Chapter 130: Sikong Crossing

Seeing Yun Che's expression suddenly relax, almost with a hint of secret delight, Feng Yue nearly burst out laughing. "Absolutely! I'm absolutely certain, but do *you* have the guts to accept? I hear your profound strength is at the tenth level of the Spirit Profound Realm. Tsk, tsk, that's quite impressive. If someone at the dignified tenth level of the Spirit Profound Realm doesn't even dare to take this challenge, then you should just meekly get out of here and stop making a fool of yourself."

In a quaint little pavilion far off, Qin Wuyou, clad in a purple robe, sat calmly on a stone bench, leisurely sipping tea. His attention remained fixed on Yun Che. Despite the distance, he saw and heard everything that transpired perfectly clearly. Upon hearing Feng Yue's seemingly arrogant and unrestrained "three-strike challenge" to Yun Che, Qin Wuyou's expression immediately shifted. He stood up and said, "Sikong, go stop Yun Che at once. Do *not* let him agree to Feng Yue's terms. You should know very well what Feng Yue excels at."

"Yes, Instructor Qin," replied a young man, seemingly around twenty years old, standing beside Qin Wuyou. He nodded and quickly headed in Yun Che's direction.

Yun Xiaofan's severe injury had drawn many eyes to their location. The young profound practitioners awaiting assessment all wore astonished expressions. Yun Che's profound strength was at the tenth level of the Spirit Profound Realm, while Feng Yue's was at the third level of the True Profound Realm. Although Feng Yue was three levels higher than Yun Che, with an entire realm separating them, taking three of his opponent's strikes without moving was simply too presumptuous. Even a fully powered three-strike attack from someone at the seventh level of the Spirit Profound Realm, while perhaps not inflicting injury, should certainly be enough to force him back.

Meanwhile, the Profound Palace disciples who had come to watch the spectacle revealed expressions of schadenfreude. Seeing Yun Che clearly about to accept, they began to feel pity for him.

While it would be virtually impossible for any other profound practitioner at the third level of the True Profound Realm to remain motionless under three full-force attacks from someone at the tenth level of the Spirit Profound Realm, Feng Yue was different; he could achieve it with absolute ease.

Just as Yun Che was about to speak, a deep, resonant voice suddenly boomed from behind him: "Feng Yue, I've long heard that you're treacherous and despicable, and it seems you've truly lived up to that reputation! To use such a contemptible trick to ensnare a disciple who's about to enter the palace, you've truly disgraced the Blue Wind Profound Palace!"

These words made Feng Yue's expression falter. He was about to erupt in anger, but then he saw the young man emerge through the crowd and appear before him. His face instantly changed, and the words he was about to utter were obediently swallowed. His face flushed crimson, but he dared not voice his rage.

The moment the man appeared, a brief silence fell over the surroundings, followed by a surge of chatter and exclamations from the crowd. All eyes turned incredibly fervent.

"Look at his armband! That's... that's the insignia of an Inner Palace disciple! My heavens, an Inner Palace disciple!" exclaimed a newly qualified disciple, his face filled with reverence and longing.

"It's Senior Brother Sikong Du, ranked thirty-ninth on the Heavenly Profound Ranking! Holy cow, it's really him! These senior brothers and sisters from the Inner Palace usually stay within the Inner Palace and are rarely seen. I can't believe he's here!"

"I heard Sikong Du's profound strength has already reached the tenth level of the True Profound Realm! He'll break through to the Spirit Profound Realm in less than a year. If I could reach his current level by the time I'm thirty, I'd be laughing in my sleep."

"But why would Senior Brother Sikong come here? And to scold Feng Yue so harshly? Do they have a grudge? I haven't heard anything about that. Besides, even though Feng Yue often bullies Outer Palace disciples, he wouldn't dare provoke an Inner Palace disciple, no matter how bold he is."

Out of over fifty thousand disciples in the Blue Wind Profound Palace, only a hundred are Inner Palace disciples. It's easy to imagine what kind of geniuses these hundred individuals are; calling them peerless prodigies wouldn't be an exaggeration. The competition within the Inner Palace, with its mere hundred members, is also the most intense. Having reached the highest echelon of the Blue Wind Profound Palace, their pursuits and goals are focused entirely on the Heavenly Profound Ranking. They train desperately, striving to improve their standing on the list. As for the Outer and Middle Palaces, they simply don't bother with them, which is why disciples from the Outer and Middle Palaces rarely get to see Inner Palace disciples.

Sikong Du remained perfectly calm amidst the surrounding chatter and gazes, clearly long accustomed to such attention. He examined Yun Che up close, his gaze kind. "You're Yun Che, aren't you? Don't agree to his 'three-strike challenge'! That Feng Yue is from the Thick Earth Mountain Villa in the Western Desert, and their family's profound art specializes in defense! Even though his profound strength is only at the third level of the True Profound Realm, if he defends with all his might, let alone you, even a practitioner of the same level would find it difficult to make him retreat a single inch with three strikes! If you agree, you'll fall completely into the trap he's set."

Sikong Du's words instantly brought realization to everyone present, followed by a surge of anger in their hearts. Their gazes at Feng Yue were filled with contempt and disgust. To rely on one's unique skill and issue such a "three-strike challenge" to a disciple undergoing the entrance assessment was utterly vile and incredibly insidious.

Yun Che nodded, smiling gratefully at Sikong Du. "I see. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Sikong... May I ask, is Senior Brother Sikong's father Elder Sikong Han of the New Moon Profound Palace?"

Sikong Du paused, then smiled and nodded. "That's right, Sikong Han is indeed my father. Instructor Qin mentioned that you are exceptionally keen-minded, haha, he certainly didn't praise you for nothing."

Yun Che instantly understood completely. Sikong Du was Sikong Han's son, and if Qin Wuyou had informed Sikong Du of his identity, then Sikong Du's actions were perfectly explainable. It was no wonder Sikong Han had been so full of pride when he spoke of his son, as his son was, remarkably, an influential Inner Palace disciple of the Blue Wind Profound Palace!

Sikong Du bowed to Instructor Qi and said, "Instructor Qi, Feng Yue has used this opportunity to assist with the assessment to maliciously inflict severe injury upon a candidate and to set such a wicked trap for another. This is utterly unforgivable. I believe Feng Yue is no longer qualified to remain here; he should be expelled immediately and subjected to severe punishment. As for the assessment itself, I am willing to take over."

"This..." Instructor Qi's face revealed a troubled expression. He dared not flatly refuse the words of an Inner Palace disciple, especially one ranked among the top fifty on the Heavenly Profound Ranking, even though he was an Outer Palace instructor. However, Instructor Qi had chosen Feng Yue to assist with the assessment precisely because Feng Yue had been one of his personal favorite disciples during his time in the Outer Palace, and Feng Yue's later entry into the Middle Palace had brought him great honor. Feng Yue had always treated him with utmost respect, and had secretly sent him various valuable gifts without interruption. Naturally, Instructor Qi was very satisfied with and fond of this disciple.

This was also the reason Feng Yue dared to act so brazenly in front of Instructor Qi.

If Sikong Du's suggestion were followed, Feng Yue would suffer a complete loss of face, and the accusations of maliciously harming and ensnaring a candidate would be cemented, which would be extremely detrimental to his future profound palace career. At that moment, Instructor Qi stated with a stern expression, "Feng Yue's actions were indeed somewhat excessive, but during a spar, it's difficult to control one's strength. It was Feng Yue's first encounter with Yun Xiaofan, and misjudging his opponent's profound strength, his heavy hand was excusable, certainly not intentional, as he had no reason whatsoever to severely injure an unfamiliar candidate. As for the 'three-strike challenge' he proposed, it is a voluntary agreement between both parties. Feng Yue showed no intention of coercion; if one has confidence, they can accept, and if not, they can simply decline. I believe it's largely harmless."

Instructor Qi's words caused Feng Yue's expression to instantly relax. He quickly plastered a deferential smile on his face and said, "Instructor Qi is absolutely right. Senior Brother Sikong, every word Instructor Qi spoke is true. Even if I had the audacity of a dragon, I would never intentionally harm a future junior brother. As for injuring Yun Xiaofan, it was entirely unintentional. Later, I will personally offer him a Small Rejuvenation Pill as an apology. And, if Senior Brother Sikong is interested in assessing the candidates' combat prowess, I would, of course, be delighted to step aside. It would be an immense stroke of luck for our future junior brothers to personally experience Senior Brother Sikong's formidable presence."

Instructor Qi's words were clearly biased, yet perfectly watertight, and Feng Yue's submissive demeanor left Sikong Du no avenue to vent his frustration. After all, even as an Inner Palace disciple, he wouldn't want to needlessly offend an Outer Palace instructor.

At this moment, Yun Che suddenly spoke up, "Instructor Qi is right; Feng Yue's 'three-strike challenge' does indeed require mutual consent. While it's somewhat despicable and shameless, since Feng Yue has proposed it, I naturally intend to accept. Otherwise, if I don't, won't many people mock me as a coward once I enter the Profound Palace?"

Yun Che's words instantly stunned everyone present.

Sikong Du frowned sharply and said, "Yun Che, did you not listen to what I just said? The profound energy defense established by their family's profound art is simply something you cannot shake! He can stand there, and not just with three strikes, but even with thirty, you won't be able to make him retreat a single step! Quickly retract what you just said. It's not shameful at all for you to refuse this guaranteed-loss 'three-strike challenge'; no one will call you a coward. If you accept, *that* would be truly foolish!"

To Sikong Du's surprise, Yun Che merely shook his head. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Sikong, but I've always been very confident in my profound strength. I might not necessarily lose this three-strike challenge. If I happen to win, Senior Brother Feng Yue will have to walk on his hands in front of me from now on. The mere thought of it is quite a pleasant prospect."

"You... how can you be so stubbornly arrogant!" Sikong Du's face hardened, and his gaze turned to one of confusion and disappointment. "You simply don't understand how incredibly strong Feng Yue's profound art's defensive capabilities are; they will absolutely far exceed your imagination! You have no chance of winning whatsoever! Are you only fantasizing about winning to see him humiliated and getting your revenge, without ever considering that if you lose, you'll be expelled from the Blue Wind Profound Palace forever?"

Yun Che's stubborn arrogance infused Sikong Du's voice with anger, but despite his words, Yun Che still wore a faint, nonchalant smile. "Senior Brother Sikong, just watch from the side. I'm absolutely determined to see what it looks like when this senior brother walks backward."

"You!" Sikong Du angrily waved his hand. "Fine! I've said everything I needed to say; what you choose to do is your own business! I just hope you don't regret it too much later!"

With that, he resentfully stepped aside, but he did not leave. Instead, he frowned, pondering how he could help Yun Che salvage the situation if he lost... Sikong Du was a person who never forgot a kindness; Yun Che's grandfather, Xiao Lie, had saved his life years ago, and he wouldn't stand idly by as his benefactor's grandson was harmed.

Yun Che had already stepped forward to stand before Feng Yue, smiling faintly. "Are you ready? I'm about to make my move."

"Hahahahaha..." Feng Yue was already laughing so hard he felt his lungs would burst. A prominent figure like Sikong Du had specifically intervened to extricate Yun Che, yet Yun Che insisted on stepping forward to court humiliation himself. He had seen countless idiots, but he had never encountered one quite so idiotic.