Chapter 76: Xiaoluo City

Lu Zhan'nan struggled to his feet, looking disheveled and pale. A large hole had been burned in his chest garment, revealing skin that was almost scorched black. Thanks to his protective profound energy, Yun Che's fire had not caused him severe physical harm, but the agony of flames burning from within him was enough to scar him for life, leaving a deep psychological shadow. At this moment, his gaze towards Yun Che was filled with terror. Lowering his head, he dragged his sword and silently walked back to the Seven Annihilation Sword Pavilion's seating area.

He knew that today, he had completely become the "stepping stone" Yun Che had spoken of. All his previous disdain and mockery towards Yun Che now felt like a collection of self-humiliating jokes.

"Lu Zhan'nan... actually... lost!!"

"That's terrifying! What level of strength does Lu Zhan'nan possess? Even he was defeated by Yun Che!"

"Sixteen years old... first level of the True Profound Realm, yet his profound energy is astonishingly potent, and his movement technique is eerily unpredictable. He even possesses such advanced fire-element profound arts! The fire-element profound art he just used seemed different from those of the Cloud Yang Sect and the Burning Heaven Clan, yet its mastery is terrifyingly high... he's only sixteen!"

"Such talent, though perhaps not comparable to Xiao Luocheng, isn't far behind! Perhaps it's on par with Fen Zihuan of the Burning Heaven Clan! Among the younger generation in New Moon City, his talent is enough to place him in the top five... no, the top three!"

The disciples and elders of the Seven Annihilation Sword Pavilion were collectively stunned. They knew Lu Zhan'nan's strength better than anyone, yet someone of his caliber was defeated by a sixteen-year-old disciple from the New Moon Profound Palace. This mental shock was too great for them; it was so overwhelming that they couldn't bring themselves to believe what they had just witnessed.

Xuan Yu, Yan Ming, Feng Guangyi, and others who had previously been defeated by Yun Che stared in shock for a long time, their throats feeling dry. When Yun Che defeated them, they harbored various resentments and disbelief. But now, they clearly understood that their defeat was more than justified! When Yun Che fought them, he hadn't even used his full strength—perhaps not even half! Otherwise, they would have lost even faster and more miserably. Their previous arrogant taunts in front of Yun Che... now seemed like ignorant puppies barking wildly before a young lion.

"Such talent is exceedingly rare even among the Seven Sects with their profound foundations, yet our New Moon Profound Palace has produced such a disciple! Perhaps this New Moon Profound Palace, dormant for so many years, will rise because of him," Sikong Han remarked with emotion.

The two elders beside him slowly nodded, in profound agreement. True geniuses are few and far between. Just one is enough to bring glory to a lineage. As the only imperial profound palace in New Moon City, the New Moon Profound Palace hadn't produced a top-tier genius comparable to those of the Seven Sects for many years, which was the main reason they couldn't hold their heads high before the Seven Sects. This "curse" might now be broken by Yun Che's appearance... No! It *has* already been broken! This time, because of Yun Che alone, the New Moon Profound Palace had a moment of triumph and breathed a sigh of relief in front of the Seven Sects who had come to show their might. The disciples of the Seven Sects no longer held the arrogance and disdain in their eyes that they had when they first entered the main hall.

Meanwhile, the disciples of the New Moon Profound Palace were still dazed. Facing the formidable Lu Zhan'nan, Yun Che, at only sixteen years old, had still won! The shock this outcome caused them was beyond words. To defeat a seventh-level True Profound Realm practitioner while only at the first level—what terrifying talent it must take! It was also the first time they realized that the first level of the True Profound Realm could wield such frightening power! One victory after another, almost each one far exceeding their expectations, made them feel as if they were dreaming.

"I always thought my talent was at a genius level, but compared to Junior Brother Yun... sigh, it's nothing to look at," many New Moon Profound Palace disciples secretly sighed from their seats. Those who could attend this banquet today were undoubtedly the most elite disciples of the New Moon Profound Palace, and naturally harbored their own sense of pride. But witnessing Yun Che's five consecutive battles today, their pride vanished without a trace, replaced by immense admiration and respect for this junior brother who had just joined the Profound Palace.

"Is this really... my brother-in-law?" Xia Yuanba murmured for what must have been the hundredth time, his eyes still wide with disbelief.

"He, like Junior Brother Xia, is from Flowing Cloud City, a small city in the east. In such a place, it's impossible to have many high-level resources. Under those conditions, Junior Brother Yun can still reach such a level. If he had been born into a major sect, his achievements by now would surely be even more astonishing..." Lan Xueruo thought to herself.

*He... isn't he the one I've been searching for all this time!*

At this thought, Lan Xueruo's beautiful eyes trembled violently, radiating an incredibly captivating brilliance. Her gaze towards Yun Che instantly underwent a subtle change. After five consecutive battles, Yun Che was clearly exhausted. Although he appeared outwardly calm, his forehead was covered in sweat, and his breathing had noticeably quickened. On his left arm, a long, ghastly bloodstain stood out, the overflowing blood dyeing half his sleeve red.

Lan Xueruo immediately stood up, pulled out all the topical medicines she carried, and quickly walked to Yun Che's side, asking with concern, "Junior Brother Yun, your arm is injured. Is it serious?"

Yun Che smiled and said, "It's fine, just a superficial wound. It didn't hit the bone, and it's already stopped bleeding. Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister."

"Don't be tough, come, let Senior Sister take a look." Lan Xueruo extended her fair hand, carefully picked up Yun Che's arm, and examined his wound. A look of surprise then appeared on her face. Although the wound on Yun Che's arm was long and deep, it indeed did not reach the bone, just as he had said. That was a sword strike from Lu Zhan'nan, yet it only caused what could be considered a minor injury to Yun Che!

Not to mention someone at the first level of the True Profound Realm, even someone at the seventh level who took that same sword strike from Lu Zhan'nan wouldn't get off with such a minor injury! How could someone at the first level of the True Profound Realm possess such powerful protective profound energy?

Seeing the surprise on Lan Xueruo's face, a hint of smugness subtly appeared on Yun Che's own: "Now you believe me, Senior Sister? My body is forged from iron; it's not so easily severely wounded."

Lan Xueruo chuckled softly, "Looking all fair and delicate like this, how could you be 'forged from iron'? You look more like a typical pretty boy."

"Uh... pretty boy?" Yun Che raised an eyebrow slightly, then looked at Lan Xueruo's beautiful face and grinned mischievously, "Only men who are kept by beauties can be called pretty boys, and I'm not kept by any beauty... Or how about it, Senior Sister, you take care of me?"

"Pfft... such a naughty mouth," Lan Xueruo burst into laughter, giving him a playful glare. "I'm your senior sister, you know. If you dare flirt with me again, be careful, I might spread the word that you're already married, and then you won't be able to fool any young girls."

Yun Che's expression instantly froze in embarrassment.

Seeing Lan Xueruo actively showing concern for Yun Che, and even starting to chat and laugh with him, their demeanor having a hint of flirtation... Murong Ye's face immediately turned ashen, and he almost ground his teeth to dust. He and Lan Xueruo were publicly known as the golden couple of the New Moon Profound Palace, just one step away from being an officially recognized pair. However, he knew very well how difficult that step was; at the very least, Lan Xueruo had never treated him the way she was treating Yun Che now.

"That hateful brat!" Murong Ye's gaze silently grew colder and more sinister.

As if sensing Murong Ye's jealous and resentful gaze, Yun Che subtly tilted his head slightly towards Murong Ye, a faint, almost imperceptible curve playing at the corner of his lips.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

At this moment, a series of crisp claps echoed through the hall. People turned to look, and the person clapping had slowly risen from his seat.

"Splendid! Truly magnificent! I originally came simply to represent my father in congratulating Palace Master Qin, but I never expected to witness such a series of thrilling battles between dragons and tigers, and even had the privilege of seeing the rise of yet another new star in our New Moon City."

The young man spoke as he walked towards Yun Che, a faint smile playing on his face. He looked very young, perhaps sixteen or seventeen, but his features held no trace of childishness. Instead, they exuded an intangible nobility and pride. His voice was clear and calm, yet subtly carried a suffocating sense of pressure.

As this young man slowly walked out, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Luocheng!!

The undisputed number one among New Moon City's younger generation!

When Xiao Luocheng first entered the main hall, all eyes had been on him. But afterward, not many people paid him much attention, even when Yun Che proudly challenged all sixteen-year-old disciples of the Seven Sects, and no one from the Seven Sects responded for a long time, no one thought of him... This was because Xiao Luocheng's level transcended the small New Moon City. The terrifying nature of his talent was simply beyond comparison for anyone in New Moon City, even the disciples of the Seven Sects. Tie Hengjun was seventeen years old and at the fourth level of the True Profound Realm; Lu Zhan'nan was eighteen and at the seventh level of the True Profound Realm. Both were renowned top-tier geniuses in New Moon City.

And Xiao Luocheng... sixteen years old, at the tenth level of the True Profound Realm!

Xiao Luocheng had never participated in the sparring matches among the younger disciples of New Moon City's sects, because there was simply no one in the younger generation of New Moon City worthy of being his opponent, nor worthy of him making a move.

Although he was currently the Young Sect Master of the Xiao Sect's outer branch in New Moon City, everyone knew that after he turned twenty, it would be impossible for him to remain in New Moon City. He would undoubtedly return to the main Xiao Sect. With his formidable talent, he would hold a significant position even within the main sect. The main Xiao Sect was a colossal entity that New Moon City wasn't even qualified to gaze upon! It was a transcendent sect that even the Azure Wind Imperial Family sought to curry favor with. That was the place where Xiao Luocheng truly belonged; New Moon City simply could not contain a peerless genius like him.

But now, Xiao Luocheng had actually stood up himself, and was walking towards Yun Che.

People's hearts began to pound wildly. Could it be that he intended to...