"I surrender! I surrender..."
In the dining hall, only Feng De's terrified pleas for mercy remained.
The surrounding Outer Disciples exchanged glances in surprise and began to whisper among themselves.
The crowd's gaze towards Chen Yu changed immediately; even some experienced disciples at the Meridian Passage Stage stopped looking down on him.
"In the Yunyue Sect, it really is the fist that teaches people better... but I like it!"
Chen Yu chuckled, blowing on his fist.
He no longer paid attention to Feng De and returned to his table, devouring his food again, leaving behind a crowd of bewildered faces.
"How did Feng De lose so miserably?"
"Knocked away with one punch! Crushed in three moves! Even someone at the Meridian Passage Stage wouldn't do better..."
Some Outer Disciples still displayed suspicion on their faces.
After all, Feng De's strength at the Body Refining Stage was considered top tier.
Just then,
A handsome, cold youth in a green robe walked in from outside the dining hall.
"How could this be..."
The green-robed youth looked astonished, just in time to witness the scene of Chen Yu defeating Feng De.
Then, he fell into a brief contemplation, his expression flickering with uncertainty.
"Senior Brother Wang!"
"Senior Brother Wang Lingyun!"
Some disciples nearby greeted him respectfully.
But Wang Lingyun's face looked unpleasant; upon entering the dining hall, he unexpectedly saw this scene.
Just last night, he had suppressed Chen Yu's opportunity, stating openly that he no longer considered him a real opponent.
"Junior Brother Feng, how are you?"
Wang Lingyun regained his composure, walked over, and helped the devastated Feng De up, displaying a look of concern.
In truth, Wang Lingyun's relationship with Feng De was quite ordinary, and they hadn't spoken much.
However, Wang Lingyun needed more specific information from Feng De.
After all, he had just arrived and only saw the moment Chen Yu's final punch defeated Feng De, unaware of the preceding events.
"It's Senior Brother Wang, great..."
Feng De looked elated.
The "rival" relationship between Chen Yu and Wang Lingyun was something he was well aware of.
Especially as Wang Lingyun had been steadfastly suppressing Chen Yu within the sect, making things difficult for him in various ways.
"Wow... Wang Lingyun is here. Things are getting interesting now."
The onlookers around were even more eager for drama.
Before long,
Feng De recounted the entire process of his battle with Chen Yu.
"How is that possible! In such a short time, his strength has leaped to such a level?"
Wang Lingyun questioned in his heart.
Gradually, he began to feel suspicious again.
Chen Yu's sudden surge in strength was indeed questionable, even abnormal!
"A significant increase in strength in a short time is mostly reliant on external factors, like some legendary materials or Spirit Pills."
Wang Lingyun was sharp-minded.
His piercing gaze fell again on Chen Yu, who was focused on gnawing a pig's trotter.
But given that guy's financial capabilities, it was obvious he didn't have the means, unless...
A gleam flashed in Wang Lingyun's eyes.
"Unless... that kid was still hiding meteorite iron fragments or had other opportunities."
Thinking of this, Wang Lingyun felt extremely displeased.
No way!
He couldn't let him succeed!
Wang Lingyun's heart sank as he began plotting.
In Xiangyang City, the Wang Family, to which he belonged, and the Chen Family, of which Chen Yu was a part, were both among the top three families.
The two families had been vying for many years, each wanting to become the overlord of Xiangyang City.
However, though strong, both families were merely part of the secular realm.
On the Kunyun Continent, the power of the sects towered above secular countries.
The sects were the real rulers of the world!
Some legendary powerhouses, who could fly through the sky and burrow into the earth, take a head from a thousand miles, shatter mountains with a sword, and break through the void, all came from the mysterious and sublime sect world!
"Only by standing firm in a sect can one's family become strong..."
Wang Lingyun understood this deeply.
This was also why he spared no effort in suppressing Chen Yu. Even competing with Chen Yu and pursuing Mu Xueqing was for this goal.
Seeming to sense something, Chen Yu, who was dining, scanned the area with his eyes.
"Wang Lingyun!"
Their gazes collided.
Chen Yu's face turned slightly somber as he suddenly felt a hostile, malevolent gaze.
Such keen perception was something he hadn't had in the past.
"My Junior Brother Chen, in just one night apart, it seems your strength has improved quite a bit."
Wang Lingyun approached with a smile, appearing quite friendly.
Chen Yu's heart tightened, as he was well aware of Wang Lingyun's true nature as a "smiling tiger."
"Come on! Let me test Junior Brother's skills."
Sure enough, as soon as Wang Lingyun got close, he suddenly extended his hand like a claw, reaching for Chen Yu's arm.
Whoosh!
That claw came like lightning, bringing a piercing gust.
The speed and power of the move were far superior to Feng De's earlier.
Chen Yu felt his blood and energy stagnant, and a chill running across his skin.
However, his heart beat powerfully, causing his blood and energy within to surge.
"Open!"
Chen Yu threw a punch, accompanied by a dull whistling.
Wham!
Fist and claw collided, and Chen Yu's expression changed drastically. He felt a sharp and domineering energy penetrate his body.
"Inner Qi..."
Chen Yu's figure jerked violently, barely steadying himself; at the same time, a tumult surged within his body, making him extremely uncomfortable.
Wang Lingyun stood motionless, his clawed hand slightly drooped.
In an instant, the difference in their strengths became apparent.
"Hmm?"
A flicker of panic crossed Wang Lingyun's eyes, but inside, he was shocked.
That claw just now utilized fifty to sixty percent of his Inner Qi's power, yet he didn't manage to take down his opponent.
Not only that,
In the brief clash, his palm had gone numb; his opponent's strength was incredibly formidable!
It seemed Chen Yu had not used his full strength in his previous confrontation with Feng De.
Thinking of this,
A cloud of darkness shrouded his heart, and he developed a strong intention to kill: "This kid must have had some opportunity, possibly hiding meteorite iron fragments..."
The value of meteorite iron fragments far exceeded imagination.
Chen Yu likely hid a few fragments and may have traded them for rare materials or Spirit Pills with outsiders or sect elders, leading to such a significant breakthrough.
"I absolutely cannot let him succeed!"
Wang Lingyun's intention to kill intensified as he quietly mustered all his Inner Qi.
He resolved that even if it meant facing punishment from the sect, he would beat Chen Yu into serious injury or even disable him, making him easier to deal with later.
Otherwise, once Chen Yu advanced to the "Meridian Passage Stage," it would become rather tricky.
Just as he was about to launch a lightning-fast attack,
Whoosh!
The young man opposite him flashed backward several yards, creating distance between them.
Chen Yu wasn't a fool; aware of the disparity between himself and Wang Lingyun, he wouldn't sit idly by and let the other strike again.
"Iron Cloud Claw!"
The figure in a green robe flickered, and Wang Lingyun pursued him relentlessly, his claw emitting fierce Inner Qi, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.
Clearly, Chen Yu underestimated Wang Lingyun's determination.
"The Iron Cloud Claw! This is the most vicious among 'mid-level martial arts'..."
"This claw technique only exhibits its maximum power at the Meridian Passage Stage, possessing the ability to crush iron and stone."
Some experienced disciples nearby exclaimed in shock.
Wang Lingyun's Iron Cloud Claw was a mid-level martial art, a tier higher than the Iron Plow Fist!
In an instant, Chen Yu felt a sense of crisis pressing in; even though the Iron Cloud Claw had not yet arrived, the intangible gust made it hard for him to breathe.
Whoosh!
Fortunately, his physical attributes had greatly improved, and a surge of vigorous strength emanated from his heart, enabling him to leap into the air and quickly move a yard away, creating distance again.
Crack!
Wang Lingyun's claw struck empty air, leaving a claw-shaped hole in the heavy wooden table.
One could imagine the outcome if that claw struck flesh.
"With my current strength, even if I can't defeat Wang Lingyun, I should be able to protect myself for a short time without much problem."
After dodging a strike, Chen Yu breathed a slight sigh of relief.
He had great confidence in his physical attributes.
After integrating with the mysterious heart, his physical attributes had comprehensively improved—strength, speed, and reaction capability greatly differed from before.
"Come chase me... come on, come on."
With a mischievous grin, he dashed into the crowd of disciples.
"Move!"
An enraged Wang Lingyun's figure flickered as he prepared to pursue.
Ah!
The disciples in the crowd exclaimed and quickly dispersed, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.
Instantly, figures darted around the dining hall, creating chaos.
That slippery fellow!
Wang Lingyun seethed with anger, unable to catch him in such a short time. The dilemma made him extremely embarrassed,
"Stop!"
Suddenly, a cold female voice came from behind.
Even though that voice was filled with displeasure and chill, it still carried a girl's unique gentle charm that made one's imagination wander.
Abruptly,
The entire dining hall fell silent.
Wang Lingyun's body stiffened as he looked behind him at a girl's figure, wearing a smile of compliance.
In the scene before him,
A graceful and soft beauty walked towards them.
With her waterfall-like hair, bright eyes, and long and curved eyelashes, her unique youthful beauty was captivating.
"Junior Sister Mu!"
"Mu Xueqing? The first beauty among the Outer Disciples..."
The young girl, dressed in a lotus-blue long skirt, highlighted her graceful curves and immediately became the center of attention in the dining hall.
Many male disciples subconsciously swallowed; some female disciples instantly felt overshadowed, secretly annoyed.
"Xueqing!"
Unaware of when, Wang Lingyun put on a graceful smile and greeted her.
Mu Xueqing, however, ignored him; her bright and lovely gaze fell upon Chen Yu, her voice like a songbird:
"Brother Chen!"
She approached warmly and took Chen Yu's arm.
This scene immediately made several male disciples, including Wang Lingyun, look displeased.
"Xueqing?"
Feeling the soft warmth of the girl's gentle arms, Chen Yu opened his eyes wide, somewhat disbelieving.
Besides a sudden rush of joy and happiness, he felt even more surprised.
In recent years, this was the first time Mu Xueqing had been this intimate with him.
"Brother Chen, let's go..."
The girl's cheeks were slightly flushed—a sight fully captured by his eyes.
As a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy, receiving the liking and approval of his dream girl brought incomparable happiness and pleasure.
"Chen Yu! Hiding behind a woman, is that all you've got!"
Behind them, Wang Lingyun's cold shout echoed.
Yet the figures of the young man and woman seemed oblivious, leaving behind a room full of jealousy and envy.