The Divine Urban Physician Chapter 3744: The Wager (Part 2)

Hearing this, Ye Chen slowly rotated his head, noticing three men positioned behind him. The one who had initiated the conversation stood centrally; he was a youth with a horse-like visage and small eyes, idly fanning himself with a collapsible fan, his expression radiating an air of haughty arrogance as he regarded Ye Chen.

Flanking him were two men clad in blue attire, their countenances stern, each brandishing a weapon. A palpable aura of deadly intent emanated from them.

At this juncture, one of the blue-clad men, whose lips were a pronounced shade of purple and who held a sword casually, cast a look of disdain towards the horse-faced youth before remarking, "Young Master Deng, why dirty your hands by bickering with a mere frog from the bottom of a well?"

The other blue-clad subordinate, clutching a curiously shaped, gnarled wooden cudgel, his eyelids lowered, spoke in a similar detached tone, "Punk, the admission cost for the Cloud Clearing Master examination is hardly trivial. If you intend to squander your wealth, why not entrust it to my care instead?"

By this point, the unfolding scene had captured the attention of every passerby on the thoroughfare, drawing all eyes towards the confrontation.

Within Xu Shenglong’s eyes, a fierce killing intent ignited. Demonic energy surged violently around his form, his facial veins visibly distending as though he was on the verge of an unrestrained assault!

These three individuals actually dared to utter such insolent words towards Brother Ye!

This was, perhaps, the most unbearable slight Xu Shenglong had ever encountered in his entire existence!

Even without an inkling of the opponents' strength, Xu Shenglong was prepared to risk his life in combat!

He resolved that, come what may, he would ensure these provocateurs paid dearly for their impertinence!

However, just as he prepared to make his move, a hand was placed firmly upon his shoulder.

It was Ye Chen’s hand!

Instantly, the fiery anger within Xu Shenglong’s eyes subsided, and he stood respectfully immobile.

Despite his inner rage, as a sworn subordinate, Brother Ye’s command was paramount!

It was then that the onlookers surrounding them finally got a clear view of the trio's faces, erupting in gasps of astonishment: "It's Young Master Deng Shaofeng from the esteemed Deng family! He has also made his way to Xianying City. Could he possibly be here for the assessment?"

Another voice chimed in, "You might not be aware, but he's not merely here for the assessment. The Deng family itself is a renowned clan of Cloud Clearing Masters. Their comprehension of the Tongyuan Technique is exceptionally profound; practically every generation produces direct descendants who achieve considerable success in becoming Cloud Clearing Masters. And Young Master Deng Shaofeng, recognized as the most brilliant prodigy in the Cloud Clearing Sect lineage of the Deng family for the past millennium, is the one bearing the highest hopes of his clan!

This time, the Deng family intends for Young Master Deng to directly challenge the Intermediate Cloud Piercer qualification!"

The surrounding crowd drew in sharp, collective breaths!

Hardly anyone dared to directly attempt the Intermediate Cloud Piercer assessment. The Deng family's reputation as a preeminent Cloud Clearing clan was evidently well-deserved!

Someone else, observing the two individuals in blue, inquired in a hushed tone, "Those two in blue… could they possibly be disciples of Jiuqing Mountain?"

Upon hearing this, a fresh wave of shock rippled through everyone present!

The Deng family had actually enlisted the services of Jiuqing Mountain disciples to safeguard Deng Shaofeng? This certainly underscored the immense value the Deng family placed upon Deng Shaofeng!

While the Deng family commanded respect as a notable Cloud Clearing clan, they were not an overwhelmingly powerful entity. Their inherent strength was somewhat constrained, compelling them to seek assistance from Jiuqing Mountain for Deng Shaofeng's protection.

This Jiuqing Mountain was recognized as one of the dominant forces in the vicinity of Xianying City. It not only held sway over numerous commercial ventures within the city but also undertook various clandestine operations!

Every single disciple emerging from Jiuqing Mountain was a formidable expert, deeply versed in the ways of the slaughtering Dao!

Word had it that their ranks even included a fair number of cultivators at the Qiankun Realm!

And now, the Deng family had gone so far as to retain disciples from Jiuqing Mountain to attend to Deng Shaofeng's needs!

The proud expressions on the faces of the two blue-clad men became even more pronounced as they overheard the murmurs of the crowd.

As Deng Shaofeng absorbed the surrounding commentary, a smug smile graced his features. He fixed his gaze upon Ye Chen, his eyes brimming with utter disdain, and slowly declared, "Punk, do you now grasp the extent of my power?"

"Recant your earlier statement, offer me an apology, and then depart this city without delay. I shall generously spare your life! I truly never anticipated encountering someone from the Heavenly God Realm within this Dark Domain!"

Upon uttering these words, Deng Shaofeng erupted into boisterous laughter. He, who was poised to undertake the Intermediate assessment, had heard Ye Chen dismiss the Intermediate level as mere trash?!

There was absolutely no possibility he would let Ye Chen off the hook!

Of course, this often depended on the prevailing circumstances. When confronted by martial artists possessing superior power and influence compared to his own, Deng Shaofeng invariably adopted a posture of utmost courtesy and deference.

Yet, to the indifferent young man standing before him, Deng Shaofeng perceived him as nothing more than a piece of trash from the Heavenly God Realm. What reason was there to remain cautious?

While his own Cloud Clearing Technique boasted only a sixty percent success rate, even with some deviation, it shouldn't stray too far from the mark, should it?

In his estimation, this brat's cultivation level absolutely could not surpass the Holy Ancestor Realm!

At this crucial juncture, Ye Chen finally broke his silence. Gazing at Deng Shaofeng, he calmly proposed, "Since you harbor such strong doubts about my capabilities, why don't we engage in a wager?"

"A wager?" Deng Shaofeng knitted his brows. "What are we betting on?"

A flicker of audacity ignited in Ye Chen's eyes. "Let us wager on whether I can successfully pass the Advanced Cloud Clearing Master assessment."

A momentary hush fell over the assembled crowd at his declaration, quickly shattering into uproarious laughter that echoed through the heavens!

Laughter that sought to shake the very firmament!

What was this brat even saying?

Was he putting on a desperate act at a time like this?

Speaking of passing the Advanced Cloud Clearing Master assessment?

He must surely be lost in a dream!

Just then, a voice boomed, cutting through the mirth. "Could this be the young fellow I encountered at the Cloud Clearing Hall a few days prior?"

"You've encountered him before?"

The man chuckled heartily. "Encountered him? More than that. Back then, I distinctly overheard this brat boast that he was heading to the Cloud Clearing Hall to cultivate the Cloud Clearing Three Techniques! This was a mere ten days ago!"

Dumbfounded, everyone stared at Ye Chen, as if he were an utter simpleton!

Had this brat completely lost his mind? After merely ten days of dedicated cultivation, when he was practically guaranteed to fail even the Basic assessment, he now aspired to leap directly to the Advanced one?

This was undeniably the grandest jest unfolding beneath the heavens!

And the most critical point was, he intended to leverage this preposterous claim to challenge the esteemed Young Master Deng?

They had witnessed individuals seeking their own demise before, but never had they seen anyone court death with such ferocity!

Deng Shaofeng, who had been slightly hesitant moments before, felt a sharp glint enter his eyes upon hearing this. After a brief contemplation, he erupted into laughter. "Very well, brat. What shall be the stakes involved?"

This young man's mind must surely be addled, no? To have practiced the Cloud Clearing Three Techniques for merely ten days and already be dreaming of conquering the Advanced assessment?

Individuals like him likely harbored the misconception that their arrogance, cultivated outside the Dark Domain, would translate seamlessly within it, with everything proceeding as they envisioned? Heh, utterly naive!

Naturally, Deng Shaofeng had no intention of allowing such a readily available opportunity to slip through his grasp!

After all, the opposing party was practically guaranteed to lose, wasn't he?

Ye Chen's lips curved into a smile. "Were you not just emphasizing your fondness for demanding apologies? In that case, the loser shall perform a kowtow apology to the victor, and for a span of ten thousand years, shall be forbidden from setting foot within Xianying City. What say you?"

An involuntary gasp rippled through the onlookers at Ye Chen's audacious proposal!

A kowtow and an apology?

Was this not pushing the boundaries a trifle too far?

Within the Dark Domain, preserving one's 'face' was an even more paramount concern than in the Bright Territory!

Especially since, in this realm, others could not precisely ascertain one's cultivation level. Even with the Cloud Clearing Three Techniques, the accuracy was not infallible. Consequently, any display of vulnerability would instantly brand one as a weakling in the eyes of all!

Let alone the stipulation of remaining absent from Xianying City for ten millennia?

While the forfeiture of entry into Xianying City itself might not seem catastrophic, it effectively barred participation in the prestigious Cloud Clearing Master assessments!