The Chi Yan Leopard, a youth of only fourteen summers, looked at Ye Jingyu stepping forward, a look of astonishment clouding his face. This person, shorter than himself, this impossibly thin fellow, actually claimed Jiu Feng was his woman? Was his mind diseased?
Did he not understand that even if Jiu Feng were the ugliest woman in the tribe, she wouldn't be available to someone like him? Did someone so weak even deserve a woman?
Chi Yan Leopard completely ignored Ye Jingyu's unfamiliar appearance; all he knew was that he was intensely displeased today. Not only had he failed to bring down any worthy prey, but upon returning to the village, not a single woman had rushed to embrace him—surely that meant he was the worst warrior of the Chi Yan tribe?
He was only unable to match his older brothers and uncles because of his youth. In the Chi Yan tribe, everything was determined by strength. It was one thing that he couldn't yet contend with his elders for women, but now, even this skinny wretch dared to claim a woman he desired? What sort of mockery was this?
With that, Chi Yan Leopard took a deliberate step forward, and a cold tone issued from his lips: "Today, I will personally defeat you and make you understand that you... are not worthy of a woman, not even the ugliest one in the tribe..."
Seeing Chi Yan Leopard's face contorted in fury, Ye Jingyu offered a soft smile. The ugliest woman? If Jiu Feng was considered the ugliest, then he sincerely hoped that all the ugliest women would be reserved for him...
"Ye Jingyu..." Jiu Feng pulled Ye Jingyu back, her eyes filled with worry. While Ye Jingyu’s action deeply moved her, stirring an unfamiliar feeling in her heart, Ye Jingyu’s emaciated frame was a stark contrast to Chi Yan Leopard’s robust physique. Anyone not blind could see that in a direct fight, Ye Jingyu stood no chance...
Furthermore, although Chi Yan Leopard was inferior to the hulking figures standing behind him, he was considered the best among those his own age. In the Chi Yan tribe, males, unless they cultivated the Soul Path, went unnamed until the age of twelve. Only after reaching that milestone, after going out to battle wild beasts, would they be named after the creature they managed to slay. Chi Yan Leopard had undoubtedly taken the name of a Yan Leopard—a creature covered in flame patterns, possessing extreme agility, more ferocious than the average saber-toothed tiger. The fact that he could fight a Yan Leopard barehanded back then spoke volumes about his current strength...
Although the Chi Yan tribe lived by this rigid rule—strength reigns supreme—where one could claim anything they desired if strong enough, even another man's wife, by challenging that man and winning, one still needed the requisite strength for such an endeavor. Ye Jingyu clearly wasn't a match for Chi Yan Leopard. If he lost, even if Chi Yan Leopard spared his life, a brutal beating would be inevitable. Why invite such misfortune?
Jiu Feng desperately did not want Ye Jingyu to be harmed because of her, after all, he was the first man... to stand up for her...
"Woman, shut your mouth! This is a matter between men..." But before Jiu Feng could finish, the furious Chi Yan Leopard cut her off with a roar...
Faced with Chi Yan Leopard's earth-shaking bellow, Jiu Feng’s delicate frame visibly trembled, her face instantly filling with terror. In the Chi Yan tribe, women held no standing whatsoever...
"What is there to be angry about for scolding a woman? If you have ability, come at me..." Ye Jingyu gently stroked Jiu Feng’s smooth, delicate hand, signaling her not to fear. Then, releasing her hand, he met Chi Yan Leopard’s gaze squarely...
"Weakling, I will show you what a true warrior of the Chi Yan tribe is!" Chi Yan Leopard roared in fury, his massive body lunging towards Ye Jingyu...
At this moment, the attention of everyone present shifted to this confrontation. Their eyes were brimming with curiosity, especially those burly hunters just returned from the expedition. Unfamiliar with Ye Jingyu, they questioned the "beast-mothers," learning from their hushed tones that Ye Jingyu was an outsider who had already been seen by the Chieftain, who had permitted him to stay in the Chi Yan tribe...
Seeing Chi Yan Leopard charge, Ye Jingyu did not meet the attack head-on. Instead, he retreated rapidly. His speed was astonishing, allowing him to effortlessly evade Chi Yan Leopard's wild swing. With a slick maneuver, he slipped to Chi Yan Leopard’s left flank...
As a warrior capable of slaying a swift creature like the Yan Leopard, Chi Yan Leopard’s reflexes were undeniably fast. Almost the instant Ye Jingyu moved to his side, a sweeping kick lashed out...
Without a second thought, Ye Jingyu jerked backward, narrowly dodging the powerful strike. However, Chi Yan Leopard pressed his advantage, taking another step forward and pursuing relentlessly...
"Yan Leopard, tear this outsider apart!"
"Yan Leopard, teach this coward that we Chi Yan are the greatest warriors!"
"Outsider, if you have guts, stop running!" At this point, the surrounding Chi Yan tribesmen, seeing Ye Jingyu only evading, began to jeer. In their eyes, Chi Yan Leopard held absolute advantage; defeating his opponent was only a matter of time...
Meanwhile, Jiu Feng’s hands were clenched tightly. For some inexplicable reason, every time Ye Jingyu narrowly sidestepped Chi Yan Leopard’s blows, she felt her heart leap as if she herself were the one facing the battle, not him...
"You contemptible rabbit! Can you do nothing but flee? Can’t you take even one punch head-on?" Chi Yan Leopard was growing increasingly enraged. His speed was among the fastest of the tribe's warriors, yet for some reason, he couldn't land a single solid blow on the figure before him. A single punch could shatter him, but if he couldn't connect, what was the use of immense strength?
At this juncture, Ye Jingyu was gradually acclimating to the rhythm of this combat. At the very least, in terms of pure speed, he had definitively surpassed Chi Yan Leopard...
Seeing this, Chi Yan Leopard lunged once more, slamming a straight punch toward Ye Jingyu. This time, Ye Jingyu chose not to evade. He held both arms crossed defensively before his chest, his feet shifting slightly, preparing for a controlled retreat...
With a thunderous crash, Chi Yan Leopard’s fist slammed hard against Ye Jingyu’s forearms. Without hesitation, Ye Jingyu pulled himself rapidly backward to bleed off the immense force of the blow. He retreated a full ten paces...
To the onlookers, this appeared as if Chi Yan Leopard had landed a clean hit, sending Ye Jingyu reeling back so far. How could he possibly be a match for Chi Yan Leopard?
Instantly, the crowd erupted in cheers, many shouting for Chi Yan Leopard to tear Ye Jingyu to shreds...