"Hand over the secret manual!" Ye Ningze said coldly to Lei Ming.
"Are you sure you want my saber technique?" Lei Ming retorted, unwilling.
He was not reluctant to part with the manual itself. Though a bronze-grade saber technique manual was rare on the market, for a scion of a prominent family like Lei Ming, it was merely a matter of spending more money.
However, once this manual was handed over, Lei Ming's greatest loss would be his reputation and prestige.
The matter of his defeat by Ye Ningze on the performance stage at Qianye Plaza today would surely spread by tomorrow.
At that time, Lei Ming's reputation would be utterly ruined.
Not only Lei Ming himself, but also his family, would be unable to hold their heads up in Qingcheng Base.
"Hand it over!" Ye Ningze's tone remained icy, "A bet is a bet!"
Upon hearing this, Lei Ming threw the manual in his embrace to Ye Ningze.
Although the manual was given away, Lei Ming's gaze towards Ye Ningze was unfriendly, filled with malice.
The look conveyed a clear message, as if telling Ye Ningze not to regret it.
After tossing the manual to Ye Ningze, Lei Ming turned and left in a huff.
When Ye Ningze descended from the stage, Feng Lang walked up to congratulate him, "Brother Ye, it's only been a few days since I last saw you, and I feel your realm has advanced considerably."
He paused, his expression turning serious, and then warned Ye Ningze.
"Brother Ye, this Lei Ming is not someone to be trifled with. You've embarrassed him here today, and he might seek revenge in secret. You must be careful!"
Ye Ningze was unconcerned by Feng Lang's reminder. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Seeing that Ye Ningze was so confident, Feng Lang said no more.
This was not something he could intervene in anyway. As a friend, all he could do was to remind him in advance.
Having successfully acquired another bronze-grade saber technique, Ye Ningze returned home and immediately began to cultivate.
The Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound Saber Technique, like Shadow, was also a bronze-grade saber technique. After a brief practice, Ye Ningze knew that he would not be able to cultivate it to the perfected realm in a short period.
"Only by cultivating the saber technique to perfection can I further enhance my strength. If I can only reach great accomplishment, it will be similar to Shadow..."
Ye Ningze pondered silently.
Shadow Saber Technique, at great accomplishment, increased strength threefold, which was the same for Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound Saber Technique.
Currently, for both saber techniques Ye Ningze possessed, Shadow and Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound, he could only cultivate them to great accomplishment.
Unless he experienced an epiphany or improved his saber talent, considering Ye Ningze's saber talent was also B-grade.
But having one more saber technique was always good.
While Ye Ningze was diligently practicing at home, discussions among the martial artists in Qingcheng Base had already become widespread.
Sun Family.
When the head of the Sun family learned that Lei Ming had been defeated by Ye Ningze, he was greatly surprised.
"It seems I underestimated Ye Ningze. Even Lei Ming, with his high-level cultivation talent, is no match for him. Perhaps Ye Ningze's cultivation talent is not intermediate, but high-level?"
The head of the Sun family sat in the main seat, stroking his chin as he speculated.
Originally, Ye Ningze, as a genius martial artist of Qingcheng Base, defeating a genius from another base was a good thing. However, the head of the Sun family was not happy at this moment.
This was because the Lei family's strength far surpassed that of the Sun family.
The Lei family, although without any transcendent martial artists, had two peak Grandmasters, as well as ten Grandmaster martial artists.
The head of the Sun family had sparred with the Lei family's peak Grandmasters before, and he was no match for them.
Not only could he not fight them, but he was defeated instantly.
If the Lei family wanted to destroy the Sun family, sending just one peak Grandmaster martial artist would be enough. Moreover, the Lei family was consistently ranked among the top five in terms of family strength within the Wolf Lord Base.
The strength of the Lei family was evident from this.
"What a pity. Our Qingcheng Base has finally produced such a genius martial artist, and now we might not be able to protect him!"
The head of the Sun family sighed with regret.
If Ye Ningze could grow, he had a high probability of breaking through to Grandmaster, or even reaching a higher realm.
But now, that opportunity was gone.
The head of the Sun family had some understanding of the Lei family's temperament and disposition.
It was rumored that the reason the Lei family had produced so many Grandmasters, and that most of them possessed saber talent, was due to their practice of inbreeding.
Because of this method of breeding, many children born to the Lei family suffered from disabilities.
The Lei family secretly executed these imperfect offspring.
If they were so ruthless to their own kin, the head of the Sun family did not believe the Lei family would let Ye Ningze go.
On the other side.
Lei Family.
Lei Ming's mood could be described as furious. He had already smashed most of the furniture in his room and even beaten up the surrounding servants.
Just then, a middle-aged man entered the room from outside.
This person was Lei Ming's father, Lei Xingjun.
Lei Xingjun was a Grandmaster martial artist. Although he was only newly ascended to Grandmaster, with his saber talent, he could still contend with late-stage Grandmaster martial artists.
"Father!" Lei Ming stopped his outburst when Lei Xingjun arrived.
"Still angry about Ye Ningze?" Lei Xingjun asked.
"He defeated me in public and stole my saber technique. Father, how can I swallow this insult?" Lei Ming said, full of anger.
Hearing Lei Ming's words, Lei Xingjun waved his hand and advised, "Victory and defeat are common in warfare. There's no need to be so angry."
"You should use this opportunity to temper your state of mind."
Lei Ming did not heed any of Lei Xingjun's earnest teachings.
"Father, I want Ye Ningze dead. Can you intervene?"
Having witnessed Ye Ningze's strength, Lei Ming was self-aware. He knew he was no match for Ye Ningze and could not kill him. Furthermore, Lei Ming could not mobilize the Grandmaster martial artists within the family.
But as long as his father intervened, Ye Ningze would surely die!
Lei Xingjun shook his head at Lei Ming's request.
"Son, we cannot act against Ye Ningze right now."
"Why?" Lei Ming asked, completely bewildered.
"Because our Wolf Lord Base has just established a foothold in Qingcheng Base and is not yet stable," Lei Xingjun explained.
"To the martial artists of Qingcheng Base, we are outsiders after all. If we kill their genius martial artist now, even if the various families don't say anything, it's hard to guarantee that the martial artists below won't gossip."
"But, but are we just going to let it go like this?" Lei Ming heard Lei Xingjun's words, but he remained indignant.
Throughout his life, Lei Ming had never suffered such a humiliating insult.
Not only was he defeated in public, but his saber technique manual was also snatched away. If this revenge was not taken, what face would Lei Ming have in the base from now on?
"Wait a few months. Once we have established ourselves in Qingcheng Base, we will then eliminate Ye Ningze," Lei Xingjun said dismissively.