Chapter 39

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Chapter 39: Intimidation

The blazing palms thrust forward, waves of heat surging as flames scorched the air, the temperature spiking sharply.

Though not at the Qi refining stage—unable to unleash the full might of the Fiery Cloud Flame Hand—the force behind this strike was still enough to gravely injure or even kill a warrior at the fifth stage of body refinement.

Disciples below the platform who recognized the West Hall youth gasped.

“Xiao Lingcheng’s cultivation level has reached such heights? None of us could withstand this Celestial Technique!”

“Servant disciples who pass Tian Zhu Peak’s trials must have some skill, but few possess strength like this.”

Many new disciples stared in awe and envy. Even the lowest ninth-tier Celestial Techniques were beyond their reach, reserved only for renowned mortal clans.

And those clans owed their prestige to ancestors who had been cultivators.

To most observers, Ye Yun seemed doomed.

Yet he stood motionless on the platform, robes undisturbed. His eyes showed no fear, surprise, or emotion—a stagnant pool awaiting the strike.

Suddenly, he inhaled deeply.

His right hand clenched into a fist, driving toward the oncoming Fiery Cloud Flame Hand.

In that moment, he seemed to tower. The punch summoned a gale, spiritual power surging from within him to coalesce in his fist.

White light flickered across his knuckles, pulsating as if straining to break free. Spiritual power couldn’t be expelled externally unless refined into true qi at the Qi refining stage.

Yet here was Ye Yun, at the fifth stage of body refinement, wielding spiritual power that nearly breached his flesh—an impossibility!

Only those at the Comprehending Qi Stage might glimpse such mastery while meditating on the world’s spiritual energy.

“He must have consumed spirit herbs to boost his body and spiritual power!” thought many Yellow Robed Disciples beyond that stage.

Boom!

Ye Yun’s fist, brimming with spiritual force, crashed into the Fiery Cloud Flame Hand.

The collision erupted in a violent shockwave, air cracking like thunder. A streak of fire hurtled backward, slamming into the railings before collapsing to the ground.

Ye Yun stood serene once more, expression unreadable.

By rule, the match continued until Xiao Lingcheng yielded. Another strike could cripple or kill him—yet Ye Yun held back.

Xiao Lingcheng staggered up, blood staining his lips, eyes burning with defiance. But he sensed Ye Yun’s mercy.

That single punch had laid bare the chasm between them. Defiance melted into reverence.

“Brother Ye… such refined, such potent spiritual power.”

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked earnestly at Ye Yun, who stood motionless.

"Sometimes losing isn’t necessarily bad."

Ye Yun nodded gently and spoke in a soft voice.

Xiao Lingcheng froze momentarily before grasping Ye Yun’s meaning. Gratitude flickered in his eyes. "Senior Brother Ye Yun, be careful." He whispered these words, bowed respectfully, then swiftly retreated from the platform.

"That man’s ruthless. Tough opponent."

"Wasn’t Liu Daolie from the collection valleys killed by Ye Yun?"

When Ye Yun stepped down, complete silence fell over the West Hall’s new disciples below. Most stared at him with fearful respect. The quiet strength of Ye Yun contrasted sharply with Duan Chenfeng’s arrogance – two opposing styles wielding equally intimidating power.

Even veteran outer disciples, including those wearing black robes, nodded subtly with surprise in their eyes.

"Stronger than expected. No wonder Elder Seven favors him." Nan Cheng murmured from his position among black robe disciples observing nearby, his gaze fixed on Ye Yun across ten zhang distance.

"What’s that?" A black robe disciple beside him asked sharply.

"Elder Seven assigned him to tend spirit fields." Nan Cheng replied after brief consideration.

"Elder Seven?"

Several black robe disciples exchanged incredulous looks. "But his performance, while decent, falls short of true outstanding geniuses. Why would Elder Seven notice him?"

"Who knows? The old man’s erratic. But having Elder Seven’s favor means protection. If wronged, he could complain to that unpredictable elder…" Nan Cheng’s neutral tone carried hidden implications.

The surrounding disciples tensed, recognizing the warning’s validity.

"Tian Zhu Peak’s new genius disciple Jun Ruolan reportedly reached Qi refining stage." Another black robe disciple remarked enviously. "Might already become some elder’s true inheritor."

"Focus on Trial Hall duties. We’ll reach Qi refining soon enough. Becoming true inheritors depends on fate." Others sighed.

As they conversed, first-round matches concluded peacefully despite life-and-death rules – remarkably, no deaths occurred.

"Insolence!"

An icy roar cracked through air. Terrifying pressure smashed into a conceding disciple on stage.

The disciple crashed onto stone steps with muffled thud, body mangled and twitching – whether from pain or terror unclear.

"What’s this?"

All stared in shock at the convulsing disciple and Elder Lan’s furious figure.

"Do you treat our words as empty air?" Elder Lan’s face resembled frozen steel. "Confine this wretch to Beast Taming Tower! Let this be warning against deliberate surrender!"

New disciples trembled silently, many shaking uncontrollably.

Ye Yun observed the bloody scene with lowered gaze.

Trying to cheat through with half-hearted efforts… indeed proved impossible.