Chapter 178
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Chapter 178: Collision of Fighting Spirit
A sharp glimmer lit Murong Wuhen’s frost-covered eyes as his aura shifted violently. If he had once been an unsheathed Long Knife, he was now a Divine Sword soaring skyward, able to split mountains and shatter peaks.
His presence towered, murderous intent thickening the air.
At this moment, nothing could stand in his path—Ye Yun was already a dead man in his eyes.
Elder Lan and the others inhaled sharply. The aura radiating from Murong Wuhen eclipsed their own. Though all were at the pinnacle of the Qi refining stage, their power paled against his.
If Murong Wuhen reached the Foundation Establishment stage, his refined soul could manifest this crushing aura into devastating force. Even now, the pressure left Elder Lan and the others breathless.
Murong Wuhen’s true cultivation shocked them all.
He strode toward Ye Yun, each step a drumbeat pounding hearts into submission. Even Elder Lan’s resolve wavered, while weaker disciples staggered back.
Yu Minghong and Duan Chenfeng stood firm, faces flushed and sweat-drenched. Retreating meant abandoning Ye Yun—and inviting worse fates if he fell.
Yet amid the oppressive rhythm, Ye Yun stood relaxed, hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips.
“Brother Wuhen,” Ye Yun said, tone casual, “you’ll soon grasp the Foundation Establishment stage—perhaps faster than your brother Murong Wuqing. Maybe you’re the Heavenly Sword Sect’s greatest genius in a millennium.”
His ordinary voice shattered the suffocating aura like mist under sunlight. Murong Wuhen’s raised foot faltered, his control crumbling.
Elder Lan and Chunyu Yan exchanged stunned glances. They’d barely endured that pressure, yet Ye Yun dispersed it with mere words.
What cultivation level did Ye Yun possess?
Elder Lan recalled Ye Yun’s defiance after the trial. Back then, he’d dismissed the youth as reckless for challenging him after slaying Zhen Huacheng and Zhong Ying. Now, he wondered if Ye Yun truly had the power to oppose him.
Elder Mu trembled, cold sweat drenching his robes. Murong Wuhen’s aura had strained him, yet Ye Yun shattered it effortlessly. Such Soul Willpower explained why Peak Master Su Hao of Shadowless Peak had sought him—and why Ye Yun dared refuse.
Elder Mu cursed his own folly. Aligning with either genius was perilous, but he’d already tied himself to Murong Wuhen.
“Ye Yun!” Elder Mu’s voice shook. “You know Wuhen’s brother, yet still act so arrogantly?”
Ye Yun shot him a pitying glance. An elder groveling before a disciple was pathetic.
He dismissed Elder Mu entirely. The man was a mere nuisance. The true challenge was Murong Wuhen—worthy of being called an inner disciple assessment.
“My brother’s name insults me when spoken by others.” Murong Wuhen’s gaze stabbed at Elder Mu. “Choose words wisely. Wrong ones kill faster than bad food.”
Elder Mu stiffened, face purpling. “I… understand, Wuhen.”
Gasps erupted. Murong Wuhen had treated the Shadowless Peak elder like a servant. Unthinkable—yet undeniable.
“Brother Wuhen, that was rather inappropriate. Elder Mu is still the main examiner of this assessment; you should at least show some respect,” Ye Yun chuckled and shook his head.
“Silence!” Elder Mu roared angrily, glaring daggers at Ye Yun yet not daring to speak further.
“Come, Ye Yun. We’ll settle this at Martial Hall’s square. Or rather, I’ll kill you there. Remember to stay humble in your next life – it helps longevity.” Murong Wuhen spoke with detached calm before walking out of the hall.
Had any ordinary disciple uttered such words, they’d have become a laughingstock. Ye Yun would’ve dismissed it with a smile unless truly provoked, which he could resolve in an instant.
But Murong Wuhen’s challenge changed everything. Refusing would plant Mental Demons in Ye Yun’s cultivation path, disastrous for future advancement.
Cultivation begins with Heart Calming. Without inner peace, every breakthrough risked Mental Demon invasions – perilous indeed.
Murong Wuhen walked slowly from the testing hall to Martial Hall’s open square.
A flicker of gravity crossed Ye Yun’s brow before his expression smoothed. He felt no fear. Though Murong Wuhen’s aura pressed fiercely with formidable Soul Willpower, Ye Yun’s own spiritual resolve stood equally unyielding.
Murong Wuhen remained at the pinnacle of Qi refining stage. Yet Ye Yun had not only condensed true qi but also mastered Elder Seven’s Celestial Technique – Ice Sealing a Thousand Miles. He could handle any Qi refining opponent.
“Don’t be rash!” Duan Chenfeng urgently warned. “His cultivation’s manageable, but he surely wields superior spiritual weapons and Celestial Techniques!”
Elder Lan nodded, murderous glint flashing toward Elder Mu. “I’ll petition the Higher-ups. Tian Zhu Peak answers to Shadowless Peak, but we’re no stray mutts to be kicked!”
“Murong Wuqing isn’t ordinary. Exercise caution,” Grand Elder Chunyu Yan frowned deeply.
Elder Mu watched Ye Yun with mocking eyes, silently daring him to accept.
Yu Minghong stepped forward. “If Brother Ye avoids this duel, Mental Demons may haunt him.”
“Demons can wait! Survival comes first!” Duan Chenfeng snapped.
“Murong Wuhen’s strength is exceptional,” Elder Lan fretted. “I might not withstand him myself.”
Ye Yun smiled at them. “As Elder said – though small, Tian Zhu Peak won’t tolerate provocation. Challengers must pay the price.”
“Ye Yun-” Duan Chenfeng grabbed his arm.
“Where’s my bold senior brother? Cultivation demands fearless advancement! Worrying ill suits us. Do you doubt my spiritual weapons? Or my Divine Thunder Annihilation’s might?” Ye Yun laughed, shaking free to stride outside.
The elders exchanged glances before following with resigned sighs.
“Not entirely worthless, I see. Mediocre cultivation, but passable courage.” Murong Wuhen stood with hands clasped behind his back, facing away from Ye Yun in the square.
“You judge right, Brother Wuhen. But perhaps overestimate yourself.” Ye Yun smiled, stopping ten zhang away.
Murong Wuhen turned slowly, cold fury replaced by intrigued appraisal. “I’d planned to groom you for greatness. Since you defy me… your life ends today.”
“Must you always lecture before fighting, Brother Wuhen?” Ye Yun grinned.
The noble’s eyes narrowed to slits. “One move. Survive it, and we’ll postpone our feud. You’ll even pass as inner disciple.”
“Still overestimating yourself, Brother Wuhen!” Ye Yun retorted, robes snapping in the wind as he mirrored the challenger’s stance.
