Chapter 243
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Chapter 243: Shadow Assault
Ye Yun stood on the platform, scanning the area. After waiting a while, no one else dared to step forward.
“Anyone else?”
Duan Chenfeng roared with laughter.
The third group’s disciples exchanged nervous glances. Knowing their own cultivation levels couldn’t match Zhang Chenguang’s, how could they challenge Ye Yun?
“Since you’re all forfeiting, my brother and I take the top two spots!” Duan Chenfeng jumped onto the platform, grinning.
The third group’s final sixteen slots went to Duan Chenfeng and Ye Yun.
Ye Yun chose second place deliberately. According to the rules, each group’s first place would face another group’s second. He wanted to observe the strongest opponents, so facing a first-place contender made sense. After the final sixteen, most remaining fighters would be at least at the pinnacle of the Qi refining stage.
With all other disciples forfeiting, the third group ended first. Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng stood together, watching other groups’ clashes.
But the youth group’s matches were underwhelming—full of effort but lacking skill.
Half an hour later, the other seven groups finished. The final sixteen names flashed across the Glowing Screen in the sky.
Ye Yun felt a pang of nostalgia. A year ago, he’d been a servant disciple dreaming of becoming an outer disciple to start his cultivation path. Then a black-and-white orb changed everything. Now he was an inner disciple at the second stage of Qi refining, yet able to rival first-level Foundation Establishment experts. It felt surreal.
When he’d first obtained the Heart of Immortals and Demons, Ye Yun often saw visions of young men and women evading golden-armored warriors. Though he couldn’t gauge their cultivation, their calm amidst warriors who could topple mountains with mere murderous intent left him awestruck.
True experts. One day, he’d reach their level—unshaken by armies of golden-armored warriors. Such power lay beyond his current understanding.
As the names faded from the Glowing Screen, Ye Yun smiled.
Suddenly, he remembered a thin figure with a stubborn face—Shen Mo. Taken away for his rare talent in absorbing spirit stones, Shen Mo should’ve become an inner disciple by now. Why wasn’t he on the list? Had he focused on training like Yu Minghong, or been barred like Su Ling?
Ye Yun refused to believe Shen Mo would skip this chance to test himself. His absence meant he’d outgrown such competitions. If true, Shen Mo was a true prodigy.
Ye Yun longed to reunite with that determined young fellow. How strong had he become?
“Ye Yun! Daydreaming again?” Duan Chenfeng’s voice snapped him back.
Ye Yun shook his head with a faint smile.
New matchups now lit the screen:
Ye Yun vs. Yu Guang—first place in the fifth group, who’d crushed every opponent instantly. But Yu Guang couldn’t be Foundation Establishment level. At half strength, Ye Yun already matched peak Qi refining disciples. If Yu Guang were exceptional, he’d have made his name on Shadowless Peak long ago.
Duan Chenfeng faced the seventh group’s second-place finisher—a cautious disciple who’d scraped through with luck and modest skill.
Eight platforms slowly rose, emitting a gentle glow.
Ye Yun and the others stepped onto the platforms.
Yu Guang stood in white robes with an ancient-looking sword strapped to his back. His hands clasped behind him, clothes fluttering in the mountain wind, he resembled a young sword immortal.
“You’re Ye Yun?” Yu Guang’s clear voice carried across the arena.
Ye Yun smiled. “Does the sect often lie to you?”
Yu Guang’s tone had originally held cold disdain, meant to intimidate the rumored defeater of Ming Siyu. He hadn’t expected such a flippant response.
With a cold snort, Yu Guang said, “A freshly promoted inner disciple dares act so boldly? Do you think Shadowless Peak lacks those who can discipline you? Or does being the Peak Master’s registered disciple make you lawless?”
Ye Yun shrugged. “Registered disciple. Not full disciple.”
Yu Guang stiffened. This careless youth before him resembled a third-rate outer disciple more than someone who’d defeated Ming Siyu, drawn against Murong Wuhen, and earned the Peak Master’s notice. The situation defied belief.
“At least you know your place.” Yu Guang’s voice turned glacial. “Shedding that ‘registered’ title is near impossible at your level. Only true disciples can rank among the top ten – positions meant for prodigies like myself.”
Ye Yun’s patience frayed. Why did opponents always waste breath before fighting? If bloodshed was inevitable, why not begin?
“Finished lecturing?” Ye Yun’s gaze sharpened.
“I merely advise you to recognize your limits.”
“Enough chatter.” Coldness swept Ye Yun’s face as blue ice crystals materialized before him.
Ice Spirit Soul Lock!
Facing Yu Guang, Ye Yun suddenly disdained using Purple Shadow Divine Sword for Thundercloud Lightning Sword techniques. This opponent wasn’t worthy.
Despite his taunts, Yu Guang never underestimated enemies. His rise to power without fame stemmed from constant vigilance – even lions use full strength against rabbits. His blade never held back.
Light glinted off a slender black saber as Yu Guang shouted, “Shadow Assault: Triple Strike!”
The blade became a blur, hundreds of strikes merging into one imperceptible shadow.
Whoosh!
The attack vanished before reappearing at Ye Yun’s forehead – too fast to block, let alone dodge.
As Ye Yun remained motionless, triumph flashed in Yu Guang’s eyes. Even if the rumors were true, surviving this assault would be-
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two more shadows materialized, targeting Ye Yun’s dantian and lower abdomen. Three lethal strikes aimed to cripple or kill.
Ye Yun hadn’t expected such ruthlessness. These attacks contained destructive force that would’ve annihilated Duan Chenfeng instantly.
Good. Now he’d witness Shadowless Peak’s true elite.
The hovering ice crystals pulsed.
Ye Yun’s eyes glinted. Blue radiance erupted from Ice Spirit Soul Lock, enveloping him and the incoming shadows.
Crack!
The frozen shadows halted inches from Ye Yun’s body, blue frost spreading until they glowed crystalline.
“Break.”
The command came softly. Three azure shadows exploded into ice shards.
Yu Guang staggered back, blood spraying from his lips. His pallid face contorted in horrified disbelief.
