Chapter Twenty-One: Signing a Pact of Life and Death
Ye Xinghe crossed his arms, looking at Luo Sanfeng’s furious and resentful expression with a faint, contemptuous smile curling his lips. Adopting Luo Sanfeng’s earlier arrogant tone in a mocking manner, he said, “Oh my, I’m so scared! Elder Luo’s harsh words are truly terrifying.”
He even patted his chest theatrically, feigning fright, though his eyes betrayed no fear whatsoever.
Such a man was beneath his respect!
Those around them exchanged glances, not daring to utter a sound.
This was madness!
Daring to challenge a member of the Sima family!
Luo Sanfeng trembled with rage, his chest heaving violently, furious beyond measure.
“Ye Xinghe!” he snarled through clenched teeth, voice hoarse and strained, “Don’t get too cocky. Today’s score between us is far from settled! I, Luo Sanfeng, swear here and now that I will not rest until I have killed you!”
With these fierce words, his black hair stirred as if moved by a supernatural wind. He seemed possessed by a demon, radiating an intense murderous aura so palpable that the surrounding air chilled and the temperature dropped sharply.
But Ye Xinghe seemed unfazed by the deadly threat, bursting into a loud, hearty laugh that made everyone’s ears ache. “You? Luo Sanfeng, anyone can spout threats. If you have time to boast and swear oaths here, you’d be better off weighing your own worth. If you want to kill me, come and try. I’d like to see what skill you have to back up your words.”
The Spirit Mine Peak Master, seeing the situation spiraling out of control, hurried forward anxiously and grabbed Luo Sanfeng, whispering a warning: “Elder Luo, please calm down! This is the venue for the sect’s grand competition, under the watchful eyes of many. Do not act impulsively. If blood is shed here and the Sanctuary places blame, none of us can bear that consequence.”
Luo Sanfeng violently shook off the Spirit Mine Peak Master’s hand, eyes blazing with fury. “Get lost! If I don’t eliminate Ye Xinghe today, this grudge in my heart will never be resolved.”
He gathered a swirling vortex of black spiritual energy in his palm, crackling with lightning and thunder, accompanied by faint howling and roaring sounds—a deadly move summoned with the intent to strike Ye Xinghe down instantly.
“Stop! Private fights are strictly prohibited at the competition venue. Violators will be severely punished!”
Just as the two were about to clash, a deep, aged voice rang out like a great bell throughout the arena.
Several elders responsible for maintaining order at the venue had noticed the commotion and rushed over to intervene.
Even the Sima family was not allowed to act recklessly in the Sanctuary!
Even if Ye Xinghe was a powerless peak master, no one could be killed within the Sanctuary!
Seeing Luo Sanfeng forced to relent by the elders, Ye Xinghe withdrew grudgingly but remained resentful.
His disdain deepened as he loudly mocked Luo Sanfeng’s retreating back, “Luo Sanfeng, with your three-bit skills, you dare to show off such moves? Pathetic and utterly useless!”
“I wonder how you even practice, claiming to be an elder of the Sima family at such a pitiful level—it’s laughable.”
Hearing this, the crowd gasped in shock. No one expected Ye Xinghe to not only escape but also to boldly provoke his opponent with such cutting words.
Luo Sanfeng, already simmering with rage, suddenly halted as if struck by lightning. Turning around slowly, his face darkened ominously, veins bulging on his forehead as he fixed Ye Xinghe with a deadly glare. Through clenched teeth, he spat, “What did you say? Say it again if you dare!”
Ye Xinghe ignored the threat and smirked coldly, loudly retorting, “What, are we not allowed to speak the truth now?”
“That move you just used, ‘Black Thunder Vortex,’ isn’t that a crude imitation of the technique passed down by your ancestor, Luo Zhenxiao of the Sima family?”
“Back in the day, Luo Zhenxiao’s reputation was legendary. With that signature skill, he dominated the martial world, rarely challenged—a true terror across the lands.”
“But look at you. The same technique in your hands is weak and flawed, utterly lacking the spirit of the original. You disgrace your ancestor’s legacy.”
Some elder masters nodded slightly, clearly acknowledging Ye Xinghe’s words. Indeed, Luo Zhenxiao’s ‘Black Thunder Vortex’ was once a breathtakingly brilliant and renowned skill.
The younger disciples looked on with astonishment, curious about the truth behind the rumors.
Luo Sanfeng’s face flushed red and then pale in shame and anger. Roaring furiously, he shouted, “Ye Xinghe, what do you know! Though this move originates from my ancestor, I have long since improved and innovated it, forming my own style. It’s not something you can casually slander!”
“Today, you humiliate me and defame the Sima family’s legacy. You will pay a heavy price!”
Ye Xinghe sneered, “Improved and innovated? Don’t flatter yourself! That’s just incompetence ruining a fine skill. If Luo Zhenxiao’s ancestor knew you were desecrating his hard work, he’d probably rise from his grave in fury.”
The Spirit Mine Peak Master, sensing danger again, stepped forward to restrain Luo Sanfeng and urged urgently, “Elder Luo, don’t fall for his provocation. Arguing with him now is pointless. Let’s leave and discuss this calmly.”
But Luo Sanfeng violently broke free, unleashing a roaring burst of spiritual power that sent stones and dust scattering. His eyes blazed with fury. “No! If I don’t punish Ye Xinghe today, how can I stand in the martial world in the future? The elders forbid private fights, fine. Ye Xinghe, we’ll settle this at the competition! I want to see if you have any real skill besides empty talk.”
The crowd erupted once more in uproar. Since when did outsiders participate in the sect’s grand competition?
The disciples of various peaks wore shocked expressions. After all, the Sanctuary had a long-standing tradition forbidding outsiders from joining the sect’s competition. Luo Sanfeng’s demand was utterly outrageous.
“Has Luo Sanfeng lost his mind? The Sanctuary’s rules are strict and cannot be broken on a whim. How can an elder of the Sima family intervene in our sect’s competition?”
“It’s just that he can’t swallow his pride! Ye Xinghe humiliated him publicly, and now he’s determined to restore his face, even if it means defying the Sanctuary’s rules.”
Several elders wore grave expressions, brows furrowed deeply.
A venerable elder stepped forward with displeasure, speaking sternly, “Luo Sanfeng, you should know this place is the venue for the sect’s grand competition. The Sanctuary’s rules must not be violated. Throughout history, no outsider has ever participated. Your demand is absurd!”
Luo Sanfeng straightened his neck and argued vehemently, “Respected elder, please understand! That scoundrel Ye Xinghe has insulted me repeatedly and slandered the Sima family’s techniques. If I do not personally teach him a lesson, this grudge will never be resolved.”
“Moreover, as an elder of the Sima family, my volunteering to compete is meant to add prestige to the competition, giving the disciples a chance to witness a true martial expert’s skills. It’s reasonable and justified.”
Ye Xinghe listened nearby, a faint, elusive cold smile playing on his lips.