Chapter 53

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Chapter 53: The Form of Pressure

Ye Yun missed his strike. Though momentarily stunned, he swiftly regained focus and retreated gracefully. The low-grade defensive spiritual weapon’s strength was evident—attacks against Duan Chenfeng’s upper body proved nearly useless. Duan Chenfeng now only needed to guard his head and legs, leaving his torso undefended.

Their original strengths had been evenly matched, but with Duan Chenfeng’s upper body impervious, how could Ye Yun fight? Ye Yun’s expression darkened. His left arm’s injury remained unhealed, and prolonging the battle would worsen his disadvantage. Yet surrendering first place to Duan Chenfeng was unthinkable.

He refused to yield. His path of cultivation had grown clearer—the black and white light within him purified and converted spiritual energy, allowing rapid absorption. As long as his comprehension deepened, breakthroughs came effortlessly. But extracting that pure energy demanded vast spirit stones. Low-grade stones were now worthless to him; only middle-grade and top-grade ones sufficed.

Reaching the top eight granted fifty middle-grade spirit stones, but first place added fifty more. Unlike Duan Chenfeng and Qu Yiping, who came from privilege, Ye Yun relied solely on himself. Those extra fifty stones were nonnegotiable.

A true expert’s strength began with mindset—a resolute heart undaunted by setbacks. Ye Yun inhaled deeply, spiritual power surging within him. After a brief shock, his fighting spirit blazed, eyes hardening with determination.

His aura shifted entirely. Gone was hesitation—only the drive to fight with all his might remained.

Duan Chenflinched, his arrogance fading into disbelief. Ye Yun now exuded a faint but unmistakable pressure—a force typically born only after reaching the Qi refining stage, through arduous spiritual refinement. Even most Qi refining disciples failed to manifest it, as it demanded soul-deep comprehension, not mere cultivation techniques or resources.

Yet here was Ye Yun, a fifth-stage body refinement disciple, radiating that pressure.

Above the arena, Elder Lan and Elder Chunyu Yan exchanged stunned glances. “If Ye Yun survives the sect trial,” Elder Chunyu Yan murmured, a glimmer of excitement in his gaze, “Tian Zhu Peak may soon welcome another Qi refining disciple.”

“Survival is rare for outer disciples in this trial,” Elder Lan sighed.

Elder Chunyu Yan’s face darkened. “Such promising new disciples… what a waste.”

“Sentimentality is pointless,” Elder Lan said coolly. “Many show potential, but few become inner disciples or true inheritors. Until then, they hold little value to the Heavenly Sword Sect. This trial, though perilous, is their chance.”

Elder Chunyu Yan nodded silently.

On the stage, Duan Chenfeng tensed. Unlike the spectators, he felt Ye Yun’s pressure firsthand—a coiled serpent ready to strike.

“You continue to surprise me, Ye Yun.”

“As do you, Senior Brother Duan.”

“Then witness my true strength.”

Duan Chenfeng snapped his fan shut. A black-glowing glove materialized on his left fist, contrasting starkly with the white one on his right. The two low-grade spiritual weapons pulsed with opposing energies—one fierce, the other sinister.

“The Phantom Emperor’s Gauntlets? Impossible!”

Qu Yiping’s shout drew every eye.

“Senior Brother Qu,” Yu Minghong whispered beside him, “you recognize this weapon?”

Qu Yiping’s face twisted slightly as he said grimly, "The Nether Emperor is a king at the Golden Core stage. He possesses a fist technique called the Dark Ghost Fist – extremely sinister and terrifying. It’s said that even a glancing hit from its wind would imprison one’s soul in the dark abyss, suffering endless torment from ghosts. The Nether Emperor also wields a treasure called the Nether Fist Gloves, which amplify his Dark Ghost Fist’s power tenfold. Against opponents of the same realm, he’s practically invincible."

"Impossible!" Yu Minghong frowned. "How could such a terrifying Golden Core master’s artifact appear on Tian Zhu Peak’s arena? Even a fraction of its true power would destroy us."

Qu Yiping nodded. "Of course. That’s why this is merely a replica." His expression darkened as he fell silent.

The surrounding disciples understood. Even as replicas like the Great Sun Boxing Gloves, possessing two spiritual weapons made Duan Chenfeng akin to a walking arsenal. How could they possibly oppose him?

Duan Chenfeng coldly observed Ye Yun, lightly knocking his fists together. Two opposing forces collided instantly.

Yet instead of explosive chaos, the black and white lights merged – distinct yet intertwined. Like water and fire impossibly blending, the energies combined seamlessly.

"Ye Yun," Duan Chenfeng’s voice thundered without its former arrogance, pure confidence remaining, "Block this strike, and first place is yours."

Ye Yun watched silently. Though not yet unleashed, this black-white fist felt strangely familiar. Within him pulsed similar black-white lights, mirroring those on Duan Chenfeng’s gloves.

Most crucially, Ye Yun sensed revelation from these low-grade spiritual weapons’ energies. The Nether Gloves’ darkness and Great Sun Gloves’ fierceness – opposing forces merging perfectly. If his inner lights combined similarly, did that mean they too contained conflicting energies?

Yet why couldn’t he control them? He’d never even sensed their true nature.

Watching the interweaving lights in Duan Chenfeng’s hands, Ye Yun felt a door crack open – no, merely a pinhole – offering glimpses into his inner lights’ mystery.

"Great Sun’s Brilliance, Nether’s Shadow!"

With Duan Chenfeng’s roar, black-white lights erupted from the gloves. From this radiance emerged a fist containing unimaginable power – surpassing anything he’d shown before, reaching the peak between body refinement and Qi refining stages. Even newly advanced Qi refining disciples couldn’t unleash such force.

This punch was unstoppable.

All spectators paled. Even black-robed disciples like Nan Cheng froze in terror – this strike exceeded their cultivation. Surviving it would require miraculous luck.

"Be careful!" Nan Cheng mentally urged. Their deal made Ye Yun’s survival crucial.

Qu Yiping and Yu Minghong stared in shock, especially Qu Yiping who now realized his folly. Had Duan Chenfeng truly fought him, one punch would’ve annihilated him completely. Cold sweat drenched his back.

The thousand-strong crowd gaped. Was this a new disciple’s power? Only reclusive purple-robed disciples could withstand this! What monster was Duan Chenfeng?

Yet Ye Yun stood motionless as the fused gloves’ attack reached his chest – unavoidable, undodgeable.

Suddenly, Ye Yun smiled.

He simply raised his fists before his chest.

BOOM!

The black-white lights struck. Ye Yun flew backward – only the arena’s protective array prevented ground shattering. But no blood sprayed. Instead, Ye Yun spread his arms mid-air like a soaring bird, flipped gracefully, and landed calmly.

Unharmed.

The Qi refining stage’s invincible strike had been lightly fended off.

Impossible!

Duan Chenfeng and the outer disciples stared dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what they’d witnessed.