Chapter 218: Too Much Bullying

If a "Fifth Sect" had to be chosen outside of the Four Major Sects, the Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress, renowned throughout the northern regions, would undoubtedly be one of the most qualified. The Fortress is known for its two ultimate techniques: "Heavenly Gun" and "Thunderfire." True to its reputation, the Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress had two disciples qualify for the top thirty-two battles this time. Both disciples possessed profound energy at level eight of the Spirit Profound Realm, and their overall strength far surpassed that of the previous ranking tournament. Among all participating sects, they were only slightly inferior to the Four Major Sects.

Mu Xiongyi's heart instinctively tightened when he saw his first opponent in the top thirty-two battles was from one of the Four Major Sects. However, upon realizing it was Ling Jie, who was only sixteen and possessed profound energy at level six of the Spirit Profound Realm, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled contentedly. "Hehe," he mused, "this Ling Jie is clearly just here to gain experience for the next ranking tournament. I'm definitely going to win this match."

"It's still better to be careful," whispered Mu Xiongyan, who had also reached the top thirty-two. "The strength of Heavenly Sword Villa disciples should never be judged solely by their profound energy level."

"Haha! Don't worry, big brother," Mu Xiongyi exclaimed. "If I can't even defeat a kid with Spirit Profound Realm level six profound energy, I might as well stab myself with my own spear... I'm going!"

Mu Xiongyi let out a loud shout and leaped onto the dueling platform. With a flick of his muscular right arm, he brandished a nine-foot-long bronze spear, pointing it directly at Ling Jie. "Mu Xiongyi of the Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress in the northern regions," he declared, "I ask for your guidance!"

"No problem, no problem," Ling Jie replied with a mischievous grin, showing no sign of nervousness facing a formidable opponent. He then slowly drew his weapon—the Sky-Severing Sword. This sword was a high-grade Earth Profound weapon, which he had just acquired on the Sword Taming Platform last month. Although it couldn't compare to the incredibly rare Heaven Profound Sword, it was undoubtedly a top-tier Earth Profound Sword, possessing astonishing power.

"Elder Ling, we can begin now," Ling Jie said.

"Alright!" Ling Wugou nodded. "Heavenly Sword Villa disciple Ling Jie versus Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress's Mu Xiongyi! Begin!"

Mu Xiongyi made the first move. Without any apparent preparatory motion, he thrust his spear forward. With a piercing shriek of air, the spear tip shot out like a venomous snake, aiming directly for Ling Jie's throat. Ling Jie's eyes narrowed, and he thrust his Sky-Severing Sword forward, meeting the spear head-on. A series of crackling sounds from colliding profound energy erupted as sword and spear clashed dozens of times within a few breaths, the deafening noise like clashing thunder and lightning.

The sword was like a fierce tiger, and the spear like a venomous dragon. The battle between the two intensified, with hundreds of clashes occurring in an instant. In the prolonged stalemate, neither combatant seemed able to gain an advantage.

"This Ling Jie is truly remarkable," Cang Yue couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. "He's been able to hold his own against an opponent two levels higher than him for so long without falling into a disadvantage."

Yun Che's gaze shifted from the dueling platform, and he said with certainty, "Senior Sister, you've got it backward. It should be said that Mu Xiongyi is quite remarkable to have withstood so many sword strikes from Ling Jie. However, the key is that Ling Jie is holding back; otherwise, Mu Xiongyi would have been defeated long ago."

"Ah?" Cang Yue blinked her beautiful eyes, her face filled with surprise.

Yun Che had previously exchanged blows with Ling Jie, and although it was only a brief exchange of three swords, it was enough for him to roughly ascertain Ling Jie's true strength. He slowly explained, "The swordsmanship of Heavenly Sword Villa excels in 'sword intent,' not merely 'sword momentum' driven by profound energy. Right now, Ling Jie is only using sword momentum, yet he's on par with Mu Xiongyi, who is two profound energy levels higher than him... If Ling Jie were to unleash his full sword intent, Mu Xiongyi would swiftly be defeated."

Yun Che's words quickly proved true. After hundreds of clashes between sword and spear, Ling Jie seemed to lose his patience. With a slight change in his eyes, the sword shadows he wielded suddenly became elusive. Eventually, the sword shadows almost completely vanished, with only faint, wavering traces barely discernible.

This transformation would only astonish outsiders, but to Mu Xiongyi, who faced Ling Jie, it felt as if his opponent had suddenly become someone else. Every one of his spear thrusts was executed with full power, the spear whistling loudly. However, when they collided with Ling Jie's sword, the deafening impact sounds from before were gone, replaced by only a faint "ding." The power he poured into his spear then vanished without a trace, like a clay ox sinking into the sea, leaving him with an utterly uncomfortable empty sensation. Most astonishingly, his eyes could no longer perceive the existence of Ling Jie's sword shadows, and even the whistling sound of the sword had completely disappeared, as if Ling Jie's sword had eerily vanished from his hand.

Though startled, Mu Xiongyi remained composed. He stopped bothering with Ling Jie's sword shadows, releasing all his reserved profound energy. His spear momentum became fierce once more, the nine-foot spear twisting and soaring like an enraged dragon, its aura like a rainbow.

But to his surprise, despite his several times stronger spear momentum, Ling Jie was not forced back. With a slight flick of his wrist, the Sky-Severing Sword moved like a flexible spiritual snake, piercing through the surging storm of power and layers of spear shadows, directly thrusting towards Mu Xiongyi.

*Shhh... shhh...*

Mu Xiongyi's profound energy defense was easily torn open. As intense pain shot through him, two deep, bone-revealing wounds appeared on his chest... Mu Xiongyi hadn't even noticed when Ling Jie's sword had approached his chest.

Mu Xiongyi was greatly alarmed. He let out a roar, and with a powerful sweep of his spear, he forced Ling Jie far back. He then leaped high backward, poured power into his right arm, and suddenly hurled his spear forward. The spear instantly transformed into a lightning-fast meteor, streaking towards Ling Jie with terrifying spatial ripples.

"It's... it's the Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress's ultimate technique... Heaven-Propping Spear!"

Even from dozens of yards away, people could clearly feel the astonishing power of this spear thrust. If struck by it, even a Spirit Profound Realm peak practitioner would likely lose half their life.

Ling Jie swiftly retreated but did not fully dodge. Instead, amidst the countless exclamations of alarm, he pointed his sword at the incoming spear...

*Clink!!*

There was no violent collision sound. When the Sky-Severing Sword clashed with the spear, there was only a faint, almost inaudible hum.

"What a superb 'Stick' technique!" Ling Yuefeng nodded in admiration, a rare look of satisfaction on his face.

"Little Jie not only has far superior talent than I do, but his courage is also quite remarkable," Ling Yun said with a slight smile. "When I was his age, I absolutely wouldn't have dared to do that."

A surging flood of sword intent rose, firmly latching onto the spear that carried violent profound energy. Then, the Sky-Severing Sword guided the spear to draw a massive arc in front of Ling Jie. The tip of that "Heaven-Propping Spear" instantly reversed direction, flying back towards the stunned Mu Xiongyi.

*Bang!!!*

Debris scattered from the dueling platform as the spear was forcefully driven into the ground at Mu Xiongyi's feet. Its entire shaft embedded beneath the platform's surface, creating a crack several yards long.

Mu Xiongyi stumbled back two steps and then collapsed onto the ground, cold sweat beading on his forehead. If the spear had been aimed slightly further forward just now, he would have had a transparent hole through his body.

"I... I concede," Mu Xiongyi said tremblingly, his chest heaving and all will to fight gone.

"Hehe, thanks for the match," Ling Jie said triumphantly as he sheathed his sword.

"Heavenly Sword Villa's Ling Jie wins and advances to tomorrow's top sixteen battles!"

Many were surprised by this outcome, while even more considered it to be a matter of course. Yun Che rested his chin in his hand and muttered softly to himself, "Both being from the Four Major Sects and at the same profound energy level, yet the gap in strength is so vast... As expected of Heavenly Sword Villa."

He was, of course, referring to Xiao Nan of the Xiao Sect and Ling Jie of Heavenly Sword Villa. Both were at Spirit Profound Realm level six, but their disparity in strength was extraordinary.

The top thirty-two battles continued, and the matches for group one were completed in a single morning. In the afternoon, group two's matches began. Relatively speaking, group two's matches were much more intense and exciting than group one's, as group two's overall strength far surpassed that of group one.

By evening, all top thirty-two battles had concluded. The sixteen individuals who would advance to tomorrow's elimination rounds were all determined. Among the Four Major Sects, all eleven participants, except for Xiao Nan, who was defeated by Yun Che, advanced to the top sixteen, accounting for two-thirds of the total.

The schedule for tomorrow's top sixteen battles was displayed on the profound stone at the center of the dueling platform after the matches concluded.

Yun Che's opponent for tomorrow was Mu Xiongyan, also from the Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress in the northern regions, just like Ling Jie's opponent today.

"You saw today's matches. Mu Xiongyan's specialty is completely different from Mu Xiongyi's. Mu Xiongyi cultivates 'Heavenly Gun,' while Mu Xiongyan cultivates 'Thunderfire.' Thunderfire is much harder to cultivate than Heavenly Gun, but its power far surpasses it. Any weapon, including firearms, can be used in the ranking tournament! Mu Xiongyan, who wields Thunderfire, carries dozens of different firearms, appearing endlessly and making him extremely difficult to guard against... You absolutely must be careful tomorrow!"

Yun Che's decisive victory today undoubtedly filled Qin Wushang with great joy. However, upon seeing that tomorrow's opponent was Mu Xiongyan, he couldn't help but feel worried. Compared to Mu Xiongyan, he would have preferred the opponent to be someone from the Four Major Sects. Mu Xiongyan's attacking methods were truly terrifying; a slight misstep could result in crippling injury. Should that happen, this star who had brought dazzling light to the Azure Wind Profound Palace would dim forever.

"Don't worry, Palace Chief Qin, I won't get injured that easily. Furthermore," he said with a glint in his eye and a smile, "tomorrow, I will still win for you to see!"

"Hehe, good!" Qin Wushang laughed. After every match Yun Che fought, he once again realized that he had underestimated him. He no longer thought that Yun Che was destined to stop here, but was instead filled with hope and anticipation, wanting to see just how far he could go... whether he could enter the top eight... or even, break the Four Major Sects' centuries-long "monopoly" and enter the top four with world-shocking brilliance!

After the matches, when the four members of the Azure Wind Profound Palace returned to their courtyard, three people were already waiting for them inside—or, to be precise, they were waiting for Yun Che alone.

Among the three, one was a middle-aged man with an imposing aura. The other two young men had both been seen at today's arena: one was Mu Xiongyi, who was defeated by Ling Jie, and the other was Mu Xiongyan, who had defeated his opponent to enter tomorrow's top sixteen battles, and who would also be Yun Che's opponent tomorrow.

Upon seeing Yun Che, the middle-aged man strode directly towards him and said, "I am Mu Tianbei, the current Fortress Master of the Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress. Forgive my abrupt intrusion; I have an important matter to discuss with virtuous nephew Yun."

Mu Tianbei had a rugged appearance, and his demeanor carried a deep sense of arrogance. After all, in the northern regions, the Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress was an undisputed overlord. As its master, he held absolute sway there, with no one daring to defy him. Within the entire Azure Wind Empire, the Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress's fame was essentially second only to the Four Major Sects.

He immediately addressed Yun Che directly, without even glancing at Qin Wushang or Princess Cang Yue beside him, displaying an unbridled arrogance. Qin Wushang frowned but remained silent. Yun Che stepped forward and said, "So it is the esteemed Fortress Master Mu. May I ask what matter you wish to discuss with this junior?"

"It's simple," Mu Tianbei said, looking directly at Yun Che. "After observing virtuous nephew Yun's performance in the ranking tournament these past few days, I've been filled with admiration. With such talent and strength, even among the disciples of the Four Major Sects, few can compare to virtuous nephew Yun. Staying in a mere Azure Wind Profound Palace is simply burying a pearl. How about joining my Heavenly Gun Thunderfire Fortress?"

Upon hearing these words, even with Qin Wushang's typically good temperament, he couldn't help but erupt in fury. Poaching talent was one thing, but for Mu Tianbei to openly try to poach Yun Che right in front of him and Princess Cang Yue, and to brazenly display his contempt for the Azure Wind Profound Palace, completely disregarding the Palace and the Imperial Family, was simply too much.