Yan Bo's resignation from his role as the on-site advisor left the host and the audience equally disoriented, unable to keep up with the pace of the match. Seeing Ouyang Duanhua suddenly fall, he blurted out, "What happened?" Before he realized how unprofessional that question sounded.
"Please watch the slow-motion replay!" Fortunately, his mind worked fast, and he quickly added.
More than thirty aerial recording devices, hovering above the battlefield, had captured every moment of the two men's fight without missing a beat. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the footage rewound to the moment Ouyang Ye's sword pierced toward Ouyang Duanhua's forehead but was blocked by an ice shield. He then abandoned his original sword, drawing another from within, continuing the battle with Ouyang Duanhua.
The intense scene had everyone's attention, so no one noticed the dark red sword trapped in the ice steadily emitting fire elements, which melted the ice shield, causing it to fall to the ground. When Ouyang Ye was hit by Ouyang Duanhua's icy palm, losing his mobility, the sword abruptly raised its tip and streaked away.
This attack was so sudden and bizarre that Ouyang Duanhua could neither dodge nor even anticipate it. Thus, the outcome was reversed, the winner decided. The sword withdrew itself from Ouyang Duanhua's abdomen, circled around Ouyang Ye, simultaneously drawing a bright red flame that melted the ice encasing him.
Ouyang Ye seized the sword handle, but there was no joy in his victory on his face. Instead, he picked up the broken sword, displaying a pained expression. Several medical staff approached the stage, coaxing him away, and carried the barely alive Ouyang Duanhua for treatment.
The first match of the finals had produced a major upset, truly unexpected and full of twists. The audience finally snapped out of it, some applauding, others cursing nonstop. The latter group had mostly bet on Ouyang Duanhua's victory, assuming a significant loss. Online, the disbelief was overwhelming, with thousands of comments expressing shock, and those who had mocked Young Master Yan's supposed blindness were now silent, hurriedly deleting their posts.
In the VIP box, Qi Ze opened the gambling company's website, his expression relishing the sound of incoming funds. Ouyang Ye's victory over Ouyang Duanhua, securing a spot in the top three, meant two of his bets on this match had hit. He instantly raked in billions, and if the last bet came through, he would be a hundred-billionaire, a dream not far from reality.
Of course, in the Black Eye Galaxy, a hundred-billionaire was not particularly impressive. In ancient times, they said one could be as wealthy as a nation. Here, the rich could own a planet, or even several, privately.
"Give me the AI device," he said with a grin, eyeing Yan Junyu.
"Add another twenty thousand, and I'll hold it for you," Yan Junyu offered, quickly scribbling a receipt.
Why would Qi Ze care about twenty thousand now? He transferred the money without a word, quipping, "It's for you."
His tone and demeanor were that of a spoiled heir, his face bolder than Yan Junyu's. Yan Bo was taken aback, glancing sideways at him. Yan Junyu, however, was more convinced of the youth's extraordinary background. They say character determines destiny, and to some extent, that is indeed true. However, there's a more realistic saying - birth determines destiny.
One's background could be discerned from their words and actions. Those born with a silver spoon always had more capital than the average person, making it easier to build confidence and self-esteem, which externally manifested as arrogance.
In Qi Ze, Yan Junyu saw this arrogance. Even Ouyang Ye, as defiant as he was, lacked confidence in his presence; Qi Ze, on the other hand, was genuinely relaxed and indifferent, seemingly regarding himself as an ordinary person.
But what gave him the right? That was worth investigating.
"Thanks for the tip, Young Master Qi," Yan Junyu joked, observing that the youth merely raised his refined jaw, not finding anything amiss with the statement. His eyes darkened.
Yan Bo choked on his red wine, thinking, 'What the fuck, is this guy really my childhood friend? Someone like him who acts like an old bureaucrat can joke around?' He immediately put down his wine glass, scrutinizing the other's expression closely, only to glimpse a hint of gentleness and indulgence in his gaze toward Qi Ze. Clearly, Qi Ze was special to him, though he wondered when he had developed feelings.
Yan Bo was planning to interrogate him once they returned, but Qi Ze's puzzled voice interrupted, "Why has my account turned gray? Can you check it for me?" He truly didn't understand the intricacies of the Star Network, far more complex than forging artifacts.
Yan Junyu leaned in to inspect, his hand resting on the back of Qi Ze's chair, appearing from a distance like he was holding him in his arms, "Your account has been frozen, probably by the gambling company in conjunction with the regulatory agency."
"Why?" Qi Ze frowned.
"They might suspect something is off about this match and want to cancel previous bets. A few hundred billion in gambling funds are no big deal for large companies on the Imperial Star, but for the gambling companies on Neptune, it's a huge amount. If they can deny it, that's best. If investigations reveal that Ouyang Ye cheated or you manipulated public opinion to control the match for profit, they will counter-sue you. The amount will be double your total earnings," Yan Junyu explained the possible outcomes.
Qi Ze was shocked, cursing under his breath, "Damn, they can do that?" He raised his fist to bang his head, his expression livid. Hadn't he hired Star Network trolls? Shouldn't that be traceable? How could the gambling company play like this? Too hooligan-like!
Yan Junyu saw Qi Ze's panic and helplessness for the first time. Truth be told, he wanted to laugh. He watched the youth's agitation with interest, only speaking after a while, "Don't worry, I've erased all online traces for you. They won't find anything. You just need to ensure Ouyang Ye doesn't cause any problems."
Qi Ze breathed a sigh of relief, no longer annoyed. He sat on the armrest of Yan Junyu's sofa, draping his arm around his neck and smiling ingratiatingly, "As expected of Young Master Yan, working with you is reassuring!"
"It's a small matter," Yan Junyu said calmly this time, his arm supporting the youth's slender waist to prevent him from falling.
Yan Bo was shocked, "You two are teaming up to scam the gambling company's money? Did I hear that right?"
"To win and not win would be cheating," Qi Ze said disdainfully. At that moment, his communicator rang, and Li Yu's voice came through, "Little Qi, the organizers suspect Little Ye of cheating and have detained him in the lounge. Do you want to come over?"
"I'm on my way," Qi Ze replied coldly.
Yan Junyu pulled his arm down, holding it in his hand naturally, "Come, let's go see." They left together, causing Yan Bo considerable worry. He hurriedly followed, lowering his voice, "If Ouyang Ye really cheated, Junyu, you'd better not interfere. This could damage your reputation, affecting the Yan family. The consequences are far more severe than just a push."
Qi Ze turned to look at him, his tone serious, "I can clearly tell you that every match Ouyang Ye won was with his own strength." Without a strong willpower, how could an ordinary person endure the intense pain of spiritual energy flowing through their body? Anyone else would have exploded and died soon enough, but Ouyang Ye could persevere and even cultivate sword intent.
Wind Forest and Fire Sea was a double-edged sword, either controlled or turning against its master. Every advancement Ouyang Ye made was a test of life and death. His achievements today, defeating so many ability users with an ordinary human identity, were due to Wind Forest and Fire Sea, and his own efforts.
Initially, even with Wind Forest and Fire Sea's help, he didn't know how to use his abilities but gradually grew powerful through battles with frenzied beasts. Frenzied beasts, lacking reason, would not stop attacking just because he was defeated, only aiming to take a life. Accustomed to living on the edge of danger, before every match, he would remove his wrist signal transmitter, fighting with the fearless mindset of "win or die."
Could any of the other contestants do that?
Qi Ze had initially seen him as a cauldron for nurturing divine artifacts but gradually considered him a friend during their daily interactions. With such character and perseverance, if he didn't achieve something, even the heavens would not agree.
Pausing for a moment, he added coldly, "Everything Ouyang Ye has now, he earned with his life. Shut up if you don't understand!"
Yan Bo was taken aback by the youth's imposing manner, hastily raising his hand in an apologetic gesture. Yan Junyu remained silent, only patting the youth's back consolingly. The three continued forward, Yan Bo unable to resist a quip, though he held it back and whispered, "I thought you didn't have feelings for Ouyang Ye, but you're so protective of him in a pinch. Let's hurry, who knows what's happening over there."
They quickened their pace, arriving at the lounge, where they saw the organizers' inspector had already handcuffed Ouyang Ye, with several doctors examining him. Standing nearby, Li Yu looked extremely upset as he intervened, "Where do you plan to take Little Ye's sword?"
"We suspect this sword is an attribute weapon of level eight or above and need to take it to the lab for comprehensive testing," the leading inspector said sternly. "Mr. Li, please step aside, or I will charge you with obstructing an investigation."
Qi Ze was about to step forward but was pulled back by Yan Junyu. He appeared gentle but was actually firm, "An investigation is fine, can we observe the whole process?"
Recognizing Yan Junyu's identity, the man bowed respectfully, "Certainly. The party involved has this right, but it's limited to observing the testing process, not the investigation."
"Then let's go," Yan Junyu looked at Qi Ze, who slightly curled the corner of his mouth, clearly disdainful of these repeated tests. How much could machines be trusted? The reality was likely the opposite.
Seeing Young Master Qi arrive, Li Yu felt reassured, his furious expression instantly subsiding as he silently draped a coat over his nephew. Ouyang Ye ripped off the various monitoring devices on his body, sneering, "Are you done? Will you ever stop? When did I ever say I had gene collapse syndrome? It was all your doctors' diagnosis. I'm fucking alive and well, yet you insist on saying I'm dying. Who's the victim here?"
The doctor shook his head at the inspector, looking perplexed, "It's indeed not gene collapse syndrome, but his meridians have suffered extremely severe tearing injuries, still worsening. This should be a side effect of overusing abilities. If it happens a few more times, gene collapse syndrome will be inevitable. Don't look at him being lively; every movement causes intense pain. He didn't fake his injuries; the reason he performed so valiantly in the match was purely due to his willpower."
The doctor held up the X-ray film, filled with holes, in admiration, "To continue competing in this state is the first time I've seen such a thing. Even if he really cheated, I'd still be convinced."
"What are you babbling about? I relied on my strength," Ouyang Ye said, dressing his upper body, secretly glancing at Young Master Qi. He was actually very nervous, fearing they would discover something.
Qi Ze stepped forward, straightening his collar, chuckling lightly, "That's right, you won honorably; your opponents were just too weak." A win is a win, why so much fuss? Back in the Qianyuan Continent, when cultivators fought on stage, didn't they love to smash people with artifacts? Ultimately, having many artifacts was also a manifestation of strength.
In the upcoming mecha tournament, the organizers didn't they allow participants to bring their own mechas? They only restricted the number and power level of weapons equipped on the mechas. Those with power and wealth could pilot the latest models; those without, could only make do with old ones. If they couldn't achieve fairness themselves, what right did they have to demand it from others?
"Let's go, follow their inspection," Qi Ze's tone was calm, giving Ouyang Ye an unnameable sense of security. He immediately transformed from a frenzied beast into a puppy, following closely behind Young Master Qi, even deliberately bumping into the nearby Yan Junyu.
Yan Junyu took out a cigarette and lit it, the hazy smoke concealing a fleeting shadow in his eyes.
Yan Bo felt the situation was not optimistic and quietly tugged at his childhood friend, "Those two swords definitely have a problem. The organizers' suspicion that they're level eight or above attribute weapons isn't baseless. Once an attribute weapon leaves the ability user's hands, it's no different from ordinary scrap metal, how could it automatically absorb elements and launch attacks?"
Yan Junyu glanced at him, whispering, "You're wrong. Even level eight, nine, or even ten attribute weapons can't do that." The two swords were possibly not attribute weapons but a new type of weapon from an entirely new power system, yet to be introduced. They seemed to possess life, a spirituality that others couldn't see, but he could clearly perceive.
But he wouldn't reveal his speculations, as this matter seemed closely related to Qi Ze. Thinking of this, he added coolly, "Judging by Ouyang Ye's appearance, the two swords should be fine. He's a wind ability user. If he comprehended thought control, he could drive fire elements to continuously melt the ice while frozen, using wind elements to summon the sword and ambush his opponent."
Yan Bo quickly accepted this explanation, smacking his lips, "To comprehend thought control at level four, Ouyang Ye's potential is indeed high. Junyu, your judgment has always been accurate; I'm convinced! Once the news is announced, see who still mocks your poor eyesight!"
Ability users would always make some small gestures when using their abilities: raising a hand, stomping a foot, or pointing fingers. This is because when they use elemental forces in the air, they need to output their own elemental force as a catalyst, akin to ancient humans needing a lighter to ignite fire.
But ability users at level nine or above don't need to do this; with a mere thought, they can trigger elemental forces in the air, killing invisibly. Their attacks are unpredictable, taking lives from a thousand miles away easily. This is what's called thought control, only achieving this means truly entering the ranks of the elite.
Ouyang Ye was only eighteen years old but had already comprehended both element control and thought control. If this were true, his talent rivaled the geniuses of the Imperial Star. Considering this, Yan Bo was astonished.
The inspectors who overheard their conversation also displayed serious expressions. Should they offend a future powerhouse? This consideration crossed everyone's mind, and their arrogant attitudes quickly became much more amiable.
"Please come in," the chief inspector invited Young Master Yan and Ouyang Ye, explaining patiently, "We will test the energy values and material of these two swords. If there's no problem, we will return them and announce the results to the public."
"Test away, old man, I'm in pain all over, just want to go back and soak in restorative liquid," Ouyang Ye waved casually, then put his hand on Young Master Qi's shoulder, pleading, "Honey, sit. Sit on the sofa, it's more comfortable. I don't know how long they'll take, I'm worried your feet will hurt standing."
A blue vein popped on Qi Ze's forehead, but he smiled kindly, "You sit. Aren't you about to split open all over?" Although his teeth were clenched tightly, he couldn't bear it, placing his palm on Ouyang Ye's back and quietly injecting a wisp of spiritual energy, guiding the violent elemental force within him through half a circuit.
Why only half? Because Ouyang Ye didn't have the upper Dantian; the spiritual energy coming out from the lower and middle Dantians would burrow into his eight extraordinary meridians, causing pain. Qi Ze had never encountered this situation, but he could guess how much pain Ouyang Ye was in. That he could repeatedly overcome it was not to be underestimated.
Receiving this pure spiritual energy, Ouyang Ye almost moaned in pleasure, noticing Yan Junyu wanted to sit next to Young Master Qi, he immediately rushed over to occupy the spot, then bared his teeth in a challenge. Yan Junyu glanced at him but said nothing, only forcefully stubbing out the cigarette butt, sitting opposite the two.
Yan Bo felt none of the undercurrents between the three and joked to Li Yu, "These two kids have such a good relationship, no wonder you didn't stop them from interacting."
Li Yu broke out in a cold sweat, unable to answer or not answer, only managing to force a smile.
As the group conversed, the inspector placed the sword in the energy monitor, then activated the scan button. The cold blue light repeatedly swept over the sword, finally producing a series of data. A specialist came over to check, shaking his head at the end, "No problem. These are two basic attribute weapons, enhancing ability user's power by only 1% and 3%. The maker used a spatial material to forge them, so they are both weapons and spatial items, able to accommodate each other rather than fusing elements." The Black Rock Galaxy was rich in spatial minerals, so spatial materials weren't valuable, even if it was an undiscovered type.
The inspector looked enlightened, pursuing, "So, there's no cheating by contestant Ouyang Ye?"
"Yes. Using spatial materials to craft weapons is indeed rare, let alone making this kind of sword within a sword. The conception is indeed ingenious but can only be used for surprise attacks. If it happens again, others will be prepared, and it won't work. As for why the other sword suddenly moved, it should be related to the wind element," the examiner looked at Ouyang Ye, his eyes filled with curiosity and surprise.
No need to elaborate; everyone understood the deeper meaning of his words. Why could wind elements operate when Ouyang Ye was frozen? Of course, it was because he had comprehended thought control.
Ouyang Ye was satisfied. Seeing the energy monitor's hatch opened, he immediately summoned the sword. This further confirmed everyone's speculations.
The chief inspector cautiously apologized to the parties involved and published the investigation results online. At the same time, Qi Ze's account was unfrozen, the remaining gambling funds gradually transferring to his card. The public was shocked. After comprehending element control, he also comprehended thought control. What a monstrous talent? Even Young Master Yan didn't truly enter this realm until he was in his twenties.
No wonder Ouyang Ye's potential was marked with three question marks before the tournament; the machine didn't make a mistake! However, only Young Master Yan could see this. What is discerning talent? What is not making a sound until making a shocking one? Genius indeed only shares a telepathic connection with another genius!
Yan Junyu's archenemies fell silent. Although for the sake of their reputation, they couldn't delete their previous comments, they were indelibly marked with a lack of foresight and judgment. They were already defined by the public as "one step behind Yan Junyu," and this only further solidified this view among the masses.
Ouyang Ye returned with the two swords, following Young Master Qi back. However, Ouyang Tao, guarding by the bedside, was furious, ranting wildly.
"What do you mean can't be cured in the short term? What do you mean a huge drop in ability realm? Aren't you the best hospital on Neptune?"
"The fire elements in his body are too concentrated; ordinary mental power doctors can't dispel them. Unless you pay a huge sum to invite mental power users above level eight," the attending doctor placed Ouyang Duanhua in the restorative chamber, urging, "You'd better act fast. The fire elements won't dissipate for a day, his wounds won't heal for a day. The longer it drags on, the faster his ability realm will drop. Ice and fire elements are inherently antagonistic, you should be aware of that, right?"
"Also," the doctor paused, then continued, "Ouyang Ye has comprehended thought control. You'd better not let him near the ward. Once he harbors a murderous intent, he needs only to think to burn the second young master to death. This isn't scaremongering; check the AI to understand."
With that, the medical team pushed the door open and left, discussing in twos and threes, "I can't understand why the head of the Ouyang family exiled Ouyang Ye. Comprehending thought control at eighteen, this isn't just a genius, but a monster! If Ouyang Ye became the young family head, wouldn't the Ouyang family reach the heavens?"
"So, this is fate. Fate has determined that the Ouyang family will decline, and no one can stop it. Even if Ouyang Duanhua recovers, his abilities will forever remain at level six, outstanding among peers, but completely insufficient in a few years. Who would accept him as the heir of the Ouyang family? Even worse, Ouyang Ye is so vindictive; who knows how he'll retaliate when he's successful!"
The doctors and nurses sighed, but Ouyang Tao's face gradually paled. He impatiently opened his AI to read the news, collapsing on the bedside instantly. Phone call after phone call came in, all from the elders of the Ouyang family, the anger they would express to Ouyang Tao's line foreseeable.