He couldn’t believe it; this seemingly easy catch had just been narrowly evaded by Hong Yuan. It was too coincidental! This, in turn, made Ye Tian uneasy, and a shadow fell over his eyes.

BUZZ...

In the dim sky, a tiny Bee Beast Worm stealthily fluttered by. Its wings vibrated at an extremely low frequency, creating almost no airflow disturbance as it moved. While Ye Tian was not paying attention, the Bee Beast Worm attached itself to his clothes. It then merged into the fabric and slowly dissipated, inadvertently entering Ye Tian’s bloodstream. Although this Blood Tao Worm was only of fifth-order peak quality, without the strength of a Saint, it was virtually undetectable. To deal with someone like Ye Tian, Hong Yuan had been extremely cautious.

Hmm?

Ye Tian suddenly stopped, an ominous premonition gripping his heart. He furrowed his thick brows and clutched his chest over his heart. "Sigh. I should rest earlier. Otherwise, facing Ye Gufan tomorrow, there’s a real chance of an upset."

He quickened his pace, heading towards his large bedroom. Just then, two rather comely maids, his bed-warmers, came forward to help him change his clothes. However, after changing, he pushed the two beautiful maids away and began to rest.

「Elsewhere.」

Hong Yuan, lying on a hardwood bed, also slowly closed his eyes, conserving his energy.

All will be revealed tomorrow!

「...」

「The next morning.」

After breakfast, Hong Yuan took Ye Xiner on a pre-determined alternative route. This path was extremely secluded and rugged, winding through streets and houses, a series of maneuvers that Ye Xiner couldn’t comprehend at all. But out of trust in Hong Yuan, she did not speak up, just tightly grasping Hong Yuan’s large hand and not letting go.

What’s with this girl?

Hong Yuan was puzzled, glancing back at her. Ye Xiner smiled sweetly at Hong Yuan, a sight pleasing to the heart and mind, and Hong Yuan was no exception. He always had a high tolerance for beautiful things. Indeed, this was one reason why he got along well with the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint.

「Luochen Ye Family.」

「Yenwu Hall.」

The place was bustling with noise as crowds of clansmen, both prominent and common, gathered to see who would make it into the top five and get the opportunity to train with the main family.

"It’s getting more and more outrageous. Apart from Brother Gu Fan, the top ten contestants this year are either from the central region or the eastern region. This... sigh~"

"Who says otherwise? Staying in the clan, as an ordinary clansman like me, I feel like I’m about to suffocate. I really hope Brother Gu Fan can turn the tables on Ye Tian and seize a training spot with the main family."

A pair of ordinary Luochen branch family members conversed dejectedly in a corner. In previous years, there would at least be three or four martial artists from ordinary clansmen backgrounds among the top ten contenders. However, as time passed, the gap between ordinary clansmen and the descendants of the clan elders grew ever wider!

"Perhaps it’s because the main family keeps branching out..."

"A big tree will inevitably have rotten branches; they just need pruning," a beautiful lady, one of the distinguished guests from the main family, commented.

The Luochen Ye Family’s branch Clan Leader chuckled. "Lady Yaner, you overstate. My branch is like this, but isn’t the Saint Achievement Road of the main family even more perilous?"

When these words were spoken, silence fell over the room.

The clan elder Qing Shui showed a faint smile on his ancient face. His bold action the night before wasn’t reckless; it was based on a precedent. A precedent set by the main family itself!

The clan elder Qing Shui’s eyes narrowed as he sighed inwardly. What a pity. That young Ye Gufan was so lucky; he actually managed to escape that calamity.

「A moment later.」

The middle-aged man who had come from the main family, his eyes filled with the marks of time and radiating a majestic righteousness, finally spoke. "The competition is about to start. Let’s watch first. Oh, it’s still Ye Gufan versus Ye Tian, I see..."

He said this with a smile, glancing towards the clan elder Qing Shui as if unintentionally.

「...」

"Gu Fan, just do your best. If it really doesn’t work out, then take a step back for now. We’re not in a rush," Ye Xiner gently adjusted Hong Yuan’s collar, admonishing him like a young wife.

Hong Yuan’s eyes twinkled with a smile. "Mm-hm, I’ll give it my all. You can rest assured."

Under Ye Xiner’s expectant and nervous gaze, Hong Yuan waved goodbye and stepped onto the dueling platform. As soon as he entered the platform, Hong Yuan heard Ye Tian snort coldly.

Ye Tian was a handsome young man. His eyebrows were as straight as swords, and his clear, bright eyes shot out a fierce light, reminiscent of an eagle or a tiger. Had it not been for last night’s incident, Hong Yuan would never have imagined that Ye Tian’s mental fortitude would be so fragile.

Appearances can be deceiving!

Born with such a fine, jade-like exterior, yet inside he’s nothing but a sack of useless straw. What a waste. Hong Yuan sneered disdainfully.

"What did you say?" Ye Tian’s sword-like eyebrows shot up, and anger surged within him.

Seeing Ye Tian’s furious expression, Hong Yuan’s eyes brightened, and joy welled up in his heart.

The effects of a fifth-order Blood Tao Worm are truly potent!

"DANG DANG DANG!" The on-duty clan elder struck the bronze drum forcefully, staring at Hong Yuan with displeasure. "This is not a place for you to bicker! You are both Martial Artists. Show your strength, or else get off this platform!"

Hong Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he cast a thoughtful glance at this on-duty clan elder. He could sense the deep malice this on-duty clan elder held towards him. Trash-talking before a match was an extremely normal part of a duel. This on-duty clan elder, it was clear, saw that Hong Yuan was using words to disturb Ye Tian’s mind and decisively put a stop to it.

A third-order Martial Artist, almost at fourth-order strength. Tsk tsk, it seems Ye Tian has some off-stage support as well.

Realizing this, Hong Yuan sneered coldly to himself. He had known that the first dreamscape wouldn’t be that simple. All beginnings are difficult; a good start is practically half the battle won. Therefore, Hong Yuan was well-prepared for the difficulties of this first dreamscape. Fortunately, the rewards for the first dreamscape were second only to those of the final one.

"DANG DANG DANG—"

The on-duty clan elder struck the bronze drum, circulated his True Essence, and loudly announced, "The match begins!"

Hong Yuan and Ye Tian both raised their cold swords simultaneously, their killing intent surging!