# Chapter 129: Sikong Du
Seeing Yun Che's expression suddenly relax, and even seeming to have a hint of glee, Feng Yue almost burst out laughing: "Certain? Of course I'm certain! The question is whether you have the guts to accept it. I hear your profound strength is at the Xuan Entry Realm, Level 10. Tsk tsk, quite impressive indeed. If a dignified Xuan Entry Realm, Level 10 dares not accept this, then you might as well crawl out of here and stop disgracing yourself here."
In the distance, within an ancient little pavilion, Qin Wuyou, clad in a purple robe, sat quietly on a stone bench, leisurely sipping tea. His attention had been fixed on Yun Che's direction. Although far away, he could see and hear everything that was happening with Yun Che clearly. When he heard the seemingly arrogant "three-stroke pact" that Feng Yue proposed to Yun Che, Qin Wuyou's expression suddenly changed. He stood up and said, "Sikong, go stop Yun Che immediately. Make sure he doesn't agree to Feng Yue's words. You should know very well what Feng Yue is best at."
"Yes, Instructor Qin." The young man around twenty years of age beside Qin Wuyou nodded in acknowledgment and quickly walked toward Yun Che's direction.
Yun Xiaofan's severe injuries had drawn many eyes in this direction. The young profound practitioners awaiting assessment were all astonished… Yun Che's profound strength was Xuan Entry Realm, Level 10, while Feng Yue's was True Xuan Realm, Level 3. Although it was not only three levels higher but also a realm gap, the idea of standing still and taking three strikes from the opponent was far too arrogant. Not to mention Xuan Entry Realm, Level 10—even three full-force strikes from a Xuan Entry Realm, Level 7 practitioner might not necessarily injure him, but how could it not at least push him back?
Meanwhile, the Mystic Palace disciples who had come to watch the excitement began to show gloating expressions. Seeing that Yun Che clearly looked ready to agree, they started to feel pity for him in their hearts.
If it were any other True Xuan Realm, Level 3 profound practitioner, it would indeed be nearly impossible to remain motionless under three full-force attacks from a Xuan Entry Realm, Level 10. But Feng Yue was different—he could easily accomplish it with complete ease.
Just as Yun Che was about to speak, a heavy, ear-ringing voice suddenly came from behind: "Feng Yue, I've long heard you were treacherous and despicable, and it seems that's no false accusation! Using such a base trick to harm a disciple about to enter the palace—you've utterly disgraced the Cangfeng Mystic Palace."
These words made Feng Yue's expression change. He was about to flare up in anger, but when he saw the young man who had pushed through the crowd and appeared before him, his expression suddenly shifted. The words he was about to blurt out were swallowed back obediently, his face turning red from holding back, yet he dared not speak in anger.
As soon as this man appeared, the surroundings fell into a brief silence. Then, a flurry of discussions and exclamations rose from the crowd, and countless gazes turned intensely hot.
"Look at his armband—that's… that's the insignia of an Inner Palace disciple! Oh my heavens, an Inner Palace disciple!" A disciple who had just passed the assessment spoke with a face full of worship and longing.
"It's Senior Brother Sikong Du, ranked thirty-ninth on the Heavenly Xuan List! Damn, it really is him! These Inner Palace senior brothers and senior sisters usually stay in the Inner Palace, rarely seen. And he actually came here."
"I heard Sikong Du's profound strength has already reached True Xuan Realm, Level 10! Within a year, he'll break through to Spirit Xuan Realm. If I could reach his level by the time I'm thirty, I'd laugh in my dreams."
"But why would Senior Brother Sikong come here? And curse Feng Yue like that? Did they have a grudge? I've never heard of that. Besides, although Feng Yue often bullies Outer Palace disciples, even he wouldn't dare provoke an Inner Palace disciple."
Among the more than fifty thousand disciples of the Cangfeng Mystic Palace, there were only a hundred Inner Palace disciples. From this, one could imagine what kind of geniuses these hundred were—calling them peerless monsters would not be an exaggeration. And the competition among these hundred was the most intense. They had already reached the highest level within the Cangfeng Mystic Palace, so their pursuits and goals were concentrated on the Heavenly Xuan List. They trained relentlessly, improving their rankings on the list. As for the Outer Palace and Middle Palace, they disdained to even visit. Thus, Outer Palace and Middle Palace disciples rarely ever saw Inner Palace disciples.
Amid the surrounding discussions and stares, Sikong Du remained calm, clearly accustomed to it. He looked Yun Che up close and offered a kind gaze: "You're called Yun Che, right? Don't agree to that so-called three-stroke pact! This Feng Yue comes from the Houtu Mountain Villa in the western desert, and the Houtu Mountain Villa's clan profound art focuses on defense! Although his profound strength is only True Xuan Realm, Level 3, if he uses full defensive force, not to mention you, even a practitioner of the same level would find it hard to make him budge even an inch in three strikes! If you agree, you'll have completely fallen into his trap."
As soon as Sikong Du's words came out, the surrounding people immediately understood, and anger rose in their hearts. Their gazes at Feng Yue were filled with contempt and disgust. Using his own strength to set up such a "three-stroke pact" against a disciple undergoing entrance assessment was utterly despicable and sinister to the extreme.
Yun Che nodded and gave Sikong Du a grateful smile: "So that's how it is. Thank you for the warning, Brother Sikong… May I ask, is Brother Sikong's father Elder Sikong Han of the New Moon Mystic Palace?"
This Sikong Du, as an Inner Palace disciple, had no reason to meddle in such trivial matters, nor would he help an outsider who hadn't even entered the palace without cause. And Sikong Du had shown goodwill right from the start, combined with the surname "Sikong," which made Yun Che immediately think of a possibility. Because that person had once told him that his son was in the Cangfeng Mystic Palace.
Sikong Du was startled, then smiled and nodded: "That's right, Sikong Han is my father. Instructor Qin said you were extremely sharp-witted, haha, it seems he wasn't exaggerating."
Yun Che's mind was now completely at ease. Sikong Du was Sikong Han's son, and since Qin Wuyou had told Sikong Du about his identity, it was easy to explain why Sikong Du would act this way. No wonder Sikong Han had been so full of pride when he mentioned his son—because his son was actually an awe-inspiring Inner Palace disciple of the Cangfeng Mystic Palace!
Sikong Du bowed to Instructor Qi and said, "Instructor Qi, this Feng Yue, using the opportunity to assist with the assessment, has maliciously severely injured an assessed disciple and even set such a vicious trap for another. This is absolutely unforgivable. This disciple believes Feng Yue is no longer qualified to remain here. He should be removed immediately and severely punished. As for the assessment duties, this disciple is willing to take over."
"This…" Elder Qi's face showed a troubled expression. An Inner Palace disciple's words, especially one ranked in the top fifty of the Heavenly Xuan List, even as an Outer Palace instructor, he dared not refuse outright. But the reason Elder Qi had chosen Feng Yue to assist with the assessment was precisely because Feng Yue, back when he was in the Outer Palace, was one of the few proud disciples he personally mentored. Later, when Feng Yue entered the Middle Palace, it also brought great honor to his face. Feng Yue had always been respectful to him, secretly sending various precious gifts without pause. Naturally, he was very satisfied and fond of this disciple.
This was also why Feng Yue dared to act without restraint in front of Elder Qi.
If he followed Sikong Du's suggestion, Feng Yue would lose all face, and the infamy of maliciously injuring and entrapping an assessed disciple would be confirmed, which would be extremely detrimental to his future in the Mystic Palace. So Elder Qi spoke with a serious expression: "What Feng Yue did was indeed excessive, but in a spar, it's hard to control force. This was Feng Yue's first time sparring with Yun Xiaofan, and he misjudged the opponent's profound strength, so striking too hard is understandable. It was by no means intentional—there is no reason for him to severely injure an assessed disciple he doesn't know. As for the 'three-stroke pact' he proposed, it is an agreement to be entered voluntarily. Feng Yue never forced him in the slightest. If he has confidence, he can accept; if he thinks it improper, he can refuse. I believe there is no harm in it."
Elder Qi's words made Feng Yue's expression relax instantly. He quickly put on a fawning smile and said, "Instructor Qi is right. Senior Brother Sikong, every word Instructor Qi said is true. I wouldn't dare, even with the greatest of courage, to deliberately harm a future junior brother. As for injuring Yun Xiaofan, I was completely unintentional. In a moment, I will present a Minor Return Heaven Pill as an apology. Uh, if Senior Brother Sikong is interested in testing the combat power of the assessed disciples, I would naturally be happy to step aside. For the future junior brothers to personally witness Senior Brother Sikong's bearing would be a great fortune for them."
Instructor Qi's words were clearly biased, yet they were perfectly watertight. Feng Yue's apparent concession also left Sikong Du with no way to vent his anger. After all, even though he was an Inner Palace disciple, he would not want to offend an Outer Palace instructor. At that moment, Yun Che suddenly spoke up: "Instructor Qi is right. Feng Yue's 'three-stroke pact' indeed requires mutual consent. Although it's a bit despicable and shameless, since Feng Yue proposed it, I naturally have to take it up. Otherwise, if I don't accept, once I enter the Mystic Palace, won't I be laughed at by many as a coward?"
As soon as Yun Che said this, everyone was stunned.
Sikong Du frowned sharply and said, "Yun Che, did you not take my words to heart? The defensive profound strength built by their clan's profound art is simply not something you can shake! Standing there, not to mention three strikes, even thirty strikes won't make him take half a step back! Quickly take back what you just said. Not accepting this doomed 'three-stroke pact' is not shameful at all, and no one will call you a coward. If you accept it, that would be truly foolish!"
Contrary to Sikong Du's expectations, Yun Che shook his head: "Thank you for the warning, Brother Sikong. But I have always had confidence in my profound strength. This three-stroke pact—I may not necessarily lose. If I manage to win by luck, then this Senior Brother Feng Yue will have to walk upside down in front of me from now on. Just imagining it is a delightful thought."
"You… why are you so stubborn and arrogant!" Sikong Du's face hardened, his gaze becoming puzzled and disappointed: "You have no idea how strong Feng Yue's defensive profound art is! It absolutely far exceeds your imagination! You have no chance of winning at all! You only fantasize about winning and watching him make a fool of himself to vent your anger—have you never thought that if you lose, you'll be expelled from the Cangfeng Mystic Palace forever?"
Yun Che's stubborn conceit brought anger into Sikong Du's voice. But even after these words, Yun Che still wore a completely indifferent, faint smile: "Brother Sikong, just watch from the side. I am determined to see what this senior brother looks like walking upside down."
"You!" Sikong Du waved his hand in annoyance: "Forget it! I've said all I need to say. How you choose is your business! I hope you won't regret it too much!"
With that, he stepped aside in frustration, but he did not leave. Instead, he frowned, thinking about how he could salvage the situation if Yun Che lost… He was a man who remembered favors. Yun Che's grandfather, Xiao Lie, had saved his life back then. He would not stand by and watch the benefactor's grandson be harmed like this.
Yun Che had already stepped in front of Feng Yue, smiling faintly: "Are you ready? I'm about to strike."
"Ha ha ha ha ha…" Feng Yue was already laughing so hard he was about to burst his lungs. A big shot like Sikong Du had personally stepped in to help Yun Che out, yet Yun Che insisted on throwing himself back into humiliation. He had seen idiots, but never one this stupid.