Chapter 555: Yun Che Goes into Battle

The terrible sensation of the venom consuming his body miraculously vanished. Not only was all the venom completely gone from Su Zhizhan's body, and he no longer moaned, but to everyone's astonishment, he slowly stood up on his own.

"This..." Su Xiangnan, whose hand had been resting on Su Zhizhan, and the other elders of the Su family clearly felt that the Nine Monarch Dragon Poison in Su Zhizhan's body had completely vanished—truly vanished, not merely suppressed. As guardian families for ten thousand years, they and the Jufang clan naturally understood the power of the Jufang family's poison arts and the terror of the Nine Monarch Dragon Poison. Even for someone as powerful as them, being afflicted by Jufang Yu's "Nine Monarch Dragon Poison," which was only at the fourth level of the Tyrant Profound Realm, would still take a considerable amount of time to completely resolve. Yet, the yellow pill Yun Che gave Su Zhizhan had completely dissolved the severe Nine Monarch Dragon Poison in Su Zhizhan's body within just a few breaths. Given their vast experience, they found it incredibly hard to believe.

Su Zhizhan, of course, was most aware of his own physical condition. He looked at Yun Che with astonishment for a moment, then cupped his hand in a salute and sincerely said, "Brother Yun, thank you for saving me. Father, elders, I'm alright now."

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Jufang clan certainly wouldn't genuinely poison Su Zhizhan to death. However, if the Nine Monarch Dragon Poison lingered for too long, it could cause irreversible damage and hidden problems to Su Zhizhan's body, even his profound veins. If the Su family wanted to get the antidote quickly, they would inevitably have to bow to the Jufang clan. Therefore, Yun Che not only cured Su Zhizhan's poison but also salvaged the Su family's dignity, which was on the verge of being compromised.

Given Su Zhizhan's character, forcing his family to bow to the Jufang clan because of him would be more unbearable than death. Thus, he was now immensely grateful to Yun Che, whom he hadn't paid much attention to before.

"Truly... a divine medicine!" several elders of the Su family exclaimed softly. Were it not for the setting, they would have pressed Yun Che relentlessly to reveal what kind of divine medicine he had given Su Zhizhan. Completely eliminating the Nine Monarch Dragon Poison that had spread throughout the body in mere seconds—with such a medicine, wouldn't one be fearless against all poisons?

Su Xiangnan nodded heavily at Yun Che. Although he said nothing, his gratitude was evident on his face.

"What's going on?" Su Zhizhan's poisonous aura vanished, and he stood up as if nothing had happened. Jufang Yu and the rest of the Jufang clan were all dumbfounded. Although they had seen Yun Che feed Su Zhizhan a pill, the three words that came to their minds were exactly the same: "Impossible!"

How could there be a pill in this world that could so easily dissolve the Nine Monarch Dragon Poison? Absolutely impossible! It must have only temporarily suppressed the poison; it had to be!

The Jufang family members were all inwardly shocked, but they absolutely refused to believe or accept that Su Zhizhan's poison had truly been so easily resolved by a single pill! If such a pill truly existed, wouldn't their family's poison arts become a joke, utterly worthless?!

"That poison just now, I, Su Zhizhan... have noted it down!" Su Zhizhan glared fiercely at Jufang Yu. Then, aided by Su Xiangnan, he returned to the Su family's seats.

But Yun Che did not leave. Facing Jufang Yu, he said expressionlessly, "Jufang Yu, when Su Zhizhan fought you, he was already injured all over and his profound energy was greatly diminished. You could have easily defeated him, so why did you still use poison? Is your Jufang clan all such insidious people?"

Jufang Yu had absolutely no interest in even glancing at Yun Che, who only exuded an aura of the Sky Profound Realm. He was the peerless genius known to everyone in the Illusory Demon Realm, the foremost figure of the Jufang clan. In his eyes, a mere Sky Profound Realm practitioner didn't even deserve the word "trash." He tilted his head and said lazily, "What are you? How I deal with Su Zhizhan—when is it the turn of a Sky Profound Realm trash like you to question? Oh... I suddenly remember, aren't you that useless adopted son the Yun family head took in, the one who just now contradicted His Highness Prince Huai, hmm? What, could it be that you're the one representing the Yun family in the next battle? Hahahahaha!"

After saying the last sentence, Jufang Yu burst into laughter. Yun Che also laughed, "You're right, I am the one representing the Yun family, and I am your current opponent."

"Hmm?" Jufang Yu's laughter abruptly stopped, then he burst into laughter again, bending over backward and nearly losing his breath: "You? A Sky Profound Realm trash... representing the Yun family? To be my opponent? Ah haha... hahahahaha..."

Jufang Yu's previous words were merely sarcasm; he never truly believed the Yun family would send a Sky Profound Realm practitioner to battle, as this cultivation level wasn't even enough to make up the numbers in such a duel. But he never expected Yun Che to give him a definite affirmative answer, making him feel as if he had heard the most hilarious joke in the world.

On the eastern side, many instantly burst into laughter, and similar guffaws echoed from every corner of the hall. The western side's crushing defeat was already a foregone conclusion, and after Su Zhizhan's loss, they had only one participant left. This duel originated from the Yun family, and its outcome also concerned the Yun family's future, so the Yun family had to have someone participate no matter what. Although the Yun family's younger generation was in decline and their defeat was inevitable, the Yun family had previously declared that while they could lose the match, they must never lose their integrity and spirit. What they should do was send their strongest young expert to fight Jufang Yu with all their might, remaining unyielding even in defeat.

Regardless, they shouldn't send someone who was only at the Sky Profound Realm, unqualified to even stand on the stage or make up the numbers, to represent the Yun family. If they truly did that, wouldn't the Yun family be shaming themselves?

So, amidst the laughter, everyone believed that Yun Che was acting on his own initiative. His various alarming impulsive actions and words from earlier were still vivid in people's minds.

"Is this kid here to be funny?""I thought he was incredibly brave when he went head-to-head with Prince Huai earlier, but it turns out he's just a hothead.""He's only at the Sky Profound Realm, not even as good as me, and he wants to represent the Yun family? Doesn't he know this is humiliating the Yun family?""I can't even watch this. If it were me, I'd probably never show my face in public again.""How could the dignified Yun family head take in such an adopted son, sigh..."

The entire hall erupted in widespread laughter, and the Little Demon Empress's crescent brows were tightly furrowed. A light chuckle sounded, and Prince Huai stood up, saying with a smile, "Yun Che, you want to represent the Yun family in battle? I wonder if this is your decision, or Yun Qinghong's?"

Yun Che did not answer. Yun Qinghong slowly stood up, looking at Prince Huai. Just as everyone thought he would deny it, he said calmly, "Of course, it's my decision! The last person from our faction, and the one representing my Yun family, is Yun Che! Does Prince Huai have an objection?"

A clamor— Without surprise, as soon as Yun Qinghong spoke, the entire hall erupted in an uproar, and almost everyone was dumbfounded. As even louder clamor came from all directions, Yun Qinghong didn't even need to listen to know what they were discussing—it was undoubtedly something like "Yun Qinghong must be crazy."

However, not everyone reacted this way; some were aghast, some were laughing heartily. But Prince Huai did not laugh, and many from the Twelve Families looked thoughtful.

Many among the Twelve Families knew about Xiao Yun and Tianxia Seventh being attacked outside Demon Imperial City three months ago and being rescued by Yun Che. Especially the Tianxia clan, the Helian clan, and Prince Huai, among others, also knew that Yun Che not only rescued them from three individuals at the first level of the Tyrant Profound Realm, but also instantly annihilated a first-level Tyrant Emperor!

His strength was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface... Yun Qinghong's decision clearly demonstrated this.

Because Yun Qinghong was absolutely not a fool!

"Seventh Treasure, when Yun Che saved you that day, did he really kill a first-level Tyrant Emperor with just one move?" From the Tianxia family's seats, Tianxia Wudi asked Tianxia Seventh for confirmation.

"Of course, it's true!" Tianxia Seventh nodded with great certainty. "Third Uncle, I was right there and saw it clearly with my own eyes."

"I tested his strength that day," Tianxia First said, looking directly at Yun Che. "When he acted, his profound energy aura was still at the tenth level of the Sky Profound Realm, that cannot be fake, but his combat power was at least at the fourth level of the Tyrant Profound Realm! This battle might not necessarily be a victory for Jufang Yu... Everyone should prepare to be astonished!"

Tianxia First emphasized the words "at least." The fourth level of the Tyrant Profound Realm was the strength he had probed that day, but he also sensed that it was very likely not Yun Che's full power at all. A truly clever person would certainly not easily reveal their full strength.

"If that's truly the case, then we're in for a show. Tenth level of the Sky Profound Realm... with combat power comparable to a mid-stage Tyrant Emperor, how on earth was this cultivated?! Such an exaggerated leap in combat power has absolutely never appeared in the history of the Illusory Demon Realm." Tianxia Wudi said with a furrowed brow, but then he sighed inwardly, "Alas, even if his strength truly surpasses the fourth level of the Tyrant Profound Realm, what if he defeats Jufang Yu? The situation of utter defeat cannot be changed. If Jufang Yu loses, they still have the brat from the Xiao family, the girl from the Chiyang family, and Prince Huai's and Prince Zhong's three sons... Alas."

"At least he can regain a lot of momentum!" Tianxia Xiongtu remarked, glancing sideways. "I'd like to see if this kid can give us a surprise! If this kid can really win this match, it would be a severe slap in the face to the other side, and even losing would feel better! Yun Qinghong having him appear last must be for this very purpose."

"However, Yun Che is ultimately just Yun Qinghong's adopted son, not a true member of the Yun family. Logically, he shouldn't be qualified to represent the Yun family in battle," Tianxia Fifth said.

"Since no one over there has objected, why are you worrying?" Tianxia Xiongtu waved his hand. "Even if they know this, they definitely won't bring it up; they're probably eager to use this opportunity to thoroughly humiliate the Yun family... Alas, I hope this kid can really win."

"No objection, of course, no objection," Prince Huai said with a smile. "For the Yun family head to trust your adopted son so much, it seems your adopted son must be extraordinary. Then, I, this King, will just quietly await the exciting duel that follows, hehehe."

"Patriarch, this, this, this... this matter is no small thing, please think thrice!" The Yun family elders could no longer sit still, agitatedly speaking out one after another.

A young Yun family disciple quickly stood before Yun Qinghong and said, "Patriarch, I request to fight in Yun Che's place. Although I am untalented, I will surely fight to the death and never bring shame upon the family..."

"Stop talking," Yun Qinghong decisively waved his hand. "Return to your seats, and whatever you want to say, say it after this match is over!"

Yun Qinghong's voice was stern and resolute, causing the elders and disciples to exchange glances, not daring to speak further. Yun Qinghong sat down, gazing at Yun Che on the stage, recalling the astonishing speed and stealth capabilities that had surprised even him three days prior... as well as the Golden Crow's Blazing Flame outside Demon Imperial City that night...

Although he had never truly tested Yun Che's strength, the mere fact that Yun Che had provoked the Little Demon Empress that night and returned alive was enough for him to firmly believe that his son's strength was absolutely greater than he had anticipated.

Che'er... let your father see what kind of performance you will put on!

Not everyone in Demon Imperial City was aware that Yun Che had rescued Xiao Yun and Tianxia Sixth from three Tyrant Emperors. Or even if they had heard, they wouldn't have truly paid attention to an unfamiliar name... Jufang Yu was one of them.

At the tenth level of the Sky Profound Realm, even with exceptionally high talent, one would at most be at the half-step King Profound Realm. In a setting like the Demon Imperial Hall, where heroes from all over gathered, facing an opponent of such a trash level, Jufang Yu even felt a sense of humiliation. To downplay this humiliation as much as possible, he felt he absolutely couldn't simply defeat this opponent, whom he could poke to death with a single finger; instead, he had to humiliate him as much as possible, otherwise he felt he'd never be able to face anyone again.

He stood there crookedly, beckoning Yun Che with a finger, and said in a languid, drawling voice, "Alright, let's fight. Come, pick up your weapon and attack me all you want. I'll just stand here and let you slash me thirty times. If I move even once, I lose. How about that?"

"Heh!" Yun Che smiled faintly. "No need. I don't think I'll need a weapon to deal with you."

"..." Jufang Yu was so infuriated he burst out laughing. He suddenly felt that he wasn't facing a weakling but an utter idiot. Standing face-to-face with Yun Che, he felt his own taste, standing, and even intelligence were being drastically lowered.