C60 Lyi Huamei(1)

When Woo Zhengyang spoke, the reverence on Yuen Tianshan's face vanished, replaced by anger. It was blatant disdain.

Yuen had braced himself for various outcomes when he challenged Woo to a duel. Despite Woo's arrogance, Yuen was still the third-ranked disciple. If Woo accepted and won, his reputation would soar, but Yuen's loss wouldn't draw much attention. If Woo refused, people might think he was afraid of losing to Yuen.

However, Yuen never expected Woo to reject him with such dismissive words, as if Yuen wasn't worth his time.

"What do you want in return?" Yuen suppressed his anger and sneered.

"The Dragon Saliva Pill," Woo replied.

This was Woo's primary goal, and he wasn't about to forget it.

"You..."

Yuen was nearly speechless with frustration. Woo demanded a rare pill as the price for the duel, while all Yuen had been promised by Yue Liqing was a treasure pill.

"If you don't have it, forget it." Woo knew the Profound Heaven Sect didn't have the Dragon Saliva Pill, so he didn't expect Yuen to produce one. He returned to sipping his drink.

"Woo Zhengyang, don't be so arrogant. Remember, today is the initiation banquet, and duels aren't based on outer rankings. You can't refuse," Zhang Tia suddenly interjected.

"Can't refuse? Who made that rule? You?" Woo Zhengyang didn't even bother to look up when he heard Zhang Tia's voice, continuing to drink on his own.

Zhang Tia was momentarily speechless. Woo Zhengyang was now an outer sect disciple, and even though Zhang was a steward, his status couldn't suppress Woo. In terms of future prospects, Woo's position was potentially higher, making it unwise for Zhang to act rashly against him.

As everyone waited to see how the situation would unfold, an elder from the outer sect suddenly approached and said coldly, "I made the rule. Do you have a problem with it?"

"Elder Sun!"

Zhang Tia and Yuen Tianshan, along with others, respectfully greeted the elder with cupped fists.

Woo Zhengyang glanced over; this Elder Sun was one of the elders who had recently scoffed at him. Woo suspected that Elder Sun's hostility was related to Yue Liqing and his faction. Regardless of the reason, Woo was unfazed. He had prepared for this ever since he crossed paths with Yue Liqing. He refused to believe they would openly disregard their status to deal with him.

"If it's Elder Sun's rule, I wonder if it allows for life-and-death duels?"

As soon as Woo Zhengyang said this, many around him gasped. Facing an elder with such composure and even suggesting a life-and-death duel—this guy truly lived up to his reputation as the Outer Sect Number One Madman.

While everyone else seemed eager for a spectacle, Yuen Tianshan was dumbfounded. He had been prepared to challenge Woo Zhengyang and even face defeat, but he hadn't anticipated stepping directly into a life-and-death duel.

Elder Sun's expression turned cold upon hearing Woo Zhengyang's words. This guy really didn't play by the rules, leaving him unsure of how to respond. Seeing Yuen Tianshan's worried look, he knew that if he agreed, Yuen might back out entirely.

"Friendly sparring among peers can enhance combat experience and help identify one's weaknesses. Constantly thinking about life-and-death battles shows a heart too set on killing," the elder reasoned, his words well-crafted.

"Oh, I see. I was thinking if we could arrange life-and-death duels that couldn't be refused, I'd first challenge Yue Liqing and Liu Tiancheng," Woo Zhengyang said with a mischievous grin, causing everyone to gasp again. They hadn't expected him to have such plans.

Elder Sun was secretly relieved by his earlier decision. If Woo Zhengyang had found a reason to eliminate Yue Liqing, his own situation might have become precarious.

Meanwhile, Yue Liqing and Liu Tiancheng, who were watching from the sidelines, felt a chill run down their spines.

"I disagree with Elder Sun," Dao Wuming interjected, surprisingly. "Martial arts are meant for killing. Who's going to spar with you out in the real world?" His words reflected his disapproval of Elder Sun's reasoning, as he was known for never holding back.

The crowd murmured in disbelief. Among the outer sect disciples, only these two daredevils would speak to an elder like that.

"Today is supposed to be a day to welcome our new disciples to the Profound Heaven Sect. Let's not ruin the mood! If Woo Zhengyang doesn't want to step up, then so be it!" Another voice chimed in, drawing closer.

"Elder Ye!"

Everyone greeted him. This was the same elder who had witnessed the duel between Woo Zhengyang and Liu Tianli.

Woo Zhengyang was genuinely surprised that Elder Ye would stand up for him like this. A few words of encouragement were one thing, but to actually risk a disagreement with another elder on his behalf was unexpected. They had only met a few times, and Woo Zhengyang had only learned his name from others' greetings.

Regardless of the reason, Woo Zhengyang knew he had to show the proper respect. He stood up and clasped his hands in salute, saying, "Elder Ye!"