46: Chapter 46 Challenge

Ye Jiekang and Ye Jiejing stepped onto the No. 1 arena together, immediately attracting everyone's attention. Everyone had just watched two intense battles between five-star Martial Masters and were still wanting more.

According to reliable information, these six people were the strongest Martial Artists in this year's Martial Examination in Shuinan County. Everyone had just deeply experienced the strength of four of them, and they truly lived up to their reputations.

Now seeing the remaining two competing on the same stage, everyone was looking forward to seeing what kind of thrilling battle these two Prodigies of the Ye Family would bring.

Ye Jiekang had just drawn his sword and was about to speak.

"I concede."

Ye Jiejing had already raised his right hand, signaling to Magistrate Sun Nanyu.

His actions completely extinguished the fighting spirit that Ye Jiekang had just unleashed. Ye Jiekang looked at Ye Jiejing furiously and said: "I don't need you to let me win. I want to defeat you fair and square."

Ye Jiejing, however, ignored him and walked straight off the arena.

"You..." Ye Jiekang felt like he had been ignored. It wasn't just a feeling; he had indeed been ignored.

"Damn, a rigged match? This is too shady."

"This is way too fake."

"Still acting like this?"

"The Ye Family is awesome, I want to join them."

The audience wasn't buying it. "I even brought out my little stool, and this is the show you give me? Are you playing around?"

Ye Jiekang returned to the rest area in a huff, intending to find Ye Jiejing to reason with him about why he conceded on the arena.

Before he could speak, he was called back by Ye Jiesheng: "Jiekang, come back."

Ye Jiekang didn't stop and continued walking forward. Ye Jiesheng glared, and a terrifying pressure descended upon Ye Jiekang, causing his footsteps to falter, nearly making him fall to the ground.

"Fifth Brother, he insulted me," Ye Jiekang said, looking back indignantly.

"Don't act like you've been wronged when you've benefited. What, are you not satisfied even after winning?" Ye Jiesheng said calmly.

"Brother Kang, do not overthink it. Your elder brother considers himself no match for you, which is why I conceded," Ye Jiejing stepped out to explain.

"Hmph, whether you are a match or not, we would only know after fighting!" Ye Jiekang could not accept such an explanation at all.

The people under the arena just now, saying he was throwing the match, saying he was acting—these scenes were still imprinted in his mind at this very moment. How could anyone bear that?

"What, are you not listening to my words either?" Ye Jiesheng said, displeased.

"Jiekang dares not."

Ye Jiekang could tell that Ye Jiesheng was truly angry, so he didn't say anything else. He retreated silently, squatted in a corner, and rubbed the precious sword in his hand while staring at Ye Jiejing.

"Patriarch Ye Tuanzhang, please forgive him. Jiekang did not mean to offend." Ye Jiesheng said. Ye Jiekang was too ignorant; to question a clansman in front of so many people and desire to fight to the death was foolish.

"It is fine. A youthful Heart-Nature is rare and valuable." Patriarch Ye Tuanzhang waved his hand, not taking the matter to heart.

Ye Jiesheng sighed inwardly. The cultivation of the Family's descendants over the last few decades had been too gentle. If they couldn't even withstand a little mockery, how could they accomplish great things?

Jiejing was a good child; he knew when to advance and when to retreat. He knew there was no need to waste energy on this useless battle, which would not only expose himself but could also lead to unnecessary injury.

Watching this farce, Ye Yisong thought to himself: Uncle Jiekang is too ignorant. Uncle Jiejing was clearly preserving the strength of both sides and chose to concede.

Although the two families had separated, the character 'Ye' cannot be written twice with one stroke. Moreover, in recent years, under the promotion of Patriarch Ye Tuanzhang, the relationship between the two families had grown increasingly deep. For Uncle Jiekang to make such a scene in front of so many clansmen was very hurtful to their relationship.

The Martial Artists from the Zhao Family and the Li Family all retracted their gazes; they hadn't gotten to see a good show.

The top fifty in Shuinan County were quickly decided.

Among the 11 people who came together from the Cangjiang Ye Family, all except Ye Jieyang successfully advanced. Among the 34 people from the Shuinan Ye Family, 12 also successfully advanced.

Ye Yisong specifically observed that the strength of the top fifty was basically above the five-star Martial Artist level. At this stage of the competition, one couldn't stand firm without some strength.

Looking at the Martial Artists ranked in the bottom fifty before him, Magistrate Sun Nanyu asked with a smile: "Anyone who wants to challenge the top fifty, gather here."

Even if they were ranked lower, they were still among the top one hundred in the Martial Examination, and they were also part of Magistrate Sun Nanyu's political achievements. He treated these Martial Artists with a smiling face.

Perhaps a few months later, a dark horse would rise, shine brilliantly in the Prefecture Examination, and add another stroke to his political achievements.

Including Ye Jiejing, 13 people came before Magistrate Sun Nanyu. Except for the two Martial Masters, Ye Jiejing and Ye Jieyang, the others were all at least four-star Martial Artists.

They were quite confident in their own strength, believing they still had a chance to fight.

The points for the top fifty in the County Exam Martial Examination were 3 points, while the bottom fifty only received 1 point.

Every Martial Artist from a Family participating in the Martial Examination, as long as they were confident enough in their strength, would fight for these 2 points.

Magistrate Sun Nanyu waited for a while and, finding no one else coming over, displayed the numbers of the top fifty in the air: "You can now choose your challenge targets. Remember, you only have one chance."

This one chance was not only meant for the challengers, but also for those being challenged.

Once a person being challenged was defeated, their ranking would fall out of the top fifty, and they would have no chance to challenge.

Ye Jiejing bowed to Magistrate Sun Nanyu and said: "Magistrate, I have chosen. I want to challenge No. 17."

No. 17, Li Tong, heard that Ye Jiejing wanted to challenge him, and his scalp immediately went numb. Just moments ago, he had been bragging to his clansmen that he would definitely make the top thirty in this Martial Examination. Now, he had been targeted, and by a five-star Martial Master at that. He was doomed.

Li Tong was one of the four Martial Masters from the Shuinan Li Family participating in the Martial Examination this time. With the strength of a one-star Martial Master, he might even have a chance to charge into the top ten if he fought hard.

Now, he probably wouldn't even be able to keep his spot in the top fifty.

Ye Jiejing looked at Li Tong, who was standing opposite him, and said: "You attack first, otherwise you won't have the chance to attack."

Li Tong held an axe with a serious expression, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He clearly knew that he was absolutely no match for Ye Jiejing; the gap in strength was too great.

"Mountain-Splitting Axe!"

Even if he had to lose, he would lose on the path of battle. Li Tong raised his axe, bringing up a gust of wind, and hacked toward Ye Jiejing.

Ye Jiejing held his spear point against the ground and closed his eyes.

"Arrogant!"

Li Tong said furiously. Even though he knew he was no match for Ye Jiejing, being ignored like this while he used his full strength made him furious, and the force in his hand increased by a few points.

"Overlord Spear — Overlord Lifts the Cauldron!"

In the instant Li Tong's axe came down, Ye Jiejing suddenly opened his eyes. With one strike of his spear, he directly knocked away Li Tong's axe, and with a violent thrust forward, he pierced through Li Tong's entire abdomen.

"Too strong, Li Tong is completely no match for him."

"As expected of the current number one person of the Shuinan Ye Family."

"What powerful spear technique."

Li Tong's face was contorted; it was too painful. He looked at his pierced abdomen in disbelief and immediately raised his hand to concede.

He was truly afraid. Would Ye Jiejing not end up skewering him on the spear and throwing him away?

Ye Jiejing advanced to the top fifty very violently.

At this moment, Ye Jieyang followed suit and bowed to Magistrate Sun Nanyu: "Magistrate, I want to challenge No. 19."

No. 19, Li Qi, felt his heart skip a beat. It had come, as expected.

Seeing the miserable state of his cousin Li Tong, Li Qi's face turned green. This was clearly revenge. How could one challenge like this, specifically seeking out Martial Masters from the Li Family to challenge?

Li Jian's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. The Cangjiang Ye Family was still this overbearing. He closed his eyes and said helplessly to Li Qi: "Concede."

The Li Family was a small, humble household; they really couldn't afford to get hurt anymore.