Chapter 20: "You all can come at me together."

When word spread that Ye Xiaotian had decided to face all thirty-four challenges, the entire sect erupted with excitement. Disciples from every courtyard couldn't stop talking about it, their voices filled with amazement and disbelief.

In the Elder's Courtyard, the mood was more cautious.

"Is he crazy?" one elder exclaimed. "He's taking on thirty-four challenges? One after the other?"

"Either he's incredibly confident or completely reckless," another replied, shaking his head. "This might not end well for him."

In the Core Disciple Courtyard, the mood was far from casual. Here, the most talented and competitive disciples of the sect were preparing themselves for what they saw as an inevitable clash. Among them were some of the strongest names on the ranking tablet, each eager to prove their superiority.

"I'll crush him," Liu Feng, the third-ranked core disciple, declared with a sneer. His voice carried across the courtyard, drawing the attention of the surrounding disciples. "He's been given too much without earning it. It's time he learns his place."

Others nodded in agreement, their expressions a mix of envy and determination. Even those who hadn't issued challenges couldn't deny their curiosity about Ye Xiaotian's strength.

Despite the doubts and concerns, one thing was certain the entire sect was now watching Ye Xiaotian.

The upcoming matches were scheduled to take place the next day in the Heavenly Flame Arena, the largest and most prestigious arena within the Vermillion Flame Sect. This arena, capable of holding the entire sect, would bear witness to the monumental event that had gripped every disciple's attention. Excitement rippled through the sect like wildfire, with disciples eagerly counting down the hours until they could see the battles for themselves.

In the Core Disciple Courtyard, Mu Qinglan sat on a stone bench beneath a flowering tree, her gaze distant as she pondered the recent developments. Word of Ye Xiaotian's decision to accept all thirty-four challenges had reached her ears, and though her usually composed demeanor betrayed little emotion, she was inwardly astonished.

"Back-to-back challenges against so many strong opponents… He's really confident," she murmured to herself, her amber eyes narrowing slightly in thought.

Initially, Mu Qinglan had considered issuing her own challenge to test the strength of the boy who had caused such a stir. However, with so many of her fellow core disciples already stepping forward, she decided to hold back. She was curious about the outcome and saw no point in rushing to act without seeing his performance first.

"I'll wait," she muttered softly, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Let's see if he's worth all this attention."

In a modest wooden house at the base of the first mountain, Mu An sat cross-legged on his bed, his face glowing with excitement. When he heard about the challenges and Ye Xiaotian's bold acceptance, a thrill surged through him.

"At first, I was a little worried," he muttered to himself, drumming his fingers on the wooden surface of his bed. "But then again…"

His mind flashed back to Ye Xiaotian's confident words: 'No one in this sect can beat me except the old Sect Master.'

Mu An's worries melted away, replaced entirely by exhilaration. He jumped off his bed, pacing the room with a wide grin. "Tomorrow's going to be amazing!"

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He froze mid-step, his eyes lighting up as if he'd just stumbled upon a hidden treasure.

"This… this is the perfect time to earn some spirit stones!" he muttered, his grin widening. "No one in the sect believes Brother Ye can fight so many core disciples and win. They'll all bet against him!"

The wheels in Mu An's mind turned quickly. He realized that this situation was ripe for exploitation. If he bet on brother Ye, he could make a fortune. "You're amazing, Brother Ye," he chuckled.

Without wasting another moment, Mu An headed straight for the betting stalls, which were set up near the main sect grounds to capitalize on the excitement. As he approached, he saw crowds of disciples gathering, their chatter filling the air.

The betting area was abuzz with activity. Several wooden booths lined the space, each manned by stern-faced attendants who recorded bets on scrolls. The crowd was thick, voices rising and falling as disciples placed their wagers.

Mu An pushed his way through the crowd, his sharp eyes scanning the betting board. As he expected, there were two main bets:

Ye Xiaotian Wins – A payout of 34 times the wagered amount.

Core Disciples Win – A payout of 1.5 times the wagered amount.

The payout disparity was staggering, clearly reflecting the sect's belief in the core disciples' overwhelming advantage.

Mu An chuckled to himself as he noticed that almost every disciple was betting on the core disciples. The betting attendants could barely keep up, recording names and amounts in rapid succession.

"He's just a Foundation Realm cultivator," one disciple scoffed as he handed over his spirit stones. "What chance does he have against thirty-four core disciples? He'll collapse halfway through!"

"Exactly," another added. "This is the easiest money I've ever made. No way that newbie can win."

Mu An smirked, slipping through the crowd until he reached the betting counter. The attendant looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"Your wager?" the attendant asked, his voice bored from the repetitive task.

Mu An slapped a pouch of spirit stones onto the counter, the stones inside jingling softly. "Everything on brother Ye Xiaotian."

The attendant blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a bold bet. "You're betting… on Ye Xiaotian?" he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.

"That's right," Mu An replied confidently, crossing his arms.

The disciples nearby overheard his declaration, and several turned to stare at him as if he'd lost his mind.

"Are you serious?" one asked, his mouth agape. "You're throwing your spirit stones away!"

"Yeah, do you have any idea how strong those core disciples are? Even the weakest of them is at least two realms above him!" another added.

Mu An grinned, undeterred by their mockery. "Just wait and see," he muttered in an inaudible voice. "When Brother Ye wins, I'll be swimming in spirit stones while you're all regretting your choices."

The attendant shook his head, muttering something about foolish gamblers, but he dutifully recorded the bet and handed Mu An a receipt.

With his bet placed, Mu An stepped away from the counter, his heart pounding with excitement. "This is going to be the easiest fortune I've ever made," he thought, already imagining the mountain of spirit stones that awaited him if Ye Xiaotian emerged victorious.

He had bet three hundred and sixty-six spirit stones that he had saved until now. "Now I just have to wait until tomorrow to see their shocked faces," he thought as he noticed the disciples betting on the core disciples. As he walked away, the crowd continued to buzz with disbelief.

"Who is this guy?" one disciple muttered, shaking his head. "He's insane."

"Or he knows something we don't," another replied, frowning. 

Unfazed by the whispers, Mu An disappeared into the crowd, his confidence unwavering. He had full faith in Ye Xiaotian, and he couldn't wait for tomorrow to prove everyone wrong.

In the corner, a disciple in a damaged robe with a pale face and weak-looking body observed the scene. He silently walked toward the betting counter and placed a bet on Ye Xiaotian. Seeing this, the attendant on the other side of the counter said nothing and simply recorded it. He had bet fifteen spirit stones.

As night fell, the excitement across the sect reached a fever pitch. Disciples stayed up late, discussing strategies, analyzing strengths and weaknesses, and speculating about the outcome of the matches.

As the sect settled into the quiet of the night, all thoughts were fixed on the Heavenly Flame Arena, where the matches would take place at dawn.

For better or worse, the next day promised to be unforgettable.

The night passed, and the first rays of dawn bathed the Vermillion Flame Sect in golden light. As the day unfolded, the sect erupted into activity, breaking the silence that had cloaked it through the night. Disciples from the Outer Courtyard, Inner Courtyard, and Core Disciple Courtyard all streamed toward the Heavenly Flame Arena, their excitement palpable. Even the elders, who rarely gathered in such numbers, made their way to witness the much-anticipated event.

The Heavenly Flame Arena, a sprawling structure carved into the mountainside, was a testament to the grandeur of the Vermillion Flame Sect. At its center was a massive platform, its surface polished to a gleaming finish. Around it were tiers of seating that ascended in rings, providing ample room for the thousands of spectators. On the higher peaks of the arena, three ornate chairs stood as the seats of honor. These were reserved for the Sect Master, Vice Sect Master and the Grand Elder.

Disciples flooded the arena, filling the seats to capacity. The once-quiet sect buzzed with chatter and speculation as everyone waited for the matches to begin.

On the highest tier, Qin Lian sat with a calm yet regal demeanor. Dressed in her signature crimson robes embroidered with the Vermillion Bird, she exuded authority. Beside her, Qin Mei looked equally composed, though her sharp eyes hinted at her keen interest in the matches. The Grand Elder sat on the other side, his long white beard flowing like a cascade of silk. His expression was inscrutable, though a flicker of curiosity betrayed his thoughts.

In the arena below, core disciples entered in a formation led by the beauty Mu Qinglan. Their arrival was met with a wave of cheers and applause from the gathered crowd. Their pristine robes, marked with golden patterns that denoted their rank, shimmered in the sunlight. The disciples carried themselves with pride, their spiritual energy resonating faintly in the air.

Among them was Liu Feng, the third-ranked core disciple. His presence drew particular attention as he led the group with confidence, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd as if he were already victorious. When the crowd saw him, the cheers grew louder, some disciples even calling out his name.

On one side of the platform, Mu Qinglan sat with her fellow core disciples. Dressed in her white robes accented with crimson embroidery, she exuded elegance and authority. Her amber eyes, calm yet probing, remained fixed on the center platform. She tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest of her chair, a small gesture of anticipation.

As the minutes passed, the energy in the arena began to shift. The initial cheers and chatter subsided into murmurs, and then, a tense silence. All eyes turned toward the main entrance, anticipation thick in the air.

At last, a lone figure appeared at the arena's entrance. The silence deepened as the crowd collectively held its breath.

Ye Xiaotian stepped into view, his white robes as immaculate as freshly fallen snow. His expression was calm, his movements unhurried. Though he exuded no overt spiritual energy, his presence was undeniable. Each step he took echoed faintly in the stillness, a rhythm that seemed to draw every eye toward him.

The disciples watched in awe, their gazes following him as he walked toward the platform. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.

"It's him."

"Ye Xiaotian…"

"He looks so calm… Is he really going to face all thirty-four of them?"

At the center of the platform, the core disciples stood in a loose circle. Their postures were confident, their auras sharp and unyielding. They watched Ye Xiaotian approach, their expressions ranging from curiosity to disdain. At their forefront stood Liu Feng, his piercing gaze fixed on the newcomer. His spiritual energy radiated in subtle waves, a testament to his mastery and control.

Liu Feng's smirk widened as Ye Xiaotian came closer. "So," he began, his tone dripping with mockery. "The Sect Master's pet decides to show himself after all."

A ripple of laughter spread through the core disciples, but it was short-lived. Ye Xiaotian's calm demeanor, his unwavering gaze, seemed to sap the humor from the air.

At the top of the arena, when Qin Lian heard it, her eyes sharpened. She shifted her gaze toward the Grand Elder, who was sitting silently but had also heard it.

Ye Xiaotian stopped a few paces from the platform, his hands resting lightly at his sides. He tilted his head slightly, meeting Liu Feng's gaze with an unflinching stare.

"Are you done?" Ye Xiaotian asked, his tone as calm as ever, yet carrying a sharpness that cut through the air like a blade.

The crowd fell silent again, the tension in the arena growing thicker with each passing moment. Liu Feng's smirk faltered for the briefest of seconds before he chuckled, shaking his head.

"You've got guts," Liu Feng said, stepping forward onto the platform. "But let's see if you can back it up when it counts."

The core disciples began to spread out, forming a semicircle around the platform's edge. The match was about to begin, and the entire sect was holding its breath.

Ye Xiaotian looked at them silently, his eyes reflecting indifference. "No need to waste time," he said calmly. "You all can come at me together."

End of Chapter 20