Chapter Thirty-One: Second Brother Xiao Stirring Up Trouble

After nearly a month of preparation, the City of Shaded Heaven now gleamed with opulence at every turn. On any given day, one could spot the sons and daughters of nobility strolling through the main streets, whether looking up or down. The news of the younger generation from the Sacred Lands marching east had already spread like wildfire through the city. The warlike youth of Shaded Heaven were filled with fervor, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the challengers from the Sacred Lands every day.

Even the ever-proud denizens of the capital, who always looked down upon others, found themselves filled with longing for the coming events. In their eyes, anyone outside their own ranks seemed little more than uncivilized barbarians.

Still, regardless of motive, when it came to the impending crusade by the Sacred Land’s young elites, everyone harbored a burning desire to teach a lesson to those audacious enough to underestimate the Tianwu Empire.

Yet, amid this citywide unity and anticipation, Ye Feng—the one meant to lead them—remained utterly absent from all news. It was as if he cared nothing for the looming confrontation.

The reason was simple: Ye was simply indulging in laziness...

But such tranquil days lasted no more than a month before trouble found him again, for someone had finally grown displeased with his behavior and came seeking a quarrel.

As for the instigator, no one in the Ye family was unfamiliar with him; indeed, many had met him on various occasions. He was none other than Xiao Chong, the second son of the Xiao family in the capital, and Xiao Ying’s elder brother!

For Ye Feng, who had always believed in the adage, “the morning is the key to the day,” training at dawn was a habit from both his previous and present lives. So, in the eyes of the household staff, all the young master’s former flaws had vanished, except for his fondness for sleeping in, which had only grown worse.

Moreover, the young master had sternly warned them that while he was “sleeping,” no one was permitted to disturb him.

Thus, all the servants in the courtyard took this command as their highest principle, for since the young master’s transformation, he was generally gentle and amiable with them—except when angered, which was something to behold.

Conveniently, after the incident with the elder, Xiao Tianya had officially assigned five cultivators of the acquired realm to serve as Ye Feng’s personal guards, under the pretext of protecting a prodigy.

So, when Second Brother Xiao arrived in force, Ye Feng’s guards firmly stood their ground, barring entry on the grounds that their young master was cultivating.

However, the guards accompanying Second Brother Xiao were no weaklings either.

Tempers flared, and a brawl erupted. Of course, the Ye family elders would not stoop to fighting with the guards themselves—such matters were but child’s play in their eyes.

With both sides evenly matched, no one could gain the upper hand for a time. Swords and staves clashed with great commotion.

Soon, the sounds of combat at the gate disturbed Ye Feng in his cultivation. “What’s going on? Who dares cause trouble in the Ye family?” he muttered darkly, opening his eyes.

He rolled out of bed, grabbed a long blade, and strode toward the courtyard door. Upon arrival, he found all five of his guards sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.

Fortunately, their opponents had held back; aside from some bruises and scrapes, the guards were otherwise unharmed.

“Ye Feng! So you finally dare to show yourself!” Outside the main gate stood a youth of sixteen or seventeen, handsome and clad in black, holding a long sword. He cocked his head, eyeing Ye Feng as he strode out.

“And who might you be? Don’t you know this is the Ye family’s residence?” Ye Feng put on an air of authority.

The youth laughed, scrutinizing Ye Feng as if he were some curiosity. “Not bad! Boy, it seems the rumors are true—your courage really has grown. You don’t even recognize your own brother? But surely you recognize this sword? It’s given you more than a few beatings over the years!”

Ye Feng was speechless, cursing the neighbor’s old hen in his heart. Only now did he remember—this was Xiao Chong, second son of the Xiao family from the capital.

“Oh! Isn’t this Second Brother Xiao? What wind blows you here? Could it be you’ve been pining for me?” Ye Feng grinned, teasing.

Xiao Chong’s image in Ye Feng’s mind was already vague, but judging by the fact that he had only injured the guards without killing, there was still some camaraderie between them.

“Hmph! I don’t care what gave you your newfound nerve, but for frightening my sister in your home, you must pay today!” Xiao Chong’s face changed in an instant, his sword pointing at Ye Feng as he spoke coldly.

He was quite satisfied with his chosen excuse for causing a scene.

“What…” Ye Feng was taken aback, unsure of Xiao Chong’s true intentions. Still, one thing was certain: neither Xiao Chong nor his guards bore any intent to kill.

To Ye Feng, it seemed they were probing him, testing his strength.

Watching Ye Feng stand calmly at the door, Xiao Chong’s lips twitched, and an inexplicable rage flared within him. He forgot that this man might one day be family, perhaps even someone he would support in the future. He had come only to see if the rumors of Ye Feng’s transformation were true.

But now, Ye Feng’s attitude infuriated him.

“Fine! Playing dumb, are you? Then let my sword teach you what it means to be prepared!” Before he finished speaking, Xiao Chong’s spirit power burst forth, and his sword glowed with a faint green light—he was serious.

Without waiting for Ye Feng to react, Xiao Chong shouted, stomping hard on the stone tiles, his figure shooting straight toward Ye Feng.

An expert’s skill is evident the moment he moves. Though Xiao Chong’s temperament left much to be desired, his attack was decisive and fierce; Ye Feng knew he was facing a true opponent.

“Sword Canon—Myriad Sword Flow…”

In an instant, his long sword seemed to multiply, filling the air with countless emerald sword lights, enveloping Ye Feng completely.

As the sword shadows closed in, Ye Feng stood unmoved. He narrowed his eyes, tracking a single blade among the swarm.

Clang—

At the instant the sword light neared, Ye Feng’s long blade struck diagonally, landing precisely on the sword’s spine.

Swish, swish, swish—

Ye Feng stood rooted as hundreds of sword beams sliced around him like a great net. Some even grazed his clothes, leaving him tattered and ragged as a beggar.

As the storm of sword light faded, Ye Feng moved like a leopard. His blade gleamed gold, carving a perfect arc in the air as it slashed straight at Xiao Chong’s waist.

Seeing the blade speeding toward him, Xiao Chong sneered, swirling his sword in the air to conjure dozens of sword lights before him.

Boom—

Blade met sword lights in a fierce collision, sending dust billowing as a tangible shockwave rippled outward. Both figures staggered back several steps before regaining their footing.

In the brief span of a few seconds, the two had exchanged blows. Judging by appearances, Xiao Chong had the upper hand—his clothes less tattered.

But both knew that the match was, in truth, a draw. Indeed, Ye Feng had the advantage, for he had yet to use any spirit arts.

“Boy! It seems you really have improved. But if this is all you have, today you’ll be staying right here!” Xiao Chong’s eyes flashed viciously as his sword whirled, sending out wave after wave of sword light, which arranged themselves in a hexagonal formation around him.

“Sword Canon—Blades Devouring the Heart!”

With a shout, the floating sword lights responded as if commanded, shooting toward Ye Feng one after another.

Ye Feng had hoped that by holding back, Xiao Chong would take the opportunity to withdraw, but the latter persisted. Now, Ye Feng’s patience snapped. “Damn it, even a clay figurine has a temper!”

He leaped back, his left hand shining with dazzling golden light.

Boom—

With a single, forceful strike, he shattered all the incoming sword lights. The palm’s power continued unabated, surging into the hexagram sword array.

Thud—

A spurt of blood. Xiao Chong crashed heavily onto the stone tiles behind.

In a blur, Ye Feng lunged forward, appearing at Xiao Chong’s side in an afterimage. A golden dagger glinted at the latter’s throat.

“Stop!”

“Feng’er, stop!!”

At this, the old masters of both families, who had been lurking unseen, hurriedly revealed themselves, shouting in alarm.

“Boy! I’ll settle this with you another day!” Xiao Chong snarled as he departed, acting as if he had been victorious.

Ye Feng was quick to retort, mocking, “If I killed you, the Xiao family would be wiped out!”

“Let’s see if you survive these next few days.” With that cryptic remark, Xiao Chong turned and left without looking back.