Chapter 242

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Chapter 242: An Attempt at Persuasion

The youth group competition lacked excitement with few surprises. While Ye Yun’s group had oddballs like Duan Chenfeng, other groups saw straightforward victories determined by cultivation levels. Soon, the final sixteen emerged.

Zhang Chenguang became Ye Yun’s first opponent among the sixteen.

In his third year as an inner disciple, he’d reached the seventh level of Qi refining stage. Though not yet at its peak, he stood merely one step away.

"You’re Ye Yun," Zhang Chenguang stated flatly, voice devoid of emotion.

"That’s me," Ye Yun answered with an honest nod.

"Your sect competition journey ends here," Zhang Chenguang declared.

"Oh? How do you know?" Ye Yun rubbed his nose.

"Because you met me," Zhang Chenguang replied with bone-chilling coldness.

"Who are you? I don’t recognize you." Ye Yun kept scanning their surroundings rather than looking at him.

"Many don’t. They will soon."

"Frankly, I don’t care to know."

"You’re arrogant."

"Not really. Still slightly less than you."

"Ye Yun, these are your last words. After this comes death and spirit disappearance."

"Really? You’d defy Elder Tai’s orders to kill me?" Ye Yun finally turned to face him.

"People only value life when death looms. Yet most find themselves helpless when it arrives." Zhang Chenguang sighed while shaking his head.

Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. "Finished? Let’s fight already. That other match is ending."

"I’m persuading you to quit while you can. Surrender now and live. Once I attack…" Zhang Chenguang paused dramatically, "Even I fear my uncontrollable power."

"I’m terrified! But surrendering sounds boring." Ye Yun grinned through squinted eyes.

"Then die. No other path remains." Zhang Chenguang’s icy expression softened briefly. "Leave now before I reconsider."

"Need time to decide," Ye Yun teased.

"Three breaths. One… Two…"

Ye Yun furrowed his brows, feigning internal struggle.

"Brother Zhang? Why stop counting?"

"Two… Two-and-half…" Zhang Chenguang’s mouth twitched. "I’m being kind! Look how easily I reached the final sixteen – my strength overwhelms!"

"How does two-and-half work?" Ye Yun asked earnestly.

Zhang Chenguang sighed. "So be it. The Peak Master’s new Registered Disciple will soon vanish from this world."

"Brother Zhang, did you ‘persuade’ all your previous opponents like this?"

"Most surrendered. Two latrine-stone-stubborn fools forced my hand. I tried holding back…" He shook his head vigorously. "But my unleashed power terrifies even me! Surrender now!"

Ye Yun shrugged. "Still not interested."

Zhang Chenguang sighed as light and shadow flashed across his palm, revealing a pristine, jade-like sword.

"Are you truly refusing to yield?"

"I truly refuse."

The two had been bickering on the platform for ages when the watching disciples below finally shouted:

"Will you fight or keep talking?"

"They won’t start unless Ye Yun makes the first move."

"Why? Zhang Chenguang seems kind – he’s trying to spare Ye Yun’s life through persuasion."

"Junior Chu entered the Heavenly Sword Sect with Zhang Chenguang. Ask him."

"Brother Zhang reached Qi refining stage level seven, but rarely fights. He prefers talking opponents down. The best battle is won without drawing swords."

"Enough nonsense! He’s a clown!"

"If you don’t fight soon, we’ll declare both losers!"

"Perfect solution!"

The crowd began heckling now that they understood Zhang Chenguang’s antics.

"Brother Zhang, they want us both to surrender. Your thoughts?"

"I’ve waited patiently. Don’t force my hand – yield now."

"Options besides my surrender?"

"None remain."

"Wrong. There’s another way."

"Which is?"

"You yield!"

Zhang Chenguang’s face finally hardened. "So be it. Witness my true power."

"Then strike already!" Ye Yun snapped. Other matches were concluding while they’d wasted time.

"Watch closely! This technique is called One Sword…"

Ye Yun stared as Zhang Chenguang raised his blade… then froze mid-stance.

"One Sword? Heart-piercer? World-shaker? Death-bringer?"

"Just One Sword. Let me explain its history." Zhang Chenguang studied his weapon. "Last chance – will you yield?"

Ye Yun nearly collapsed. The man still hoped to talk him into surrender!

"I refuse, Brother Zhang."

"Very well. You’ll die momentarily, but first this sword’s origin story…"

"Enough! Fight or I attack!"

"Poor mindset, Ye Yun! Cultivation requires calm. Lose composure, and stronger opponents will crush you instantly."

Ye Yun blinked before sighing. "My thanks for the lesson, Brother Zhang."

“Don’t mention it. Let me continue explaining this sword technique’s origins and details,” Zhang Chenguang waved dismissively, raising his pristine, jade-like sword once more.

Ye Yun had no more patience for games. The purple light shadow in his hand rippled like water before solidifying.

“Brother Zhang, let me show you my own sword technique.”

As he spoke, Ye Yun thrust forward. The purple light shadow instantly blanketed the arena before condensing into Purple Lightning that shot toward Zhang Chenguang.

“Ah, youngsters are always so hasty.” Zhang Chenguang shook his head. His white sword traced a defensive arc, forming a glowing barrier to block the attack.

Ye Yun immediately saw through Zhang Chenguang’s cultivation level – mere Qi refining stage level seven. At his current strength, defeating such an opponent should’ve required minimal effort.

The Purple Lightning struck the white barrier. By all rights, it should’ve shattered instantly, ending the match. Yet to Ye Yun’s surprise, the barrier held firm. His attack dissipated like a stone dropped into deep water, vanishing without ripple.

“Curious!” Ye Yun withdrew his blade, frowning.

“I warned you. Surrender now before I lose control!” Zhang Chenguang flicked his left hand. The barrier dissolved, its energy flowing back into his white sword until the blade hummed with condensed power.

Ye Yun finally sensed the true might behind those energy waves – power matching the pinnacle of Qi refining stage. Had he not reached second stage of Qi refining, even blocking would’ve been impossible.

His Purple Shadow Sword trembled, lightning crackling along its edge.

This changed things. While Zhang Chenguang favored talking over fighting, his actual strength couldn’t be dismissed. An easy victory was clearly unrealistic.

Still, Ye Yun kept half his power restrained. Even at fifty percent, he could contend with early Foundation Establishment stage opponents. More than enough for a Qi refining stage duel.

“One Sword brings heaven’s collapse!” Zhang Chenguang roared. His blade erupted into radiant light, coalescing into a massive heavenly sword that descended like falling sky.

Ye Yun’s expression hardened. He stepped forward, Purple Shadow Sword flashing in a thrust.

“Thunderous Strike!”

Thunder boomed as electric snakes filled the air. Countless lightning bolts rained upon the heavenly sword, their violet glare clashing with white radiance in a dazzling spectacle.

The heavenly sword froze mid-descent. Under relentless lightning bombardment, its form shrank visibly. After ten full breaths of concentrated assault, the construct shattered, reverting to a white sword that clattered to the ground.

As the lightshow faded, Ye Yun smiled. “Well, Brother Zhang?”

Zhang Chenguang stared in wonder before suddenly beaming. “Your attack forced me to connect deeper with One Sword technique! So control is possible after all!”

Ye Yun wiped sweat from his brow. “Are we done here?”

“True victory comes through wisdom, not brute force.” Zhang Chenguang began another lecture.

“Either fight or forfeit,” Ye Yun interrupted.

“Impatience breeds failure, young…”

Lightning crackled from the Purple Shadow Sword.

“Fine! We’ll continue this discussion later. Victory’s yours today.” Zhang Chenguang sighed dramatically before leaping from the arena.

Ye Yun stood victorious.