Meng Hao’s body stiffened. He stared intently at Wang Tengfei. In an instant, he felt the gaze of all the Outer Sect disciples fall upon him. The cultivators beside him also backed away, creating a wide berth, and the space around him became empty.
A feeling of loneliness flooded Meng Hao’s heart. It was as if the entire world had abandoned him; all because of a single sentence from Wang Tengfei, he had become an adversary to the world.
No one spoke. At this moment, all the Outer Sect disciples were looking at Meng Hao. Wang Tengfei’s reputation was too immense; his words still echoed in everyone’s minds.
A few people felt surprised, because the events of today had already spread widely, but in reality, quite a few people here had already predicted such an outcome.
Even the sect elders on the high platform did not leave; they merely lowered their heads and looked at Meng Hao.
“The sect’s rules state that what is seized belongs to the one who seized it!” Meng Hao gritted out each word. He knew these words were too weak in front of his opponent, and could even be used to counter-attack him, but Meng Hao still spoke.
Meng Hao also understood that he could directly take out the Jade Gourd and give it to Wang Tengfei, then cry and beg. In front of so many people, Wang Tengfei would not refuse; at most, he would be punished a little, but his cultivation might be preserved.
If he begged even more, even knelt down and kowtowed, admitting his mistake, disregarding all humiliation, and willingly enduring disgrace, today’s matter could be resolved.
But Meng Hao could not do such a thing. Call him foolish, call him stubborn, but he simply could not do it.
Even though he clearly knew the calamity he faced today, he still would not beg. He could not be humiliated, he could not allow himself to kneel. He simply could not!
He had backbone, he had integrity. In this world, life and death were the greatest matters, but there were times when a person had to rely on a heart full of noble righteousness to ensure this world would not break, and dignity could never be forsaken!
Therefore, he wanted to say these words! That was why he gritted out each word like that, unafraid of facing Wang Tengfei, who pressed down like a great mountain, unafraid of today’s calamity. He was unafraid of being pitted against the entire world, unafraid of being utterly alone… Yet, he still held his head high with dignity and spoke those words.
That was Meng Hao!
These few words seemed to condense all the strength in his body! So what if I die? So what if I, Meng Hao, don’t live to be seventeen? You can humiliate me, you can cripple my cultivation, but you will never see me yield, you will never be able to change my heart.
Because the surroundings were utterly silent, his voice was exceptionally clear, and revealed an indescribable loneliness. The bitterness in his words was something only Meng Hao understood. He clenched his hands tightly. Outsiders wouldn’t know, but Meng Hao was very clear: with Wang Tengfei’s words, he felt a deep impact that almost shattered him.
His body seemed to be crumbling, even his bones felt crushed. It was as if an invisible force wanted to press him to his knees. Meng Hao’s body trembled, but he still gritted his teeth and stood his ground, ignoring the pain radiating from his bones.
“The jade treasure is mine. I give it to whomever I wish, you cannot take it!” Wang Tengfei smiled faintly, but his words revealed his domineering nature and spread clearly throughout the surroundings. He smiled as he stepped forward, raised his right hand, and casually pointed a finger towards Meng Hao.
In an instant, the entire square was engulfed by surging winds and billowing clouds, a fierce gale whipping at everyone's robes. Meng Hao's body seemed to freeze, the surrounding aura transforming into an aura of death, binding him, making him utterly unable to move. But at this moment, a pale pink jade pendant flew out from Meng Hao's robes, hovering before him. The moment its pink light appeared, it enveloped Meng Hao's entire body.
Wang Tengfei still wore his gentle and friendly expression, still casually waved his hand, then nonchalantly lifted his foot, and his second step descended.
With a thud, the second strike landed, and the light barrier before Meng Hao twisted, flickering three times before vanishing. At the same time, the jade slip shattered, turning into powder that scattered in all directions. The jade slip that Senior Sister Xu had given him was now broken. Blood seeped from the corner of Meng Hao's mouth, the pressure on his body intensifying, yet he still gritted his teeth, trembling but standing firm, absolutely refusing to yield!
His eyes became utterly icy. His hands clenched even tighter, his fingernails digging deep into his flesh.
Wang Tengfei remained unchanged, smiling gently. He took a third step, instantly appearing before Meng Hao. He struck with his third finger, and a gust of fierce wind swept past Meng Hao's body, like an invisible hand tearing his clothes, revealing the Jade Gourd on his chest. The gourd was pulled out by that invisible hand, directly leaving Meng Hao and appearing in Wang Tengfei's grasp.
Meng Hao's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. His body trembled incessantly, yet he still couldn't move. Watching the gourd being so easily taken, his eyes were streaked with blood. His hands clenched tightly; he could no longer feel the pain of his fingernails digging into his flesh, as fresh blood flowed from between his fingers, dripping onto the ground.
"I will cripple your cultivation, break your limbs, and expel you from the sect!"
Wang Tengfei still smiled, his gentle voice echoing. He pointed a finger at Meng Hao.
Meng Hao stared coldly at Wang Tengfei. From beginning to end, he had only spoken one sentence. Even now, he uttered no second word, nor did he roar or shout; he was merely utterly, terrifyingly silent. Only the blood vessels in his eyes grew thicker, and his tightly clenched hands had caused his fingernails to almost detach, digging deep into his flesh, a bloody mess.
All around, silence still reigned. Everyone watched, their gazes filled with mockery. The world seemed to separate from Meng Hao, leaving him to stand in solitude, facing the heavens and earth alone.
Yet he still refused to yield. What was suffering to him?
As Wang Tengfei's finger was about to descend, in a flash, a sigh echoed from an unknown mountain. At the same time, a gentle force suddenly appeared before Meng Hao, blocking the strike intended to cripple his cultivation.
With a soft thud, Wang Tengfei flicked his sleeve and turned to look in a certain direction. There stood an old man in a gray robe, with brown birthmarks on his face. He didn't exude an imposing aura, yet his body was exceptionally tall. This was the very person who had twice shown appreciation for Meng Hao.
"You've already taken the jade treasure. Let this matter go; there's no need to be so ruthless!"
The old man frowned, his gaze falling upon the silent Meng Hao. He also noticed Meng Hao's bloody hands, then sighed inwardly and looked at Wang Tengfei.
"If Grand Elder Ouyang intervenes, this junior must, of course, show you some respect!"
Wang Tengfei smiled, his expression indifferent. From beginning to end, he had only spoken two sentences to Meng Hao. Now, he turned and departed. Under the sun, his figure drifted gracefully, revealing a perfect demeanor. To him, Meng Hao was less than an ant; by this moment, he had already forgotten Meng Hao's name.