Chapter 530

Chapter 530: Ten Zhang!

The spiritual energy in the Spiritual Pond flowed like thin threads, slipping through every pore of Ye Yun’s feet.

It met no resistance, almost as if alive, rushing into his body with startling speed.

Comfortable!

His entire body warmed!

This was Ye Yun’s first sensation—utter bliss. The spiritual energy here differed from what he absorbed elsewhere. It was remarkably pure, merging with his true qi after minimal refining.

Though it couldn’t compare to the energy from the Heart of Immortals and Demons, which required no refining and fused flawlessly into his true qi, the pond’s energy still surpassed most sources.

For ordinary cultivators, this purity was beyond belief. Absorbing it freely, they could refine it into abundant true qi. With enough time here, their cultivation levels would skyrocket.

Ye Yun didn’t move deeper. He sat at the pond’s edge, letting the energy flood in while observing the others.

Shu Anshi had settled three zhang from the center, his face tense. As the strongest present, his strained expression hinted at the crushing pressure even he struggled against.

Kun Huazi’s physique rivaled Kuang Wuwei’s, yet he halted two zhang behind Shu Anshi. His body trembled slightly, revealing the immense strain.

Zhuge Chong surprised Ye Yun—though perhaps it was expected. Having previously sealed his cultivation, his unleashed strength placed him five zhang from the center, matching Kun Huazi despite his weaker body.

Ding Qian, who’d entered the pond before, stood half a zhang behind Zhuge Chong. Her face paled as she glanced at the others, realizing how far she lagged behind Kun Huazi and Zhuge Chong.

Suddenly, determination hardened her features. She forced herself half a step forward, trembling violently before steadying. Her face turned ghostly white.

The other disciples fared worse. None passed seven or eight zhang from the edge to the center. Most froze at five or six zhang, faces drained, teeth clenched.

Kuang Wuwei, however, defied expectations. First to enter, he inched toward the center but stalled at eight zhang. Ye Yun noticed him pausing after each zhang, eyes narrowed as if sensing something before inching forward.

Ye Yun watched intently. Though his own physique was strong, Kuang Wuwei’s surpassed it, making him a valuable benchmark.

Kuang Wuwei advanced methodically. At nine zhang, he stood motionless, expression calm. A faint smile curled his lips before he strode ahead.

Ten zhang!

Eleven zhang!

Twelve zhang!

He crossed three distances without pause. The center lay sixteen zhang away—one more step would equal Shu Anshi’s position.

By cultivation level, Shu Anshi outclassed him. The Fourth Level of the Nascent Soul stage Ling Xudu couldn’t rival Shu Anshi, let alone Kuang Wuwei at the Second Level. Yet Ye Yun felt a strange hope—perhaps Kuang Wuwei would surpass him.

Kuang Wuwei didn’t linger. In moments, he reached thirteen zhang.

Suddenly, his body shuddered violently, battered by an invisible force. Staying upright became a battle.

Kuang Wuwei’s face turned bright red, his earlier calm and ease completely gone. His body trembled uncontrollably, struggling to steady itself.

"Master Kuang, steady your mind," Shu Anshi’s voice suddenly rang in his ears.

The sound struck Kuang Wuwei like a wake-up call, jolting him from his daze. His trembling gradually subsided.

He glanced at Shu Anshi, showing neither gratitude nor resignation—only resolve. He nodded, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes slightly.

Kuang Wuwei stood still, though the immense pressure still made his body sway slightly, less stable than Shu Anshi.

Ye Yun waited a moment. When Kuang Wuwei remained motionless, he smiled, knowing Kuang Wuwei still couldn’t surpass Shu Anshi.

Ye Yun stepped forward, appearing one zhang away in an instant.

A surge of spiritual energy, several times stronger than before, flooded into him. Hidden energy rushed from all directions, blending with the spiritual energy.

The combined forces tore at his muscles, but Ye Yun’s robust physique only tingled slightly. The hidden energy’s pressure vanished instantly.

The spiritual energy refined rapidly within him, merging with his true qi.

Far from his limit, Ye Yun felt no strain. He took several more steps.

Two zhang!

The hidden energy doubled in strength, yet still couldn’t shake him. It dissipated the moment it entered his body.

Three zhang!

The spiritual energy grew stronger; the hidden energy intensified further.

Unhindered, Ye Yun pressed on.

Four zhang!

Five zhang!

Six zhang!

Seven zhang!

Eight zhang!

Ye Yun crossed eight zhang instantly. Nearby Absolute Heart Peak disciples watched—one more step would surpass them. Only Ding Qian and Zhuge Chong remained ahead, with Shu Anshi and Kuang Wuwei still distant.

Ye Yun inhaled deeply. Hidden energy churned, muscles stinging. But as his true qi flowed, neutralizing the discomfort, he stepped forward.

One step, two steps, three steps!

Without pause, Ye Yun reached nine zhang. Half a zhang ahead stood Ding Qian.

All eyes turned to him. Ye Yun had truly overtaken Absolute Heart Peak’s disciples. Ding Qian, at nine and a half zhang, had barely held on through sheer effort.

At nine zhang, hidden energy raged into his body!

Pain! Pain! Pain!

Ye Yun’s face paled instantly, his brow furrowing.

Ding Qian glanced sideways, surprise and faint smugness in her gaze.

But that smugness vanished, replaced by shock.

She watched Ye Yun step forward, draw level, then stride past her entirely.

Ten zhang!