Chapter 71: One Battle Shocks the City (8)
After Yun Che issued his challenge, more than ten breaths of time passed, and none of the seven sects sent anyone to answer. The awkwardness was palpable. Yun Che's gaze gradually turned mocking. At that moment, a youth from the outer sect of the Blazing Heaven Sect finally couldn't hold back and was about to stand up, but was immediately pulled back by someone beside him, who whispered, "What are you doing? Your strength is about the same as Feng Guangyi's. Do you want to go up there and embarrass our Blazing Heaven Sect?"
"Damn it, this kid is way too arrogant!" The youth gritted his teeth in frustration. "If only Young Master Ziluan were here, he'd teach him a lesson so badly even his own mother wouldn't recognize him."
The "Ziluan" he referred to was the son of the outer sect master of the Blazing Heaven Sect, the number one genius of the younger generation. While he couldn't compare to Xiao Luocheng, at sixteen years old, he had already stepped into the seventh level of the Ruxuan Realm, just one step away from the eighth level. Among the younger generation of New Moon City, he was second only to Xiao Luocheng.
At this moment, from the Iron Spear Sect, a young man with a resolute expression slowly walked out. He appeared to be around the same age as Yun Che, but he did not give off any feeling of immaturity. Instead, he carried a steadiness that belied his years. He stood before Yun Che, gave a slight nod, and said calmly, "I am Tie Hengjun of the Iron Spear Sect. I am seventeen years old. I do not really have the qualifications to challenge you. However, I just witnessed you defeat powerful enemies in succession, and amidst your arrogance and pride, I sensed a hint of kingly demeanor. I admire that, so I wish to spar with you… It is purely out of appreciation for you that I seek this duel; I have no other intentions. If you feel I am too old and unqualified to face you in such a setting, you may refuse. I will not pester you."
"Wow!! It's the young sect master of the Iron Spear Sect! I can't believe he's actually coming out!"
"I heard three months ago that he was at the fourth level of the Ruxuan Realm! And his mastery of the spear is already at the pinnacle! Defeating an opponent one or two levels above him is a piece of cake for him."
As soon as Tie Hengjun appeared, almost everyone present, from disciples to elders, recognized him. The young sect master of the Iron Spear Sect was no less famous, influential, or even prestigious than the city lord of New Moon City itself. And his strength was beyond doubt. Although being at the fourth level of the Ruxuan Realm at seventeen years old only placed him in the upper echelon among the seven sects, it was far from the top. However, Yun Che had already taken half a step back and raised his right arm horizontally.
Tie Hengjun was startled. He had not expected that Yun Che, who had been acting extremely arrogant and unbounded just moments ago, would treat him with such courtesy. A warmth surged in his heart, and a slight smile appeared on his face. "In that case, I will have a good spar with Brother Yun! Brother Yun, you have already fought three consecutive battles. Your profound energy must be somewhat depleted. Although this spar is not about victory or defeat, starting now would be too unfair to you. Why don't we..."
"No need," Yun Che shook his head and said with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Tie. But rest assured, although I fought three battles in a row, each was decided in the blink of an eye. My profound energy has barely been consumed, so there is no need for me to rest. When I face Brother Tie, I naturally want to be at my peak state."
Tie Hengjun did not insist. He nodded, reached into his spatial ring, and produced a silver spear that was as long as his own body. He pointed it diagonally at the ground. "This spear is called 'Piercing Cloud.' It is an ancestral heirloom of the True Profound Artifact level, and also my beloved weapon that I consider as precious as my own life. I never part with it. I will use my Piercing Cloud to seek advice from Brother Yun. Brother Yun, please draw your weapon."
Yun Che shook his head slightly. "No need. I will face Brother Tie empty-handed."
Tie Hengjun was taken aback, then nodded slightly. "Brother Yun is indeed proud. In that case..."
"Brother Tie misunderstands," Yun Che quickly explained. "It is not that I disdain to use a weapon against you. It's just that I have never trained with any weapon. My hands have always been my weapons. If I were to use a weapon, I would feel constrained and awkward, unable to perform at my best."
Yun Che's temperament was like this: if someone respected him one inch, he would respect them one zhang; if someone offended him one cun, he would retaliate one rod; if someone offended him one chi, he would directly finish them off. Tie Hengjun's intentions were sincere, and he treated Yun Che with courtesy, so Yun Che naturally showed him the appropriate politeness and respect.
Tie Hengjun took a deep look at Yun Che and then burst into laughter. "Hahaha! So Brother Yun is not the arrogant and haughty person he appeared to be all along. Excellent. It seems this sparring will be very enjoyable. Then, Brother Yun, you must be careful. My Piercing Cloud Spear has never been defeated by anyone younger than me!"
"Brother Tie, you must also be careful!" Yun Che slowly extended his hand and directly activated the first realm of the Evil God Art — Evil Soul! Faced with Tie Hengjun, who was far stronger than Feng Guangyi and Yan Ming, he had to maintain the "Evil Soul" state continuously; otherwise, there was absolutely no chance of victory. At the same time, this was also a form of respect for Tie Hengjun.
"In that case, take my spear!"
With a low growl, Tie Hengjun erupted with his full profound energy. The Piercing Cloud Spear thrust fiercely toward Yun Che. His movements did not seem fast, but the spear tip was like a lightning bolt breaking through the clouds, arriving before Yun Che in an instant with tremendous force. The surrounding air was violently parted, leaving a fleeting ripple.
Yun Che's pupils contracted slightly. He retreated sideways in a flash, barely dodging the strike. Just as he was about to counterattack, a dangerous gust of wind came from his left...
Generally speaking, the more powerful the thrust, the slower the recovery, and the larger the opening. But Tie Hengjun's violently thrust Piercing Cloud Spear immediately swept horizontally after missing, catching Yun Che completely off guard. He swiftly withdrew his hands, crossed his wrists in front of his chest, and forcibly blocked the attack.
Boom!!
The moment his wrist blocked the spear shaft, a fierce and unusual shockwave came through the spear, causing him to stagger back three steps. His protective profound aura nearly shattered.
"What a spear momentum! What a spear technique!" Yun Che couldn't help but praise. Although Tie Hengjun was young, his mastery of the spear was definitely at the master level.
"Flood Dragon Breaks the Clouds!"
Tie Hengjun's Piercing Cloud Spear swept out again, creating a vast field of spear shadows, forcing Yun Che far back. The spear was the tyrant of a hundred weapons, and its domineering momentum was unmatched by any other weapon. But it was also the hardest to master. Once one became proficient, wherever the spear shadow reached, the enemy could not even approach, let alone counterattack.
"Flood Dragon Explores the Abyss!"
"Flying Fire Meteor!"
"Ocean's Roar!"
...
Each time Tie Hengjun thrust his spear, he accompanied it with a loud shout. For a moment, everyone's eyes were filled with his spear shadows. The overbearing power of the spear forced Yun Che back step by step.
"Sweep a Thousand Armies!"
Tie Hengjun leaped five zhang into the air, his Piercing Cloud Spear sweeping diagonally toward Yun Che. Even from five zhang away, the fierce momentum struck Yun Che, nearly making it impossible for him to open his eyes. After more than a dozen spear strikes, Tie Hengjun had forced Yun Che to the edge of the great hall. This time, Yun Che had no way to dodge. He looked up, let out a low roar, and forcefully collided his arm with Tie Hengjun's Piercing Cloud Spear.
"Ahh!" More than half of the disciples of the New Moon Mystic Palace cried out in shock.
Yun Che's profound energy could defeat an opponent at the third level of the Ruxuan Realm, but Tie Hengjun's spear strike carried not just pure profound energy—it also contained the tyrannical momentum of the spear! How could one possibly use an arm to block it when the spear's momentum was at its peak?
Tie Hengjun's spear and Yun Che's arm collided, but there was no loud impact. The moment they met, Yun Che's arm suddenly shifted diagonally, using the remaining momentum of the Piercing Cloud Spear to change its sweeping trajectory. At the same time, he completely redirected the force of the spear, then quickly advanced, striking straight at Tie Hengjun's chest.
Tie Hengjun hastily withdrew his spear, but in his hurry, he could not gather his spear momentum and was easily pushed back by Yun Che. However, he was not flustered. With a low shout, the Piercing Cloud Spear once again traced a magnificent silver shadow. The spear momentum was no longer wild and overbearing but rose like a sentient silver serpent at an unnatural angle, the tip aiming directly at Yun Che's throat.
Yun Che's breath caught. He used a Star God Remnant Shadow to flash backward explosively, simultaneously slamming a heavy blow onto the spear shaft, forcing Tie Hengjun back several steps.
Tie Hengjun and Yun Che, now separated by a distance, did not immediately engage again. The entire hall fell into silence once more.
Although it had only been a brief exchange of a dozen moves, Tie Hengjun's spear momentum, sometimes like a violent storm and sometimes like a spiritual serpent, along with his astonishing mastery of the spear, left everyone deeply impressed. Such skill with the spear, appearing in a seventeen-year-old youth, was shocking. Disciples of the same age and same level as Tie Hengjun were all stunned, having to admit in their hearts that although they were at the same level as him, they were absolutely no match.
Even Tie Hengjun's father, Tie Zhancang, nodded silently, a satisfied smile on his face.
But what was most astonishing was that, facing such spear momentum and technique, along with a profound energy advantage of three levels, Yun Che had emerged unscathed after a dozen exchanges! He seemed to be evenly matched with Tie Hengjun! This left everyone utterly stunned. Some had their mouths hanging open, unable to close for a long time.
"It seems that seeking a spar with Brother Yun was the right choice." Tie Hengjun spun his Piercing Cloud Spear, a look of excitement on his resolute face.
"Likewise," Yun Che replied with a slight smile, his voice carrying a hint of warning. "Then, Brother Tie, from now on, you must be careful!"
Tie Hengjun's spear technique was nearly flawless, with no obvious openings. In that case, the best way to defeat him in the shortest time was to use overwhelming power to forcibly shatter his spear momentum.
Yun Che's eyes narrowed slightly. In the "Evil Soul" state, the violent profound energy in his profound veins was poured without reservation into both arms.