Chapter 176: Chapter 176: First on the Prodigy Roll
No matter how powerful or terrifying the so-called Crown Prince Alliance was in the students’ minds, in Ye Xuan’s eyes, they were just a bunch of snot-nosed kids.
"You’re Ye Xuan?"
The brocade-robed youth, who had been surrounded by his followers, had an expression of disdain that finally wavered after seeing Ye Xuan’s move. He said coolly, "No wonder you were able to defeat that weakling Tong Hong. So you were hiding your strength. A Martial Master Third Layer expert pretending to be a Martial Master First Layer just to show off... I’ve never met someone so pathetic."
As he spoke, he shot a disdainful glance at the people beside him. "You lot are idiots too. And you call yourselves the leaders of the Crown Prince Alliance? You couldn’t even see this kid’s true cultivation level. All your years of training have gone to waste."
The youths lowered their heads at the rebuke, not daring to speak.
They were also confused. Two months ago, when Ye Xuan defeated Tong Hong, the aura he revealed was clearly only that of a Martial Master First Layer. How had he suddenly become a Martial Master Third Layer in the blink of an eye?
They would never believe that Ye Xuan had broken through from the First Layer to the Third Layer of Martial Master in just two months. The only explanation was that Ye Xuan had hidden his strength from the start.
’No wonder he could defeat Tong Hong in a single blow. He’s as cunning as a fox.’
"Cut the crap. If you want to lecture your lackeys, find an empty room and take your time. I don’t have time to stand here and listen to you drone on."
Ye Xuan couldn’t be bothered to explain that he had just broken through to the Martial Master Third Layer. He took Chen Xing and started to walk out of their encirclement.
The brocade-clad youth’s expression changed abruptly. A sharp, icy aura surged from his body, and the world seemed to plunge into the depths of a frigid winter.
He stared coldly at Ye Xuan. "What an arrogant brat. I, Wang Dao, have never met anyone who dares to be so insolent in my presence."
"You’re Wang Dao? The one ranked first on the Academy’s Power Rankings?"
Chen Xing immediately cried out in alarm, his face a mask of shock as he looked the other youth up and down.
Even Ye Xuan couldn’t help but give him a second look. His aura was indeed substantial, and his Profound Qi was dense. Although his cultivation was at the Martial Master Third Layer, he was in fact only a step away from the Earth Martial Artist First Layer.
"It’s good that you know." The brocade-robed youth smirked, a hint of smugness in his tone.
But after his initial shock, Chen Xing scoffed, "I was wondering what kind of legendary figure this Wang Dao, number one on the Power Rankings, would be. Now that I see you, you’re nothing special. You look like a horse-faced monkey. What a disappointment."
As Chen Xing spoke, he shook his head repeatedly, his disappointment palpable.
The situation had already attracted a crowd of students. Hearing Chen Xing’s words, a few of them couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter. But as soon as the sound escaped, they realized their mistake and quickly clamped their mouths shut, their faces filled with terror.
The one being mocked as a horse-faced monkey wasn’t just some nobody; he was Wang Dao, number one on the academy’s Power Rankings. Getting on his bad side would definitely make their lives a living hell.
In terms of looks, Wang Dao was actually quite handsome. His face was a bit long, but when he was properly dressed with his hair tied in a topknot, he had a rather dashing and elegant air about him.
But with Chen Xing’s comment, his facial flaw was suddenly magnified. On closer inspection, there was indeed a hint of a horse-faced monkey about him.
"You little bastard, you’re courting death."
A cold glint shot from Wang Dao’s eyes as he suddenly threw a punch at Chen Xing. A frigid current materialized in an instant, forming an illusory river of ice that threatened to freeze Chen Xing solid.
Wang Dao’s cultivation was at the Martial Master Third Layer, while Chen Xing was merely at the Second Layer of Warrior. Even if Chen Xing were stronger, this punch would leave him severely injured.
Seeing this, Ye Xuan flew into a rage and threw a punch in response.
BOOM!
The two fists collided in mid-air. With a CRACK like shattering ice, Ye Xuan’s figure remained motionless while Wang Dao was forced to take an involuntary step back.
"Number one on the Power Rankings... is this all you’ve got?"
Ye Xuan said coldly, killing intent already stirring in his heart. ’This guy attacked Chen Xing without a word of warning. If I hadn’t been here, Chen Xing would have been half-dead.’
"Good, kid. I heard you were exceptionally strong and was thinking of recruiting you into my Crown Prince Alliance. But now... if I don’t teach you a lesson today and make you kneel and beg for mercy, then I, Wang Dao, will change my name."
Wang Dao snarled, his tone dripping with killing intent.
"Change your name, you say? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you owned the Profound Spirit Academy."
Just then, a scornful laugh came from nearby. Everyone was surprised to hear it. ’Who is this person?’ they thought. ’What arrogance.’
Everyone turned to look and saw a party of three approaching from a distance. Each of them exuded a powerful aura.
When Wang Dao and his group saw who it was, their expressions changed. "Your Highness, the Eighth Prince, I don’t believe the Crown Prince Alliance’s business has disturbed you, has it?"
The newcomers were none other than Zhao Wei, Qing Ling, and Zuo Liu.
"Brother Ye Xuan, we meet again." Zhao Wei completely ignored Wang Dao, walked up to Ye Xuan with a broad smile, and gave him a hug.
"Brother Zhao," Ye Xuan replied with a faint smile.
"Ye Xuan, long time no see," Qing Ling also said with a light smile.
"It’s only been a few days. How is that a long time?" Ye Xuan rubbed his nose.
Chen Xing’s eyes went wide. "Young Master Xuan," he exclaimed, "when did you pick up another beauty like this? Is there no justice in this world?"
Hearing this, Qing Ling’s face flushed slightly red. Then, her sharp gaze fell upon Chen Xing, so piercing that it made it hard for him to breathe and his scalp tingle with fear. He was so scared that he quickly hid behind Ye Xuan.
"Qing Ling, don’t mind him. That’s just how he is," Ye Xuan explained with a smile.
Qing Ling’s expression softened. She was beautiful and highly cultivated; countless students in the academy were interested in her. Everyone acted refined and did their best to make a good impression in her presence. Who would ever dare speak to her like that?
But after Chen Xing’s remark, she couldn’t help but glance at Ye Xuan again. ’A partner like Ye Xuan wouldn’t be so bad,’ the thought flickered through her mind, surprising even herself.
Seeing these newcomers, the onlooking students had a moment of realization. ’No wonder Ye Xuan isn’t afraid of the Crown Prince Alliance. He’s one of the Eighth Prince’s people.’
No matter how arrogant Wang Dao was, he wouldn’t dare be disrespectful to Zhao Wei. However, he couldn’t disobey the Crown Prince’s orders. He said in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Eighth Prince, this person has offended my Crown Prince Alliance and damaged our reputation. The Crown Prince himself has ordered me to punish him severely. I ask that Your Highness not interfere, otherwise, if the Crown Prince becomes enraged..."
Zhao Wei gave him a cool glance. "I am speaking with Brother Ye Xuan. This doesn’t seem like the time for you to interrupt."
Wang Dao’s expression changed. Although his status was lower than Zhao Wei’s, he was still number one on the academy’s Power Rankings and had always acted on the Crown Prince’s orders. When had he ever been reprimanded like this?
But thinking of Zhao Wei’s status, he could only forcefully suppress the anger in his heart.
"Your Highness, the Eighth Prince, if you do this, it will be very difficult for me to report back. I must ask Your Highness to step aside," Wang Dao said coldly, as if he had made up his mind.
In the royal family, the ones with the most support and power were the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince. The Crown Prince, in particular, was already seen as the heir apparent. As for the Eighth Prince, although he was talented, he was not yet in contention.
He had thrown his lot in with the Crown Prince. If word got back that a few sentences from the Eighth Prince had scared him into inaction, his standing with the Crown Prince would plummet. He believed that even if he offended the Eighth Prince, the Crown Prince would protect him.
Therefore, even if it meant offending the Eighth Prince and suffering some hardship later, he had to handle this matter for the Crown Prince. His status in the Crown Prince’s eyes would naturally rise, and when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he could secure a high position for himself.
At this thought, the reverence in Wang Dao’s gaze toward Zhao Wei diminished.
Zhao Wei never imagined that Wang Dao would dare to speak to him this way.
He had always been refined and gentle, treating even his enemies with a measure of leniency. He never expected a mere student, relying on the fact that he worked for the Crown Prince, to show him such blatant disregard. This both struck a nerve and filled him with rage.
The trip to Cyan Profound Mountain, and the deaths of Duan Ren and Fu Yuling, had also changed him a great deal.
Sometimes, being gentle wasn’t a bad thing, but one had to choose the right people for it. If he was too gentle with his enemies, they would think he was a pushover and disrespect him one by one.
Thinking of this, Zhao Wei said coldly, "Who do you think you are, to speak to me like that?"
"Brother Zhao, forget it. This man came specifically for me. If I, Ye Xuan, don’t face him, people will think I’m afraid." Ye Xuan spoke calmly and stepped forward.
His voice wasn’t loud, but the cold glint in his eyes was enough to make one’s blood run cold.
He had already made it clear when he crippled Tong Hong: he wouldn’t bother others, but others had better not bother him. Anyone who dared to touch him or his friends, no matter who they were, would face his wrath.
But unexpectedly, this so-called Crown Prince Alliance hadn’t taken his words to heart at all.
Since this Wang Dao dared to seek him out, Ye Xuan had already decided to teach him a lesson he would never forget.
"Wait!" Zhao Wei stopped Ye Xuan, his expression solemn. "Brother Ye Xuan, I know this man has angered you, but rest assured, I didn’t come here to stand up for you. I came because this Wang Dao is occupying the number one spot on the Power Rankings. Even if he hadn’t come looking for you today, I would have sought him out. What’s more, he just dared to disrespect me. So, let me handle this."
"Besides..." At this, Zhao Wei suddenly smiled. "If you defeat Wang Dao, wouldn’t you be taking his number one spot on the Power Rankings? Then I would have to defeat you to graduate successfully, and I don’t have the confidence for that."
Ye Xuan’s steps immediately halted. He pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.
He knew Zhao Wei wasn’t just talking nonsense. He had said before that according to the royal family’s regulations, he had to obtain the number one spot on the Power Rankings to graduate from the Profound Spirit Academy with honors.
