Volume Two – The Unveiling of the Nine Provinces, Joining the Spirit Ruins Chapter 108 – Deeply Shaken

Lü Jie’s defeat did not provoke ridicule from the onlookers, for they had all witnessed Chen Yu’s formidable strength firsthand. Among those of the same realm, few could confidently withstand that single sword strike of his.

It could be said that after this battle, Chen Yu’s name became truly renowned.

Chen Yu returned the spiritual medicine to Xue Ren, while the other two bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills naturally fell into his own possession. Just as they were about to leave, Zhao Ying and his companions arrived.

“Junior Brother Chen, I didn’t expect you would really join our Lingxu Sect,” Zhao Ying said with a smile.

Chen Yu felt deeply grateful toward Zhao Ying, for had it not been for him, he would not have achieved what he had today. He bowed solemnly and said, “If not for Senior Brother Zhao providing me this opportunity, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

“Haha... Junior Brother, you flatter me too much. Back then, I merely led you here; that’s hardly a great deed. Your achievements are all due to your own efforts,” Zhao Ying replied modestly and warmly.

Chen Yu, clear about gratitude and grievances, shook his head slightly and did not argue further. Yet, he would always remember Zhao Ying’s help.

“Junior Brother Chen, if you’re free, would you be interested in having a drink?” Zhao Ying invited.

“In that case, I shall gratefully accept,” Chen Yu responded with cupped hands.

Within Lingxu there were recreational spots comparable to bustling commercial streets in the city. Naturally, those who could open establishments here all had powerful backers and had passed rigorous selection.

At this moment, they entered a place called the Great Qing Tavern.

The Great Qing Tavern was not owned by Lingxu but was a royal property of the Great Qing Dynasty from Huangzhou. The Great Qing Dynasty was quite formidable—though not on par with the three top powers of Huangzhou, it was still first-class. Moreover, it maintained various connections with the three major sects, and many disciples of those sects hailed from the Great Qing Dynasty.

Inside a private room of the Great Qing Tavern, the group enjoyed a lively conversation. Zhao Ying took the opportunity to remind Chen Yu of some of Lingxu’s unspoken rules, for which Chen Yu was deeply thankful, absorbing every word.

Beyond that, Zhao Ying and the others recounted some sorrowful events, such as the death of Liao Kai... The grief filled their hearts, and they could only drown it in endless cups of wine.

Though cutting water with a knife only makes it flow faster, and raising a cup to dispel sorrow only deepens it—the pain was not so easily extinguished. They were merely venting through these tales.

By the time they parted ways, all were heavily intoxicated.

Staggering, Chen Yu climbed to the summit of Peach Blossom Hill and lay down on a smooth rock, soon drifting into sleep.

A night breeze stirred, and Chen Yu shivered slightly, frowning. Suddenly alert, he leapt up, his drunkenness almost entirely lifted.

“Who’s there? Show yourself...” Just now, Chen Yu had felt as if a fierce beast’s gaze was piercing him, causing the hairs on his body to stand on end.

“Hehe... I didn’t expect you to be so alert. I only released a bit of my aura, and you noticed,” came the voice.

Chen Yu’s brow furrowed deeper. Though he heard the voice, he could not discern its source. This opponent was clearly beyond his ability to handle.

He wondered why the stranger sought him out—could it be because of today’s events?

In any case, Chen Yu dared not relax even for a moment. Various strategies flashed through his mind, but none seemed viable.

“Who exactly are you?” Chen Yu asked in a deep voice, remaining calm—or rather forcing himself to be calm.

“Hehe...”

Laughter echoed through the night forest, followed by a breeze that carried a sharp killing intent. Chen Yu did not hesitate and immediately leapt back.

Yet as the wind brushed past, everything seemed normal. Still, Chen Yu’s nerves tightened further, and he slashed his sword down.

That single strike only confirmed his dread of the opponent’s power—he found he couldn’t even break through a mere gust of wind. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, “Dragon Subduing, Tiger Taming, Earth-Shaking Strike!”

The sword’s power intensified, yet the outcome remained unchanged. Chen Yu was blasted backward.

“What terrifying strength,” he thought, tightening his grip on the sword.

“Hehe... interesting, you actually managed to block it,” the voice said with surprise.

Chen Yu forced a wry smile. It wasn’t that he truly blocked the attack; the opponent had simply held back. Still, that reassured him that no ill intent was present.

“Please don’t toy with me, Senior. My arms and legs aren’t up to such rough treatment,” Chen Yu said helplessly.

“Hehe... is that so? Still, I want to see your full strength.”

No sooner had the words fallen than several sharp wind blades came hurtling toward him. But this time they weren’t mere breezes—they were solid swords formed from wind.

Chen Yu’s expression darkened. Since you want to see my full power, so be it. Besides, if I don’t give it my all, I won’t stand a chance.

He took a deep breath and unleashed a strike with the Earth-Shaking technique, enhanced by the Great Simplicity Sword Art.

The sword flashed; the mountain rocks trembled—great skill appearing artless. Yet the wind swords quickly regrouped, poised to strike again.

At that instant, Chen Yu transformed into a streak of golden light, dashing through the wind swords and racing deeper into the forest. He wanted to see who his challenger truly was.

“Oh... the Golden Flash of Earth-Leaping!” the figure in the darkness exclaimed in growing surprise. “What other moves do you have? Use them all.”

More wind swords followed swiftly.

Damn it! Chen Yu felt frustrated and stifled; the opponent was clearly toying with him. Yet even so, he had no choice but to counter with every technique he had.

Summoning Wind and Rain, Dragon Subduing, Tiger Taming, Blossoms in an Instant, Earth-Shaking Strike—all were unleashed, yet he remained without a safe refuge.

Chen Yu cursed inwardly and shifted tactics. After breaking one wind sword, he raised a swirl of dust, then used the Bean Soldiers Formation to create a clone, confusing his foe.

Meanwhile, his true form remained hidden within the dust, waiting for an opening.

Sure enough, as the clone appeared, the wind swords pursued it.

“There!” Chen Yu immediately pinpointed the adversary’s position and, without hesitation, unleashed the Golden Flash of Earth-Leaping, sword poised to strike.

Boom... As his sword descended, he found nothing but a yellow talisman.

The talisman quickly ignited, unleashing a fierce gale that swept Chen Yu away. Fortunately, he reacted swiftly, using the Summoning Wind and Rain technique to ward off injury.

“Haha... not bad indeed. But do you think a mere Bean Soldiers clone can fool me?” a teasing voice echoed from the darkness.

Chen Yu smiled wryly, realizing that even after exhausting all his tricks, he couldn’t find the shadow of his opponent. It was a heavy blow.

“To possess such skill at the One Element One Aperture realm, you’re quite impressive,” the figure said with satisfaction. “When you reach the third level of the Demon Subduing Hall, I’ll come to see you again. Perhaps I might even take you as my disciple. Haha...”