Chapter 495

Chapter 495: The Challenge

Jun Ruolan immediately recognized the fourth stance of the Thundercloud Lightning Sword—the Sword of the Thunder God.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She never imagined Ye Yun could wield such a technique. While lightning-based skills weren’t uncommon, the Sword of the Thunder God was legendary, a treasure beyond compare.

The Thundercloud Lightning Sword was rumored to have been created by a lightning master of the Heavenly Sword Sect. In reality, its creator had only found a fragment of the manual. Through sheer will and brilliance, he reconstructed three-and-a-half stances. The fourth stance, the Sword of the Thunder God, remained incomplete—a single page that eventually ended up in Ye Yun’s hands. Within Thunder Falls Valley, Ye Yun fused this fragment with the seed of the mysteries of thunder and his grasp of the Lightning Element Law, finally completing the legendary technique.

As a Moon Goddess Palace disciple, Jun Ruolan knew the Thundercloud Lightning Sword’s history. Records showed that millennia ago, only two brothers had ever mastered the fourth stance. With it, they dominated the Great Qin Empire, challenging late-stage Nascent Soul experts while still in the early stage—an unheard-of feat.

Now, seeing Ye Yun unleash this move, she knew her defeat in Thunder Falls Valley was inevitable.

Outside the valley, she might have stood a chance. But here, where Thunder Spirit Qi saturated the air, Ye Yun’s advantages multiplied beyond measure. Against both the Sword of the Thunder God and the valley’s environment, she couldn’t win.

Ye Yun kept his sword raised, arm trembling. The strike had drained nearly all his Thunder Spirit Qi and true qi. Without the valley’s endless energy replenishing him, he’d be helpless now. He’d assumed he could swing multiple times here, but the Thunder God’s technique demanded too much.

Jun Ruolan fared worse. Her pills’ effects faded, her true qi exhausted. If thunderstorms struck now, she’d be defenseless.

“Big brother, that was amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it!” Tongtong clapped, grinning.

“You’re still young. Of course you haven’t.” Ye Yun patted her head fondly.

Tongtong puffed her cheeks. “I know lots! If I hadn’t warned you, that mean sister would’ve killed you already.”

Ye Yun’s smile froze. She was right—without Tongtong’s alert, he’d have underestimated Jun Ruolan’s sudden power surge. But how had the girl known? Her words hinted at knowledge far beyond her years.

Studying Tongtong, Ye Yun noted her clear, expressive eyes—identical to those in his earlier vision. Even if she wasn’t that person, their connection seemed undeniable. What ancient ties did this child harbor?

“Big brother?” Tongtong tilted her head, then glanced at Jun Ruolan. “Should we kill her? Remove the problem.”

Ye Yun stiffened. Jun Ruolan’s face flushed with rage.

“Senior Sister Jun,” Ye Yun said carefully, “let’s end this here. Pursue me again, and I’ll answer whenever.”

Truthfully, Jun Ruolan wouldn’t kill lightly either. Moon Goddess Palace disciples eliminated obstacles mercilessly during missions, but once defeated, she saw no point in vendettas. Forced conflicts bred unnecessary complications.

“You’ve won,” Jun Ruolan said coldly. “Consider this ended. But cross me again, and I won’t hold back.” She waved away the offered spirit stones. “Keep them. The Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique demands absurd resources—you’ll need every stone to reach the Golden Core stage.”

Ye Yun nodded, though her motives puzzled him. The cultivation path he’d chosen was brutal, each breakthrough harder than the last. But regrets were pointless now.

His gaze shifted to Du Jianyin, blood seeping from a shoulder wound. They’d clashed repeatedly since meeting in the Hualun Secret Vault. The swordsman thrived on defeat—each loss fueled his obsession. Family, comrades, even his own life meant nothing against his Sword Path.

Such madness bred terrifying growth. Du Jianyin’s sword intent already radiated palpable pressure. Left unchecked, he might shake the cultivation world someday.

Ye Yun’s fingers twitched. Eliminating this threat now would be wise…

Du Jianyin staggered upright, eyes blazing. “Fight me after I heal! I’ll see your thunder sword path properly!”

Even wounded, he hungered for battle. Ye Yun and Jun Ruolan exchanged glances—such relentless dedication was rare.

“I don’t prey on the weak.” Ye Yun sheathed his sword. “Seek me at Divine Grace Palace’s Absolute Heart Peak when ready.”

“I’ll come!” Du Jianyin’s gaze sharpened. “Wait for me!”