Volume Two: The Emergence of the Nine Provinces Map, Joining the Spirit Void Sect Chapter 104: A Contest Between Two Prodigies

The invisible clash of Chen Yu and Chu Shu’s internal energies intensified by the moment. Each sought to overwhelm the other, their wills locked in a fierce contest.

They exchanged a smile, then struck simultaneously. Their sword tips met, and a terrifying shockwave rippled outward. This time, however, Chen Yu did not retreat. Instead, the moment they collided, he shifted his stance, neutralizing the brunt of the force.

"Splendid... what a masterful 'Tai Zhuo Sword Art,' what a brilliant display of 'Subtle Simplicity,' and what exquisite technique," Chu Shu praised without reservation. His response was equally swift; his sword energy, ethereal and clear as the pure essence of the heavens, flooded toward Chen Yu in an instant.

Chen Yu felt a jolt of alarm, but it was quickly eclipsed by excitement. Without breaking his stride, he fluidly adjusted his posture, his long sword lashing out in a flurry of strikes. The magnificent sword style, radiant and brilliant, repelled Chu Shu’s ethereal blade.

"Haha! Interesting! This is truly interesting!" Chu Shu couldn't help but shout. His sword style shifted continuously, flickering like a lonely shadow under the moonlight, making his movements impossible to predict.

Chen Yu arched a brow and simply closed his eyes, refusing to be misled by such illusions. Just as Chu Shu’s blade was about to strike, Chen Yu suddenly opened his eyes and unleashed a single, plain strike. The move was simple, yet as swift as a thunderbolt.

*Boom!* The two swords clashed, and both figures were sent flying backward.

"Good man, you actually broke that strike," Chu Shu said, eyeing Chen Yu with genuine surprise.

"Senior Brother Chu’s technique is indeed formidable. But it is impossible to take me down with just this," Chen Yu replied confidently.

"Hahaha... Good! Very good! That’s the spirit," Chu Shu said, his fighting intent soaring. "But you had better be careful for what comes next, Junior Brother."

"Please, Senior Brother!"

Their energies collided once more, and they surged forward at the same instant.

"Supreme Clarity Scripture!"

"Tai Zhuo Sword Art: Subtle Simplicity!"

Chu Shu’s sword style was nimble, shifting between reality and illusion, imbued with supreme power. Chen Yu’s blade was plain and archaic, concealing a hundred variations—subtlety hidden within clumsiness, and brilliance hidden within simplicity.

This bout was a dead heat. It was not a contest of cultivation levels, but a battle of sword mastery and iron will. Their figures danced in the moonlight across the mountain forest, causing even the sleeping birds to stir in restless agitation.

For half an incense stick of time, every time they were driven apart, they would immediately rush back to strike at one another. It was a clash of agility against raw, unadorned strength. *Clang! Clang!* After one final exchange, they separated and stood back-to-back.

Both men were pale, drenched in sweat, their clothes soaked through. Yet, there was no trace of exhaustion on their faces—only excitement and thrill.

*Pfft...* In the end, Chen Yu was the first to reach his limit, unable to hold back a spurt of blood.

***

Chen Yu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said, "Senior Brother Chu, I admire your strength."

Chu Shu, however, shook his head with a bitter smile. "If my cultivation base were not higher than yours, I fear the one who lost would have been me."

"Not so! I know you haven't truly unleashed your full power yet, Senior Brother," Chen Yu replied, possessing a clear sense of his own limitations.

"And what about you, Junior Brother? How much of your strength did you use?" Chu Shu asked. This final duel had been a test of their respective insights into the *Supreme Clarity Scripture* and the *Tai Zhuo Sword Art*. Chen Yu had yet to reveal his *Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars* techniques.

Though Chu Shu had won by a narrow margin, he felt no joy, only a deepening sense of gravity, realizing that he could not afford to slacken in his cultivation.

The two shared a look and parted ways.

Upon returning to Tianqiong Peak, Chu Shu could no longer suppress his internal injuries and coughed up a mouthful of stagnant blood. He chuckled awkwardly to himself, "What a kid!"

"Brother, what happened to you?" Chu Qian happened to see him and cried out in panic, "Father! Mother! Something is wrong! Brother is hurt and spitting blood!"

Chu Shu wanted to call for her to stop, but it was too late.

Two figures approached rapidly. The man was dignified and scholarly, while the woman had features as delicate as a painting and an elegant grace. They were Chu Shu’s parents: Chu Yang, Master of Tianqiong Peak, and Xia Ru, Master of Miaoxin Peak.

Xia Ru stepped forward anxiously, asking, "Shu'er, what is the matter?"

Chu Yang placed three fingers on Chu Shu’s pulse, examining him carefully for a moment.

"Husband, how is Shu'er?" Xia Ru asked urgently.

"He is fine, just some internal bruising from a shockwave. It seems his cultivation is still lacking," Chu Yang said calmly. "He will be fine after a rest."

"Is that any way for a father to talk?" Xia Ru said, clearly displeased as she watched Chu Yang calmly return to his seat to drink tea.

Chu Yang offered an embarrassed smile and wisely held his tongue.

"Brother, who hurt you?" Chu Qian asked, clenching her fists in indignation.

"Did you get into a fight with your senior brothers?" Xia Ru frowned.

"There aren't many among your peers who can hurt you. Were you sparring with Zhen'er and the others?" Chu Yang asked casually.

***

Chu Shu smiled sheepishly.

"Tell me, Brother! I’ll get revenge for you!" Chu Qian insisted.

"No need! He was hurt worse than I was," Chu Shu replied, showing no frustration, only excitement and thrill.

"Looking at your expression, this person seems quite interesting," Chu Yang said with a smile. He knew his son’s temperament well; while Chu Shu got along harmoniously with his peers and looked down on no one, he possessed a deep-seated pride born of his own strength.

"Indeed! This junior brother is truly extraordinary," Chu Shu said.

"Junior brother? You mean his cultivation is lower than yours?" Xia Ru asked, surprised.

"Yes. Although he only just broke through to the Yiyuan Realm, in just one month, he has mastered the first style of the *Tai Zhuo Sword Art*. His aptitude is incredibly high."

Chu Yang and his wife were intrigued; for their son to evaluate someone this highly, it was truly a rarity among his peers.

"Impossible! How could anyone be better than you, Brother?" Chu Qian was the first to protest. In her mind, her brother was the most powerful of his generation.

Though Xia Ru remained silent, her expression suggested she felt the same. Furthermore, she knew of no one who fit such a description.

"No... you know this junior brother too, little sister," Chu Shu laughed.

"Ah... I know him?" Chu Qian tilted her head, trying to recall, but she had no impression of anyone.

Chu Yang smiled and asked, "Since you hold him in such high regard, I am quite interested now."

"He is Chen Yu, an outer disciple of Tai Zhuo Peak."

"Chen Yu of Tai Zhuo Peak?" Xia Ru and Chu Yang exchanged a look, both unfamiliar with the name.

"Chen Yu? Chen Yu..." Chu Qian muttered the name a few times, then cried out in surprise, "Is it *that* Chen Yu?"