Volume II - The Appearance of the Nine Provinces Map, Entering the Spirit Void Chapter 163: Contention for the Seats

Over the next ten days or so, the duels unfolded between the Yin-Yang Realm and the Heaven-Human Realm. Chen Yu, however, did not participate, effectively forfeiting. Proud though he was, he was not foolish enough to overestimate his own abilities.

Right now, even fighting someone in the Yin-Yang Realm would be difficult for him, let alone facing an opponent in the Heaven-Human Realm.

Throughout these matches, Chen Yu truly witnessed the profound strength and prosperity of the Spirit Void Sect.

Take Chu Shu among the Yin-Yang Realm disciples, for instance; he truly lived up to his reputation as a prodigy of the Spirit Void Sect, actually managing to suppress a senior brother who had just stepped into the Heaven-Human Realm. It was truly terrifying.

Then there were Zhao Ying from the Firmament Peak, Yang Xue from the Clear Spirit Peak, Wang Si from the Bright Spirit Peak, Yuan Yu from the Wondrous Heart Peak, Zhao Ruo from the Enlightenment Peak, Shen Chang from the Unadorned Peak, Du Xing from the Clear Intent Peak, Han Luo from the Supreme Unadorned Peak, and Deng Lan from the Supreme Intent Peak. All of these Yin-Yang Realm disciples displayed peerless and brilliant performances.

Naturally, that went even more so for the senior brothers of the Heaven-Human Realm.

Even Chen Yu watched with a surging passion and intense excitement.

Soon, the top two hundred rankings were basically settled. However, this did not mean it was all over. The disciples still had one more chance to challenge those in the top two hundred, with a ten-day window to seize their seats.

During the first few days, no disciples stepped forward to challenge anyone. It was not until the fifth day that someone finally took the stage. This battle was equally thrilling, though unfortunately, the challenger ultimately failed.

In the days that followed, the disciples' challenges grew increasingly frequent. Even Chen Yu felt an urge to make a move.

Just as this wave of enthusiasm was about to cool down, Chen Yu finally stepped onto the stage. He, too, wanted to vie for a spot among the top two hundred.

"I ask Senior Brother Wu Dong of the Supreme Intent Peak to step forward and offer guidance," Chen Yu called out.

Although Wu Dong's strength ranked near the bottom ten among the top two hundred, he was still a presence not to be underestimated.

Seeing that it was Chen Yu—a disciple of the One-Origin Realm—challenging him, Wu Dong immediately turned gloomy with tension. He had paid close attention to Chen Yu's battle against Wang Ji.

To be honest, Wu Dong knew his own strength fell short of Wang Ji's. Therefore, facing Chen Yu, he dared not be careless in the slightest. Maintaining a silent demeanor, he leaped up onto the platform and said coldly, "Junior Brother, please make your move!"

"Please..." As soon as Chen Yu's voice fell, he thrust forward with his sword, charging straight at Wu Dong. "Earth-Shaking Tremor, Wind and Rain Golden Light."

His sword speed was lightning-fast, reaching Wu Dong in the blink of an eye.

Wu Dong let out a low shout and met the attack with his own blade: "Supreme Intent Sword Art."

As Wu Dong's long sword moved, countless sword images emerged, parrying Chen Yu's wind-and-rain sword Qi while seeking an opportunity to counterattack.

Their figures shifted and moved across the stage at high speed. Under the fierce clashes, wave after wave of shockwaves rippled outward, forming a massive gale that pressed toward all directions.

Both of them pulled out all their tricks, neither willing to admit defeat easily. In the blink of an eye, the time it took to burn an incense stick had passed. Both Chen Yu and Wu Dong were now breathing heavily, drenched in sweat. Yet, their eyes still gleamed with unyielding resolve.

Exchanging a glance, they clashed once more, their wild, violent power continuously colliding.

The surrounding disciples off the stage watched with jaws agape in utter astonishment.

Wu Dong was strong, but Chen Yu was even more terrifying. He was merely at the eighth aperture of the One-Origin Realm, yet he could fight Wu Dong to a standstill. One could easily imagine just how formidable his innate talent was.

"I never imagined that the little cultivator from back then could grow to this level. Truly unexpected," Zhao Ying sighed in admiration.

"Indeed, I never expected it either. He even managed to defeat me," Wang Ji chuckled with self-deprecating humor.

"Senior Brother Wang, your mind is simply too unfocused. Otherwise, Chen Yu might not have been able to beat you," Li Qin teased with a laugh.

Wang Ji merely shrugged, taking it lightly.

"Does Junior Brother Chu feel any pressure?" Zhao Ying asked Chu Shu, who stood beside him.

Chu Shu smiled, nodding as he said expectantly, "Pressure is a good thing! I believe Chen Yu will catch up soon enough. Senior brothers, you had better not let your guard down."

"Does Junior Brother really think he can defeat Wu Dong?" Li Qin asked in surprise.

"Senior Sister Li, isn't that obvious? Even Wu Dong is no match for me, so how could he possibly be Chen Yu's opponent?" Wang Ji joked.

The group shook their heads with awkward smiles, saying no more as they turned their attention back to the fierce duel. They could sense that the outcome would soon reveal itself.

Clang, clang, clang... The sword blades of Chen Yu and Wu Dong crossed in rapid succession.

*"Damn it... Chen Yu's Dharma power is simply too profound. I originally planned to drag this out and wear him down, but in the end, I've trapped myself instead,"* Wu Dong thought bitterly. *"And his swordsmanship is far too fierce. He really is a stubborn opponent to shake off."*

Even though he was currently fighting Chen Yu to a draw, Wu Dong knew very well that Chen Yu still had one sword technique he hadn't yet unleashed—the very strike that had defeated Wang Ji. He lacked the confidence to block it himself.

However, for the sake of keeping his ranking, he had to resort to this, even if it meant losing his pride and shamelessness.

Having made up his mind, Wu Dong rapidly activated two Five-Thunder Talismans. Instantly, the entire arena was blanketed in crackling lightning.

"Five-Thunder Talismans? Senior Brother Wu Dong is being utterly shameless! His cultivation is already higher than Chen Yu's, yet he still resorts to talisman power. Despicable," a disciple muttered disdainfully.

"Hmph, this is a duel. Talismans are not prohibited, so why shouldn't they be used?" another disciple immediately retorted.

For a moment, the disciples split into two factions, arguing fiercely. But as the thunder rumbled loudly one after another, everyone quieted down, watching the stage tensely as they tried to guess how Chen Yu would respond.

Chen Yu remained unhurried, gripping his sword tightly and slashing fiercely toward the incoming lightning: "Earth-Shaking Tremor, Instant Blossoming Flowers."

With a single sweep of his blade, his sword Qi burst with golden splendor. The shockwave cleaved outward, actually scattering the bolts of lightning that were descending upon him. Even more astonishingly, it carved out a safe passage right between Chen Yu and Wu Dong.

Wu Dong cried out in utter dismay, "What..."

"He used that exact sword move back in the Ghost Nether Tomb," Wang Ji recognized it instantly.

"The Ghost Nether Tomb? Has Chen Yu been there?" Chu Shu asked in surprise.

"Hmm? I only heard that he entered for a brief moment before leaving, without venturing deep inside," Wang Ji explained.

"Is that so?" Chu Shu murmured softly, though he found the explanation hard to believe. Still, he chose not to probe further. Shaking his head slightly, he muttered, "It looks like Wu Dong is about to lose."

At this moment, Wu Dong was filled with both shock and panic. Chen Yu's sword technique had not only shattered the lightning but had also temporarily suppressed his movements.

Naturally, Chen Yu would not let such an opportunity slip away. Transforming into a golden light, he dashed forward and thrust his sword straight ahead: "Wind and Rain Golden Light."

This strike drew upon the power of the water element. Taken completely by surprise and utterly pale with fright, Wu Dong had no way to block it and was sent crashing straight down off the stage.

As for Chen Yu, after executing that final strike, his body was practically drained of all strength. It could only be considered a hard-won, pyrrhic victory.