizing Bai Ye was no ordinary opponent. "I warn you, I''m a guest of the Ye family. Harm me, and they won¡¯t let you off." Bai Ye ignored him, raising his hand. Slap! The rich man¡¯s cheek bore a bright red mark, and he fell, dazed. "A guest of the Ye family? Impressive!" Bai Ye kicked, his foot sinking into the man''s flabby body. The rich man trembled, trying to rise, but Bai Ye pinned his head underfoot. "Mercy... please..." "Mercy? Weren¡¯t you just threatening me?" Bai Ye pressed harder, the man''s face turning red, screaming in pain. The bystanders clapped, cheering for Bai Ye. As Bai Ye was about to continue, a disturbance approached. "Chen, my guest, who dares to mistreat you in Luo City?" a melodious voice cut through the noise. The crowd parted for a group of Ye family members and a young lady on a white horse. Dressed in purple, her beauty was ethereal, her presence commanding awe. "It¡¯s Miss Ye..." "So beautiful! Worthy of being Luo City''s most beautiful!" Exclamations filled the air. "Ye Qian, indeed a beauty," Bai Ye couldn''t help admiring. "Miss Ye, save me..." Chen pleaded. "Don¡¯t worry, Chen. In Luo City, no one dares harm you," Ye Qian said, her gaze landing on Bai Ye: "You''re Bai Ye? The failure of the Bai family?" "I''m Bai Ye, but not a failure," he shrugged. "Proud over defeating some worthless guards? Not even a Heavenly Soul wielder, where do you get the courage to meddle with my guest? Now, help him up and apologize, or I might let you off." "You want me to help?" Bai Ye frowned. "Who else?" Ye Qian demanded. "Help him, then kneel and apologize. That might spare you." "Interesting!" Bai Ye smirked, lifting his foot as if to comply. The rich man gloated, "See? I told you, you can''t mess with me..." But before he finished, Bai Ye''s foot slammed into his head. The impact was tremendous. The man rolled away, bleeding, barely breathing. The crowd was stunned. Ye Qian''s expression turned icy, murderous. "Sorry, I slipped," Bai Ye feigned innocence. "You... dare defy me?" Ye Qian seethed, "You have guts, but you¡¯ll regret this." "Defy? It was an accident. After all, Luo City isn''t yet named Ye, is it?" Bai Ye mocked. The crowd''s murmurs grew louder, siding with Bai Ye. Ye Qian glared at the groaning rich man, wishing she could tear him apart. "Don¡¯t slander the Ye family. We knew nothing of his misdeeds!" "Wasn¡¯t he your guest?" Bai Ye pointed. "Not anymore," Ye Qian denied swiftly, not wanting to lose the city''s support. "Good!" Bai Ye nodded, then said coldly, "Then this matter between us has nothing to do with you, Miss Ye. Why interfere?" Ye Qian, realizing she was being manipulated, clenched her fists, lowering her voice, "Bai Ye, take my advice. Quit while you''re ahead. Killing you would be effortless. This is your last chance. Let it go, or you''ll regret it." But Bai Ye, undaunted, shouted, "Leave!" The sound echoed down the street. Ye Qian, shocked, exclaimed, "You dare insult me?" "Didn¡¯t you hear? Leave!" Bai Ye repeated. Ye Qian, her soul power stirring, calmed herself, her eyes cold, "Bai Ye, I know you lack soul power, but that won¡¯t save you. Killing you here won¡¯t erase the humiliation you brought upon me and the Ye family. But don''t think I have no way to deal with you." "You brought this upon yourselves," Bai Ye retorted. Ye Qian, frosty,"Enough talk, Bai Ye," Ye Qian snapped. "Listen, in ten days, I''ll set up a challenge at the Bai residence. I''ll make you pay double for today''s humiliation. The Bai family will lose all dignity because of you. You''ll be the family''s disgrace, scorned by all!" The crowd gasped at her words. "Is Ye Qian using this as a pretext to target the Bai family?" Bai Ye, undeterred, smiled, "You want a fight? Then let''s fight! But let''s keep it between us, no need to involve our families. I''ll accept your challenge!" Ye Qian, expecting to intimidate Bai Ye, was surprised at his resolve. "Fine!" she huffed. "But don''t hide when the day comes!" "I''ll be the first to step up," Bai Ye replied coolly. "We''ll see on the stage then!" Ye Qian, her expression icy, turned and left. Ye Qian''s face turned grim at the murmurs from the crowd. As she mounted her horse and rode away, her eyes bore a sinister look, "Bai Ye, I know you lack soul power, a dead pig not fearing boiling water. Killing you here won¡¯t erase today¡¯s humiliation, but don¡¯t think I can''t handle you." "You brought this upon yourself," Bai Ye coldly stated. Ye Qian, her face as cold as frost, responded sharply, "Save your words, Bai Ye. Listen up, in ten days, I will personally set up a challenge at your Bai family''s estate. Everything I suffered today, I¡¯ll return to your family manifold. The Bai family''s honor will be utterly destroyed because of you. You''ll be their disgrace, the object of universal scorn!" The crowd sucked in a cold breath at her declaration. "Is Ye Qian seizing the opportunity to trouble the Bai family?" Bai Ye, hearing this, laughed fearlessly, "You want a battle, then we''ll have one! But let''s keep our family out of this. You set the stage, I''ll rise to the challenge!" Ye Qian, not expecting Bai Ye to remain unflinching, coldly retorted, "Fine! But let''s see if you have the same courage in ten days. Don¡¯t hide away!" "Rest assured, I¡¯ll be the first on the stage," Bai Ye stated flatly. "Then we''ll meet at the arena," Ye Qian said, her tone icy as she departed. Chapter 2: The Soul of the Nine Heavens Returning to the Bai residence, Bai Ye received news that Ye Qian had issued a challenge: defeat her in ten days, and she would marry into the Bai family. Failure, however, meant crippling one''s cultivation. With Ye Qian¡¯s status in the Ye family, winning her over could mean securing the head position of the Ye family. This news excited the Bai family''s younger generation. It was a chance to ascend to greatness, despite the dire consequences of failure. Driven by ambition, rationality often fades. It was clear Ye Qian sought not only revenge against Bai Ye but also to use this challenge as bait to lure the Bai family into battle, weakening them. After all, with her Dual Heavenly Soul, she was invincible among her peers. Bai Ye¡¯s dwelling was a humble corner in the Bai estate, a simple house and courtyard with several wooden stakes for punching practice. It was bare and modest. "Today was really unlucky." Bai Ye dusted himself off and started to brew medicine over the stove: Chewing Insect Flower, Five-Leaf Green, and Ghost Water Grass, each added to the pot. After swallowing the medicine, its hot and bitter taste seared his throat like molten lava. Gasping for air, sweat beading on his face, the medicine''s effects began to manifest. "Should be ready now," Bai Ye murmured, retrieving a piece of parchment from his robe. The parchment contained a technique called "The Indestructible Vajra". A few years back, a deadly fight outside Luo City left many dead. Locals scavenged the belongings of the deceased, and Bai Ye traded for this technique from an old beggar. Normally, people awaken their Heavenly Soul by age twelve. Past fourteen, the chance diminishes. Now eighteen, Bai Ye had faced much scorn. The technique promised an ancient method to awaken a Heavenly Soul, reigniting his hope. He heated nine stones in the furnace till they glowed red, then pressed them against his chest''s Lingwu acupoints with tongs. Hiss! The searing stones burned his chest, shaking his arms with excruciating pain, filling the air with a burning smell. Years of boxing had toughened his frail body, allowing him to endure this torment. Each stone corresponded to an acupoint. When all were in place, a heat wave surged, mingling with the medicine, rushing fiercely towards his Soul House beneath the heart. Bang! Pfft! Blood spewed from his mouth as the impact nearly tore him apart. But it wasn¡¯t over. Bang! Pfft! Again. Bang! Bang! Bang... His insides churned as if being pummeled, his blood nearly drained... Suddenly, a crisp sound echoed within. Bai Ye, focusing intently, observed his Soul House. An extraordinary change occurred! His unusually large Soul House burst open, releasing a black mass that roared and charged towards the attacking energy, swallowing it whole. Simultaneously, a beam of light shot from Bai Ye''s crown, revealing a fierce and strange soul pattern. The soul¡¯s appearance sent a ferocious, angry roar echoing in Bai Ye''s mind, shaking his very soul! Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Bai Ye¡¯s heart raced. What was this? A Heavenly Soul? Despite the pain, he inspected his Soul House to find it shattered, with a massive soul pattern floating inside. The violent energy had vanished, leaving tranquility. "Indeed, my Heavenly Soul!" Bai Ye, overwhelmed with excitement, took a while to compose himself. After eighteen years, he had finally awakened! He examined it eagerly. A lion-like Heavenly Soul with scales and massive horns, its most striking feature was its enormous mouth, extending to its armpits. How massive could it open? "Hm?" Bai Ye frowned. A newly awakened Heavenly Soul should emit a soul halo. Why didn¡¯t his? Could it be special? He remembered a method from ancient family texts to test a Heavenly Soul. Bai Ye stimulated acupoints, awakening the soul. It coiled, providing a surge of soul power that flooded his frail body with strength. This is soul power? Exhilarating! Bai Ye groaned, not wasting time, channeling some soul power back into the Heavenly Soul to test its capacity. Moments later, he was shocked. "This isn¡¯t a newly awakened soul! It¡¯s been alive for eighteen years, my age... Was it awakened at birth? How?" Bai Ye, puzzled, searched for a book about the continent''s Heavenly Souls. Despite thorough searching, he found no clue about his soul. Just as he was about to give up, a blurred image on the last page caught his eye. It resembled his inner soul, with two characters beside it: ¡°Taotie¡±! "This Heavenly Soul requires ten years of nourishment with essence blood." A simple note, with no further details. Bai Ye had an epiphany. "So my Heavenly Soul is the Taotie, needing ten years of essence blood... How could a newborn provide that? It makes sense why it''s been dormant, feeding all these years." Bai Ye chuckled bitterly, realizing his troubled fate was due to this soul, which had hidden and slept within him, delaying its awakening. He set the book aside and meditated. Whatever the soul, now awakened, he could cultivate like any other soul practitioner. He checked its grade. Focusing, Bai Ye delved into the Heavenly Soul. Suddenly, his consciousness shifted, surrounded by darkness, then stars ¨C each a Heavenly Soul. This was the Nine Heavens ¨C both above and within the heart. Among the stars, the Taotie soul shone brightly. Bai Ye scanned the surroundings and was dumbfounded. "A fourth-tier Heavenly Soul? Mine... in the fourth tier!" Most practitioners had first-tier souls. The more talented had second-tier. Luo City''s prodigies might awaken third-tier souls, drawing widespread attention. Ye Qian initially awakened a third-tier Snow Fox, becoming Luo City¡¯s beloved talent. Yesterday, she awakened a second Heavenly Soul, the second-tier Butterfly, becoming a Dual Heavenly Soul wielder, unmatched in grace and power. Bai Ye¡¯s fourth-tier soul, if revealed, would cause a sensation. "My soul awakened at birth, making it eighteen years old. It must differ from regular souls." Bai Ye pondered, then decided to push his Taotie soul upwards. To the fifth tier! Let''s see what eighteen years of essence blood can do! The soul streaked across the fourth tier. Thud! It slammed into the fifth tier¡¯s barrier, shaking it violently. Bai Ye trembled with it. A terrifying pressure descended from the fifth tier, suppressing the Taotie soul. The soul roared, struggling, its soul power thrusting like a sword. As it advanced, Bai Ye felt the immense strain, as if one wrong move would crush him. "Ah!" He roared, feeling near shattering, but the breakthrough''s proximity spurred him on. The Taotie soul unleashed incredible power. The seal indented deeply under its force. Just a bit more! Bai Ye focused intensely. Finally! Thud! The seal tore, the Taotie soul bursting through, then sealing quickly behind it. The fifth tier¡¯s power enveloped the soul, transforming it! Success! Bai Ye, stunned and elated, gasped for air, noticing his palms pierced by his fingernails. The soul entering the fifth tier caused an anomaly, a beam of light piercing the sky, radiating outward. Luo City''s hidden experts looked up, their expressions unreadable. Fifth tier! Unthinkable for many soul practitioners. A newly awakened fifth-tier soul practitioner would shock Luo City immensely. Bai Ye meditated further, embracing the fifth tier. The Taotie soul, now enhanced, channeled endless benefits from the fifth tier, enhancing his soul power several-fold. Yet, Bai Ye didn¡¯t stop. After a brief rest, he drove his soul towards the sixth tier. To any onlooker, this would seem insane. Most practitioners carefully and cautiously progress, but Bai Ye acted recklessly. Failure could result in injury and weakened strength, with severe consequences! But Bai Ye felt undeterred, the previous impact hinting at untapped potential. The urge to continue surged within him. Was this confidence from the soul? Boom! The Taotie soul, once again, charged the sixth tier¡¯s barrier! Bai Ye''s face contorted, eyes shut, heart taut, as the soul furiously attacked the barrier. The dense barrier, far stronger than the fifth tier''s, exerted a terrifying pressure directly on his body. Rip. Bai Ye¡¯s clothes tore, his breathing ragged, veins bulging on his face and arms. Whoosh! A ripple-like aura burst from him, followed by a transparent beam from his crown, barely noticeable to the naked eye, but revealing the essence of myriad Heavenly Souls. The unleashed soul power nearly destroyed his room, accompanied by a cacophony of cracking sounds. As the sun set, a dim beam soared into the sky above Luo City, blossoming into a massive lotus imprint... Chapter 3: Martial Field Lecture "Ye''er, wake up! Ye''er..." Bai Chen''s voice echoed in Bai Ye''s ears. Opening his bleary eyes, Bai Ye realized he had unknowingly fallen asleep. Standing beside him was his father, Bai Chen, looking anxious and concerned. "Ye''er, are you alright? Why did you sleep on the ground? Are you feeling unwell?" "Father, don''t worry, I''m perfectly fine," Bai Ye replied, feeling warmth in his heart. He subtly checked his Heavenly Soul, barely containing his excitement. Sixth tier! "Good to hear," Bai Chen surveyed the room, his confusion dissipating. "Ye''er, I came to talk about yesterday''s incident." "Please speak, father." "Everyone in the family knows about it. Though they publicly disapprove of you provoking Ye Qian, they silently consented after hearing her conditions. No one will blame you." "Actually, it was Ye Qian who provoked me," Bai Ye said helplessly. "The family head sees this as an opportunity for the Bai family. But Ye''er, I believe it''s also an opportunity for you." Bai Ye was puzzled, "How so?" Bai Chen smiled, "You might not know, but marrying Ye Qian could awaken your Heavenly Soul. I''ve decided to let you compete!" Bai Ye was utterly confused. Bai Chen explained, "Ye Qian is no ordinary person. With her Pure Spirit Body, marrying her could heal all ailments. You haven''t awakened your Heavenly Soul in eighteen years, likely due to some physical condition. Ye Qian might cure you. I''ve thought it over. Without a Heavenly Soul, losing won''t be shameful, and forfeiting your cultivation doesn''t matter to you." "Father, you said it yourself, I can''t cultivate the soul path. How could I possibly win?" Bai Ye feigned ignorance. Bai Chen mysteriously smiled, "I''ll prepare a ''Soul-Breaking Pill'' for you to defeat Ye Qian." "Soul-Breaking Pill?" Bai Ye was secretly shocked. The pill temporarily enhances a Heavenly Soul practitioner''s realm. Even ordinary people could gain third-tier Power Soul realm strength for about the duration of half an incense stick. But such an item was rare, even for the Bai family. Given Bai Chen''s current standing, how could he have it? "Father, how did you obtain the Soul-Breaking Pill?" Bai Ye asked cautiously, sensing something amiss. "Don''t worry about it; I have my ways," Bai Chen assured. Bai Ye shook his head firmly, "If father won''t tell me, I refuse to participate in this competition!" "Ye''er..." "As far as I know, only uncle Bai He has a Soul-Breaking Pill. He received it from grandfather for his contributions years ago. You must have sought his help. But he has always been against you for the position of family head. He will surely let his son Bai Mo compete, not lend you the pill. Unless you paid a price he couldn''t refuse!" Bai Ye spoke calmly, as if seeing through everything. Bai Chen was stunned, not expecting such insight from his son. He sighed, "You''re right... If I forfeit my cultivation, Bai He can easily become the family head. I plan to trade my cultivation for the pill." Bai Ye felt a pang in his heart and firmly said, "If father intends to do so, it''s pushing me into an unfilial position. I cannot agree. Even if I cultivate the soul path, I''ll be plagued by demons, and my cultivation won¡¯t last." "Don''t you want to be a Heavenly Soul practitioner?" Bai Chen asked in surprise. "It''s not about wanting. My inability has made you suffer in the Bai family, and I feel guilty. My desire to become a Heavenly Soul practitioner is to prove to the world that Bai Chen''s son is not incompetent!" Bai Chen stared at Bai Ye, then burst into laughter, patting his shoulder. "My son has truly grown up. I believe you''ll achieve great things. But this time, let me help you once more." "Father, trust me, even without the Soul-Breaking Pill, I won¡¯t let you down!" Bai Ye spoke earnestly, choosing to keep his awakened Heavenly Soul a secret. If Bai Chen knew, he would never let him compete. But Bai Ye was determined to participate, not only to resolve the issue with Ye Qian but also to stand up for his father. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ... Bai Chen couldn''t persuade Bai Ye. In his view, although Bai Ye stood no chance in the competition, his life wasn¡¯t at risk. After Bai Chen left, Bai Ye went to the courtyard and practiced the "Frost White Fist Technique". He needed to master the operation of soul power as quickly as possible to increase his chances against Ye Qian! Now with his Soul House shattered and the Heavenly Soul awakened, stimulating the soul released a flood of power. His punches felt like they could freeze the earth, their power far more terrifying than before. What thrilled Bai Ye was the soul power accumulated over the years, released all at once when the Soul House broke. As he continued to use it, his body heated up, showing signs of a breakthrough. He didn¡¯t resist the urge, continuing to punch as the soul power was released, causing changes in his flesh and bones. Whoosh! A breath surged from every pore, and his body ''cracked'' as if something had broken. "Power Soul realm, second tier!" Bai Ye gasped for air but didn¡¯t stop. The surging soul power didn¡¯t cease with the minor breakthrough but continued to transform Bai Ye''s physique. The peculiar Heavenly Soul, now in the sixth tier, was greedily absorbing the pure and robust soul power, carving his body like a skilled carpenter. Crack! Third tier! Bai Ye was exhilarated. However, at the third tier, the soul power weakened considerably. Nine days remained, plenty of time. "No one knows I''ve awakened my Soul House. This will be my trump card." Once he mastered the use of soul power, Bai Ye left Luo City to train under a waterfall outside the city, letting the water continuously pummel his body. Power! One strike after another. The waterfall''s impact wasn''t strong, but it was relentless. "The Indestructible Vajra" technique for awakening the Heavenly Soul with the ''Nine Acupoints Simultaneous Opening'' was just the beginning. The subsequent chapters, titled ''Harnessing Strength in the Body,'' focused on defensive techniques. As the name suggests, it involved countering brute force with one''s own strength. When an opponent''s force hit the body, an internal force would erupt to counter the external attack, not only withstanding it but even retaliating! Over the next few days, Bai Ye practiced relentlessly, almost never resting. Bai Chen grew suspicious but didn''t interfere too much. In just a few days, Bai Ye absorbed all the pure soul power from his shattered Soul House, skyrocketing his cultivation. He broke through to the fourth tier and entered the fifth-tier strength. Bai Ye could hardly believe his progress in just ten days, a feat unachievable for others in years. Ultimately, it was all thanks to his dormant Heavenly Soul. ... ... "Hurry, hurry, Master Gu is about to start teaching!" Early in the morning, noisy chatter and footsteps came from outside the courtyard. About to leave, Bai Ye paused, going to the door to see many Bai family members and guards heading towards the martial field. "What''s happening?" Bai Ye grabbed a guard to ask. "You are... Young Master Bai Ye? Don''t you know? Master Gu Cao of the Absolute Soul Sect visited our Bai family yesterday and is about to teach at the martial field!" The guard recognized Bai Ye and replied indifferently before running off. Absolute Soul Sect? A master''s lecture? Bai Ye perked up. The Absolute Soul Sect, renowned around Luo City, was respected for its members'' dedication to helping others and doing righteous deeds. This was a rare opportunity. After a moment''s thought, Bai Ye joined the crowd heading towards the field. The Bai family martial field was bustling. Every young member and several guards were present. Bai Ye glanced around the field, a place he seldom visited, preferring to practice in his small courtyard. In the center, an elderly man with white hair and simple attire sat resting in a chair, flanked by a handsome young man and a pretty young woman, both disciples of the Absolute Soul Sect. Everyone sat quietly on the ground, not daring to make noise. Bai Ye found a corner to sit down. "Bai Ye?" A voice of surprise floated from nearby. It was Bai Hong''s son, Bai Mu! "What are you doing here?" Bai Mu glanced at Bai Ye disdainfully. "Listening to the lecture," Bai Ye replied calmly. "You think you''ll understand?" "Can''t I listen if I don''t understand?" Bai Ye retorted. Bai Mu was annoyed but restrained himself, warning in a low voice, "I heard you dared to provoke Ye Qian. You really don¡¯t know how to live! I warn you, behave yourself here. It''s rare for a master from the Absolute Soul Sect to visit our Bai family. If you mess things up, I''ll make you pay!" Bai Ye ignored him, turning his attention elsewhere. Bai Mu, fuming with anger, couldn''t do anything. As the crowd gathered, whispers and curious glances were directed at Bai Ye, but he remained undisturbed. As the appointed time arrived, the martial field quieted down. Master Gu Cao, the white-haired elder, opened his old eyes and stood up. "I am grateful for your attendance at my humble lecture. Time is precious, so I''ll get straight to the point." He paced back and forth, speaking slowly but clearly, his voice reaching every corner of the field. Master Gu Cao''s lecture, though simple, was full of invaluable insights and experiences from his cultivation journey. Bai Ye listened intently, completely absorbed. In the distance, Bai family head Bai Qingshan, accompanied by Bai Chen, Bai Hong, and Bai He, watched the scene. "Although the Absolute Soul Sect is not a major sect, it has the demeanor of one. They send disciples annually to teach and aid the common folk, an honorable practice. I plan to send more Bai family members to train with them," Bai Qingshan spoke thoughtfully. Bai He glanced at Master Gu Cao, murmuring, "Father, this is a good opportunity to strengthen ties with the Absolute Soul Sect. I support your decision." "But the sect might not agree," Bai Chen interjected. "Their first criterion for accepting disciples is integrity and moral character. Many in our family are spoiled and arrogant, likely to be rejected." Bai Qingshan remained silent. Bai He scoffed, "Third brother, our family does have its share of proud and arrogant members, like your son. Despite having no soul power, he dared to provoke Miss Ye of the Ye family. I think your son is beyond just pride and arrogance." "I''ve investigated the matter. It''s not Ye''er''s fault but the Ye family''s provocation. If my son had backed down, where would our family''s dignity be?" Bai Chen responded calmly. Bai He grew irritated and was about to retort when a commotion erupted nearby. They turned to see a Bai family member, seated at the edge, standing up and seemingly speaking to Master Gu Cao. The surrounding people looked at him with astonishment. Bai Chen saw that the young man was none other than Bai Ye... Chapter 4: A Stunning Revelation "How come? Your useless son is attending the class too? Does he even understand anything?" Bai He sneered upon seeing Bai Ye. "Let''s go see." Bai Qingshan spoke calmly and walked towards the scene. "Young friend, please continue," Master Gu Cao raised his hand to calm the buzzing crowd and gestured for Bai Ye to proceed. Bai Ye nodded, undeterred by the surrounding attention. "Human soul power originates from the Heavenly Soul, but it''s just one form of human energy, used to strengthen various aspects. If one''s physical body has reached an incredible level, even with scant soul power, their combat ability remains formidable. Master Gu, am I correct?" "Rubbish! You, a soulless waste, what do you know? Sit down now!" Bai Mu angrily retorted. "Get out of here, this isn¡¯t your place!" several Bai family disciples stood up, shouting at Bai Ye and making moves to approach him. They felt embarrassed, being soul practitioners who hadn''t posed any questions, yet this Heavenly Soul-less individual dared to speak up. "Shut up!" Suddenly, Bai Ye turned and barked at those disciples. His voice wasn¡¯t loud, but it carried a deep, oppressive tone that made their ears ring and heads buzz. The crowd looked at him in shock. Was this the usually quiet and reserved Bai Ye? Bai Ye glared at them. "Have you no respect for your teacher? Is Master Gu not worthy of your attention? He allows questions in his class, but does that give you the right to cause such a ruckus and hurl insults? You''re disgracing the Bai family!" The crowd was stunned, initially criticising Bai Ye for his impudence, but now being scolded by him for their lack of respect for the master. Master Gu Cao looked at the excited Bai Ye, feeling like he had been made a tool in Bai Ye''s argument. Bai Mu, unable to contain his anger, stood up and addressed Master Gu, "Master Gu, we didn¡¯t mean any disrespect. Please forgive us!" "It''s fine," Master Gu waved it off nonchalantly. But Bai Mu persisted, turning to Bai Ye with a cold look. "Master Gu, perhaps you''re unaware, but this person isn¡¯t a soul practitioner. Our request for him to be quiet was justified. A non-Heavenly Soul individual lecturing in front of many soul practitioners is a form of insult, isn''t it?" "Not a soul practitioner?" Master Gu Cao looked surprised, turning to examine Bai Ye. "Is being a soul practitioner a requirement to attend this class?" Bai Ye countered. "Whether or not you''re a soul practitioner isn''t important. As long as you find what I teach useful, that¡¯s enough," Master Gu Cao said. "Now, everyone, please sit down. We don''t have much time, let''s continue with the lesson." Bai Mu, however, was still not appeased. "Master Gu, you¡¯re generous not to take offense with Bai Ye, but to avoid disrupting the class, I must ask Bai Ye to leave. Otherwise, everyone here might struggle to focus." He walked towards Bai Ye with a stern expression. "That seems a bit harsh..." Master Gu Cao frowned. Bai Ye, however, appeared calm, facing the approaching Bai Mu without any sign of panic. "Asking me to leave? Sure, if you can make me, then I''ll go." "Oh?" Master Gu Cao showed interest, as did the surrounding crowd. Bai Chen wanted to intervene, but Bai Qingshan stopped him, shaking his head slightly: "Let''s wait and see." Bai Chen looked at Bai Ye, noticing his extremely calm eyes and subtly ready stance. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Could Bai Ye actually handle Bai Mu? Bai Mu, gathering momentum, quickly approached Bai Ye, reaching out to grab his neck. "Get out!" Bai Mu bellowed, his hand like a talon. Bai Ye sensed the sharpness in Bai Mu''s palm, but found his movements too slow. He twisted his body, nimbly evading Bai Mu''s grasp, and countered with an elbow to his chest. Thud! Bai Mu fell backward, landing on the ground with his legs in the air. Bai Ye''s reaction... was incredibly fast! Lying on the ground, Bai Mu was stunned. He got up, furious, and charged at Bai Ye with his soul power activated, but Master Gu Cao called out. "Young friend, stop." "Master..." "If he had soul power, you''d be seriously injured," Master Gu Cao said, shaking his head. "Even if I had a dagger in my hand, you''d be dead by now!" Bai Ye spoke indifferently. "I may not have soul power, but I understand body cultivation. Isn¡¯t that what we''re discussing? Why can''t I sit here and learn?" Bai Mu''s face turned red and white, utterly humiliated. Bai Ye, seemingly not satisfied, stepped forward and addressed the Bai family members coldly: "I know you all look down on me, Bai Ye, thinking I''m a waste because I can''t cultivate the soul path. But true strength doesn''t come from belittling those weaker than oneself. If you really think you''re great, defeat Ye Qian instead of showing off in front of me! Of course, if you prefer to feel superior by challenging me, I don''t mind. I accept any challenge from anyone here, anytime, anywhere!" As his words echoed, Bai Ye bowed to Master Gu Cao and returned to his seat, sitting cross-legged. The Bai family members stared at him, speechless. Bai Ye, so arrogant today! Silence lingered. Bai Ye, sitting there pretending to be calm, internally sighed in relief. Had he gained some respect in the family? "Well done!" A loud exclamation came from afar. Bai Ye looked over to see Bai Qingshan and others approaching, the voice coming from his father, Bai Chen. "Father!" Bai Ye stood up. Bai Chen laughed heartily: "That¡¯s my son! Even without soul power, he''s not someone to be bullied!" The crowd was both ashamed and angry. "Greetings to the family head!" The Bai family members and guards stood up, bowing to Bai Qingshan. Master Gu Cao also came over to pay respects but was stopped by Bai Qingshan. "Master Gu gracing our Bai family with his teachings is a blessing. But may I ask why the lesson was interrupted? Is it because my family members are too unruly? Please speak freely, Master Gu. Anyone who dares offend you, I will not forgive." "Family head is too kind. Although the Absolute Soul Sect isn¡¯t a large sect, it has great integrity. Each year, we send disciples to teach and help the people. I thought Zi Xin was impressive, but I didn¡¯t expect these young talents to be equally outstanding," Master Gu Cao praised. Bai Qingshan beamed: "Master Gu, I''ve prepared a banquet in your honor. Let''s have a few drinks together!" "I appreciate the gesture, but I have other families to visit and can''t stay long," Master Gu Cao said, bowing. He then turned and walked towards Bai Ye. Stopping in front of Bai Ye, he smiled: "Young friend, though you lack soul power, your insights and understanding of the physical body are intriguing. Would you be interested in joining the Absolute Soul Sect?" "What? Master Gu... inviting that waste to join the Absolute Soul Sect?" "We had to go through a formal assessment to join the sect, and he¡¯s never invited anyone directly..." "Even Bai Mo didn''t receive such an offer..." The Bai family members whispered in jealousy and disbelief. "Thank you, Master Gu, but as you know, I haven¡¯t awakened my Heavenly Soul. I fear I¡¯d be useless to the sect," Bai Ye said, feigning regret to test the waters. Master Gu Cao¡¯s face showed disappointment, but he still didn¡¯t want to give up: "It¡¯s unfortunate that you haven¡¯t awakened your Heavenly Soul at eighteen. There might be some physical condition. Although I can¡¯t diagnose it, our sect has many talented individuals who might find a solution. If you don¡¯t mind, you can visit our sect for treatment. Even if we can¡¯t cure you, we also specialize in body cultivation, and you can practice that." Bai Ye nodded silently, appreciating the Absolute Soul Sect''s sincerity. They didn¡¯t look down on him for lacking a Heavenly Soul. He could consider joining, but he had to deal with Ye Qian''s matter first. "May I take a few days to consider?" "If you wish, you can visit the Absolute Soul Sect anytime. I¡¯ll be in Luo City for the next few days," Master Gu Cao said, smiling, and left. Everyone stared at Bai Ye in amazement. He''s considering the offer? Bai Qingshan watched Bai Ye thoughtfully. Bai Chen stood dumbfounded, but then heard Bai He chuckle, "Third brother, not only does your son lack soul power, but it seems even his brain has problems!" As the crowd dispersed... ... ... After the martial field lecture, no one in the Bai family dared to underestimate Bai Ye, who couldn''t cultivate soul power but had easily defeated Bai Mu, a third-tier Power Soul realm practitioner. Master Gu Cao''s teachings greatly benefited Bai Ye, solving many of his cultivation queries. The master''s few words were like gold, deepening Bai Ye''s understanding of the soul path. The ten-day deadline finally arrived. Early in the morning, the Ye family set up a fighting stage at the Bai family''s front gate. The battle not only attracted the attention of Luo City but also brought heroes from all around. Under the scorching sun, the heat seemed to bake the earth. The Bai residence gate was crowded, with a platform slowly rising. Behind the platform, a group of elegantly dressed individuals sat, each with maids holding palm leaves for shade and tables laid with tea and snacks in front of them. The Ye family! The organizers of this competition! The crowd''s gaze inevitably fell on the Ye family members, particularly on the stunning young woman seated calmly in the center. Ye Qian! The pride of Luo City! The center of attention! Today was destined to be her day of fame! Chapter 5: Ascending the Platform to Challenge "Qian''er, have you informed the capital?" the white-haired Patriarch of the Ye family, Ye Wu Jian, glanced towards the Bai family''s gate and spoke softly. "Grandfather, rest assured, someone has already been sent to the capital," Ye Qian responded without opening her eyes, merely nodding gently. Ye Wu Jian nodded in satisfaction: "Good, it''s about time. Get ready." "Yes." Ye Qian could feel the adoration in the eyes of the crowd around her. Her lips curved slightly as she slowly opened her eyes, revealing a gaze filled with contempt and pride. "This battle will not only create momentum for me but is also a golden opportunity for the Ye family''s rise. Though I''m hailed as Luo City''s top genius, I''m yet to prove my worth. This competition will solidify my reputation and attract attention from the capital! And the Ye family will completely crush the Bai family, changing the overlord of Luo City!" She murmured, staring at the majestic gate of the Bai family. Soon, a guard hurried over and whispered something to Ye Wu Jian. Hearing the news, Ye Wu Jian''s narrowed eyes suddenly widened, and he ordered sharply: "Prepare quickly, don''t delay!" "Yes." The guard nodded and retreated. Shortly after, a series of rapid footsteps echoed. The crowd parted, revealing a luxurious chariot approaching, drawn by a snow-white unicorn with a kirin pattern engraved on its side. Surrounding it were young men and women in purple robes, also adorned with kirin patterns. "Kirin patterns? Are these people from the Holy Path Academy?" Recognizing their identities, the crowd gasped in surprise. The chariot stopped near the platform, and a middle-aged man with a small beard stepped out. His piercing eyes and dignified demeanor exuded an overwhelming presence. "Is that Shang Xian Shi from the Holy Academy??" Someone exclaimed. "A preceptor? One of the twenty-four preceptors of the vast Holy Academy, each a master of unique skills and of extraordinary status. I didn''t expect Ye Qian to bring a preceptor here!" The Ye family hurriedly greeted him, and even Ye Wu Jian looked excited, perhaps not anticipating such a distinguished guest. He greeted respectfully: "Preceptor Shang''s visit is an honor for Luo City! If only we had been informed earlier, we would have prepared a proper welcome." "No need for formalities, Master Ye. I was just passing by and heard there''s excitement here, so I came to have a look. Please continue with the event; don''t let my presence cause any delay!" Shang Long spoke lightly, his gaze sweeping around before settling on Ye Qian. Ye Wu Jian caught the subtle action and understood but didn''t mention it, smiling: "Preceptor Shang is too modest, please take a seat!" Ye Qian''s face showed a faint smile, but her eyes couldn''t hide their pride. The Holy Path Academy had come for her, and it was Preceptor Shang Long himself! The highest honor! Soon, another messenger arrived. "Reporting to the Patriarch, the Three Talents Academy from the capital has entered the city!" "Patriarch, people from the Star Pavilion have arrived!" "Patriarch, representatives from the Qinhai Sect are here to visit." One after another, messengers reported, and Ye Wu Jian''s smile grew wider. "Excellent! Make sure they are well attended to. Don¡¯t neglect anyone!" "Yes, Patriarch!" Representatives from many renowned powers arrived, making the event exceptionally lively. Everyone now understood why Ye Qian suddenly challenged the Bai family ¨C not to avenge Bai Ye''s insult, but to make her name known and attract attention from powerful factions! With her twin Heavenly Souls, she was using the Bai family as a stepping stone to soar to great heights! Ye Qian, escorted by Ye Hu, greeted each representative. Her demeanor was composed and unflappable, not only demonstrating her exceptional talent but also the grace of a great family. The representatives showed their admiration, their gazes towards her growing even warmer. At this moment, Ye Qian was too dazzling, as if the stars in the sky were there for her picking... "The Bai family is here!" Suddenly, someone shouted, drawing everyone''s attention to the Bai family''s gate. A group in white brocade walked out, led by Bai Qingshan. This battle was not only for Ye Qian''s rise to fame but also a decisive duel between the Ye and Bai families! The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Bai Qingshan, with his hands behind his back, stepped out expressionlessly, followed by the pillars and talents of the Bai family. "Bai Qingshan, you''ve finally appeared." Ye Wu Jian''s eyes sparkled coldly. Seeing the Bai family, especially talented youths like Bai Mu, Bai Mo, and Bai Lin, the onlookers whispered among themselves. Bai Ye, unnoticed by the crowd, even by Ye Qian, walked towards the platform. "So many people. Ye Qian does have the reputation of being Luo City''s top genius, plus her twin Heavenly Souls. Just setting up a platform attracts such a crowd," Bai Ye observed, thinking to himself. Clang!!! A deafening bell rang throughout Luo City. "It''s time!" The Ye family announced. The crowd perked up, all eyes on the platform. From the Ye family''s side, Ye Qian leapt gracefully onto the platform like a fairy, standing in the center with her eyes closed, quietly waiting. Countless eyes rested on her. Ye Hu scanned the audience and stood up: "The Ye and Bai families have coexisted in Luo City for a century with close relations. My daughter, Ye Qian, has made significant progress in her cultivation recently. Not arrogant, she wishes to exchange martial arts knowledge with the Bai family''s talented youths. Of course, if any heroes of Luo City are confident in their strength, they are also welcome to challenge. If anyone can defeat her, I, Ye, promise to marry my daughter to him!" The crowd erupted in surprise at his declaration. Audacious! Was she planning to trample everyone in the city under her feet? Perhaps she was showcasing her strength to the visiting sects! Bai Ye was also stunned by Ye Qian''s confidence. As Ye Hu finished speaking, Ye Qian unleashed a terrifying wave of soul power, enveloping her body like flames, making the platform seem to tremble. Those eager to step up were instantly frozen in place. Fifth Tier! Ye Qian... had advanced to the fifth tier of the Power Soul Realm! The area around the platform boiled with excitement! Bai Mo, Bai Lin, and others from the Bai family who intended to step up stopped in their tracks, shocked. "What''s going on? When did Ye Qian reach the fifth tier?" Bai Qingshan''s eyes widened, his lips trembling. Ye Qian, with her twin Heavenly Souls and now fifth-tier soul power... was invincible! "No wonder Ye Qian made such a statement." Bai Ye shifted his gaze to Bai Mo and Bai Lin, who were now pale and intimidated. Once intimidated, they had already lost. He took a deep breath, pushed through the crowd, and walked towards the platform. Ye Qian had been standing on the platform for a while, with no one from the Bai family stepping forward. The audience gradually grew restless with complaints. "Why hasn''t anyone stepped up yet?" The Ye family members looked at the Bai family with mockery, while the Bai family''s faces turned the color of liver. Fifth-tier twin soul practitioners... none of the younger generation could match her. Losing meant crippling their cultivation. Who would dare step up? Even Bai Qingshan hadn''t expected this. He suddenly regretted accepting the Ye family''s challenge. From the beginning, it was a trap... But at that moment, a young man in plain blue clothing stepped onto the platform. "Who is that?" "Seems like Bai Chen''s son, Bai Ye!" "Bai Ye? The one who hasn''t awakened his Heavenly Soul at eighteen?" "Hasn''t awakened his Heavenly Soul? Then why is he going up there? To seek death?" The crowd buzzed with excitement. The Bai family was also confused, with some young members cursing Bai Ye, urging him to get down quickly. "Has the Bai family run out of competent people? Sending such a waste to make up numbers. Is it because he hasn¡¯t awakened his Heavenly Soul, so he¡¯s not afraid of being scalded?" Ye Hu scoffed. Laughter erupted around them. The Bai family members hung their heads in shame. Bai Ye glanced around, ignoring the ridicule and mockery, his gaze landing on Ye Qian. "Bai Ye? You do have guts. I thought you''d hide and not show up, but here you are," Ye Qian said mockingly, her arms crossed. "I said ten days ago I¡¯d be the first to challenge you," Bai Ye shrugged. "Don¡¯t think just because you don¡¯t have soul power, it doesn¡¯t matter. Accidents happen, and I won''t be responsible," Ye Qian threatened with a smile, but her eyes flashed with murderous intent. Bai Ye heard the threat but remained unfazed, standing with his hands behind his back: "No need for idle talk, let''s begin. I''ll let you make the first move." "Let Miss Ye strike first?" The audience was shocked by Bai Ye''s statement, bursting into laughter soon after. "I''ve never seen someone pretend so much." "Miss Ye, just finish him off." The crowd yelled and cheered. Ye Qian found it amusing too. She knew Bai Ye was skilled in some techniques, but how formidable could a man without soul power be? Nodding, she replied with a playful smile, "Alright, since you insisted, watch carefully!" As she finished speaking, Ye Qian lunged forward, her movements graceful like a dancing butterfly. But as she approached, Bai Ye moved as well. He lifted his right fist, sending a powerful strike towards her, fierce as a tiger. This momentum? This speed? Ye Qian was caught off guard. Bang! She took a punch to the shoulder, staggering backwards. The laughing audience was instantly silenced. Bai Ye, lacking Heavenly Soul, had actually landed a hit on Luo City''s top genius. Surely an accident. "I was careless just now, but this time, I won''t let you get away with it!" Ye Qian, burning with anger, lunged at Bai Ye with a palm coated in astonishing soul power. Her delicate palm looked like porcelain, but her strength was formidable. Bai Ye parried with his hands, engaging Ye Qian in a rapid exchange of blows. To the audience''s shock, Ye Qian had unleashed her soul power, but Bai Ye was still countering with brute strength alone! "Such incredible soul power. Ye Qian is truly a genius. Without the ''Vajra Indestructible'', I would have been blasted to pieces by now. But is that all she''s got?" In a split second, Bai Ye suddenly stopped defending. One hand clenched into a fist, he struck like a venomous snake towards Ye Qian''s abdomen, his terrifying brute force creating a whooshing sound. Ye Qian''s eyes widened in surprise. Bang! Bai Ye took a hit to the chest but barely flinched, while his punch landed squarely on Ye Qian''s stomach. Bang! Ye Qian stumbled back several steps, her body shaking, her face pale... This was the power of ''Vajra Indestructible''; his physique was far stronger than Ye Qian''s! Coupled with the ''Force Body Technique'', any part of his body could be used to counterattack! Ye Qian was at a disadvantage, her expression tight. At this moment, she no longer underestimated Bai Ye. To exchange blows with her at this level, not many in Luo City could do so, and he didn¡¯t even have soul power! Ye Qian shouted and charged again. Bai Ye remained composed, countering Ye Qian head-on. Wherever she attacked, he allowed her to hit him, responding with a punch. Bang! Thud! Bang! Thud! ... With every hit Bai Ye took, Ye Qian suffered a punch in return. After several rounds, Ye Qian''s expression twisted, her forehead furrowed, while Bai Ye was only slightly out of breath. Her soul power seemed unable to cause him significant damage. Bai Ye was subtly taking control of the fight. "It''s time to end this," Bai Ye said lightly. "Really?" At that moment, Ye Qian''s eyes sparkled, and her body suddenly shivered, releasing a terrifying aura. Bai Ye rushed towards her, but as he got close, he was pushed back by the overwhelming aura. "Elemental power?" Bai Ye''s eyes shone with curiosity. Chapter 6: Turning Truth Upside Down "Elemental Power of the Heavenly Soul! Ye Qian actually used the Elemental Power of the Heavenly Soul!" "Bai Ye, a man without a Heavenly Soul, actually pushed Ye Qian to this point..." The audience, holding their breath, exclaimed in shock upon seeing this scene. The Elemental Power of the Heavenly Soul is a source of power stronger than ordinary soul power. To counteract it, one needs either a tremendous overpowering soul force or the same Elemental Power of the Heavenly Soul. At this moment, Ye Qian, like a female warrior, was enveloped in a faint blue aura, wielding the terrifying elemental power of her twin Heavenly Souls, step by step forcing Bai Ye back. Bai Ye''s body swayed, seemingly unable to withstand it. While brute force could contend with soul power, it was utterly incapable against elemental power! Ye Qian''s eyes filled with triumph as she watched Bai Ye struggle. "Bai Ye, I admit you have some skills, and your physical techniques might even be stronger than mine, but that alone is far from enough! Trash will always be trash; that''s unchangeable. Now you should realize the vast gap between us, right?" The arena vibrated wildly under the force of the elemental power, threatening to pulverize the entire platform. Bai Ye was like a tiny boat in a raging storm, constantly swaying. Ye Qian charged forward, raising her hand high, transforming the elemental power into a giant blade, viciously slashing towards Bai Ye''s forehead! A burst of killing intent erupted! This was no longer about abolishing cultivation, but a bid to kill! "Die!" Ye Qian sneered. It seemed the victor was decided. "Really?" At this moment, a voice unexpectedly interjected. Ye Qian''s heart skipped a beat. Bai Ye''s swaying figure suddenly steadied. He punched out, sending a wave of air roaring forward. Boom! The shockwave instantly shattered Ye Qian''s raised blade of elemental power! Golden shockwaves shot towards the sky, entering the clouds, creating an awe-inspiring scene! "Soul... power??" Ye Qian''s pupils dilated, her mind going blank! The crowd was speechless. Both the Ye and Bai families were stunned! In this lightning-fast moment, the situation had completely reversed! Bai Ye, now surrounded by a faint golden aura, his energy exceedingly domineering, had completely overwhelmed Ye Qian''s remaining soul power on the platform. It was Elemental Power! Elemental Power of the Heavenly Soul! And... from the sixth layer of the Heavenly Soul! Bai Ye had awakened his Heavenly Soul? The scene was incredibly silent, as if a pin drop could cause a loud echo. All eyes incredulously watched Bai Ye standing on the platform. Bai Ye seized the opportunity to attack, punching Ye Qian''s abdomen. Ye Qian spat blood, flying off the platform, coughing up more blood as she tried to stand... Bai Ye had won! When everyone thought Ye Qian was about to annihilate him, he unleashed his own soul power! Everyone thought he lacked soul power! But they were all wrong! His soul power! Stronger than Ye Qian''s!! Ye Qian, the unrivaled genius, was utterly defeated today! And Bai Ye, with his sixth-layer Heavenly Soul, shone like the blazing sun! Ye Hu was petrified. Ye Wujian stood up from his seat. Bai Qingshan stroked his white beard, laughing heartily. Bai Chen was immensely excited; he knew, his son Bai Chen, was not a waste! There were no cheers, as everyone was still trying to grasp the turn of events. Bai Ye took a deep breath to calm the excitement surging within him, walked to the edge of the platform, and looked down at the struggling Ye Qian, saying, "Ye Qian, now you should see the gap between us, right?" This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. If he had lost, his fate would have been dire, so there was no need to be polite to Ye Qian. Ye Qian felt a burning shame on her face, her eyes filled with rage, her expression twisted and venomous as she glared at Bai Ye. Today was supposed to be her day of glory, her day to ascend to the top in Luo City, and her day to crush the Bai family and become the ruler of Luo City. But all of this was ruined by Bai Ye. "Good! Good! Bai Ye, well done! I always thought you couldn''t cultivate a Heavenly Soul and wouldn''t contribute much to the family. But today, you''ve opened my eyes!" Bai Qingshan laughed heartily, overjoyed. Ye Qian, with her fifth-stage strength, he thought the Bai family was sure to lose. But Bai Ye had brought hope back to him, and more... he had glorified the Bai family! Bai Ye, the beacon of hope in the Bai family''s darkness! Luo City''s new peerless genius! "Wait, this match doesn''t count!" Just then, a voice echoed through the arena. Someone from the Bai family called out. It was Bai He. Everyone''s attention shifted. Bai Qingshan frowned, sensing something amiss, and shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Get back here." "Father, this matter must be clarified publicly! Otherwise, I can''t be at peace!" Bai He said righteously, stepping into the center of the crowd and pointing at Bai Ye on the platform, shouting, "Everyone, this match should be considered Ye Qian''s victory! Bai Ye is a despicable man; his victory was dishonorable!" "Seize this beast and drag him down!" Bai Qingshan bellowed. "Yes!" Several Bai family guards rushed forward. "Who dares to act rashly!" Ye Hu leaped forward, landing in front of Bai He, repelling the Bai family guards. "Continue, Bai Second Master," Ye Hu ordered. "Thank you, Brother Ye." Bai He bowed and continued, "Everyone knows Bai Ye is useless, a waste who hasn¡¯t awakened his Heavenly Soul even at eighteen. But how did he suddenly gain such terrifying strength? The reason lies with his father, Bai Chen!" "Bai Chen?" The crowd''s attention shifted again. Bai He spoke righteously, "A few days ago, Bai Chen, at the cost of his own cultivation, forced me to give him a ''Soul-Breaking Pill'' I had treasured for many years! I didn''t know why at the time and refused. Unexpectedly, he was ready to abolish his cultivation to coerce me, so I had to give him the pill. Little did I know, Bai Chen would give the ''Soul-Breaking Pill'' to Bai Ye to use in the fight against Ye Qian. That''s how he won this duel! Therefore, this match doesn''t count; Bai Ye is a despicable man!" These words were like a bombshell, leaving the crowd buzzing. Using a cultivation-boosting drug in an open duel violated the rules and carried severe consequences. Bai Ye''s face changed, guessing Bai He''s intentions. "Ah, I knew it. A waste from the Bai family couldn''t have such ability." Ye Hu stood up, scoffing repeatedly. "This is just Bai He''s word! Without evidence, even a three-year-old wouldn''t believe it. Are you saying your intelligence is even lower than a three-year-old''s?" Bai Ye retorted. "You brat, you''re seeking death!" Ye Hu was enraged. "Bai He is from your Bai family and knows your family affairs well. His words are naturally credible!" Ye Wujian also spoke up, turning his cold gaze to Bai Chen, "Bai Chen, aren''t you going to come out and admit to this?" Bai Chen glared at the Ye family and Bai He, his expression dark, "Although I, Bai Chen, am no gentleman, I''m not a villain. If I had done such a thing, I would take full responsibility. But all of this is Bai He''s fabrication! Bai He, I understand your concern. You''re afraid that my son''s rise will help me become the family head, which would be disadvantageous to you, so you falsely accuse him of using the ''Soul-Breaking Pill'', right?" Bai He''s face changed slightly, stammering, "What nonsense are you talking about... Am I that kind of person?" "False accusation? Then how do you explain Bai Ye suddenly possessing such terrifying soul power?" Ye Qian, wiping the blood from her mouth, jumped onto the platform and questioned sharply. Seeing this turn of events, she was quite agitated. She thought she was ruined but didn''t expect Bai He to throw her a lifeline. "My Heavenly Soul awakened on its own. Though it happened at eighteen, it''s all my own strength. Ye Qian, lacking in strength and defeated by me, are you now resorting to such despicable means to save your face? How pathetic!" Bai Ye glared at Ye Qian, sneering continuously. "Despicable? The real despicable person is you!" Ye Qian''s face turned red and white, lacking confidence. Bai Ye shook his head, not expecting Luo City''s top genius to be so vile. No matter how beautiful her appearance, her heart was rotten. The situation reached a stalemate, only to be broken by an elderly voice. The crowd parted, and Gu Cao, accompanied by his disciples, approached the edge of the platform. "There is no trace of the ''Soul-Breaking Pill'' in this person''s body, clearly indicating that he hasn''t used it," Gu Cao announced, addressing the gathered crowd. His words, coming from the revered master of the Juehun Sect, carried significant weight. Ye Qian''s face changed slightly upon seeing Gu Cao. She was visibly uneasy. "Master," Bai Qingshan and others immediately greeted him respectfully. Bai Ye also offered a salute. Gu Cao nodded in acknowledgment and continued to Ye Qian, "Ye Qian, you were once part of the Juehun Sect and received my guidance. I don''t object to your departure from the sect or your pursuit of cultivation in the imperial city. However, cultivation requires cultivating the heart. Although you possess extraordinary talent, your state of mind is weak. In this battle, Bai Ye relied on his own strength and didn''t use any external substances. You lost fair and square. Are you willing to compromise your conscience for the sake of fame?" The words of the Juehun Sect''s master were extremely influential, and the crowd began to murmur, pointing fingers at Ye Qian. Ye Qian''s expression darkened. She then knelt towards Shang Long, the representative from the Shengdao Academy, and said earnestly, "Master, please uphold justice for me!" "This is a matter between the Ye and Bai families, and I prefer not to intervene," Shang Long initially hesitated. "I am willing to join the Shengdao Academy and serve as your disciple to receive your teachings," Ye Qian quickly added, seeing an opportunity. "If that''s the case, as your teacher, I cannot ignore this matter involving the academy''s reputation," Shang Long then agreed, standing up to speak. The crowd silently cursed Ye Qian for her malicious intentions. "Ye Qian, I didn''t expect you to be so cunning. You can''t defeat me, so you want Master Shang to deal with me? Even though I possess a sixth-layer Heavenly Soul, I still have my limitations, and Master Shang will naturally choose you for your greater potential. But don''t forget, there are eyes all around this arena. Your actions today will soon spread throughout the Great Xia Dynasty!" Bai Ye loudly denounced Ye Qian''s actions, sparing no effort to expose her. Ye Qian''s expression turned icy. Shang Long shook his head. He was interested in recruiting Bai Ye as well, but given the complex relationship between the two, he had to choose one. Shang Long then stepped onto the platform, and his presence immediately quieted the crowd. "Bai Ye? In our Great Xia Dynasty, there''s an unwritten rule in arena duels: the use of the ''Soul-Breaking Pill'' is forbidden. It''s a well-known fact, and those who violate this rule will be punished severely, even executed on the spot. Do you admit to this crime?" Shang Long questioned authoritatively. Chapter 7: Fighting Fire with Fire "I, Bai Ye, have a clear conscience. I defeated Ye Qian solely by my own strength. What crime have I committed? If you don''t believe me, you can take me to the alchemy room for the alchemist to verify!" Bai Ye coldly said: "But if you want to twist the truth and confuse right and wrong, then I have nothing to say!" "Do you dare accuse me of twisting the truth?" Shang Long frowned. "A one-sided story, without any evidence, Shang First Teacher! With thousands of eyes here, do you intend to blatantly protect Ye Qian, disregarding the reputation of the Holy Academy?" Gu Cao loudly questioned from below. "Justice and fairness have already been determined by me. How can it be considered protection?" Shang Long was visibly annoyed, ignoring the words of those around him, and spoke in a low voice: "Now I announce, the victor of the recent duel is Ye Qian! Bai Ye of the Bai family, for using ''Po Hun Dan'' during the duel, has committed a severe violation. As per the rules of the duel, his cultivation must be abolished!" As he finished speaking, Shang Long immediately reached out to grab Bai Ye, his palm generating a terrifying suction force. This was blatantly twisting the truth and inverting black and white! Furious and filled with hatred, Bai Ye, seeing no escape, gathered all his strength into his fist, and struck out at Shang Long with all his might. "Courting death!" Shang Long was infuriated, his killing intent surging. A powerful aura burst forth from Shang Long, hitting Bai Ye like a ferocious flood. Bai Ye clenched his teeth, enduring the barrage of what felt like hundreds of punches. He persisted and launched his punch. Bang! Shang Long actually took a hit to the chest and staggered back several steps, looking at Bai Ye in surprise. Bai Ye stood his ground, blood trickling from his mouth, gasping for breath. His body was bruised and battered. The power of a Holy Academy First Teacher was truly extraordinary. If not for his stronger-than-average physique, he would have been done for long ago. But what of it if you''re a First Teacher of the Holy Academy? Such despicable and shameless behavior deserves death! Bai Ye wiped the blood from his mouth, his expression ferocious. "Bai Ye, how dare you attack a First Teacher! Are you rebelling? Kill him!" Seeing an opportunity, Ye Wu Jian of the Ye family immediately leapt up, leading his people onto the stage. Bai Ye, with such extraordinary talent, if not eliminated, would become a great threat. With a First Teacher present, it was also an opportunity to get rid of the Bai family! "Protect Bai Ye!" Bai Qing Shan decisively ordered. The Bai family members, not to be outdone, charged towards the stage. With the orders from both family heads, the two sides clashed, turning the duel into a life-and-death battle between the Ye and Bai families! "Go!" Gu Cao leapt onto the stage and, grabbing Bai Ye, threw him down to be caught by several Bai family guards. Enraged, Shang Long activated his spirit power and struck at Gu Cao, his killing intent erupting. Gu Cao and Shang Long engaged in battle, their powerful spirit forces colliding in a stunning display. "Kill Bai Ye first!" Ye Wu Jian roared. Ye Hu led his men in the charge. The scene descended into chaos. Families from Luo City scrambled to escape, not wanting to be involved. Those from the sects wisely kept to themselves, many casting longing glances at Bai Ye, but with Shang Long intent on killing him, no one could save him... Seeing the situation turn dire, Bai He hurriedly ran to Bai Mo. "Father, what should we do?" Bai Mo asked. "What else can we do? Call Li Min and the others, let''s go!" Bai He ordered. Bai Mo nodded and quickly led the way out. With Bai He and Bai Mo''s departure, the Bai family''s forces significantly weakened. With the Holy Academy backing the Ye family, the situation became increasingly unfavorable. Bai Ye was being dragged away by the Bai family guards, but seeing this, Ye Qian''s eyes flickered maliciously. She suddenly shouted: "Bai Ye, if you run now, your father''s life will be at risk!" Understanding her intent, Ye Hu pressed towards Bai Chen, who was already struggling against the Ye family guards. "Father!" Bai Ye, overwhelmed with anger, roared and pushed the guards aside, charging back into the fray. "Bai Ye, if I don''t kill you, my reputation as a genius will be tarnished!" Ye Qian sneered and suddenly swallowed a ''Soul-Breaking Pill''. Her aura skyrocketed, her soul power surging, and she launched a powerful attack at Bai Ye. Bai Ye, his face twisted with rage, didn¡¯t care about Ye Qian''s increased strength and punched back fiercely. Bang! Their fists collided, and Ye Qian stumbled back, shocked. Bai Ye was also repelled by the terrifying force, but he completely disregarded the pain in his body and pounced on Ye Qian like a ferocious beast. Ye Qian was terrified. She hastily retreated, summoning her elemental force to form a barrier in front of her. Thud! Bai Ye charged against the barrier of elemental force, his own elemental power tearing through like a wild beast. Crack. Ye Qian''s barrier shattered quickly. The elemental force of the sixth realm was far superior to that of the second or third realms. Even the ''Soul-Breaking Pill'' couldn¡¯t bridge this gap! Ye Qian was shocked and at a loss. She had never expected Bai Ye to become so formidable because of Bai Chen. Biting her silver teeth, she unexpectedly drew a soft sword, its blade sharp and murderous. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. This was Ye Qian''s secret move. No one knew she concealed a blade in her waistband, only drawn in dire moments. However, in a flash, Bai Ye suddenly kicked out, his foot pulsing with soul power. Opportunity! Ye Qian''s eyes grew cold, and she slashed with her sword. How could flesh and blood withstand a blade? Bai Ye! You are too arrogant! Watch me sever your leg! Ye Qian thought viciously. Just as the sword was about to cut Bai Ye''s leg, a brutal force mixed with soul power surged towards his leg. Spurt! The blade cut through the flesh, but... it didn¡¯t penetrate deeply before a staggering force burst forth, shocking Ye Qian back! Again, this sensation! Ye Qian was horrified, finally understanding that Bai Ye deliberately used his body to attack. Bai Ye''s eyes were cold, and he seized the opportunity to strike. Ye Qian was caught off guard. After a few punches, Ye Qian''s soul power was scattered, and her soft sword knocked away. Bai Ye pressed on relentlessly, giving her no chance to breathe. Ye Qian, hit by multiple punches, spat out blood. If this continued, she would be beaten to death by Bai Ye. "Help me!" Ye Qian screamed in panic. "Rest assured, Qian Mei! I''ll slay this man!" A loud shout resounded. A man with a sword emerged from the crowd, Ye Qian''s brother, Ye Qing! He lifted his sword, its tip like a venomous snake, aiming straight for Bai Ye''s head. Bai Ye grunted, twisting his body to face the incoming sword with his back. Spurt. The sword pierced his body, penetrating a few inches, but seemed to be blocked by a force. "Eh?" Ye Qing¡¯s pupils dilated. But in the next second, a violent elemental force surged along the sword. Bad news. Ye Qing trembled, his face changing drastically. He immediately let go of the sword hilt, but it was too late. Bai Ye turned around, his fist booming with violent elemental force. Bang! A muffled sound. Ye Qing¡¯s body instantly covered in frost, and his head, like crushed by a wheel, shattered, spraying blood and brain. Bai family¡¯s "Frost White Divine Fist"! Ye Qian watched the scene in shock. Bai Ye had instantly killed Ye Qing, a seventh-tier Soul Realm practitioner! In this critical situation, he seemed mad but never lost his sanity! He had always grasped every opportunity! This strike deterred all the Ye family members around; no one dared to approach! "Your turn." Bai Ye, breathing heavily, his gaze like a wild beast, walked towards Ye Qian. Ye Qian trembled violently, her face pale, fear and helplessness enveloping her. Even with the ''Soul-Breaking Pill'', the situation was irreversible. Ye Qian had lost completely! She summoned her soul power to oppress Bai Ye, but her mental state was in chaos, her soul power unstable. To Bai Ye, all of Ye Qian''s counterattacks were futile. How did things turn out like this? Ye Qian''s mind went blank until she felt Bai Ye''s murderous intent approaching, then she screamed frantically, "Save me! Someone save me!" But most of the Ye family, stunned by Bai Ye''s ferocity, and Ye Hu, restrained by Bai Chen, couldn¡¯t help her. "You dare?" Just as Ye Qian fell into despair, an angry shout came through, accompanied by a terrifying soul power, causing everyone to cover their ears. Shang Long! Bai Ye''s expression grew cold, and he rushed at Ye Qian without hesitation. But Shang Long was too fast! He had traveled from the capital to here for Ye Qian. If anything happened to her, how could he explain to the Academy? At this moment, Shang Long used all his soul power, turning it into a huge tiger shadow, scattering nearly a hundred people around and pressing down on Bai Ye with the force of a mountain. Bai Ye struggled to move forward! But he still didn''t give up and continued to advance. If he could subdue Ye Qian, he could restrain Shang Long. Even if he couldn''t subdue her, he was determined to perish together with her ¨C he couldn''t afford to lose! Bai Ye''s teeth clattered as he withstood Shang Long''s soul power pressure, stepping forward so forcefully that the ground cracked. "Ye¡¯er!" Bai Chen roared. Bai Qingshan and others also watched anxiously. But at this moment, no one could save Bai Ye. And, of course, no one could stop Bai Ye from killing Ye Qian, not even Shang Long! The situation had reached an irretrievable point... Were both geniuses going to fall? The crowd''s breath seemed to freeze. "Stop!" In this urgent moment, a majestic voice suddenly resonated from outside Luo City. Everyone trembled. A heavy, oppressive aura filled the city. A swift and precise force, like a shooting star, came from outside the city and struck Bai Ye and Shang Long, forcing them apart! Bai Ye fell to the ground. Shang Long staggered back several steps, his face changing drastically. Who could easily resolve such a desperate situation? A gray figure flew across the sky, stepping through the air like an immortal. The crowd saw a man in a gray robe, his hair slightly white, sleeves adorned with golden patterns, his demeanor majestic, with a goatee beard, exuding mystery and profundity. Seeing the newcomer, Shang Long was obviously shocked. He quickly bowed and said, "Shang Long greets the master." Master? Bai Ye wondered. Who was this person? Why did even Shang Long show such fear? Everyone stopped fighting, overawed by the might of this formidable figure. Is this what a powerful being is? A single glance, and the opponent submits! Bai Ye looked at the man with burning eyes. But the man spoke slowly, his voice filled with authority. "Shang Long, do you know where this is?" "I know... it¡¯s Luo City..." Shang Long''s voice was low. "Since it¡¯s Luo City, then it¡¯s my Juehun Sect''s territory. How dare your Holy Academy be so presumptuous here?" the man''s voice was filled with dissatisfaction. Shang Long''s face changed, sweating, and he cautiously said, "Shang Long didn''t mean to offend. It''s just that our Holy Academy disciple was persecuted here, and I had to take action." "Who is your Holy Academy disciple?" "Ye Qian!" "Ye Qian?" The middle-aged man looked over. Ye Qian had already stood up. Seeing the man, she was filled with shock, her face extremely pale, and she called out lowly, "Ye Qian pays respects to the Sect Master." It turned out this man was the Juehun Sect Master! Bai Ye was startled. Even the Holy Academy''s masters showed such respect. The Juehun Sect Master¡¯s background must be extraordinary. "Ye Qian, I originally intended to cultivate you as my Juehun Sect''s successor, but since you chose the Wangdu''s power, you are no longer of my Juehun Sect. From now on, cultivate well in the Holy Academy!" The Juehun Sect Master said indifferently, clearly distancing himself from Ye Qian. Ye Qian bit her silver teeth and remained silent. But Shang Long was not willing to let it go. He glared at Bai Ye and said to the master, "This person used the ''Soul-Breaking Pill'' in the arena, despicable and shameless, and attempted to harm my Holy Academy disciple. According to the rules, this person should be severely punished. I want to take him to the Holy Academy for punishment." Shang Long spoke righteously. As soon as he finished, a terrifying gust of wind struck Shang Long, cracking the ground beneath him. Shang Long was thrown backward, spitting out golden blood and smashing through several walls, trembling on the ground. The Juehun Sect Master had made a move! "Master!" The Holy Academy''s disciples called out in panic and rushed over. But the Juehun Sect Master said coldly, "Shang Long! Do you think I am someone to be deceived? Can I not see whether this person used the Juehun Pill? Daring to fool me? Has the Holy Academy become so arrogant?" Shang Long''s eyes were full of fear, not expecting the Juehun Sect Master to attack without a word. Everyone was stunned. Such a domineering Sect Master! Only Gu Cao understood that it wasn''t that the Sect Master was unreasonable, but that he was truly angered this time. "Get out!" The Sect Master uttered. The Holy Academy people, as if granted amnesty, carried Shang Long and ran outside Luo City, not daring to utter a word. Ye Qian looked dazedly at Shang Long''s figure, as if she had lost her soul. Who exactly was the Juehun Sect Master? What kind of strength did he have that even Shang Long was so vulnerable in front of him? And to dismiss him so easily? Did he not care about the Holy Academy''s opinion? That was a Holy Academy master! Ye Qian suddenly regretted. If she had accepted the Sect Master''s cultivation and not left the Juehun Sect, perhaps everything would have been different... But it was too late for regrets. "Out of respect for the past! You, too, get out!" The Sect Master looked at Ye Qian indifferently. Ye Qian''s face turned deathly pale, she bit her silver teeth, stood up, and went to chase after Shang Long. "Ye Qian, don''t be in a hurry to leave! Our account has not been settled yet!" Bai Ye wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up, speaking solemnly. "Your elemental force is exhausted, your heavenly soul overdrawn. If you continue to fight, you will harm your heavenly soul, bringing endless troubles." The Sect Master spoke indifferently. "Thank you for your concern, Sect Master, but this woman threatened my father and sought to put me to death. How can I let her go so easily?" Bai Ye said coldly. Fear flashed in Ye Qian''s eyes, her body trembling. "Your issue with Ye Qian doesn''t have to be settled today. She has become Shang Long''s disciple and is now a person of the Holy Academy. If you kill her here, it will only bring disaster to the Bai family. Your father will also suffer because of you. If you look closely, apart from her twin soul, Ye Qian has nothing noteworthy. If you have the ambition, in less than five years, you can look down on her. Then, you can go to the Holy Academy, challenge her openly and righteously, just as she did to your Bai family today. Wouldn''t that be better?" The Sect Master said slowly. Bai Ye nodded, finding it reasonable: "Alright, I''ll do as the Sect Master says!" Today''s events would surely ruin Ye Qian''s reputation. Even if she could enter the Holy Academy, she would bear a stigma. Bai Ye could kill Ye Qian today, but he didn''t want others to think he defeated Ye Qian by relying on the Juehun Sect Master. "Ye Qian, you can go. Soon, I will personally come to the Holy Academy to challenge you. I hope you won''t be as weak as you were today." Bai Ye said coldly. Ye Qian trembled, her lips turning white. When she left, her steps were weak and lifeless. Chapter 8: Bai Zhixin After Ye Qian''s departure and the intervention of the Absolute Soul Sect''s Master, the Ye and Bai families ceased their fight, temporarily halting hostilities. After today''s event, the two families were like fire and water, with Luo City unlikely to find peace. "Thank you, Sect Master, for your assistance. Without you, the Bai family would have faced a great calamity today," Bai Qing Shan, leading the Bai family, expressed his gratitude. "There''s no need for thanks. Shang Long''s actions were against the principles, and people of the Absolute Soul Sect would not stand idly by," said the Absolute Soul Sect Master indifferently before turning to Gu Cao, "How are your injuries?" "Thank you for your concern, Sect Master, it''s nothing serious," Gu Cao replied with a bow. "Good, let''s go then." "Yes." Gu Cao nodded. However, at that moment, Bai Ye suddenly called out. "Sect Master, I wish to join the Absolute Soul Sect!" The Sect Master paused, turning to look at him, and after a moment of silence, asked, "With your qualifications, you could join a better sect like Ye Qian, or even the Royal Capital Academy. Why do you wish to join the Absolute Soul Sect?" "Sect Master dared to abolish Shang Long''s cultivation, showing that the Absolute Soul Sect doesn¡¯t fear the Holy Academy. Its strength must not be inferior to the Royal Capital Academy. Moreover, if I join the sect, the Ye family wouldn¡¯t dare to harm my father!" Bai Ye stated bluntly. "You are very honest," the Sect Master nodded in approval. "I will accept you. But don''t think just because you have a six-layered soul, you will enjoy special treatment in the Absolute Soul Sect. You will still start as an ordinary disciple. The path of soul cultivation requires steady progress. Don¡¯t aim for quick success." With those words, the Sect Master leapt into the sky and disappeared into the horizon. Bai Ye, looking at the departing figure, was full of aspirations. Having decided to join the sect, there was no time to delay. He immediately set off. Bai Ye approached Bai Chen, bowed his head, and said hoarsely, "Dad, take care of yourself after I leave." "Go, child. If you ever feel tired outside, come back," Bai Chen smiled weakly, his eyes filled with reluctance. This was the first time Bai Ye had left Luo City in many years. His eyes reddened slightly. After nodding at Bai Qing Shan and the others, he left with Gu Cao. After this battle, no one in Luo City dared to call themselves a genius anymore. Watching Gu Cao leave, it was only after a long while that Bai Qing Shan asked in a deep voice, "Where did Bai He go?" "He fled to the Ye family," someone answered. "That traitor!" Bai Qing Shan clenched his teeth in anger. Now, the Ye and Bai families were officially at war. However, with Bai He, an external aide for the Ye family, who knew many secrets of the Bai family, the Bai family remained at a disadvantage. ... ... The Absolute Soul Sect was located on the top of Python Mountain, with majestic buildings towering over the mountain, resembling a coiled serpent. The Absolute Soul Sect had a history of several hundred years, but it was just an obscure small faction until the current Sect Master took over decades ago, after which the sect rapidly grew and prospered. Despite being Luo City''s number one, Bai Ye did not receive any special treatment from the Sect Master. After completing the entry formalities with Gu Cao and changing into the sect''s uniform, he became the most ordinary disciple. His task was to clean the yard in front of the ''Scripture Pavilion.'' Every day before dawn, he would quickly finish his chores and then immerse himself in studying techniques in the Pavilion. The Scripture Pavilion stored all the techniques and soul arts of the Absolute Soul Sect. Countless disciples visited daily. "Bai Ye?" A melodious female voice called out from afar. Bai Ye looked over to see a beautiful young woman leading a few older disciples towards him. "Who are you?" Bai Ye asked. "So you really are Bai Ye?" The woman observed him and scoffed, "I can''t believe such a waste could join the Absolute Soul Sect. Heaven must be blind!" "I joined the Absolute Soul Sect with the Sect Master''s approval. Are you suggesting that the Sect Master is also blind?" Bai Ye retorted. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. The woman was at a loss for words, looking around and then sternly said, "Be careful. I''ll settle this account with you later!" She and her group then entered the Scripture Pavilion. Bai Ye was puzzled until he heard the discussions of the other disciples and realized that this woman was Bai He''s eldest daughter, Bai Zhixin. Bai Zhixin was the Bai family''s top genius. After awakening her soul at a young age, she joined the Absolute Soul Sect and had been nurtured by its members. Her strength was said to be not much weaker than Ye Qian. Bai Ye had seen her a couple of times when he was younger, so it was normal not to be familiar with her now. Bai Ye paid no attention to Bai Zhixin. With a four-layered single soul and being at the sixth stage of the Force Soul Realm, she wouldn''t be too difficult to handle. In the center of the Scripture Pavilion was a reclining chair where an old man with white hair lay peacefully, as if taking a nap. Each disciple entering the Pavilion would first pay respects to the old man before browsing the books. Bai Ye was no exception. The first floor of the Pavilion housed countless heart methods and soul techniques. It''s easy to bite off more than one can chew, so there was no need to pick the best, just the most suitable. He wandered around and noticed a book on the shelf near the entrance. Whenever a disciple picked it up, they would immediately put it down, either shaking their heads and leaving or scoffing at it. Bai Ye, curious, walked over. "''Flash Sword Technique''?" He quickly flipped through the book. The technique emphasized surprise attacks, seizing any opportunity during combat to draw the sword with lightning speed and strike unexpectedly. To master the ''Flash Sword Technique,'' one needed not only rapid speed but also the ability to draw the sword under any circumstance, making it exceedingly demanding. No wonder others shunned it. To master this technique would require a significant amount of time, and with that effort, cultivating other soul arts would be more beneficial. Besides, the power of this technique was probably underwhelming. Despite these thoughts, Bai Ye didn''t put the book down. Although it wasn''t a soul art, he always had a soft spot for physical techniques. The content wasn''t much, so after memorizing it, he moved on to other shelves. "''Surprising Step Technique,'' focusing on the flexibility and variability of body and footwork? Not bad." Bai Ye greedily absorbed the information, engrossed for half a day. After finishing the book, a thought struck him. What if he combined the ''Surprising Step Technique'' with the ''Flash Sword Technique''? Would it create a unique power? With that thought, he picked up both books and headed out. "Look at that fool, thinking of practicing the ''Flash Sword Technique''?" "Ha, who would bother with such a useless technique?" He heard a few mocking voices behind him. Ignoring them, Bai Ye grabbed a few peaches and headed to the back mountain. He had planned to go to the practice field, but it was too crowded there. The back mountain had a vast forest inhabited by many spirit monkeys. As soon as Bai Ye entered the forest, the monkeys, attracted by the scent of the peaches, rushed towards him. He picked up a stick and, staring at the monkeys in the trees, threw a few peaches into the air. Instantly, hundreds of monkeys leapt up, reaching for the peaches like flying creatures. With too few peaches, some cunning monkeys stealthily approached, eyeing the bag next to Bai Ye and lunging to steal the fruit. Seeing this, Bai Ye recalled the techniques from ''Flash Sword Technique'' and immediately swung the stick. The number of monkeys grew increasingly numerous. The bolder monkeys even began throwing stones at him. Initially, Bai Ye managed to cope, but later, he became somewhat flustered. The key to the ''Flash Sword Technique'' was twofold: speed and certainty. Regardless of the current state ¨C whether falling, being hit, or even on the verge of death ¨C once an opponent''s flaw is spotted, a strike must be made. This required calmness and extraordinary insight. Enduring the pain on his body, Bai Ye dodged the monkeys'' bites and swung the stick. The forest seemed to be swarming with monkeys, threatening to overwhelm him. He took a deep breath and calmly responded. Swordsmanship couldn''t be mastered overnight. The eternal path of martial arts required years of refinement. The weak would be trampled at will, and to avoid being weak, one must become strong. After half a day, the large bag of peaches he brought was completely stolen. The monkeys scattered, and Bai Ye, covered in scratches, walked out of the forest, enduring the laughter of others on the way. The next day, Bai Ye returned. After more than half a month of hard practice, he made some progress, but the restless monkeys in the back mountain forest attracted the attention of some disciples. After practicing for half a day, Bai Ye looked at the bulging bag and the bruised monkeys in the trees, his face breaking into a wry smile. Initially, the monkeys managed to snatch some peaches, but later, they only got beaten. "Thank you for practicing with me for so many days. Take these," Bai Ye said, scattering the peaches on the ground. He bowed to the monkeys and then turned to leave. The monkeys immediately swarmed over the peaches, and the forest erupted into chaos once more. However, as Bai Ye stepped out of the forest, his pace slowed down. Outside the woods stood a group of people, whom he didn''t recognize, except for the leader, Bai Zhixin. Bai Ye frowned and gripped the wooden stick in his hand. "Bai Ye, do you remember what I said to you half a month ago?" Bai Zhixin spoke coldly. "Bai Zhixin, we are both from the Bai family, and even cousins. We should be helping each other, yet you choose to oppose me. Is it because of your father, Bai He?" Bai Ye spoke calmly. "Hmph, good that you know. Because of you, my father was expelled from the Bai family and suffered humiliation. Can''t I settle this account with you?" Bai Zhixin said coldly. "Your father committed numerous misdeeds to seize the position of the family head and framed my father and me. His expulsion from the Bai family was self-inflicted." "Nonsense!" Angered by his words, Bai Zhixin was about to attack. Bai Ye''s eyes sharpened, and he raised his wooden stick, speaking sharply, "If you are confident, then come on!" Hearing this, Bai Zhixin froze in her steps. The fact that Bai Ye had defeated Luo City''s number one genius, Ye Qian, had already spread throughout the Absolute Soul Sect, and no one dared to underestimate this new disciple. Although she was confident in her strength, she still fell short compared to Ye Qian. "Brat, don''t be too arrogant! Can''t you see your current situation?" "Trying to scare us?" The others behind her voiced their discontent. Unperturbed, Bai Ye sneered, "So it''s about numbers, is it? If it were a one-on-one contest, any incident could be explained as a sparring session to the sect, but if you all gang up on me, it won''t be easy to explain once things get out of hand." "You¡­" The others were at a loss for words. Bai Ye snorted and was about to leave when a taunting voice floated over. "Just because you defeated the useless Ye Qian, you think so highly of yourself. If we let you continue like this, won''t you soon disregard everyone in the sect?" Bai Ye stopped and turned his head to see a slightly older man walking behind Bai Zhixin. The man had a buzz cut, a smiling face, but his eyes flickered with malice. "Mo Senior Brother!" "Mo Senior Brother!" ... People greeted him eagerly. Mo Senior Brother was clearly a figure of some importance in the sect. Bai Ye tensed up, preparing himself for whatever might come next.