Chapter 40

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Chapter 40: Ambush

"You! Enter the arena!"

Before Ye Yun could observe the ongoing battles, a cold voice pierced his ears.

A black-robed disciple emotionlessly pointed at an empty fighting platform beside him, then repeated the gesture toward a young girl nearby.

Ye Yun’s expression darkened.

Elder Lan’s earlier intervention had proven hiding one’s strength was impossible. Now these black-robed disciples arbitrarily assigned opponents without allowing rest.

The elders completely controlled these matches. After the first round, they’d clearly identify the strongest disciples through careful observation, preventing powerful candidates from eliminating each other prematurely.

"Life and death rest in their hands. At least I never relied on false hopes."

Ye Yun inhaled deeply as black and white lights briefly flickered within him.

"Brother Ye, be careful."

Yu Minghong pushed through the crowd, concern etching his features.

"You passed the first round too?" Ye Yun noted his fellow disciple’s battle-flushed face. "Stay alert yourself."

Yu Minghong nodded earnestly.

Without another word, Ye Yun flashed onto the designated platform.

"Senior Brother."

The waiting girl’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit as spiritual power surged from her hands.

Ye Yun frowned. Her aura suggested fourth stage body refinement cultivation – too weak to harm him even if he stood motionless.

"Brother Ye, I’m Wang Yajie!" she called, noting his relaxed posture. "Grant me your guidance."

"Attack first." Ye Yun waved dismissively. The gap between their cultivation levels meant any move from him might cripple her.

Wang Yajie’s cheeks colored. She edged closer, timidly asking, "May I pose a question?"

"Speak."

Standing barely an arm’s length away, her blush deepened as she smiled sweetly.

"I wonder… what expression Brother Ye will wear when dying?"

Scented wind exploded from her fingertips toward Ye Yun’s face.

The shy girl vanished, replaced by a lethal assassin. Jade-like fingers transformed into a crimson scorpion tail needle stabbing at his heart.

Ye Yun barely reacted in time. This apparently fourth-stage weakling had completely hidden her true power.

"None from the servant disciple outer court are simple," Ye Yun realized, understanding he’d been deceived. Her spiritual power now clearly revealed hidden strength.

Fifth stage body refinement – Internal Breath realm. Peak level!

She’d concealed an entire cultivation realm!

The spiritual power surging within Ye Yun instantly surged, shielding his chest first. Wang Yajie’s attack held no flourish—merely the scorpion tail needle formed by her jade-like fingers, carrying devastating force.

Ye Yun’s spiritual power formed a defense as he leaped backward. Creating distance would grant him time to strengthen his guard, perhaps even counter. Yet Wang Yajie had schemed meticulously from the start, while Ye Yun, failing to discern her cultivation level, grew careless. He hadn’t even wished to fight seriously. Caught unprepared, he allowed her to unleash an attack she’d concealed for three long years.

Evading or blocking this strike was no simple feat.

Since undergoing Marrow Cleansing through the black-and-white light and shadow, coupled with quiet contemplation and testing the remnants of spiritual wine brewed by Elder Seven, Ye Yun’s instincts had sharpened.

He retreated one step—then halted abruptly. Spiritual power flooded his chest as his right fist gleamed white, lashing toward Wang Yajie’s waist.

He knew he couldn’t dodge her strike.

Wang Yajie’s blade-cold face showed no emotion. Ignoring Ye Yun’s punch, the crimson-tipped scorpion tail needle at her fingertip stabbed his chest.

She was certain: even with Ye Yun’s profound spiritual power, his hasty punch couldn’t gravely wound her. Her needle, however, would pierce his heart, ending his life instantly.

*Thud!*

As expected, her jade-like needle tore through Ye Yun’s robes, shattered his defenses, and plunged into his flesh.

Blood sprayed from her fingers, vivid and horrifying.

A cruel smile curved her lips.

Yet in the next heartbeat, her triumph died. Though her needle had pierced his chest, an immense force blocked it—her weapon froze, unable to advance further.

*What’s happening?* Panic gripped Wang Yajie. Without piercing his heart, Ye Yun’s potent spiritual power would negate any injury, let alone death.

Before she could react, agony exploded in her left waist. A colossal force hurled her ten zhang backward. She smashed into the platform’s railings and crumpled to the ground.

*Why?* Dazed, she glimpsed Ye Yun standing motionless, chest bloodied. Her needle had been a hair’s breadth from his heart—yet some unimaginable power within him had repelled her strike and struck back.

“A spiritual weapon,” she gasped, staggering upright. Ye Yun stood with hands clasped behind his back, brow furrowed. “He’s shielded by a spiritual weapon.”

“I feared harming you,” Ye Yun said coldly, narrowing his eyes as she rose. “Yet you showed no mercy.”

Wang Yajie’s face whitened. A terrifying aura pressed down, stifling her spiritual power’s flow.

“I—”

She tried to surrender, but Ye Yun blurred before her. A fist hammered her right waist. The impact flung her off the platform.

*Crash!*

She landed heavily below the stage, blood spewing from her lips.

“We’re even now.”

Above, Ye Yun lowered his fist, face impassive.