Chapter 184
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Chapter 184: A Punch to Shatter
Ye Yun suddenly radiated an overwhelming aura, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent as he coldly stared at Elder Mu.
He made no attempt to hide his accusation, targeting the Murong family outright.
Elder Lan and the others froze, their faces paling. They understood the weight of the Murong name within the Heavenly Sword Sect. Though uncertain of Murong Wuqing’s current strength, as outer sect elders, they’d heard rumors.
Murong Wuqing had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage long ago, his cultivation advancing rapidly. Over the years, he’d reportedly accomplished great deeds for the sect and was widely regarded as the prime candidate to become the next sect leader.
Murong Wuqing’s influence in the sect was immense—one might say he "held sway over all under heaven." Ye Yun’s feud with Murong Wuhen was personal; even if they clashed again in the inner sect, it would remain their private matter.
Yet Ye Yun’s words had blatantly accused Elder Mu of colluding with the Murong family, implying the inner disciple assessment lacked fairness due to this connection. Elder Mu’s earlier deference to Murong Wuhen only reinforced this suspicion.
Such accusations shouldn’t be aired publicly. If word spread, the Murong family’s reputation would suffer, inviting unpredictable consequences.
To Elder Lan and Grand Elder Chunyu Yan, this was no trivial matter. Ye Yun hailed from Tian Zhu Peak—if Murong Wuqing took offense, both elders would bear responsibility.
“Ye Yun, mind your tongue,” Elder Lan said sharply, breathing deeply.
“Elder Mu was appointed by Shadowless Peak to oversee the assessment. He has no ties to the Murong family,” Chunyu Yan boomed, his voice echoing.
Elder Mu remained composed, studying Ye Yun before chuckling.
“Do you comprehend the gravity of your words, Ye Yun?”
Ye Yun stood with hands clasped behind his back, tilting his head. “Was I wrong? You obeyed Murong Wuhen like he was the true examiner. Explain that.”
“I am the main examiner!” Elder Mu’s voice turned icy.
If Ye Yun’s claims held merit, the Murong family’s standing could crumble. Shadowless Peak would investigate, exposing every interaction between Elder Mu and Murong Wuhen.
Such underhanded dealings weren’t rare in the sect, but none dared voice them openly—let alone accuse someone as brazenly as Ye Yun.
“Then let me proceed. Release the level eight beast,” Ye Yun demanded, standing on the assessment platform as his cold gaze pinned Nie Lin.
Nie Lin lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.
“Your turn hasn’t come!” Elder Mu seethed, humiliation warring with fury.
“Did I stutter?” Ye Yun’s tone held no courtesy.
Elder Mu’s face purpled. “Very well. Begin your assessment.”
Ye Yun smirked, eyes dripping scorn.
Once low-key, Ye Yun’s mindset had shifted after the Heart of Immortals and Demons altered his body and boosted his cultivation. The Hualun Secret Vault taught him that weak cultivators were insects in the sect’s eyes—outer disciples mere expendable pawns.
To earn the sect’s regard, one needed rapid advancement and displays of power. With treasures from the great tomb and his unique heart, stealth was impossible. He’d emulate Murong Wuqing’s rise—flaunting strength to awe peers and win favor.
If recognized, even envious factions would invest in him. Once he reached sufficient heights, critics would silence themselves. He’d become another Murong Wuqing.
Change the rules!
Since Elder Mu abused his authority, Ye Yun would weaponize that injustice.
Nie Lin glanced at Elder Mu, receiving a nod. His hands danced, shattering the cage’s restrictions in an instant.
An invisible barrier enveloped Ye Yun and the cage.
Boom!
The massive cage was suddenly flung aside as a towering ape-like beast covered in green fur emerged. Standing nearly two zhang tall, its entire body was shrouded in dense green hair. It stood upright like a human, its face nearly identical to that of an ape.
"This is the Golden Eyed Blue Ape, the mightiest of all level eight beasts. Possessing immeasurable strength, no blade or spear can pierce its hide. Its movements are lightning-fast, and those struck by its golden-eyed gaze will instantly freeze, rendered immobile," Nie Lin declared loudly as the assistant.
The Golden Eyed Blue Ape was well-known to Ye Yun and the others. Among level eight beasts, this creature represented the absolute peak. Ape-type beasts naturally developed intelligence faster than other species, and the Golden Eyed Blue Ape was considered most likely to advance to ninth-level status.
On the Heavenly Sword Sect’s beast ranking, the Golden Eyed Blue Ape stood as a nightmare. Even disciples at the fourth or fifth level of Qi refining would find victory against it nearly impossible.
"Junior Brother Yu, can you hold your ground against this beast?" Ye Yun asked casually, hands clasped behind his back as he glanced sideways.
Yu Minghong blinked in surprise before answering truthfully, "I couldn’t withstand it unless I break through to the next cultivation level."
With a faint smile, Ye Yun turned to Elder Mu. "Elder Mu, I’m ready for my assessment."
Before the words fully faded, Ye Yun shot forward like lightning. His left fist glowed faint purple as it smashed toward the Golden Eyed Blue Ape.
The enraged beast, having been confined for so long, bellowed furiously at the sight of this puny human charging toward it.
But the roaring ceased abruptly after mere moments.
A gaping hole large enough to fit a person now pierced the creature’s abdomen. Ye Yun stood behind the collapsing beast, a single drop of scarlet blood sliding from his left fist.
CRASH!
The Golden Eyed Blue Ape collapsed like a falling mountain. That this peak level eight beast fell to a single punch defied all reason, leaving the spectators stunned.
The destructive force contained in Ye Yun’s punch was unimaginable. Elder Lan and the other observers gaped in disbelief. While they could easily kill the beast with their pinnacle Qi refining stage cultivation, none could replicate Ye Yun’s feat – casually punching through the iron-hard abdomen as if swatting a fly.
This single strike had clearly surpassed Elder Lan’s power, edging terrifyingly close to Foundation Establishment stage might.
Yu Minghong’s eyes shone with awe, his calm composure shattered. Even from the Great Qin Empire, he’d never heard of a first level Qi refining warrior wielding such pinnacle-stage power. Though Ye Yun hadn’t displayed first-level cultivation during initial tests, Yu Minghong suspected trickery. Compared to provincial cultivators like Duan Chenfeng from the Jin Kingdom, he knew more about cultivation prodigies – yet none matched this.
Duan Chenfeng stood frozen. Against this level eight beast, he wouldn’t have survived a confrontation. That punch would’ve shattered his own bones against the ape’s hide.
"Damned freak! Since when did your cultivation reach these heights?" Duan Chenfeng blurted, face pale with shock.
The other disciples wore similar expressions of disbelief, struggling to process what they’d witnessed.
"Elder Mu, have I passed?" Ye Yun asked coolly, flicking his Purple Shadow Sword. The blade flashed, extracting the beast core and depositing it into his Thunder Sound Metamorphosis ring.
Elder Mu’s cheek twitched as he managed, "Passed. Report to Shadowless Peak tomorrow for your character assessment."
Ye Yun chuckled, descending the platform without sparing the elder another glance.
"Junior Brother Yu, your turn. I doubt anyone will dare rig the tests now."
Gratitude flickered across Yu Minghong’s face. Against the Golden Eyed Blue Ape, he’d have certainly failed.
"Ye Yun! What demonic cultivation is this? Are you even human?" Duan Chenfeng demanded, gripping Ye Yun’s shoulder.
"Your progress is too slow, Duan Chenfeng. Keep slacking and you’ll drown in the inner sect. Remember Senior Brother Yang and Murong Wuhen? The inner sect’s no outer playground – one misstep and you’re dead." Ye Yun’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
"Then you’ll protect us, mighty leader?" Duan Chenfeng grinned, all former arrogance gone.
The three young men exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
