Chapter 45: Scared Me Shitless . . .
Ye Yuan's resolute question echoed within the Illusionary Spirit Tower, leaving the dream tapir in utter bewilderment. Astonishingly, Ye Yuan expressed his intention to challenge the Earth Rank Advancement test, a revelation that left the dream tapir questioning whether he had misunderstood something.
The dream tapir grappled with the idea that Ye Yuan, having just triumphed over the Black Rank Advancement test, now sought an even greater challenge in the Earth Rank. The notion seemed inconceivable, prompting the dream tapir to contemplate whether Ye Yuan comprehended the profound disparities between the Essence Qi Realm and the Spirit Condensation Realm.
Ye Yuan, however, appeared undeterred by the dream tapir's skepticism. Experiencing pain and gnashing his teeth, he urgently demanded healing, threatening to resort to self-inflicted harm and lodging a complaint with the dean should the dream tapir fail to comply.
The dream tapir found himself caught between exasperation and amusement at Ye Yuan's unpredictable antics. Despite the eccentricity, the dream tapir, acknowledging Ye Yuan's potential, decided to assist in treating his injuries. A tap from the dream tapir suffused Ye Yuan with revitalizing energy, restoring his vitality.
As Ye Yuan relished the rejuvenated essence energy coursing through him, he playfully remarked on the resilience afforded by the dream world. The dream tapir, now composed, scrutinized Ye Yuan with a subtle smile and probed into how Ye Yuan discerned the nature of the realm and the dream tapir's identity.
Ye Yuan, feigning ignorance, retorted by questioning the dream tapir's attempt to conceal the dream nature of their current reality. He justified his awareness by citing the inexplicable appearance of a sword, the disappearance of defeated martial artists, and the dream tapir's role as the examiner.
While the dream tapir recognized Ye Yuan's lack of sincerity, he opted not to engage in a futile argument. Acknowledging the benefits of having an additional genius at the Dan Wu Academy, the dream tapir continued the conversation. Yet, Ye Yuan, impatient and dismissive, conveyed his reluctance to further prolong the discussion.
The dream tapir acquiesced, summoning five black-clothed martial artists for another round of testing. However, to Ye Yuan's astonishment, these adversaries were all at the First Level Spirit Condensation Realm.
Meanwhile, outside the Illusionary Spirit Tower, the student spectators were engulfed in fervor and disbelief. The unexpected transformation in Ye Yuan's abilities had unfolded before their eyes, culminating in his ascension to an Earth Rank student, a feat deemed unprecedented in the academy's history.
Amid the varied reactions of the onlookers, some struggled to comprehend Ye Yuan's swift advancement, perceiving it as a paragon counterattack. Huyan Yong, though internally vexed, couldn't deny the thrill at witnessing Ye Yuan's potential. Wan Yuan and Liu Ruoshui, however, found themselves disconcerted by the newfound threat Ye Yuan posed.
Wan Yuan, contemplating Ye Yuan's sudden ascent, grappled with the idea that the once seemingly insignificant student now rivaled his own prowess. The realization unsettled him, prompting thoughts of eliminating Ye Yuan swiftly. The fear of Ye Yuan's potential supremacy gnawed at Wan Yuan, casting a shadow over his erstwhile confidence.
At this moment of revelation, Ye Yuan, previously considered a marginal figure, emerged as an unexpected force that posed a formidable challenge to those who had long disregarded him.
A wave of shock and disbelief swept through the spectators as they witnessed Ye Yuan's audacious decision to challenge the Earth Rank Advancement test. The murmurs and exclamations echoed through the crowd, questioning the sanity of such a daring endeavor.
In response to the unfolding spectacle on the light screen, Wan Yuan, too, found himself gripped by an involuntary freeze of the heart. A sense of foreboding crept over him, prompting contemplation on the nature of Ye Yuan's actions.
As the five black-clothed martial artists materialized once again, a palpable pressure bore down on Ye Yuan, causing him to gasp for breath. The impending challenge involved confronting adversaries at the First Level Spirit Condensation Realm, a significant leap in cultivation realms compared to Ye Yuan's modest Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm.
Undeterred by the overwhelming odds, Ye Yuan faced the formidable foes with unwavering determination. With a resounding declaration, he summoned his martial prowess, transforming his fists into palms. The surging essence energy within him manifested in a whirlwind, causing his sleeves to flutter in the turbulent currents of power.
Observing this display, the Dream Tapir couldn't help but draw a cold breath. He marveled at Ye Yuan's mastery of the Eighth Layer Wave, recognizing the terrifying talent embodied in the young challenger. Unbeknownst to many, Ye Yuan had clandestinely trained the Eighth Layer Wave during his supposed late arrival for the deathmatch with Fei Qingping.
The Eighth Layer Wave, the final move of the Stacking Waves Layered Palm, represented Ye Yuan's most potent trump card. Boasting sixteen times the power, this technique surpassed the might of the great circle stage Absolute Yang Finger, a testament to Ye Yuan's formidable capabilities within the Essence Qi Realm.
Contrary to the aggressive onslaught Ye Yuan faced from the previous five Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm opponents, the current adversaries, being at the First Level Spirit Condensation Realm, exhibited a measured approach. It became evident that the Dream Tapir orchestrated this calculated delay, affording Ye Yuan the opportunity to unleash his significant martial technique.
As both parties finally clashed, a resounding collision echoed, and Ye Yuan's consciousness gradually blurred. The intensity of the encounter left an indelible mark on the onlookers, who, in a mix of anxiety and anticipation, awaited the outcome of this audacious challenge.
Outside the Illusionary Spirit Tower, a voice articulated the collective sentiment of the crowd, expressing relief and disbelief at the perceived end of Ye Yuan's ambitious quest for advancement.