Chapter 651

Chapter 651: Testing Again

"Wait. If anyone breaks through my defense, I’ll let you pass." Ye Yun stood casually at the third level’s entrance, his Purple Shadow Divine Sword planted in the ground. His calm voice carried undeniable authority.

North Ming Dao Ren and the others exchanged uneasy glances, resentment brewing yet none daring to advance.

"Why’s a Golden Core stage brat blocking our path?" Eight figures descended, anger flaring at the sight of Ye Yun guarding the entrance.

Two immediately attacked, releasing immense pressure that threatened to tear Ye Yun apart.

With a cold smirk, Ye Yun spread his fingers. Ten streaks of Sword Energy surged like a storm, freezing every targeted cultivator mid-step. When the attackers regained movement, their eyes held pure dread.

"Senior… are you barring us from the temple’s third-level transformation?" one trembling voice managed.

"Grant me three hours, and I’ll step aside," Ye Yun replied mildly, his smile unchanged.

"We fought hard to reach the Pool of Life. If you deny us entry…"

Relief washed over the crowd—three hours was bearable. Most settled to rest, eyeing this baffling Golden Core cultivator.

"Your name and sect, Senior? Are you from Sword Seeking Villa?" someone asked, eyeing the sword by Ye Yun’s legs.

"Sword Seeking Villa?" Ye Yun’s lips curved. "I’m Lantian, their inner disciple. Heard of me?"

"No."

"Must be Sword Seeking Villa’s hidden extraordinary genius—a Seventh Level Nascent Soul expert!"

"To think they’ve another talent besides Lantian…"

As murmurs spread, Ye Yun smiled silently. The smear against Sword Seeking Villa had taken root.

The crowd grew. Most obeyed after witnessing Ye Yun’s power; others joined the queue to avoid trouble.

"Sword Seeking Villa’s arrogance surpasses even Moon Goddess Palace!"

"Moon Goddess Palace’s experts scorn this place. But Sword Seeking Villa? They’re bold enough."

"Quiet! Words bring danger."

Whispers about Ye Yun dominated. A Golden Core cultivator wielding such power? Unthinkable! All concluded he concealed his true Nascent Soul strength.

None dared rebel. A flick of Ye Yun’s sword meant death. Why risk life over a mere three-hour wait?

"Senior! Ling’er mastered a low-grade spiritual weapon!" Golden Ling’er’s voice chirped beside him.

Ye Yun smiled at the crowd. "I’ll leave briefly. Guard this spot, inform newcomers of the rules. Do well, earn Silver Moon Armor. Excel, gain ten thousand mid-grade Immortal Spirit Stones."

"Silver Moon Armor—a low-quality Immortal artifact! And ten thousand stones! Is he buying loyalty?"

As chatter erupted, Ye Yun departed. Strong guards would take his place. Now, to experience the Pool of Life.

"May its effects purge the fire poison within." Climbing dark steps, Ye Yun felt swallowed by emptiness.

"Ancestor of the Sword Path, dismantle this Deceptive Array."

Reopening his eyes, Ye Yun saw countless spectral eyes swirling—piercing white darkness, torturous as fading night.

"Patience," the Ancestor’s voice echoed. Spirit perception rippled outward.

"Looks like you sensed the Pool of Life would make you dissipate too." Ye Yun suddenly closed his eyes. The true qi within him kept flowing, and the fire poison seemed to detect something, raging wildly through his body.

Loneliness engulfed him as blood seeped from his meridians. Each step up the stairs felt agonizing. Ye Yun knew Golden Ling’er and Jin An had likely been teleported out. Now only he remained trapped in this illusionary realm, realizing this Deceptive Array specifically targeted him.

The array clearly aimed to reignite his fire poison—a vicious scheme. Yet few knew about the poison inside him. This trap could only have been set by that woman from the Moon Dynasty.

Ye Yun muttered darkly, "When I regain my peak strength, that Moon Dynasty woman will pay dearly for her crimes."

Murderous intent swirled in his eyes, yet he maintained cold clarity. Glancing at the shattered Deceptive Array, he relaxed upon seeing the Pool of Life still intact. He eased into its waters.

Warmth immediately flooded his limbs like a pure stream of energy, soothing his battered body. The Pool of Life truly lived up to its name.

"Feels amazing. I haven’t felt this relaxed in years." Ye Yun breathed deeply, exchanging thoughts with the Ancestor of the Sword Path.

"Mediocre pool by my standards, but sufficient for you," the Ancestor chuckled, watching Ye Yun soak. "Not everyone enjoyed luxuries like I did."

"My fire poison’s fading. Will absorbing this pool’s energy cure me?" Ye Yun examined his arms where crimson veins were lightening.

"Foolish child! If it were that easy, fire poison wouldn’t be feared." The Ancestor snorted. "To fully purge it, you’ll need Ice Spirit Crystals from the Extreme Northern Frost Land."

Ye Yun’s eyes narrowed. Sentient Ice Spirit essence? Absorbing that could counterbalance his overflowing Fire Spirit Qi. This might push his seventh-level Golden Core stage to the mid-tier, letting him explore the Xumi Treasure’s depths.

"These trinkets mean nothing. Xumi Daoist hid true treasures in the fifth layer’s core. Only heavenly materials and earthly treasures there would make this journey worthwhile."

As Ye Yun prepared to absorb the energy, his meridians flared crimson again. The fading veins blazed anew across his arms.

"Sabotage?" Ye Yun hissed. That woman must have tampered with the pool too. Thankfully, their combined soul power resealed the fire poison before it crippled his arms.

A swordsman without hands becomes a joke, no matter his talent.

"That venomous witch! When I recover, her death will follow." Only their joint efforts prevented needing the reverse time array—its activation would alert nearby Nascent Soul cultivators, leaving him vulnerable to slaughter.

"Begin absorption," the Ancestor announced as Ye Yun’s thoughts churned. "The pool’s tampering is fixed."

"So fast?" Ye Yun stared at his flickering veins, containing restless Fire Spirit Qi. "Why was suppressing the poison easier this time?"

"Simple trickery." The Ancestor grumbled. "That little girl added fire poison stimulants—probably testing if you’re worthy to compete for the Sun-Moon Soul in the second layer."

"Testing me? How petty." Ye Yun pocketed his Stagnation Stone. His true qi coiled like a dragon as he funneled the pool’s entire energy into his core.

"Selfish brat. Outsiders waiting for this pool will rage when they find it drained." The Ancestor twirled fiery beads, amused approval in his eyes.

Self-preservation wasn’t selfishness—it was cultivation’s first law. Talent meant nothing without seizing opportunities. Every cultivator would do the same. Let fools moralize. Regret only came from hesitation.

Besides, none would remember Ye Yun. They’d only recall Sword Seeking Villa’s extraordinary genius—Lantian.