Chapter 698

Chapter 698: Testing? Sparring?

"Brother Ye Yun, how about we exchange a few moves?" In the martial arena, Yao Hongchen suddenly smiled as Wan Sha and Qiu Xiao watched from the side.

"Excellent! I’ve been wanting to gauge Sister Hongchen’s true capabilities." Ye Yun nodded. True qi erupted within him, instantly suppressing the surroundings with overwhelming pressure. Qiu Xiao and Wan Sha bent under the crushing force, exchanging bitter smiles.

"So this is Ye Yun’s power? Truly monstrous. If he’s truly at the Golden Core stage, that would defy all reason." Yao Hongchen’s final doubts vanished as Fire Spirit Qi surged through her meridians, preparing for direct confrontation.

"I wonder how this clash will unfold." The Qianshou Ding in her palm resonated with the phantom roars of nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine beasts, their collective fury forming palpable pressure. Ye Yun observed intently, his focus mirroring her own.

"Ancestor, what do you make of this cauldron?" Ye Yun silently consulted the Ancestor of the Sword Path while studying the shifting beast patterns.

"Troublesome. This supreme Immortal artifact evolved from ordinary origins, tempered by countless beast souls into perfection. Without exploiting its connection to your Spatial Dragon Soul lineage, breaching it below the Nascent Soul stage would require your Born as a Sword technique merged with the Sea of Heavenly Fire – and even then, prolonged assault." The Ancestor paused before adding, "But remember – their Spatial Dragon Soul shares your heritage. Find that weakness."

Ye Yun acknowledged internally. Defensive supreme Immortal artifacts were inherently challenging, especially this pinnacle example. His Sea of Heavenly Fire could theoretically erode it over time, but the Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique’s limitations left his Fire Spirit Qi regeneration insufficient for sustained assault.

Yet options remained. Under full moonlight, channeling the Sun and Moon Dual Souls through the Mysterious Crescent Blade with Born as a Sword could slice through any supreme artifact except those of equal tier. But such methods couldn’t be revealed here. For now, the Purple Shadow Divine Sword would suffice.

*Clang!*

A metallic chorus rang out as dozens of sword arcs sliced through air, each trailing razor-edged gales toward the Qianshou Ding. The cauldron trembled momentarily before Yao Hongchen’s chants animated its beastly engravings, sending spectral predators lunging at Ye Yun.

"Born as a Sword!" Matching her seriousness, Ye Yun’s blade screamed through the air. As techniques collocated, the Ancestor’s soul power struck Yao Hongchen’s sea of consciousness like a hidden dagger, causing brief disorientation.

Seizing the opening, Ye Yun’s spiritual power coalesced into a thunder-charged fist strike that boomed across the arena.

*Boom!*

Yao Hongchen’s hastily summoned defenses cracked under the impact. She staggered back, crimson staining her lips as war hammer-like force reverberated through her torso.

"Can Sister Hongchen withstand such greetings?" Ye Yun chuckled, observing her struggle.

Bloodlust flickered in Yao Hongchen’s eyes before being forcibly restrained. "Brother Ye’s strike would have slain lesser cultivators," she managed through a strained smile.

"Your Qianshou Ding deserves praise – my swordplay left no mark." Ye Yun inclined his head toward the undamaged cauldron.

Swallowing a recovery pill with difficulty, Yao Hongchen bowed slightly. "Duty calls. Let us drink later."

"Until then!" Ye Yun watched her retreat. The Seventh Level Nascent Soul’s pill-forged cultivation couldn’t properly harness true qi – had she not blocked with the Qianshou Ding, that Thunder Spirit Qi-infused punch would have crippled her. Yet killing the Medicine King Alliance’s leader now would jeopardize his Spatial Dragon Soul plans.

"Senior’s strike could have slain me outright," Qiu Xiao marveled from below the arena.

Wan Sha remained silent, bitter realization dawning. The youth he’d once thought to murder for soul power now stood beyond reach – even Yao Hongchen’s grand scheme involving hundreds of thousands of top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones had proven fraudulent. The gulf between them yawned like an abyss.

"Ah, if only my path could be like Ye Yun’s. Could I ever hope to reach the Earth Immortal realm? What a pipe dream." Wan Sha silently watched Ye Yun depart calmly after defeating Yao Hongchen, his heart filled with complex emotions.

He couldn’t determine whether this feeling was jealousy or not, but one thing remained clear – he deeply respected Ye Yun’s strength. Though he didn’t fully understand the reason, Wan Sha knew Ye Yun’s power demanded reverence.

"You might glimpse some aspects of the Ancestor’s cultivation level. But if you truly want to break through soon, you should start fresh with more modest goals." Qiu Xiao’s sudden interruption startled Wan Sha from his thoughts. The former enemies locked eyes before Wan Sha sighed heavily.

"If I truly envied the Ancestor, I wouldn’t act like this. The problem is I can’t tell whether admiration or jealousy holds greater sway in my heart." Wan Sha’s shoulders slumped as he spoke.

"Then pull yourself together! Who do you think wants to see this pitiful display? You look like a kicked dog!" Instead of comfort, Qiu Xiao delivered harsh criticism, his eyes blazing.

"You…" Confusion flashed across Wan Sha’s face before giving way to reluctant gratitude. "Why bother? Yesterday we were sworn enemies."

"Stop acting like a child! We shared drinks and laughter – doesn’t that make us comrades?" Qiu Xiao’s theatrical glare softened as he saw Wan Sha’s expression change. "Focus on surpassing me first before dreaming of reaching the Ancestor’s level!"

"Bold words from someone relying on the Xumi Treasure’s third layer advantages!" Wan Sha shot back, though his anger lacked conviction.

"Then let’s fight fair and square!" With matching grins, the two men strode toward the martial arena, their rivalry transformed into friendly competition.

Elsewhere, Ye Yun stood motionless amidst swirling thoughts.

"Two options remain," rumbled the Ancestor of the Sword Path. "Strike while Yao Hongchen’s vulnerable, or wait until the World Tree’s treasury opens. Force her to reveal the Spatial Dragon Soul before destroying her sea of consciousness."

Ye Yun’s wry smile held little humor. "Must every plan involve murder? Can’t we try diplomacy first?"

"Spare me your naivety," the Ancestor retorted. "That woman’s ambition could be your undoing."

"Are these truly our only paths?" All levity vanished from Ye Yun’s voice.

"Choose quickly – strike now or during the World Tree expedition. Either way, that Dragon Soul will be ours when I shatter her mind." The Ancestor’s spectral form shimmered with impatience.

"I’ll gauge her intentions when we reach the third layer. No provocation, no action." Ye Yun’s calm declaration silenced further arguments. The Ancestor knew better than to challenge his host’s final decisions.

"Have it your way. But when she strikes – and she will – show no mercy." The ancient spirit’s warning hung heavy as they observed cottony clouds drifting across azure skies.

"Two days until the World Tree opens," Ye Yun murmured. "This canyon will soon swarm with cultivators. Even those… particular individuals might appear."

"Speaking of peculiar…" The Ancestor’s attention shifted to a massive boulder. "Using random rocks for Dragon Soul housing? Even you wouldn’t attempt such amateurish alchemy."

"Temporary measure at best," Ye Yun deduced. "The failed experiment proves the Dragon Soul rejected its stony prison. They’ve likely separated by now."

"Then it’s still safely trapped in the Qianshou Ding!" The Ancestor recalled Yao Hongchen’s ritual – the swirling beast illusions and unmistakable draconic aura emanating from her cauldron. He’d been too focused on mental assaults to properly investigate then, but the memory now brought clarity.

"Regardless, the World Tree’s treasures offer ample alternatives." Ye Yun closed his eyes as solar and lunar energies pulsed within him. He carefully channeled true qi through his Sun and Moon Dual Souls, preserving their nascent power.

"Patience. You’ll soon grasp their full potential," the Ancestor encouraged, watching the meticulous energy manipulation.

"By refining these souls, my body should strengthen enough to balance energies and breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage." Anticipation colored Ye Yun’s voice. A flickering flame materialized above his palm before vanishing with a snap – replaced by snowflakes spiraling through residual spatial distortions.

"Clever misdirection," the Ancestor approved. "Using spatial laws to mask Ice Spirit Qi traces while Fire Spirit Qi commands attention. Few could blend elemental laws so seamlessly."

"Yet my Ice Spirit Divine Palm stagnates." Ye Yun frowned, recalling his fruitless search for supreme Immortal artifacts in the Extreme Northern Frost Land. Even the True Roaring Four-Tailed Flower’s boost paled against his growing Fire and spatial prowess.

His focus shifted to Thunder Spirit Qi. Mastery required advancing the Thundercloud Lightning Sword to its Fourth Level – the Sword of the Thunder God. No more crude lightning bolts, but pure natural fury shaped by sword will. Once achieved, this power could rival even the Fire Dragon Whip’s ultimate technique, the Sea of Heavenly Fire. Where the latter slowly incinerated opponents, his thunder would strike with instant, catastrophic force.

But lightning’s wild strength demanded caution. Unlike other spiritual powers, failure meant no mere qi deviation – Thunder Spirit Qi backlash could trigger heavenly tribulation within fragile meridians. Even Ye Yun’s enhanced physique might not survive such internal storms.