Best Young Master

Dark clouds press down on the city, threatening destruction!

Early in the morning, a tense atmosphere fills the Immortal Martial Academy, with everyone nervously preparing.

After a night of cultivation and adjustments, all the competitors have adjusted to their best state to face today’s contest.

On the path leading to the academy’s dining hall, Ye Fan, Hu Fei, Shi Ye, and Jin Changgeng all meet up and head to the Martial Arts Arena together.

Many people are already at the arena, with more arriving constantly; aside from the waiting area, no one dares to get close, and outside the stage, it’s already packed.

The original seating is far from sufficient, so many are simply standing to watch the match.

Among the spectators, Ye Fan notices some peculiar individuals—vendors!

Some people from the academy energetically peddle something with Space Spiritual Treasures.

Listening closely, Ye Fan discovers what they are selling is common people’s snacks like candied hawthorn and large meat buns.

Surprisingly, people are indeed buying them; some Loose Cultivators are unwilling to spend too many Spirit Stones dining at the academy’s restaurant. Though lacking nutrition, the snacks satisfy cravings and fill the stomach.

Life for cultivators is dull and austere; to achieve success in cultivation, many rely on medicinal herbs as food. Their nutrition is adequate, but the flavor is far from delightful.

This world’s Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi is abundant, yet ordinary people abound because not many can endure the austere life of cultivators.

Subsisting on Black Ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum isn’t something an average person can handle; those without cultivation techniques might burst themselves.

Moreover, consuming such things continually leads to clear spring drooling from the mouth, devoid of taste, with even salt being forbidden—this is unimaginable for ordinary folks.

Cultivators shattering mountains with a fist, cracking the ground with a stomp, and possessing Divine Skills akin to immortals are beyond the ken of ordinary people, though they endure unimaginable hardships.

But once cultivation succeeds, indulging in common people’s snacks holds no issue; gains come with losses, and savoring flavors delays cultivation.

Witnessing this scene, Ye Fan immediately recognizes it as the idea of the vice principal, the Old Fox. Initially, only academy disciples attended as spectators, making for poor sails and quelling the notion.

With numerous Loose Cultivators now swarming the academy for the spectacle, he recalls scenes from the Sacred City where ordinary people chant energetically in the plaza, eking out profits by day’s end.

With his economic foresight, the vice principal saw a business opportunity; what flew in the Southern Domain Sacred City could fly here.

Thus, academy staff hurriedly crafted small snacks overnight, selling them at the Martial Arts Arena, albeit at exorbitant prices.

It’s a willing purchase; no one forces you, albeit many Loose Cultivators cave to the aroma’s allure, willingly paying Spirit Stones for morsels worth mere coppers among ordinary folk.

"Have you heard? Today’s semi-final battle is delayed, another round-robin among two groups." said an Immortal Academy disciple with spiritual communication.

"Of course, I know, and it’s also known the first match is Ye Fan versus Li Tianfeng!"

It’s indisputable academy disciples possess penetrating connections, unveiling news even the academy hasn’t announced yet.

"Indeed, from reliable sources, today’s semi-finals are still postponed, with the opening match between you and Li Tianfeng." At this moment, Yaling approached, sharing this info with Ye Fan.

The Treasure Pavilion’s well-informed demeanor, even Yaling corroborates this; it’s likely true. Ye Fan strokes his chin, gazing Li Tianfeng’s direction.

Whether intentional academy leaks or inadvertent whistles, Li Tianfeng and others know the news.

As Ye Fan’s gaze scans, Li Tianfeng squints back, eyes blatantly murderous.

"Ye Fan and Li Tianfeng remain undefeated; who do you think will win?"

"I believe Ye Fan, as the Treasure Pavilion’s Holy Maiden considers him the top candidate, never unfounded!"

"I bet on Li Tianfeng; reaching Mid-stage Divine Power Realm at sixteen is terrifying; who knows what aces he hides?"

With news of Ye Fan’s head-to-head against Li Tianfeng leaking, the entire Martial Arts Arena buzzes with chatter on their duel.

"In today’s bout, I’ll thoroughly defeat him, shattering his Martial Arts Will, stripping his chance to Prove Dao!"

With surrounding chatter, on realizing more support for Ye Fan, Li Tianfeng spews harsh words, pledging not only to defeat Ye Fan but crush his Martial Arts Will.

To Li Tianfeng’s taunts, Ye Fan remains silent, unmoved.

Due to Ye Fan’s lack of response, many assume he’s chickening out; despite his undisputed combat power, Li Tianfeng, a sixteen-year-old Mid-stage Divine Power Realm prodigy, likely possesses clandestine tactics.

"Ye’s destined to lose; his winning streak is ending."

This is the voice of Li Tianfeng’s hangers-on, aiming to undermine Ye Fan, destabilizing his composure; losing such steadiness leads to inconsistent performance in matches.

Even if aware Ye Fan isn’t Li Tianfeng’s rival, they leave nothing to chance, deploying all means for opponent disruption.

"He’s merely a disciple from Tianyuan State’s small sect, challenging Mr. Li’s victory, why?"

"He’s rumored of Xuanwu Sect lineage; isn’t Xuanwu a giant tortoise?"

To assail Ye Fan, revelations emerge of his origins, deliberately framing current Xuanwu State as former Tianyuan State.

"What’s wrong with small sect disciples? Numerous Great Emperors hail not from Di Clan and Wu Shang Sect Holy Land, but small sects or even Xiao families. Who dares say Brother Ye Fan can’t Prove Dao?"

"Who’s Li Tianfeng really? Just a spineless dog under Zhou Zhaolong, dignity forfeited; despite talent, Dao remains elusive, his name vanished from the Emperor Road long before."

"Which Great Emperor through history hails from dog-like origins? Squandering talent and potential."

Shi Ye and others protest, highlighting Li Tianfeng’s allegiance to Zhou Zhaolong, shocking the crowd whose perspectives toward Li Tianfeng shift.

Cultivators bear pride, anyone aiming for the Emperor Road shuns dependency, enduring even thorn-laden paths, carving their way.

If Shi Ye and others speak truth, despite Li Tianfeng’s strength, he’s barred from the Emperor Road, stripped of qualification.

"I’ve always regarded Brother Tianfeng as an equal peer, not a subordinate, but as a brother."

At this juncture, Zhou Zhaolong steps in, clarifying their relationship lest unfavorable scenarios arise; he’s already under suspicion, akin to Emperor Sha’s Four Seasons Killing Technique, and couldn’t fuel more enmity.

"Li Tianfeng will surely triumph!"

Li Daoheng screams, with many echoing him, each scheming individually against Ye Fan’s victory.

Yaling’s low championship odds effectively pit him against all, none favoring a Ye Fan triumph.

"Little Li Tianfeng’s nothing; Brother Ye Fan can suppress him effortlessly."

Hu Fei, Shi Ye, Jin Changgeng, Gu Hao, and others firmly believe in Ye Fan’s prowess, during the battle against Yu Tidou, Li Tianfeng’s abilities largely unveiled, whereas Ye Fan barely showed his hand, prompting Yaling’s confidence for making him the championship favorite.

"I stake one piece of Sun God Gold, betting Li Tianfeng defeats and crushes Ye’s Martial Arts Will."

At this moment, Zhou Zhaolong emerges, dark-faced, wielding a piece of Sun God Gold, its Divine Light overshadowing the sun’s radiance.

Many weaker Loose Cultivators tear up at the dazzling Sun God Gold’s shine, unable to stare directly.

"Goodness, it’s really Sun God Gold!"

"The exclusive Divine Material for Great Emperor’s Weapon Refinement! Zhou Zhaolong is truly blessed with great fortunes, securing a Great Emperor’s exclusive Refining Divine Material!"

"Too scarce though, impossible for Emperor Weapon Sacrificial Refinement; nonetheless doable for a smaller legendary Divine weapon!"

Even the major forces’ helmsmen in the VIP seats are shocked; Divine Material exclusive to Great Emperors, many spend lifetimes seeking Refining materials for an Emperor Weapon, yet find none; securing a fist-sized piece required vast fortune?

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