Cloud Sky Peak
The rain gradually lessened, falling sporadically; in the distant sky, a touch of gentle sunlight appeared, with the hazy colors of an ink painting.
The raindrops, illuminated by the afterglow, shimmered slightly.
After the violent storm, the two figures on the martial platform stood tall and distinct.
The crowd below held their breath.
"You... won."
Duan Xiaolong's strained words broke the silence on the scene.
The disciples wore expressions of surprise and doubt, feeling a sense of unfinished business.
When Duan Xiaolong spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered, the disciples were shocked and gasped in disbelief.
"Defeated!"
"Duan Xiaolong was defeated?"
Some disciples were dismayed, seemingly unable to accept the reality.
Indeed.
Duan Xiaolong was a legend in the Outer Disciples.
Two years ago, he could have topped the Outer Sect, being the uncrowned king.
Rumor had it.
Duan Xiaolong's talent was average, merely a Half Spirit Body. However, his comprehension was astonishing, choosing the extremely difficult "Thunder Blade" technique and often venturing out under the guise of missions to comprehend storms and lightning.
Among the onlookers, many disciples admired and revered Duan Xiaolong.
"Senior Brother Duan's slash was incredibly powerful; how could he lose?"
"That slash demonstrated the essence of the Thunder Blade, and in stormy weather, its power increases."
Some disciples were completely puzzled.
Why did Duan Xiaolong lose?
In terms of momentum and strength, Duan Xiaolong's slash seemed a bit superior to Chen Yu's punch.
"Truly Duan Xiaolong, being a Half Spirit Body as well, you reached this point. That slash of yours slightly surpassed my 'Condensed Evil Fist in power."
Chen Yu took a deep breath.
Since achieving the "Copper Statue Technique" Copper Muscles, it was the first time he'd been directly injured.
Duan Xiaolong was the first.
The sect elders, including the Yunyue Sect Master, were astonished by the spectacular clash between the two.
"Condensed Evil Fist! Such a level of martial skill. Generally, even those in the Organ Refining Stage find it hard to achieve, unless the Cloud Evil Fist reaches Great Success and comprehends its essence."
"Unexpectedly, Duan Xiaolong comprehended a hint of the realm of thunder. That slash carried a semblance of thunder and lightning's might."
Some elders exclaimed in wonder.
Even in the Inner Sect, mastering "Condensed Evil Fist" and comprehending a trace of "thunder realm" were extremely rare.
Yet these two things appeared simultaneously in the peak battle of the Outer Disciples.
"Duan Xiaolong's amazing slash actually ended in defeat?"
Elder Nangong, with his white beard, muttered.
In his view, Duan Xiaolong's slash, aided by the weather, had overwhelming power.
"You and I should understand. In true life-and-death battles, sometimes it's not about whose attack is stronger and who survives. We all underestimated the power of the Copper Statue Technique."
Elder Mao chuckled.
Indeed.
Elder Nangong nodded; he naturally understood this principle.
Duan Xiaolong's slash, due to his internal power advantage and the storm adding to the Thunder Blade's power, was slightly superior to Chen Yu's.
However, it only had a slight edge in attack.
Yet.
In terms of defense, Duan Xiaolong was far behind Chen Yu.
Both wielded strength beyond their level, carrying equal power.
The result was.
Duan Xiaolong was severely injured and spat blood; Chen Yu suffered only slight external injuries, which were insignificant given his robust regenerative abilities.
There was another unknown aspect.
Such power beyond their levels—Duan Xiaolong could only execute it once or twice at most. If injured heavily on the first strike, a second would be difficult.
Chen Yu was different.
He felt that repeatedly performing the "Condensed Evil Fist" attack several more times wouldn't be a problem, only leaving him weak later.
This was akin to the barrel effect: a barrel's capacity is determined by its shortest plank.
"Number 99, Chen Yu's victory, temporarily ranks first."
The Black Robed Elder glanced deeply at Chen Yu and tapped a finger on the array panel.
Swish!
Chen Yu's name jumped to the top, becoming the sole first place.
Though it was "temporarily ranked first," everyone knew that after Chen Yu's successive victories over Nangong Li and Duan Xiaolong, he was now the top Outer Disciple!
He even qualified as an Inner Sect Disciple.
The sect's ancient rule: being first in the competition meant automatic admission as an Inner Sect Disciple.
"Chen Yu, actually succeeded..."
Below the stage, Le Feng, Tong Yuling, Hu Yiba, and others had complex expressions, feeling either gratified or moved.
Especially Le Feng, whose emotions were most complicated.
From the battle with the Iron Brown Bear, he witnessed Chen Yu's growth from a raw rookie to the top of the Outer Disciple.
Every strong person starts as a rookie.
Back then, when Chen Yu first faced the Iron Brown Bear, he was in such a sorry state.
"How could this be... he actually reached first..."
Wang Lingyun nearly lost his footing, with a surge of panic emerging in his heart, his mind racing with alarm.
He realized that he opposed such an opponent?
Watching the previous battle, Chen Yu could easily overpower him in an instant.
Wang Lingyun felt a chill, wondering how he could establish himself in the sect after Chen Yu became an Inner Sect Disciple.
"Did I just lose like this? No! I'm not willing to accept it!"
Wang Lingyun took a deep breath.
A sinister and vicious glint flashed in his eyes: "Chen Yu, there must be a tremendous secret on you, and I will uncover it!"
At this moment.
The thoroughly defeated Wang Lingyun found a chance to turn the tables against Chen Yu.
…
The Outer Disciple competition was not yet over.
Chen Yu's consecutive victories over Nangong Li and Duan Xiaolong only established his first-place position.
Afterward, there were still rankings for the top three, top ten, and top twenty to establish. Especially for the top three and top ten, intense battles lay ahead.
"Brother Yu, you truly succeeded."
Mu Xueqing's bright eyes welled with tears of joy, her face beaming with happiness, embodying a charming purity and beauty.
With an unstoppable force, Chen Yu repeatedly defied the odds, conquering Nangong Li and Duan Xiaolong to reach the peak of the Outer Disciples.
Witnessing these scenes, her hopes were realized, feeling surreal as in a dream.
"I'll help you bandage your wounds."
Mu Xueqing couldn't bear to see the scorched marks and blood stains on Chen Yu's shoulder.
Smack!
However, as her gentle hand reached for his shoulder, Chen Yu instinctively slapped it away.
That strong force made Mu Xueqing's hand burn, causing her petite frame to tremble.
Even though Chen Yu did it subconsciously, without exerting effort, the force was significant.
"Brother Yu, you..."
Mu Xueqing stiffened, looking at Chen Yu in disbelief.
Could it be that.
Now, with fame in the competition and becoming an Inner Sect Disciple, Chen Yu's outlook shifted, leading him to fall for someone else or still begrudge past events.
"Xueqing, don't misunderstand—"
Chen Yu felt helpless.
He simply didn't want his abnormal body's regenerative ability to be exposed publicly.
At that moment.
The bloodstains and scorch marks on Chen Yu's shoulder were just a disguise; the injury inside had already healed, and even the traces were fading.
"Hmph! Chen you brat, if you bully Xueqing, don't blame me for using my seniority to oppress you."
A sharp man's voice interrupted Chen Yu's words.
The Seventh Prince, clad in a luxurious robe, had quietly approached the two.
Whoosh!
An aura resembling a storm pressed on Chen Yu, causing his face to change, and his breaths and blood to pause.
"Organ Refining Stage, at least Late Stage of Organ Refining!"
Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat as he took the Seventh Prince seriously.
Low murmurs of "Seventh Prince," "Huangfulin" echoed from the surrounding disciples.
Seventh Prince, Huangfulin!
The luxurious-robed man's identity stunned the crowd.
"Isn't Huangfulin one of the sect's True Disciples?"
"With his status, he actually came to watch the 'Outer Disciples competition,' and it seems he stands up for Mu Xueqing."
The disciples were aflame with gossip.
Between Chen Yu, Mu Xueqing, and the Seventh Prince, what entanglements exist?
"Seventh Prince? I'm sorry, but this is a private matter between Junior Sister Mu and me. An outsider like you shouldn't interfere."
Chen Yu did not back down.
"You dare..."
The usually graceful Seventh Prince showed anger, speaking coldly, "In my Chu Country, the Chen Family is merely a small force."
A threat?
Chen Yu felt cautious, but he wasn't a fool.
The royal family's power was strong and influential, yet it remained confined to the secular world.
On the Kunyun Continent, sects ruled supreme!
Presently, Chen Yu was an Inner Sect Disciple of Yunyue Sect. With them sharing the same sect, any unwarranted retaliation by the Seventh Prince on his family was taboo.
After all, many sect members, including elders and hall masters, had secular family ties.
"Furthermore, Junior Sister Mu, we've already parted ways. I hope you won't bring me any more trouble; I will return the two Replenishing Qi Pills to you."
Chen Yu declared earnestly.
The trouble Mu Xueqing had brought was infuriating Chen Yu.
Before reaching the top, he'd borne the label of being dependent on her, attracting unfounded hostility, and now it even involved a Seventh Prince.
Worst case scenario, this could endanger the Chen Family, bringing about its destruction!
"You..."
Mu Xueqing's delicate frame trembled, her beautiful face blank with disbelief.
This was not the Chen Yu she knew who would cater to her every whim.
Especially the unfamiliar address of "Junior Sister Mu," plunging Mu Xueqing into an icy abyss, rendering her speechless.
At this moment.
Her eyes grew moist, wanting to cry out: their past separation was due to family pressure. In her first years in the Outer Sect, her family relentlessly pressured, and Xueqing struggled hard, facing his pursuit with reluctance.
Later.
Xueqing saw him suffer humiliation and ridicule in the sect, and her heart ached.
Persisting would not only hinder her future, but would also subject the one she loved to more hardships.
It seemed better to persuade him back to the secular world, to part ways.
Now, with you and I both entering the Inner Sect, we can pursue martial arts together, breaking secular constraints.
Why.
You won't even give me a chance?
In the end.
Mu Xueqing uttered not a word and gracefully departed.
"Xueqing!"
The Seventh Prince glared at Chen Yu and hurried after her.
Chen Yu watched Mu Xueqing leave, and after a long exhale, felt relieved.
That small episode didn't affect the climax of the "Outer Disciple competition," where the ensuing challenges unfolded fiercely.
Finally.
The ranking competition concluded.
In the last battle, Nangong Li narrowly lost to Duan Xiaolong, determining the second and third places.
Swish!
On the array panel, the disciples' rankings were shown clearly:
First place, Chen Yu
Second place, Duan Xiaolong
Third place, Nangong Li
Fourth place, Tong Yuling
Fifth place, Le Feng
Sixth place, Hu Yiba
Seventh place, Yuan Beiting
Eighth place, Cheng Yun
Ninth place, Huang Yuan
Tenth place, Cao Lei