Challenging Zhou Yuan, the Mixed Origin Hand

Challenge Primordial Hand Zhou Yuan

After traveling without rest, he finally returned to the Purple Extreme Sect's mountain gate just after nightfall.

After greeting the senior brothers guarding the gate, Ye Yun entered the sect and headed straight for his residence on Great Sun Peak.

Lying atop the roof of his own pavilion, Ye Yun watched the stars in the sky, yet his mind kept replaying everything he had encountered on this journey. He had gone through so many battles, and he repeatedly pondered every single one.

Ye Yun discovered that he had a major flaw. Although the martial arts he cultivated were all highly compatible with him, he could not possibly cultivate every martial art that was highly compatible with him.

A person's energy was limited. Learning too much could be called "broad," but "broad" had another meaning as well: mediocrity. Perhaps there truly were peerless geniuses who could learn everything and master every art, but he was certainly not one of them.

Take the Great Chu Dynasty's Eight Great Geniuses of today. Every one of them was famous because of a single martial art. Zhuang Yan was known as the Tyrant Blade, Li Qinglian as the Gentleman Sword, and Ye Liuyun as the Wind-Chasing Leg. Each of them possessed one martial art far beyond that of others.

What about himself? Ye Yun asked himself this over and over. He realized that he had not made the fullest use of his special abilities at all. In battles against opponents of the same level, he might always rank near the front, but when fighting above his level, he seemed mediocre. Meanwhile, those who specialized in blades or swords killed enemies above their level as easily as eating and drinking.

After thinking for a long time, Ye Yun still could not find an answer. He could only temporarily bury the question in his heart. As waves of drowsiness washed over him, Ye Yun slowly fell asleep on the roof.

In the morning, the sun had just risen, and its first ray of light fell upon Ye Yun's face.

Not long after, Ye Yun awoke from his dreams. After a night's rest, yesterday's exhaustion had been swept away. After stretching his muscles and bones, Ye Yun climbed down from the roof.

Today, he was going to do something extremely important: accomplish his first goal and enter the Hundred Strong Ranking.

Today, Ye Yun planned to challenge Senior Brother Zhou Yuan, the Primordial Hand, who ranked ninety-fifth on the Hundred Strong Ranking. After months of bitter cultivation, this day had finally arrived, and Ye Yun's blood began to boil.

After tidying himself up, Ye Yun left his residence and headed first toward the Mission Hall. He intended to hand in the mission he had accepted.

Upon reaching the Mission Hall, Ye Yun walked straight to the counter for submitting missions.

"Senior Brother, this junior has come to submit a mission. These are this junior's mission items," Ye Yun said as he handed the Red Jade Flower and his identity token to the senior brother in charge of registration.

The senior brother looked up at Ye Yun, then accepted the Red Jade Flower and identity token. After registering everything, he returned the token to Ye Yun and said, "Junior Brother, according to sect rules, the maximum time limit for your mission is three months. Although you have submitted it early, before that mission period expires, you will not need to complete any other missions."

"Alright, thank you for informing me, Senior Brother. This junior will take his leave first." Ye Yun had not expected the sect to have such a rule. By this calculation, he would have at least two more months without needing to complete missions. For him, not having his cultivation time delayed by missions was a blessing beyond his wildest dreams.

After leaving the Mission Hall, Ye Yun headed toward the arena for challenging the Hundred Strong Ranking.

The arena for challenging the Hundred Strong Ranking was located near the summit of Great Sun Peak. Ye Yun followed the path upward.

More than ten minutes later, he arrived at the arena. Beside it stood a grand hall, the residence of the Fifth Elder, who was responsible for managing the inner sect. To challenge the Hundred Strong Ranking, one needed to apply to him.

Upon reaching the entrance of the hall, Ye Yun called inside, "Inner sect disciple Ye Yun requests to challenge Senior Brother Zhou Yuan, ranked ninety-fifth on the Hundred Strong Ranking. I hope Elder will grant approval."

After quite a while, a somewhat disheveled white-haired old man emerged from within. Staring at Ye Yun, he said, "Boy, what are you shouting for so early in the morning? Couldn't you come later to challenge someone? You've disturbed this old man's sleep."

"This disciple did not know it would be so. I have offended Elder; please forgive me!" Ye Yun bowed to the Fifth Elder.

"Enough. Since it's your first time, this old man won't hold it against you. You said you want to challenge the Hundred Strong Ranking. Have you thought it through? If you fail the challenge, you will have to wait three months before challenging again," the Fifth Elder said seriously.

"This disciple has already made up his mind. I wish to challenge Senior Brother Zhou Yuan, who ranks ninety-fifth. I hope Elder will approve!" Ye Yun expressed his determination to the Fifth Elder with complete firmness.

"Since you have thought it through, this old man will say no more. Wait here. If Zhou Yuan is not in the sect, you may choose to wait for his return before challenging him, or select someone else to challenge." After saying this, the Fifth Elder had the servant attending him go notify Senior Brother Zhou Yuan.

Ye Yun stood quietly beside the arena, while the Fifth Elder returned to the hall. Time slowly passed amid the waiting.

More than half an hour later, the Fifth Elder's servant finally returned. Following behind him was a man—it was precisely Senior Brother Zhou Yuan, whom Ye Yun had come to challenge.

From afar, Senior Brother Zhou Yuan gave off an exceptionally lean and capable impression. Yet upon closer inspection, he was different: dark skin, broad palms, and an honest-looking face that made him resemble an old farmer working in the fields.

"Are you Junior Brother Ye Yun, who challenged me?" Zhou Yuan asked Ye Yun politely.

"Yes, Senior Brother Zhou Yuan. This junior has long heard of Senior Brother's great name. Today, I dared to challenge you. Please give me your guidance." Ye Yun looked at Zhou Yuan with eyes full of fighting spirit.

"You are too polite, Junior Brother. Since you put it that way, let us exchange pointers!" Seeing Ye Yun brimming with battle intent, Zhou Yuan accepted the challenge.

Ye Yun then said to the servant standing nearby, "May I trouble this elder to inform the Fifth Elder?"

The servant nodded and walked into the hall. Before long, the Fifth Elder emerged from inside.

"Have you two confirmed it? If you have, get on the arena. Finish quickly so this old man can get back to catching up on sleep," the Fifth Elder said to Ye Yun and Zhou Yuan, his eyes still bleary with sleep.

After Ye Yun and Zhou Yuan exchanged a glance, they both walked onto the arena.

Standing on the arena, Zhou Yuan said to Ye Yun, "Junior Brother Ye, since you are the challenger, you may make the first move. Fists and feet have no eyes, so I hope Junior Brother will be careful."

"Then Ye Yun thanks Senior Brother. Senior Brother should be careful as well." After speaking to Zhou Yuan, Ye Yun moved to one side of the arena.

Looking at Zhou Yuan across from him, Ye Yun slowly released his aura and fixed his full attention on every movement Zhou Yuan made.

Suddenly, Ye Yun shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, launching the first attack at Zhou Yuan.

His hands formed the techniques of the Nine Yin Cold Claw, swiftly striking toward Zhou Yuan's head. Zhou Yuan responded by clenching his left hand into a fist and blocking Ye Yun's attack.

Ye Yun shifted his footwork, taking advantage of the moment when Zhou Yuan's old force had been spent and his new force had yet to arise.

He swept around to Zhou Yuan's side and raised his leg to kick at Zhou Yuan's waist. Seeing that he could not evade it, Zhou Yuan simply did not dodge. He took Ye Yun's kick while also slamming a palm into Ye Yun's chest.

As their attacks landed, the tremendous force sent both of them staggering backward at once.

I beg all you big shots to give me some bookmarks and recommendations. This little brother does not dare ask for rewards. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

(End of this chapter)