Chapter 79

It was no exaggeration to say that Xiao Luocheng had dug his own grave and brought about his own demise.

If he had maintained sufficient calm and caution during his fight with Yun Che, instead of being overconfident, mocking, and carelessly arrogant, he would have immediately perceived the terrifying nature of Yun Che's "Falling Moon Sinking Star" move and thus avoided it instantly using his sect's profound movement skill.

Even if he couldn't dodge, he could have immediately used all his profound energy to protect himself. Given his profound energy, which was nearly a major realm higher than Yun Che's, Yun Che's move very likely wouldn't have been enough to severely wound him—at least not as severely as he was now, practically on the verge of death.

Afterward, Yun Che, with all his profound energy drained, would have been utterly exhausted and at his mercy.

But in this world, there are no "ifs."

It was undeniable that Xiao Luocheng was smart and cunning. Unfortunately, he was facing Yun Che. Yun Che had lived two lives, experiencing countless more battles, life-or-death situations, escapes, and schemes than Xiao Luocheng. While Xiao Luocheng was exceptional among his peers in terms of strategy and manipulation, in front of Yun Che, he wasn't even fit to carry his shoes.

From the very beginning, Yun Che displayed an obvious arrogance—a kind of extreme self-confidence and conceit that bordered on looking down on everyone. Even when facing the Seven Sects, his arrogance remained unchecked, almost completely offending them. In everyone's eyes, his arrogance naturally stemmed from his astonishing talent at such a young age. At the same time, it inevitably created an impression of him being overly arrogant, not knowing his limits, and lacking caution. Yun Che's previous five consecutive victories further solidified this impression in people's minds five times over, confirming that while Yun Che was a genius, he was ultimately too young, possessing the typical impetuous arrogance of most youths, with seemingly no cunning or depth.

Almost everyone thought so, including, naturally, Xiao Luocheng.

And after he stepped forward, his impression of Yun Che, in addition to arrogance and conceit, gained another layer: ignorant foolishness stemming from excessive pride. This further intensified his disdain for Yun Che, even making him regret stepping forward to attack such an "idiot."

Thus, from the start of their fight, he had not even an ounce of caution or wariness towards Yun Che. Under Yun Che's silent guidance, when facing his second attack, he didn't even consider evading or defending. Instead, he met it with arrogance, using seventy percent of his power, intending to cripple him.

By the time their fists met and he sensed something was wrong, it was already too late.

"Young... Young Sect Master!!"

After a deathly silence, a terrified roar erupted. The middle-aged man who had accompanied Xiao Luocheng practically scrambled towards him, with other members of the Xiao Sect Outer Clan hastily following. Upon reaching Xiao Luocheng and seeing his injuries up close, the middle-aged man trembled all over. He quickly reached out and clutched Xiao Luocheng's wrist; instantly, his expression drastically changed. He suddenly turned to Yun Che, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace: "You little bastard, I... I'll kill you!!"

An incredibly thick aura of malice and killing intent emanated from the middle-aged man. With a furious roar, he abruptly charged at Yun Che, his right hand like a hook, reaching directly for his neck. Under the surge of his immense profound energy, the entire hall faintly trembled.

At this moment, Yun Che was already extremely weak, lacking even the strength to stand. Even if he were in peak condition, he would absolutely not survive the middle-aged man's attack.

"Stop!"

With a loud shout, another figure soared up from the seats like an eagle. He swooped towards the middle-aged man. While still three zhang away, a massive surge of profound energy blasted forward, forcing the middle-aged man back a considerable distance. This figure then descended from the air, standing before Yun Che. It was none other than the new Head of New Moon Profound Palace—Qin Wuyou.

Seeing Qin Wuyou's back blocking him, Yun Che gave a knowing smile. He knew that after his performance today, Qin Wuyou would fully protect him, no matter what.

When Qin Wuyou made his move, the entire hall was instantly astonished. That was undoubtedly the strength of the Earth Profound Realm! As expected from someone from the Azure Wind Imperial City, his power was truly extraordinary. The middle-aged man, who had been pushed back, had a dark expression and angrily said: "Head Qin, what is the meaning of this? This little bastard has severely injured my Young Sect Master. Blood for blood! Are you going to protect him?"

"Heh heh," Qin Wuyou merely smiled calmly and countered: "As the Head of New Moon Profound Palace, it is only natural for me to protect my disciples. I would rather ask you... as an elder, what do you mean by suddenly attacking my disciple?"

"What do I mean?" The middle-aged man let out a desolate laugh: "It was just a spar, yet this little bastard severely wounded my Young Sect Master! Now, his left arm bones are shattered into twelve pieces; his entire arm is crippled. Nearly half of his body's profound veins are ruptured, and even his profound channels are fractured, scattering all his profound energy, practically making him a cripple..."

With every word the middle-aged man spoke, the hearts of those in the hall skipped a beat. When he mentioned "all his profound energy scattered, practically making him a cripple," a huge uproar swept through the hall. The faces of the Xiao Sect Outer Clan members turned ashen white.

His left arm crippled... nearly half his profound veins ruptured... profound channels fractured, all profound energy scattered...

These words undoubtedly told them that the Young Sect Master of the Xiao Sect Outer Clan, the peerless genius who carried the future hopes of the New Moon City Outer Clan, the foremost among the younger generation in New Moon City, had actually... been crippled!! Crippled by a single blow from Yun Che!!

Nearly half of his profound veins being ruptured meant that his once astonishing talent would become worse than that of an ordinary person. His profound channels being fractured meant that he would be unable to cultivate profound energy until they were repaired. Even if they were repaired, he would have to start from scratch. From this day forward, this once renowned "Number One" would be reduced to a complete cripple. All his glory would vanish without a trace. In the future, he would no longer receive admiration and reverence, but rather open and hidden ridicule and indifference.

In an instant, everyone felt a chilling sensation surge from their spine, rapidly spreading throughout their bodies. Their gazes at Yun Che changed completely once again, shifting from that of viewing a genius to looking at a monster.

A first-level Nascent Profound Realm practitioner had actually crippled a tenth-level Nascent Profound Realm practitioner with a single move! And the one crippled was the Xiao Sect Outer Clan's most valued Young Sect Master, New Moon City's acknowledged number one genius!

The shock caused by the fact that a first-level Nascent Profound Realm practitioner could directly cripple Xiao Luocheng with one blow was secondary. Everyone could already foresee that the Xiao Sect Outer Clan was about to experience an earthquake... and an earthquake in the Xiao Sect Outer Clan would mean a major earthquake throughout New Moon City.

This Yun Che had brought about what could be considered the greatest disaster in New Moon City's history. They could imagine that he would face the Xiao Sect Outer Clan's most brutal retaliation.

As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, Qin Wuyou was also stunned for a moment. He had never imagined that Yun Che's attack just now would be so terrifying, injuring Xiao Luocheng to such an extent.

Before Qin Wuyou could reply, Yun Che, from behind him, let out a cold laugh. He slowly spoke in a weak voice: "So what? What do you intend to do? Before Xiao Luocheng and I fought, we mutually promised that no matter how severely either of us was injured during the spar, it would simply mean our skills were inferior, and we would absolutely not blame the other. Furthermore, everyone present witnessed this at the time. I remember you were seemingly the loudest one proclaiming this then. Yet now, with Xiao Luocheng severely injured, you suddenly want to attack me. Is this how your Xiao Sect operates? Are all of you in the Xiao Sect a bunch of perfidious, despicable, shameless scoundrels?"

As soon as Yun Che finished speaking, the middle-aged man's face instantly changed, but then immediately grew even darker. His icy killing intent pierced through Qin Wuyou, locking firmly onto Yun Che, as if he wished to tear him to shreds with his aura: "You... shut up! Your hundred lives are not worth a single finger of my Young Sect Master! If I don't kill you today, I, Xiao Zaihe, will have lived in vain!"

With that, Xiao Zaihe took a deep breath, and his right hand shot out, sending a tempest of profound energy directly at Yun Che. The moment he attacked, Qin Wuyou waved his long sleeve, effortlessly deflecting Xiao Zaihe's profound energy. He then angrily stated: "Xiao Zaihe, if you dare to attack my disciple again, I will not be polite!"

"You!" Xiao Zaihe was livid. "Head Qin, are you trying to openly provoke my Xiao Sect?!"

"Heh heh, I, Qin, naturally have no such intention," Qin Wuyou said with a faint smile, but his expression immediately turned grave: "However, today, you were the first to offend my New Moon Profound Palace! Before my disciple Yun Che sparred with your Xiao Sect's Young Sect Master, they publicly promised each other that no matter who suffered severe injuries, they would absolutely not hold the other responsible. Your Xiao Sect agreed to this the fastest, showing no opposition whatsoever, and everyone present is a witness! I, Qin, heard and saw it all clearly. Now you suddenly attack my disciple; that is an unprovoked killing attempt! Such behavior shows no regard for my New Moon Profound Palace whatsoever!"

"Your Xiao Sect indeed holds absolute power in New Moon City. But my New Moon Profound Palace will absolutely not allow you to bully us and remain silent. If you dare to attack my disciple again, I, Qin, will not hesitate to make sure everyone from your Xiao Sect present today stays here!"

Since the banquet began, Qin Wuyou had consistently appeared calm and gentle, always wearing a smile for everyone. One could say he had none of the imposing aura of a sect master. He seemed easy to get along with, even giving off a slightly easily bullied impression. But at this moment, his words were thunderous and filled with authority, and despite facing the Xiao Sect, he showed not a hint of fear or weakness.

All four elders of the New Moon Profound Palace present today rose excitedly, their gazes at Qin Wuyou burning with fervor and excitement. They were currently facing the mighty Xiao Sect Outer Clan, and they had never dared to imagine that the New Moon Profound Palace would one day dare to speak so defiantly to the Xiao Sect. While the previous Head was capable and had maintained absolute authority within the palace during his five years in office, he had always been cautious when dealing with the Seven Sects, enduring suppression in silence. Especially when facing the Heaven Burning Sect and the Xiao Sect, he had been practically subservient.

Yet this new Head Qin, to protect a disciple of the palace, faced the Xiao Sect coldly, even daring to utter such ruthless words as "I will not hesitate to make sure everyone from your Xiao Sect present today stays here"... No! These were certainly not mere empty threats. Qin Wuyou's stern expression and emanating aura proved... he was absolutely serious.

"You!!" Xiao Zaihe's face became incredibly grim. His Xiao Sect held absolute sway in New Moon City; never had they been treated in such a manner. He glanced back at Xiao Luocheng's miserable state, trembling all over. But he couldn't utter any more harsh words... The "death match agreement" witnessed by the entire hall earlier was a huge embarrassment, sticking to his face and weighing on his chest. At the same time, Qin Wuyou had casually brushed aside his fully charged attack, proving that Qin Wuyou's cultivation was at least one major realm higher than his... meaning Earth Profound Realm Level Five or above! He was far stronger than the previous Head Zhou, and no weaker than their Xiao Sect Outer Clan's own Sect Master!

With such strength, even his Xiao Sect had to be wary; no wonder he dared to be so unyielding.

Since he was intent on protecting Yun Che, it would be impossible for the Xiao Sect, with the people they brought today, to stop him.

"Good, very good!" Xiao Zaihe's lips trembled. "Today's events, and your words, Head Qin, I, Xiao Zaihe... will remember them well! For this 'favor' today, our Xiao Sect... will surely... return it a hundredfold someday!"

"Let's go!"

Carefully lifting the dying Xiao Luocheng, the few members of the Xiao Sect Outer Clan quickly departed. As they left, a heavy aura of malice clung to each of them.

"If your Xiao Sect is willing to use Violet Vein Heavenly Crystal, it's not impossible for Xiao Luocheng's crippled profound veins and profound channels to fully recover," Qin Wuyou said, his expression calm and unruffled as he watched their retreating backs.

Xiao Zaihe paused, then said in a sinister tone: "No need for Head Qin's reminder... Let's go!"