The outer yard was no longer the same.
After Ye Feng's victory over Liu Ming, everything had changed.
No one dared to call him "trash" anymore.
No one dared to ignore him.
Instead—
They watched.
Closely.
Carefully.
As if trying to understand what he had become.
"He beat Liu Ming…"
"That wasn't luck."
"Not even close…"
Whispers spread across the courtyard once again, but this time, the tone was completely different.
Respect.
Doubt.
And a hint of unease.
Because if someone like Ye Feng could rise—
Then the balance of the outer yard would shift.
And not everyone welcomed that.
At the far end of the yard, a small group stood together.
Unlike the others, they didn't whisper.
They observed.
Silently.
"Liu Ming lost."
One of them spoke calmly.
"And not by accident."
Another crossed his arms.
"His movement… too clean."
"Too controlled."
Then—
A third figure stepped forward.
He was taller, his presence sharper.
More oppressive.
"Then I'll test him."
The others turned slightly.
"You?"
"Are you sure?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, his gaze locked onto Ye Feng in the distance.
"If he's real…"
His voice was low.
"Then he should be able to face me."
Meanwhile—
Ye Feng was alone.
For once, no one disturbed him.
No one mocked him.
Even the usual chores felt… quieter.
But he knew—
This calm wouldn't last.
"Too many eyes now…"
He thought.
"And not all of them are friendly."
Just as he finished stacking the last piece of wood—
A shadow fell over him.
"You're Ye Feng."
The voice was firm.
Not a question.
A statement.
Ye Feng looked up.
The man standing before him was unfamiliar—
But his aura was not.
Strong.
Sharper than Liu Ming.
"Another one…"
Ye Feng stood slowly.
"What do you want?"
The man didn't waste time.
"A match."
Simple.
Direct.
The surrounding disciples immediately sensed it.
"They're going to fight again…"
"That's Zhang Wei…"
"Stronger than Liu Ming."
The tension rose instantly.
Ye Feng narrowed his eyes.
"Fair fight?"
Zhang Wei nodded.
"Of course."
At that moment—
[Mission Updated]
Defeat a stronger opponent
Reward: Enhanced
Ye Feng's lips curved slightly.
"Good."
He stepped forward.
"I accept."
The courtyard cleared faster this time.
Word had already spread.
People gathered quickly.
Even those who hadn't seen the previous fight came running.
Zhao Chen stood at the edge again.
Watching.
Waiting.
"This is different…"
He murmured.
Zhang Wei moved first.
Faster than Liu Ming.
More aggressive.
His attack came like a wave—
Relentless.
Ye Feng reacted instantly.
Step.
Turn.
Dodge.
But this time—
It wasn't as easy.
Zhang Wei adjusted quickly.
Each missed strike turned into another.
Continuous pressure.
No pause.
"No openings…"
Ye Feng realized.
"This guy is experienced."
The crowd noticed it too.
"He's being pushed back!"
"Zhang Wei is on another level…"
For the first time—
Ye Feng took a step back.
Then another.
His breathing changed.
Slightly heavier.
But his eyes—
Were calm.
Focused.
Waiting.
Zhang Wei didn't stop.
His attacks grew stronger.
Faster.
Trying to break Ye Feng's rhythm.
But then—
Something changed.
Ye Feng's movement slowed.
Just slightly.
A mistake?
Zhang Wei saw it.
And took it.
He stepped in—
Fully committing to a powerful strike.
"This ends now!"
But at that exact moment—
Ye Feng moved.
Not backward.
Forward.
A sudden shift.
Perfect timing.
Zhang Wei's attack—
Missed.
Completely.
"What?!"
Before he could react—
Ye Feng's counter came.
Clean.
Precise.
A single strike—
Right to the opening.
Bang!
Zhang Wei's body shook.
His balance broke.
He staggered.
Just for a moment—
But it was enough.
Ye Feng didn't hesitate.
He stepped in again.
Second strike.
Then third.
Bang! Bang!
Zhang Wei was forced back several steps.
The crowd fell silent.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"He… turned it around?"
"That timing…"
Zhao Chen's eyes lit up slightly.
"So that's it…"
"He's learning during the fight."
Zhang Wei steadied himself.
But this time—
His expression had changed.
"You…"
He looked at Ye Feng.
Then slowly exhaled.
"…not bad."
A faint smile appeared.
"Very not bad."
He didn't say he lost.
But he didn't continue either.
Because he knew—
The outcome was already decided.
At that moment—
[Mission Completed]
Reward Upgraded
A stronger surge of energy flooded Ye Feng's body.
[Reward: Combat Mastery Lv.2]
Effect: Significant boost to combat adaptability
Ye Feng clenched his fists.
His control—
Had reached a new level.
The outer yard was no longer calm.
Because now—
Everyone understood one thing.
Ye Feng—
Was no longer someone they could measure.