Chapter 187
by post_apiChapter 187: What is a Talent
The four Perfect Battles concluded with both sides locked in stalemate.
The contest between the Four Sects of the Northwest and Tiger-Chasing reached its decisive fifth round under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Shen Yue of ChengTian Academy stood against Xue Qingluan of Lanyue Sect.
This clash represented the highest level of Gathering Qi cultivators in the northwest Canglan territory!
Shen Yue stood motionless on the Debate Platform. Glancing upward, he watched a lithe figure descend gracefully from the opposing cloud ship.
Clad in white robes with bare feet, she touched down lightly, trailing streams of moonlight as she landed.
In appearance, Xue Qingluan rivaled even the four renowned beauties of the academy.
Bathed in silvery radiance, she resembled a celestial maiden descending from the moon itself.
Every young disciple watching, regardless of gender, felt their gaze grow hazy when she appeared.
Yang Lingrui and Yang Lingshu initially shared this dazed sensation with the crowd.
But Chen Yang’s consciousness in their minds sounded urgent warnings, snapping them back to clarity.
"A fearsome technique," Yang Lingrui muttered, chilled by the realization. "It invades minds without detection."
He promptly shook Lv Fangxuan awake from his entranced state.
The revived disciple shuddered, his clothes damp with cold sweat – his divine awareness had nearly been overwhelmed.
Guardians from Daoyuanshan and Wanhuamen soon noticed the disturbance.
As they moved to counteract the strange technique, Shen Yue acted faster.
"I behold green mountains."
His clear voice carried across the arena as a crisp mountain breeze swept through, clearing the mental fog.
"Truly, the ‘Green Mountain Guest’ of ChengTian lives up to his reputation," Xue Qingluan acknowledged, ruby lips curving. "Well met, Friend Shen."
"Your ‘Fairy Su’e’ title rings louder across the land," Shen Yue countered with a raised palm. "Impressive technique, though affecting bystanders seems… ungracious."
Though meant as a duel, Xue Qingluan’s preemptive mental assault had ensnared Tiger-Chasing spectators.
The insidious technique left no physical wounds but carved deep scars in the sea of consciousness.
Fully succumbed victims would find their cultivation haunted by her phantom, forever shattering their focus.
Xue Qingluan offered only a faint smile, offering neither explanation nor apology.
After brief consultation, the three guardians declared the fifth battle commenced.
They now positioned themselves near the Debate Platform’s edge – both combatants far surpassed ordinary Gathering Qi cultivators.
In past battles, they had encountered Condensing Essence cultivators and managed to survive.
This was why even the three Condensing Essence stage guardians dared not show the slightest carelessness now.
"Green Mountain beholds me."
"Bright Moon hangs high."
As the two individuals entered their Spiritual Manipulation stance, everyone sensed violent spiritual turbulence sweeping through the Debate Platform’s outskirts!
The mere activation of this power already rivaled the force of Qiu Ran’s Seventh Calamity Lightning!
When the full moon ascended, the opposing green mountain erupted from the earth.
This became the most visible clash among the five Perfect Battles for the watching disciples.
Neither fighter employed elaborate techniques – just raw collisions between their projections.
"Solitary Moon descends!"
"I am the Mountain."
BOOM!——
The plummeting moon’s impact made the observation seats tremble along with the shaking earth.
"Such terrifying power!"
"Are they… truly Gathering Qi realm cultivators?"
"Without the defensive formation’s protection, just the residual force could give me severe injuries!"
Spectators gaped in awe at Shen Yue and Xue Qingluan’s overwhelming combat prowess.
This explosive confrontation far surpassed the previous four battles!
Yang Lingrui watching from below felt cold sweat down his back.
Thankfully Shen Yue was honorable, bearing no grudge over his connection to Li Qingwan.
With such strength and backing, Yang knew he’d stand no chance otherwise.
On the high platform, He Shenglai and Su Lingyun rose with others to observe intently.
Their composed expressions shattered when witnessing the destructive moon’s descent, replaced by grave solemnity.
Even Qiu Ran – victor against Ku Ruo and master of Nine Calamity Strikes – inhaled sharply before shutting her eyes under the Falling Moon’s pressure.
"Senior brother, could you block that?" Yang Lingshu blurted, enthralled.
"Must you rush my demise?"
Xiao Yize’s sarcasm faded into bitter laughter. Though grouped as top dynasty talents, they all knew truthfully only Shen Yue deserved the prodigy title.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the Debate Platform from colliding projections. The three guardians exchanged uneasy glances – this structure could withstand early-stage Condensing Essence assaults, yet now buckled under Gathering Qi cultivators! They channeled true essence urgently to prevent total collapse.
Xue Qingluan’s calm mask had crumbled. Despite pushing her Falling Moon technique to limits, the green mountain stood immovable. Her secret methods during the moon’s descent all failed against Shen Yue’s passive defense.
The man simply stood composed beneath apocalyptic forces, his projection alone repelling everything – like swatting away window draughts.
"So this is Tiger-Chasing’s Invincible Mountain?" Bitter acceptance flooded Xue Qingluan. As Lanyue Sect’s core disciple, she’d sparred central region sect elites and recognized true prodigies.
In northwest Canglan, only her senior sister previously merited such respect. But today, facing Shen Yue’s absolute defense, she relived that suffocating pressure from central region geniuses – pressure confirming this man’s place beyond mere regional talent rankings.