With a single sentence, Lei Ming's expression immediately turned grim. Wasn't this openly challenging his position as Manor Lord?
Seriously, how audacious was this Grim Reaper?
All these people here were his subordinates. Announcing this so publicly, was he saying he wasn't afraid of being killed?
"Bold! What are you, to covet the Manor Lord position?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Kuo let out a cold roar, drawing his long sword and casting an icy gaze at Ye Cangtian.
Several others, following Shen Kuo, also drew their weapons, staring coldly at Ye Cangtian.
Their stance was clear: if Ye Cangtian made any move, or continued to be stubborn, they would strike and kill him.
Lei Ming watched everything unfold without intervening, making no move to stop them.
In his view, this was the opponent seeking his own demise. He had no one to blame but himself if he died!
Heh heh.
Just then, Ye Cangtian smiled faintly, looking at Lei Ming, and said with a laugh, "Lei Ming, I was just joking with you. You took it seriously?"
A joke?
Lei Ming was slightly taken aback. He couldn't tell if Ye Cangtian was being truthful or not.
"Hmph! If you say it's a joke, then it's a joke?"
"Then if I attack you now and call it a joke, would that also be acceptable?"
Before Lei Ming could speak, Shen Kuo from the side snorted coldly.
Lei Ming's Manor Lord position was his biggest backing. He would never allow anyone to covet it.
Moreover, this was the main hall of the Imperial Dragon Manor, and many present were loyal to Lei Ming. He didn't believe these people would stand idly by if he were to suffer a disadvantage.
From Ye Cangtian's apparent concession, it seemed he was wary of these people. If that were the case, Shen Kuo could act with impunity.
"If you have the guts, you can try!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at Shen Kuo, as if looking at a clown.
"I'll try if I have to!"
Feeling Ye Cangtian's dismissive gaze, Shen Kuo became instantly furious. He roared and stepped forward.
"Presumptuous!"
"It was just a joke, why the need to make a move?"
At this moment, Lei Ming reprimanded.
As his voice fell, Shen Kuo's face flushed red. He looked at Lei Ming in confusion.
Everything he did was clearly for Lei Ming's sake. Why did Lei Ming always protect Ye Cangtian? This baffled him, and he even harbored some resentment.
On the other side, Lei Ming ignored Shen Kuo and turned to Ye Cangtian, saying, "Junior Brother Grim Reaper, your Senior Brother Shen Kuo has a quick temper. Don't take it to heart."
"Naturally, I won't," Ye Cangtian replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Lei Ming pondered for a moment and continued, "Junior Brother Grim Reaper, you also know that the Imperial Dragon Manor highly respects the martial path. Therefore, it's not easy to gain a foothold and recognition here."
"So, I think you should showcase your strength, let everyone see."
Heh heh.
Upon hearing this, a trace of disdain appeared on Ye Cangtian's face.
The other party had just stopped the fight, and now proposed such a condition. Truth be told, it was just a change of phrasing.
The other party didn't not want to attack him, but the previous excuse wasn't suitable.
If they could eliminate him through a spar, it would at most be considered an accidental injury.
Whereas with the previous excuse, he might bear the罪名 of harming a junior brother.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian followed along and asked, "How do you wish for me to demonstrate?"
"A spar would naturally be most suitable,"
Lei Ming smiled and continued, "However, rest assured, I won't let Shen Kuo fight you. What do you think of Zhan Wufeng as your opponent?"
Brilliant! Truly brilliant!
Upon hearing Lei Ming's words, Shen Kuo's resentful face instantly broke into a smile.
Having Zhan Wufeng step forward was the best possible outcome.
Firstly, although he was reluctant to admit it, Zhan Wufeng's strength was indeed superior to his. Perhaps he could teach this Grim Reaper a good lesson.
Secondly, if Zhan Wufeng acted, Shen Kuo wouldn't have to, thus avoiding the risk of injury or embarrassment.
Lastly, if Zhan Wufeng won, it would consolidate Lei Ming's position.
And if Zhan Wufeng lost, he would likely harbor resentment towards the Grim Reaper, potentially leading him to defect to Lei Ming.
In this way, regardless of the outcome, Lei Ming would not lose out.
On the other side, after hearing Lei Ming's words, Ye Cangtian shrugged and smiled, "It doesn't matter who the opponent is. Even if you yourself were to fight, it would be fine!"
"Haha, Junior Brother Grim Reaper, you jest. If I were to personally fight and win, some would say I was bullying the young. If I lost, I'd be utterly shamed. Please don't put your Senior Brother in a difficult position."
Lei Ming laughed heartily, then quickly turned to Zhan Wufeng and asked, "Wufeng, are you willing to spar with Junior Brother Grim Reaper?"
Zhan Wufeng heard this and replied, "Since I've agreed to help you once, I won't go back on my word. However, if I attack, I won't hold back. What if I accidentally kill him?"
"You can go all out. Don't worry, there are so many people here. If the Grim Reaper is truly outmatched, someone will intervene!"
Lei Ming said expressionlessly. He was quite displeased with Zhan Wufeng's tone, but the latter's willingness to go all out suited his intentions.
If the Grim Reaper were truly killed during the match, then it could only be blamed on the opponent's lack of skill.
But if the Grim Reaper couldn't be killed, then it didn't matter. Lei Ming could also ascertain the Grim Reaper's strength and decide how to deal with him accordingly.
Hearing Lei Ming's words, Zhan Wufeng said no more and directly walked out of the hall.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian smiled faintly and then flickered his body, following him out.
Clang!
The moment Ye Cangtian stepped out, Zhan Wufeng already held two sabers in his hands. The sabers emanated a blood-red aura, which was somewhat intimidating.
"Draw your weapon, or you might not have the chance later!"
Seeing Ye Cangtian arrive opposite him, showing no intention of fighting, Zhan Wufeng reminded him helplessly.
"To deal with you, I don't need to use a weapon."
Ye Cangtian looked at the opponent calmly and made a gesturing motion, inviting him to make the first move.
"..."
This Grim Reaper is too arrogant!
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's words, everyone who had come to watch mumbled to themselves.
It was known that Zhan Wufeng's combat power ranked among the top five in the current Imperial Dragon Manor.
To spar with such a person without a weapon was not only looking down on the opponent but also an act of courting death.
Heh heh, interesting. You seem very strong!
Looking at the scene before him, Lei Ming's face showed a smile, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Being strong wasn't a bad thing, but if he had designs on his Manor Lord position, then Lei Ming couldn't be blamed.
"This is your own choice. If you die later, don't blame me!"
On the other side, Zhan Wufeng snorted coldly, and then his figure flickered. In an instant, he appeared before Ye Cangtian.
Simultaneously, the double sabers in his hands unleashed a barrage of killing moves in a broad, powerful manner.
"Heh heh, this is interesting!"
Ye Cangtian dodged calmly and unhurriedly. Each time, he evaded just as the sabers were about to land on him, timing it perfectly.
This caused the surrounding onlookers' expressions to change continuously.
Every time the sabers attacked, many would involuntarily get excited, thinking the outcome was decided.
However, when the sabers fell, they were dodged by the opponent, and they couldn't help but sigh.
Over time, they summarized a thought in their hearts: the Grim Reaper was fearlessly probing the edge of death, and sooner or later he would slip up.
"Are you only going to dodge?"
"You can't win like this!"
On the other side, Zhan Wufeng had gained no advantage for a long time and had his attacks repeatedly dodged. He was also frustrated and couldn't help but speak.
"It's simple to decide the winner, it's just a matter of an instant," Ye Cangtian said with a smile.
"Heh heh, do you think I, Zhan Wufeng, am made of paper?"
Zhan Wufeng said contemptuously, his face already extremely cold.
No matter how strong he was, as a quasi-Heavenly rank expert, he couldn't possibly subdue the opponent instantly! He wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death!
"Watch closely!"
Ye Cangtian offered no further explanation. The moment his voice fell, he moved forward instead of retreating.
The sudden turn of events startled Zhan Wufeng. He quickly raised his twin sabers to block.
And at this moment, Ye Cangtian's left hand swung horizontally, directly deflecting the twin sabers, while his right hand went straight for the vital point.
Slam!
In the next instant, Ye Cangtian's right hand grabbed Zhan Wufeng by the neck.