Chapter Sixty-Eight: Ye Bushou

“Although heavy weapons can be a way to catch opponents off guard, if you truly encounter a powerful extraordinary being, simply relying on these is absolutely ineffective.”

“I’m not sure about others, but this time, the brothers Deng Youfu and Deng Youcai of the Deng family in Jiangcheng will be particularly difficult to deal with.”

“The immortal entity attached to them has a remarkable origin. You need to be cautious.”

…

Ye Yan and Huang Bo chatted for quite some time, until Feng Xingtong and the others came looking for him.

From Huang Bo, Ye Yan learned a great deal about the Northeast's ‘spirit-riding immortals’. It was a field he had never been involved with before, and he found it fascinating.

“Huang, let’s call it a day. My friends are here now. Let’s exchange contact information, and we can have a proper conversation when we get the chance.”

Ye Yan never avoided people like Huang Bo; whenever he met someone interesting, he would naturally establish a connection. More friends, more paths.

“Sure, we’ll talk when there’s an opportunity. The Grand Celestial Gathering should last another few days anyway.”

After exchanging contact information, Huang Bo left, leaving the space to Ye Yan and Feng Xingtong’s group.

Once Huang Bo departed, Feng Xingtong, curiosity written all over his face, finally asked, “Brother…Liangchen, who was the person you were just talking to?”

“That was Huang Bo, my opponent in the previous match. Quite an interesting fellow.”

“Huang Bo, an inner disciple of the Martial Arts Sect from beyond the pass, direct disciple of the Madman Li Lan, skilled in the ‘Wave Technique’.”

Before Feng Xingtong could respond, a chubby man who had accompanied him spoke up, revealing Huang Bo’s background, which surprised Ye Yan.

Ye Yan had only mentioned a name, yet the fat man could instantly recite Huang Bo’s history in such detail. This was no ordinary feat.

“Xingtong, who is this?”

“Oh, Brother…Liangchen, this is Canglong, an outer clan member of the Lu family. Like me, his abilities aren’t remarkable, but he’s a master at gathering intelligence.”

“You fat fool, this is the Ye Liangchen you’ve been dying to meet.”

Feng Xingtong made introductions for both parties.

“Sister?”

Due to Feng Xingtong’s habitual slip of the tongue, Canglong looked at him in confusion. If Ye Yan hadn’t already spoken, he would have suspected that this Ye Liangchen was a girl—or perhaps a particularly charming one.

“Oh, Brother Liangchen is a friend of my sister.”

Feng Xingtong quickly covered up his mistake, and Canglong didn’t press the issue.

“Hello,” Ye Yan greeted with a neutral tone, while Canglong seized the moment, enthusiastically shaking his hand.

“Brother Liangchen, hello, hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Canglong. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Heard so much? Ye Yan’s lips twitched.

Could he be any more insincere?

Still, such pleasantries weren’t unusual, especially since this fat man specialized in intelligence gathering and was adept at social maneuvering. Yet, Ye Yan’s current identity as Ye Liangchen was hardly famous, making Canglong’s enthusiasm rather questionable.

Sensing Ye Yan’s confusion, Canglong rubbed his hands together and chuckled, “Brother Ye, you don’t know—your figurine team has become quite famous. Everyone who watched the match calls you ‘Ye the Shameless’.”

“Most competitors come out with all sorts of abilities, techniques, or cold weapons. You just pull out a Model 40 flamethrower. The intimidation factor is terrifying.”

…

Canglong rambled on, oblivious to Ye Yan’s face growing darker by the moment.

But soon, Ye Yan smiled kindly.

“Brother Canglong, once night falls on Mount Longhu, the roads get very slippery. Be careful on your way out.”

With that, Ye Yan turned and left swiftly, giving Canglong no chance to react.

“Uh…alright.”

Canglong responded, still puzzled as to why Ye Yan had suddenly said that.

“Curly, what’s up with him?” He looked helplessly at Feng Xingtong.

Feng Xingtong could only shrug, throwing him a look that said, “You’re on your own,” before rushing off to catch up with Ye Yan.

…

…

Leaving the Southeast arena, Ye Yan and Feng Xingtong headed straight for the Southwest arena, where the White Tiger division matches were held. This was Zhang Chulan’s battleground.

Ye Yan didn’t see Xu San or Xu Si outside, but it was obvious—they’d be inside.

As he expected, Ye Yan circled the audience stands and quickly spotted Xu San, Xu Si, and Li Ziyuan, who was quietly munching on potato chips beside them.

“Well, if it isn’t our famous ‘Ye the Shameless’. Finished your match? Come sit over here.”

Upon seeing him, Xu Si couldn’t resist a playful jab, though he didn’t ask about the outcome. At this Grand Celestial Gathering, there likely wasn’t anyone who could make Ye Yan suffer defeat.

“Get lost!” Ye Yan scowled, sitting next to Xu Si, then turned to Li Ziyuan, “Your match is over? How did it go?”

“I was lucky and won,” Li Ziyuan replied shyly with a smile.

“You won?” Ye Yan was a bit surprised; he hadn’t expected this young woman, who was just going through the motions, to scrape through the first round. It was a real surprise.

“Yes, I was only planning to get a feel for the venue and surrender if things got tough, but my three opponents ended up defeating each other. I just won by luck.”

Li Ziyuan playfully stuck out her tongue, then offered her potato chips to Ye Yan, asking timidly, “Partner, want some chips?”

“You go ahead,” Ye Yan shook his head.

While they spoke, the match in the arena had already started ahead of schedule. Zhang Chulan’s three opponents lined up, clearly intending to join forces and take out the most troublesome Zhang Chulan first.

It was a familiar tactic.

As Zhang Chulan entered, the sky overhead suddenly darkened, and a powerful sense of oppression seemed to strike every nerve.

Ye Yan even heard someone beside him inhale sharply, “Such overwhelming pressure… Is this the descendant of the ‘Qi Body Stream’?”

“Truly not to be underestimated.”

“This youth is terrifying.”

…

Ye Yan was speechless, while Xu Si burst out with a pig-like laugh, “That kid always manages to surprise people.”

With every gesture, heaven and earth seemed to lose their color. Combined with Zhang Chulan’s repressed, vengeful tone and the carefully prepared words, there was an unmistakable sense of “Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west,” as well as “Don’t underestimate the poor youth.”

Not only did the audience gasp, but even the competitors waiting below were awed by Zhang Chulan’s aura.

After all, he was the opponent they would soon have to face—the pressure was immense.