"What did you say?"
The true disciple of the Cangyun Sect Lin Yue.
Upon hearing Chu Yunfei's words, his grip on the gun tightened abruptly, the tassel trembling wildly from the spiritual energy, and his face gradually flushed red.
He was a true disciple of the Cangyun Sect, with Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer.
Among the younger generation in the Eastern Continent, he is considered a prominent figure.
Wherever I go on ordinary days, do I not receive respect from others?
But today, in this Jingyuan Hall, in front of the Great Qian Imperial Family and the three holy sons, he was publicly humiliated by a discarded disciple of a second-rate sect.
This is even more humiliating than being slapped twice.
Qin Hao's voice also turned cold.
"Brother Chu, your words are a bit too arrogant."
"It's just a friendly spar for fun, why humiliate my Cangyun Sect disciples like this?"
Chu Yunfei leaned back in his chair, not even glancing at him.
"Arrogance is out of the question."
He spoke calmly.
"Just telling the truth."
"What right do you, Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer cultivator, have to fight me?"
At this point, a faint, ambiguous smile appeared on Chu Yunfei's lips.
"Moreover, I've spent years fighting on the edge of life and death, and I never hold back when I strike."
"If I force myself to fight and accidentally kill him, wouldn't your Cangyun Sect blame me for bullying the weak?"
Upon hearing this, the Jingyuan Hall fell silent for a moment.
Someone had just raised their glass, the rim of the glass resting on their lips.
Some people subconsciously glanced at Qin Hao, their eyes filled with subtle emotions.
A former disciple, rumored to be only at the First Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm, was not only unafraid when facing a true disciple of the Cangyun Sect at the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer, but was instead worried about accidentally killing someone.
This is no longer arrogance.
This is blatantly disgracing the Cangyun Sect.
"How arrogant!"
Ling Chenglie's face was full of sarcasm as he let out a cold laugh.
"A disgraced disciple expelled from a second-rate sect dares to spout nonsense in my Great Qian Imperial Palace?"
" Chu Yunfei, if you're scared, just say so. Why pretend to be so mysterious and worried about hurting someone!"
"I can tell from your appearance that you're afraid of being exposed in a few moves once you're on the field, your true colors revealed, and your worthless nature beneath the title of 'Imperial Son-in-Law' exposed!"
Chu Yunfei glanced at him.
"Have you forgotten the kick to the chest, Second Prince?"
Ling Chenglie ashen on the spot.
This statement is even harsher than an insult.
That kick in front of the palace gate was the humiliation he least wanted to be mentioned these past few days.
Qin Hao sneered and took over the conversation.
"If you're worried about this, there's no need to."
"I, on behalf of Junior Brother Lin Yue, hereby promise that if you truly possess such strength, and accidentally injure him, or even take his life, the Cangyun Sect will not hold you responsible in the slightest!"
Lin Yue stepped forward and declared loudly, "That's right!"
"If I am truly inferior in skill, I will have no regrets even if I die on the spot!"
As he said this, a hint of ruthlessness lurked in his eyes.
He's just a worthless waste of the Heavenly Origin Realm.
It's just bluffing, using threats of life and death to scare people.
Qin Hao had given instructions in secret before attending the banquet.
Take advantage of any opportunity.
Just cripple Chu Yunfei.
As long as the public says it was a friendly sparring match gone wrong, even if the royal family is dissatisfied, they are unlikely to completely break ties with the powerful Cangyun Sect for the sake of a prospective consort whose status is not yet officially confirmed.
Moreover, in today's situation, the First Prince was clearly also secretly handing over the knife.
The conversation has already reached this point.
If Chu Yunfei were to refuse again, it wouldn't be out of caution, but out of cowardice.
In an instant, more than a dozen gazes in the hall fell upon him.
Wu Changge frowned and said in a low voice, "This man is arrogant; I wonder where he gets his confidence from."
Sitting beside him, Wu Mingyue rested her chin on her hand, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity.
"Why are you in such a hurry, brother?"
"Anyone who dares to speak like that in this dead end is either incredibly stupid or has the guts to flip the table."
She stared at Chu Yunfei's retreating figure.
"I'd like to see which one he is."
Ling Xueyao sat beside Chu Yunfei, but there was no trace of panic in her phoenix eyes.
She certainly didn't think Chu Yunfei would be afraid.
Back in the Cangwu Mountain Range, this guy was only at the Spirit Martial Realm, yet he dared to fight to the death with a sword against someone at the Heavenly Origin Realm.
Now, after last night's absurdity, his cultivation has surged to the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer, and his foundation is unfathomable.
A mere disciple of the Cangyun Sect at the same cultivation level is no match for him.
Ling Xueyao was really worried about was that Chu Yunfei was too ruthless.
This made the situation completely out of control.
At this moment, Chu Yunfei finally stood up.
A black robe hung down.
The Abyss-Devouring Sword at his waist remained unsheathed.
"Since Holy Son Qin is so eager to send his junior brother to his death, then I, Chu, will gladly grant his request."
He paused, then looked at Ling Chengyuan in the main seat.
"However, the outcome may not be what Your Highness desires."
Ling Chengyuan's eyes flickered slightly, and he quickly smiled and raised his hand.
"Since this is a friendly exchange, please leave an open space in the hall."
"Stop when you've reached your point, and don't spoil the harmony."
He spoke in a grand and dignified manner.
But in my heart, I was just waiting to see the show.
If Chu Yunfei is defeated, Ling Xueyao's position as the prince consort will become a laughing stock.
If Chu Yunfei wins, the Cangyun Sect will lose face, and Qin Hao will definitely hold an even deeper grudge.
Either way, he won't lose out.
The palace servants quickly moved the table aside, leaving an open space in the hall.
Lin Yue, holding a long spear, strode into the arena.
The aura of the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer is fully unleashed.
Azure-green spiritual energy coiled around the spear, creating swirling vortexes of wind.
He stared at Chu Yunfei, his eyes full of contempt.
" Chu Yunfei, swords and blades have no eyes."
"If you're scared, you can admit defeat; it's not too late."
Chu Yunfei did not respond, but simply walked to the other side.
Not only did he not draw his sword, but his hands were empty; he didn't even touch the hilt of the Abyss-Devouring Sword.
He just stood there casually.
His entire body seemed to be riddled with flaws.
Lin Yue's face darkened completely.
They didn't even draw their weapons.
What blatant disrespect!
good.
Since you've chosen to die, don't blame me for being merciless with my gun.
"Watch out for your gun!"
With a sharp shout, Lin Yue launched the first attack.
The Azure Flood Dragon Spear Earth Rank Middle Grade spiritual weapon in his hand, suddenly unleashed a dazzling display of spear flowers.
Azure spiritual energy surged forth from the tip of the spear like a raging tide, condensing in mid-air into a ferocious azure dragon phantom.
" Azure Dragon Formation-Breaking Spear!"
The gunshot tore through the air, emitting a piercing whistle.
Lin Yue showed no mercy with this shot.
The entire foundation of the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer was staked on this one strike.
The dragon roared and pounced on Chu Yunfei.
Before the spear's edge even arrived, the sharp, powerful wind had already scraped several white streaks on the bluestone floor beneath his feet.
The gazes of everyone in the hall sharpened.
Sitting behind Qin Hao, Chen Xuanhai stroked his beard, sneered, and nodded slightly.
Lin Yue's shot was ruthless and swift.
If Chu Yunfei is truly only at the Early Stage of Heavenly Origin Realm as rumored, this single spear thrust would be enough to pin him to death in the Jingyuan Hall.
Qin Hao lowered his eyelids and took a small sip of the wine in his glass.
The chill at the corner of his mouth was something he couldn't suppress.
With that shot, Chu Yunfei would be crippled, if not killed.
However, just as the tip of the cyan dragon spear was less than three feet away from Chu Yunfei's chest.
Everyone felt a blur before their eyes.
Chu Yunfei did not back down.
He did not draw his sword.
He simply raised his right arm.
Bring your five fingers together and make a fist.
There were no flashy martial arts techniques.
There was no extraordinary inspiration.
Only the purest physical strength, enveloping the vast spiritual pool deep within the dantian, propelled forward.
Bang!
A muffled thud, like thunder exploding in the hall, followed.
The menacing azure dragon phantom couldn't even withstand a single breath before crumbling inch by inch before that fist.
"What?"
Lin Yue's eyes widened.
But it was too late for him to react.
The dark gold fist force pierced through the collapsing spiritual energy barrier and struck his lower abdomen squarely.
Click!
The sound of bones cracking rang out.
Lin Yue's face turned deathly pale, and he arched his body in mid-air in a strange arc, flying backward like a kite with a broken string.
boom!
The first rosewood desk was smashed.
boom!
The second table was blasted into sawdust.
A final, muffled thud.
Lin Yue slammed hard against the thick dragon-carved pillar of the Jingyuan Hall.
Fresh blood mixed with fragments of internal organs gushed from his mouth.
He slid to the ground, his body twitching twice.
His dantian shattered.
The heart's blood vessels were severed.
Lin Yue stared wide-eyed, seemingly unable to believe even in death that he hadn't even caught a single punch.
"You..."
He forced out a broken syllable from his throat.
The next moment, his head tilted to the side.
His breath ceased completely.
The hall fell silent.
Half a cup of spirit wine slipped from the tilted glass.
Clatter
The wine splashed on the ground with a soft sound, yet it felt as if it had hit everyone's hearts.
That's a true disciple of the Cangyun Sect.
He is a young prodigy nurtured by the Cangyun Sect with countless resources.
Chu Yunfei did not draw his sword.
He did not unleash any earth-shattering martial arts techniques.
There wasn't even an extra movement.
Just one punch.
Lin Yue is dead.
Chen Xuanhai was the first to recover from his rage.
"How dare you, you brat!"
A roar echoed throughout the hall.
Chen Xuanhai's eyes widened in anger, and he took a step forward.
The pressure of the Divine Sea Realm Sixth Layer pressed down on Chu Yunfei like a mountain, and the killing intent was overwhelming.
But just as that oppressive force was about to touch Chu Yunfei...
Shen Qianyue, who had remained silent, also took half a step forward.
boom!
The same oppressive aura of the Divine Sea Realm Sixth Layer swept out, like an iron wall, blocking Chen Xuanhai's killing intent in mid-air.
The two opposing forces clashed within the hall.
The air crackled under the strain.
The wine glasses on the table trembled violently, spilling the precious spirit wine all over the floor.
Shen Qianyue's voice was calm and steady.
Elder Chen.
"That was said by Holy Son Qin himself, Cangyun Sect will not pursue the matter."
" Lin Yue himself said that even if he were to die a violent death on the spot, he would have no complaints."
"Now that the results of the sparring match are in, does the Cangyun Sect intend to go back on its word in public?"
Chen Xuanhai's face darkened, and his hand beneath his sleeve slowly clenched.
He could, of course, disregard his pride and take action directly.
But this is the imperial palace.
Princess Great Qian, royal attendants, and the three princes were all present.
Once he makes the first move, the nature of the matter changes.
Qin Hao's face was ashen, and the wine glass in his hand shattered with a crack.
He stared intently at Chu Yunfei.
He said those words himself.
Lin Yue's words, "I will die a violent death on the spot without any regrets," were heard by everyone.
The person is really dead now.
They dug the pit themselves.
If someone falls, no one has the right to complain.
Chu Yunfei remained standing quietly in the center of the field, not even glancing at Lin Yue's corpse.
He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, finally settling on Qin Hao's ugly face.
"I wonder if Holy Son Qin is satisfied with the outcome of this sparring match?"
Chu Yunfei's tone remained calm.
But the sarcasm and contempt in his words were like a slap in the face to the Cangyun Sect.
"However, if the entire Cangyun Sect is this strong, they shouldn't be so quick to throw their lives away in the future."
Qin Hao suddenly stood up.
The killing intent could no longer be suppressed.
But before he could speak, another voice rang out from inside the hall.
"Interesting."
Yue Chenzhou put down his wine glass, a hint of interest appearing on his pale face.
He slowly stood up.
A greyish-white robe trailed to the ground.
The aura of the Eighth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm was released without reservation.
Rumors are circulating that you are only at the First Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm.
"Now it seems I underestimated you."
He stared at Chu Yunfei, his tone chilling.
"Since you possess such skill, I suppose you wouldn't mind if I, Yue, were to learn a few moves from you?"
The atmosphere inside the hall tensed up again.
The shock of Lin Yue's death had not yet subsided when the Holy Son of the Puppet Sect personally intervened.
This time, the significance is completely different.
Lin Yue was merely a true disciple of the Cangyun Sect.
Yue Chenzhou, however, was the true Holy Son of the Seven Sects.
Ling Xueyao's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.
She turned her head to the side, transmitting her voice into my ear.
" Yue Chenzhou cultivates the Puppet Sect Yin Soul Art, whose spiritual power is cold and eerie, and it excels at using hidden force to erode meridians."
"Don't agree, this is inherently unfair."
Chu Yunfei smiled and replied to her telepathically.
It's alright.
" Eighth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm is not enough to make me back down."
"Your man isn't as weak as you think."
(P. S.: The plot regarding Wen Jiao and Bai Zhi in Chapters 21-24 has been readjusted. Readers who have finished reading this chapter can go back and take a look.)