My Monster-Derived Skills Are the True Power
Chapter 20: Xuanguang Sect Was Just the Bait

“The match will begin in fifteen minutes. Ticket checks will stop at that time.”

“Wolf Valley welcomes the arrival of Senior Gongsun Jie.”

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

As Gongsun Jie approached the valley with Zhong Wenhao and Zhu Zhirou, two fresh banners unfurled from the gates as if they had been prepared in advance.

Gongsun Jie froze on the spot.

What was going on?

He was still over three miles away from Wolf Valley. How could they have known he was coming so quickly?

His decision to leave Weining City had been spontaneous. With his lightness skill, it had taken him less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea to arrive, leaving even Cao Bin far behind.

Had he wrongly blamed Cao Bin? Did the Fun Seekers Club’s Li Ye truly possess supernatural abilities? Or perhaps the Fun Seekers Club harbored someone at the same half-step Grandmaster level as himself?

Staring at the descending banners, Gongsun Jie unconsciously clenched his fists. He sensed a conspiracy and suspected that this situation might be aimed squarely at Xuanguang Sect.

“Senior Gongsun, is something wrong?” Zhong Wenhao asked, confused by Gongsun Jie’s sudden halt.

“Nothing. Let’s go,” Gongsun Jie replied, shaking his head. His gaze turned resolute. Half-step Grandmaster or not, he had roamed the martial world for decades. Even Huai Yi, the Grand Elder of the Scarlet Flame Sect, did not scare him. He feared no one.

…

Ticket checking had already stopped, leaving many people stranded outside the valley. The crowd at the gates, mostly common folk, could only watch helplessly as the Wolf Valley guards blocked the entrance. Most of the nobility had already entered earlier, and the late arrivals were powerless against the armed guards.

Gongsun Jie cast a disdainful glance at the banners and sneered, “Such cheap theatrics.”

Just as he was about to force his way into Wolf Valley, a figure appeared before him, halting his advance in an instant.

Startled, Gongsun Jie took a step back. The speed of this person’s movement was nearly on par with his own. Could this be the ace in Wolf Valley’s sleeve?

He scrutinized Li Ye from head to toe. The man’s short hair gave him a sharp, clean-cut appearance, but his face was unfamiliar, and he looked absurdly young.

“Senior Gongsun, you’ve arrived right on time. Welcome, welcome.” Li Ye’s face broke into a bright, enthusiastic smile as though he were an old acquaintance of Gongsun Jie.

As his voice fell, countless gazes turned toward Gongsun Jie. The murmuring began:

“So, that’s Gongsun Jie?”

“A half-step Grandmaster? Doesn’t look all that impressive.”

“Those two young heroes with him, though—they’re pretty decent-looking.”

“But isn’t his entourage a bit too small? The Fun Seekers Club has eleven people on the field.”

Gongsun Jie’s face darkened. “Who are you?”

“I’m Li Ye, founder of the Fun Seekers Club, known across the martial world as ‘Li Ye’.” Li Ye cupped his fists in a gesture of respect. Then he glanced at Zhong Wenhao and Zhu Zhirou. “Wenhao, Zhirou, since you’ve escorted Senior Gongsun here, why don’t you head into the valley and wait? The match will start soon.”

Gongsun Jie turned sharply toward Zhong Wenhao and Zhu Zhirou.

The pair froze in shock, staring dumbfounded at Li Ye. They had never expected him to say such a thing.

What? Do we even know you? And you’re throwing such baseless accusations at us?

Noticing Gongsun Jie’s suspicious gaze, Zhong Wenhao felt a chill run down his spine. “Senior Gongsun, don’t listen to his nonsense! We’ve never even met him before!”

Zhu Zhirou’s eyebrows shot up. With a sharp clang, she drew her sword and pointed it at Li Ye. “Scoundrel! Stop trying to sow discord. We’re here to assist Senior Gongsun…”

“I never said you weren’t here to assist,” Li Ye said, feigning surprise as he looked at Zhu Zhirou. Shaking his head with a smile, he added, “But the match hasn’t started yet. Senior Gongsun and I need to discuss some matters about Xuanguang Sect, which you’re not privy to. It’s better if you go wait at the venue. Old Wang, escort the two young heroes to their seats.”

Wang Zhenghui, who was in charge of security, stepped forward with a smile. “This way, please.”

“Senior Gongsun!” Zhong Wenhao cried out, seeking help from Gongsun Jie.

“You scoundrel, let’s fight right here!” Zhu Zhirou shouted, her sword slashing toward Li Ye. “Who knows what traps you’ve laid in that valley! You won’t trick us!”

Clack!

Li Ye raised two fingers and caught Zhu Zhirou’s blade effortlessly. “Zhu Zhirou, once you’re in the arena, you’ll need to abide by the rules. If you keep making trouble, I’ll revoke your qualification to participate.”

Zhu Zhirou tried to pull her sword free, but it wouldn’t budge. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You… You…”

Throughout history, people only listen to reason when confronted with superior strength. Realizing that Li Ye’s martial arts might rival his own, Gongsun Jie calmed his restless heart. Narrowing his eyes, he said, “You’re quite skilled, young man. Go on, you two. Wait for me in the valley.”

“Senior Gongsun!” Zhong Wenhao was desperate. He hadn’t anticipated Li Ye’s strength and now found himself trapped. He didn’t dare attack again, fearing that Gongsun Jie might not support them, and any further misstep could provoke Li Ye’s wrath.

What troubled Zhong Wenhao even more was how their identities had been exposed. They had never met Li Ye before—how could he know so much about them?

“Go. I’ll see you on the battlefield,” Li Ye said as he released Zhu Zhirou’s sword. His face still carried a warm smile, but his voice turned cold, and his eyes were devoid of emotion. “I’ve prepared for this match for a long time. I won’t allow any mishaps.”

This chilling demeanor, honed through professional acting lessons, resembled that of a villain indifferent to life.

Li Ye’s oppressive aura locked onto Zhong Wenhao, and Zhu Zhirou froze in terror.

Glancing at Gongsun Jie and finding no help forthcoming, Zhu Zhirou’s eyes reddened. She bit back her tears and reluctantly turned to leave.

“Please, this way!” Wang Zhenghui urged again.

With a clenched jaw, Zhong Wenhao said, “Junior Sister, let’s go.”

Casting one last frightened glance at Li Ye, Zhu Zhirou shivered and quickly followed her senior brother. As they walked, regret filled her heart. She hadn’t realized how treacherous the martial world could be or how terrifying someone like Li Ye could be, with eyes that seemed to devour people.

…

Once they were gone, Gongsun Jie turned to Li Ye and asked, “Who is your master?”

“Gongsun Jie, didn’t Cao Bin tell you?” Li Ye’s grin widened. “I’m not from this world.”

“So, Cao Bin really has betrayed Xuanguang Sect,” Gongsun Jie growled, his fury erupting as his aura surged. His sharp gaze fixed on Li Ye. “Scoundrel, spare me your nonsense about higher civilizations. What is your true aim? Why are you targeting Xuanguang Sect?”

“Senior Gongsun, calm yourself,” Li Ye replied, his tone casual despite Gongsun Jie’s imposing presence. Listening to the commotion within the valley, he added with a smirk, “You’re not wrong—this is a conspiracy. And it’s not just aimed at Xuanguang Sect; it involves the Heavenly Dao Alliance as well. Do you really think Xuanguang Sect only has one traitor like Cao Bin?

“To be frank, we’ve been planning this grand move for a long time. Xuanguang Sect was merely the bait…”