Chapter 49

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Chapter 49: Bold Moves

"That sword strike of yours is truly remarkable!" Ye Yun’s voice sounded hoarse as the Spiritual Power Waves around him faded.

"Even if I can’t fathom how you blocked my One Sword, facing Celestial Techniques with mere flesh and spiritual power is downright ridiculous!" Qu Yiping staggered to his feet, his eyes gleaming with savage satisfaction at seeing blood trickle from Ye Yun’s mouth.

The crowd below the platform erupted in shock.

Ye Yun’s previous attack had seemed unstoppable, yet now Qu Yiping appeared to be winning?

"Ye Yun overestimated himself. Fighting barehanded against a low-quality Immortal artifact empowered by Celestial Techniques…"

"Not necessarily. Perhaps that punch was his ultimate move—using a spiritual weapon might’ve weakened him."

"Reaching the top eight means he wouldn’t deliberately hold back. That clash was their full strength."

"Such a waste. Their duel deserved to happen in the top four finals."

"Qu Yiping’s noble lineage shows—his foundations run deep."

"Brother Nan Cheng, you lost the bet." A black robe disciple smirked at Nan Cheng. "Still, their cultivation levels are evenly matched. With Celestial Techniques, Ye Yun would’ve won."

Nan Cheng chuckled. "You think the outcome’s settled?"

The crowd froze. Was the fight not over?

Boom!

Ye Yun suddenly lunged forward, Spiritual Power Waves erupting violently as thunderous cracks split the air beneath him.

"Impossible!"

Qu Yiping’s triumphant expression twisted into panic. Screaming, he desperately raised his sword, summoning an emerald barrier.

Crash!

A deafening impact followed.

"Gah!"

Qu Yiping hurtled backward, blood spraying from his lips.

"I yield! I yield!"

He shrieked repeatedly before even hitting the ground.

"Unthinkable…"

Coldness gripped even veteran black robe disciples. What had Ye Yun gained in the collection valleys? His monstrous spiritual power and physique allowed him to sustain only minor injuries from that collision—then counterattack with such brutality?

Ye Yun steadied his breathing.

He knew killing Qu Yiping here would provoke elder intervention. Now immobile with bowed head, he nonetheless loomed like an unstoppable force in every spectator’s eyes.

…

Ye Yun advanced to the top four!

"Elder Lan… did you witness that clash clearly?"

While most were still stunned, Chunyu Yan’s voice reached Elder Lan’s ears.

Elder Lan turned slightly, narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath and shook his head.

"What about you, Elder Chunyu Yan?" Elder Sun beside him asked gravely.

Chunyu Yan shook his head. "I can’t figure it out either."

"Qu Yiping’s attack was straightforward. But Ye Yun’s punch carried true qi energy from Qi refining stage. Yet I can’t trace its source. Moreover, I’m certain Ye Yun’s cultivation is at fifth stage of body refinement. No mistake there," Elder Lan said, eyes flickering.

"That power burst from within him. It’s definitely body refinement stage spiritual power. But how could body refinement energy be so potent? Even peak black robe disciples couldn’t produce such pure force," Chunyu Yan agreed, staring at Ye Yun on the platform with thoughtful eyes.

"That power shouldn’t belong to body refinement stage. There’s true qi scent. Could he have true qi-containing treasure?" Elder Lan frowned.

A cold glimmer flashed in Chunyu Yan’s eyes. "After the match ends, we’ll investigate this boy thoroughly."

Ye Yun stood head-bowed, unaware of the elders’ thoughts. The delayed dismissal from black robe disciples signaled danger.

He produced the jade pill bottle, swallowed a drop.

Like before, his body shuddered violently as icy energy shot through his skull, threatening to expel his soul.

Black and white lights flashed briefly, absorbing most cold energy.

"What’s he doing?"

The movement drew all eyes.

Elder Lan’s eyes sharpened.

A rainbow streak flashed as he appeared before Ye Yun instantly, snatching the bottle.

One whiff made Elder Lan’s face darken. "Where did you get this?"

Under crushing pressure, Ye Yun kept his head down. "From Elder Seven at spirit fields."

"Elder Seven?"

Elder Lan’s pupils shrank. After several breaths, he demanded, "Why would he gift you this?"

"Elder Seven said I’m his only chosen disciple in years. Told me to visit his fields, then gave this."

Elder Lan’s expression shifted again. "If Elder Seven gifted this, guard it well."

After scanning Ye Yun with spirit perception, he threw the bottle back and returned to other elders.

"The boy’s connected to Elder Seven," Elder Lan said grimly.

"Impossible!" Chunyu Yan gasped.

Elder Lan glanced at distant Ye Yun. "That’s Divine Spirit Liquid only Elder Seven can make."

Chunyu Yan inhaled sharply. "Then their connection’s confirmed."

"My scan found only low-grade spiritual weapon on him. Elder Seven must’ve modified his body with drugs to withstand Divine Spirit Liquid. Only he could strengthen body refinement cultivator so."

"Though Elder Seven’s mind wanders… this makes Ye Yun his direct disciple." The elders exchanged glances—provoking Ye Yun wasn’t worth it.

Seems I survived, Ye Yun thought. Elder Lan’s shocked reaction showed Elder Seven’s superior status. His gamble worked.

"What liquid did Ye Yun take?"

"Why’s Elder Lan wary of him?"

Elder Lan’s actions made Ye Yun appear more mysterious to watching disciples.