Chapter 163

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Chapter 163: True Qi Release

This assessment had become unnecessary for Ye Yun. Upon reaching the Qi refining stage, he already far surpassed other disciples. He’d even diverted half of the Ninth-level pinnacle Divine Feather Vulture King’s heavenly tribulation during its transformation, emerging unscathed while gaining immense benefits.

Ye Yun could easily pass the inner disciple assessment now, his potential vastly exceeding others. If Zhen Huacheng and his followers still foolishly provoked him, their fate would be dire.

“Let’s descend the mountain,” Ye Yun said, turning to the two humans and the beast.

“Where? Let’s teach those fools a lesson! They think I’m weak after I’ve stayed low-key too long,” Duan Chenfeng brandished his blade eagerly.

“We’ve got enough tokens. No need for more conflict,” Yu Minghong countered.

Ye Yun studied them. Duan Chenfeng, though occasionally restrained, radiated innate arrogance. Yu Minghong puzzled him more—this junior brother had shifted from humble to impatient after the great tomb, then back to modesty lately. It felt like two souls shared one body, subtle but noticeable to the observant.

“Even with tokens, those weaklings lack the potential to become inner disciples. What if they scheme to disqualify us during the assessment?” Duan Chenfeng snorted, his royal upbringing making him wary of plots.

“Senior Brother Duan, are you doubting yourself? Our cultivation and potential guarantee success,” Yu Minghong declared, fists clenched.

“I’m confident, but hate surprises,” Duan Chenfeng retorted with a cold snort.

“Still sounds like doubt,” Yu Minghong shot back unexpectedly.

“Enough. Are such insects worth worrying about?” Ye Yun cut in, ending the argument.

He strode downhill without glancing back. The Divine Feather Vulture King’s golden feathers glinted in sunlight as it cast a mocking look at the pair.

“Damn feathery rat dares laugh at us?!” Duan Chenfeng bristled.

“Senior Brother, it’s a spirit beast!” Yu Minghong yanked him back.

Duan Chenfeng froze under the Vulture King’s icy glare, sweat drenching him.

Descending, disciples paled at the sight of Ye Yun’s majestic companion, scattering without a word. The token struggle was effectively over.

Reaching the entry point, Ye Yun stood motionless.

“We’re just… waiting now?” Duan Chenfeng grumbled.

“Craving a fight?” Ye Yun side-eyed him.

“Fine! But if fools bother me…” Duan Chenfeng planted his Breaking Sun Spear, itching to unleash his Qi refining power after recent humiliations.

Ye Yun sat cross-legged, ignoring him.

True qi condensation defined the Qi refining stage—a gradual process starting when spiritual power transformed into basic true qi. With the Divine Feather Vulture King guarding him, Ye Yun finally refined his energy properly.

Inside him, true qi surged like tidal waves, compressing into dense, explosive force. The Heart of Immortals and Demons had reshaped his body to store tenfold more qi than peers, its quality a hundred times superior.

Now, even fifth level Qi refining experts couldn’t withstand him. Combined with spiritual weapons like the Purple Shadow Sword, his true strength defied measurement.

Day faded into night. Ye Yun sat unflinching, honing his qi.

At dawn’s first light, his eyes snapped open. A tangible gleam shot from his gaze, piercing a distant tree trunk.

True qi release—from his eyes! The impossible made real.

Generally speaking, when one’s cultivation level reached the true qi stage, their physical body would be further nourished and refined by true qi, becoming stronger. True qi could also be released externally, but typically only those who attained the third level of Qi refining – where true qi completed a grand circulation within them – could give it offensive power.

Though Duan Chenfeng and others had previously managed true qi release, its potency was negligible. Yet the power contained in Ye Yun’s recent glare could cause both death and disappearance of the spirit for any disciple in the body refinement stage.

"How many days passed?" Ye Yun asked gently.

"Nine," Yu Minghong answered softly beside him.

Ye Yun studied him. "Only one day remains? Junior Brother Yu, you haven’t finished condensing true qi."

Yu Minghong replied, "Completed long ago. Took me half a day, unlike your three days."

Ye Yun nodded. "Final day approaches. Surprisingly no troublemakers emerged. Where’s Senior Brother Duan?"

Yu Minghong furrowed his brow. "Two days ago, Senior Brother Duan grew restless after condensing his qi. Went wandering."

"Still not returned?" Ye Yun’s eyebrow twitched.

Yu Minghong nodded silently.

Ye Yun sighed. Duan Chenfeng’s nature couldn’t endure stillness – inherently brash and impulsive, even his low-key moments couldn’t suppress his troublemaking spirit.

"Troublesome fellow." Ye Yun turned and patted the curled-up Divine Feather Vulture King.

"Who dares touch me? Seeking death?" The Vulture King jolted awake, roaring.

"Divine Feather, we’re finding Duan Chenfeng." Ye Yun commanded.

"Duan who? Not worth my flight for some Qi refining novice! Need my personal involvement at Tian Zhu Peak? Ridiculous!" The vulture scoffed.

It suddenly shrieked, the piercing cry echoing through dense woods and sky.

"What’s happening, Vulture King?" Yu Minghong inquired.

The beast glared. "Having young fellows investigate that novice Duan."

Sharp cries soon answered – urgent and shrill.

Fierce light flashed in the Vulture King’s eyes. "Annoyance. That insect’s surrounded."

"Take me." Cold glinted in Ye Yun’s eyes as he leapt astride the beast.

With a snort, the Vulture King soared skyward, wings spread wide.

Their keen vision soon spotted Duan Chenfeng encircled by three figures ten miles southeast. Ye Yun directed them behind a towering ancient tree instead of landing immediately.

Duan Chenfeng stood pale-faced, Breaking Sun Spear trembling as it pointed at a black robe disciple. Restless by nature, he’d wandered after half-day’s stillness post-qi condensation. Most disciples avoided provoking Ye Yun’s associate.

But he’d encountered three black robe disciples, including Zhen Huacheng – their past conflict unresolved.

Narrow-minded Zhen Huacheng, recently demoted from purple robe status, exploded when Duan Chenfeng mocked: "If it isn’t Senior Brother Zhen Huacheng, fallen from purple to black!"

Once revered purple robe disciple now humiliated before newcomers, Zhen struck instantly. Though Duan’s first level Qi refining cultivation couldn’t match Zhen’s power, he’d astonishingly held against two third-level attackers for hours before exhaustion set in.

"Keep pushing and I’ll shatter my life-saving talisman!" Duan gasped, spear wavering.

Zhen sneered. "Break it! Think talisman saves you? You’ll die regardless!"

"The hall of sect regulations won’t spare you!" Duan panted. "Demotion proves your influence gone. You rule nothing now!"

Murderous intent sharpened Zhen’s gaze – the demotion his unhealed wound. "Even sect regulators present wouldn’t save you today!"

He stepped forward, light and shadow coalescing into a bizarre weapon.

"How bold to disregard the hall itself!"