Chapter 56: Affection Level Returns to Zero

Afterwards, Li Jiansan made his way toward Ye Tian’s dwelling. Even from a distance, Liu Nan spotted him and hurried over at a run.

Without preamble, Li Jiansan asked, “Has that brat Ye Tian behaved himself these past two days?”

Liu Nan replied at once, “Exceptionally well, Young Sect Master. Look, I haven’t allowed him to cultivate. He’s been hard at work all this time.” As he spoke, Li Jiansan glanced over and indeed saw Ye Tian busily splitting wood, drawing water, and feeding the horses, hustling back and forth with an air of cheerful diligence.

Only after witnessing this did Li Jiansan nod with satisfaction.

He then instructed Liu Nan to summon Ye Tian, saying he wished to spar with him. Liu Nan didn’t question the order and promptly fetched Ye Tian.

The Young Sect Master had already displayed his prowess in the monthly trials; toying with this boy would be nothing but a light diversion.

Moments later, Li Jiansan glanced at Ye Tian, a playful smirk on his lips. “Listen, boy, if you manage to beat me, you’ll get to rest for ten days—no chores at all. Well? Do you dare to spar with me?”

Li Jiansan said this purely for his own amusement. Now that he had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, Ye Tian stood no chance against him whatsoever.

A flicker of greed appeared in Ye Tian’s eyes as he replied, “Alright.”

“Why aren’t you moving? Come on, hit me. Oh, right, you’ve barely cultivated at all—no real combat experience, I suppose? Seems I made a mistake letting you join us. Maybe Elder Liu Nan should reconsider and toss you out,” Li Jiansan taunted, a mocking smile playing on his face.

Ye Tian, hearing this, immediately launched into an attack.

But every blow was effortlessly dodged by Li Jiansan.

It was almost comical—someone as formidable as Wang Tianhong hadn’t been able to lay a finger on Li Jiansan; what hope did this fellow have?

Even so, Li Jiansan was inwardly impressed. Despite now being an entire realm above Ye Tian in cultivation—a difference vast enough to be insurmountable—Ye Tian’s attacks were sharp and deft, displaying unexpected competence.

Li Jiansan was astonished. This boy truly deserved the mantle of protagonist; even under such suppression, he was still gradually growing stronger. Clearly, it was time to take more drastic measures.

Though Ye Tian failed to land a single blow, he showed no hint of discouragement.

Li Jiansan, however, was growing impatient and was about to end the match when—

A surge of formidable energy erupted from Ye Tian, his speed exploding to terrifying levels. Before Li Jiansan could react, Ye Tian’s fist struck him square in the chest, sending him hurtling backward through the air.

Elder Liu Nan, witnessing this, was so startled he froze in shock.

The Young Sect Master had taken first place in the monthly trials—his strength unquestionable—yet this boy had actually managed to injure him. It was simply inconceivable!

Only after seeing Li Jiansan sent flying did Liu Nan snap out of his daze. He quickly leapt up, caught Li Jiansan, and hastily fed him a healing pill.

Li Jiansan rose, his brow deeply furrowed, his pride clearly wounded. The audacity of this brat to strike back!

Li Jiansan charged at him, but Ye Tian’s face was now ashen; that last attack had seemingly drained the last of his strength.

This time, Li Jiansan subdued Ye Tian with ease, pinning him to the ground.

Although Song Qingshu had defeated Chu Nan, he understood that if Ye Tian’s outburst had been a bit stronger, his own fate might have been sealed.

“Heh, so that was the power of his ‘old master’ behind the scenes…” Li Jiansan mused.

Pressing his boot down on Ye Tian, he crouched and demanded, “What power did you just use?”

Ye Tian didn’t answer, only glared at Li Jiansan with bitter hatred.

In truth, Ye Tian had secretly communed with his own master, hoping to borrow that power to kill Li Jiansan and then escape into the nearby mountains and forests, where he could hide beyond their reach.

But to his dismay, Li Jiansan proved too tenacious—not only surviving, but recovering instantly after swallowing a pill.

“Heh, that wasn’t your own power, was it?” Li Jiansan sneered.

At these words, Ye Tian’s expression changed momentarily, but he quickly calmed himself and said nothing.

“Your talent was lacking—you never should have been admitted to Shengjing Sect. Yet I made an exception for you. And instead of gratitude, you tried to kill me with that last strike. You truly are a scoundrel!” Li Jiansan pressed his foot down harder, making Ye Tian cry out in pain.

Just then, a mechanical chime sounded in Li Jiansan’s ear:

“Ding.”

“System detected: Chu Xier’s favorability toward host has dropped to zero points.”

What the hell was happening? Li Jiansan quickly looked around and, sure enough, there was Chu Xier not far off, staring blankly in his direction.

Now he’d really dug himself into a hole. After all his careful efforts, he’d almost won her over—only to lose everything in an instant!

Damn it, did things have to turn out like this?

At that moment, Li Jiansan lost all interest in Ye Tian and strode straight over to Chu Xier.

But Chu Xier had no intention of speaking to him; she turned away and began to leave.

Li Jiansan hurriedly grabbed her arm.

She shook him off at once. “Why? Why did you do this? Why did you have to harm my young master this way? Was it you behind everything that’s happened to him? Wasn’t it?”

Her anguished cry stunned Li Jiansan—why did her intelligence have to spike at such a crucial moment?

Looking at Chu Xier’s devastated face, Li Jiansan abruptly pulled her into his arms. “Junior Sister Xier, listen to me, it’s not what you think—I…”

But Chu Xier refused to hear him, struggling free of his embrace. Without his support, she collapsed to the ground, her delicate, snow-white legs already red and swollen.

Li Jiansan tried to help her up, but she shouted, “You liar! Get away from me! Don’t touch me!”

Seeing the standoff, Li Jiansan shot Liu Nan a meaningful look.

Understanding his cue, Liu Nan proclaimed in a loud voice:

“For attempting to murder the Young Sect Master, Ye Tian has shown intent to harm him. According to the laws of Shengjing Sect, his cultivation shall be abolished and he will be executed before all!”