Chapter 461

Chapter 461: Mutual Exploitation

"Come at me together!"

Ye Yun’s words carried absolute confidence, though spoken with casual ease. To Chu Haoran’s group of three, this calm declaration reeked of intolerable arrogance.

"Courting death!"

Chu Haoran, a fourth-level Golden Core stage expert, burned with rage at being mocked by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator. He’d make this brat learn some words could only be spoken with one’s dying breath.

Before Chu Haoran could move, a Xuan Yuan Sect disciple beside him sprang forward. Light and shadow flickered as a ten-foot-wide energy palm materialized overhead, crashing down toward Ye Yun.

Though Ye Yun had comprehended Thunder Spirit Qi, the trio knew his fourth-level Foundation Establishment cultivation placed hard limits on his power. Historical records told of Foundation Establishment disciples rivaling first or second-level Golden Core practitioners – but standing against a fourth-level Golden Core master? Preposterous. Especially for someone still at Foundation Establishment four.

The colossal palm descended with crushing force, power far beyond any non-Golden Core cultivator’s capacity to resist. Even third-level Golden Core practitioner Zhang Yicheng wouldn’t survive such a strike.

Zhang Yicheng paled, watching helplessly as the attack fell. He knew neither he nor Ye Yun could withstand this blow. His eyes filled with panic and pity – panic for Ye Yun’s impending death, pity for the loss of such thunder-attuned talent.

Yet Zhang Yicheng missed the faint smile playing on Ye Yun’s lips, the utter calm in his stance.

While powerful enough to kill ordinary third-level Golden Core cultivators, this strike paled compared to Jue Chen’s Falling Star Style that had once shaken Ye Yun to his core. This attack fatally underestimated him.

The giant palm accelerated downward without slowing.

Purple light shadow coalesced around Ye Yun’s hand as Purple Shadow Sword released a lightning arc. Thunderous booms echoed across a hundred zhang radius, the electric discharge intensifying tenfold. Countless lightning strands converged instantaneously onto the Purple Shadow Divine Sword.

A gentle flick of Ye Yun’s wrist sent the sword arc slicing through empty air.

The descending palm met Purple Shadow Sword’s edge without slowing – then froze mid-air. It split cleanly along the blade’s path, diverted by Ye Yun’s protective aura to crash harmlessly on either side, raising only dust puffs before vanishing.

A fourth-level Golden Core master’s strike, effortlessly bisected by a single sword stroke from a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Chu Haoran gaped. The attacking disciple stared dumbstruck. Zhang Yicheng rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Even Senior Brother Yi and Junior Brother Li of Yun Hua Sect stood paralyzed, that sword’s brilliance etched permanently in their minds.

Sheathing his sword amidst fading thunder, Ye Yun stood relaxed.

"Who are you?" Chu Haoran demanded first, eyes sharpening. "What faction claims you?"

The other Xuan Yuan disciples exchanged shocked looks. A fourth-level Golden Core attack neutralized by a Foundation Establishment novice? Impossible.

Zhang Yicheng’s initial shock melted into dawning exhilaration. The Yun Hua disciples remained statue-still, minds blanked by the impossible scene.

Ye Yun shrugged. "Answer your questions so you can flee? How convenient."

Chu Haoran’s face darkened. He’d considered retreat if Ye Yun hailed from some supreme power, but this brat’s arrogance grated – acting like some Nascent Soul Ancestor lecturing juniors!

"If you insist on conflict," Chu Haoran said coldly, "know that Xuan Yuan Sect doesn’t fear trouble. Compare us to Yun Hua’s trash again at your peril."

Ye Yun chuckled. "I came to mediate, then heard about Thundercloud Grass. Thought I’d take it for fun. But you attacked first. My rule’s simple: no provocation, no conflict. Provoke me, and I return it tenfold. Thinking you can walk away now? How insulting."

Chu Haoran’s eyes narrowed. "Your origins, brother?" His tone softened noticeably. Ye Yun’s composure suggested hidden depths – perhaps artifacts enabling this unnatural power.

Chu Haoran had entered Thunder Falls Valley seeking Thunder Wood with two juniors. Spotting Yun Hua Sect’s Thundercloud Grass, they’d seized the opportunity – never anticipating a Foundation Establishment anomaly challenging fourth-level Golden Cores. If this freak had powerful backing… better avoid entanglement.

Ye Yun rubbed his nose and pondered for a moment before saying, "Since you’re so eager to know, I’ll tell you. My Master is Tian Yunzi. I wonder if you’ve heard of him?"

"Tian Yunzi?" Chu Haoran and Zhang Yicheng exclaimed together, their expressions starkly different.

Chu Haoran grew pale, his lips twitching as if deep in thought. Zhang Yicheng flushed red with excitement, staring at Ye Yun with eager anticipation.

"Tian Yunzi? Do you mean the Master of Absolute Heart Peak who enforces Divine Grace Palace’s laws?" Zhang Yicheng asked, voice trembling.

Chu Haoran’s piercing gaze locked onto Ye Yun’s face.

Ye Yun narrowed his eyes. "Does the Great Qin Empire have two Tian Yunzis?"

Silence fell, broken only by distant thunder.

Chu Haoran took a deep breath and clasped his hands. "We didn’t realize you were Tian Yunzi’s disciple. The Thundercloud Grass is yours." He signaled two Xuan Yuan Sect disciples to leave.

Ye Yun’s lazy voice stopped them. "No hurry, Brother Chu. I actually have ties with your sect – met someone half a year ago."

Chu Haoran froze, confusion mixing with hope on his face. Zhang Yicheng’s excited flush drained away, leaving pallor.

"Which Xuan Yuan Sect disciple did you meet?" Chu Haoran asked heavily.

"There’s one who calls himself Sage Huo Yun despite not reaching Nascent Soul stage. Seems presumptuous." Ye Yun kept his hands behind his back.

Chu Haoran trembled, face whitening. "Brother Huo Yun? Where did you see him?"

A sharp glint flashed in Ye Yun’s eyes. "East mountains, half a year back. Can’t recall exactly where."

Chu Haoran bowed deeply. "Tell us his whereabouts and Xuan Yuan Sect will reward you richly."

Ye Yun’s eyes narrowed. "In eastern mountains, he fought attackers for three days. I helped drive them off. We talked after he healed, but he vanished next dawn."

Chu Haoran nodded slowly. "Our gratitude. May we know your name for proper repayment?"

"Ye Yun of Divine Grace Palace’s Absolute Heart Peak. Visit anytime, Brother Chu."

"We’ll withdraw from Thundercloud Grass contention. Deal with Yun Hua Sect as you will – they can’t escape you."

Ye Yun rubbed his nose. "Very well. Farewell."

As Xuan Yuan Sect disciples vanished into thunderclouds, Ye Yun turned to Yun Hua Sect’s group.

Zhang Yicheng bowed deeply. "Our thanks, Brother Ye! Yun Hua Sect owes you a debt."

Ye Yun ignored him, studying the petrified disciples behind. They stood frozen like cicadas in winter.

"No formalities needed. Fellow travelers should be friends." Ye Yun’s gaze softened slightly.

The disciples relaxed marginally but remained silent.

Ye Yun stared at Zhang Yicheng. "Your earlier move felt… familiar."

Zhang Yicheng blinked. "Just a casual strike. No special technique."

"Reminded me of Heavenly Sword Sect methods my Master described."

Zhang Yicheng’s pupils shrank. "Don’t speak recklessly! Yun Hua Sect’s arts share nothing with Heavenly Sword Sect!"

Ye Yun simply smiled, noting the reaction that confirmed hidden connections.