Chapter 247: Ye Xiaohan’s Second Defeat

Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Ye Xiaohan’s Second Defeat

Although Ye Xiaohan had not yet comprehended the Sword Dao, his strength lay in his diligence and endurance. He had already practiced the few Sword Techniques available to him in the Celestial Dao Palace to the point of perfection.

The Spiritual Awareness Sword was a technique that only disciples of the Inner Sect’s C-division could practice.

In terms of Martial Technique rankings, this Sword Technique was classified as Earth Level Middle Class.

An Earth Level Middle Class Martial Technique would be considered extraordinary in the Eastern Domain. However, in the Central Domain—especially within a top-tier Sect like the Celestial Dao Palace—it was merely an ordinary Sword Technique.

If Ye Xiaohan had comprehended the Sword Dao, he might have been able to unleash far greater power from this technique. But, after all, he had not.

Facing his opponent’s Celestial Decision Sword—a Celestial Level Early Stage Martial Technique—he managed to hold on for dozens of exchanges, but was ultimately defeated.

"You’re from the C-division? I really don’t know how you even got in. Is this all the skill you have?"

On the dueling ring, Pang Mengyang pointed his sword at Ye Xiaohan’s chest and jeered with utter contempt.

"Pang Mengyang, I lost, and that’s that. Winning and losing are normal in spars between disciples. Why the need for humiliation?" Although Ye Xiaohan was furious, he didn’t show it. He tore the "C" character plaque from his chest, tossed it to Pang Mengyang, and walked straight off the dueling ring.

"Heh, you think it’s over just like that?" Pang Mengyang caught the plaque and affixed it to his own chest.

As Ye Xiaohan stepped off the dueling ring, his ears were filled with endless mockery.

Deep down, Ye Xiaohan harbored a sense of inferiority. His parents had died young, and his family had suffered a great catastrophe, forcing him to flee for his life. If he hadn’t met Chu Fan, he would have likely died long ago.

Later, thanks to Chu Fan’s kindness, he was brought to the Celestial Dao Palace by Yan Ying. His talent was far from exceptional among the Palace’s disciples, and his worldly experience was also lacking in comparison.

Furthermore, because he had been brought to the Celestial Dao Palace by Yan Ying, a Direct Disciple of the Palace Master, there was no shortage of gossip. Everyone said he only got in because of his connections.

As a result, Ye Xiaohan had trained harder than anyone else these past few years, leaving him with no time to socialize with other disciples in the Sect.

Now, having been defeated and knocked off the ring, he was surrounded by nothing but scorn.

However, he had heard more than enough whispers and seen enough fingers pointed his way over the years. Thus, his expression remained unchanged as he listened to the jeers.

"Young Master, they’re just running their mouths. Don’t stoop to their level," Qi Wei said, stepping forward to comfort Ye Xiaohan in a low voice.

Ye Xiaohan shook his head. "It’s fine. I don’t pay them any mind."

Just then, Wang Xing pointed into the distance. "Young Master, look over there!"

"Hu Wenlai of Gui Gate challenges Ye Xiaohan of D Gate!"

On a distant dueling ring, a message had appeared: another challenge for him.

What stunned them was that a disciple from Gui Gate was challenging him—skipping several divisions to do so—right after he had been demoted to D Gate.

The jeers from the crowd grew even louder.

"Those who ride coattails into our Celestial Dao Palace will eventually get a harsh slap in the face from reality."

"Shh, keep your voice down! No matter what, he was brought into the Sect by Senior Brother Yan. If Senior Brother Yan finds out you’re mocking him so brazenly, you’ll be in for it when the blame comes down."

"What’s there to fear? Am I not speaking the truth? Does Senior Brother Yan get to ignore the Sect’s rules?"

"You’ve got some real nerve. Didn’t you see Senior Brother Yan standing right over there on the viewing platform?"

"So what if he is? Just you watch. That Hu Wenlai from Gui Gate might just be able to beat him, too!"

At this point, Ye Xiaohan realized he was being targeted.

A challenge from another D Gate disciple would have been normal. But to be challenged and defeated by one, only to be immediately challenged by a Gui Gate disciple the moment he stepped off the ring... this was clearly not normal.

"Young Master, it’s a challenge from Gui Gate. You’re allowed to refuse," said Wang Xing.

But Ye Xiaohan shook his head. "If I refuse, I’m afraid even more, even nastier rumors will spread. It doesn’t matter if I’m wronged a little. The real target of their taunts and slander isn’t me—it’s Senior Brother Yan."

On the viewing platform, Yan Ying and Xiaoya sat in an inconspicuous corner. Seeing this scene, Yan Ying’s brow furrowed.

"My... My Lady, those people are going too far!" Xiaoya said, her cheeks puffed out in anger.

A flash of killing intent crossed Yan Ying’s cold face, but she quickly concealed it. She shook her head with a cold smile. "Forget it. Consider this a test for Ye Xiaohan. Let’s see how he handles it."

As the mistress and her servant were speaking, Ye Xiaohan had already stepped onto the dueling ring.

On the dueling ring, Hu Wenlai stood opposite Ye Xiaohan. He was just a young man, only a few years older, and Ye Xiaohan had no memory of him. ’He must be a new disciple who joined the Celestial Dao Palace in the last year or two,’ he thought.

The Celestial Dao Palace had tens of thousands of disciples, and hundreds more joined each year. It was impossible for Ye Xiaohan to know them all.

"Let’s begin." Stepping onto the ring, Ye Xiaohan drew his sword without another word.

"Not so fast, Senior Brother Ye," Hu Wenlai taunted, crossing his arms. "I hear you were brought into the Celestial Dao Palace by Senior Brother Yan. And that you’re a barbarian from the Eastern Domain?"

Upon hearing this, even with all his tolerance, Ye Xiaohan’s expression darkened.

’Eastern Barbarians?’

"If you want to fight, then fight! Cut the crap!" Ye Xiaohan snapped.

Hu Wenlai’s smile widened. "A barbarian is still a barbarian, with no sense of propriety or etiquette. Since you’re in such a hurry to get back to Gui Gate, I’ll be happy to oblige you."

With that, Hu Wenlai was the first to attack.

’Golden Core Realm Tier Seven?’

Ye Xiaohan was stunned. ’Hu Wenlai is only twenty-one or twenty-two. How could a Golden Core Realm Tier Seven cultivator of his age be in Gui Gate?’

’Based on his talent and Cultivation, he should be in W Gate or D Gate at the very least.’

However, the Sword Technique he was using wasn’t particularly formidable—just the Earth Level Initial Grade Danqing Sword Manual.

Yet after just a few exchanges, Ye Xiaohan was shocked to discover that the Sword Techniques of this Earth Level Initial Grade manual in Hu Wenlai’s hands were completely suppressing the offensive of his own Earth Level Middle Grade Spiritual Awareness Sword.

’Sword Dao?’

’This guy must have already comprehended the Sword Dao.’

Ye Xiaohan came to a conclusion.

Pang Mengyang had won with a superior, High Tier Sword Technique. But this Hu Wenlai from Gui Gate was trying to defeat him with Sword Dao itself.

A knot of nervousness formed in Ye Xiaohan’s stomach.

It wouldn’t matter if he lost. It wouldn’t even matter if he was demoted from D Gate all the way down to Gui Gate. But if he lost again, he would end up dragging down Senior Brother Yan.

Ye Xiaohan was only seventeen, after all, with little real combat experience. As his nervousness grew, his Sword Momentum faltered.

"Now I’m sure of it. You must have gotten into D Gate through connections. Your Combat Power is nothing special."

Hu Wenlai taunted him. As his right hand struck with his sword, he flicked a yellow Daoist Talisman held between his left index and middle fingers. It shot forward in a streak of light, merging into his swinging Long Sword.

The next instant, the sword in Hu Wenlai’s hand flashed with a cold light. Ye Xiaohan felt the Sword Momentum of the strike bear down on him with the weight of a mountain.

Under the force of this Sword Momentum, all of his own Sword Techniques were shattered as if they were rotten wood.

The flat of the Long Sword in Hu Wenlai’s hand slammed viciously against Ye Xiaohan’s back. The force sent him stumbling forward, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.