Chapter 447

Chapter 447: Understanding the Laws

The might of the Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike exceeded Ye Yun’s expectations. Relying solely on the Thundercloud Lightning Sword wasn’t enough to reverse the situation, even though Ye Yun had partially grasped the secrets of the fourth form, the Sword of the Thunder God.

At the critical moment, Ye Yun merged his sword intent into the Thundercloud Lightning Sword. Sword intent, the sharpest offensive technique under heaven, could cleave through the skies and earth, unstoppable in its advance.

Ye Yun’s strength already rivaled early Golden Core stage practitioners. He’d believed Ding Haochen’s attack couldn’t truly defeat him, but the ferocity of the Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike shocked him. Without using sword intent, he might’ve failed to block it.

Though reluctant to expose his mastery of the true essence of the sword, Ye Yun had no choice. Only by infusing sword intent into his Sword Technique could he decisively defeat Ding Haochen. Otherwise, a direct hit from the Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike would’ve left him gravely wounded or dead.

None of Tian Yunzi’s Registered Disciples were pushovers.

Ding Haochen lay dead, his spirit extinguished, blood pooling around his corpse.

Ye Yun sheathed his sword, his expression cold. He glanced at the body before turning to Zheng Tong.

“Junior Brother Ye Yun… you actually killed him?” Zheng Tong still struggled to accept that Ye Yun had slain Ding Haochen with one sword strike.

“He didn’t have to die,” Ye Yun replied, his tone indifferent.

Zheng Tong understood. Had Ding Haochen not feigned weakness to ambush Ye Yun during his retreat, he’d have only been injured, not killed.

“Don’t worry. You signed a Life and Death Contract. When the Master inquires, I’ll submit the jade tablet. There should be no consequences,” Zheng Tong said, exhaling deeply.

Ye Yun waved dismissively. “A mere Ding Haochen? His death means nothing. Over the decades, how many Registered Disciples have perished? The Master won’t punish me—his fourth official disciple—for one dead temporary apprentice.”

Though spoken softly, Ye Yun’s words dripped with arrogance, dismissing all other disciples.

Zheng Tong stiffened, swallowing whatever he’d meant to say.

“True… In just ten years, I’ve watched countless disciples vanish like smoke. The Master’s Registered Disciples…” Zheng Tong shook his head, sighing.

“Senior Brother Zheng, I’ll take my leave if there’s nothing else.” Ye Yun turned away without waiting for a reply.

Zheng Tong watched him go. “Focus on cultivation, Junior Brother. After today, no one will trouble you. I’ll handle the injured one—whether he lives depends on fate.”

Ye Yun raised a hand in acknowledgment, passing through the restrictions of his Small Courtyard without looking back.

“Senior Brother Zheng… Ding Haochen’s dead. What now?” The two remaining disciples trembled as they spoke.

Zheng Tong studied them. “Do you think any of us can pass the Registered Disciple assessment now?”

They exchanged glances. One shook his head. “Impossible. Ding Haochen’s cultivation level dwarfed ours, let alone Ye Yun’s.”

The other added, “Ye Yun’s power defies reason. Did you sense that strange, overwhelming force when he struck?”

Zheng Tong frowned. “Ye Yun hides many secrets. Beyond raw talent, he must possess unimaginable abilities. Why else would the Master accept him as a Registered Disciple at the third level of Foundation Establishment?”

“He’s at the fourth level now,” corrected the left disciple.

Zheng Tong’s voice tightened. “Days ago when he arrived, he’d just reached the third level—far from a breakthrough.”

The pair paled. Though all Tian Yunzi’s Registered Disciples were prodigies, advancing a full Foundation Establishment level in days was unthinkable. Even with ideal conditions, such speed chilled the soul.

Yet Ye Yun’s rapid progress wasn’t his only terror. He wielded the elusive Thunder Spirit Qi and unprecedented Lightning Techniques. His final sword strike—seemingly simple—had shredded the full-powered Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike, split the heavens, and erased Ding Haochen’s existence.

While Ye Yun only roughly gauged Ding Haochen’s power, these two disciples knew better. At full strength, Ding Haochen could challenge second-level Golden Core experts—a talent any sect would nurture as an elite disciple.

However, even with such a cultivation level, Ding Haochen was slain by Ye Yun, who was merely at Foundation Establishment stage four. Ye Yun’s true strength spoke for itself.

Cold sweat poured down their foreheads, rolling down their cheeks as beads hit the ground, mirroring the terror in their hearts.

"Do you still believe you’ll survive the Registered Disciple assessment?" Zheng Tong’s voice cut through the air.

The two shook their heads, faces pale.

"Reflect on your choices. While the Master’s Registered Disciples might throw their weight around in Divine Grace Palace, without becoming official disciples, you’re nothing. Death could claim you anytime." Zheng Tong glanced at them, then turned to carry the disciple lying on the stone slab into his courtyard.

The remaining two stood silently. After exchanging resolute looks, they hurried off.

Ye Yun sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed, replaying the fight. Since arriving at Divine Grace Palace, he’d encountered Ghost Path techniques—something he’d only read about before.

Divine Grace Palace embraced all methods. Even Ghost Path techniques appeared among Master Tian Yunzi’s Registered Disciples at Absolute Heart Peak. Techniques held no inherent morality—only the user’s intent mattered.

"Ancestor, could they detect my sword intent?"

Ye Yun cared nothing for Ding Haochen’s death, only fearing exposure. Already revealing Thunder Spirit Qi and Ice Spirit Qi, adding sword intent might draw unwanted attention. Becoming Tian Yunzi’s official disciple would help—otherwise, trouble loomed.

"With their skills and the Ghost Path interference? Impossible. But if Tian Yunzi himself had watched…" The Ancestor of the Sword Path’s voice lowered.

Ye Yun shrugged. "What’s done is done. If found out, we face it. Should I kneel and confess?"

The Ancestor chuckled. "Exactly. This world bows to strength. Grow powerful enough, and even arrogance becomes awe-inspiring."

"Pity. I’d almost grasped the Sword of the Thunder God’s secrets when Ding Haochen interrupted." Ye Yun sighed. Without that disturbance, he might’ve uncovered more.

"Fate governs such things. With your talent, you’ll decipher that half-page manual eventually. The complete Thundercloud Lightning Sword may be lost, but deducing its fourth move could reveal traces of the fifth."

Ye Yun exhaled slowly. Light shimmered as the torn sword manual materialized. Channeling Thunder Spirit Qi, purple lightning crackled wildly across the page.

"Merging sword intent with Thundercloud Lightning Sword amplified its power. Keep hiding it, but keep practicing—true survival lies in sword intent, not flashy techniques." The Ancestor’s tone turned grave.

Ye Yun nodded. He’d underestimated sword intent’s potency. A sliver of it had shattered the Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike—full integration might unleash unstoppable force.

Swords ruled all weapons—the king’s choice.

Sword intent reigned supreme among attacks, all others deriving from it. Master this, and other weapons’ secrets unravel easily.

Since the Heart of Immortals and Demons helped him grasp five laws—thunder, fire, ice, space, sword—Ye Yun hadn’t fully explored them.

With Tian Yunzi’s Thunder Falls Valley assessment approaching, stagnation meant failure. Survival wasn’t enough—he needed breakthroughs.

Priorities clear, Ye Yun closed his eyes. The five laws unfolded in his mind. Breath stilled as he entered deep meditation—body present, essence vanished.

Had Zheng Tong entered, his eyes would’ve seen Ye Yun. Closing them, his mental intent would find… emptiness. The room appeared vacant.