Chapter 819

Chapter 819: Fierce Battle

"Stray dog?" Ye Yun coldly gazed down at He Xiao’an on the battle platform. The sudden shift in He Xiao’an’s expression puzzled Elder Xing, who then smiled faintly, realizing it was better to let Ye Yun handle such a cunning junior.

"As an Invited Elder of the Immortal Dao Sect, I’m merely here to judge. Yet I heard you wish to marry my sister. Is this true?" Ye Yun’s calm eyes rippled like disturbed water, revealing sharp killing intent. If Shui Lingling truly fancied a promising young talent, he wouldn’t object—but for someone like He Xiao’an, unless she genuinely desired it, he would never allow this union.

He Xiao’an’s back dripped with cold sweat. If this matter progressed, Ye Yun wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate him first. Though Ye Yun’s face remained impassive, the icy aura radiating from him made He Xiao’an shudder.

He Xiao’an wished to vanish. How had he encountered Ye Yun here? After killing Gui Xiaohan, he’d tried to erase his tracks but had exposed his identity. If the Ghost King Sect learned of their young Sect Leader’s death, they’d hunt him endlessly. Desperate, he’d sought any means to survive.

Seeing Ye Yun’s intent to strike, He Xiao’an gritted his teeth. With so many young elites watching, staying silent would shame him. But as he opened his mouth again, a blunt sword arc shot toward him. Unable to dodge, He Xiao’an blocked with his arm. A crimson streak bloomed on the platform like bloody winter plum blossoms.

Clutching his crippled right arm, He Xiao’an paled. That strike had been a warning. If Ye Yun unleashed his full power, he’d be dead instantly. Sparing his life likely stemmed from respect for the Seven-Star Sect. Observing Shui Lingling’s haughty smirk as she watched his injury, He Xiao’an realized she knew this marriage would never happen.

"Since this is just a warning, he probably won’t expose me for killing Gui Xiaohan. At least I can breathe a little longer." He Xiao’an sighed. Ye Yun’s disdain likely stemmed from their past rivalry over a succubus. Thankfully, his arm could heal with heavenly materials—this was merely a lesson.

Had Ye Yun truly wanted him dead, that sword strike would’ve ended him. He Xiao’an had witnessed Ye Yun erase the Seven-Star Celestial Orbs effortlessly. Was the First Level of the Earth Immortal realm truly Ye Yun’s limit? If Ye Yun possessed one of those legendary physiques, his future would be unimaginable. For now, He Xiao’an could only avoid provoking him.

With no further need for the Immortal Dao Sect, He Xiao’an abandoned his dwindling stash of Seven-Star Celestial Orbs. From fourteen orbs, only two or three remained. His plans for Shui Lingling had crumbled—his father would need new strategies in this chaotic era where demons and devils clashed.

As He Xiao’an retreated, Shui Lingling giggled at the furious Immortal Dao Sect disciples. "Seems Ling’er’s quite popular, making so many oppose him!"

Shui Yingying chuckled. "Silly girl, haven’t you noticed? Our sect’s talented women rarely marry outsiders. Why let our resources benefit others?"

The sect encouraged male disciples to pursue women from other sects while keeping their own female disciples within. Though they wouldn’t force anyone, matches outside earned the sect’s disapproval.

"Ling’er feels cheated! With my innate spiritual body, I expected many suitors, but they’re all daydreamers!" Shui Lingling pouted, recalling past admirers who’d showered her with gifts before she squandered them.

"If you truly want to marry, find a good man. Your sister and Ye Yun will support you," Shui Yingying teased.

Their banter paused as a black-robed woman stepped onto the platform. "That’s Jun Ruolan, the Moon Goddess Palace’s extraordinary genius," Shui Yingying whispered. "She broke through to the Earth Immortal realm after returning from the Xumi Treasure empty-handed—pure determination."

"Not an innate spiritual body? Just raw talent?" Shui Lingling eyed Jun Ruolan’s icy beauty. "A frosty rose—prickly to handle."

"But her scent makes the thorns worth enduring," Shui Yingying countered.

Shui Lingling frowned. "Her spiritual power feels… different. The Moon Refining Technique shouldn’t rival my Starry Sky methods, yet…"

"Geniuses have their secrets. Didn’t Ye Yun surprise us too?" Shui Yingying replied, watching Jun Ruolan weave moonlight into intricate patterns before annihilating a First Level Earth Immortal opponent with a blinding beam.

"She’s grown formidable," Ye Yun mused. Jun Ruolan’s progress didn’t surprise him—he anticipated her becoming a true rival.

Moon Goddess Palace disciples cheered wildly as male cultivators sighed. With Jun Ruolan’s rise, the palace now favored women. Her combat power rivaled Third or Fourth Level Earth Immortals, fulfilling the elders’ hopes.

Jun Ruolan’s resources matched Ye Yun’s—top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones and heavenly materials—yet their paths differed. While Ye Yun studied spatial laws through hardship, she’d mastered the Moon Refining Technique with relentless focus. Her effortless breakthrough hid immense suffering, invisible to spectators.

Coldly departing after her victory, Jun Ruolan felt nothing. Compared to *his* Sword Path Domain and blue phantoms, this was trivial. She must grow stronger—even his shadow felt distant now.

"Nine Demons Burning remains. Only there can I challenge beast kings." Unaware Ye Yun had sealed the area, reducing its Seventh Level Earth Immortal beast kings, Jun Ruolan resolved to risk the demonic trial.

Ye Yun frowned. Since returning to Lingyao Continent, an ominous weight pressed on him. "Is it the Demon Emperor?" he wondered. Beings at the breakthrough threshold needed little time to reach the Tenth Level of Earth Immortal.

"Should I eliminate it? Never fought a Tenth Level, but it can’t surpass that black mountain beast." Though uncertain, he couldn’t retreat. Even Shen Zhongyang’s Ninth Level strength wouldn’t tip the scales.

Elder Xing noticed his tension. "Trouble?"

"I must leave. This threatens my future." Ye Yun warned Elder Xing to stay silent—false alarms caused chaos, but confirmation meant accepting fate.

A Tenth Level Demon Emperor wielded catastrophic power. Though daunted, Ye Yun charged forward. The Golden-winged Roc’s immense form loomed, but hesitation meant disaster.

Activating the Great Sky Teleportation Array, spatial laws enveloped him. White patterns glowed as he stepped in, the Ancestor locking onto Nine Demons Burning’s coordinates. Spatial storms tore through reality, swallowing him whole.

"Endure the pressure," the Ancestor warned. Agony ripped through Ye Yun, consciousness fraying until soul power yanked him back. "Worse than hellfire," he gasped as landscapes blurred.

Emerging, he faced Nine Demons Burning’s abyss-like entrance, thick with demonic energy. Letting the Ancestor shield him, Ye Yun turned into thunder and rushed in. Relying on spatial laws here risked ambush—better to confront the unknown head-on.