Chapter 712

Chapter 712: The Shattering Statement

As the ocean of flames expanded, the starlight enveloped by the fire gradually dimmed until it vanished completely. Ye Yun withdrew the Fire Spirit Qi with perfect timing and smiled, “Well? Do you admit defeat?”

“Fine, you win this round!” Shui Lingling grumbled, gathering the scattered star power around her body to barely restore thirty percent of her strength. “But are you truly a wandering cultivator? Even the elders of the Immortal Dao Sect would hesitate to act so extravagantly!”

“Does this small amount of Immortal Spirit Stone pain you so much?” Ye Yun remarked casually, glancing at her.

Shui Lingling’s face flushed crimson. A sly gleam flickered in her eyes as she retorted, “You should ask around the Immortal Dao Sect who the most favored disciple is—aside from my elder brother Pei Yunshan!”

“Don’t tell me it’s you?” Ye Yun feigned shock, eyeing her pompous stance.

“What’s that look for? Ling’er is the youngest expert in the Earth Immortal realm!” Shui Lingling waved her fist menacingly. “Next time we meet, I’ll reclaim my honor! You’d better prepare thoroughly, or you won’t even know how you lose!”

“Earth Immortal realm? You’re still at the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage—just a hair’s breadth away from the Earth Immortal realm,” Ye Yun teased.

“You’re blind! I transcended mortals days ago and became an Earth Immortal Saint! Kneel at once! How dare you not bow before a Saint?” Shui Lingling shouted, hands planted on her hips.

Ye Yun chuckled. “So this is the Earth Immortal realm’s strength? I overestimated it. Seems I can rival early-stage Earth Immortal experts after all.”

Shui Lingling fumed. “When I’m free, I’ll unleash my full power and show you the true might of the Earth Immortal realm!”

“I’ll wait eagerly.” Ye Yun tossed her a cluster of Immortal spirit energy. “But restore your aura first. You can’t beat me now. Not cute at all.”

Shui Lingling glared. “You don’t know the difference between beauty and cuteness! I’m eighteen—youthful and radiant!”

“That’s why you’re cute. Your logic is flawed,” Ye Yun said gently.

Shui Lingling gaped at the Immortal spirit energy in her hands. “Ye Yun, do you realize this equals five hundred top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones? You’re just giving it away?”

“If Elder Ling’er doesn’t want it, return it to me.” Ye Yun stepped closer and tousled her hair, sensing traces of star power in its strands.

Shui Lingling ignored him, immediately absorbing the spiritual energy.

“Elder Ling’er, you’re still short—must be growing. Eat more Immortal Spirit Stones,” Ye Yun joked.

“I’ll grow taller after twenty! Sister said I’ll be taller than you!” Shui Lingling huffed.

Ye Yun sighed.

“Ancestor of the Sword Path, are all innate spiritual bodies this…adorably clueless?” Ye Yun asked, amused by her antics.

“Don’t judge hastily. The Immortal Dao Sect spoiled her rotten, shielding her from worldly matters. No wonder her cultivation soared,” the Ancestor of the Sword Path replied, secretly envying such a disciple.

“Worrying about the Immortal Dao Sect’s future. What if she becomes sect leader?” Ye Yun muttered wryly.

“Unlikely. Despite her social clumsiness, her talent should earn her the title of Senior Sister. Yet she mentioned an elder brother—proof the sect has another prodigy,” the Ancestor countered.

“Maybe another innate spiritual body. Wouldn’t that be something?” Ye Yun shrugged, eyeing the two girls—one with a Stellar Body, the other a Nine Yin Body. Rare innate spiritual bodies, yet here they were, a testament to the top sect’s prowess.

“Sister, I’m rested. Let’s go.” Shui Lingling’s eyes now glowed pure gold, exuding an ancient grace.

Ye Yun mused, “This world judges by appearances. Without knowing her, I’d mistake her for a refined lady.”

“Hey! Were you mocking me just now?” Shui Lingling demanded.

“Obviously. Thought you missed it,” Ye Yun smirked.

“Enough bickering. We must cross the Wuding River first. Save your rivalry for later,” Shui Yingying interjected. Unlike her sister, she noted Ye Yun’s calm demeanor and equal treatment of them.

“No wonder. At the Fourth Level of the Nascent Soul stage, he rivals Ling’er’s Starry Sky Illusion. He’s no less remarkable than that man who once severed a rainbow with one sword, coldly overlooking countless demons.”

The scene stirred a tidal wave of emotions in Shui Yingying whenever she recalled it. Yet she wondered if it was her imagination – that man’s eyes had been unsettlingly murky. Were it not for his usual magnanimous demeanor, she might’ve mistaken him for a villain.

But knowing her younger sister harbored secret affections for him, Shui Yingying couldn’t share her misgivings with Shui Lingling. After all, these were mere suspicions, and given his status, he likely wouldn’t pay attention to her sister’s capricious nature anyway.

Time would reveal this elder brother’s true nature. She desperately hoped the hidden filth in his gaze didn’t reflect his true character.

"Pei Yunshan, what manner of heart beats within you?" Shui Yingying murmured to the distant horizon.

"The Wuding River? What’s that?" Ye Yun inquired curiously.

"A great river that suppresses all spiritual energy and true qi upon entry," Shui Yingying explained. "Only physical strength remains usable there."

"The sect leader said it’s governed by rules set by a Heavenly Immortal," Shui Lingling interjected. "Specifically targeting those below the Earth Immortal realm. Nascent Soul stage cultivators become practically helpless there – the river denies advantages to weaker practitioners."

Shui Lingling giggled at Ye Yun’s puzzled expression. The restriction seemed almost personally aimed at him, though she’d witnessed his surprising capabilities during their travels. In a true life-and-death struggle between them, his unpredictable methods might even challenge her Earth Immortal realm advantage.

Though confident she could inflict crippling injuries, Ye Yun’s stubborn pride wouldn’t accept shelter behind others. "Truly troublesome for someone like me," Ye Yun conceded ruefully, recognizing the Heavenly Immortal’s protective intent. Surviving the river’s trial could potentially harmonize his physical body with his spiritual energies.

"Just stay behind us like a good boy," Shui Lingling teased, standing on tiptoes to pat his head. "Fourth Level Nascent Soul should follow Seventh Level Nascent Soul and First Level Earth Immortal, no?"

"Cheeky brat," Ye Yun swatted her hand away. "I’ll lead when I outgrow you. Let me test these waters first – you’ve only heard tales of the Wuding River, never experienced it."

His confidence stemmed from knowing his Nascent Soul stage differed from ordinary cultivators – he’d previously contended with early Earth Immortal realm experts.

Observing their banter, Shui Yingying relaxed. Ye Yun’s clear eyes held mischief but none of Pei Yunshan’s hidden darkness.

"Ancestor of the Sword Path," Ye Yun inquired mentally, "what know you of the Wuding River’s restrictions?"

"Recall how you manipulated that floating stone," the ancient consciousness replied. "The little girl’s Insight-level mental power failed where your perfected mastery succeeded. Now imagine relics from Broken Space – celestial remnants beyond mortal comprehension."

"Demonic artifacts could dominate the weak-willed," the ancestor warned. "Hence the Heavenly Immortal’s restrictions. The river likely guards the only safe path to Broken Space."

Ye Yun’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. "To witness celestial power firsthand…"

His thoughts drifted to Du Jianyin. Had those earlier confrontations stalled his rival’s progress? Memories surfaced of wielding the Purple Shadow Divine Sword’s murderous intent – terrifying yet intoxicating, that world-shaping power…

"Ye Yun!" Shui Lingling’s voice snapped him back. "They say spatial law masters are cunning tricksters. Can you really teleport?"

"For modest distances," Ye Yun grinned. "Call me ‘Big Brother Ye Yun’ and I’ll demonstrate."

"Dream on!" she retorted. "You’re barely older! Though…" Mischief glinted in her eyes. "Perhaps Yingying could call you that instead?"

"Such behavior ill suits the Immortal Dao Sect’s extraordinary genius," Ye Yun chuckled.

"Genius?" Shui Lingling wrinkled her nose. "With sufficient lifespan, cultivation speed matters little. True strength isn’t measured by realm alone." Her gaze flicked meaningfully at Ye Yun – this Fourth Level Nascent Soul practitioner had matched her Earth Immortal realm techniques without revealing his full capabilities.

As they bantered, the trio continued toward their fateful trial at the Wuding River.