"It really is the Sacred Source Stone—and of such an enormous size!"
Su Lingyuan couldn't help but cry out in shock.
In that very instant, even she couldn't stop the murderous thought of killing for the treasure from surfacing in her heart.
With a Sacred Source Stone of this magnitude, although it would not allow her to perfect her Sacred Body to the flawless level of Chu Ge's, it would be no problem at all to amplify her own origin by several times, even tenfold!
This was an object enough to drive all factions and young elites to fight over it with their lives on the line!
Though she was usually innocent, romantic, and somewhat air-headed, when it came to her own Dao path, she became exceptionally serious. When necessary, she was also capable of ruthless methods.
"Chu Ge, well? Even though you possess a flawless Sacred Body, such a Sacred Source Stone would still be of immense use to you, wouldn't it?"
Su Lingyuan's exclamation and the envy in the other disciples' gazes made Ye Chen feel exceptionally pleased. At last, he had somewhat recovered his dignity in front of Chu Ge.
As for the consequences of revealing such a priceless treasure, he had already considered them.
For a short period of time—at least before the grand competition—there would be no major danger.
In the remaining month, he had no intention of leaving.
With the stature of the Taihuang Sacred Land, it would not stoop so low as to shamelessly snatch a priceless treasure from one of its own disciples.
Moreover, this item was already being used as the stake in a gamble with Chu Ge. If someone dared to seize it in secret, they would inevitably provoke Luo Huangjun behind Chu Ge—consequences not just anyone could bear.
As for what happened after that, he could no longer afford to think so far ahead.
If he lost, everything would be over.
If he won, the hidden dragon would emerge from the abyss!
"Junior Brother Ye truly possesses deep karmic fortune. It makes this senior brother genuinely envious."
"This wager—I accept."
Chu Ge did not hesitate in the slightest and agreed on the spot.
"It's a deal!"
Ye Chen replied in a deep voice, his eyes burning with blazing battle intent.
In the next month, he would exert himself a thousand, ten thousand times harder to improve his strength.
At the thought of personally defeating the lofty, high-above-all Chu Ge on the arena in the future, he couldn't help but tremble with excitement!
'Chu Ge, you are destined to be my defeated opponent! Just wait— that day will come very soon! What belongs to me, I will take back every last bit of it!'
"Since that is so, then I'll have to trouble Junior Brother Ye to safeguard this Sacred Source Stone for me during the next month."
"If it is lost by accident, the consequences… will be very hard to bear."
A gentle smile rested on Chu Ge's face, warm and pleasant—yet his words were incomparably arrogant.
He casually patted Ye Chen on the shoulder.
"Junior Brother Ye being willing to present such a supreme treasure to this senior brother makes me very happy. However, your attitude displeases me greatly."
"Remember this: I am the Holy Lord's personal disciple, while you are merely an inner disciple. When outside, mind the hierarchy—do not confuse seniority. Next time, remember to address me as Senior Brother."
As the two brushed past each other, Chu Ge's words entered Ye Chen's ears with perfect clarity, instantly darkening his expression.
Before he could erupt, an overwhelming momentum surged toward him!
Ye Chen's footing faltered—his knees went weak in an instant!
With a loud boom, he collapsed to the ground on his knees without the slightest resistance!
Crack!
Even the stone slabs beneath him split under the force of that kneel, spiderweb-like fissures spreading with sharp cracking sounds!
With long strides and a graceful beauty at his side, Chu Ge departed casually into the distance.
Left behind was Ye Chen, his knees smashed bloody.
'Chu Ge! Chu Ge! Chu Ge! To think you would humiliate me again… and again… and again!'
Ye Chen roared madly within his heart!
This was a humiliation from Chu Ge—an assault both verbal and physical.
'This bastard—why has he become this strong?! Just with his momentum alone, I couldn't even resist!'
'One month from now at the grand competition… can I truly defeat him?'
Utterly humiliated, Ye Chen's hatred and killing intent toward Chu Ge had already surged to the extreme!
Yet even at the verge of losing control, he still couldn't stop a trace of fear toward Chu Ge from taking root in his heart.
Last time, under the impact of Chu Ge's Sacred Body origin, he had been like a lone boat in the vast sea—utterly unable to resist.
This time, under the suppression of Chu Ge's sheer momentum, he was again powerless to struggle!
The battle intent that had only just ignited in Ye Chen's heart had now all but completely dissipated.