[Azure Sky Sect – Inner Dorm Courtyard]
The slap echoed in Liu Wushen's head long after Ye Feng walked away.
But he wasn't the only one stunned.
Behind a marble pillar, Lin Ruyan gripped her sleeve tightly, knuckles pale.
She had watched it all. The calm in Ye Feng's eyes, the grace in his slap, and the explosion of murmurs afterward.
Something stirred—an emotion she couldn't place.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Ye Feng had always been loyal, always beneath her, like a shadow that followed her ambitions. The one who brought her pills, defended her name, even sold off his old heirloom to buy her spirit-gathering robes.
And now?
Now, he was the one walking away with the crowd's respect burning behind him.
Her gaze darkened.
"Did I make a mistake…?"
[Meanwhile – Azure Sect Bulletin Tower]
Dozens of spiritual mirrors buzzed as footage of "The Double Slap" reached trending rank #8 in the Sect's forum.
Among those watching with narrowed eyes stood a tall figure.
He wore a blood-red robe edged with golden embroidery—the mark of the Crimson Fang Division.
Name: Xu ShaotianRank: Inner Sect #27Cultivation: Mid Foundation RealmAffiliation: Liu Clan, Secondary Branch
He chuckled coldly.
"So… Ye Feng thinks one lucky slap makes him a dragon? Let's see if his face holds up when he's buried six feet under."
[System Notification: High-Rank Hostile Entity Has Taken Interest in You]Warning: Enemy Cultivation Level 2 stages above yoursRecommended Action: Slap carefully.
[Later – Outer Courtyard Practice Field]
Ye Feng walked silently, his robes dry now, but the cold wind didn't let him forget the sting of betrayal.
The System pinged.
Mission Update: "Slap Till They Learn"
New Optional Objective:
Random Skill Acquired:Passive Skill: Crowd Favorite (Lv. 1)• Females near you grant passive +1% healing per second if watching• Increases visual presence in recordings
Ye Feng's brow twitched. "…Crowd Favorite? Are you serious?"
System: Would you prefer 'Lone Loser Aura'? Because that was your default five minutes ago.
System: You're welcome.
The doors to the practice hall burst open.
Xu Shaotian strode in, sleeves fluttering, crimson aura pulsing with disdain.
"Ye Feng."
Ye Feng turned.
Xu's smirk was sharp. "You've got guts, slapping Wushen like that. Unfortunately, guts don't stop fists."
Ye Feng's lips curled.
"Funny. I was thinking of stopping you with the back of my hand."
[Trigger Detected: "Challenge a Superior Opponent in Public"]
▸ Use Slap Returner (Lv. 2)?▸ Engage with Verbal Execution?▸ Stack Skills for Combo?
Ye Feng chose… All of the above.
He stepped forward with steady steps, raising a single finger and pointing at Xu Shaotian.
"Let me guess. You're one of those mid-tier elites who hide behind clan names and borrowed power."
Gasps echoed.
[Verbal Execution – Activated]→ Opponent's spiritual flow interrupted by 3% for 10 seconds→ Crowd reaction x1.4 multiplier applied
Before Xu could reply—
SLAP!
The sound cracked like a whip.
Xu staggered back, disbelief in his eyes, a red mark blooming across his cheek.
[System Log]
[Mockery Multiplier → Level 3 Unlocked!]• EXP from crowd doubled• Charm now affects female reaction probability• Each successful slap has 10% chance to daze opponent
Xu Shaotian roared, energy flaring.
But Ye Feng raised his hand, calm as ever.
"Next time, tell Liu Wushen to send someone who doesn't flinch like a dog."
Xu stepped forward… then stopped.
A girl's voice cut through the field.
"…Stop."
Everyone turned.
Lin Ruyan.
Face pale. Eyes conflicted. She stepped forward.
"Ye Feng… enough."
But Ye Feng didn't even glance at her.
His voice, low and distant, carried weight.
"You only speak when I win. Keep that energy for the next man you betray."
Her lips trembled.
Ye Feng walked away again.
But this time, the silence was no longer mockery—it was awe.
Ye Feng: "…Save it for dessert."
[End of Chapter 3]