Chapter 245: Arrogance

Another man suddenly spoke. "Senior Brother took up the challenge out of curiosity. If Li Pin isn't careful, Senior Brother might just uncover some of his little tricks."

The mention of "little tricks" led others to quickly piece things together, though many disagreed with this take.

One of the women said, "Li Pin is no weakling. He may not be Senior Brother's match, but he had taken on thirteen opponents by himself before. That speaks volumes of his strength. Senior Brother, be careful."

"I know," Ye Chengyuan responded with a faint smile. "Even a lion uses its full strength against a rabbit. Li Pin is a prodigy who reached the peak of martial arts at twenty-three. Going all out is a sign of respect for both him and the martial arts discipline."

The others felt reassured hearing Ye Chengyuan's words.

As they spoke, they soon arrived at the edge of the arena.

In addition to the two Astral Cultivators maintaining order and standing by for aid, Zhang Songbai, a high-ranking official, was also present.

The Top-Tier Astral Cultivator nodded slightly upon seeing Ye Chengyuan. Ye Chengyuan, despite his exceptional talent, returned the greeting respectfully.

Ye Chengyuan was confident he would eventually break through the life-and-death barrier between Martial Saints and Astral Cultivators. He would refine his qi into Spirit, achieve spiritual transcendence, and meditate on the Astral God. However, until he reached that level, he knew to recognize his current standing and show the necessary respect.

Soon after paying their respects to Zhang Songbai, Ye Chengyuan and his companions soon realized something.

Han Chixiao's brows furrowed. "Li Pin... still hasn't arrived?"

"This is really improper," another person chimed in. "He's the one who issued the challenge to Senior Brother Ye, yet he isn't even here when Senior Brother has already arrived? Is he really going to make Senior Brother wait?"

Ye Chengyuan himself felt a bit displeased. But after checking the time, he said, "We arrived early. The invitation states that the challenge is scheduled for eleven in the morning. It's still ten minutes away. No rush, let's wait patiently."

His calm demeanor only further highlighted Li Pin's insensitivity.

Many expressed their opinions, saying Li Pin was being overconfident and disrespecting his opponent. Even Zhang Songbai felt the same, shaking his head.

Li Pin... is getting quite carried away,

he thought.

Luckily, the tension didn't last for long. A commotion arose just minutes before the agreed time.

Li Pin had finally arrived, accompanied by Zhang Yuesheng and Su Feiyu.

Seeing Zhang Songbai presiding over the match surprised Li Pin at first, but recalling Ye Chengyuan's status, he found it reasonable.

"Since you're here, let's begin," Zhang Songbai said.

Li Pin nodded in response. With a graceful leap, he landed directly on the stage.

"Wait!" Zhang Songbai suddenly called out. "Where's your sword?"

It wasn't just him who had noticed this. Everyone, including Ye Chengyuan, was taken aback when they saw that Li Pin hadn't taken his sword with him.

"My fist techniques are no weaker than my swordsmanship," Li Pin explained.

Hearing that, Ye Chengyuan remarked from below the arena, "Even if your swordsmanship and fist techniques are equal... there's still a clear difference in lethality between wielding a sword and being unarmed."

He glanced at Su Feiyu, who was bringing Li Pin's sword with a slightly helpless expression, and said calmly, "Use your sword."

"Ye Chengyuan, I know your strongest technique is the Nineteen Swords of the Dragon's Maw, and you perfected it to an unparalleled level three years ago. Besides, you're likely a gifted one. I believe... your qi and blood should be no less than forty-eight points."

Li Pin looked at Ye Chengyuan. "So don't worry that I might underestimate you. After all... underestimating the top-ranked individual on the Transformative Dragon List would be akin to disrespecting the entire Dragon Gate Hall."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Ye Chengyuan pointed to the sword in Su Feiyu's hands. "Show me if your swordsmanship matches the ambition and sharpness of your youth."

"You might say I'm arrogant, but..." Li Pin's tone was filled with sincerity. "I'm really strong now. Only by fighting barehanded can I feel any excitement, even against you."

His words caused the lively crowd to fall into a sudden silence, as if struck by a spell. Everyone, including Zhang Xujin, Cang Yunxiao, and Liu Chixiao, stared at Li Pin in stunned silence, unable to utter a word.

After several seconds, a middle-aged man beside the Great Sun Chosen One couldn't hold back any longer. "Has he always been this bold? Does he even know what the name 'Ye Chengyuan' means in Dragon Gate Hall? Or... does he think that winning the intermediate category championship at the World's Top Martial Competition makes him invincible?"

The Great Sun Chosen One and Zhao Yushi remained expressionless, though they couldn't help but want to laugh.

Indeed, that was the Li Pin they knew. He was just the kind of guy to raise his opponent's blood pressure with a few words. To make it all worse, his expression would be one of utmost sincerity as he did so.

Nevertheless, more often than not, what he said would turn out to be true.

Still, that didn't mean he wasn't infuriating. What made it even more annoying was that his words were really genuine. When he advised you to be cautious, it was a nice gesture to help you perform better. All you could do at that moment was to hold back your anger and the urge to punch him squarely in the face and get on with the fight to prove a point.

Yet... you just lose.

How could you not be frustrated?

Zhang Songbai didn't know what to say. "This guy...."

Anyone who heard it would shake their head.

"Li Pin!" At that moment, Ye Chengyuan's sharp voice came through. "You—"

"I'm not being arrogant." Li Pin waved his hand. "Time will prove that everything I said is true."

Li Pin made an inviting gesture. "Step up. No words can match the efficiency of action."

"I'll make sure of it!" said Ye Chengyuan.

He didn't hesitate. With a swift movement, he leaped onto the stage.

"Please." Li Pin cupped his hands, then added, unable to resist, "But I must remind you, bring out your best swordsmanship. At the very least... inspire my fighting spirit."

Clang!

Ye Chengyuan's response came in the form of his sword swiftly unsheathing. As his Blood Core erupted, his qi and blood surged, his sword intent piercing the skies.

He had said it himself before. Going all out when facing someone like Li Pin was a mark of respect—not just for Li Pin, but for martial arts itself.

Besides... Li Pin's words had riled him into unleashing his peak state. It wasn't only his actions. His mindset was fully engaged. The moment he drew his sword, Ye Chengyuan entered a state of perfect Theory-Practice Unity.

His mental spirit, qi and blood, and willpower seamlessly fused into one. The instant his sword slashed through the air, an unprecedented brilliance and splendor burst forth.

Wherever the sword tip aimed, the space around Li Pin seemed to lock in place, the air solidifying. No matter where he dodged, he would face an even fiercer pursuit, driven by the momentum behind Ye Chengyuan's sword.

Other than confronting and countering this sword, infused qi and blood, mental spirit, and willpower of a Supreme Martial Saint, there was no other way to break through.

Zhang Songbai couldn't help but marvel at the sight. "Ye Chengyuan's sword—"

However, before he could finish speaking, Li Pin made his move. He didn't dodge or evade. He didn't even use the secret art that allowed him to temporarily transcend. By combining just his Blood Core and the Blood-Seething Secret Art, he transformed into a living volcano.

The moment he struck, terrifying qi and blood surged forth like volcanic ash spreading across the sky and blotting out the sun!

Ye Chengyuan's dazzling Sword Intent, so brilliant it seemed to burn the soul, collided with the thick smoke from the volcanic eruption. It was like pouring molten lava into the ocean. Ripples spread in visible waves, and violent forces clashed....

Though ripples surged out in visible waves and violent forces clashed, the sword... began to slow down visibly. An invisible Aura Force seemed to have collided with the sword, quickly wearing it down.

By the time the sword reached Li Pin, it had slowed down considerably, and its force was reduced to almost nothing.

Before Ye Chengyuan's eyes, Li Pin casually flicked his fingers.

Boom!

A dull, thunderous sound exploded from the point where Li Pin's fingers collided with Ye Chengyuan's sword. Sparks flew, and the sound of metal clashing echoed through the air.

It was as if Ye Chengyuan's sword had been struck by a thousand-pound hammer. The force traveled through an invisible medium and into Ye Chengyuan's arm. The force was beyond what he could handle, and the shockwave sent Ye Chengyuan retreating nine steps.

This Dragon Prince whom the Dragon Gate Hall has expended significant resources nurturing had been pushed back.

He staggered back nearly ten meters before he could barely regain his balance.

Many people had been waiting for Ye Chengyuan, this insurmountable mountain, to humiliate Li Pin and crush him instantly for his arrogance.

However, what they saw made them take a step forward involuntarily.

People watched on in disbelief as Ye Chengyua was effortlessly pushed back. Even Zhang Songbai, a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator, froze, his expression stiffening.

"How could this be...?"

This wasn't Zhou Heng, Zhao Yunlong, or Fang Ziyou. That... was Ye Chengyuan! The number one expert of Dragon Gate Hall! A Supreme Martial Saint who had been meticulously nurtured over a decade to contend for the title of the King of the Century alongside Wang Liancheng!

Countless resources had been used to cultivate him into the martial artist he was. And yet... here he was....

"Impossible..."

Zang Songbai and the others watching weren't the only ones shocked. Ye Chengyuan himself was astounded.

He fully believed that the last strike he delivered showcased his full strength. Excluding the desperate secret art he hadn't used, that sword was still at his peak performance. If he tried again, he might not be able to replicate it perfectly.

Yet, the result... it was like facing a mountain! A mountain that couldn't be climbed or conquered with swords or courage!

Li Pin stood still, watching as Ye Chengyuan steadied himself after retreating nine steps. Instead of pursuing, he calmly said, "This strike should make you realize who you're truly up against. If this weren't a duel, I could have taken the opportunity to attack, and you would already be dead. So, the truly arrogant one has never been me. It's you."

He extended his hand, gesturing toward Ye Chengyuan. "Use your secret art."