Chapter 1211: An Eye for an Eye
Zhou Tian Realm, Feng Shen Platform.
Today was the seventh round of the loser's bracket in the Feng Shen Battle, with only one match: Yun Che versus Jun Xilei.
Although, like the previous match between Luo Changsheng and Shui Yingyue, the outcome of this battle was seen by all as already decided and utterly without suspense, the level of attention it drew was in no way diminished. In fact, it surpassed even the final battle of the divine-sealing group from the previous round.
Because this battle involved Yun Che... and it would be Yun Che's final battle.
As the most dazzling dark horse of this Feng Shen Battle, a figure who had stirred the entire Eastern Divine Region into a frenzy, his performance was naturally watched by everyone. Especially for the profound practitioners of mid-ranked and lower-ranked star realms, who regarded Yun Che as a source of pride—how could they be willing to miss his final battle?
On the viewing stands of the Feng Shen Platform, almost every seat marked with an insignia was occupied. Clearly, those who wished to witness Yun Che's final battle were not only the young profound practitioners. Even these pinnacle figures standing at the summit of the Eastern Divine Region, though they would never admit it outwardly, subconsciously regarded Yun Che as someone they could not afford to ignore.
The Sword Lord and his disciple had arrived early, but Yun Che was late. Only in the final moments before the battle began did a wave of heat approach from the distant sky. Huo Rulie, gripping Yun Che, descended in an instant, leaving a lingering trail of flame in the air as they landed directly in their seats.
"Wow!!!!"
A delicate, joyful, and extremely pleasant cry reached nearly everyone's ears. Shui Meiyin leaped up excitedly: "It's Big Brother Yun Che! Big Brother Yun Che is finally here!"
Countless profound practitioners turned their heads simultaneously, their expressions strange. Shui Qianheng's face was full of black lines, and he scolded in a low voice: "No shouting! What kind of manner is that!"
"Yun Che's profound strength... Divine Tribulation Realm, Level Nine?" Shui Yingyue raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Hmph! That boy didn't show up for your battle with Luo Changsheng, and there was no news of him for several days. Obviously, he was in seclusion training for today's battle, and sure enough, he actually broke through."
Shui Qianheng said with displeasure: "It's only been a few days at most. He must have used a Time Wheel Pearl. But a single minor realm improvement—if he thinks that makes him qualified to fight Jun Xilei, then he's far too naive."
"Hmph! That's not what Father says," Shui Meiyin pouted dissatisfiedly, then her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars: "I feel my Big Brother Yun Che has become much stronger... As expected of my Big Brother Yun Che."
"You... you, you!" Seeing his daughter, who was like a heavenly goddess, acting so smitten, Shui Qianheng's mouth twisted and eyes twitched, but he could neither hit nor scold her. He could only glance sideways and stare sharply at Yun Che: "That damn kid... if it weren't for the upcoming Zhou Tian Divine Realm, I would... hmph!"
"...Father, what were you mumbling about just now?" Shui Meiyin asked, tilting her head.
"...Nothing. You must have misheard." Shui Qianheng turned his face away, looking bewildered and innocent.
Yun Che's arrival drew everyone's attention, and naturally, they noticed the progress of his profound strength. However, the crowd was only slightly surprised and did not cause much of a stir.
If their strengths were similar, a minor realm improvement could completely tip the scales of battle. But the gap between Yun Che and Jun Xilei—how could it be narrowed by a mere minor realm increase in the Divine Tribulation Realm?
"Brother Yun, congratulations on another breakthrough!" Huo Poyun said happily.
"This is thanks to Sect Master Huo's help, and I owe you for the Time Wheel Pearl you gave me," Yun Che replied with a smile, sweeping his gaze across the Feng Shen Platform and briefly glancing over Jun Xilei's figure.
Yan Juehai and Mu Bingyun both fixed their gazes on Yun Che, their expressions varying. They were closest to him and sensed not only the improvement in his profound strength but also a strange, heavy quality emanating from him... a feeling that had absolutely not been there before.
"Feng Shen Battle loser's bracket, seventh round: Yin Xue Realm's Yun Che versus Sword Lord's disciple Jun Xilei. Enter the Feng Shen Platform immediately!"
Yun Che rose at once, his gaze instantly sharpening.
Just as he was about to leap up, Mu Bingyun suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm: "Yun Che, Jun Xilei holds a deep grudge against you. She will likely intentionally strike you heavily... Be very careful."
Yun Che turned back and gave Mu Bingyun a reassuring look. He lightly squeezed her snow-smooth hand, and as Mu Bingyun was startled, he soared into the air, landing on the Feng Shen Platform.
Mu Bingyun: "..."
Jun Wuming's gaze lingered on Yun Che for a long time, his pale white brows slightly furrowed.
"Xilei, before you fight Yun Che... promise me two things."
"Master, please instruct," Jun Xilei bowed respectfully.
"First, do not underestimate him!" Jun Wuming said sternly: "Although only a few short days have passed, this child gives me a feeling vastly different from before. You must be cautious."
"Yes," Jun Xilei replied.
"Second," Jun Wuming paused slightly, then said: "Defeat him, but do not intentionally strike him heavily!"
This statement carried far more weight than the first.
Because his trip to the Yin Xue Realm made it impossible for him not to be wary of Mu Xuanyin.
His life span was nearly exhausted, so of course he was not afraid of what Mu Xuanyin might do to him, but rather afraid that Jun Xilei would fall at Mu Xuanyin's hands. What made Mu Xuanyin a concern for him was not her abnormally powerful profound strength, but her temperament.
Earlier in the Yin Xue Realm, Mu Xuanyin had treated him with the etiquette of a junior, speaking and acting with utmost respect. Yet, merely because Jun Xilei had offended Yun Che, she had immediately turned hostile, first rebuking her harshly, then slapping Jun Xilei across the face, and finally driving the master and disciple out of the Yin Xue Realm. The title "Sword Lord" would make even the upper star realms bow their heads willingly, but in her eyes, it was as insignificant as dust.
Such a temperament—it's unlikely there is another like her in the entire Divine Realm.
If Jun Xilei truly severely wounded Yun Che, even if it in no way violated the rules of the Feng Shen Platform, given Mu Xuanyin's extreme protectiveness of Yun Che, she would absolutely not let the matter rest. Then... the consequences would be unpredictable.
With Mu Xuanyin's demonic and eccentric nature, she was fully capable of it!
"..." Jun Xilei was silent for a long while before responding flatly: "Yes."
Jun Wuming's lips moved as if he wanted to say more, but when he met Jun Xilei's eyes, which were noticeably colder than usual, he finally waved his hand: "Go."
A white shadow flickered, and a sword aura swept through the air. Jun Xilei stood on the Feng Shen Platform, her gaze calm yet tinged with a chill. Without even stirring her profound energy, an intangible sword intent began to surge across the platform. In an instant, it was as if countless invisible swords were all pointing at Yun Che.
This was the intangible sword intent of the Sword Lord's disciple—how could an ordinary person withstand it? Yun Che initially appeared calm, meeting Jun Xilei's gaze without backing down. But after a few breaths, his gaze began to waver, and his expression gradually turned unnatural. Finally, his breathing became intermittent, sometimes stopping, sometimes rapid, and his body swayed continuously, almost unable to stand steady.
The two had not yet exchanged blows, nor had their profound energy stirred. Only their auras clashed, yet Yun Che was already clearly at a disadvantage. Many in the viewing stands shook their heads and sighed, but no one found it surprising.
"As expected of the Sword Lord's disciple. So young, yet her sword intent has already reached such a level," Mu Huanzhi remarked with a sigh. "Yun Che... truly cannot compare with her."
"She's suppressing him with sword intent before the fight has even begun. She's deliberately embarrassing Brother Yun!" Huo Poyun said indignantly.
"Alas," Mu Bingyun sighed softly. She understood the enmity between Yun Che and Jun Xilei, and she knew well that, given Yun Che's strength, managing to hold out this long under Jun Xilei's intangible sword intent was already extraordinary. If it were someone else, they would likely have been overwhelmed by fear and intimidation, surrendering before the battle even started.
Quhui Zunzhe frowned slightly. With his vast experience, he could naturally see that Jun Xilei harbored resentment toward Yun Che... and quite a deep resentment at that.
It seems this battle will end very quickly... Quhui Zunzhe thought to himself. Glancing at Yun Che, he raised his arm and declared: "Begin battle!"
The moment Quhui Zunzhe's shout fell, a bright light flashed through everyone's eyes. The "Foglight Sword" left its sheath, and a pale sword beam appeared from nowhere, instantly crossing the space between Jun Xilei and Yun Che.
It was as if a pale crack had suddenly split the space of the Feng Shen Platform.
"Yun Che, be careful!"
"Ah!!"
Countless cries of alarm erupted from the viewing stands.
But in the next instant, these cries seemed swallowed by a black hole, vanishing completely.
At the same time as the pale sword beam appeared, a vermillion sword arc swept out horizontally. Though it was half a moment slower than the pale beam, the divine might it unleashed in that instant made everyone's heart spasm violently.
Boom!!!!!!
A loud blast rang out. A figure shot backward in a straight line, spraying several streams of blood arrows through the air, and slammed heavily a hundred miles away. But the terrifying sword might still enveloped most of the Feng Shen Platform, lingering for a long time without fading.
The entire area of the Feng Shen Platform seemed suddenly stuffed into a large jar, silent with an eerie stillness. Countless pairs of pupils dilated almost to the point of bursting.
This was the very first moment after Quhui Zunzhe had declared the start of the battle—the first exchange between the two—and already one side was severely injured.
And the one who had been instantly crippled, blood spraying across a hundred miles...
Was Jun Xilei!
She lay slumped on the ground, her white robes half soaked in blood. Blood flowed profusely from between her pale lips, clearly indicating that she had suffered extremely severe internal injuries. And her eyes, once sharp and cold, now held only a dazed emptiness... as if she had suddenly fallen into an abyss of illusory nightmare.
Yun Che's upper body was bent far back, a bloody hole had exploded in his chest but had not pierced through. Gradually, he straightened up, the blood flow from his chest stopping. His feet seemed nailed to the Feng Shen Platform, without a single step backward.
Where was the slightest trace of the earlier suppression from Jun Xilei's intangible sword intent? He stood like an ancient pine, proudly and coldly watching Jun Xilei, who had been blasted far away and lay severely wounded on the ground. In his hand, the vermillion giant sword emitted no blinding sword light, but a terrifying and unparalleled pressure, like a fully awakened abyssal beast, spread its fearsome fangs, enveloping the entire Feng Shen Platform.
"Ahhh!"
"Ah... ah... this... this is... what... happened?" Huo Poyun's eyes were wide open, and he stammered.
"Jun Xilei... actually..."
"Am I not... dreaming?"
......
......
After the dead silence, the viewing stands suddenly exploded. Nearly half of the experts from various realms stood up, unable to believe their eyes.
On this Feng Shen Platform, the miracles Yun Che had created were already too many, shocking the world time and again, even overturning common understanding. That was why Yun Che's matches drew such attention.
Just when everyone thought they had seen Yun Che's limit, the very first moment of his battle with Jun Xilei shocked them all once more.
A single sword strike severely wounding Jun Xilei!
Cries of astonishment erupted all around. Perhaps the entire Eastern Divine Region was already stirred into a massive wave by what had just happened. But Yun Che remained utterly calm. He did not take the opportunity to pursue. Standing proudly in place with the Heaven-Defying Sword in hand, he coldly observed Jun Xilei, who still had not gotten up, or perhaps had not yet recovered her senses. The corner of his mouth silently tilted into a barely perceptible arc.
He knew full well how deep Jun Xilei's resentment toward him was. Especially as his name shook the Eastern Divine Region, that resentment would only magnify.
In Jun Xilei's battle with Huo Poyun, she had made him suffer a crushing defeat in an instant, precisely to vent her anger.
If she treated even Huo Poyun, who was close to him, like that, then when she fought him directly, it would only be worse.
And the way for Jun Xilei to strike at him most devastatingly was naturally to make him lose miserably—the faster and more humiliating the defeat, the better. Ideally, like Huo Poyun, defeated in a single move, so that his halo would henceforth be tainted with the joke of "instantly crushed by the Sword Lord's disciple."
Thus, he was certain that Jun Xilei would very likely go all out in the very first moment... and with a sword strike far more ruthless and merciless than the one that had crushed Huo Poyun.
But after all, Yun Che was not Huo Poyun. Even a full-force surprise attack might not guarantee to severely wound and defeat him directly. Therefore, Jun Xilei first released her sword intent, making Yun Che appear fearful before the battle began... After all, sword intent was a form of sword aura, not involving profound energy, and thus did not violate the rules.
Under her powerful sword intent, he displayed fear and distraction. And the very moment Quhui Zunzhe declared the start of the battle, Jun Xilei unleashed her full power without hesitation. The Foglight Sword, condensed with her ultimate profound strength and sword intent, drove straight at Yun Che.