Chapter 524

Chapter 524: Peach Blossom Fragment Cloud Hand

Ye Yun faced Ding Qian!

On the Burning Divine Platform, the two stood opposite each other. Ye Yun had a tall frame draped in a white robe that fluttered sharply in the wind, radiating effortless elegance.

Ding Qian was naturally beautiful, with delicate features tinged with sensuality—both enchanting and refined. Her curvaceous figure epitomized allure.

Under normal circumstances, their pairing would resemble an ideal match between a gifted scholar and a peerless beauty.

But today, no one dwelled on such thoughts. All eyes fixated on the duel. This battle held immense stakes. If Ye Yun won, Demon Suppression Peak would suffer humiliation, struggling to regain face against Absolute Heart Peak for years.

Crucially, Ye Yun’s victory would grant Absolute Heart Peak the right to open the Spiritual Pond. Though rules permitted entry to all challengers after three successful trials, the final selection authority lay with the victors.

Past challenges had seen the Spiritual Pond open exceptionally, allowing nearly all participating disciples to absorb spiritual energy for three days, boosting their cultivation levels.

However, no peak had ever secured three consecutive victories to monopolize the selection rights. If Ye Yun triumphed, Absolute Heart Peak would control access. Shu Anshi’s faction could handpick entrants while excluding rivals.

Naturally, Absolute Heart Peak would bar Demon Suppression Peak disciples if victorious. This meant not only public shame but also lost access to the Spiritual Pond—a double humiliation.

Ding Qian understood the stakes. Second only to Yin Suxin among Demon Suppression Peak’s younger generation, she commanded universal respect. Now, she must defend her peak’s honor. Even if Zhuge Chong later succeeded in his challenge, Ding Qian couldn’t afford defeat here. Three consecutive losses differed drastically from even one victory.

Unprecedented tension made Ding Qian’s slender frame quiver faintly.

Ye Yun stood motionless, his calm smile contrasting sharply.

“Senior Sister Ding seems nervous.”

Ye Yun’s gentle tone deepened Ding Qian’s scowl. “Enough talk. As the Peak Master of the Absolute Heart Peak’s inner disciple, I’ll concede the first move. Attack.”

Ye Yun shrugged. “How generous. I’ll oblige.”

He took two leisurely steps forward, reaching Ding Qian’s side to lightly brush her sleeve.

“My move’s done. Now we fight properly.” Retreating, purple light shadow flickered around Ye Yun as thunder rumbled faintly.

Ding Qian blinked in surprise, her gaze shifting.

Thunder Spirit Qi!

The crackling energy around Ye Yun manifested as sporadic lightning flashes and distant thunder—his Lightning Technique primed.

“Since you refuse my concession, we duel as equals.”

Though female, Ding Qian’s pride as Demon Suppression Peak’s second-ranked disciple ignited. Her fighting spirit flared.

Ye Yun smiled, purple ripples expanding from his hand until the vibrating Purple Shadow Sword materialized.

In an eyeblink, the sword oscillated 1,024 times—the Thundercloud Lightning Sword’s third form, Divine Thunder Annihilation, awaited release.

Ding Qian raised her palm, conjuring a fragrant peach blossom that flooded the platform with its scent.

“Peach blossoms as swords, petals scattering like rain!”

Her elegant footwork traced mesmerizing patterns as the blossom exploded into countless pink floral blades soaring skyward.

The peach blossom small swords gathered in the air and spun rapidly, forming a flying sword whirlpool that seemed ready to devour everything.

"Go!"

Ding Qian’s rosy lips parted slightly as her jade-like finger pointed at Ye Yun.

In that instant, the pink peach blossom swords transformed into a roaring river of blades charging toward Ye Yun.

Ye Yun had long prepared. Against an opponent like Ding Qian who had endured the Golden Core stage’s great tribulation, he couldn’t afford the slightest carelessness. He knew he could easily defeat Fifth Level Golden Core opponents with his current strength, but against Ding Qian, he had no confidence.

"Divine Thunder Annihilation!"

Ye Yun held nothing back either. With a twist of Purple Shadow Sword, the devastating Divine Thunder Annihilation erupted. His Thunder Spirit Qi had nearly condensed into a False Pill, allowing him to unleash this third technique directly from his sword without summoning storm clouds.

Purple thunder roared forth with deafening booms and blinding flashes.

A violet lightning bolt resembling a divine dragon crashed into the peach blossom sword river.

Whoosh!

The purple lightning plunged into the sword river, immediately surrounded by countless pink blades that sliced furiously to shred it.

But the enhanced Divine Thunder Annihilation, now several times stronger than when Ye Yun first arrived at Divine Grace Palace, thrashed violently within the sword river. Sparks flew as lightning clashed with blades.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The purple electric dragon and peach blossom river remained locked in stalemate, their collisions echoing through the air.

"Blossoms become blades, seal heaven and earth!"

Ding Qian’s melodious voice rang with determination.

The charging sword river abruptly halted mid-air, coalescing into a pink sphere of light that trapped the electric dragon. The peach blossom sword shadows wove tighter around their prey, grinding to crush the lightning into nothingness.

Ye Yun stood motionless, calmly watching his electric dragon being sliced apart.

Purple Shadow Sword kept vibrating in his grip – thousands of tremors occurring as the blossom shadows attacked.

Suddenly the sword leaped forward, executing countless slashes, thrusts and sweeps that created chaotic flashes of light. Yet observant eyes could discern patterns – each sword shadow connecting seamlessly with the next.

"Strike! Sword of the Thunder God!"

Ye Yun thrust Purple Shadow Sword in a simple, direct stab toward the condensed blossom sphere.

No flourishes. Just one straightforward thrust containing Ye Yun’s comprehension of Lightning Element Law, mastery of Thunder Spirit Qi, and even imprints of his Soul Willpower.

This was the demon-slaying sword of the Thunder God himself.

Ding Qian’s pupils constricted as she sensed this attack’s power dwarfed the previous electric dragon.

The unadorned thrust pierced the blossom sphere with lightning speed.

Clang!

Peach blossom swords went flying in all directions, smashing against Burning Divine Platform’s barrier before reverting to floating petals.

The sword shadows shattered completely, leaving drifting blossoms across the arena.

Ding Qian’s fair face paled. Her peach blossom swordplay could overwhelm most below Nascent Soul stage, ranking second only to Yin Suxin at Demon Suppression Peak. Yet Ye Yun’s single sword had destroyed it.

Shock flooded her. How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator possess such power? What horrors might he unleash upon reaching Golden Core stage?

A dark resolve crystallized – she must kill or cripple this youth before he became Demon Suppression Peak’s greatest threat after Shu Anshi. While Shu Anshi stayed harmless due to his affection for Yin Suxin, Tian Yunzi’s ruthless influence would soon mold Ye Yun into a merciless killer.

She let the shattered blossoms remain scattered across Burning Divine Platform.

The Sword of Thunder God flashed by without pursuing her. Ye Yun knew its remaining power couldn’t harm Ding Qian after breaking the blossom sphere.

"Stronger than imagined," Ding Qian admitted, catching a floating petal. "But still Foundation Establishment. Now witness true Golden Core power."

Her graceful figure began dancing across the platform, the scattered petals swirling in rhythm with her movements.

"Peach Blossom Fragment Cloud Hand!"