Chapter 689

Chapter 689: Leaping the Dragon Gate

"So I’ve long wanted to tell you – Heavenly Immortals aren’t necessarily virtuous, nor are demons inherently evil. Though righteousness and wickedness have opposed each other since ancient times, both intentions ultimately coexist within all beings."

As Ye Yun fell silent, the Ancestor of the Sword Path’s voice echoed through his mind.

Ye Yun shrugged carelessly. "Everything demands payment. I accepted this truth long ago. Rather than philosophize, let’s focus on obtaining the Sun and Moon Dual Souls."

"Patience. That little girl likely has her own methods, hence her boldness. Waiting to join them remains our best strategy." The Ancestor chuckled at Ye Yun’s thoughtful expression.

"Waiting here slows us unnecessarily." White light glowed within Ye Yun as he told Yue Lengxuan: "Don’t resist. This will speed our journey."

"My thanks." Yue Lengxuan observed the spatial laws around Ye Yun, noting his surprising mastery beyond mere spiritual power.

"If not for protecting Yue Lengxuan, we’d have arrived long ago without your spatial law theatrics," Yue Xia fumed silently. Yet he accepted the assistance – securing the Dual Souls outweighed personal grudges for now.

Emerging through the sea’s crushing pressure, they faced the colossal Dragon Gate. Its golden dragon carving clutched a radiant Dragon Pearl, scales shimmering with hypnotic light.

"A mere Dragon Leap as first trial? Too simple." Ye Yun studied the cliffside inscriptions – names of past ascendants frozen in time, a monument to forgotten talents.

"No external aids permitted. Reach the 50th step to proceed." Yue Lengxuan stepped forward first. Bathed in the Dragon Pearl’s golden light, her fluttering white robes and determined eyes drew admiring glances as she ascended gracefully.

"Impressive. Her physical strength matches her cultivation." Ye Yun examined the handprints she left on the gate.

"This girl holds back. At full power, she might challenge even you," the Ancestor remarked.

"True. Her body cultivation rivals mine, though my Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique’s rigor differs from her path." Ye Yun watched impassively as Yue Lengxuan stalled at the 80th step. He nodded approval despite their rivalry when she retreated.

"So close…" Yue Lengxuan glared at the unreachable pearl before backflipping down.

"Are you hurt?" Yue Xiao asked urgently.

"Merely… insufficient." She stared at her trembling hands.

"Let me claim that pearl for you!" Yue Xia leaped onto the gate, bull-like momentum propelling him upward. But his brute force faltered – slowing at the 30th step, stumbling at the 40th, collapsing at the 50th.

Flushing under Yue Lengxuan’s gaze, he nearly missed his landing. The others tensed – if Yue Xia failed here, their prospects looked grim.

"Pitiful display," Ye Yun remarked.

"Golden Core trash dares mock me?" Yue Xia spat. "Wager your life against my top-quality Immortal artifact!"

"My life’s value exceeds your trinket, but I’ll indulge you." Ye Yun extended his palm. "Surrender the stake first."

With a cold snort, Yue Xia produced a golden blade etched with serpentine runes – unmistakably superior craftsmanship.

"Generous donation accepted." Ye Yun pocketed the weapon. "I’ll cherish this gift."

Ye Yun’s true qi circulated within him for a full cycle. After confirming his physical body remained intact, he advanced with steady steps. Upon reaching the Dragon Gate, he stomped the ground, channeling explosive force precisely through his feet. Each controlled leap propelled him upward with perfect efficiency.

Yue Xia watched coldly as Ye Yun ascended one step at a time. At this sluggish pace, he calculated Ye Yun would exhaust himself by the twentieth step. The failure would expose Lengxuan’s poor judgment while giving him rightful cause to kill the youth.

Yet Ye Yun maintained his rhythm. When his foot first touched the dragon-carved wall, the force applied was just enough for the next leap. As he reached the twentieth mark, Yue Xia’s composure cracked before he dismissed it as luck.

Everything changed at the thirtieth step. Ye Yun’s pace suddenly tripled, revealing hidden strength. Yue Xia’s knuckles whitened around his summoned top-quality Immortal artifact. Should Ye Yun surpass him, this treasure would be forfeit.

"Plummet already!" Yue Xia snarled, desperation twisting his features. His rage peaked as Ye Yun blasted past the fiftieth step without slowing. The artifact’s loss stabbed deeper than any blade – under Lengxuan’s watchful gaze, reneging meant certain death.

"Monstrous physicality," murmured Yue Xiao. "A Golden Core stage cultivator outmatching Nascent Soul practitioners…"

"Truly unprecedented," the Ancestor of the Sword Path agreed through mental link. Both knew such talent demanded elimination. Outstanding individuals became either invaluable allies or deadly foes – and this one clearly leaned toward the latter.

At the eightieth step, pressure mounted like mountain ranges. Ye Yun’s muscles screamed as he unleashed his final reserves, charging upward with thunderous momentum. The Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique fortified his flesh, but survival hinged on reaching the summit before collapse.

Yue Lengxuan’s jade-like fingers tightened. She’d fallen at eighty-three steps despite her Third Level Nascent Soul cultivation. Yet this Golden Core youth now approached the ninetieth… then the ninety-ninth…

With a roar, Ye Yun conquered the hundredth tier. His hand closed around the radiant Dragon Pearl. No restrictions hindered him – none expected any mortal to reach this height. Revitalizing energy flooded his veins, mending fatigue while tempering his body further.

Descending, Ye Yun extended an open palm toward Yue Xia. "My prize."

The artifact flew at lethal speed. Ye Yun shattered it with casual backhand slap. "Pity. Nearly intact."

"Bastard!" Yue Xia’s snarl died in his throat as Ye Yun’s glacial gaze swept over him.

"Your turn," Ye Yun commanded the remaining three. Their mediocre performances barely passed muster.

Yue Lengxuan materialized beside him, orchid scent enveloping them. "Name your price for the Dragon Pearl."

"One thousand top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones… for you," Ye Yun countered.

Her laughter tinkled like windchimes. "Bring me ten trillion, and I’m yours."

"Too expensive." His smirk held no warmth.

The onlookers gaped. Never had the Moon Dynasty’s frost princess shown such familiarity. Yue Xia’s nails drew blood from clenched palms. This insult demanded repayment in blood.

Ye Yun noted the murderous glare. Let them scheme. Each step up the dragon’s path had forged his body into a weapon. Soon, not even Nascent Soul cultivators would threaten him.