C9 Misfortune Bead

Ye Xu's hearing had become exceptionally sharp; he could make out the hushed whispers of numerous guests.

"Of course, the Misfortune Bead!"

The idea struck Ye Xu like a bolt of lightning, as he remembered the item he had recently unearthed.

The Misfortune Bead had the power to curse someone with extreme misfortune for the duration of half an incense stick.

If he used it on Ye Zhirong, it would surely quiet her down.

"System, deploy the Misfortune Bead on Ye Zhirong!"

In his bag, the bead shattered instantly, and a dark shadow clung to Ye Zhirong's back.

Ye Zhirong seethed with anger upon hearing Ye Xu's scornful remarks.

As a prodigy, she couldn't bear the insult from Ye Xu!

She moved to strike Ye Xu, but as she stepped forward, her left foot slipped on a pebble.

Ye Zhirong let out a startled cry and steadied herself.

Before she could relax, her other foot found a sharp object. She reeled back in pain.

In her panic, Ye Zhirong lost her balance and tumbled into the water.

Her head collided with the stone wall, and blood gushed from the back of her skull, slicing through her clothes.

Fuming, Ye Zhirong, with her second-level Qi Refining Stage prowess, was incredulous that she had been tripped by a mere stone.

It was absurd; her luck today was atrocious.

The pain in her head was intense, and she glared at Ye Xu with fury.

Had Ye Xu not taken over her bathing spot, she wouldn't be in this mess!

The more she dwelled on it, the more her anger flared. She lashed out at Ye Xu with her whip.

But her aim was off, and the whip struck the perimeter screen instead.

The screens at the Ye Family Hot Spring Villa were sturdy, designed to withstand a third-level Qi Refining Stage martial artist's blow.

Yet, due to years without maintenance, the screens collapsed with a thunderous crash.

The commotion drew the attention of others soaking in the hot springs.

The clientele of the Ye Family Hot Spring Villa were wealthy, but none had seen such audacity from a woman. They burst into laughter.

Startled, Ye Zhirong looked down to see her clothes in tatters.

She let out a shriek and leapt up, desperate to escape.

The night pearl that had been securely set in the wall lamp was dislodged by her whip. Now, it rolled underfoot, causing Ye Zhirong to trip and fall once more.

Ye Zhirong's cries of pain went ignored.

Though she was attractive, her torn attire now made her appear ghostly.

The onlookers couldn't help but laugh, finding Ye Zhirong's misfortune too much to bear.

Mortified, Ye Zhirong was hastily redressed by her maid.

As the black shadow vanished, so did the effects of the Misfortune Bead.

With resentment burning in her eyes, Ye Zhirong fixed her gaze on Ye Xu and demanded, "What gives you the right to mock me?"

The laughter around her only intensified her sense of ridicule, feeling it from everyone, including the contemptible Ye Xu.

Ye Xu, whom she deemed worthless, had the audacity to laugh at her!

Meanwhile, Ye Xu was taken aback by the formidable power of the Misfortune Bead.

Indeed, Ye Zhirong's luck had turned sour.

When Ye Xu heard Ye Zhirong's biting words, his gaze turned icy. His mind had been preoccupied with the Misfortune Bead; mocking her hadn't even crossed his mind.

Earlier, when others had ridiculed Ye Zhirong, she hadn't dared to lash out at them.

Now, it seemed Ye Zhirong sought to salvage her dignity by trying to humiliate him.

"You truly are a shameless woman!"

Sarcasm flickered in Ye Xu's eyes. Ye Zhirong couldn't stand up to others, but did she really think she could provoke him without consequence?

"You're nothing but trash, yet you have the audacity to be so bold. You're really asking for trouble!"

With her chin tilted up, Ye Zhirong declared haughtily, "Your martial skill might be formidable, but given your level, I'm afraid it's a one-time wonder. I can disable you right here and now!"

Ye Xu had only awakened his martial spirit a few days earlier. No matter his prowess, he was still confined to the First Layer of the Qi Refining Stage.

Ye Zhirong, on the other hand, had reached the Second Layer. In her view, Ye Xu was no match for her.

The crowd murmured in surprise when Ye Zhirong dropped "Ye Xu's" name.

"Is Ye Xu that failure who still hasn't awakened after taking the Spirit Nurturing Pill?"

"That woman's got nerve. Now that she's been provoked by Ye Xu, he's in for it!"

The onlookers exchanged amused glances, anticipating the drama about to unfold.

"You think you can cripple me?" A cold smirk played on Ye Xu's lips.

Ye Zhirong had some talent, sure, but her arrogance was unfounded. She believed she could disdain Ye Xu, riding on Ye Feiwen's coattails.

"I'll do more than just cripple you; I'll gouge out those vile eyes of yours!"

Ye Zhirong's voice dripped with condescension. "It's far too late for apologies now, even if you kneel!"

At her words, Ye Xu let out a laugh, devoid of any warmth.

"I have to admire your audacity. Only someone utterly brainless would spout such nonsense."

She was merely a side branch disciple, yet she had the gall to claim she'd cripple a direct descendant of the Ye Family. Such brazen words could only come from Ye Zhirong.

"What did you just say?" Flustered and furious, Ye Zhirong snapped, "You're digging your own grave!"

She leapt into action, her shout piercing the air as a dense aura of death burst forth, resonating violently.

"That's the Blood Shadow, a Low Rank Yellow Level martial skill. Ye Zhirong has mastered it to Small Completion—impressive!"

"Ye Xu's done for!"

The crowd speculated, none showing a shred of pity for Ye Xu. To them, a weakling who antagonized the powerful was simply sealing his own fate.

"Your technique is utterly pointless."

Ye Xu's smile was laced with contempt.

Having mastered the Divine Dragon Hell Suppressing Spell, his understanding had soared. Ye Zhirong's movements seemed painfully slow to him.

He remained still, spiritual energy swirling around him like a vortex.

As the Profound Feather Whip neared, he flicked his finger, effortlessly redirecting its force.

Then, with a swift motion, Ye Xu seized the whip.

Unleashing the full might of the Yellow Springs Nether Dragon, the force fractured the ground beneath them into a web of cracks.

"Get over here!"

With a thunderous shout, Ye Xu yanked hard, pulling Ye Zhirong through the air. His wrist snapped with power as he slammed her to the ground.

"Nether Dragon Fist!"

Ye Xu's punch crashed down onto Ye Zhirong's right arm.

The crack of splintering bones echoed through the air.

Ye Zhirong's scream, akin to that of a pig being butchered, filled the space as one arm dangled helplessly to the ground.

A hush fell over the entire hot spring resort.