Chapter 512

Chapter 512: Soul Attack? A Joke

"Why not give it a try?"

Shu Anshi spoke casually, his tone almost playful. Yet those familiar with him knew he never joked—his words held the weight of mountains, unshakable and absolute. If he declared his intent to challenge Elder Yin of Demon Suppression Peak, no alternative existed.

Ding Qian, understanding Shu Anshi’s nature perfectly, paled, her expression icy. She wasn’t afraid Elder Yin would lose. Rather, Shu Anshi’s choice to challenge her master—among countless Nascent Soul elders—was a slap to Demon Suppression Peak’s pride. A win for Shu Anshi would be expected; a loss would humiliate her sect.

What truly unsettled her was Shu Anshi’s reputation as Divine Grace Palace’s most exceptional disciple in recent centuries. His talent and potential were monstrous. To him, cross-rank challenges were as trivial as breathing. Though the gap between peak Golden Core and Nascent Soul seemed insurmountable, an uneasy intuition whispered that Shu Anshi might defy logic yet again.

"Such audacity! Elder Yin is a Fourth-Level Foundation Establishment Ancestor. How dare a mere Golden Core disciple like you challenge him?" spat a male disciple beside Ding Qian.

"Golden Core and Nascent Soul are worlds apart. One step between realms is like heaven and earth. Empty boasts won’t save you, Shu Anshi!" another added.

Ding Qian bit her lip but stayed silent.

Shu Anshi’s gaze swept over the two before settling on Ye Yun. "Junior brother, handle these two."

Ye Yun blinked, then grinned and stepped forward. "Elders, since you’re both late Golden Core experts, shall we spar?"

The Demon Suppression Peak disciples gaped. Ye Yun’s cultivation was clearly at the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment—not even Golden Core. Yet he spoke as if lecturing superiors.

"Insolent worm! A Foundation Establishment ant dares mock us? Seeking death!" roared the disciple in the white sword robe.

"Brother Zheng, let’s teach Tian Yunzi’s brat some humility," hissed the teal-robed disciple, murderous intent flaring.

"Fifth-Level Golden Cores joining the Spiritual Pond challenge?" Ye Yun tilted his head. "I thought participants needed to challenge three ranks above. Are you aiming for First- or Second-Layer Nascent Souls?"

"Fool! You’d die before grasping the rules!" Brother Zheng sneered.

Kun Huazi interjected, "The three-rank rule applies to Foundation Establishment disciples. For Golden Cores: First to Third Levels challenge up to Sixth Level. Fourth Level and beyond must face tribulation-tested Golden Cores. Tribulation survivors revert to three-rank challenges—meaning Nascent Souls."

"Ah!" Ye Yun feigned enlightenment. "So these Fifth-Level nobodies plan to challenge peak Golden Cores? Bold… or suicidal."

Kun Huazi nodded gravely. "Precisely."

The Demon Suppression Peak duo seethed, energy crackling around their palms.

"My elder brother assigned you to junior brother," Kun Huazi taunted. "Beat him, and we’ll forget this. Fail? Heh."

"Fine! Let’s see what Tian Yunzi’s prized disciple can do!" Brother Zheng barked, though he hesitated to strike first.

Ye Yun strolled forward, Purple Shadow Sword materializing in a burst of violet lightning. Thunder boomed as the blade hummed with power.

"Lightning Technique? So that’s why Tian Yunzi took you in," Ding Qian murmured. Thunder Spirit Qi was notoriously elusive—mastery over it mimicked heavenly judgment itself. Worse, Ye Yun’s affinity might ease his future Golden Core tribulations…

"Your move, Brother Zheng?" Ye Yun’s sword trembled, resonating 1,024 times in an instant. The third form of Thundercloud Lightning Sword—Divine Thunder Annihilation—hovered at the edge of release.

Brother Zheng’s cheek twitched. As a tribulation-grade Fifth-Level Golden Core, he could challenge peak Golden Cores. Yet instinct screamed danger—this Foundation Establishment brat’s strike might overwhelm even him.

He dismissed the thought. No Foundation Establishment ant could withstand Golden Core soul pressure!

Drawing a deep breath, Brother Zheng unleashed his mental intent. A spectral battle axe materialized overhead, crashing down toward Ye Yun.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator should’ve crumpled under such spiritual pressure. But Ye Yun merely smirked.

His greatest strength wasn’t his body, qi, or lightning—it was his soul. Since the Heart of Immortals and Demons merged with him, his spirit had tempered beyond mortal limits. Only Nascent Soul pressure could faze him now.

A translucent sword flickered through the air, cleaving the axe phantom. The attack dissolved like mist.

"Soul pressure?" Ye Yun chuckled. "That’s it?"