Luo Xiaofeng was clad in robes of silver-white, embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons, a crown upon his head. His expression was solemn, radiating an intangible pressure—the majesty of a true monarch, bred from a lifetime of supreme authority.

"Long live our Lord, ten thousand years, ten thousand thousand years..." Everyone present, save for Ye Jingyu and Huangfu Buyue, immediately dropped to their knees in obeisance.

Huangfu Buyue merely offered a slight bow, a gesture of respect to Luo Xiaofeng.

Ye Jingyu mirrored the movement with practiced ease, yet offered only the formal salute of a martial artist. He was not native to this world and held a strong aversion to rituals that demanded immediate genuflection. He reasoned that if Huangfu Buyue, his current opponent, were to kneel, he would have no choice but to follow suit. But he was certain Huangfu Buyue would never yield so easily, given the prestige of the Dragon-Seizing Sect. Surely, even Luo Xiaofeng would not dare to lightly punish the man? If Huangfu Buyue was spared censure, on what grounds could Ye Jingyu himself be chastised?

Luo Xiaofeng allowed a faint smile to grace his lips as he watched his courtiers and children prostrate themselves. However, the smile froze when he saw Huangfu Buyue offer only a respectful bow. His expression darkened, though he held his temper. When he then noticed Ye Jingyu remained standing as well, his countenance grew decidedly colder.

Yet, with so many witnesses, he chose not to make an overt display. Both Huangfu Buyue and Ye Jingyu were figures from the martial world; a formal martial salute could perhaps be excused.

"My loyal ministers, rise," Luo Xiaofeng commanded, his voice flat, betraying his inner displeasure. He moved directly to his throne and sat, whereupon several eunuchs hastened forward, bearing the grand canopy of state.

The assembled crowd then slowly rose and took their places.

Luo Xiaofeng glanced at Ye Jingyu and Huangfu Buyue standing on opposite sides of the arena without a word. Instead, the Chief Eunuch of Rites stepped forward to recite the unchanging rules of the examination—matters too mundane for the Sovereign Lord to handle personally.

Silence fell over the entire venue, every soul holding their breath, fearful of incurring the wrath of this monarch, who stood at the realm of Martial Saint.

When the Chief Eunuch finished, Luo Xiaofeng declared the contest begun without preamble, startling many in attendance. They had expected words of encouragement, perhaps, for this crucial Martial Examination, where the victor would earn the title of Martial Top Scholar and the post of Grand General Protecting the Nation. Why utter nothing at all?

They could not fathom the deep resentment brewing within Luo Xiaofeng. He, the ruler of the land, was being defied—Huangfu Buyue was one thing, but Ye Jingyu, refusing to kneel, placed him in a humiliating position.

However, at this juncture, he dared not actually move against Ye Jingyu. He was perfectly aware that the Eldest Young Master had dispatched a Soul Master of the Soul Condensation realm for a covert attack. The fact that this attacker had been silently obliterated, soul and essence scattered, demanded his renewed attention. He knew the Third Prince’s entourage could not possibly harbor such a master. Therefore, the only logical conclusion was that Ye Jingyu had powerful backing. Until he understood the nature of Ye Jingyu's support, Luo Xiaofeng could only swallow his pride regarding the young man's arrogance.

These were the subtle calculations in Luo Xiaofeng’s heart, unknown to the others, and certainly incomprehensible to Ye Jingyu, who had never bowed to anyone, not even his own parents, and certainly would not offer homage to a mere sovereign.

This display, however, earned a measure of silent admiration from Huangfu Buyue. This fellow truly held everyone in contempt—not only looking down upon him but utterly disregarding Luo Xiaofeng, the Son of Heaven. Was he truly arrogant, or was his hidden power truly immense?

Wrestling with this uncertainty, Huangfu Buyue slowly walked to the center of the dueling ground, unburdened by any weapon.

Seeing Huangfu Buyue advance barehanded, Ye Jingyu tossed the cloth-wrapped fragment of a blade he carried to Xiao Muzi (as this was the palace grounds, inaccessible to Lin Xiaoyi, Chi Yixiu, and the others), and strode confidently onto the field himself.

When the onlookers saw Ye Jingyu eschew weapons, a ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd. Huangfu Buyue’s barehanded approach was understandable—he possessed the absolute right to do so, having defeated Mu Zhan in under three moves, making him beyond comparison. Furthermore, many techniques of the Dragon-Seizing Sect required no arms. But Ye Jingyu? He had stumbled his way into the finals, relying partly on sheer luck, though he possessed some skill. He might defeat an average Innate Master, but against Huangfu Buyue, he had virtually no chance. Now, foregoing weapons—was this not sheer overconfidence?

“Brother Ye, what is this decision?” Huangfu Buyue expressed genuine surprise. He had been monitoring Ye Jingyu’s progress and knew of his extraordinary blade work. To see him abandon the very tool of his strength now was baffling.

“This young master never takes advantage of others. If you use no weapon, why should I? Defeating you will take no more effort than flicking a finger,” Ye Jingyu declared with breathtaking bravado.

The surrounding crowd collectively rolled their eyes; this man clearly understood nothing of modesty.

“Heh, Brother Ye is truly amusing. If that is the case, then I shall take a look at this ‘Startling Finger’ of yours,” Huangfu Buyue chuckled lightly, his silhouette already blurring as he lunged toward Ye Jingyu.

His footwork was ethereal, like a dancer's yet bearing the speed of a runner. In less than a breath, he was upon Ye Jingyu, extending a lightning-fast claw toward the young man’s shoulder.

“Dragon-Seizing Hand?” Ye Jingyu exclaimed, retreating rapidly. Despite his feigned nonchalance, he had spent long hours studying the renowned secret arts of the Dragon-Seizing Sect over the past few days.

“Keen eyes, Brother Ye,” Huangfu Buyue replied smoothly, his body pressing forward relentlessly, his hand still unhurriedly aiming for Ye Jingyu’s shoulder.

“Then watch how I break your Dragon-Seizing Hand… Shattering Kill Fist!” Ye Jingyu roared, suddenly halting his rapid retreat. He whipped a punch directly at Huangfu Buyue.

Seeing the sudden offensive, Huangfu Buyue was startled. He vividly recalled the shocking scene of Qin Yunxiao being blasted away by a single punch. His forward momentum checked instantly, he shifted sideways to evade.

But Ye Jingyu’s punch was merely a feint. While it successfully startled Huangfu Buyue into recoiling, Ye Jingyu used the opening to immediately pivot backward once more.