Chapter 28: Each Prepares for Battle

In a secluded place in the Danwu Academy, two people were whispering.

"Qingping, regarding the life-and-death battle between you and Ye Yuan, what are your own thoughts?"

"What else can I think? Kill him! That kid is really lucky. Last time when he was sent back, he had no breath left, but who knew that after a few days he would be bouncing around again. This time, I absolutely won't give him another chance!"

Fei Qingping's words were full of contempt, showing great disdain for Ye Yuan.

He and Wan Yuan had grown up together, so he naturally knew Ye Yuan's character and strength very well, and had no qualms about killing Ye Yuan in the life-and-death battle.

Regarding Wan Yuan's question, Fei Qingping found it very strange and couldn't help asking, "Young Master Wan, from what you're saying, you don't think I'll lose to him in this battle, do you?"

Wan Yuan frowned and said, "Losing to him is unlikely, but I just feel that Ye Yuan's return this time is a bit strange... as if he's somewhat different from before."

"Hey, I thought it was something serious. Of course he's different—he's just improved by two minor realms, but I think that's as far as he'll go in this life, haha..."

Although Fei Qingping was two years older than Wan Yuan, he always regarded Wan Yuan as his superior.

Seeing Fei Qingping so dismissive of Ye Yuan, Wan Yuan felt it was very inappropriate and wanted to reprimand him, but he also thought Fei Qingping's view wasn't wrong.

Could a piece of mud that couldn't be propped up against the wall really turn things around?

Although Fei Qingping didn't have exceptional talent, he was an old hand at the fourth level of the Yuan Qi realm, only a step away from the fifth level.

The fourth level of Yuan Qi and the third level were not on the same level at all, so Fei Qingping had the capital to look down on Ye Yuan.

This small step was not so easy to cross.

The Danwu Academy was an elite academy; almost anyone here could fight above their level in the mundane world.

The resources they enjoyed, the martial arts techniques they studied, and the guidance from famous teachers were all beyond comparison for outsiders.

But in the Danwu Academy, fighting above one's level was very difficult, unless one truly had exceptional talent.

If Long Tang or Feng Zhirou were only at the third level of Yuan Qi, Wan Yuan had no doubt they could defeat Fei Qingping by crossing levels.

But if it were Ye Yuan, Wan Yuan wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death.

Because he knew Ye Yuan too well!

After a moment of silence, Wan Yuan still shook his head and said, "Qingping, in this life-and-death battle, only victory is allowed, not defeat. Even if Ye Yuan were a mouse, you must use all your strength to defeat him. Never underestimate him, understand?"

Seeing Fei Qingping still looking disdainful, Wan Yuan finally lost his temper: "If you keep this attitude, I'll kill you first! This battle is not just for yourself; it's for my Wan family, for my Drunken Star Tower! If you lose to Ye Yuan, where will I and my father put our faces?"

Wan Yuan's roar left Fei Qingping stunned, his mind momentarily unable to process.

But one thing was very clear: Wan Yuan was truly angry!

Wan Yuan was so concerned about Ye Yuan—this had never happened before.

"I... I understand. I'll go all out to destroy him!" Feeling Wan Yuan's anger, Fei Qingping dared not act arrogantly and obediently agreed.

Wan Yuan sighed and said, "Qingping, I know you look down on Ye Yuan, and frankly, so do I. But since he returned to the academy, I always feel something is off."

"Off? How so?" Wan Yuan's words piqued Fei Qingping's curiosity.

He knew that although Wan Yuan was two years younger, he was very cautious and steady in his actions, quite like his father.

Whether in talent or intelligence, Fei Qingping was far inferior to Wan Yuan, which was why he willingly became his follower.

"I went to see him today, planning to dampen his spirits and embarrass him. But I used seventy percent of my power and still couldn't grab him! That kid, I don't know when, actually mastered Flash Step, and to the Grand Completion stage!"

"What! Flash Step? Grand Completion? This... how is it possible?"

Fei Qingping was startled; he certainly knew what Grand Completion-level Flash Step meant—it meant Ye Yuan was already in an invincible position!

In that case, Wan Yuan's warning was not superfluous!

As if to confirm his encounter with Ye Yuan today, Wan Yuan was silent for a moment before nodding and saying, "That's right, it's Grand Completion-level Flash Step!"

"This... this is too shameless, isn't it? How could he learn such a profound footwork? Could it be just luck?" Fei Qingping suddenly became incoherent.

Wan Yuan said in a deep voice, "Luck? Show me a Grand Completion-level Flash Step by luck!"

"..."

"Actually, he caused quite a stir in the imperial capital this time, even challenging the Drunken Star Pavilion, and Father couldn't do anything about him! On the way back this time, Father arranged for assassins from Mo Sha, but Ye Yuan still arrived at the academy safely! So I think Ye Yuan's return this time is very strange!"

"This... then what should I do?" Fei Qingping was now completely panicked.

Wan Yuan patted his shoulder and said slowly, "Don't worry, no matter how strange he is, the gap in strength between you cannot be bridged! However, you must not let your guard down these three days; make use of every moment!"

Hearing Wan Yuan say this, Fei Qingping truly dared not be careless this time. This battle was a life-and-death match, and life or death had to be decided; Fei Qingping didn't want to joke with his own life.

"Young Master Wan, tell me what to do, I'll follow your orders!"

Seeing that he was now taking it seriously, Wan Yuan took out a bottle of pills and placed it in front of Fei Qingping: "This is the Ju Yuan Pill refined by my father, which is fifty percent more efficient than the Yuan Qi Pill! Use these pills to enhance your strength over these three days, and make sure to break through to the fifth level of Yuan Qi!"

Fei Qingping's eyes lit up; if he could break through to the fifth level of Yuan Qi, his chances of victory would greatly increase. As Wan Yuan said, the gap in strength could not be bridged; with the fifth level against the third level of Yuan Qi, he really had no reason to lose!

Fei Qingping immediately bowed deeply and said gratefully, "Thank you, Young Master Wan, for your support!"

Wan Yuan nodded, accepted it calmly, and continued, "Also, over these three days, you must devote all your attention to practicing the Small Capture Hand. Use it to counter Flash Step, and you will be in an invincible position!"

...

In the training room of the Danwu Academy, Ye Yuan stood quietly, his eyes tightly closed, as if asleep.

Since viewing the jade slip, Ye Yuan had been standing here for nearly an hour!

Suddenly, Ye Yuan opened his eyes.

He withdrew his fist, then struck out with his palm!

"Wave-Stacking Heart Palm, First Wave!"

A gust of wind rushed out, and with a "bang," a palm slammed into the wall.

The wall was dented inward, but it recovered at a visible speed.

Ye Yuan looked at the wall and shook his head: "This Wave-Stacking Heart Palm is indeed hard to practice, no wonder Senior Brother Zhao advised me to give up. I've spent an hour adjusting the Yuan Power in my body, yet this palm still hasn't achieved the effect of the First Wave."

If Zhao Chunyang had seen Ye Yuan lamenting like this, he would surely have been shocked and then scolded him for not knowing his place.

After all, when the Dragon Hall practiced this martial technique, it took a month to master the First Wave.

Although Ye Yuan hadn't mastered it yet, he was not far from completing the First Wave, and he had only spent an hour.

"One more time!" Ye Yuan did not lose heart; he once again circulated the Yuan Power in his body according to the original method of channeling energy.