Chapter Twenty: A Beating Delivered-Eu só aceitei discípulos por acaso, como eles se tornaram Grandes Imperadores?(Espalhadas como estrelas sobre o rio inteiro.)

Zhao Changsheng took a deep breath to steady his emotions and said in a low voice, "I, Zhao Changsheng, seek victory wholeheartedly only to bring honor to Tongtian Peak. I have never intended to humiliate others."

"If Sun Yao confronts me openly and fairly, win or lose, I would respect him as a true man."

"But he resorted to underhanded tricks and sneak attacks, breaking the rules of the competition. I cannot overlook that. Everyone speaks of brotherhood among disciples, so why did no one stand up to condemn Sun Yao’s cheating? Yet now, you all come to judge me?"

His pointed questions left the crowd speechless, plunging the scene into a brief stalemate.

Just as the atmosphere quieted, the man who had first stirred the trouble with his sarcastic accusations against Zhao Changsheng stepped forward calmly from the crowd.

The members of Spirit Ore Peak immediately changed their expressions drastically, hastily bowing in unison with utmost respect, shouting in unison, "Greetings, Elder Luo!"

It turned out this man was none other than Luo Sanfeng, an elder of the Sima family.

Luo Sanfeng held a high position within the Sima clan, accustomed to bossing others around, and his words were always sharp and caustic, making him widely disliked.

He claimed his visit was merely to observe the grand competition.

Everyone knew that no one dared to offend the Sima family; all treated them with utmost courtesy.

Luo Sanfeng walked over slowly with his hands behind his back, chin slightly raised, eyes narrowing as he looked at Zhao Changsheng with a sneer. "Don’t think winning this round makes you great. Although Sun Yao acted improperly, your retaliation was too harsh, showing no concern for our brotherhood’s dignity. From now on, in this sacred land, you’d better rein in that arrogant attitude of yours."

Zhao Changsheng clenched his fists, ready to argue, but Ximen Feixue stepped forward first, shouting at Luo Sanfeng, "How can you be so unreasonable? Sun Yao was the one who attacked my senior brother first. His counterattack was self-defense and punishment—where is the fault in that?"

"You accuse my senior brother without knowing the facts and turn him into the wrongdoer. Where is the justice in that?"

Luo Sanfeng’s face darkened instantly. He turned sharply toward Ximen Feixue, eyes blazing with fury as he scolded, "What insolent brat is this, so rude and disrespectful! When elders speak, you have no right to interrupt. At your young age, do you not understand hierarchy? Has no one taught you manners?"

Ximen Feixue trembled slightly under the roar, anger and frustration mingling, but he still stubbornly held his ground.

Though he was a junior and should not talk back, he was unwilling to submit!

Seeing this, Ye Xinghe stepped forward to shield Ximen Feixue, locking eyes with Luo Sanfeng coldly. "Luo Sanfeng, you are an elder of the Sima family. You may usually act arrogantly, but to bully my disciple now, do you really think I, Ye Xinghe, am invisible?"

Luo Sanfeng glanced contemptuously at Ye Xinghe and sneered, "Ye Xinghe? I thought you were someone else. Aren’t you just that infamous worthless peak master? Your disciple acts recklessly and arrogantly—no wonder he’s a disgrace. I was merely giving him a few pointers so they’d learn some manners. Why are you so dissatisfied?"

Ye Xinghe’s anger turned to laughter. "Pointers? Luo Sanfeng, as an elder, you ignore the facts, side with the attacker, and speak harshly to my disciple. Such behavior is unworthy of being called a senior. You humiliated my disciple today—I won’t forget this!"

Luo Sanfeng crossed his arms, confident in his strength within the Sima family. Their clan always respected power, and his standing proved his might. Naturally, he dismissed Ye Xinghe.

"What good is remembering this? What can you do to me?"

At these words, the surrounding crowd gasped and instinctively stepped back.

Was Luo Sanfeng challenging Ye Xinghe?

Ye Xinghe’s anger, already burning, was ignited fully by Luo Sanfeng’s repeated insults, snapping the last thread of his restraint.

He suddenly closed the gap between them, moving so fast that the onlookers saw only a blur.

Raising his palm high, Ye Xinghe struck Luo Sanfeng’s face with a powerful slap.

The crisp sound echoed like thunder, startling everyone.

Luo Sanfeng’s eyes widened in shock, his body uncontrollably tilted to one side, blood trickling from his mouth as a clear red handprint blossomed on his cheek.

He never imagined Ye Xinghe would dare strike him openly, standing frozen for several seconds before regaining composure.

"You dare, Ye Xinghe!" Luo Sanfeng shouted, raising his hand to retaliate.

Ye Xinghe snorted coldly, eyes fearless, and as Luo Sanfeng lifted his hand, he struck again—another heavy slap.

This one was even more forceful, the gust of the palm whistling as it landed on the other cheek, spinning Luo Sanfeng around and forcing him to stagger several steps before barely regaining his footing.

"If I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have hit with my own hand—it’s quite painful!" Ye Xinghe said expressionlessly, shaking his slightly numb palm, as if what he just did was trivial.

In truth, those two slaps were delivered with calculated severity—both punishing Luo Sanfeng harshly and cleverly mitigating any backlash.

The crowd fell utterly silent. Several peak masters stood frozen, stunned by the scene before them.

After a few seconds, the Spirit Ore Peak master was the first to react, trembling as he pointed at Ye Xinghe and shouted angrily, "Ye Xinghe, how dare you! To assault an elder of the Sima family publicly—do you still respect the rules of the sacred land? Do you still honor the law?"

Ye Xinghe glanced coolly at the Spirit Ore Peak master. "Law? Rules? Luo Sanfeng insulted and bullied my disciple without cause, abusing his strength. Did he ever consider the sacred land’s rules? You all pretend not to see, yet now lecture me on rules—do you take me for a pushover?"

The Spirit Sword Peak master swallowed hard, struggling to find his voice. "Ye Xinghe, your actions... were too impulsive. Even if Elder Luo spoke improperly, you shouldn’t have hit him. If this escalates, no one can bear the consequences."

Ye Xinghe seemed to ignore these reproaches, his gaze returning to Luo Sanfeng, deadly intent blazing in his eyes.

"Luo Sanfeng, these two slaps today are a lesson for you. If you dare provoke any disciple of Tongtian Peak again, it won’t just be two slaps."

Luo Sanfeng’s face twisted with venomous hatred. Wiping blood from his mouth, he ground his teeth and hissed, "Ye Xinghe, you’re doomed! You dared hit me—Sima family will never let you off. We will tear you to pieces, and your Tongtian Peak will be uprooted!"

Ye Xinghe crossed his arms, watching Luo Sanfeng’s furious, hateful expression, a scornful smile curling his lips. Mimicking Luo Sanfeng’s arrogant tone mockingly, he said, "Oh dear, I’m so scared! Elder Luo’s threats are truly terrifying."