Chapter 217 – Neither Threats Nor Bribes Will Work

As the saying goes: While the common man is not guilty, possessing a treasure becomes his crime.

Although Ye Kuang didn’t know the specific effects of the Udumbara Flower, he couldn’t deny that he fully understood the rarity of such spiritual essence.

Moreover, the fact that it could simultaneously arouse the covetous hearts of these three masters made it imaginable just how extraordinary the Udumbara Flower truly was.

“Oh…” When it came to setting conditions, this could be said to be the least viable option in Ye Kuang’s current predicament.

Because sometimes, something valuable to one’s present situation is always better than holding a hot potato!

Seeing Ye Kuang seemed slightly tempted, Sage Yixiao couldn’t help but feel pleased and added fuel to the fire with a smile: “Naturally, you can set conditions. Whether it’s unclear aspects of martial studies or confusing doubts, we believe our knowledge in Dao Inquiry should be sufficient to enlighten you somewhat!”

At this point, Sage Yixiao deliberately emphasized the words “Dao Inquiry,” though it was unclear whether he was confident or implying something deeper.

But how could someone as sharp-minded as Ye Kuang fail to detect the hidden meaning in the old man’s words?

Regardless of having awakened the Three Wisdoms of “Hearing, Contemplation, and Cultivation,” with his ability of “Three Thousand Thoughts” alone, he could dissect the underlying meaning in any rhetoric.

However, he couldn’t reveal this now, otherwise the consequences would be beyond his imagination.

Threat!

When these two words suddenly emerged in his mind, Ye Kuang’s eyes involuntarily shifted subtly.

In his current situation, he had little chance of winning even in one-on-one combat. If the three elders joined forces, his position would become even more awkward.

Even a pig could figure that out!

Sage Yisu: “So, what are your thoughts?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang’s face twitched slightly, clearly still clinging to some fantasy about the heaven-earth spiritual essence he hadn’t even warmed in his hands.

After all, if the Udumbara Flower offered great benefits even to Dao Inquiry Realm masters, its effects would surely be even more extraordinary for a rising star like him at the Late Stage of Kongming.

“Do I have any reason to refuse?” Ye Kuang said bluntly. “However, seeing something obtained at the cost of my life being handed over to others inevitably leaves a bitter taste in my heart.”

Seeing this, Sage Yichen naturally saw through the intentions of the other two elders and maintained his smiling expression: “Ah… not so, not so. Immediate gains and losses often weigh heavier than future value. Why not use this rare opportunity to enhance your current strength? That’s far better than aiming too high and pointlessly losing your life!”

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Sage Yixiao and Sage Yisu both changed expressions dramatically, silently cursing him for being an idiot.

But these words of coercion and inducement struck Ye Kuang’s ears like thunder. How could a full seven-foot man like him endure such humiliation?

Although dignity always depends on strength, for some people, losing dignity is even harder to accept than having their parents killed.

And he was precisely one of those people!

At this thought, Ye Kuang was clearly angered. Though he well understood that a living coward is better than a dead hero, when someone trampled on his dignity, it felt no different from the three greatest hatreds in the world.

Truly: A scholar would rather die than be humiliated!

Ye Kuang: “Heh…”

A bitter smile spread across his entire face, his laughter cold as an incoming chill, faintly revealing a confrontational edge: “Although I fear death greatly, if you Seniors look down on me because of this… well, then I must apologize…”Before the words had fully faded, he suddenly shouted: “This Udumbara Flower seems destined to elude your grasp!”

Upon hearing this, the Three Old Men’s previously beaming faces instantly froze into stagnant pools of water.

No matter how they tried to imagine it, they never expected there truly existed someone in this world so unafraid of death. They couldn’t help but exchange glances, clearly all arriving at the same realization:

This young man would rather sacrifice his life than compromise his pride and dignity!

Sage Yixiao and Sage Yisu appeared genuinely astonished by this development.

In contrast, Sage Yichen’s aged face turned ashen with rage. Throughout his life, people had always begged for his favors—never had anyone dared defy him so brazenly!

“Boy, you’d better think carefully! There’s no room for negotiation in this matter. If you refuse to hand it over, this old man will make you experience what true suffering means!”

“HAHAHA…” Ye Kuang’s posture shifted, his entire being seeming to undergo some form of sublimation. His unyielding spirit that balanced madness with chivalry, his sharp principles that held nothing back, suddenly exploded in the Three Old Men’s ears: “The martial world’s grievances breed endless disputes. How could I, a mere youth, wallow in such filth? To demand someone live in shame and humiliation—better to march boldly into the vast dust and fight! Fight!! FIGHT!!!”

“Utterly ignorant of heaven’s height and earth’s depth!” Sage Yichen roared in fury, bellowing: “Then let this old man test your true worth…”

Even as he spoke, Sage Yichen discarded all pretense of master’s decorum, striking without warning.

His speed rivaled lightning—arriving in the blink of an eye.

As Ye Kuang saw his opponent approaching, a withered aged hand shot toward him like a bolt, aimed directly at the spiritual essence in his grasp.

In that moment, he had no time for contemplation—he could only muster all his strength to counter.

A golden dragon claw silently bloomed, revealing an expanding dragon form that violently erupted from his right arm.

Twin Dragons Draw Water!

Though barely three feet apart, the space between them instantly transformed into interweaving golden-white halos, thundering with the sound of splitting skies.

CRACK-BOOM!!!

As the golden dragon iron fists entangled, another earth-shaking thunderclap followed immediately.

CRUNCH-SNAP!

Instantly, the collision’s shockwave swept through, their energies tearing through the surroundings like swords, shredding everything within reach.

Ye Kuang took the full impact, his entire body sent flying backward for dozens of yards.

When he landed on one knee, his whole frame visibly trembled like a sieve.

SPLUTTER!

With that spray of crimson, even this madman couldn’t avoid sudden clarity.

Though his power seemed to have risen like water lifting a boat, the gap between him and the Dao Inquiry Realm remained as vast as heaven and earth.

Meanwhile, Sage Yichen just regained his footing, his aged face contorted in ugliness—dark enough to be described as purplish-black.

Clearly, the sage couldn’t comprehend why what should have been an easy capture had turned into such a mess.

Little did he know, he wasn’t the only one shaken by fear.

In truth, all four present were stunned by that brief exchange.

But the Dao Inquiry Realm remained the Dao Inquiry Realm—hardly something ordinary people could challenge.

Thinking this, Sage Yichen couldn’t help but snarl in frustration: “You damned brat seeks death!”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang’s left hand tightened around the Udumbara, while his right clenched into a fist, veins bulging prominently.