Chapter 384

Chapter 384: The Probing Ends

These words stunned everyone!

The surrounding people instantly looked at Lou Yun with changed expressions. Ye Piaoling had been about to leave, yet Lou Yun had actively called out to stop him, wanting to continue sparring. Was this fellow insane?

Wen Zhi Lao Ren opened his mouth, wanting to speak but ultimately closing it. In this setting, before these two individuals, he’d be better off saying little!

However, Ye Piaoling didn’t find Lou Yun’s actions particularly surprising. Having fought him twice, he could feel it—this youth indeed possessed strength comparable to his own. That’s why Lou Yun dared issue this challenge.

After only a moment’s hesitation, Ye Piaoling nodded and said, “Alright!”

If Lou Yun’s earlier behavior had merely shocked the crowd, Ye Piaoling accepting his request now made them sense madness!

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances before turning their gazes back to Lou Yun, seemingly trying to see right through him.

The reason Lou Yun actively proposed sparring to Ye Piaoling was primarily to sincerely experience his chilling energy. He wished to thoroughly understand how it differed from spiritual energy and sinister qi. Earlier within the Ice Ruins, he had to split his focus protecting Wen Zhi Lao Ren and Xia Zhilan, unable to fight freely. Now, since they’d all left the Ice Ruins and he could fight without restraint, he made the offer.

Ye Piaoling accepting the sparring wasn’t without basis either. He was known as an eccentric; his cultivation method was entirely unique. Over decades, his actual combat experiences were scarce. Beyond loneliness, he truly wished to spar, testing his exact strength.

Sadly, most couldn’t withstand his chilling energy. Often, before even unleashing his full power, opponents surrendered or fled outright. He possessed might but found little use for it. Today, however, he encountered Lou Yun. The power emanating from Lou Yun counteracted his own, and their strength seemed evenly matched. This rare, perfect chance for a genuine sparring session, he refused to let pass.

Moreover, Ye Piaoling’s mind had sorted things out by now. Since Lou Yun’s power fundamentally opposed his own, it was unlikely he sought Ye Piaoling’s cultivation method. Who could possibly harness two completely opposing forces within one body?

Besides, no place existed where a cultivator could simultaneously absorb chilling and fiery energies!

Thus, as Ye Piaoling turned to face Lou Yun, the hostility radiating from him significantly diminished.

As for Lou Yun, he had never harbored any hostility towards Ye Piaoling. His thoughts genuinely centered on sheer, simple sparring—experiencing Ye Piaoling’s chilling energy firsthand.

Lou Yun said to Wen Zhi Lao Ren, “Elder Brother, please look after Little Lan for me.”

With so many hermit masters of the Great Snowfield present, Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s courage visibly returned. Many here owed him favors. He thumped his chest firmly, declaring, “Rest assured!”

“Haha, my thanks!”

Without needing Lou Yun’s instruction, Xia Zhilan obediently stepped behind Wen Zhi Lao Ren. Lou Yun nodded to her, then redirected his flight, landing beside the cavern entrance, onto the true surface of the snowfield.

Though snow perpetually fell across the Great Snowfield, the intensely low temperatures had compacted it solidly into ice. Stepping upon it caused no sinking.

Ye Piaoling swiftly followed, landing opposite Lou Yun, five meters away. His magical weapon vanished like smoke.

This subtle change went unnoticed by others, but Lou Yun saw it keenly. His eyes involuntarily brightened—clearly, Ye Piaoling also intended to fight without relying on his magical weapon from the outset. He, too, must specialize in attacks utilizing his very body.

A sharp glint flashed simultaneously in both their eyes. In that instant, they truly perceived one another clearly, each sensing the unparalleled, immense power contained within the other’s frame.

At once, an aura erupted from each of them. Like surging rivers, it pressed furiously against the other.

The surrounding air seemed to solidify completely. The onlookers collectively felt it—upon this open plain, a colossal mountain had abruptly materialized and crushed down upon them.

Instantly, their expressions shifted drastically again. Previously, all believed that although Lou Yun had challenged Ye Piaoling, he simply could never be his opponent.

But now, having personally witnessed the sheer intensity of the aura emanating from these two, they understood: Lou Yun truly possessed strength at the uttermost pinnacle. Strength sufficient to rival this Ye Piaoling, who they deeply feared.

An unprecedented tremor of dread rapidly spread through their hearts. Even their gazes towards Lou Yun now carried a subtle hint of fear.

These spectators, willing to seclude themselves for cultivation upon the Great Snowfield, daring to explore the commotion after hearing the explosion—all were notably powerful. At minimum, they matched Wen Zhi Lao Ren, having attained Earth level cultivation. The strongest amongst them even reached king rank. Yet beneath this terrifying pressure, each felt an immense burden. Wen Zhi Lao Ren, especially, having just sworn to Lou Yun he’d protect Xia Zhilan, felt profoundly inadequate.

Wen Zhi Lao Ren strove with his full might to shield Xia Zhilan. Yet the pressure she endured remained overwhelming. Her sweet face flushed crimson, her body trembled slightly, and her feet sank deep into the millennia-old permafrost beneath. Barely holding on, she gritted her teeth, refusing to let even a sound escape.

Luckily, the elderly man previously conversing with Wen Zhi Lao Ren noticed their plight. Hesitating briefly, he glanced at the distant Lou Yun, then quietly moved beside them. His weapon spirit power extended, enveloping the pair.

Instantly, Wen Zhi Lao Ren felt the oppressive weight vanish. Blushing, he nodded at the old man. “Thank you!”

Xia Zhilan also hurriedly offered a deep curtsy: “Thank you, Senior.”

The old man gave no reply. His attention had already returned fully to Lou Yun and Ye Piaoling.

Lou Yun and Ye Piaoling seemed entirely oblivious to the observers. Here and now, the entire world seemed to vanish for them both—only this formidable opponent before them remained.

Beyond the aura imposing on everyone around them, each exuded a different essence: a domineering presence born of supreme confidence in their own power. A conviction radiating from their very cores.

Both wore expressions of utmost gravity. Though they held no deep hatred—this being merely a simple spar—respecting the opponent was respecting oneself. Only such a powerful foe could ignite their fighting spirit.

Finally, seemingly guided by shared intuition, they moved simultaneously!

Both figures blurred from their spots, reappearing instantly midway between their original positions. A deafening explosion—louder even than the one within the Ice Ruins—echoed out. They’d truly collided!

This blast made every heart uncontrollably shudder.

At this very moment, throughout the Great Snowfield, hermits cultivating away from the Ice Ruins snapped their heads up in unison, eyes opening towards one direction.

They, too, heard that thunderous roar, faintly sensing that colossal surge of energy.

Ye Piaoling indeed matched Lou Yun’s guess. He excelled at utilizing his body for attacks. Though the sheer force behind every blow was considerable, far more terrifying was the bone-penetrating chill emanating from his limbs!

The Great Snowfield’s temperature was already frigid. Yet as Ye Piaoling unleashed his assault, an even deeper cold instantly consumed the entire plain. Autumn surrendered abruptly to a wintry desolation. The spectators instinctively huddled their necks like ordinary folk, some subconsciously breathing warmth onto their hands.

Ripples of intense, extreme cold wave after wave radiated outwards from Ye Piaoling. As the chilling air spread, snowflakes began drifting across the entire plain.

The observers inwardly sighed with relief: Ye Piaoling’s power reached such heights? Thank goodness they hadn’t foolishly challenged him before. They stood utterly no chance.

What about Lou Yun?

At this moment, Lou Yun remained remarkably calm. It was as though he felt neither the plummeting temperature nor the falling snow. With only his body, he withstood Ye Piaoling’s offense.

Internally, however, Lou Yun sensed the dwindling of his own heaven-earth energy swift far greater than usual—greater than in any previous confrontation.

To resist the frigid energy pouring from Ye Piaoling’s form, Lou Yun had to infuse the heat of his Three Heavenly Flames into every burst of heaven-earth energy. Naturally, this consumed significantly more energy.

Though both possessed immense power, their current clash resembled that of reckless street brawlers. Their attacks bore no trace of refined technique, unfolding purely by instinct.

Ye Piaoling punched; Lou Yun blocked. Lou Yun kicked; Ye Piaoling parried. Ye Piaoling then sent a palm strike; Lou Yun dodged, countering with a chop. Blow after blow, the battle raged intensely. After a long moment, they separated once more. Lou Yun smiled faintly: “Senior, we’ve traded blows long enough, understanding each other’s power well. Let’s cease wasting time and begin in earnest!”

Through this exchange, Ye Piaoling and Lou Yun developed mutual admiration. Thus, Ye Piaoling readily agreed to Lou Yun’s suggestion: “Agreed!”

Overhearing this conversation, the surrounding spectators once again gaped in utter disbelief. These two had battled this fiercely, unleashed such power, yet it had all merely been probing? They hadn’t even begun to show their true strength?