Chapter 523

Chapter 523: Astonishing Challenge

Kuang Wuwei had fallen!

The crowd below the Burning Divine Platform gaped in disbelief. Even the Divine Grace Palace Master showed flicker of astonishment – clearly he hadn’t anticipated this outcome.

Kuang Wuwei knelt on one knee, blood trickling down his chin. Moments earlier, when Kun Huazi staggered back pale-faced, everyone assumed victory belonged to Kuang Wuwei. None predicted this reversal.

Ding Qian and others stood dumbstruck. Demon Suppression Peak disciples stood frozen like wooden statues, refusing to believe their eyes. In their minds, Kuang Wuwei was a second layer Nascent Soul Ancestor who’d perfected his external techniques – someone who could challenge ordinary Third Level Nascent Soul experts.

Yet this mighty warrior lost a direct clash to Kun Huazi? Unthinkable.

Silence swallowed the Divine Grace Palace. Not a whisper stirred, breaths held suspended.

Drip.

A blood droplet fell from Kuang Wuwei’s lips onto the platform floor. The sound pierced through the transparent shield with unnatural clarity.

After several breaths, Kuang Wuwei steadied himself. Rising unsteadily, he fixed his gaze on Kun Huazi’s pallid yet triumphant face.

"Tian Yunzi… truly raised… an exceptional disciple." The words came labored. "I yield."

Mustering his true qi, he stumbled to the platform’s edge. The shield had vanished unnoticed. He leapt down, landing with shaky steps.

Demon Suppression Peak disciples rushed to assist, but he waved them off. Shoulders trembling yet spine unbent, he retreated into their ranks – defeated but unbroken.

Watching this, Ye Yun felt strange stirrings. Such was cultivation’s cruelty – countless failures, each potentially fatal. Yet one needed an unyielding heart.

Though fallen, Kuang Wuwei kept dignity. This defeat might forge him stronger – perhaps propelling him to Third Level Nascent Soul soon.

Kun Huazi landed beside Ye Yun, watching the retreating figure without smugness.

"Second Brother surprised me," Ye Yun grinned.

Kun Huazi’s solemnity melted into playful smirk. "Junior brother, I’m full of wonders! Stick around and you’ll find Second Brother’s like bottomless treasure!"

Their laughter echoed.

"Second Brother has brave heart," Zhuge Chong murmured thoughtfully.

Kun Huazi nodded gravely. "Truthfully, Uncle Kuang’s strength shocked me. More importantly – his spirit remains unshaken even in defeat."

"True warrior," Shu Anshi’s gentle voice carried through the hall. Though average in talent, Uncle Kuang reached current heights through sheer grit. This loss may push him to Third Level Nascent Soul. Remember Master’s words: ‘All’s void until sainthood.’ Only Earth Immortal realm sages grasp heaven-earth mysteries."

Ye Yun’s eyes flashed. These words held deep meaning, though Earth Immortal realm felt leagues beyond his current Golden Core stage. Yet he understood – cultivation demanded unwavering resolve.

Shu Anshi smiled, sensing Ye Yun’s spark. This junior kept astonishing him. Having absorbed most Ice Spirit Qi from Xuan Ice House to form Ice Spirit False Pill, mastered Thunder Spirit Qi and sword intent while grasping spatial laws – four disciplines at Golden Core stage! Unprecedented in centuries. Where might such talent lead?

Two victories secured. Shu Anshi and Kun Huazi defeated Ling Xudu and Kuang Wuwei. Three wins allowed Spiritual Pond access.

With two wins, Zhuge Chong or Ye Yun needed only one more. No suspense remained – though Zhuge Chong showed second level Golden Core cultivation, all knew he suppressed his true power. His real strength likely surpassed sixth level Golden Core experts who endured heavenly tribulation.

As for Ye Yun, Ding Qian, Brother Zheng, and the others, they clearly understood that with cultivation at the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment stage, Ye Yun had overwhelmed Brother Zheng—a talented fifth-level Golden Core stage disciple—leaving him nearly defenseless. Challenging a fourth-level Golden Core stage disciple with such strength would be effortless.

"Who will you two challenge next?"

Tian Yunzi, seated calmly on the high platform, suddenly opened his eyes and asked the two disciples below in a gentle tone.

Zhuge Chong stepped forward and bowed, about to speak when Ye Yun swiftly strode ahead. "Master," he declared loudly, "this disciple has already sparred with Brother Zheng of Demon Suppression Peak. Now I wish to challenge Senior Sister Ding Qian."

His voice resonated clearly through Divine Grace Hall, lingering in everyone’s ears.

Challenge Senior Sister Ding Qian!

Ye Yun stood beneath the Burning Divine Platform, his gaze fixed on Ding Qian’s delicate features from Demon Suppression Peak.

Instantly, the hall erupted in chaos.

"Did he just say he’s challenging Senior Sister Ding Qian? Has he gone mad?"

"He’s only at the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment stage! He hasn’t even condensed his alchemy pill yet. How dare he challenge Senior Ding? Am I hearing this right?"

"Three months ago, Senior Ding survived the heavenly tribulation and reached the sixth level of the Golden Core stage. She could break through to the peak of the Seventh Level any day now. Where does this fool’s confidence come from?"

"The ignorant truly fear nothing. A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator isn’t worth mentioning, yet he dares provoke her!"

"Perhaps this is Peak Master of the Absolute Heart Peak’s scheme. If Zhuge Chong had challenged first with his second-layer Golden Core stage, defeating a sixth-level Golden Core disciple who hasn’t endured the heavenly tribulation would be simple. They’re probably using this to temper their inner disciple—though it’ll be laughable if he dies trying."

"Unlikely. As Tian Yunzi’s inner disciple, he must have life-preserving techniques. He wouldn’t act so recklessly."

"True. But hot-blooded young people often overreach. This might end tragically."

The crowd buzzed with speculation. Even Demon Suppression Peak disciples looked stunned—none expected Ye Yun to challenge Ding Qian.

Only Brother Zheng and Jia Hua remained grim-faced. Having witnessed Ye Yun’s power, they knew neither stood a chance against him alone. Though Ding Qian was strong, who could guess Ye Yun’s true capabilities?

Ding Qian herself stared in shock. She’d prepared for Zhuge Chong’s challenge, as this duel concerned both the Spiritual Pond’s opening and the century-old rivalry between Absolute Heart Peak and Demon Suppression Peak. The losing side would suffer lasting humiliation.

She anticipated being challenged—but never by Ye Yun.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator daring to challenge her, a sixth-level Golden Core expert who’d survived the heavenly tribulation? Such audacity defied reason!

Her surprise gradually hardened into anger, eyes flashing with murderous intent.

On the platform, even the Divine Grace Palace Master appeared startled. Yet when he studied Ye Yun’s face, he detected no trace of anxiety.

"Ding Qian of Demon Suppression Peak? If you’ve decided, proceed."

Tian Yunzi’s voice remained gentle and emotionless, as if certain of his disciple’s victory.

"Tian Yunzi," the Divine Grace Palace Master interjected, tone laced with curiosity rather than mockery, "your disciple possesses remarkable boldness. A Foundation Establishment cultivator challenging Ding Qian?"

"Does the Palace Master doubt my disciple?" Tian Yunzi replied, unmoving. "Outcomes reveal themselves through battle."

"I understand Shu Anshi and Kun Huazi well. Even Zhuge Chong sealed his cultivation to solidify his foundation, progressing step by step. But your new inner disciple puzzles me." The Palace Master’s calm voice carried thunderous weight. "He radiates Thunder Spirit Qi, has condensed an Ice Spirit False Pill, and harbors a potent, sharp aura—is that sword intent?"

Ice Spirit False Pill? Thunder Spirit Qi? Sword intent?

The words reverberated through the hall, stunning all present.

Every eye locked onto Ye Yun. If true, this defied all precedent—not just in Divine Grace Palace, but throughout the entire Great Qin Empire. Who in millennia had wielded dual elemental energies while comprehending sword intent?

None. Not one.

Suddenly, anticipation for Ye Yun’s duel against Ding Qian electrified the air.