Volume II: The Manifestation of the Nine Provinces, Entering the Lingxu Sect Chapter 154: Victory in a Single Move

“This Minister Su is truly shameless,” Xue Ren and the others complained, “not even giving Senior Brother Chen Yu a moment’s rest.”

“Heh… What a joke,” sneered a disciple from Mingling Peak. “This was Chen Yu’s own arrogant demand. How is Minister Su shameless? If he were afraid, he could easily step down.”

The retort left Xue Ren and the others speechless.

“Rest assured, since Chen Yu dares to challenge them, he must have confidence in himself,” Xiao Gu said thoughtfully. He had sensed Chen Yu’s extraordinary talent early on but hadn’t expected him to so decisively surpass everyone else.

“Haha… Minister Su’s cultivation is also at the One Yuan Six Orifices stage, and his strength even surpasses Han Lian’s. There’s no way he’ll lose,” a Mingling Peak disciple taunted.

“Who will win will soon be revealed,” Xiao Gu replied calmly, focusing intently on the two on the arena.

Minister Su’s long sword slashed down, but the sword aura whipped like a cracking whip: “Five Elements Azure Lotus Sword.”

Chen Yu’s expression remained calm as he countered with the Five Elements Blazing Fire Sword.

Their forces clashed relentlessly. Despite Minister Su’s impenetrable sword shadows, he failed to break through Chen Yu’s finger sword. At that moment, Minister Su’s face darkened; he couldn’t believe that two cultivators at the same One Yuan Six Orifices level could have such a vast disparity in strength.

The lower-level disciples, unable to comprehend, only saw Minister Su’s dense sword shadows pressing Chen Yu back and jeered, “Minister Su is mighty…”

Xue Ren and the others grew anxious, thinking Chen Yu was being suppressed. Yet Xiao Gu frowned and said, “Chen Yu’s strength shouldn’t be limited to this.”

“This Chen Yu is truly exceptional… I don’t think Minister Su can break through his defense,” some insightful Yin-Yang stage disciples whispered. “His control over his power is precise; every move wastes no energy. Terrifying.”

“So that means Chen Yu has already seen through Minister Su’s offense.”

“Most likely.”

Indeed, no matter how fiercely Minister Su attacked, he could not advance an inch or break through Chen Yu’s finger sword. It was as if an invisible high wall stood before him.

“Impossible… How could this be…” Minister Su roared inwardly in frustration. His assaults grew faster and more chaotic.

Chen Yu furrowed his brow, a hint of disappointment crossing his face before his gaze turned cold and resolute. Suddenly, his aura shifted dramatically. He thrust his finger sword forward, each strike growing stronger and landing precisely on Minister Su’s sword tip.

This sudden change startled Minister Su, whose already disordered sword technique became even more flustered. Each of Chen Yu’s attacks forced Minister Su to retreat a step.

Many disciples were taken aback, unable to grasp why the shift occurred.

Minister Su gritted his teeth, struggling to resist. Chen Yu’s power far exceeded his expectations.

“Accept defeat!” Chen Yu announced calmly. He thrust his finger sword again; the sword aura surged like fire, magnifying in Minister Su’s eyes and forcing him to step back in alarm.

Yet Chen Yu did not relent. His sword aura pressed relentlessly, the heavy finger sword striking Minister Su’s blade and sending him tumbling off the arena, just like Han Lian’s fate.

Minister Su’s face flushed red with embarrassment. Though uninjured, his spirit felt as if pierced by countless wounds.

Ignoring Minister Su’s resentment, Chen Yu spoke quietly, “Thank you for the match.”

“Haha… Senior Brother Chen is mighty, another victory…” Shi Bing exclaimed, now viewing Chen Yu with near reverence.

Xue Ren and the others were exhilarated, loudly cheering, “Excellent!”

“Chen Yu’s strength is truly unfathomable,” Xiao Gu sighed. His feelings were complex—excited, helpless, and disappointed all at once.

The Yin-Yang stage disciples watched Chen Yu solemnly, thinking, “Another one-move victory? And he didn’t even draw his sword? It seems the One Yuan Six Orifices disciples are no match for him.”

“That can’t be said so simply; there are still many deeply skilled disciples who haven’t challenged him yet,” some dissented.

Minister Su snorted coldly and left without another word.

Chen Yu remained on the arena, awaiting further challenges. Without exception, he won each match in a single decisive move. His reputation grew steadily over these five bouts.

Yet Chen Yu showed no interest in initiating challenges himself; instead, he observed the duels on other arenas.

Meanwhile, many disciples approached Chen Yu to make acquaintance, and he greeted them warmly, exchanging compliments. Thus, the day passed.

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Chen Yu ascended Peach Blossom Peak, seated calmly on a stone platform, reflecting on the day’s battles and assessing his shortcomings.

In the days that followed, Chen Yu fought five matches daily at the Demon Suppression Hall arena, then watched others’ fights. He soon met the qualifications for the grand competition.

As Chen Yu’s strength became evident, fewer dared to challenge him. Even disciples at One Yuan Seven Orifices and One Yuan Eight Orifices stages hesitated.

However, as the number of competitors dwindled, leaving mostly One Yuan Eight Orifices and One Yuan Nine Orifices disciples, Chen Yu once again attracted attention.

“Junior Brother Chen Yu, although you are only at One Yuan Six Orifices, I still wish to challenge you,” said Xiao Lan from Sky Dome Peak. Her simple attire belied her fierce desire to win.

Chen Yu nodded slightly. “Then please, Senior Sister Xiao Lan, enlighten me.”

Xiao Lan studied Chen Yu’s composed expression, slightly frowning with displeasure. “Junior Brother, are you not drawing your sword?”

“Heh… Senior Sister Xiao Lan, you jest. You are at One Yuan Nine Orifices. I lack that confidence,” Chen Yu replied with an unguarded smile.

Despite his words, Chen Yu made no move to draw his sword, deepening Xiao Lan’s suspicion.

She shook her head slightly and said no more, her gaze turning serious. In a flash, she drew her sword and launched an attack using the Sky Dome Sword Technique.

The power of her strike seemed capable of shattering the heavens.

Chen Yu was taken aback but immediately drew his sword to meet her.

This time, he wielded not only the Five Elements Blazing Fire Sword but also enhanced it with the Earth-Shaking Technique.

As their swords clashed, a tremendous roar echoed across the competition grounds.

The disciples watched in awe, murmuring: “Is this the strength of One Yuan Nine Orifices? And how is Chen Yu so formidable…”