You're not as good as him

At this moment, Wei Zhuang was both shocked and pained.

Shocked that his treasured Xiuyun Chainmail had failed to protect him from the opponent's strike, and pained that this defensive artifact had been slashed open, losing its protective power entirely.

In a fit of rage, Wei Zhuang turned and lunged at Yang Kai, shouting, "Dare to damage my treasure? I'll kill you for this!"

Wei Zhuang, being at the third level of the Kaiyuan Realm, had considerable strength. But Yang Kai, who had slain an enemy at the fifth level of the Kaiyuan Realm even while he was in the Body Tempering stage, would not be easily troubled by someone of Wei Zhuang's caliber.

As Wei Zhuang charged forward, the crimson blade in Yang Kai's hand sliced through the air, leaving several gashes.

Wei Zhuang's body suddenly froze, a fist halted just three inches from Yang Kai, unable to strike. He could feel a scorching heat at his chest.

Trembling, he looked down to see the crimson blade in Yang Kai's hand, flickering like a serpent's tongue, poised at his heart.

"Your so-called defensive artifact isn't all that impressive, is it?" Yang Kai sneered, glancing at the Xiuyun Chainmail worn close to Wei Zhuang's body, now slashed in several places.

Even Yang Kai was surprised at the sharpness of the blade formed from his Yang Liquid.

In truth, if they had fought under normal circumstances, he would have been able to defeat Wei Zhuang, but not so easily. His current advantage lay solely in the power of the Yang Liquid.

But if Wei Zhuang could rely on the Xiuyun Chainmail, why couldn't he use his Yang Liquid?

"You dare to hurt me?" Wei Zhuang's face contorted with anger as he stared at Yang Kai. Even with his life in Yang Kai's hands, he showed no fear. He was, after all, the grandson of the Grand Elder! His status was high, and no one in the Lingxiao Pavilion would dare to harm him.

"Boy, do you even know who my grandfather is? He's the Grand Elder! If you harm me, you're dead!" Wei Zhuang threatened, his voice laced with malice.

Unmoved, Yang Kai let the blade at his fingertips hover even more dangerously close, the crimson light in his eyes growing stronger.

"Who do you think will die first, you or me?" Yang Kai asked with a curious smile, his finger applying more pressure.

A trickle of crimson blood seeped from Wei Zhuang's chest. His face paled, and he couldn't suppress a groan as the searing heat of the invading energy burned his flesh.

"You dare…" Wei Zhuang stared at Yang Kai in disbelief, unable to comprehend that someone in the Lingxiao Pavilion would dare to harm him.

"Dare or not, it's already done. So, what do you think?" Yang Kai pressed harder, the blade sinking another half-inch, blood flowing freely as Wei Zhuang's body trembled, his voice faltering. "Aren't you afraid my grandfather will kill you?"

"Within the sect, life or death in duels between disciples is their own responsibility!" Yang Kai coldly retorted. "If you lack the skill and die, you have no one to blame. And what if your grandfather is the Grand Elder? Lingxiao Pavilion isn't his private domain."

Wei Zhuang was terrified, a deep chill rising from within as he stared at this crazed fellow disciple, the cold sweat pouring down his body.

Just as he was about to speak, Yang Kai cut him off abruptly: "If you even think about surrendering, I'll kill you before the words leave your mouth."

Wei Zhuang's face turned ashen. He had indeed intended to surrender, knowing that during duels, if one party admitted defeat, the other was obliged to cease their attack. But now, he dared not utter those words, for in the other's eyes, there was no hint of jest—only a deadly seriousness.

"What do you want?" Wei Zhuang gritted his teeth and asked.

"Nothing much. I just think you're inferior to Su Mu. You only defeated him because of that artifact," Yang Kai replied, shaking his head slowly.

"I'm inferior to him?" Wei Zhuang, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, growled lowly. "How am I inferior to him? My strength surpasses his, my lineage is nobler—how am I not better?"

Yang Kai tilted his head, scrutinizing him. "You don't believe me? Let me show you."

With those words, he suddenly pressed harder. Wei Zhuang let out a stifled cry, his face turning ashen, his body staggering.

Yang Kai slowly turned his gaze to the group of Wei Zhuang's followers, who had been locked in fierce battle with Li Yuntian and the others moments before. But now, with Wei Zhuang subdued, they dared not move, simply staring dumbfounded.

"Do you wish to save your Young Master Wei?" Yang Kai called out.

No one dared to answer; they were all cowed by Yang Kai's ruthlessness. These were teenagers, after all, and had never witnessed such brutality.

"If you want to save him, kneel and apologize! If I'm in a good mood, I might spare his life!" Yang Kai's voice was cold and indifferent.

The group turned pale. These words… weren't they the same ones Wei Zhuang had just used on Su Mu's men?

Su Mu's followers had knelt without hesitation when they heard those words, bowing to Wei Zhuang. Were they now supposed to follow in their footsteps?

With so many people watching, if they knelt, they'd lose all face and would have no place left in the Lingxiao Pavilion. But if they didn't kneel, what if Wei Zhuang sought revenge later?

Each person wore a different expression, their thoughts in turmoil, unable to make a decision.

"It seems you want him dead," Yang Kai sighed lightly, and the blade at his fingertips pressed further into Wei Zhuang's body.

Wei Zhuang felt his soul leaving him. He could clearly sense that if Yang Kai's blade went any deeper, it would pierce his heart.

That would be a fatal blow!

Wei Zhuang didn't want to die. He was drenched in cold sweat, and with a hoarse voice, he shouted at his followers, "What are you waiting for? Kneel! If I die, none of you will live!"

His subordinates shuddered and hurriedly fell to their knees.

Li Yuntian and the others felt their spirits soar, the humiliation they had suffered earlier vanishing in an instant, replaced by an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

Yang Kai turned to Wei Zhuang, his voice calm. "Now do you see where you fall short compared to Su Mu?"

Wei Zhuang was stunned, his eyes filled with bitterness as he glanced at his followers.

Li Yuntian and the others had willingly endured humiliation to save Su Mu's life. But what about his followers? They had only knelt reluctantly, after being threatened with death by Wei Zhuang himself.

The difference between him and Su Mu was painfully obvious. In terms of personal charisma, Wei Zhuang was indeed inferior to Su Mu.

"Are you satisfied now?" Wei Zhuang forced himself to look at Yang Kai, his voice cold.

Yang Kai narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable.

Wei Zhuang's heart filled with dread, and he trembled as he stammered, "You wouldn't…"

But before Yang Kai could respond, a distant shout echoed through the air, "Stop this at once!"