Chapter 280: Junior Brother Ye Isn't Just Holding Back—He's Holding Back an Ocean!

"No, I don't want to."

The cultivator shook his head as he spoke, subconsciously backing away a few steps before collapsing onto the ground with a thud.

Seeing his reaction, Cao Youqian said, thoroughly exasperated, "Why are you so nervous? I'm not some kind of demon."

???

All the surrounding cultivators were filled with question marks—You're even scarier than a demon. Who else can tear through opponents with their bare hands across cultivation ranks?

Just then, a figure descended from the sky, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

It was Marquis Yishan. The disciples of Wendao Academy immediately bowed upon seeing him.

"Master-Uncle."

"No need for formality."

After replying, Marquis Yishan turned his gaze toward the crowd of spectators.

Wherever his gaze swept, people instinctively lowered their heads.

After a moment, a respectful voice rang out from the crowd.

"We were unaware that Marquis Yishan was traveling with disciples. If we've offended you, we humbly ask for your forgiveness."

Marquis Yishan waved a hand. "Ignorance is no crime. Since you all wisely stepped back earlier, I won't make this difficult. Leave."

Upon hearing that, the crowd rejoiced internally and spoke in unison: "Many thanks, Marquis Yishan!"

With that, the cultivators quickly turned to leave.

But just then, a calm voice came from within the Wendao Academy group.

"Forging Sword City—stay behind."

Qin Yun and his group had just turned when they heard the words. It was as if their legs had been filled with lead; they froze in place.

Qin Yun instinctively looked toward the deputy city lord.

Sigh…

The deputy city lord let out a long sigh. He understood—this was Wendao Academy's typical post-battle reckoning.

After all, their Forging Sword City had indeed been one of those that offended Wendao Academy earlier.

The other sects, terrified that they might be called out next, fled as fast as they could.

Though Marquis Yishan didn't know what little Ye Beixuan had planned, he didn't intervene. After all, it was the boy who had initiated this excursion.

Rustle!

Ye Beixuan was the first to remove his black cloak, followed by the bronze mask on his face.

Seeing that, Xiao Chen and the others also removed their disguises.

The Forging Sword City group had just turned around when they found themselves staring directly at two of Wendao Academy's most fearsome elites, smiling at them.

Everyone's minds went blank. We should've guessed it was them. After all, there aren't many monsters like these two in the entire Wendao Academy.

The deputy city lord of Forging Sword City didn't know what was about to happen, but still gritted his teeth and took a step forward.

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Everything that happened today was my idea. If you want someone to answer for it, let it be me, Qin Yun!"

The deputy city lord cursed inwardly. This boy is still too impulsive. It's going to be hard to protect him today.

But to his surprise, the Wendao Academy disciples didn't show any killing intent in their eyes—only amusement as they looked at Qin Yun.

Especially the one who had acted as bait earlier—his gaze toward Qin Yun even held a trace of admiration.

What is going on?

Ye Beixuan looked at the defiant young man before him, and for a moment, the old man in his memories seemed to overlap with this boy.

"You're called Qin Yun?"

"That's right, it's me. I was the one who competed with you over those two auction items today, and I was the one who had Granduncle follow your group."

There was not a hint of fear in Qin Yun's eyes, only a resolute willingness to face death.

"Interesting."

Ye Beixuan grinned and asked, "Do you want the Demon God Bone?"

As soon as Ye Beixuan finished speaking, everyone from Forging Sword City froze in place.

Whoosh…

A gust of wind blew past, pulling them all back to reality.

Qin Yun stared at Ye Beixuan in disbelief. "You… you're willing to sell the Demon God Bone to Forging Sword City?"

"It's not impossible," Ye Beixuan replied calmly, "but first, you must take a punch from me. If you can survive one move, I'll not only sell the Demon God Bone to Forging Sword City, I'll even give you the chance to become my disciple."

Though his tone was even, the look in his eyes and his presence were completely unlike that of an ordinary True Fate cultivator.

"Are you serious?"

Qin Yun never imagined he might still have a chance to obtain the Demon God Bone.

"No, absolutely not,"

the deputy city lord of Forging Sword City immediately stepped in. He had just watched this man suppress Bone Sect's Nirvana cultivators like slaughtering chickens. Qin Yun was only at the Dao Foundation stage—how could he possibly withstand a move from this elite? As for the Demon God Bone, that was out of the question.

"I can do it, Granduncle."

Qin Yun looked at the deputy city lord with firm resolve.

"Granduncle, I've grown up. It's time I did something for Forging Sword City."

The deputy city lord wanted to protest further, but at the last moment, he simply changed his words: "If you've decided, then I can only support you. Just make sure you come back alive."

He spoke as he placed a palm against Qin Yun's chest, secretly pressing a Heart-Guard Jade into place.

This small action didn't escape Marquis Yishan's eyes. But he said nothing, quietly observing from the side.

Qin Yun felt the warmth at his chest and knew what his granduncle had done. He took a step forward.

"Senior, please guide me."

Ye Beixuan also stepped forward and slowly raised his hand, striking toward Qin Yun.

Boom!

With a muffled thud, Qin Yun was sent flying, arcing through the air before crashing hard to the ground.

"Xiao Yun!"

The cultivators of Forging Sword City all rushed over to him.

Watching the scene unfold, Xu Caichen muttered, "Senior Brother Ye seems to have a bit of a soft spot for that kid—he actually held back so openly."

Cao Youqian laughed. "That wasn't just holding back—Junior Brother Ye practically held back an ocean!"

As he hit the ground, Qin Yun felt a searing pain throughout his body—but it was only pain, not a trace of internal injury. Puzzled, he reached for the Heart-Guard Jade at his chest. Still intact. What was going on? This shouldn't be possible.

The deputy city lord sighed in relief at the sight and turned to Ye Beixuan. "Thank you, little friend, for showing mercy."

Ye Beixuan gave a small nod, saying nothing, only silently watching Qin Yun from a distance.

Qin Yun, who'd been ready to tough it out, heard his granduncle's words and couldn't help recalling the earlier battle between Wendao Academy's disciples and the Bone Sect cultivators.

Even he, slow as he was, could now tell that this senior from Wendao Academy had no intention of killing him. That strike just now had clearly been a pretext for opening a transaction with Forging Sword City.

He bowed respectfully to Ye Beixuan. "May I ask, Senior, what you wish Forging Sword City to do?"

Ye Beixuan smiled. "Nothing much. I just want your sect to examine the two ancient relics I bought at the auction today. If you find the thing I'm looking for, I'll sell you the Demon God Bone."

The cultivators of Forging Sword City were instantly overjoyed—they hadn't expected the situation to turn around like this.

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Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 2 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 32 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!

Patreon: /Alex_Cruise