969 The Match (1)
"Haven't you heard? A formidable young member of the Ye Family has returned."
"Does the Ye Family have a formidable young member? Could it be that Ye You has returned?"
Everyone was shocked.
If the Ye Family could be said to have a formidable young member, then it was Ye You, who had entered the Yunxiao Sect.
Ye You's grandfather had been the Great Elder of the Ye Family. However, her grandfather had foolishly tried to grasp all the power in the Ye Family, vanishing in the end. This had happened more than a year ago, but no one knew whether Ye You's grandfather was dead or alive. The Ye Family avoided all mention of this matter.
Instead, they invited a new powerful figure to take up the position of Great Elder in the Ye Family.
And in that period, Ye You had not returned to Lin Town.
Everyone guessed that the Ye Family's dissatisfaction towards Ye You's grandfather had caused Ye You to abandon the Ye Family. She had probably deliberately cut off all contact with the Ye Family.
Indeed, Ye You now held the lofty status of the disciple of the Yunxiao Sect's sect master. Considering her status, without her grandfather, the Ye Family was beneath her.
"It's not Ye You, it's Dan Yifan, the grandson of the Ye Family's new Great Elder."
"Dan Yifan? Where is he from? I haven't heard of him before."
"I've heard that this Dan Yifan is only in his teens but is already an inner sect disciple of the Leiting Sect. He has great natural ability. He has probably returned this time to helm the Ye Family."
"An inner sect disciple of the Leiting Sect?!"
As they discussed it, they could not help but be shocked by Dan Yifan's background.
Very few people in the entire Lin Town could enter a sect, much less become an inner sect disciple.
Ye You had been the exception. She had managed to enter the YunXiao Sect because of her spirit root. However, this Dan Yifan must be quite formidable to have become an inner sect disciple at such a young age, just based on his natural ability.
Just as everyone was fervently discussing the matter, the numerous members of the Ye Family, led by Dan Yifan, arrived at the martial arts arena. Everyone's gaze was concentrated on the young man in the lead, who carried himself with extraordinary poise.
Just after the Ye Family arrived, the Duan Family also walked into the martial arts arena.
The crowd which had gathered to watch the show immediately quieted down when they saw the members of the Duan Family arrive.
Today, more than ten younger members of the Duan Family had arrived.
In the lead was Duan Luoning, who had gone to the Ye House to issue the challenge.
"Who does the Ye Family intend to send for today's match?" A youth from the Duan Family advanced and spoke mockingly to the group from the Ye Family.
Dan Yifan raised his brows slightly and stepped forward.
"Since you want to play, I shall play with you for a while."
"What arrogance!" The youth from the Duan Family glared at Dan Yifan, who had stepped forward. A cold light flashed across his eyes. "You only have the advantage of words now. Wait until you get up on the dais. You will probably wet your pants in terror."
"I'm afraid that you will be the ones to wet your pants..." Dan Yifan said blandly. He took no notice of the Duan Family's provocation.
"You!" The youth from the Duan Family narrowed his eyes and stepped forward swiftly. However, he was suddenly pulled back by Duan Luoning, who was standing behind him.
Duan Luoning raised his eyes to look at Dan Yifan and said, "Sparring with words is meaningless. We have already clearly set out the terms of today's fight. There is no need to say anymore. Let's begin the fight."
Dan Yifan said, "Very well." With that, Dan Yifan swiftly leaped onto the dais, and Duan Luoning followed.
"Young Master Dan, give it to the Duan Family!" The group from the Ye Family shouted when they saw Dan Yifan enter the arena.
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970 The Match (2)
"How boastful. I wonder who the people we beat until they howled like stray dogs were. Now, they dare to crawl out of the Ye House and raise a clamor," the youths from the Duan Family said coldly.
The youths from both families were hot-blooded. Sparks were already flying before the match could begin. They rolled up their sleeves and almost sparred on the spot.
At that moment, the Lin Town citizens who had crowded around to watch were filled with anticipation.
One must know that after the Duan Family had sought refuge with the Long Family, the ability of the Duan Family's disciples had far outstripped that of the Si and Ye Families. In their previous fights, the Duan Family had been completely victorious.
Now, the Ye Family had publicly accepted the Duan Family's challenge. However, the ability of this Dan Yifan from the Ye Family was still unknown.
In terms of ability, Duan Luoning was one of the best in Lin Town. Except for the Long Family, almost none of the younger members of the other major families could compare with him.
Even the Eldest Young Master of the Si Family, Si Ye, had been defeated by Duan Luoning.
Everyone knew that because of the Long Family, the Duan Family had begun to oppress the other two major families. They had even borrowed the Long Family's name and demanded tribute from many of the other major families. If the Ye Family was defeated in today's battle, the matter of tribute could no longer be avoided.
The two major families were previously on par, but one was now superior to the other. To pay tribute to the other was not just about money but also about the family's dignity.
"If the Ye Family loses today's match, you must pay a monthly tribute to the Duan Family from now on. Do you dare to take on this bet?" Duan Luoning said coldly as he looked at Dan Yifan.
"Why wouldn't I dare? Similarly, if the Duan Family loses..." Dan Yifan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Naturally, it will be the same." Duan Luoning replied crisply.
With that, Dan Yifan's lips curved in a trace of a confident smile.
A cold light immediately flashed across the eyes of the two opponents.
In that instant, they acted almost simultaneously.
A flash of cold light suddenly exploded from Duan Luoning's hand!
"Glacial Frost Palm?!"
Below the dais, the crowd watched as blasts of cold air spurted from Duan Luoning's palm. The temperature of the surrounding area seemed to drop under the force of his palm.
Icy blue cold air seemed to gather in Duan Luoning's palm. It seemed to imperceptibly transform into a glacial ice dragon that suddenly charged at Dan Yifan.
The form of the glacial ice dragon was reflected in Dan Yifan's eyes. A chill suddenly surfaced in his eyes.
The next instant, he suddenly drew the Blazing Sun Sword at his waist. Roaring hot flames immediately rushed out from his blade!
With a stroke of his sword, an endless stream of blazing flames rushed out with a howl, seemingly setting the air on fire.
The two savage and cruel forces suddenly collided in mid-air. The glacial ice churned under the blazing flames, and steam began to spread.
It was as if the surrounding audience was being roasted or burnt by the hot steam.
The hot flames swallowed the glacial ice dragon and bombarded Duan Luoning with a resounding explosion.
The group from the Ye Family below the dais widened their eyes in excitement as they saw the hot flames rushing away.
"Young Master Dan, kill that Duan Family bastard!"
"Kill him! Let's see if he dares to be so arrogant!"
Amidst the mingled shouts, Duan Luoning was startled to see the oncoming hot flames. The next instant, he drew the sharp sword at his side. The cold air in his palm gathered on the sword blade and blocked the roaring hot flames!
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971 The Match (3)
By the time the burning flames dispersed, Duan Luoning was rather pale. He squinted at Dan Yifan, who was facing him. His previously relaxed attitude had vanished long ago.
This Dan Yifan's abilities far exceeded his expectations.
One should know that a few months ago, Duan Luoning had fought with the Eldest Young Master of the Si Family, Si Ye. He had defeated the latter without even drawing his sword.
He had thought that he would not be forced to use his weapon to deal with Dan Yifan. But who could have guessed...
"What's the matter? Can't take it?" Dan Yifan raised his brows and looked at the ashen Duan Luoning. His eyes were filled with arrogant amusement.
"You're pretty good. You thought you could block me with your bare hands? You're just too arrogant." Dan Yifan commented.
Duan Luoning narrowed his eyes slightly. "I was merely letting you have this move."
"Oh? You're pretty full of yourself." Dan Yifan laughed softly. "How dare you!" Duan Luoning was enraged by the disdain in Dan Yifan's words. He immediately lifted his sword and slashed at Dan Yifan.
Dan Yifan responded deftly but unhurriedly.
Duan Luoning was disadvantaged within three to five moves. He was unable to even defend himself against Dan Yifan's attack.
The scene playing out before them confounded the confident group from the Duan Family.
They had thought that Duan Luoning could easily defeat Dan Yifan. Who would have thought that... events would take this turn.
"You from the Duan Family, weren't you very arrogant just now? How come you don't dare to even fart now!" The group from the Ye Family saw that Dan Yifan had easily beaten Duan Luoning, such that the latter could not even defend himself. They felt thoroughly vindicated.
Did the Duan Family dare to continue being arrogant?
What were their skills compared to Dan Yifan?!
The watching citizens were awed by what they saw.
They thought that Duan Luoning's abilities were already the best among the younger generation. Who would have thought that... they were nothing compared to Dan Yifan of the Ye Family.
No wonder...
Rumor had it that this Dan Yifan was considered a genius from young.
"Is that all you are capable of..." Dan Yifan looked at Duan Luoning, who was sweating profusely, and his lips curved in a mocking smile. With that, he suddenly leaped up. The inner qi in his body suddenly dispersed, and he seemed to be shrouded by burning flames.
The next instant, Dan Yifan suddenly brandished the Blazing Sun Sword in his hand. The burning flames that surrounded him seemed to gather.
Suddenly, the roar of a dragon rang out from Dan Yifan's sword breath. The burning flames that had gathered on his blade solidified into the shape of a huge dragon. The burning dragon opened its huge mouth and charged at Duan Luoning.
The air was distorted by the baking heat of the burning hot flames.
Duan Luoning was only in time to see a red glow surround him, but he could not react in time.
Boom, boom!!
A huge explosion suddenly pierced everyone's ears.
The burning dragon smashed into the dais. Sparks flew everywhere. Duan Luoning's figure flew pathetically off the dais and smashed into the pillars of the martial arts arena. He fell to the ground with a crash.
At that moment, Duan Luoning's body seemed to be burnt by flames. His clothes were all burnt black, and a large part of his face was burnt.
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972 The Match (4)
"Blazing Flame Sword Technique..."
The watching citizens gaped at the scene before them. If they had not seen it with their own eyes, they would never have imagined that the Blazing Flame Sword Technique, that could only be learned within the sects, would one day be displayed before them.
"Duan Luoning, is it? You've lost this time." Dan Yifan stood proudly on the dais. His slender figure showed no sign of injury.
Everyone from the Duan Family suddenly snapped out of their trance and hurried over to help Duan Luoning, who had fallen to the ground.
They would never have imagined that Duan Luoning would be so utterly defeated!
There was not the slightest wound on Dan Yifan!
"Based on the terms of our bet, from today onward, the Duan Family must pay tribute to the Ye Family." Dan Yifan stood proudly as he sheathed the Blazing Sun Sword with a flick of his wrist.
"You..." Duan Luoning exerted himself and stood up. He glared at Dan Yifan and wanted to say something.
However...
"Today's match is not yet over. Your words are premature." A voice suddenly rang out from the martial arts arena.
Everyone within the martial arts arena looked towards the voice.
But everyone was shocked by what they saw.
Three tall figures had quietly appeared at the entrance to the martial arts arena. The person in the lead was the eldest son of the Duan Family-Duan Tianyun!
And standing behind Duan Tianyun were the Second and Third Young Masters of the Duan Family, Duan Tianrao and Duan Tianrui.
"Eldest Young Master!" The moment the group from the Duan Family saw that Duan Tianyun had appeared, their eyes lit up.
Duan Tianyun swept a glance at Duan Luoning's injuries and frowned slightly. However, he did not say anything and walked straight towards the dais.
"You are?" Dan Yifan looked at the three men who had suddenly appeared.
Duan Tianyun said, "I am Duan Tianyun from the Duan Family."
"So it's the Eldest Young Master of the Duan Family." Dan Yifan nodded slightly. "I wonder what Eldest Young Master Duan meant?"
"What did I mean? Wasn't I clear enough?" Duan Tianyun laughed coldly. "Yesterday, the Duan and Ye Families agreed to this match, but any of the younger members of the two families can participate in the match. You merely won one round, how can you determine the winner?"
Dan Yifan frowned slightly. But upon careful thought, he realized that Duan Tianyun was right.
Below the dais, Ye Qingtang was watching everything expressionlessly.
Duan Tianyun was the oldest of the Duan Family's three sons, but Duan Tianyun had a haughty and mercurial personality and had not been chosen to be the next master of the Duan Family. Instead, Second Young Master, Duan Tianrao, had won the favor of the Duan Family's master and had been selected to succeed him.
Just as Ye Qingtang was watching events unfold, a pair of eyes fell on her quietly.
"Second Brother, isn't that Ye Qingtang? Why is she back?" The Duan Family's Third Young Master, Duan Tianrui, suddenly saw Ye Qingtang's figure amidst the crowd. He spoke to his second brother, Duan Tianrao, who was standing beside him.
When Duan Tianrao heard that, he looked towards Ye Qingtang.
Duan Tianrao and Ye Qingtang had been engaged, but after Ye Qingtang's spirit root was destroyed, the engagement was broken. After that, he became engaged to the Ye Family's adopted daughter, Ye Xun.
However, something had happened on the birthday of the Ye Family's previous Great Elder. After that night, Ye Xun had vanished, and Duan Tianrao had no more contact with the Ye Family.
He only heard that Ye Qingtang had entered the Xuanling Sect a year ago, but he had not heard any more news.
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973 The Match (5)
Duan Tianrao had regretted it when Ye Qingtang had restored her spirit root and entered the Xuanling Sect.
However, after obtaining the Long Family's help, Duan Tianrao had rejoiced that his earlier engagement with Ye Qingtang had been broken.
So what if Ye Qingtang had entered the Xuanling Sect?
In the end, with her spirit root, she was destined to be only an outer sect disciple all her life. After he had obtained the Long Family's help, she was no longer worthy of him.
"So what if she returned? It's not a big deal." Duan Tianrao dropped his gaze. Ye Qingtang was of no concern to him at all.
His engagement with Ye Qingtang had been dissolved. Ye Xun, whom he had been engaged to later, had vanished. Now, he was on good terms with the Young Lady of the Long Family. In Duan Tianrao's eyes, only a powerful girl like her was worthy to stand by his side.
When Duan Tianrui saw that his second brother was so unconcerned, he did not pay any more attention to Ye Qingtang.
After all, the Ye Family today could not compare with their Duan Family. The Eldest Young Lady of the Ye Family was, naturally, beneath them.
On the other side, Duan Tianyun had slowly ascended the dais. He looked at Dan Yifan, who was standing on the dais, and said, "Since it is a match between the younger generation of the two families, I don't mind giving it a try. You can spout your nonsense after you have beaten me."
Dan Yifan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What's the matter? Are you afraid? Or can it be..." A mocking smile flashed across Duan Tianyun's eyes. "The members of the Ye Family are cowards?"
"Let's have a match then." Dan Yifan frowned with displeasure. Every word this Duan Tianyun uttered was grating.
A smile flashed across Duan Tianyun's eyes. He unbuckled his sword in front of the audience and threw it to Duan Tianrui, who was standing below the dais.
"What do you mean by this?" Dan Yifan asked coldly when he saw what Duan Tianyun had done.
Duan Tianyun lifted his chin, looked at Dan Yifan, and said, "Do I need a sword to deal with you? My fists will do."
"What arrogance!" A cold look flashed across Dan Yifan's eyes. With that, he raised his sword and slashed at Duan Tianyun!
Duan Tianyun eyes were cold when he saw Dan Yifan charging at him with burning flames. The next second, he suddenly directed all his energy and aimed a mighty blow at Dan Yifan!
Ye Qingtang was standing below the dais, watching the two men on the dais. When she saw Dan Yifan's move, she said blandly, "Dan Yifan is no match for Duan Tianyun."
"What did you say?" The Ye Family disciples standing nearby frowned with displeasure when they heard Ye Qingtang's words.
They had all followed the Great Elder and the Third Elder into the Ye Family and were not close to the Eldest Young Lady, Ye Qingtang.
"Eldest Young Lady, Young Master Dan is fighting for our Ye Family. You may not be contributing, but you need not run off your mouth here either."
"That's right. Young Master Dan is an inner sect disciple of the Leiting Sect. How can he lose to that Duan Tianyun?"
Many of the Ye Family disciples did not like Ye Qingtang. Besides her numerous rejections of Dan Yifan's good intentions, Dan Yifan was currently fighting for the Ye Family, and it was very annoying for her to speak like that before the fight had even started.
Ye Qingtang swept a glance at the unhappy youths and refrained from further speech.
But at that moment, there was chaos on the dais.
Dan Yifan, shrouded in layers of burning flames, was sent flying by Duan Tianyun's blow!
Dan Yifan fell heavily off the dais with a loud crash. The burning flames around him seemed to be covered by a layer of frost. The baking heat was being consumed by the blasts of cold air.