Chapter 244
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Chapter 244: You Are Not Qualified
The Shadow Assault Triple Strike not only failed to harm Ye Yun but was completely sealed and shattered by his Ice Spirit Soul Lock.
Yu Guang had practiced Shadow Assault for two years. His natural talent allowed him to master this Celestial Technique to perfection, connecting mind and movement as one. For the past half-year, he’d secretly accumulated strength, confident this strike would establish his name among Shadowless Peak’s younger generation. Though he couldn’t rival the three faction leaders, he believed he’d carve his own territory.
Yet his proudest technique was casually broken by Ye Yun. The mental backlash made blood spray from his lips.
"Impossible! This can’t be!"
Yu Guang’s face whitened with disbelief. He’d expected Ye Yun to block or dodge the Triple Strike – that would’ve revealed Ye Yun’s cultivation level. Instead, the youth felt like he’d thrown stones into bottomless ocean depths.
Rumors claimed Ye Yun remained at second stage of Qi refining. Even prodigies shouldn’t rival Foundation Establishment stage. Yet Yu Guang couldn’t even sense his opponent’s true strength. This outcome defied all reason.
"Need rest before trying again?" Ye Yun smiled mildly. Yu Guang’s strength had surprised him – that counter required over sixty percent of his Ice Spirit Qi. Fifty percent wouldn’t have sealed Shadow Assault.
"You’ve won. Must you mock me further?" Yu Guang spat through gritted teeth.
Ye Yun blinked. He’d meant no mockery. Yu Guang’s attack had reached pinnacle of Qi refining stage power. Though the youth’s actual cultivation fell short, his combat strength matched top Qi refining experts. Ye Yun wanted to see if he hid other techniques.
"With dedication, you’ll reach Foundation Establishment someday." Ye Yun kept his tone gentle.
"Arrogant fool! What do you know of my path?" Rage twisted Yu Guang’s features. "You’re just second level Qi refining! Each step grows harder – your breakthrough chances shrink daily. When I reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll crush you!"
Ye Yun sighed. Such stubbornness deserved no answer.
"Leave now. Don’t delay my next match."
If called arrogant, he’d play the part. Among youth group competitors, he had that right. Unleashed fully, he could defeat all fifteen other final sixteen contenders combined.
"Insufferable!" Yu Guang coughed blood, hatred burning in his stare. He leaped from the platform, nearly stumbling in his haste.
Ye Yun’s annoyance surfaced. "If weak, learn from Zhang Chenguang. His concession-persuasion technique proves surprisingly effective."
Yu Guang staggered mid-stride but fled without turning.
"Brother Ye, that’s unkind." Zhang Chenguang called out, though his earlier defeat left no bitterness. He’d watched their battle with keen interest, eyes bright with enlightenment. "I simply prefer peaceful resolutions."
"My jest, Brother Chenguang." Ye Yun nodded. The talkative man bore no grudges.
"Stay low-key. No new inner disciples rival you here, but veteran disciples who reached Foundation Establishment…"
Having gained insights into power control from their duel, Zhang Chenguang actually admired Ye Yun despite losing.
"Then aid me when danger comes. Your persuasion might work wonders." Ye Yun laughed, scanning other platforms.
Top eight selections concluded elsewhere. Duan Chenfeng sat cross-legged, replenishing energy with spirit stones after overwhelming a sixth level Qi refining opponent through brute force.
Ye Yun’s next opponent materialized – Hua Yinsheng, a scholarly youth in flowing robes and square hat from sixth level Qi refining stage.
"Greetings, Brother Ye." Hua Yinsheng bowed upon landing.
Ye Yun returned the courtesy, surprised by such formality. "By age and seniority, you’re my elder, Brother Hua."
He believed in reciprocal respect – kindness returned tenfold.
As he spoke, azure light flashed. A blue shadow shot toward his face.
Sneak attack!
He hadn’t expected Hua Yinsheng, who appeared so refined and gentlemanly, to resort to a sneak attack. It caught him completely off guard.
Yet Ye Yun’s strength far surpassed Hua Yinsheng’s. Even the swiftest ambush couldn’t harm him.
Ye Yun’s hand shot out like lightning, his right arm carving a crackling purple lightning shadow that blocked the blue shadow’s strike.
When his attack failed, Hua Yinsheng leaped back several paces and bowed deeply.
"Our sect values strength over seniority. Since you easily blocked my strongest strike, you’ve earned the title of senior brother."
Ye Yun had been ready to retaliate, but the unexpected bow gave him pause. He lowered his hand.
"No need for defenses, Brother Ye. Attacking again would be foolish. That was merely a test—your superiority is clear. I concede." Hua Yinsheng smiled gracefully.
Narrowing his eyes, Ye Yun detected no murderous intent now. Still, the initial ambush had been vicious—a weaker cultivator might’ve died.
This elegant youth would undoubtedly grow into a remarkable figure, but Ye Yun found him distasteful.
"Then withdraw," Ye Yun said flatly, waving dismissal.
Hua Yinsheng complied instantly. With a meaningful glance at Ye Yun, he vaulted off the platform.
Ye Yun ignored both the retreating figure and the pointed look. Such petty theatrics weren’t worth his notice.
His match concluded fastest among the four platforms.
To the east, Duan Chenfeng struggled against a seventh-level Qi refining opponent. Though Duan Chenfeng had skyrocketed from second to fifth level in two months—even defeating a sixth-level opponent earlier—the seventh-level gap proved insurmountable. Spiritual weapons kept him clinging to the fight, but defeat loomed inevitable.
Ye Yun frowned. Duan Chenfeng’s tricks couldn’t compensate for raw power disparity.
True to prediction, within an incense stick’s burning time, Duan Chenfeng took a shoulder strike that sent him flying. He wisely rolled off the platform mid-counterattack, yielding defeat.
"Bastard’s tough. Beat him up for me later," Duan Chenfeng grumbled, clutching his shoulder as Ye Yun approached.
"His cultivation’s mediocre. Two months’ training should get you to sixth level—then he’s easy prey."
"Right. I’ll reclaim this shame myself."
"Arrogant fools!"
Platform fighter Ji Rong darkened at their exchange. Half-step from Qi refining’s pinnacle and nearing Foundation Establishment, the proud youth seethed at their disregard.
Neither glanced his way, engrossed in private conversation.
"Ye Yun! Enter the top four and face me!"
Ignoring the shout, Ye Yun pressed a pill into Duan Chenfeng’s palm. Only Duan Chenfeng looked up.
"Eager to lose? Hold your horses—he’s coming."
Ye Yun nodded solemnly. "Wait your turn."
Ji Rong’s rage boiled over. This disrespect—combined with Ye Yun’s growing Shadowless Peak reputation—drove him to roar: "I challenge you to a life-or-death duel!"
Ye Yun blinked. "Life and death? That’s extreme."
"Exactly!"
Shrugging, Ye Yun turned away. "You’re not worth killing."
