Chapter 197: Second Defeat

“Yun… Junior Brother Yun!”

Cang Yue immediately covered her mouth, staring in disbelief at the figure so close in front of her. Her vision blurred instantly, as if she had fallen into a dream, and a wave of dizziness washed over her.

She took a step forward, suppressing the urge to throw herself into his arms, but tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. She looked at Yun Che, suppressing her sobs, trying to speak, but she was too choked up to utter a single coherent word.

Yun Che walked up to Cang Yue, and disregarding Qin Wushang and the other two, he gently wiped away her tears. With a pained expression, he said, “I’m sorry, Senior Sister. I made you worry.”

Yun Che’s voice, like the softest breeze, echoed in Cang Yue’s ears. She had thought she would never hear his voice again in this lifetime. She grasped Yun Che’s hand, her joyful tears unstoppable. She choked out, “I… I thought… I thought… I would never… never…”

“It was my fault for not telling Senior Sister that I was going to the Death God’s Wilderness… But I’m back, safe and sound, not a single hair lost.” Yun Che smiled reassuringly, “Before I left, I promised Senior Sister I would return within half a year. Although I was almost late, I didn’t break my promise to Senior Sister. Senior Sister, don’t cry anymore… From now on, no matter where I go, I’ll tell you honestly, and I’ll never make you worry about me again.”

Cang Yue’s tears, Yun Che’s gentle whispers… even an idiot could clearly see their relationship at that moment. Qin Wushang was fine; after all, he had long suspected something, and Qin Wuyou had hinted at it several times. Although it was a bit awkward and uncomfortable for him to witness, it was acceptable. However, Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong’s expressions were much more interesting. Yun Che had been a widely discussed figure half a year ago, and they had heard rumors of his death in the Death God’s Wilderness. Being close to the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, they had also occasionally heard that Princess Cang Yue and Yun Che were somewhat close. But at this moment, they were witnessing firsthand the tears and emotional outpouring between the two.

Whether Yun Che was dead or alive was irrelevant to them; after all, in their eyes, he was just a minor figure, at most possessing extraordinary influence among the younger generation and having gained the attention of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. But Cang Yue… she was the only princess of the Blue Wind Empire’s imperial family! And a more important identity – she was the woman Fen Juecheng had set his sights on!

After their initial surprise, Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong’s gazes towards Yun Che immediately held a hint of pity: Regardless of Princess Cang Yue’s status, daring to covet the woman Fen Juecheng desired – if this news reached Fen Juecheng’s ears, Yun Che, even with the protection of the entire Blue Wind Profound Palace, would undoubtedly suffer a miserable death. There would be no other outcome.

Glancing at Qin Wushang and the two unnaturally expressive individuals, Yun Che squeezed Cang Yue’s hand and stepped forward. “Palace Master Qin, I apologize for my unannounced departure from the palace half a year ago.”

“Haha, it’s good that you’re back safe. It’s good that you’re back,” Qin Wushang smiled kindly. Seeing Yun Che’s safe return brought him great joy; at the very least, Princess Cang Yue would no longer be utterly heartbroken. He nodded slightly. “Indeed! And it seems your experience over the past half-year has been quite astonishing. Your profound strength level is now… Hmm? What?! True Profound Realm tenth… tenth level? This, this, this…”

He had initially felt that the profound energy Yun Che subtly emitted was much stronger than half a year ago, which made him very pleased. But when he truly probed, he was utterly shocked to discover that Yun Che’s profound strength level had actually reached the True Profound Realm’s tenth level!

The last time he saw Yun Che was half a year ago, when he was in a duel with Murong Yi, and his profound strength was only at the True Profound Realm’s second level… In just half a year, he had actually crossed eight levels!

“True Profound… tenth level? Ah?” Cang Yue turned her tear-stained face, shocked and joyful. “Junior Brother Yun, is it true… your profound strength has really reached the peak of the True Profound Realm?”

Qin Wushang’s words made Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong’s expressions change. They immediately probed Yun Che’s profound energy, and the result caused their faces to change dramatically again, their shock immeasurable. They naturally knew about his duel with Murong Yi half a year ago, and Yun Che’s profound strength level at that time… A leap of eight levels in half a year – such a massive jump was something they had never even heard of.

Even the current top genius of the younger generation, Ling Yun, the Young Master of Heavenly Sword Villa, would absolutely not be able to ascend from True Profound Realm second level to True Profound Realm tenth level within half a year.

What shocked Qin Wushang even more was that Yun Che’s profound strength had not only skyrocketed but his aura was also extremely stable… Eight levels of improvement in half a year, with such stable and solid profound energy, any single point was enough to astound the world.

Yun Che smiled and nodded. “Yes. Although the Death God’s Wilderness is perilous everywhere, it indeed provides excellent tempering.”

If it were merely tempering, Yun Che’s profound veins, with all fifty-four profound entrances open, would have shown great improvement in half a year, but certainly not this much. Obtaining the inheritance of the Dragon God’s bloodline was the true key.

“This… this is simply unbelievable.” Qin Wushang stammered with excitement. “Even direct disciples of sects with abundant resources and top-tier inheritances couldn’t possibly achieve such progress in half a year. It seems I have greatly underestimated you all along. No wonder Her Royal Highness the Princess holds you in such… hehe, high regard.”

“Palace Master Qin exaggerates,” Yun Che smiled casually, then got to the point. “The Blue Wind Ranking Tournament should start in two days. I would like to represent the Imperial Family and participate in this ranking tournament. I wonder if Palace Master Qin would permit it?”

“This…” Qin Wushang hesitated, glancing at Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong. “Each participating faction can bring a maximum of three competing disciples. The three representatives for the Imperial Family have already been selected through the inner palace competition. Your two senior brothers beside me are two of them, and the other is Fen Juechen. If you wish to participate, I’m afraid…”

“That’s easy to handle.” Yun Che turned his gaze to Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong. “Since it’s a ranking tournament, the results of the competition concern the Imperial Family’s ranking among all factions, and thus naturally concern the Imperial Family’s prestige. Therefore, the participating disciples must be chosen as the strongest. Since these two senior brothers are two of the three strongest selected, does that mean if I defeat either one of them, I can take their place?”

“This…” Qin Wushang glanced at Cang Yue and slowly nodded. “That is indeed true. If your strength surpasses either of your two senior brothers, you are naturally more qualified to represent the Imperial Family.”

“Very well.” Yun Che clasped his right hand behind his back and extended his left hand towards Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong. “Then I shall ask for some guidance from both senior brothers here. Which senior brother would like to instruct first?”

The content of Yun Che’s conversation with Qin Wushang caused both Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong to show disdain. Although Yun Che’s progress was indeed incredibly astonishing, both of them had long since broken through the True Profound Realm and had been in the Spirit Profound Realm for over a year. How could they possibly take a True Profound Realm tenth-level profound practitioner seriously, much less believe they could be defeated by one?

Facing Yun Che’s stance, both of them sneered lightly. Fang Feilong curled his lip and said, “Feng Bufan, you go first.”

Feng Bufan squinted his eyes and sneered, “Fang Feilong, you are merely my defeated opponent. It’s not my turn anyway. If he can’t even pass your test, do I still need to make a move?”

Fang Feilong was enraged. “Feng, you just took the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill early and broke through a month or two before me! Who is whose defeated opponent is still uncertain after I finish refining the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill these two days!”

“Two Senior Brothers, no need to quarrel,” Yun Che said with a chuckle. “If you can’t decide who goes first, then you can both come at me together.”

At these words, Qin Wushang and Cang Yue were startled. Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong froze, then simultaneously sneered. Feng Bufan said, “Hmph, Yun Che, you are indeed as arrogant as the legends say…”

Feng Bufan had just opened his mouth when he was rudely interrupted by Yun Che. “The Ranking Tournament is imminent; let’s not waste time with unnecessary talk. If the two Senior Brothers don’t make a move first, then I won’t hold back.”

As his voice fell, Yun Che’s figure flickered, moving directly towards Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong. As he approached, his figure suddenly split into two, allowing Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong to clearly see a Yun Che attacking each of them.

Facing True Profound Realm opponents, Feng Bufan and Fang Feilong felt no pressure whatsoever, nor did they panic. But for a True Profound Realm practitioner to attempt to challenge two Spirit Profound Realm practitioners simultaneously was, in their eyes, utterly ridiculous.

“Courting death!”

The two men shouted coldly, each reaching out to grab the Yun Che in front of them, but their hands grasped empty air… Both Yun Ches were afterimages! However, before they were attacked, these two afterimages were completely indistinguishable from the real person, without the slightest sense of illusion or blur that an afterimage should have.

This was the power of the Star God’s Shattered Shadow.

Yun Che’s true body appeared above them. He spun sideways, spreading his hands open abruptly, simultaneously pushing towards the two of them. Like lightning, his hands struck their shoulders, one left and one right, seemingly lightly.

Yun Che’s sudden attack startled them, but they showed no fear facing his assault. A True Profound Realm attack, especially one divided to strike two people simultaneously, could simply not break through their profound energy defenses. The moment they were struck, the two of them just needed to simultaneously counter-shock with their profound energy. The combined counter-shock force of two Spirit Profound Realm practitioners would be enough to severely injure this arrogant boy who didn’t know his place.

But when Yun Che’s palms struck their shoulders, an inexplicable oppressive force instantly chilled their entire bodies, their heartbeats abruptly stopping. Then, with a loud “bang,” they felt as if they had been struck by a ten-ton hammer. Their profound energy defenses, along with their thoughts of “counter-shocking,” instantly shattered. Both of them grunted simultaneously, flying far away like two bundles of straw thrown out, one to the east and one to the west. They flew over ten feet, then collapsed on the ground, groaning in pain, unable to get up for a long time.

Yun Che’s profound strength was indeed only at the True Profound Realm’s tenth level, but how could his true strength be measured by the level of his profound energy!

Instant defeat!

And he instantly defeated two people!

These two were top-tier experts of the younger generation, who had dominated the inner palace’s Heaven Profound Ranking as second and third for over a year!

Qin Wushang’s old eyes widened even more than a cow’s, and Cang Yue let out a soft cry, instinctively covering her mouth. The emotions in her beautiful eyes transformed from surprise to joy, and then to deep admiration and reverence… like an ordinary young girl adoring the heroic demeanor of her beloved.

Looking at the two who couldn’t get up for a long time, Yun Che looked at his hands and said with slight embarrassment, “Sorry, two Senior Brothers, I accidentally hit a bit too hard… Uh, Palace Master Qin, this… I really didn’t mean to… It shouldn’t, affect the ranking tournament, right?”