Chapter 255
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Chapter 255: Unknown Trials
Just as the Ancestor of the Sword Path had stated, after Ye Yun grasped a sliver of the fire element laws, his comprehension of cultivation realms underwent renewal. The true qi within him and his physical body achieved delicate equilibrium again, and he would soon break through to the third level of Qi refining.
"Ninth Senior Sister, why interrupt my cultivation instead of focusing on your own?" Ye Yun raised his head, squinting with amusement.
"Hmph! Such disrespect! Mind your manners or I’ll thrash you," Shui Ruyan retorted, her veil-less face revealing striking beauty as she pouted.
"Beat me and I’ll report you to Elder Brother," Ye Yun chuckled.
Shui Ruyan widened her eyes. "You wouldn’t dare!"
Ye Yun closed his eyes, ignoring her. During their first meeting days prior, she’d acted refined and soft-spoken. But familiarity revealed her true nature—a boisterous spirit beneath the elegant facade.
"Hey! I knew about you before we met. Want to guess how? It wasn’t Master who told me," Shui Ruyan prodded when Ye Yun stayed silent.
Ye Yun smirked. "Must’ve been Ling’er."
Shui Ruyan stiffened. "That traitor! I’ll spank her thrice when we meet!"
Ye Yun frowned slightly, accustomed to her antics. "Ninth Senior Sister, have you noticed Master’s unease lately?"
Shui Ruyan hesitated. "I… perhaps…"
"Correct. Master’s restlessness suggests impending events."
Before Shui Ruyan could respond, Mo Ru’s voice intervened. The white-robed scholar approached with Duanmu Longtai, fan swaying gently.
"Elder Brother. Second Brother." Both juniors bowed.
"Junior Brother’s perception surprises us," Mo Ru praised. "To detect Master’s hints despite your brief apprenticeship."
Duanmu Longtai sighed. "The advanced sect competition hints at turmoil. Rumors suggest further changes."
"What changes?" Ye Yun pressed.
"Unclear. Master visits the divine hall today. We’ll know upon his return."
Mo Ru snapped his fan shut. "Strength and unity matter most. Master the Ten Killing Formation, and even Golden Core stage foes won’t daunt us."
The group fell silent, tension thickening. Ye Yun studied his seniors. Had Mo Ru not been eternally stuck at third level Foundation Establishment, he’d likely lead as elder brother. His decade-long cultivation progress and unflappable nature outshone Duanmu Longtai’s rebirth-through-suffering path.
Fate’s irony: Duanmu Longtai regained cultivation after demonic deviation’s torment, while Mo Ru—rescued scholar turned cultivation prodigy—faced abrupt stagnation at Foundation Establishment’s peak. Yet Mo Ru remained content, his sharp mind making him Shadowless Peak’s de facto strategist.
The heavens balance loss with gain, Ye Yun mused. Still, mysteries shrouded Mo Ru. Unless threatened, Ye Yun saw no need to probe them.
A streak of light pierced the sky. Su Hao descended before the disciples.
"Greetings, Master." The four disciples bowed in unison.
Su Hao’s face looked grave as he gestured dismissively.
"Where are the others?"
"Third Junior Brother and the rest are cultivating on the other side. We wanted to guide Junior Brother’s cultivation breakthrough," Duanmu Longtai answered.
"Master, has something happened?" Mo Ru asked quietly, noticing Su Hao’s troubled expression.
Su Hao paused before speaking. "Summon Third Junior Brother and the others."
Shui Ruyan nodded and hurried away.
Soon all disciples gathered before Su Hao, bowing respectfully.
Su Hao surveyed them solemnly. "Two announcements. First, the sect competition rules have changed. The youth group is abolished – all disciples will compete in the adult group for rankings."
The disciples froze in shock, their eyes turning to Ye Yun. As the only top ten disciple in the youth group, his solid third-level Qi refining stage cultivation had promised easy entry to the top three. Now he’d face veteran cultivators, drastically reducing his chances.
"This… isn’t fair," Shui Ruyan murmured, brows furrowed.
"True. Why change the traditional two-group system?" Even wise Mo Ru seemed perplexed.
"Enough whining! Rules aren’t ours to make. Let’s fight like warriors!" Ye Kuangren snorted loudly.
"Third Brother’s right! Coddling youth matches held no challenge. Battling peak experts will forge true strength!" Ye Yun grinned fiercely, eyes blazing with excitement.
"Ha! Didn’t think you had this fire, Junior Brother! My opinion of you improves!" Ye Kuangren slapped his thigh in approval.
"Third Brother misjudges me. Should we meet in battle, expect no mercy!" Ye Yun shot back playfully.
"Exactly! Quiet types hide the fiercest flames! You grow on me, boy!" The burly man roared with laughter.
"Enough bickering," Mo Ru chided, though amusement tinged his voice.
Su Hao drew a deep breath. "Second matter: Each peak will send five disciples under eighteen to the Soul-Cutting Mountains for trials. Only Ye Yun here qualifies."
"Soul-Cutting Mountains?" Collective gasps erupted. Even unflappable Mo Ru paled.
"What’s that place? Never heard of it." Ye Yun glanced at their terrified faces.
Mo Ru explained grimly: "Heavenly Sword Sect’s forbidden zone. Deadly beasts, spirit creatures, and exiled criminals – many Foundation Establishment stage experts among them. A prison, execution ground, and training site."
Duanmu Longtai added gravely: "For centuries, only Foundation Establishment cultivators entered. Fewer than ten Qi refining disciples ever survived. Now sending under-eighteens? Suicide!"
Ye Yun’s brow creased slightly. Reaching third-level Qi refining would let him battle second or third-layer Foundation Establishment foes – or escape if needed.
"Who else goes?"
Su Hao sighed heavily. "From Shadowless Peak: Su Ling, Yu Minghong, Duan Chenfeng… and Su Yinxue."
Ye Yun stiffened. Su Ling remained at fourth-level Qi refining despite Fire Dragon Cave training. Yu Minghong and Duan Chenfeng couldn’t reach Foundation Establishment even with the Two Elders in Black and White’s guidance. Only Su Yinxue’s power remained unknown.
"You’ll co-lead with Yinxue. Bring everyone back." Su Hao stepped close, hands crushing Ye Yun’s shoulders with desperate urgency.
Ye Yun suddenly staggered under the crushing weight of responsibility pressing down like mountain peaks.
