Virtual Arena.
"A Fei, was it? You are no match for me. You might as well surrender now!"
After defeating Shangguan Fei, A Fei continued to win several more duels in a row. But this time, he was confronted by a young man with an arrogant look on his face.
It was Duan Lang.
Once a servant of the World Association and the son of the Southern Scale Sword Master, he later betrayed the World Association and was recruited by the Tang Dynasty's Yuan Tiangang.
He was also ranked on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
No one expected Duan Lang to become A Fei's opponent.
"Surrender? That word doesn't exist in my vocabulary." A Fei said coldly.
For some reason, the moment he laid eyes on this man, he felt a deep sense of disgust.
Whether it was his personality, his swordsmanship, or even the Fire Scale Sword in his hand, A Fei disliked all of it.
"Then I will have to cut you down with the Fire Scale Sword."
"You should be grateful this is just an arena. Even if you die, you won't truly die."
"If we were in the real world, it would have been your misfortune to run into me."
Swish!
As soon as Duan Lang finished speaking, a red flash streaked through the air.
The next moment, a thin line of blood appeared on A Fei's throat.
Instant kill.
A Fei's figure vanished.
"Pathetic." Duan Lang said with cold arrogance.
"Bu Jingyun, I know you're watching. If you have any guts, come and fight me on this stage. I'm waiting for you."
"I will personally decapitate you in front of all of Nine Provinces."
"You, Bu Jingyun, will never be a match for me!"
"Hahahahaha!!!"
Duan Lang's maniacal laughter echoed from the arena and into the ears of everyone watching.
"This guy... What the hell? He's way too arrogant."
"Yeah, he's just a Grandmaster and already thinks he's invincible? Even Great Grandmasters or Land Immortals wouldn't act this way!"
"A guy like him won't last long. Just a clown."
"If only I were strong enough, I'd go up there and teach him a lesson myself."
All across Nine Provinces, countless people were disgusted by Duan Lang.
Some even openly mocked him.
"I heard this guy betrayed the World Association and joined the Tang Dynasty."
"He went from being a mere servant in a martial sect to a marquis of the Tang Dynasty. Of course his ego is out of control."
"Good thing he's only at the Grandmaster Realm. If he ever reaches the Great Grandmaster Realm or Land Immortal Realm, he'll be a huge threat to all of Nine Provinces."
"This is what they mean by arrogance after success."
People began digging up Duan Lang's black history.
==========
Ming Dynasty, Li Courtyard.
Li Xunhuan glanced at the disheartened young man in front of him and chuckled.
"A Fei, it's just one loss. Didn't you already beat a bunch of people?"
"Big Brother, it's not that. I'm just frustrated. I couldn't even block one move. I was killed instantly."
"Is my swordsmanship really that bad?"
"A Fei, you're still young. You've got a lot of room to grow. One day, you'll surpass him."
"Don't be fooled by how flashy he looks now. Guys like him usually don't go far."
Watching Duan Lang continue to laugh and strike down opponents in the arena, Li Xunhuan quietly shook his head.
This guy's Sword Technique had already entered the demonic path.
His personality was extremely twisted and aggressive.
Unless he came across a great opportunity, he wouldn't amount to much more.
"Thanks for the encouragement, Big Brother. I won't give up."
"Duan Lang, is it? Next time we meet, I'll kill you with my sword!"
A Fei's eyes grew more determined.
His sword intent became even purer.
==========
Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
"Master Yuan, the Duan Lang you recruited seems unfit for use."
Li Shimin looked displeased.
Clearly, he also disapproved of Duan Lang and even felt disgusted by him.
Just a few days ago, Duan Lang had killed the son of a duke on the street over a petty argument.
If someone hadn't stopped him, he might've even killed the duke himself.
Li Shimin had nearly ordered Duan Lang's execution.
Only Yuan Tiangang's intervention spared his life.
Since then, Li Shimin had completely lost patience with Duan Lang.
"Your Majesty, this man's talent is extraordinary. He can be used as a pawn."
"He is petty, selfish, extreme in temperament, ruthless, and cowardly."
"A man with no principles. As long as we control his weakness, he will serve the Tang Dynasty obediently."
"His arrogance is just an act to fool the world."
"His ability to endure is far beyond the average person."
Yuan Tiangang spoke confidently.
"Master Yuan, are you not afraid he'll eventually turn against us? That he'll become a hidden threat?"
Li Shimin looked at him with a meaningful gaze.
"Your Majesty, as long as our strength far exceeds his, he will never dare betray us."
"In fact, the more pressure he feels, the more loyal he becomes."
"He'll be like a dog, obedient and dependable."
Yuan Tiangang remained unfazed.
"Master Yuan, you'd better handle this carefully. I don't want to see you end up getting bitten by the dog you raised."
With that, Li Shimin dropped the subject.
At first, he had high hopes for Duan Lang.
But after observing him for some time, he completely lost interest.
If not for Yuan Tiangang's insistence, he would've demoted him long ago and banished him from the Tang Dynasty Territory.
==========
Ming Dynasty, Imperial Harem.
Murong Qiudi, Lin Shiyin, Song Yuhua, and You Ruo Palace.
"You Ruo, what's wrong? You know this Duan Lang?"
"Oh right, you were in the same sect, weren't you?"
"Hmph, who shares a sect with him? He was just a servant in the World Association. My father never even taught him any Martial Techniques. We have nothing to do with each other."
"In fact, I absolutely loathe that man."
"Sure, people like Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng can be annoying, but at least they're decent people."
"But Duan Lang? Besides being slightly talented, he's a vile schemer."
You Ruo seemed to have a deep grudge against Duan Lang.
"Oh? What did he do?"
"He tried to win my father's trust by targeting me."
"If I hadn't been strong enough, I might've fallen into his trap."
"Hmph, why keep someone like that around?"
"If it were me, I would've killed him and fed him to the dogs."
A flash of killing intent flickered in Murong Qiudi's eyes.
The other three women were startled. As expected of Qiudi!
It seemed that in the palace, Qiudi would be the one to take the lead.
Otherwise, they might not be able to contend with Empress Wu Zhao.
==========
Han Dynasty.
"Brother Yun, what do you think? Will you respond to this challenge?"
"This time, Duan Lang has gone too far."
Even Nie Feng couldn't hide his anger.
"Brother Yun, I think you should accept. Defeating Duan Lang in front of all of Nine Provinces would be best."
Qin Shuang offered his advice.
"Even if Brother Shuang hadn't said anything, I would've handled Duan Lang myself."
Bu Jingyun's face was cold.
He immediately connected with the arena through thought.
After Duan Lang had taken down a few more challengers, Bu Jingyun appeared.
"Hahaha, Bu Jingyun, you finally came. This time, I will kill you in front of everyone in Nine Provinces."
"I will wipe away all the humiliation you once caused me."
"Duan Lang, you despicable scum. Let's see if you have what it takes."
"Bu Jingyun, do you really think I can't defeat you?"
"If it hadn't been for Xiong Ba's favoritism back then, if he hadn't ordered me to lose to you, I would've won!"
"The position of Flying Cloud Hall Master should've been mine!"
"He was biased!"
Duan Lang's face was full of hate and resentment as he stared at Bu Jingyun.
All the humiliation he suffered over the years in the World Association, he now poured onto Bu Jingyun.
"Why waste your breath?"
Bu Jingyun stood proudly with his arms crossed, looking down on Duan Lang like an insect.
Duan Lang hated that superior attitude more than anything.
"Xiong Ba may have been my enemy, but I agree with him on one thing."
"People like you, no matter how strong, are only fit to be servants."
"Die!"
"Sun Eclipsing Sword Method, White Cloud Breaks Dawn!"
Duan Lang launched his attack in rage.
"So many years, and you've still made no progress. How dare you talk big?"
"Incomprehensible Sword Method, Nameless Sword Flame!"
A barrage of terrifying sword energy struck down.
Duan Lang's Sun Eclipsing Sword Method was instantly shattered.
"What Sword Technique is that?"
"You're not worthy of knowing."
Bu Jingyun sneered.
"This final move, Incomprehensible Sword Method, Nameless Mystery!"
An unpredictable strike.
Even someone as strong as Duan Lang was instantly pierced through by the sword energy and died on the spot.
He didn't even know how he died.
"Pathetic." Bu Jingyun said coldly.
He returned Duan Lang's earlier words right back at him.
Without continuing any more duels, Bu Jingyun simply left the arena.
Boom!
Countless spectators across Nine Provinces erupted with excitement.
They had been sick of Duan Lang's arrogance, and now that he had been crushed, they felt relieved.
But they had to admit, Bu Jingyun was truly powerful.
Two moves.
That was all it took to defeat Duan Lang.
So much for all that arrogance. Turns out he was nothing special.
==========
Tang Imperial Palace.
Li Shimin glared at Yuan Tiangang.
"Looks like there's still a huge gap between Duan Lang and real geniuses."
"I'm starting to doubt whether he's even worth keeping as a pawn."
Truth be told, of the original four from the World Association, Li Shimin had always admired Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun more.
Even Qin Shuang wasn't weak.
Unfortunately, none of the three were interested in joining the Tang Dynasty.
A true pity.
"Your Majesty, I will personally retrain him and turn him into someone more useful."
"As long as you're happy, Master Yuan."
==========
Duan Lang Mansion.
The moment he returned, Duan Lang could no longer suppress the rage in his heart.
He exploded.
He even slaughtered several of his own servants in a fit of anger.
His eyes were bloodshot.
Bu Jingyun, you humiliated me like this.
One day, I will tear you apart.
And Li Shimin, Yuan Tiangang, you think I don't know you've been mocking and belittling me behind my back?
One day, I will make you feel what it means to be trampled on.
At that moment, Duan Lang's hatred for Bu Jingyun deepened.
But he also began to resent Li Shimin and Yuan Tiangang.
In his mind, it was all because the Tang Dynasty never gave him enough resources to grow.
He felt betrayed.
He felt insulted.
And so, his heart grew colder toward the Tang Dynasty as a whole.
Indeed.
A white-eyed wolf can never be tamed.
No matter how well you treat them, they'll never remember your kindness.
But the moment you neglect them, even slightly, all of it will turn into hatred and vengeance.