Chapter 481

Chapter 481: Jun Ruolan’s Support

Shen Mo’s cultivation level unexpectedly broke through to the sixth level of the Golden Core stage, completely catching everyone off guard.

Yet Ying Wujun and the others paid him no mind. Among the present cultivators, sixth-level Golden Core practitioners weren’t rare—both Ying Wujun and Su Xingyun had surpassed that stage after surviving the heavenly tribulation.

Their focus remained fixed on Ye Yun, currently immobilized midair by the Thunder Wood’s power. Since Jun Ruolan claimed he’d remain helpless for two hours, Ying Wujun’s priority became seizing the Thunder Wood. The real contest lay between Jun Ruolan and Yun Tianxing, while Shen Mo and Zeng Xuan barely registered as threats.

"I’ll take one Thunder Wood. Distribute the rest as you please," Jun Ruolan stated calmly.

"Jun Ruolan," Su Xingyun sneered, fan swaying lazily, "Do you think the Misty Sect controls the heavens? What gives a fifth-level Golden Core cultivator the right to claim a Thunder Wood?"

"Strength determines ownership," Ying Wujun declared, frost coating his words.

Yun Tianxing nodded, his gaze brushing over the paralyzed Ye Yun. "A fair proposal. Let cultivation levels decide."

"How shall we four compete then?" Jun Ruolan’s lips curved. "Ying Wujun faces me. Su Xingyun battles Yun Tianxing. Winners claim the Thunder Wood."

Ying Wujun blinked. "You challenge me? Certain of this?"

"Should I pick Su Xingyun instead?" Her tone carried winter’s chill.

Rage darkened Ying Wujun’s features. A sixth-level tribulation survivor being mocked by a fifth-level cultivator? His fingers tightened around his blade’s hilt. Yet caution held him—the Misty Sect’s reputation warranted wariness.

"Seeking death? Don’t blame my ruthlessness."

At Ying Wujun’s nod, Su Xingyun sauntered toward Yun Tianxing, fan still fluttering. The latter merely shrugged. "Shall we watch first?"

"An excellent notion." Su Xingyun’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Black steel flashed as Ying Wujun’s blade materialized. "I’ll grant you first strike, woman. Lest men say I—"

"—lack confidence?" Jun Ruolan interrupted. "Testing my strength through false courtesy?"

"Fifth-level power?" Ying Wujun barked laughter. "What threat could you—"

Blood-red ribbons tore through reality.

No hand movement preceded their appearance. No spiritual energy surge warned of attack. Twin crimson arcs sliced darkness itself, coiling toward Ying Wujun’s heart.

The tribulation survivor recoiled. Instinct honed by lightning strikes saved him—black mist erupted from his blade, swallowing fifty zhang in umbral gloom. Wails echoed through the artificial night, chilling bones and souls alike.

Useless.

The ribbons shredded darkness like rotten cloth. Ying Wujun’s blade rose belatedly, his renowned Black Prison Third Level unfolding too slowly. A mirror talisman materialized over his heart—shattered instantly. Three spiritual weapons flew from his sleeves, exploding consecutively under crimson onslaught.

Panting, Ying Wujun stared at the hovering ribbons now reduced to harmless-looking scarves. Cold sweat glued his robes to his spine.

"Your promised concession," Jun Ruolan mocked, recalling the silks with a finger flick. "Four shattered treasures for one strike. Generous indeed."

"Immortal artifacts!" Ying Wujun rasped.

Smiles died around the clearing. Even Yun Tianxing’s composure cracked.

"Mid-grade ones," Jun Ruolan amended, letting scarlet fabrics pool in her palm. "Adequate for crushing arrogant flies."

Silence thicker than Ying Wujun’s black mist descended. The Flying Star Sect disciples exchanged uneasy glances. Su Xingyun’s fan froze mid-flutter.

Mid-grade Immortal artifacts.

Not even sect elders carried such treasures lightly. Yet here they danced in a junior’s hands—a fifth-level cultivator who shouldn’t have been able to ignite their full power.

But the proof lay glittering amid weapon shards.