Both Ye Tian and Ye Feng used Thunderbolt Fist. Since Ye Feng's Power Realm was a level higher than Ye Tian's, Ye Tian was certain to be defeated.
Just as everyone thought Ye Feng would send Ye Tian flying, an unbelievable result occurred.
Ye Tian was not sent flying. He only retreated a few steps, his face slightly pale, but he didn't appear to be seriously injured.
Ye Feng was also knocked back several steps, his expression unsightly. He couldn't stop shaking his arm. 'How is this kid's fist so powerful? He just broke through to the Fourth Layer, yet he can stand up to me. This is truly unusual.'
"Did I see that right? That waste Ye Tian can actually hold his own against Ye Feng? How is that possible?" one disciple exclaimed, looking as if he'd just seen a pig fly.
"How can someone at the Fourth Layer possibly fight someone at the Fifth Layer? How did Ye Tian do it? This is just bizarre!" another disciple said.
"So the difference between the Fifth and Fourth Layer isn't that great after all," a youth in fine clothes remarked with a laugh as he walked over. "I thought it was some amazing gap, but it looks like it's nothing special."
Having failed to defeat Ye Tian, Ye Feng felt he had lost a great deal of face. Now, hearing the crowd's chatter, he seethed with rage.
He was about to tell the onlookers to shut their mouths, but he swallowed his words when he saw the newcomer.
"Brother Hu, what brings you to the Martial Arts Training Ground?" Ye Feng asked the richly-dressed youth respectfully.
Ye Tian also sized up the youth in fine clothes. 'Anyone who could make an arrogant bastard like Ye Feng bow and scrape must have an incredibly high status. He looks a little older than me, and he's handsome. There's a unique, domineering aura about him. He must be even stronger than Ye Feng.'
"It's been a while since I've come to the Martial Arts Training Ground. I thought I'd stop by for a look. The family competition isn't far off, so I wanted to see which Outer Disciples might enter the Inner Sect and become Core Disciples this time.
And you, why are you fighting a disciple at the Fourth Realm? What if you had injured him? You know fighting is forbidden anywhere but the dueling ring.
And yet, I never imagined you wouldn't even be able to defeat a Fourth-Realm Disciple. You're a disgrace to the Inner Sect Disciples!" The youth in fine clothes shot Ye Feng a look of disdain.
Ye Feng's face burned with shame. He shot a venomous glare at Ye Tian. Needless to say, the feud between them was cemented today. Only time would tell what the future held.
"Brother Hu, I was just careless for a moment. I won't disappoint you this time," Ye Feng said hurriedly.
"Is that so? Then put on a show for me. If you fail again... well, you know the consequences." After speaking, the youth deliberately glanced at Ye Shixue, who stood beside Ye Feng.
His gaze was so intense it felt as if it could pierce one's very soul. Ye Shixue, who was already looking at him, blushed crimson and shyly lowered her head.
Ye Tian had initially felt a flicker of a good impression toward the youth, but that vanished the moment he saw the look in his eyes as he gazed at Ye Shixue and heard his threatening words.
"Who is that? Why is even Ye Feng so respectful to him? Could he be the Grand Elder's son, Ye Hu?" someone in the crowd whispered.
"Who's Ye Hu?" someone else asked quietly, seeming to be as clueless about Inner Sect Disciples as Ye Tian.
"He's the second-ranked disciple in the family. He's already broken through to the Sixth Layer and is supposedly pushing for the Seventh Layer. He's also one of the people the Patriarch values most.
He's not someone we can afford to offend. Just look at how Ye Feng treats him. It looks like that unlucky fellow Ye Tian is in for a world of hurt now," said a disciple who knew the situation.
Ye Tian's hearing was superb, and he heard every word the disciples whispered. 'So he's already at the Sixth Realm,' he thought. 'No wonder Ye Feng is so deferential to him.'
'If someone at the Sixth Layer is only ranked second, who's number one? Have they already broken through to the Seventh Realm?' A wave of helplessness washed over Ye Tian at the thought.
"Ye Tian!" Ye Feng yelled. "I went easy on you before for Shixue's sake! I won't give you that chance again. The honor of an Inner Sect Disciple is at stake!"
He was clearly trying to regain the face he'd lost, especially in front of Ye Hu. His next attack was sure to be his most powerful.
Ye Shixue remained expressionless, though her eyes flickered toward Ye Hu from time to time. Only she knew her true intentions.
Rage burned in Ye Tian's heart. 'Do the weak just have to let themselves be bullied?' Though he was no match for Ye Feng, he refused to show any weakness.
"Ye Feng, you're at the Fifth Power Realm, and you have the gall to say that to someone who just reached the Fourth? Have you no shame?" Ye Tian glared at him. "Fine! If you want your face back so badly, I'll help you find it!"
A strange smile flickered across Ye Feng's face. His body blurred into motion as he lunged toward Ye Tian.
He had used Thunderbolt Fist before, but not this time. Instead, his fist morphed into a claw, slashing rapidly toward Ye Tian.
"Look! It's the Yellow-tier Top Grade Martial Skill, Wind-Splitting Claw!" someone in the crowd couldn't help but shout. "I can't believe Ye Feng learned such a powerful technique. Ye Tian is finished!"
Hearing this comment filled Ye Feng with pride. Only Inner Sect Disciples were permitted to practice Yellow-tier Top Grade Martial Skills, and he'd had to beg his father relentlessly to get this one.
Ye Tian knew this attack was far more dangerous than the Thunderbolt Fist from before. Not daring to be careless, he rapidly circulated the Spiritual Power in his body and unleashed a Thunderbolt Fist of his own.
It wasn't that he chose not to use other Martial Skills—he simply didn't know any other powerful Attack Martial Skills. Thunderbolt Fist was the only presentable technique in his arsenal.
BANG! Their attacks collided. Ye Tian's fist slammed into Ye Feng's sternum, while Ye Feng's clawed hand dug into Ye Tian's chest.
Ye Feng was thrown back several steps before he managed to steady himself, his chest heaving. He was shocked that Ye Tian had managed to hit him; the speed of that Thunderbolt Fist had been incredible.
Even with his familiarity with Thunderbolt Fist, he hadn't been able to dodge it. But since Ye Tian's Power Realm was a level below his, the Attack Power wasn't overwhelming. He could endure it.
Ye Tian, however, was not so fortunate. The Wind-Splitting Claw had torn his chest into a bloody mess, and crimson blood instantly soaked his robes.
The force from the claw strike penetrated his body, inflicting immediate internal injuries. Suffering from both internal and external wounds, Ye Tian's current body couldn't bear the damage.
He was sent flying several meters like a kite with a snapped string, crashing hard onto the ground. He couldn't stop a mouthful of blood from spraying out. It took him several deep breaths before he could struggle back to his feet.
His face was ashen, but even in his agony, he didn't let out a single groan. "Ye Feng," he snarled, "I will repay the debt from today twofold in the future! I'll make you pay for this at the family competition!"
With that, Ye Tian endured the searing pain and slowly walked away from the Martial Arts Training Ground, leaving the astonished crowd in his wake…