The Sleeping Dragon

He had expected Zhou Yuan to cower under his threats, but instead, he was met with contempt from the other party.

The realization that Zhou Yuan would not yield to his threats sent shockwaves through the courtyard, intensifying the already palpable tension in the air. 

The atmosphere grew heavy with the weight of their confrontation, as if the very essence of their conflict hung suspended in the silence.

"Hahahaha!!!!" Zhou Ling's laughter erupted through the courtyard, a bitter and mocking sound that reverberated off the walls. His rage had transformed into a twisted amusement, fueled by the unexpected turn of events. The tension in the air thickened, as if the atmosphere itself recoiled from his derisive laughter.

Zhou Ling's laughter reverberated through the courtyard, but his twisted amusement quickly transformed into an uncontrollable surge of rage. Fueled by wounded pride and caught off guard by Zhou Yuan's unexpected defiance, he impulsively lunged forward, launching a ferocious attack.

Zhou Jing'er was the first to react, exclaiming, "Zhou Ling, how dare you!" 

She moved to block his attack on Zhou Yuan, but was stopped by Zhou Yuan's reassuring voice. "Big Sister Jing'er, it's alright. Let me handle him," he said. Zhou Jing'er understood Zhou Yuan better than Zhou Ling and knew he wasn't one to act recklessly.

"Zhou Yuan, it's too late to regret it now," Zhou Ling sneered, becoming even fiercer as he aimed a direct punch at Zhou Yuan. He knew Zhou Yuan was unable to utilize his cultivation, so he infused his punch with his yellowish spiritual qi. He expected Zhou Yuan to be incapacitated for at least three months, unable to walk. However, what followed was beyond his expectations.

As Zhou Yuan's chest was about to be struck by his opponent's attack, Zhou Ling's figure suddenly recoiled and crashed into the courtyard walls. 

Crash!

"Uhh…"

This caused Zhou Ling to cough up a mouthful of blood and, before he could recover, an overwhelming pressure descended upon him, compelling him to kneel on the ground.

Zhou Ling's heart raced as he struggled to comprehend the situation. The intense pressure weighed heavily on him, making it difficult to breathe. Even the ground beneath him cracked apart. He glanced at his three companions, only to find that they were also brought to their knees by the overwhelming force.

Summoning his remaining strength, Zhou Ling managed to lift his gaze and lock eyes with the figure before him. The person revealed himself to be Zhou Yuan, his gaze filled with a chilling and murderous intent that sent shivers down Zhou Ling's spine.

"You... You want to kill me..." Zhou Ling was horrified, unable to believe what he was experiencing. He really thought Zhou Yuan was going to kill him. 

His grandfather had assured him that Zhou Yuan could no longer use his cultivation. Yet, here he was, forced onto his knees by the thin figure standing before him. He had never felt such humiliation in his life.

Before Zhou Yuan could react any further, a powerful force materialized right before his eyes. The fist, devoid of any spiritual qi, carried an overwhelming force that defied the laws of nature. Its sheer presence sent a shiver down Zhou Yuan's spine.

In an instant, the impact of the fist propelled Zhou Ling's body with such tremendous force that it shattered through the stone wall, leaving a gaping hole in its wake. The sound of the impact echoed through the courtyard, causing nearby onlookers to gasp in astonishment.

The courtyard fell into a stunned silence as Zhou Ling's companions and Zhou Jing'er stared in disbelief. While only a select few were aware of the exact details regarding the Extreme Yin Bone-Chilling Poison, the entire Zhou Clan knew that Zhou Yuan's body was afflicted by a mysterious poison, slowly eroding his strength.

This knowledge had led many to underestimate Zhou Yuan, assuming he was powerless. However, they had forgotten a crucial truth - A sleeping dragon should never be awakened. 

Unfortunately, Zhou Ling and his companions had just done exactly that. They had awakened the sleeping dragon within Zhou Yuan, unaware of the immense soul power that lay dormant within him.

"Zh…Zhou Yuan, how dare you strike Young Master Zhou Ling!" Zhou Qi, one of Zhou Ling's companions, stammered, attempting to intimidate Zhou Yuan. But his words held little effect.

Zhou Yuan paid little attention to Zhou Qi's threats. His focus was solely on Zhou Ling, ensuring that his injuries were not severe enough to cripple or kill him. 

In a few days, Zhou Ling would likely recover. Besides, the First Elder, wise and shrewd, would not take any action that jeopardized his own interests. At least, not for now…

"When Zhou Ling wakes up, tell him that I will take him on anytime." Zhou Yuan's voice was indifferent as he continued. "But if he tries anything foolish then don't blame me for being ruthless,"

Recognising that staying any longer would very certainly endanger their lives, the three troublemakers scooped up Zhou Ling and fled as fast as possible.

After successfully escorting his unwelcome guests out, Zhou Yuan turned his attention to the smiling young lady standing beside him. Feeling a bit uneasy, he scratched his head and mustered the courage to speak. "Big Sister Jing'er, calm down I can explain."

Zhou Jing'er, with a curious expression on her face, gazed at Zhou Yuan. Her voice was gentle as she responded, "Oh, Zhou Yuan, there's no need to explain."

Although her smile was captivating, there was a subtle undertone of danger that hinted at potential consequences causing Zhou Yuan's handsome face to stiffen. "Uh-oh, she upset!"