Volume Two: The Appearance of the Nine Provinces Map, Entering the Lingxu Sect Chapter 162: Becoming a Disciple of Chu Yang

Chen Yu could feel the sheer might of Wang Ji's sword strike, and he dared not let down his guard in the slightest. He slowly sheathed his sword, his expression solemn as he fixed his gaze on Wang Ji.

Everyone watched with bated breath, even the disciples at the Yin-Yang and Heavenly Mortal realms looking on gravely at the two figures on the stage.

"Brother, do you think he can win?" Chu Qian asked nervously. None of them had expected Chen Yu to progress at such a staggering pace.

Chu Shu shook his head, offering no immediate response. Perhaps even he was uncertain of the outcome.

"Senior Sister..." Seeing this, Chu Qian had no choice but to turn to Xia Zhen beside her.

With a cautious reservation, Xia Zhen said, "It's hard to say. The second form of the Luminous Spirit Sword Art is not something the Primary Unity realm can easily withstand. Still, this Chen Yu is probably no ordinary cultivator."

"Ah..." Chu Qian parted her small lips in a mixture of bewilderment and shock.

"Just watch closely! The outcome will be revealed shortly." Chu Shu, too, gazed intently at the arena ahead.

On the stage, the auras of Chen Yu and Wang Ji clashed violently. Although they were merely standing in a standoff, the atmosphere was ten times more tense than an actual physical combat. Both men were slowly accumulating their power, and the surrounding disciples held their breath, not daring to make the slightest sound.

Finally, the two made their move.

Wang Ji's sword flashed forth like a streak of pure white light, a clean and simple strike that harbored unpredictable and unfathomable transformations. It was as if everyone's eyes were unable to meet its brilliance.

"Chen Yu, even I find this sword strike difficult to control. Be careful," Wang Ji shouted.

"What a magnificent Luminous Spirit Sword Art," Chen Yu praised without missing a beat. At the same instant, he drew his sword and slashed forward, "Wind and Rain Sword Qi."

This seemingly simple strike appeared ordinary to many, leaving them unable to discern its profound depths—even the majority of the Heavenly Mortal realm disciples were no exception. They merely sensed that the strike was extraordinary, as if it contained some inexpressible mystery.

Yet, the very moment Chen Yu swung his sword, Chu Shu, Xia Zhen, and the others could no longer remain seated; they bolted upright in shock, staring with sheer disbelief.

"Brother, Senior Sister, what is wrong?" Chu Qian asked, utterly perplexed.

"Is that... the Power of Water?" Xia Zhen said in profound shock, involuntarily turning her gaze back toward Chu Shu.

"Indeed, it is the Power of Water! To think he has comprehended it so quickly?" Chu Shu nodded heavily. It was a mixture of disbelief, admiration, and a trace of jealousy... After all, it was only recently that he himself had comprehended the Power of the Five Elements, which was why he was able to perceive it.

"The Power of Water?" Chu Qian cried out in astonishment. Though she had yet to practice it herself, she had certainly heard of its legendary status.

Equally shaken were the peak masters and elders, led by Chu Yang.

"The Power of Water? He comprehended it while still at the Primary Unity realm. To grasp this without any guidance—this boy's innate talent is terrifying," Han Cheng remarked. "Brother Chu, I suddenly find myself wanting to rescind our agreement."

Hearing this, Chu Yang instantly turned displeased and said anxiously, "Junior Brother Han, you cannot go back on your word like that."

"I want this disciple as well..." another peak master chimed in, unable to contain himself.

"You can all banish the thought; this disciple was claimed by me long ago," Chu Yang quickly declared. Yet the peak masters utterly ignored his grievance, staring straight at Chen Yu as if looking at a rare and priceless treasure.

Chu Yang mentally cursed in helpless frustration: A pack of shameless, thick-skinned scoundrels! It seems I must act quickly. At the same time, a mixture of excitement and self-reproach surfaced in his mind: You rascal, if you had told me earlier that you had comprehended the Power of Water, I wouldn't have made such a fuss over all this.

Amidst the rapt attention of the crowd, the sword lights of Chen Yu and Wang Ji instantly collided. The terrifying force was so immense that even the steel-hard arena cracked, with fragments directly shattering and hurtling in all directions. Fortunately, the sect uncles and elders were present to erect protective barriers, shielding the gathered disciples from harm.

Boom... The two sword lights shattered and dispersed, and Chen Yu and Wang Ji were sent flying backward in opposite directions. The immense impact caused both of them to cough up a mouthful of blood.

Standing unsteadily, trembling slightly, they locked eyes with one another.

"Junior Brother Chen Yu, I, Wang Ji, concede. I never imagined you could block that sword strike of mine," Wang Ji sighed helplessly, proving himself a gracious loser as he said, "I have lost."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Wang, for bestowing your guidance," Chen Yu said sincerely. The strength of the Yin-Yang realm was indeed beyond the reach of the Primary Unity realm. Had he not comprehended a sliver of the Power of Water, victory would likely have eluded him.

Yet precisely because of this, Chen Yu was overwhelmed with excitement. At the very least, he now knew he was gradually closing the gap between them.

"Senior Brother Chen Yu, you are amazing! You actually defeated Senior Brother Wang!" Xue Ren and the others cheered unabashedly. The rest of the Primary Unity realm disciples looked on with a mix of envy and jealousy, but above all, profound admiration. At the same time, Chen Yu had instilled a newfound confidence in all the Primary Unity realm disciples—the confidence that defeating the Yin-Yang realm was indeed possible.

Regrettably, following this round of challenges, aside from Chen Yu, not a single other challenger succeeded.

That night, Chen Yu sat atop Peach Blossom Peak, reviewing the day's sparring matches to identify and mend his own shortcomings.

After a long while, Chen Yu let out a long, deep breath.

"You're awake," Chu Yang's voice suddenly broke the silence beside him.

"Peak Master Chu," Chen Yu exclaimed in pleasant surprise, never expecting Chu Yang to appear here at such an hour.

Chu Yang looked at Chen Yu with a warm smile, bypassing any pleasantries as he asked, "Have you comprehended the Power of the Five Elements?"

Chen Yu was startled for a moment, but quickly realized that the elder must have witnessed his matches earlier that day. Thus, he had no intention of concealing it.

Chu Yang nodded slightly and instructed, "Release your full strength and let me see."

Chen Yu hesitated briefly before suddenly lunging forward with his sword, thrusting it toward Chu Yang using the exact wind-and-rain sword technique from earlier. Unhurried and composed, Chu Yang watched Chen Yu's strike with satisfaction, then casually pinched the tip of the blade between two fingers.

Seeing his own sword strike neutralized with such effortless ease, Chen Yu could not help but tremble inwardly. He sighed ruefully to himself: The disparity is simply too vast.

"Your sword technique is quite good! Even though you have merely caught a glimpse of the threshold of the Power of Water," Chu Yang said with a smile as he slowly released his grip on the longsword.

"Thank you for the praise, Senior."

"Very well! Chen Yu, would you be willing to take me as your master?" Chu Yang asked abruptly.

What?! Before Chen Yu could even process the words, he blurted out instinctively, "Didn't Peak Master Chu say you wanted me to break through to the Yin-Yang realm within a year?"

"Heh... Indeed. I did say that previously. But now that you have already comprehended a thread of the water element, you are fully qualified to become my disciple," Chu Yang chuckled. "Well? Are you willing?"

Since the matter had reached this juncture, Chen Yu naturally made a formal kowtow without hesitation: "Disciple Chen Yu pays respects to Master."

"Good, excellent, very good..." Chu Yang laughed heartily, and with a flick of his wrist, he handed a token to Chen Yu. "Though I am taking you as my personal disciple, you remain a disciple of Too-Clumsy Peak. Therefore, should you encounter any doubts or difficulties in the future, you may come to Firmament Peak to seek me out at any time."

"Understood, Master!" Chen Yu bowed deeply once more, his heart surging with excitement.