Following the voice, they saw Tai Yi, Puxian, Qingxu, Yu Ding, Huang Long, and the others stepping forward from all sides.
Their expressions were solemn as well, their gazes toward Li Yun filled with wariness and gravity.
Li Yun's ability to instantly defeat Cihang had already shown them that he was no ordinary opponent. His strength was indeed as their master had said—in the same realm, he was invincible. Even when fighting across an entire major realm, he was not someone to be underestimated.
For that very reason, they absolutely could not allow Guang Chengzi to fight first.
It was not that they feared Guang Chengzi would lose to Li Yun. Rather, they worried that Guang Chengzi might be defeated without understanding the exact circumstances or the gap between them.
As they had said, Guang Chengzi, as the chief personal disciple, represented the honor of the entire Chan Teachings. If he were defeated here like Cihang, then the Combat Tournament of the Golden Immortal Realm would be completely lost before it had even ended.
"You all..."
Guang Chengzi opened his mouth, understanding Yu Ding and the others' intentions.
For a moment, his emotions were complicated. There might have been conflicts between them, even some struggles.
But at a time like this, they had to stand united against the outside world and work together.
After all, besides the Golden Immortal Realm cultivators of the Interception Sect, Li Yun was now an opponent who could not be underestimated.
At that thought, Guang Chengzi's fighting intent subsided somewhat. Looking at Yu Ding and the others, he said, "In that case, junior brothers, please go ahead!"
"Alright!"
Having received Guang Chengzi's answer, Yu Ding and the others did not hesitate. After exchanging glances, Puxian stepped forward and cupped his fists toward Li Yun. "Junior Brother Li Yun, please instruct me."
This sight left Duobao and the other Interception Sect disciples beside them utterly dumbfounded.
Li Yun's instant defeat of Cihang had shocked the entire crowd, but now the Eleven Golden Immortals of the Chan Teachings clearly intended to take turns fighting Li Yun. This left them even more stunned.
If they remembered correctly,
wasn't this supposed to be a conflict between the disciples of the Chan Teachings and the Interception Sect?
How had it suddenly turned into the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Teachings taking turns to deal with Li Yun?
"Senior Brother, what should we do next..."
After exchanging looks, Jin Ling, Gui Ling, and Wudang stepped forward to ask.
"No rush."
Duobao waved his hand. As the senior brother, he quickly calmed down and said, "Since the senior brothers of the Chan Teachings wish to spar with Junior Brother Li Yun, it would naturally be inappropriate for us to interfere!"
"If Junior Brother Li Yun can defeat the Twelve Golden Immortals, then we can also go and spar with him afterward."
At those words, Gui Ling and the others shuddered, immediately understanding what Duobao meant.
They would watch the show.
For now, they would see whether Li Yun could defeat all the Twelve Golden Immortals.
If the Twelve Golden Immortals still lost even after taking turns fighting him, the Chan Teachings would suffer a tremendous loss of face.
If they then defeated Li Yun, they could indirectly prove that the disciples of the Interception Sect surpassed those of the Chan Teachings. Then...
"Kong Xuan."
Almost instantly, Duobao turned to look at the five figures standing nearby. "You must not act rashly either. This concerns the reputation of our Interception Sect. You absolutely cannot gang up on Junior Brother Li Yun. We already promised him that even if we fought, it could only be one-on-one."
So that was it!
Hearing this, Kong Xuan and the others in the nearby area also came to a realization.
When they saw the Twelve Golden Immortals preparing to take turns fighting, they had wondered why the Eleven Golden Immortals of the Chan Teachings did not attack together if they were going to unite against a common enemy.
So they had already promised Li Yun it would be one-on-one. Under such circumstances, they truly could not join forces against him. Otherwise, they would be going back on their word. Not only would that be humiliating, it might even cause them to be alienated by the disciples of the Two Sects, or even expelled by the Saints.
At that thought, Kong Xuan and the others nodded. "We understand, Senior Brother."
"We will certainly abide by the agreement!"
Only then did Duobao breathe a sigh of relief.
Having resolved the final unstable factor, Duobao immediately said, "Enough of that. Let's watch the show first."
"Junior Brother Li Yun cannot be underestimated. We should observe him carefully and learn something as well."
Those words immediately won the approval of many people.
Without any hesitation, the group from the Interception Sect quickly retreated some distance. Standing together, they looked toward the center of the square.
"Senior Brother Puxian, please."
Within the square, Li Yun looked at Puxian, who had stepped forward. Without wasting words, he cupped his fists in salute.
"Yuqing Divine Thunder—kill!"
Puxian did not hesitate.
Li Yun had suddenly attacked and instantly defeated Cihang. Now, Puxian boldly unleashed Yuqing Divine Thunder at Li Yun, seemingly intending to avenge Cihang.
Yet in Li Yun's eyes, such an attack was exceedingly slow. Almost the instant Puxian unleashed his Yuqing Divine Thunder, Li Yun raised a hand and attacked as well. "Taiqing Divine Thunder—kill!"
The next moment, two bolts of azure divine lightning swept forth.
However, Puxian's Yuqing Divine Thunder was pale azure, while Li Yun's Taiqing Divine Thunder was clearly far deeper and more intense in color.
In an instant, the two bolts of lightning collided in midair.
Crackle—
Lightning converged, collided, destroyed, and shattered.
Under the gaze of countless cultivators, the Yuqing Divine Thunder lasted only five seconds before shattering.
Immediately afterward, the Taiqing Divine Thunder charged straight toward Puxian with unstoppable force.
"Not good..."
As the danger descended, Puxian immediately tried to evade.
With a deafening boom, the spot where Puxian had stood was scorched black.
Though the ground was not broken, this square was a training ground forged by a Saint. Not to mention Li Yun—even a Quasi-Saint would be unable to damage it.
At that moment, Li Yun raised his hand and swung it sharply. "Taiqing Divine Thunder—Ninefold Lightning Tribulation!"
Rumble—
Rumble—
In an instant, dark clouds blanketed the sky, and azure lightning began to writhe.
Almost immediately, an unfathomable force locked onto Puxian. Before he could recover, bolts of Taiqing Divine Thunder descended from the heavens, transforming into snarling dragons in midair. Their target was Puxian, and their locking power made them impossible to evade.
In only a dozen breaths, more than ten bolts of Taiqing Divine Thunder had formed an encirclement, sealing Puxian within.
Then, with nowhere left to flee, the dozen or so bolts of Taiqing Divine Thunder descended upon Puxian from every direction.
"Ah..."
Puxian's scream echoed across the square. The thunder ceased abruptly, and the power of the Taiqing Divine Thunder gradually dissipated. Puxian stood there, blackened from head to toe and smoking from his mouth. Weakly, he looked at Li Yun and said, "Junior Brother Li Yun, you win!"
Having said that, Puxian could no longer hold on. With a thud, he collapsed to the ground and fell unconscious.
"Junior Brother Puxian!"
At this sight, the faces of the Chan Teachings crowd behind him changed drastically.
Almost instantly, two figures darted into the arena.
One of them helped Puxian up and swiftly carried him away, while the other glared furiously at Li Yun. "Li Yun, you've gone too far."
"It was only a spar, yet you struck so ruthlessly!"
"Next, let Juliusun be your opponent. I will definitely defeat you!"
Before you continue