In a blink of an eye, an old man slowly approached.
Despite his age, the elder was clad in a blue robe, a pagoda embroidered on his chest, and an exceptionally pure ice-type jade pendant at his waist. His posture was remarkably upright, brimming with vitality.
Ye Cangtian observed the elder from head to toe, his brow gradually furrowing.
The fact that this individual could evade his senses and infiltrate the Hidden Group meant he was, at the very least, a Sky-level expert.
After all, his senses were not something just anyone could escape.
With that thought, Ye Cangtian spoke, "May I ask which member of the Gale Tower you are?"
The old man cast a casual glance at Ye Cangtian and slowly replied, "I am Yi Feipeng, the Second Tower Master of Gale Tower!"
Yi Feipeng?
Ye Cangtian's mind raced, recalling a conversation with Elder Long. Elder Long had mentioned him before.
Before Ye Cangtian's injury, Gale Tower had only one Tower Master who was a Sky-level expert, but it possessed several Grand Completion realm experts, and Yi Feipeng was seemingly one of them!
Now, it appeared that after so many years, the man had also broken through the barrier and become a true Sky-level expert!
"So, it is the Second Tower Master. Forgive my failure to greet you properly!"
Ye Cangtian cupped his hands. After all, the man was older and considered a senior, moreover, he was also a Sky-level expert, so Ye Cangtian showed a degree of politeness.
"No need! This old man cannot accept it!"
"This old man will ask you only one question: if I take the people away now, will you obstruct me?"
Yi Feipeng's gaze fixed on Ye Cangtian, showing no pleasantry whatsoever!
He had overheard Ye Cangtian's earlier words about crippling the cultivation of all Gale Tower disciples, which had truly angered him.
These disciples were, after all, the elites of Gale Tower, and it was possible that one day a Sky-level expert might emerge from among them.
Therefore, if their cultivation were to be crippled, Gale Tower would inevitably have to find ways to help them recover, which would incur a significant loss of Nine Revolutions Golden Pills.
Although these Nine Revolutions Golden Pills were not scarce in Gale Tower, they could not withstand such waste!
It was for this reason that Yi Feipeng chose to reveal himself, to halt the losses temporarily!
"Since the Second Tower Master has personally appeared, I will naturally give you face!"
"However, others may leave with you. But Wan Mingxuan has offended me multiple times. If he wishes to leave, his cultivation must be crippled!"
Ye Cangtian's expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly.
"Uncle-Master, you must help me!"
"Mingxuan can go back and accept punishment, but my cultivation absolutely cannot be lost here! Mingxuan absolutely cannot disgrace Gale Tower..."
As Ye Cangtian finished speaking, before Yi Feipeng could reply, Wan Mingxuan, standing nearby, approached Yi Feipeng and pleaded.
He had already heard Yi Feipeng's words and knew that the elder had heard the bet between him and Ye Cangtian.
In this situation, if he were to sacrifice his cultivation, it would not deepen the conflict between Gale Tower and the Hidden Group. At most, it would be considered accepting the consequences of a bet.
Thus, he was unwilling to suffer this torment!
Therefore, a plan formed in his mind to provoke a conflict between Yi Feipeng and Ye Cangtian.
In that way, Yi Feipeng would surely not hold back and could help him vent his anger.
Perhaps after Yi Feipeng defeated Ye Cangtian, the Hidden Group would obediently hand over the Four Great Seals!
Of course, he never considered the possibility of Yi Feipeng losing.
After all, in his eyes, Yi Feipeng was an established Sky-level expert, while Ye Cangtian had only recently broken through to the Sky-level.
Comparing the two, the outcome was already decided.
On the other side, after hearing Wan Mingxuan's words, Yi Feipeng's eyes began to turn.
Wan Mingxuan's statement was not entirely unreasonable; after all, he had initiated the bet himself, and if he lost, he should honor his promise!
But the problem was, if Wan Mingxuan's cultivation were truly crippled, how would he explain it to the Tower Master?
Although Wan Mingxuan's talent was somewhat lacking, he was definitely one of the Tower Master's favorite disciples! Otherwise, he wouldn't have assigned this task to Wan Mingxuan!
Thinking this, Yi Feipeng's gaze shifted to Ye Cangtian, and he said, "Ye Cangtian, do I not even have this much face? I think it would be best to de-escalate the situation. Let him apologize to the Hidden Group, and that will be sufficient..."
"I just said that letting you take the others is already giving you face."
Ye Cangtian's gaze met Yi Feipeng's, and he continued, "If I don't teach him a lesson, I will find it difficult to account to others."
"He not only offended me repeatedly but also instructed his subordinates to assault people in the street. If I let him go like this, who will abide by the rules of my Dragon City!"
"Uncle-Master, it wasn't like that. The one who hit people was Shan Bao, and Shan Bao was already executed on the spot..."
As Ye Cangtian's voice fell, Wan Mingxuan immediately explained excitedly, repeatedly clarifying to Yi Feipeng.
"Hmph!"
Ye Cangtian let out a cold snort, interrupting Wan Mingxuan, and said coldly, "If you hadn't tacitly approved, how would Shan Bao dare to act presumptuously and commit violence in the street? Are you not implicated in all of this?"
"This..."
At this remark, Wan Mingxuan was instantly rendered speechless.
Yi Feipeng, standing beside them, glanced at Wan Mingxuan and remained silent. He was well aware of Wan Mingxuan's character and knew that he was entirely capable of such actions.
Therefore, even if Ye Cangtian hadn't stopped Wan Mingxuan, he wouldn't have believed him.
However, despite this, he still had to protect Wan Mingxuan out of consideration for the Tower Master.
The next moment, he looked at Ye Cangtian and said lightly, "Ye Cangtian, how about I make a bet with you?"
Heh heh.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and said, "You mean, if you win, you will let me spare Wan Mingxuan, but what if you lose?"
"Uh..."
As the words fell, Yi Feipeng was momentarily stunned.
He gave Ye Cangtian a deep look and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "This child is indeed formidable. Before I could even speak, he saw through my intentions."
"As expected of the pride of the younger generation in the Hidden Group..."
Thinking this, he smiled slightly and said, "If I lose, not only can you cripple his cultivation, but I will also promise you one additional thing!"
"Good! It's settled then!"
Ye Cangtian's eyes lit up at his words, and he immediately agreed.
The promise of a Sky-level expert carried considerable weight.
Saying so, he rose and walked to Yi Feipeng's side, stating calmly, "Second Tower Master, the space here is rather small. Shall we go to the training grounds?"
"Certainly!"
Yi Feipeng nodded and then gestured for him to proceed.
Without hesitation, Ye Cangtian stepped forward and left the hall.
A short while later, led by Ye Cangtian, a group of people arrived at an open-air training ground behind the Hidden Group.
It was called a training ground, but it was essentially a very large arena, with a symbolic display of various weapons around it, nothing more.
"Brat, what are your chances?"
With both sides positioned on opposite sides of the arena, Dongfang Mingyue approached Ye Cangtian and asked in a low voice.
After all, the other party was a Sky-level expert, and she felt some concern for Ye Cangtian.
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly at her question and replied, "Sister Mingyue, it is very difficult to make me lose..."
Without knowing the opponent's strength threshold, Ye Cangtian was unsure if he could win purely through a contest of strength.
However, as long as he was unwilling to lose, he wouldn't be defeated.
He knew that he still possessed the Three Great Seals. If he were to reveal these seals, combined with his cultivation, he believed he would be invincible among Sky-level experts.
The crucial issue was whether he was willing to reveal such a trump card and if it was worth revealing it!
"Ye Cangtian, I am ready."
Just then, Yi Feipeng had already reached the center of the arena and spoke to Ye Cangtian on the other side.
Ye Cangtian glanced at him, smiled faintly, then exerted force with his feet, springing up and directly arriving before Yi Feipeng.
The two, like contestants in an arena, first bowed to each other and then slowly retreated a short distance.
Clang!
With a soft hum, the Death Scythe was grasped in Ye Cangtian's palm.
As the dark golden aura of the Death Scythe emanated, the disciples of Gale Tower all over the arena began to break out in cold sweats.
The terrifying aura surged like a tide, making it difficult for them to breathe.
On the other side, Yi Feipeng's brow furrowed slightly as he slowly put on his sharp claw gauntlets.
In an instant, his entire aura was suddenly released, standing in opposition to Ye Cangtian's aura.
Hoo!
Is it merely early Sky-level?
Sensing the opponent's cultivation, Ye Cangtian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If the opponent was merely at the early Sky-level, then he should not be difficult to deal with, and there would be no need to use a trump card!
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian made a gesture of invitation and then planted the Death Scythe in front of him.
"What's going on?"
"Isn't this full of openings?"
Ye Xiao watched Ye Cangtian's movements. The latter was neither attacking nor defending, and he was somewhat bewildered by Ye Cangtian's actions.
But at the same time, he saw that Yi Feipeng had no intention of making a move, which truly piqued his curiosity, and he muttered to himself.
"This is a true master. Seemingly full of openings, but in reality, as solid as a rock, leaving no opportunities!"
Wan Mingxuan, standing beside him, glanced at Ye Xiao and said lightly.
Hearing Wan Mingxuan's words, Ye Xiao nodded as if he understood, then cupped his hands in flattery, "As expected of an adult with extensive knowledge. Your subordinate is truly impressed..."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Wan Mingxuan's mouth twitched. This was hardly him having extensive knowledge!
To be honest, he also saw Ye Cangtian's stance as full of openings.
It was just that his master had explained such situations to him before, and seeing this, he had borrowed the explanation.
Thinking this, he let out a soft哼, "Don't talk. This is a rare battle, and it will be very beneficial to us. Watch carefully!"