In June's sweltering heat, even the early morning hours held a degree of mugginess. The outer disciples of Bu Ye Jian hadn't even finished waking up when they scurried towards the bathhouse, eager to wash away the lingering sweat and grime.

But there was one wooden hut, which not only lacked warmth, but also gave off a feeling of chill.

Ye Chen looked at his shivering sister lying on the bed. A surge of anger rushed to his head, even though his hands were numb with cold, he didn't feel it.

"Bro."

Little sister Ye Yao opened her eyes. Though wrapped in thick cotton, her face was still pale from the cold. She said with difficulty, "I feel the chill has lessened today. Perhaps in a few days my illness will be gone. You shouldn't duel Ye Yuhu on the stage. Just give him the Qiumucao. Stay home and take care of me, okay?"

Ye Chen shook his head. "Yao'er, I've already made up my mind, please don't persuade me anymore."

Get up, Ye Chen took a deep breath and said: "You have caught a cold illness, and you need medicinal herbs to make the cold qi every time, otherwise it will release the cold qi outwards, and you will be frozen to death alive. This is known to everyone in the entire Ye family, but that Ye Yuhou actually wants to rob your life-saving medicine. How can I bear this!"

In the midst of the conversation, Ye Chen's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched so tightly they turned white, like a furious wild beast.

The two siblings came from their own family and had no support within the Ye clan. Naturally, they had no stipend. To combat Ye Yao's cold constitution, Ye Chen would go to the back mountain every day to collect medicinal herbs. For four years, he did this without fail, even in wind, rain, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes.

Half a month ago, Ye Chen was extremely lucky. He found a Qiyuan Grass, which is a Grade 1 spiritual material worth a fortune. If he sold it at Lingcaitang, it would be worth at least four hundred taels of silver, enough for the two siblings to eat and drink well for several years.

But Ye Chen didn't do so. Instead, he carefully wrapped it up, preparing to give it to Ye Yao to ward off the cold qi as her brother. He would rather suffer himself than see his younger sister endure the torment of the cold qi and be bedridden every day.

After all, in this world, Ye Yao is his only relative!

But on his way home, filled with joy, Ye Chen never expected something unexpected to happen.

Ye Yuhǔ and Ye Qinggang returned from their mountain retreat, both injured. Ye Yuhǔ noticed Ye Chen holding a Qiyuan Grass and immediately snatched it, intending to use it to heal Ye Qinggang's wounds. He then left a few taels of silver and quickly walked away.

Who is Ye Yuhǔ?

His older brother, Ye Yulong, was powerful and skilled. His cultivation had reached the fourth level of martial arts, ranking among the top twenty in the entire Ye family's outer sect. He was a figure to be reckoned with.

Although Ye Yuhǔ came close to failing, his cultivation had reached the third level of Martial Dao. Among the Outer Sect disciples, he was considered mid-level. Plus, with such a powerful older brother as his backing, he could be an unrestrained overlord.

And while Ye Chen compared to them, it could be worlds apart, like an ant, a frog in a well!

Ye Chen came from a humble background. He lacked resources and support. From the age of eight, he had been cultivating for seven years straight, reaching the second level of martial arts. This strength placed him at the bottom in the entire outer sect.

If someone else encountered this, they could only shake their head and sigh at their own bad luck.

But Ye Chen refused!

This Qiumucao was painstakingly collected by Ye Chen after much hardship. It is a life-saving medicine to treat Ye Yao's cold qi. Even if the probability of treatment is less than one in ten thousand, Ye Chen absolutely cannot miss this opportunity.

In order to regain the essence-cultivating grass, Ye Chen immediately went to the clan to seek justice, but the clan not only ignored him but also helped Ye Yuhu's side. After a fruitless argument, Ye Chen proposed to have a duel with Ye Yuhu on the stage to determine their high and low!

If Ye Chen loses, he will serve Ye Yuh Tiger for ten years, acting like a cow or horse. Even if Ye Yuhu asked him to pick up dung, Ye Chen would not complain.

But if Ye Chen wins, Ye Yuhu will not only have to return the Qiyuan Grass, but also hand over the Yuancao bestowed by the clan to Ye Chen as a compensation.

This spirit grass is a second-grade spiritual material, containing qi. If one can obtain it and combine it with the quenching spirit grass, they will surely be able to alleviate Ye Yao's cold aura. Even if it cannot cure her completely, it can significantly improve her condition.

For this younger sister, Ye Chen could do anything and everything, with her safety always on his mind.

If a dragon has its scales reversed, it will surely die.

Then Ye Yao is Ye Chen's inverse scale, no matter what, he must fight to the death to protect!

Looking at Ye Chen's furious expression, Ye Yao's heart was filled with
, but also guilt. "If it weren't for my Cold-Jade illness, brother, you wouldn't have to gather medicine for me every day, delaying your cultivation progress. It's all my fault, it's my mistake!"

"Ya'er, don't cry. These are all my own choices. You are my only family. If I don't help you carry this burden, how can I call myself a true man?"

As for today's duel, you believe me, I will definitely not lose to Ye Yuhua, and I will also bring back the Qiyuan Grass and Yucao and treat you, so that you won't be plagued by the cold anymore.

Ye Chen patted his chest, his voice full of confidence.

Ye Yao was taken aback, and asked suspiciously, "Brother, why do I feel like you've changed? Ever since you woke up from your coma a month ago, you've become much more confident. And your words are so forceful and full of energy, as if you have inexhaustible strength."

"Really? I didn't notice." Ye Chen scratched his head and quickly changed the subject. "It's about time, I'm going to the square now. Just stay home and wait for my triumphant return."

When the door closed, Ye Chen strode out.

Meanwhile, at the martial arts plaza.

Yechen and Ye Yuhǔ's duel on the stage has already become a hot topic, attracting countless outer sect disciples. The stands were packed black with at least three or four hundred people.

These outer disciples were mostly from core families and naturally looked down on branch family disciples. This time, they came to watch the spectacle, just looking for some entertainment after their meals, to see how badly Ye Chen would be humiliated.

And amidst the crowd, there stood a girl of sixteen, quietly yet strikingly beautiful. Her figure was curvaceous and alluring, like a rosebud waiting to bloom, captivating everyone's gaze.

"Light, this matter started because of you. How can you not stop it?"

A young man with freckles looked at Ye Qing and said with some sympathy, "On the battle platform, life and death are at stake. With Ye Yuhua's domineering style, he will definitely cripple Ye Chen. You should go persuade him, maybe you can make Ye Chen suffer a little skin."

The Nine Realms of Martial Arts, each realm has a vast difference. A martial artist at the third level can easily defeat four at the second level. Not to mention that Ye Yuhua and Ye Yulong often guided him every night.

To be frank, it was pure luck that Ye Chen could even get close to Ye Yuhua.

"Stop? Why should I stop?"

"I'm so stunningly beautiful. Seeing me hurt, that Ye Chen should have given me the spiritual materials to heal myself. Who knew he completely ignored me and walked away? I ended up in this state, it's entirely his fault, what does it have to do with me?"

Ye Qing'an stood quietly, lifting her head slightly, revealing an unbelievably beautiful face. Her eyes, which had captured the hearts of countless disciples outside the Ye family's inner sect, flashed a hint of amusement.

"But Ye Chen might not really be beaten to death," the freckled girl muttered.

In the True Element world, martial arts are paramount. The Ye Clan is no exception. A nobody from a branch family, dead is dead. Who would even care?

Ye smiled lightly, then without even glancing at the freckle, she quietly stared intently at the platform.

"Look, Ye Yuh Tiger and Ye Chen are here!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd parted instantly, making way for a path.

A man dressed in black walked out, tall and strong, with a handsome face. He walked with his head held high, exuding an air of confidence beyond compare.

This person is Ye Yuhǔ.

Ye Yuhua swept his eyes and saw Ye Qing was already waiting. He felt a surge of joy in his heart, with his goddess present, he had to perform well today and capture her heart.

"Tiger brother, you are so handsome today!"

"Give that scumbag who moved out a good beating! I've never liked him anyway!"

"The stage doesn't care about life or death, Tiger Brother, just go all out. Treat it like hitting a punching bag, and don't hold back."

For a moment, many disciples shouted, and the scene immediately became incredibly noisy.

In contrast, when Ye Chen walked past, there was absolute silence. Everyone looked at him with a mocking gaze and even snickers could be heard.

But Ye Chen didn't pay them any attention, as if he hadn't seen them at all. He strode onto the stage.

Ye Yuhǔ looked at Ye Chen, and chuckled: "You dare to come today, it's indeed beyond my expectations. But I won't let you go. I'm going to beat you into a cripple and let you know what happens when you anger me, Ye Yuhǔ."

"You're talking too much." Just then, Ye Chen, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, opened his eyes and casually said, "If you want to fight, do it quickly. Don't chatter endlessly and waste my time."

Ye Yuhus face turned extremely grave, and he said, "You dare to speak rudely to me? Very well, you have angered me. I will break your hands and feet, making you beg for mercy on the ground!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ye Yuhǔ took a giant leap forward, instantly appearing before Ye Chen and launching a punch.

"As expected of Brother Tiger, your speed is truly fast."

"Brother Hu is currently at the mid-stage of the third realm of martial arts. One punch has a minimum of over 1,600 jin of power. Even trees with bowls could be broken in half. This Ye Chen is doomed and might even be seriously injured."

"Look, Ye Chen hasn't reacted yet, what a waste."

Hearing the chorus of agreement from his disciples, Ye Yuhua also felt a sense of elation. He was confident that his imposing demeanor today would capture Ye Qing's favor, and perhaps he could even win her hand in marriage.

As Ye Yuhǔ was consumed by evil thoughts, suddenly, Ye Chen struck. Without hesitation, he unleashed a punch with pinpoint accuracy.

Boom!

With two punches landing, a dull thud echoed through the air.

To everyone's surprise, it wasn't Ye Chen who was hurt. Instead, Ye Yuhua stumbled back a few steps, clutching his right hand, his face contorted in pain.

This moment

The Ye family disciples who had been so arrogant just now suddenly felt their faces burning. They stuttered and mumbled, as if something was stuck in their throats, barely able to utter a word.

(Editor in charge:novela)