The aftermath of the duel rippled across the Crimson Sky Sect like wildfire.
Whispers turned into stories. Stories turned into legends.
And at the center of it all stood Ye Feng.
[System Notification!]
+150 Reputation Points+2 Public Infamy Levels[New Title Unlocked: "The Unbending Slap King"]—Effect: Increases the psychological damage dealt to enemies by 30% during public confrontations.
Ye Feng stood on the training grounds, the cracked earth beneath him still buzzing with residual Qi. The elder's disciple lay unconscious beside a crater, twitching occasionally.
Silence reigned.
And then—
Applause.
Scattered at first… then swelling. Dozens of outer disciples clapped and cheered, some pumping fists, others chanting his name.
"Ye Feng!""Slap King!""Did you see how his face folded like paper?!"
Ye Feng gave a casual flick of his sleeve, hiding a smirk. Inside though, his blood boiled with something he hadn't felt in ages.
Pride.
Power.
Payback.
Not far off, Lin Ruyan stood frozen beneath the shade of a flowering tree. Her lips trembled as she watched the impossible unfold.
Her Ye Feng—no, the Ye Feng she threw away—was no longer the weak, bleeding fool crawling in the mud.
He was glowing.
Even the elders had stopped whispering and were staring with raised brows. A few of them nodded in approval.
Elder Ji, the strictest of them, even stroked his beard and muttered, "Perhaps… a diamond merely buried in dirt."
Lin Ruyan's nails dug into her palm.
She had mocked him.
She had chosen Liu Wushen, who now avoided the training grounds entirely.
And now… Ye Feng was being celebrated?
A cold wind blew, but it did little to numb the heat rising in her chest.
Was it… jealousy?
Or regret?
Meanwhile, among the crowd, a girl with bright violet eyes bit her lip, her gaze fixed on Ye Feng. She was the same outer disciple who had watched him from the balcony during his earlier duel.
Her name was Zhao Yixuan, daughter of the Pavilion Master of the Alchemy Hall. A genius in her own right—but rarely impressed by anyone.
Until now.
"That last strike… it wasn't just power. It was precision. Controlled fury," she whispered, her heart thudding.
Her friend beside her raised a brow. "Don't tell me you're getting interested in him?"
Zhao Yixuan didn't reply. Her eyes remained locked on Ye Feng.
[System Notification: New Potential Romantic Flag Triggered]
Ye Feng ignored the pop-up. He was too focused on the figures approaching him.
Elder Han stepped forward, eyes sharp.
"You've caused quite a stir, Ye Feng. Normally, this would be enough for discipline…"
A pause.
"…But your skill speaks for itself."
Another elder stepped up. "And your courage."
A third nodded. "And your potential."
Ye Feng bowed slightly, his voice calm. "I fight not to defy. Only to stand where I deserve."
[Diplomacy Check Passed]
Suddenly, a snow-white crane descended from the sky, dropping a golden scroll in front of Elder Han.
He caught it, his expression shifting as he read.
"This… is from the Sect Leader himself."
Gasps echoed.
Elder Han looked at Ye Feng.
"…You're being summoned to the Sect Pavilion. At once."
Ye Feng's eyes narrowed.
The Sect Leader?
He hadn't expected to draw attention this fast.
But then again—
He grinned.
Why not?
[System Notification]
Quest Tier: BObjective: Impress the Sect Leader without dying.Reward: Unknown (High Potential)