Chapter 72: A Shocking Battle in the City (8)

More than ten breaths passed after Yun Che issued his challenge, yet no one from the seven sects responded, creating an incredibly awkward silence. Yun Che’s gaze gradually turned to mockery. At that moment, a young man from the Burning Heaven Clan’s Outer Sect finally couldn’t hold back and was about to stand up, but someone next to him pulled him back, whispering, “What are you doing? Your strength is on par with Feng Guangyi. Are you going to go up there and embarrass our Burning Heaven Clan?”

“Damn it, this kid is too arrogant!” The young man gritted his teeth in frustration. “If Young Master Zihuan were here, he’d teach him a lesson his own mother wouldn’t recognize.”

The Zihuan he mentioned was the son of the Outer Sect Master of the Burning Heaven Clan, the top genius of the younger generation. Although he couldn’t compare to Xiao Luocheng, at sixteen, he had already reached the seventh level of the Elementary Profound Realm, just one step away from the eighth level. Among the younger generation in New Moon City, he was second only to Xiao Luocheng.

At that moment, a resolute-looking young man slowly walked out from the Iron Spear Sect. He appeared to be around Yun Che’s age, but he didn’t seem immature at all; instead, he exuded a maturity unbefitting his years. He stood before Yun Che, nodded slightly, and calmly said, “I am Tie Hengjun of the Iron Spear Sect, seventeen this year. I’m not truly qualified to challenge you. However, seeing you defeat strong opponents one after another just now, and observing a hint of kingly demeanor within your arrogant confidence, I felt a deep admiration. Therefore, I wished to spar with you... This is purely out of appreciation, with no other intentions. If you feel I am too old or unqualified to fight you in this setting, you may refuse, and I will not press the matter.”

“Wow! That’s the Young Master of the Iron Spear Sect! He’s come out this time!”

“I heard three months ago he was at the fourth level of the Elementary Profound Realm! His mastery of the long spear is truly divine! Defeating opponents one or two levels higher than him is completely effortless.”

As soon as Tie Hengjun appeared, virtually everyone present, from disciples to elders, recognized him, except for Yun Che. The Young Master of the Iron Spear Sect had a reputation, influence, and even status in New Moon City that was no less than the City Lord’s. His strength was also beyond doubt. Although a seventeen-year-old at the fourth level of the Elementary Profound Realm could only be considered upper-tier, not top-tier, among the seven sects, the Iron Spear Sect prioritized spear mastery over profound energy levels! The Iron Spear Sect’s average profound energy level was among the lowest of the seven sects, but their overall strength was in the middle tier.

“Tie Hengjun actually came out. Of course, it’ll be easy for him to defeat Yun Che. But he’s already 17, so a win is expected; it’s not satisfying at all,” a Profound Heart Sect disciple said.

“It’s a bit like bullying, true, but if Tie Hengjun intentionally broke an arm or a leg, hehe, that wouldn’t be bad. I really can’t stand Yun Che’s arrogant face anymore,” another person said resentfully.

The New Moon Profound Palace members also wondered if Tie Hengjun intended to use a “simple spar” as an excuse to injure Yun Che and prevent him from continuing his challenge. After all, with his identity as the Young Master of the Iron Spear Sect and his strength at the fourth level of the Elementary Profound Realm, he was perfectly capable of doing so. At that moment, several seventeen-year-old disciples from the New Moon Profound Palace clenched their fists, eager to step forward and stop Tie Hengjun on the grounds of age. However, considering Tie Hengjun’s identity and strength, none of these seventeen-year-old disciples ultimately dared to intervene.

From Tie Hengjun’s face and eyes, Yun Che saw eagerness and sincerity, free from any other impurities. He was slightly surprised; it seemed not all disciples of the seven sects were arrogant brats. This Tie Hengjun, despite his youth, exuded fortitude and composure, possessing a rare sense of integrity. He had pride, but it was the noble kind befitting a man, not mere arrogance.

Yun Che’s previous performance had earned his respect, and also made him eager for a match, genuinely wanting to spar with Yun Che.

Yun Che then smiled slightly and said, “Brother Tie, there’s no need for such humility. For you, the Young Master of the Iron Spear Sect, to challenge an unknown like me, disregarding others’ opinions, already shows you think highly of me. It would be my great honor to spar with you. So, let’s begin.”

With that, Yun Che stepped back half a pace and raised his right arm horizontally.

Tie Hengjun was momentarily stunned, completely surprised that the previously boundless arrogant Yun Che was now adopting such a respectful posture towards him. His heart immediately warmed, and a slight smile appeared on his face. “In that case, Brother Yun, I shall enjoy a good spar with you! Brother Yun, you’ve just fought three consecutive matches, so your profound energy must be somewhat depleted. While a spar isn’t about winning or losing, starting now would be too unfair to you. How about we...”

“No need,” Yun Che shook his head and smiled. “Thank you for your kindness, Brother Tie, but please don’t worry. Although I fought three consecutive matches, each one ended in the blink of an eye, so my profound energy was barely depleted. There’s no need for a rest. When I face you, Brother Tie, I’ll naturally be at my full strength.”

Tie Hengjun no longer insisted. He nodded, then touched his spatial ring, and a silver long spear, nearly as tall as he was, appeared in his hand, pointing diagonally at the ground. “This spear is called ‘Cloud-Piercer.’ It’s an ancestral true profound artifact and a beloved spear I cherish as my life, never leaving my side. I will use my Cloud-Piercer to spar with you, Brother Yun. Brother Yun, bring out your weapon.”

Yun Che shook his head slightly. “No need. I’ll fight Brother Tie empty-handed.”

Tie Hengjun was surprised, then nodded slightly. “Brother Yun certainly has spirit. In that case...”

“Brother Tie, you misunderstand,” Yun Che quickly clarified. “It’s not that I disdain using a weapon against you; it’s simply that I’ve never trained with one. My hands have always been my weapons. If I were to use a weapon, it would only hinder me and make me uncomfortable.”

Yun Che’s nature was like this: for those who respected him a foot, he’d respect them ten feet; for those who offended him an inch, he’d retaliate with a stick; for those who offended him a foot, he’d directly finish them off. Since Tie Hengjun’s intentions were sincere and he treated Yun Che with courtesy, Yun Che naturally reciprocated with due politeness and respect.

Tie Hengjun gazed deeply at Yun Che, then burst into laughter. “Hahahaha! So Brother Yun isn’t the arrogant and conceited person he seemed to be all along! Excellent! It looks like this spar will be truly enjoyable. Then, Brother Yun, you must be careful; my Cloud-Piercer has never lost to anyone younger than me!”

“You too, Brother Tie!” Yun Che slowly extended his hand, instantly activating the first stage of the Evil God Art—Evil Soul! Facing Tie Hengjun, who was far superior to Feng Guangyi and Yan Ming, he had to maintain his “Evil Soul” state continuously, or there would be no chance of victory. This was also a form of respect towards Tie Hengjun.

“In that case, take this spear!!”

Tie Hengjun let out a low roar, his profound energy surging throughout his body. The Cloud-Piercer suddenly thrust towards Yun Che. His movement didn’t seem fast, but the spear tip was like a bolt of lightning emerging from clouds, striking Yun Che instantly with immense force. The surrounding air was violently pushed aside, creating fleeting ripples.

Yun Che’s pupils slightly contracted, and he rapidly retreated sideways, narrowly dodging the attack. Just as he was about to counterattack, a dangerous gust of wind suddenly came from his left side...

Generally, the more powerful a spear thrust, the slower the recovery and the larger the opening. However, Tie Hengjun’s fiercely thrusting Cloud-Piercer suddenly swept horizontally the moment it missed, completely catching Yun Che off guard. He instantly pulled back his hands, crossing his wrists at his waist, and forcefully blocked the attack.

*Bang!*

The moment his wrists blocked the spear shaft, an exceptionally fierce jolt of force surged from the spear, making him stumble back three steps. His protective profound energy nearly shattered.

“What powerful spear momentum! What excellent spear technique!” Yun Che couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. Tie Hengjun was still young, but his mastery of the spear could definitely be described as master-level.

“Flood Dragon Pierces the Clouds!”

Tie Hengjun’s Cloud-Piercer swept out again, creating a vast array of spear shadows, forcing Yun Che far back. The spear was the king of all weapons, its power domineering and unmatched by other armaments. Yet, it was also the most difficult to master. Once wielded proficiently, wherever the spear shadows reached, an enemy couldn’t even get close, let alone counterattack.

“Flood Dragon Probes the Abyss!”

“Flying Fire Meteor!”

“Roaring Sea!”

With each spear thrust, Tie Hengjun let out a loud roar. For a moment, everyone’s eyes were filled with his spear shadows, and the overwhelming power of his spear forced Yun Che back step by step.

“Sweeping Through a Thousand Armies!”

Tie Hengjun leaped five zhang, sweeping his Cloud-Piercer diagonally through the air towards Yun Che. From five zhang away, a powerful aura impacted Yun Che, almost making him unable to open his eyes. Under Tie Hengjun’s dozens of spear thrusts, Yun Che had already been pushed to the edge of the hall. This time, Yun Che had no escape. He looked up, suddenly let out a low growl, and forcefully slammed his arm against Tie Hengjun’s Cloud-Piercer.

“Ah!” more than half of the New Moon Profound Palace disciples gasped in alarm.

Yun Che’s profound energy could defeat an opponent at the third level of the Elementary Profound Realm, but Tie Hengjun’s spear thrust contained far more than mere profound energy; it held an incredibly domineering spear momentum! How could one possibly block it head-on with an arm when its momentum was at its peak?

Tie Hengjun’s spear and Yun Che’s arm collided, but there was no loud impact sound. Almost the instant they met, Yun Che’s arm suddenly shifted diagonally, using the spear’s remaining momentum to alter its sweeping trajectory. At the same time, he smoothly diverted all the force from the spear shaft, then swiftly attacked, aiming directly for Tie Hengjun’s chest.

Tie Hengjun quickly retracted his spear, but in his haste, he couldn’t gather his spear momentum and was easily pushed back by Yun Che. However, he showed no panic. With a low shout, the Cloud-Piercer once again flashed with a dazzling silver spear shadow. The spear momentum was no longer wild and overbearing, but rather like an intelligent silver serpent, rising at an illogical angle, its tip aiming directly for Yun Che’s throat.

Yun Che’s breath caught. He instantly used a Star God Broken Shadow to flash backward, while simultaneously striking the spear shaft with a heavy blow, forcing Tie Hengjun back several steps.

Tie Hengjun and Yun Che, now separated by some distance, did not immediately re-engage. The entire hall fell silent once more.

Although it was only a brief exchange of a dozen or so moves, Tie Hengjun’s spear momentum, at times like a storm and at other times like a nimble serpent, along with his astonishing mastery of the spear, utterly astonished everyone. Such a level of spear proficiency appearing in a seventeen-year-old boy was incredible. Disciples of the same age and cultivation level as Tie Hengjun were all inwardly shocked, forced to admit that even if they were at the same level as him, they could never be his opponent.

Even Tie Zhancang, Tie Hengjun’s father, continuously nodded in silence, a satisfied smile on his face.

What was most astonishing was that, despite facing such formidable spear momentum and technique, combined with a three-level difference in profound energy, Yun Che was completely unharmed after a dozen exchanges! Moreover, he seemed to be evenly matched with Tie Hengjun! This left everyone utterly stunned; some had their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time.

“It seems seeking a spar with Brother Yun was the absolute right choice,” Tie Hengjun said, shaking his Cloud-Piercer. His resolute face showed excitement.

“The feeling is mutual,” Yun Che smiled faintly, his voice carrying a subtle warning. “Now, Brother Tie, you’ll need to be careful!”

Tie Hengjun’s spear technique was almost flawless, with no apparent weaknesses. Given this, the best way to defeat him in the shortest time was to use overwhelming power to forcefully shatter his spear momentum.

Yun Che’s eyes narrowed slightly. In his “Evil Soul” state, the raging profound energy from his profound veins surged into his arms without reservation.