Chapter Sixty-Three: The Time of Duel

As soon as Yan Chen finished speaking, everyone present expressed their agreement. He was about to seize the opportunity to help Ye Zihan find a weaker opponent when one of the clan leaders frowned and said, "This method is fine, but the person he challenges must be someone we all recommend."

Hearing this, Yan Chen realized things were not going well. His intention was to help Ye Zihan, but if they sent someone at the mid Four Symbols stage or higher, Ye Zihan would have no chance of winning, which would completely ruin his plan. At this thought, Yan Chen felt frustrated and guilty, his gaze toward his companion filled with remorse.

Ye Zihan merely smiled, shaking his head to show he didn't mind. Instead, his eyes reflected a hint of gratitude—such is brotherhood: unconditional support, and if the help fails, feeling indebted. To have a brother like this, what else could one wish for?

Yan Chen, unwilling to give up, said, "Of course, the challenger should be someone you all recommend, but I think their strength shouldn't differ too much. Don't you agree?"

One of the leaders chuckled, "If he wants to become the chief, he must win our absolute respect. Otherwise, forget it!"

"Exactly, the challenger must be agreed upon by all of us," another leader insisted.

Mo You was about to speak but was pulled back by Ye Zihan, who shot him a look, signaling him to remain silent.

Yan Chen could only smile helplessly at his companion, then left the room with him, leaving the leaders and chiefs of Liuguang Fortress to discuss.

Outside, Ye Zihan said with a smile, "Thank you."

"For what?" Yan Chen asked, puzzled.

"For helping me just now."

"Oh, come on! Can't you stop being so sentimental? Are you trying to disgust me? Whether I helped or not, you're in for a tough time ahead. I think your opponent will probably be the second or third chief, and both are at the late Four Symbols stage."

Ye Zihan shook his head. "No matter who it is, I must defeat him!"

Mo You shrank to palm size, poking out his head and declaring proudly, "Did you hear that? That's my big brother. Even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, he'd remain unshaken. Hey, you youngster, you should call me big brother too!"

Yan Chen was at a loss for words. After experiencing the pain of that golden hoop, he'd resolved not to converse with this not-yet-adult Thousand Phantom Blood Dragon, whose strength surpassed his own. Alas, some were destined for greatness from birth—he could only lament the unfairness of fate.

"Hey, I'm talking to you! How dare you ignore me? Want to taste the power of the golden hoop again?" Mo You shouted.

Yan Chen was exasperated. Neither speaking nor staying silent worked. He considered himself clever, but meeting this two-and-a-half-year-old dragon, he finally understood the meaning of 'beyond the mountain, another mountain.'

"Ah, you really ignore me? Hmph, take my golden hoop—" Mo You pretended to chant a spell.

Yan Chen's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "No, no, please don't do it again… otherwise… otherwise I'll…"

"And what will you do?"

"I'll really turn against you…"

"Then before you turn against me, I'll make you roll your eyes first…"

"……"

Ye Zihan watched these two, one man and one dragon, bantering back and forth, making him chuckle. Seeing Yan Chen's pleading look, Ye Zihan could only step forward and say, "You two, stop messing around. Don't disturb the chiefs and leaders inside."

"Hmph, just for my big brother's sake, I'll let you off this time," Mo You's childish voice rang out, but his tone was haughty, his dragon eyes casting a disdainful glance at Yan Chen.

Yan Chen simply turned away, unwilling to engage. Ever since leaving his clan, he'd always tricked and bullied others; now, he was bullied by a two-year-old and dared not retaliate—utterly vexing.

Though they played around, they knew each other's intentions were harmless, merely for fun, both enjoying it.

After waiting outside for the time it took a stick of incense to burn, the chief's voice came from inside, "Brother Ye, Brother Yan, friend of the dragon clan, please come in."

They entered, and dozens of intense gazes focused on them. Ye Zihan felt the invisible pressure but merely smiled calmly, walking to the center and bowing, "Have the chiefs and leaders reached a conclusion?"

His words were steady, unaffected by pressure or nerves, demonstrating tremendous composure—everyone present was stronger than him in cultivation.

The chief gave him an approving look, while the others were slightly taken aback. They had wanted to intimidate him, but he remained unmoved, inadvertently intimidating them instead. Gradually, these leaders began to shift their perspective, recognizing this youth—who was ten or even twenty years younger than them—as their psychological leader.

"We have decided. The duel will be between you and me," the chief suddenly announced coldly.

"What? The chief himself?" Yan Chen cried out.

Mo You's voice followed, "My boss is only at the mid Three Talents stage, but you're at the mid Five Elements stage—two realms apart! That's unfair. I should duel you instead."

"Mo You, don't be rude!" Ye Zihan restrained the eager little dragon, then smiled and looked around. "Is this the result agreed upon by all chiefs and leaders?"

"We have no objections."

"If you defeat the chief, we will acknowledge you as our leader."

"We never go back on our word!"

The others echoed.

"Good!" Ye Zihan grinned, feeling his blood boil. He would face an opponent two realms above him! The odds of success were zero, but at this moment, he had only the urge to press forward, never retreat.

The chief was momentarily surprised, then smiled inwardly: Yes! This is the Ye Zihan I value—unafraid of power, never bowing, never giving up! He will surely lead us to new heights and a glorious future.

"Well then, let's begin the duel," urged one of the leaders.

At that moment, Yan Chen spoke, "Isn't this a bit rushed? We just fought a great battle yesterday—everyone is exhausted. Shouldn't we be given some time to rest?"

"No problem, you can have time. But you must set a definite date. Otherwise, if you drag it out for a year or more, what can we do?"

Yan Chen was about to speak when Ye Zihan stepped forward and took the lead: "Three days. In three days, I will duel the chief at Water Splash Hollow!"

"Zihan!" Yan Chen called out reproachfully from behind. He had wanted to say three months, but his companion settled for just three days? At least a month or so would be better than a hurried three days!

Mo You was also worried, muttering, "I'm my boss's summoned beast. I can fight alongside him then."

The other chiefs had already anticipated this and said, "This duel allows only you. Brother Yan and the dragon clan friend cannot help."

Upon hearing this, Mo You became anxious, "Why can't I help? I'm his summoned beast!"

The chiefs were all stunned—this was a Thousand Phantom Blood Dragon, one of the three great beast clans, openly admitting to being the boy's summoned beast. This was simply unbelievable. These proud dragons had always refused to deal with humans, yet now one claimed to be the boy's servant. They doubted Mo You would ever lower himself to stand up for Ye Zihan.

Yan Chen was also moved. He knew that Ye Zihan and Mo You shared a blood soul bond, but hadn't expected their relationship to be so deep that the lofty dragon would declare himself the boy's summoned beast.

With Mo You stating this, the chiefs had no grounds to refuse. The chief himself appeared calm, as if he had expected it. His gaze lingered on the boy below—the one he had already decided would be his future leader.

Yan Chen nodded slightly, "Yes, why can't Mo You help? He said he's Zihan's summoned beast, so that's part of Zihan's strength."

Mo You, surprisingly, didn't bicker with Yan Chen, but instead cast him a smiling glance. A tiny, palm-sized dragon, with eyes like beans, could easily convey a smile—showing just how adorable this little creature was.

"Well…" The chiefs looked at each other, unable to find any reason to refuse. Summoners survive by their beasts—how could they be forbidden from using their abilities? Without it, what would be the point of the duel?

Mo You chuckled, clearly pleased at his quick thinking and having helped Ye Zihan. He opened his dragon mouth and said, "Then, three days from now, we'll meet at Water Splash Hollow to determine the winner!"

Ye Zihan suddenly laughed, drawing everyone's attention. The chief smiled, having watched the boy closely—not because Mo You was helping him, but because the bond between Ye Zihan and Yan Chen moved him.

Yan Chen saw the grateful look Ye Zihan sent him, but also noticed a flash of determination in his eyes, realizing something and about to speak, but was stopped.

"Chiefs and leaders, rest assured. This is a duel between me and the chief, with no outside interference. Mo You and I are bound by a contract, not as a conquered summoned beast, so he will not participate in the battle. Please be at ease."

"Big brother!" Mo You cried anxiously.

Yan Chen was equally baffled. "Zihan, you're wrong. Even if Mo You is bound to you by an equal contract, he is still your summoned beast. Surely you understand that, don't you?"