Chapter 183
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Chapter 183: Ambush
Dense crimson slender needles shot from the blood blossoms, completely enveloping Duan Chenfeng.
This sudden shift stunned everyone. The apex level eight beast revealed its true terror in this moment.
Ordinary attacks never formed the Ice Snow Scorpion Lion’s main strategy – this sky-filling blood-red needle storm represented its deadliest assault.
Duan Chenfeng had mistaken the crimson petals for blood from a wounded beast. In truth, the scarlet fluid merely accompanied the creature’s scorpion tail spike attack, not actual injury.
How could an elite level eight beast be instantly killed by someone of Duan Chenfeng’s cultivation level?
Blinded by triumph, Duan Chenfeng failed to realize this truth until the blood needles descended – too late to fully evade.
The swarm of needles closed in rapidly. Even disciples at the fourth level of Qi refining paled, knowing they couldn’t withstand such an attack.
Duan Chenfeng’s triumphant expression shattered into shock. Yet he retreated calmly, producing a fist-sized black object and hurling it skyward.
Instantly, the blood needles changed course, clattering against the dark mass until all hundreds stuck fast.
With a furious roar, Duan Chenfeng channeled all his true qi into the Breaking Sun Spear. The battle spear plunged through the beast’s throat, its full one zhang length emerging bloody from the creature’s back.
The young warrior flickered forward, Great Sun Boxing Gloves blazing as his fists pummeled the lion’s skull.
BANG!
The level eight beast exploded in a gory shower, collapsing as meaty chunks.
The crowd gaped. Even Ye Yun showed astonishment. Moments from frozen paralysis and death, Duan Chenfeng had reversed defeat with that black artifact.
"Just a level eight beast. Why the fuss?" Duan Chenfeng brushed off his hands, descending amidst collective eye-rolls at his bravado.
"Senior Duan! What was that black thing?" Yu Minghong hurried over.
Duan Chenfeng revealed the dark stone in his palm, the needles now safely stored. "Little Yu from the hinterlands doesn’t know? This is the True Attraction Stone – draws anything with true qi or spiritual energy."
"Amazing! Your family status must be immense to possess this!" Yu Minghong’s eyes widened.
Gasps erupted. If genuine, this stone could negate spiritual weapons by draining their energy.
"Such marvels truly exist?" voices whispered in awe.
“Duan Chenfeng was truly hiding his depths; he actually possessed such a treasure.”
“Exactly. This must be his secret trump card. Forced to reveal it today, we must stay cautious when facing him later.”
“Agreed. If he unleashes it during future trials when we’ve never seen it before, we’ll be at serious disadvantage. A single mistake could lead to defeat.”
“Everyone should remain vigilant around him from now on.”
The disciples whispered among themselves, faces filled with shock.
Elder Lan and others showed only brief surprise before smiling. Meanwhile, Ye Yun also wore a faint smile.
“Brother Ye, what’s amusing you?” Yu Minghong asked, noticing the playful curve of Ye Yun’s lips.
“Nothing. Just stay alert during your assessment. Even if you draw level eight beasts, don’t panic. Your defensive skills and enduring true qi will see you through.” Ye Yun patted his shoulder reassuringly.
“Thank you for the advice, Brother Ye.” Yu Minghong nodded obediently, now wholly trusting Ye Yun’s words.
Yu Minghong moved forward, queuing behind two disciples for the second assessment round.
“Ye Yun, what’s that sly grin for?” Duan Chenfeng sidled up, whispering sharply.
Ye Yun studied him curiously. “Is that True Attraction Stone truly effective?”
“Naturally! You witnessed its power yourself.” Duan Chenfeng’s cheek twitched as he spoke.
“Seems it only works on feather-light objects like scorpion tail spikes containing trace spiritual energy.” Ye Yun chuckled.
Duan Chenfeng slung an arm around him, hissing, “Keep that to yourself and lower your voice!”
If the stone truly influenced all spirit-infused artifacts, its value would be astronomical. Even Duan Chenfeng’s family standing couldn’t secure such treasure, let alone the Jin Kingdom’s royalty.
The stone’s limitations were clear – only effective against the Ice Snow Scorpion Lion’s lightweight spikes containing minimal spiritual energy. Though the disciples hadn’t realized yet, they’d soon understand the stone’s near-uselessness.
Yet as the saying goes, nothing is utterly worthless. While useless for cultivation, today it saved Duan Chenfeng from the beast’s deadliest strike – sparing him grave injury or death and disappearance of spirit.
Assessments resumed. Two subsequent disciples faced ordinary level eight beasts – one passed through sheer endurance, the other fell defeated. Their exits contrasted starkly: one triumphant, one despondent.
Such was the inner disciple assessment’s nature – not all could succeed. Where there’s victory, there must be defeat.
“Next: Yu Minghong.” Elder Mu’s gentle voice announced.
Yu Minghong inhaled deeply, glancing back at Ye Yun for reassurance.
“Wait. I’ll go first.”
Ye Yun’s calm yet firm declaration cut through the hall.
“Ye Yun! We follow the order!” Elder Lan snapped coldly, maintaining outer sect elder authority despite Ye Yun’s formidable cultivation level.
“No need for this,” Elder Mu smiled indulgently. “You’ve already passed. Prepare for tomorrow’s character assessment at Shadowless Peak. These beasts can’t withstand your punches.”
Ye Yun smiled faintly. “Elder Mu, is this assessment truly fair?”
“Absolutely! No cheating under my watch!” Elder Mu answered hotly.
“I merely asked about fairness, not cheating. Why so defensive?” Ye Yun countered smoothly.
Elder Mu stiffened. “What’s your meaning?”
Ye Yun pointed at Nie Lin. “Why was your disciple preparing to release that cage’s beast before Yu Minghong’s draw?”
“Nie Lin! Explain yourself!” Elder Mu barked, face twitching.
The disciple paled. “Elder Mu, I merely stood ready! I’d only release beasts after the draw!”
“You see? No premature actions.” Elder Mu forced a smile.
Ye Yun matched his smile. “Then let Nie Lin release that cage’s beast now. I’ll face it.”
“Enough! You’re exempt. Let Yu Minghong proceed.” Elder Mu commanded.
Ye Yun suddenly laughed, eyes flashing dangerously. “Elder Mu… How cozy you are with the Murong family!”
In that heartbeat, chilling murderous intent radiated from him, transforming his entire presence.
