Chapter Eleven: Probing

Just as the Dragon Flood Demon King roared in fury, a chorus of curses and shouts erupted at the entrance of the secluded courtyard. Hoping to strike while the iron was hot and persuade the Dragon Flood Demon King in one go, the next moment, Ye Li appeared in the courtyard, his face ablaze with rage.

“Ye Feng, get out here! You worthless wretch, relying on your status as a direct descendant to seize the courtyard and squander the family’s resources!” Ye Li bellowed, his fury unrestrained.

Inside, Ye Feng frowned deeply. Based on his knowledge of Ye Li, the latter would never act so recklessly. The situation was indeed unexpected.

Ye Feng stepped out slowly, expressionless, and fixed his gaze upon Ye Li. “I wonder, cousin Ye Li, who do you think is most suitable to reside in this courtyard?”

“Only the worthy should claim it,” came a voice from the entrance, even before Ye Li could reply. It was the Elder’s voice, calm and unhurried.

Ye Feng’s brow furrowed even more. What was that old fox doing here as well? Had he gone too far with yesterday’s provocations?

“Is the Elder here today to decide the courtyard’s ownership?” Unable to discern their intentions, Ye Feng went straight to the heart of the matter, determined to see what they truly wanted.

“Heh… This has nothing to do with me,” the Elder replied, squinting as he dropped all pretense. “I merely heard that Li wishes to spar with you, so I’ve come to watch.”

After Ye Feng left yesterday, the Elder found himself unable to unravel the secret behind Ye Feng’s confidence. Thus, he had Ye Li come to test Ye Feng’s depths.

Upon hearing this, Ye Feng understood. They were probing him… But Ye Long’s trump card hadn’t even been revealed yet!

“Ye Shan, don’t go overboard! The Heavenly Courtyard belongs to my uncle; does he not even have the right to live here alone?” Before Ye Feng could respond, Ye Long, broad-shouldered and fierce as a tiger, charged in, pointing at the Elder and calling his name outright.

“Long’er, mind your manners!” From behind, Ye Tianya, robed in white, strode forward and quelled Ye Long’s outburst. “Since we’re all here, I’ll join the fun as well.” He fixed his gaze on the Elder, a hint of anger in his voice.

“Greetings, Patriarch!”

“Greetings, Patriarch!”

The appearance of Ye Tianya, even for the Elder Ye Shan, was unexpected. After a brief moment of astonishment, everyone hurriedly paid their respects.

“No need for formality. We’re all here out of idle curiosity,” Ye Tianya waved off their bows, his demeanor calm and unruffled.

“Since Second Uncle has spoken, let me test myself against this so-called prodigy.” Tired of their bickering, Ye Feng stepped forward and stood opposite Ye Li.

“If you want to probe me, why not turn the tables?” Ye Long thought slyly, a faint smile on his lips.

Ye Li was taken aback by Ye Feng’s words, then burst into laughter, eyeing him mockingly. “Looks like your brains got knocked loose last time.”

The commotion drew a crowd of family members to the courtyard gate, eager for spectacle.

Many outside glanced oddly at Ye Feng. A bit of backbone was admirable, but overreaching would only lead to humiliation.

Ye Li’s strength was well known; as for Ye Feng, though rumors spoke of his success in cultivation, everyone here possessed their own martial arts.

“Hmph! Want me to spar with you instead?” Seeing Ye Feng confront Ye Li head-on again, Ye Long, unaware of the full situation, stepped forward and grabbed Ye Feng urgently.

“Yes, Feng’er! This courtyard was left by your elder brother; it’s only right for you to reside here,” Ye Tianya called out, smiling strangely at Ye Feng.

“Patriarch! It’s merely a friendly duel… It has nothing to do with the courtyard’s ownership,” the Elder hastily explained, seeing Ye Tianya about to intervene.

Now, he was beginning to regret his boldness. If this incident made the Patriarch wary of him, it would be a loss too great to bear. After all, today’s purpose was merely to probe Ye Feng.

Ye Feng swept his gaze over the Elder’s impatient face and spoke again. “I’ve already agreed. Does the Elder fear I’ll go back on my word?”

“Big brother! Are you mad? You mustn’t act recklessly…” Ye Long, broad and strong, pulled Ye Feng back toward the room.

“Trying to leave? Not so easy!” Ye Li sneered, lunging forward with a burst of speed and appearing before Ye Feng in a few strides. He clenched his fist and aimed a powerful punch at Ye Feng’s chest, the sound of rushing wind barely audible.

Smack!

Ye Li’s forceful punch was intercepted—before Ye Feng could react, Ye Long stepped in, unflinching, and his palm met Ye Li’s fist head-on, to the astonishment of all.

The clash echoed like stones colliding, and to everyone’s surprise, even though Ye Long’s move was hurried, he managed to withstand Ye Li’s punch without yielding in the slightest.

“Twenty spirit marks of strength?” At the moment of contact, Ye Li sensed something was wrong. The other’s power felt as if it was suppressing him outright.

“Is this how you intend to respond?” Ye Li casually shook his numb fist, his gaze flat as water as he looked at Ye Feng.

Regret began to creep into Ye Li’s heart. After this, he and Ye Long would be completely at odds.

In the past, Ye Li could always exert pressure on Ye Long. But now, Ye Long, at just twelve years old, had already condensed twenty spirit marks, a fact Ye Li found difficult to accept.

“Little Long, let me do this,” Ye Feng said, kindly patting Ye Long’s forehead. His words carried an unmistakable authority.

In a family like this, Ye Long’s devotion to kinship moved Ye Feng deeply. But now, Ye Feng had his own plans.

He could refuse the challenge, but to keep this big fish hooked, and let them believe victory was assured, the next steps would be even smoother.

Not far away, the Elder watched Ye Feng with a grin, inwardly scoffing, “Children are always eager to show off at the first sign of strength. So immature…”

“Heh! Patriarch… Do you think Young Master Feng can win?” the Elder asked, eyes locked on Ye Tianya, feigning interest.

“As you say, let’s hope for a miracle,” Ye Tianya replied, closing his eyes, his mind elsewhere.

“Oh? Is that so? I heard the Patriarch recently acquired three martial arts manuals for Young Master Feng. I wonder which one he has mastered?” The Elder smiled and turned to Ye Feng. “He seems utterly calm, as if certain of victory!”

Ye Tianya simply closed his eyes, ignoring the old fox.

Soon, the two were ready. The Elder smiled and addressed Ye Li and Ye Feng, “It’s only a friendly duel. Take care not to harm each other.”

“No need! Life and death are fate, wealth is Heaven’s decree!” Ye Li replied suddenly, before anyone else could speak.

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