Chapter 53: Kneel and Call Me Grandfather!

Ye Jiuyao looked on with satisfaction as everyone “willingly” surrendered their tokens. Those who know how to adapt to the times are true heroes—such words must have been written for these people.

“You are all clever. In a moment, I’ll let you through. Some wealthy patrons are about to arrive, so remember to prepare your spirit stones—the auction house will be here soon.”

Afraid they might not understand, Ye Jiuyao gave this additional reminder, causing a chill to run through their hearts.

To rob them and then speak so righteously about it—was there anyone in the world more shameless?

The crowd exchanged speechless glances, but under the overwhelming “learning” atmosphere, they had no choice but to wait obediently at the side.

Soon, several powerful auras, each no weaker than Xing Juexing’s, appeared at the entrance. Sensing this, a look of joy flashed across Ye Jiuyao’s face.

“Esteemed experts, please wait! The exit is not yet open. Why not leave your tokens with me for safekeeping? I ask no interest and will return them to you when we leave!”

The strong newcomers arriving behind heard these words and immediately thought this person must be mad. All of them shot past with looks of disdain—except for two who sped directly toward him.

“Ye Jiuyao, hand over our tokens at once, or the two of us will make sure you never leave this trial alive!”

A sharp, impatient woman’s voice rang out. Everyone turned to look and saw Cao Youshi and Su Wuquan standing in the sky like a pair of celestial children, glaring at Ye Jiuyao with fury.

Ye Jiuyao merely replied with a soft “Oh?” and, with a flick of his finger, two golden beams shot out toward the pair.

With a loud bang, Ye Jiuyao’s power exploded, knocking both out of the air, leaving them covered in dust.

“Kneel and call me grandfather!”

Ye Jiuyao moved like lightning, instantly appearing before them. Looking down at their half-bent forms, his overwhelming aura pressed down like a mountain.

The onlookers were once again stunned by this display, though the four Mo brothers remained perfectly composed.

“Su Wuquan and Cao Youshi have been humiliated again, and even Xing Juexing couldn’t withstand a single move from Ye Jiuyao. Just how strong has he become?”

“What a terrifying youth! How did such a person suddenly appear in Xuantian Town?”

The crowd buzzed with speculation about Ye Jiuyao’s origins, while Jian Yunzi watched with narrowed eyes, a sharp gleam in his gaze.

“This youth… a great talent!” The thought surfaced in Jian Yunzi’s mind as he continued to observe Ye Jiuyao.

At this moment, Ye Jiuyao was the focus of all attention.

Nearly everyone who had entered the trial and passed through the light screen was now gathered at the entrance, countless eyes fixed on Ye Jiuyao.

“Speak!”

Ye Jiuyao looked at the pair’s stubborn expressions, a mocking smile on his lips. His aura intensified, forcing them down until they were on all fours.

“Still refusing?”

Seeing the pair gritting their teeth, Ye Jiuyao pressed further, his presence growing even stronger.

“Master Yao, you’re amazing!”

“Master Yao, you’re the best!”

“Master Yao, your might is peerless!”

“Master Yao, unrivaled in your generation!”

The four Mo brothers chimed in at just the right moment. Ye Jiuyao cast them an approving glance, and encouraged, the four immediately redoubled their efforts, “praising” Ye Jiuyao with all their might. He feigned embarrassment, though the joy in his eyes was unmistakable.

“If you won’t speak, I’ll kill this little girl—let’s see if you care.” As he spoke, Ye Jiuyao raised a palm as if to strike. Su Wuquan panicked.

“No!”

“Grand… Grandfather…”

“There now, good. Stand up. I won’t take your tokens. You, boy, are loyal and righteous—I admire that. And you, young lady, luck is on your side…”

Ye Jiuyao grinned and looked meaningfully at Su Wuquan, who, seeing this, realized he had misjudged Ye Jiuyao and looked at him with gratitude.

Cao Youshi, meanwhile, cast a strange look at Su Wuquan; her usual fierceness gave way to a rare blush.

“Don’t miss out as you pass by—honest business here, ten times compensation for any fake…”

Ye Jiuyao suddenly began hawking his wares, but after witnessing his nearly invincible strength, the crowd retreated several miles at once, leaving the entrance empty save for a few cultivators of respectable ability. Just as they prepared to gamble on a confrontation, music echoed from the distant mountains, and a burly figure, covered in wounds, emerged.

Those remaining looked on in shock and fear, regarding Ye Jiuyao as if he were some primordial beast.

“Big guy, you’ve got quite a few tokens. But I don’t have time to thank you now. Let me deal with these first, and then I’ll fight you.”

Ye Jiuyao addressed Xing Juexing, and the rest immediately stepped aside. All knew his reputation—though their cultivation might match Su Wuquan’s, none would dare claim parity with Xing Juexing’s strength.

“You wounded me. Now I will strike back,” Xing Juexing said, every word heavy with menace. Each step he took pulsed with power, beating like a war drum in the hearts of all present.

“Very well. If I win, you’ll seize everyone’s tokens for me!”

“Agreed!”

Hearing this, the others felt a chill at their waists, as if their tokens might fly away at any moment, and many fled the entrance in panic.

“They…they’re gone…”

“No matter. There’s still time—they’ll be back. But first, I’ll have you call me grandfather.”

Ye Jiuyao’s expression didn’t change in the slightest; with only one way out, he knew they couldn’t get far. His tone was laced with provocation as he addressed Xing Juexing.

“You ambushed me just now. This time, I’ll beat you to death!”

Su Wuquan and Cao Youshi, seeing Xing Juexing’s imposing figure, couldn’t help but pity Ye Jiuyao—perhaps he didn’t know how formidable Xing Juexing truly was.

After all, Xing Juexing could easily be called the number one expert in Xuantian Town outside the three great sects. Lin Yibai, Jian Ming, Su Wuquan, Cao Youshi, and a few other prodigies could only claim to be his equals at best.

But Xing Juexing’s cultivation and strength were unmatched.

“Now!”

Ye Jiuyao’s vital energy surged, and in an instant a tidal wave of force crashed toward Xing Juexing.

“Ancient Ape Fist!”

Suddenly, Xing Juexing’s body twisted and writhed like a furious giant ape, the power in his core flowing into his fists. In a flash, a terrifying force erupted.

“It’s you who will call me grandfather!”

As a leading figure of the younger generation, how could his strength be as it was before? His punch fell like a star from the heavens, changing the very color of the world.

Yet Ye Jiuyao stood his ground, only increasing his own power in response.

“Rage as you will, let the mountain breeze brush you aside. Be as fierce as you like, the bright moon still shines on the great river. In the end, you’ll be the one calling me grandfather!”

Ye Jiuyao struck out with a palm, his momentum terrifying, and in an instant appeared before Xing Juexing, bringing his attack crashing down.