Su Jingyao’s departure left Zhang Yuan without his only friend in Upper Scenic Celestial.

Although he felt somewhat sentimental and lost.

But the ripples in his heart quickly dissipated, and he devoted himself to his daily cultivation.

However, Zhang Yuan was faced with a new problem.

His Daoist Merit was severely lacking.

Firstly, consulting the Dharma Transmission Elder at the Martial Pavilion required paying Daoist Merit, and then the Qilin Grass given by Su Jingyao, required Daoist Merit to commission the Merit Hall to refine into elixirs.

When added up, Zhang Yuan’s measly Daoist Merit was far from enough!

He was compelled to visit the Merit Hall again.

The tasks at the Merit Hall refresh every day, and there are quite a lot of them, searching among them for suitable ones took Zhang Yuan quite some effort.

He discovered that recently Upper Scenic Celestial seemed very much in need of Evil Infants, and the task rewards dangled were at least thirty percent higher than before, with more Daoist Merit added for higher-tier tasks!

This sparked great interest in Zhang Yuan.

Hunting monsters to acquire Evil Infants isn’t easy, it requires luck to use Condensing Evil Talismans to refine Evil Infants, and the success rate was quite low.

Most crucial is, these deceitful monsters are not just meek fish to be slaughtered.

They resist, struggle, and even self-destruct!

Zhang Yuan had ventured into Mo Yuan many times but had acquired only a few Evil Infants.

It was only when accompanying Su Jingyao during the Nine Peaks Grand Competition in the Cyan Profound Secret Realm that he harvested a significant amount.

But the Secret Realm of Upper Scenic Celestial is very different from Mo Yuan.

The former is a resource point within the sect that opens once every three years.

While the latter is a public resource point.

The difficulty greatly increases.

Fortunately, Su Jingyao gifted him the Thousand Threads Net!

The Thousand Threads Net is a High Tier Profound Artifact, and it has strong restraining properties against deceitful monsters, its formidable ability to bind can undoubtedly greatly improve the chances of acquiring Evil Infants.

After some thought, Zhang Yuan decided to try his luck at Mo Yuan tomorrow.

However, as soon as he stepped out of the Martial Pavilion, his path was blocked by a group!

There were three of them, all Tier Five Martial Artists, the leader among them was a middle-aged man with an extraordinary aura, clearly at the peak of Tier Five, just a step away from breaking through the bottleneck.

"You are Zhang Yuan?"

The middle-aged man spoke arrogantly: "My name is Yang Chengguang, Yang Hongyu is my nephew!"

Qianjing Yang Family members?

Zhang Yuan wasn’t surprised, rather it felt like the other shoe had finally dropped.

Back when he fought on the Trial Platform, he struck down Yang Hongyu with a single punch, causing a tremendous stir in the Martial Pavilion.

The fame from that fight made the Upper Scenic Celestial Martial Pavilion’s shining star, Xiao Yan, avoid him.

But the consequences were also obvious.

Yang Hongyu was a prodigy among the young generation of the Qianjing Yang Family, and Zhang Yuan’s punch not only destroyed this elite disciple but was also a slap to the face of the Yang Clan.

It’s nothing short of strange if the Qianjing Yang Family doesn’t retaliate.

Su Jingyao had previously warned that they would certainly not let the matter rest.

Zhang Yuan was fully prepared.

And now, finally, the men from the Qianjing Yang Family had come.

A bit slow in their response!

Quickly contemplating, Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "What? You want to take me to the Trial Platform too?"

Yang Chengguang not only outranked Yang Hongyu but also had higher cultivation, seemingly edging past Xiao Yan.

He felt the opponent was already standing at the doorstep of Tier Six, just a kick away from entering!

Yet Zhang Yuan was not afraid.

He was even a bit excited, eager for the upcoming fight.

Want to fight?

Bring Daoist Merit then!

Zhang Yuan was severely lacking Daoist Merit lately.

However, Yang Chengguang gave him a deep look and said, "I, Yang, never bully the young with the old, and this time I’m not here to challenge you to a life-and-death duel."

He spoke with a righteous aura, as if he believed his own words.

Zhang Yuan immediately frowned and said, "Since you’re not looking for a fight, then don’t block my way!"

Zhang Yuan didn’t have time to waste arguing with him.

Yang Chengguang frowned: "Are you sure you want to talk here?"

There were quite a few people entering and exiting the Martial Pavilion, and some had noticed the standoff.

Though no one gathered to watch, they could hear the conversation!

Zhang Yuan smirked coldly, "There’s nothing that can’t be said aloud."

He didn’t know what kind of trickery Yang’s powerhouse was plotting.

But the malice was evident.

Yet this is Upper Scenic Celestial, even if Yang Chengguang is audacious, he wouldn’t dare lay hands on Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan naturally felt no fear.

"Very well."

Yang Chengguang nodded, saying, "You rendered Hongyu useless, our Yang Family won’t just let it go, but we can give you an opportunity, or should I say a way out."

Zhang Yuan looked at him impassively, saying nothing.

Yang Chengguang continued speaking to himself: "Hongyu has a sister just turned sixteen, as long as you’re willing to marry into our Yang Clan, then we’ll be family, and all enmity will naturally be written off!"

The Yang Family powerhouse stared intensely at Zhang Yuan and said coldly, "Zhang Yuan, consider this matter carefully before responding, for the Qianjing Yang Family will not be insulted!"

Marry into the Yang Clan?

And to Yang Hongyu’s sister?

Zhang Yuan was completely surprised that the Yang Family would propose such a condition.

But he didn’t even need to think much to realize there’s a huge catch hidden in this.

Not just marrying in, but Yang Hongyu’s sister certainly has problems.

"No need to think."

Zhang Yuan responded without hesitation, "Go dream on, Yang Family can’t be insulted? Then bring it on!"

His final words resonated like thunder, spreading instantly in all directions.

Everyone around heard it clearly.

And they all heard Zhang Yuan’s unwavering fighting spirit and determination!

"Courting death!"

Before Yang Chengguang spoke, his two companions were already enraged, stepping forward in unison, emitting the imposing aura of Tier Five Martial Artists.

"Impressive!"

Yang Chengguang raised his hand to stop them, then turned to leave: "We’re leaving."

They left promptly, not even leaving behind a single harsh word.

Yet anyone could see the seething anger inside the Yang Family Tier Five powerhouse!

Zhang Yuan watched them depart.

He knew clearly, he had thoroughly severed ties with the Yang Family, with no room for negotiation and compromise.

But so what?

From the moment Zhang Yuan faced Yang Hongyu on the Trial Platform, he had anticipated the outcome of ruining him.

In fact, even if the scenario repeats, he would still deliver that punch!

A Martial Artist, without a fighting spirit, can never aspire to ascend to the pinnacle of Martial Arts.

Zhang Yuan never fears challenges!

But to be cautious, he decided not to immediately head to Mo Yuan.

In the days that followed, Zhang Yuan keenly felt the widening isolation he faced within the Martial Pavilion.

To be precise, everyone regarded him as a source of trouble, and dared not approach.

Afraid of being collateral damage.

The formidable power of the Qianjing Yang Family, evident from this.

What Zhang Yuan did not expect was.

In such circumstances, someone suddenly sought him out!

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