Chapter 122: The Fated Battle!

Long Tang turned around, scanning the crowd below the stage.

Everyone began looking around, trying to find the person Long Tang was referring to.

"Who could it be? Someone who actually helped Senior Brother Long pass the Nine Heavens Path! But before taking the Nine Heavens Path, everyone must swear a Heavenly Dao oath. Who would reveal information about it?"

"Who knows? Maybe Senior Brother Long got together with some senior sister? The power of love is great—maybe that belief carried him through the Nine Heavens Path?"

"Don't say that—it's actually possible! But I wonder which girl has that honor. In my opinion, the only one in the entire academy worthy of Senior Brother Long is Senior Sister Feng. Could it be her?"

"I'd rather die than believe that! Teacher Feng has already been snatched up by Ye Yuan. If Senior Sister Feng and Senior Brother Long become a couple, how can anyone else live!"

The imaginative students began whispering among themselves, quickly turning the topic to Feng Ruoqing and her niece.

Warriors had sharp ears, and some words inevitably reached them, causing Feng Ruoqing to blush.

At some point, she had apparently been "snatched up" by Ye Yuan, though even she didn't know when.

In public, Feng Zhirou always wore that icy expression.

Hearing the crowd's chatter, an invisible killing intent spread. But there were too many speakers—she couldn't kill them all, could she?

Long Tang quickly found Ye Yuan in the crowd. He had been observing Ye Yuan for a long time and was naturally familiar with his aura.

"Ye Yuan, thank you! Without your guidance, I could never have passed the Nine Heavens Path!" Long Tang said sincerely.

Long Tang's words immediately caused a stir.

"What? It's actually Ye Yuan? How is that possible? It seems they don't even know each other, right?"

"Exactly! And Ye Yuan is only at the ninth level of Yuan Qi. What could he teach Senior Brother Long? Unless he revealed the secrets of the Nine Heavens Path? But Ye Yuan is still alive and well!"

"Could it be that Senior Brother Long watched Ye Yuan's attempt on the Nine Heavens Path and then passed himself? That's too bizarre."

Everyone was puzzled by Long Tang's words. Even if Long Tang's talent was inferior to Ye Yuan's, Ye Yuan was still weak in strength. What could he have done to help Long Tang?

Moreover, those familiar with Long Tang knew that he and Ye Yuan had no prior interaction. When had Ye Yuan ever helped him?

Upon hearing Long Tang's words, Su Yubai's face instantly darkened.

This Long Tang was utterly ungrateful, actually praising Ye Yuan in front of so many people!

Even if he refused the olive branch he had extended, didn't he know that Ye Yuan was a mortal enemy of the Su family?

Was everyone rushing to oppose the Su family?

When the tiger doesn't show its might, do they really think I'm a sick cat?

You may be geniuses, but geniuses that don't grow up are nothing but dust of history!

Who will remember you?

Ye Yuan had also been speculating with malicious amusement about who had guided Long Tang. But when Long Tang opened his mouth and actually named him, it caught him off guard.

"Hey, Senior Brother Long, you've got it wrong, haven't you? When did I ever guide you? This is the first time we've met, isn't it?" Ye Yuan said, somewhat baffled.

Long Tang suddenly smiled, a very happy smile.

Those familiar with Long Tang knew he rarely smiled. Today was truly a first.

"Ye Yuan, you're wrong. Today is indeed the first time you've seen me, but I've seen you many times. I've observed almost every battle you've fought in the academy. Until you bravely challenged the Nine Heavens Path, I finally understood and found my own path! So, even though you didn't know I was transformed by you, I still want to thank you!" Long Tang said loudly.

"Hmm, so that's it. Haha, congratulations then. No need to thank me. If you could help me take down that old geezer behind you, that would be great." Ye Yuan pointed at Su Yubai behind Long Tang, smiling.

At Ye Yuan's words, Su Yubai's face darkened even more.

He hadn't expected Ye Yuan to dare demand that Long Tang kill him in front of so many people.

This was utterly outrageous!

Kid, go ahead and be smug! I've set a net with no escape for you in the Boundless Forest. Rest assured!

Long Tang didn't turn around; he knew who Ye Yuan was referring to.

"Heh, I'm not a match for Elder Su yet. I'm afraid I can't fulfill that wish for you. However, a year's time might be a bit tough for me. But for you, it's enough. Revenge is best taken personally!"

The first half of Long Tang's words sounded like flattery, but the second half showed utter disregard for Su Yubai!

Moreover, the implication actually acknowledged that Ye Yuan was more talented than him.

"Long Tang! Do you know the consequences of insulting an academy elder?" Su Yubai roared in anger.

Long Tang, with his back to Su Yubai, had no intention of acknowledging him. He also held Su Yubai's character in contempt, which was why he spoke such words.

"Tsk tsk, Elder Su is getting old and forgetful. Senior Brother Long has passed the Nine Heavens Path, so his status is now equivalent to a core disciple of the Youyun Sect, higher than yours in the sect. What's wrong with insulting you a little?" Ye Yuan mocked.

"Fine! Fine! Are you all rebelling? Just wait! Don't think that just because you luckily passed the Nine Heavens Path, you can rest easy!" Su Yubai's fury could have burned the sky.

"Elder Su, save your breath. We're about to participate in the Boundless Trial. Don't waste everyone's time." Ye Yuan paid no heed to Su Yubai's threats.

Zhang Songtao, who was presiding over the Boundless Trial, couldn't stand it any longer and spoke up: "Alright, alright, Ye Yuan, Long Tang, stop your nonsense. Although you now have the status of core disciples of the upper sect, you are still in the Qin State Danwu Academy, aren't you? I know you two have some grievances. Let's set that aside for now. The urgent matter is the Boundless Trial. Do me a favor and stop arguing."

Zhang Songtao's words clearly favored Su Yubai, but Ye Yuan didn't mind.

After all, Su Yubai's face had already been thoroughly swept, so Ye Yuan wasn't at a loss.

However, Long Tang seemed to have more to say. He said to Ye Yuan, "Ye Yuan, although this request is a bit abrupt, I still hope to have a battle with you before I leave for the Youyun Sect. What do you think?"

Although this was his first contact with Long Tang, Ye Yuan had a good impression of him.

Long Tang was clearly an open-minded and resolute person, a worthy opponent!

Moreover, Long Tang was ranked first on the Martial List. For Ye Yuan to fight his way back to the Divine Realm, Long Tang was truly the first hurdle!

He had to overcome it!

This battle had been fated long ago!

"Good! Even if Senior Brother Long hadn't come to me, I would have sought you out! This battle, I will definitely come!" Ye Yuan declared with overwhelming boldness.