"Alright! Then we’ll only compete with fists and feet."
Faced with Qi Guyun’s proposal, Lin Xiaoyun nodded in agreement.
Qi Guyun smiled faintly.
Under the watchful gazes of the crowd, the two ascended Ring Four.
This scene took many Outer Disciples by surprise.
The one who knew Lin Xiaoyun best, Chen Lingyu, was somewhat puzzled: "Strange, with Brother Lin’s temperament, he normally wouldn’t contend with Qi Guyun."
Luo Cheng speculated, "Could it be for my sake?"
Chen Lingyu shook her head: "In his eyes, one is one, two is two. He protects you because you’re a disciple of our master, and he’s your senior brother. But he wouldn’t deliberately target Qi Guyun."
Luo Cheng nodded, having interacted with him a few times, he held a measure of understanding toward his senior brother’s character. Lin Xiaoyun was simple and upright, yet carried himself with quiet dignity.
"We’ll see for ourselves," Luo Cheng said.
Lin Xiaoyun stood casually. Despite his not-too-tall stature, an unmistakable aura of power radiated from him. He lifted his hand and gestured for Qi Guyun to make the first move:
"Guyun, you may strike first."
"Then I won’t hold back."
Qi Guyun smiled broadly, stepping forward. In an instant, the tens-of-steps gap dissolved. His palm descended with a thunderous crack, pulling with it a phantom-like handprint.
Lin Xiaoyun showed no intention of retreating. His right foot stepped forward as both hands spread open.
The air shattered, splintering out in all directions.
Both figures were forced back, the ground beneath their feet cracking and collapsing, leaving a large crater!
"Huh? They didn’t channel Essence Energy, relying solely on their physical strength!"
"Seems like they’re merely exchanging blows and don’t intend to go all out for a decisive battle."
"What the hell! What’s the point then..."
The crowd murmured among themselves, disappointed as their hopes for a Peak duel fizzled.
Stopping his backward momentum, Qi Guyun let out a chuckle and launched forward once more.
Lin Xiaoyun folded his arms across his chest, assuming a defensive stance that seemed to flow naturally.
The gap between them vanished, leaving less than ten steps between them.
Qi Guyun’s lips curled, and suddenly, a sword appeared in his hand.
With a cold shout, the Essence Energy around him erupted violently. His sword’s momentum was unstoppable, spreading like a tidal wave, engulfing the space and locking onto Lin Xiaoyun as he slashed downward.
With an awe-inspiring burst of Sword Qi, the strike descended upon Lin Xiaoyun, the sheer edge cutting through the ring’s air in absolute silence!
Lin Xiaoyun’s gaze froze for a moment. In the nick of time, he fiercely channeled his Essence Energy, advancing instead of retreating.
"Purple Extreme Break!"
With a furious roar, purple light surged around Lin Xiaoyun’s right fist like lightning, punching directly toward the Sword Qi.
The two overwhelming forces collided instantly. The immense impact force caused the Sword Qi to deflect by three points.
Blood sprayed wildly, and an arm flew high into the air.
Lin Xiaoyun was sent flying, spitting a mouthful of blood in midair, before crashing heavily onto the ring.
The unexpected turn stunned everyone present.
Chen Lingyu stood abruptly, her face pale as ash.
Luo Cheng furrowed his brows deeply, his gaze growing cold.
Judging from the earlier exchanges, Lin Xiaoyun’s abilities were no trivial matter. Even Luo Cheng, without unveiling his full potential, couldn’t easily defeat him!
Qi Guyun trying to instantly eliminate Lin Xiaoyun would have been nearly impossible!
Recalling their close-range physical clash before ascending the ring, Luo Cheng immediately deduced what had transpired.
"Qi Guyun, you’re out of line!"
Suddenly, a cold snort resounded through the arena, shaking the space violently.
It was Elder Chen Xuan.
Lin Xiaoyun was the disciple Elder Chen Xuan had personally brought into the Sect, watching him grow step by step with high expectations. Today he saw Lin Xiaoyun’s arm severed by Qi Guyun!
If it were a fair fight, it could be overlooked. But it was evident to all that Lin Xiaoyun had fallen prey to Qi Guyun’s scheming!
"You and Luo Cheng agreed to a life-and-death duel, a mutual decision. I, as an Elder, won’t interfere! But this was merely a sparring match, and yet you struck so viciously! Do you not regard me—the Second Elder—at all?"
"Qi Guyun! How shameless can you be!!" another angry voice shouted!
Chen Lingyu glared at Qi Guyun, her face flushed with fury as she gritted her teeth: "Back when you offended a disciple of the Great Chu Extreme Dao Sect, you were hunted down, trapped in Ling Cave Peak, and nearly killed! It was my senior brother who risked his life to save you! Because of that, Brother Lin was bedridden for half a month! Yet now you repay his kindness ! You..."
As Chen Lingyu spoke, her voice grew increasingly agitated, her small face turning scarlet.
Many spectators knew of this incident, prompting uneasy glances among themselves.
Qi Guyun nonchalantly flicked his sword blade, casting a glance at Lin Xiaoyun with a mocking smile:
"I was merely sparring with him, only to discover that he crumbled so easily. Surely, that’s not my fault!"
At this, Elder Chen Xuan’s anger erupted:
"Scoundrel! How dare you spout such arrogance! Let me teach you a lesson!"
He raised his palm, preparing to strike, but the Great Elder Qin Yun, seated beside him, extended a hand to stop him. "Elder Chen, don’t act rashly..."
Chen Xuan’s muddied eyes glinted sharply: "Qin Yun, are you stopping me?"
"I’m doing this for the sake of our Sect’s reputation," Qin Yun replied calmly.
The situation grew increasingly tense, ready to spiral out of control.
A low voice interrupted.
Covered in blood and missing his left arm, Lin Xiaoyun struggled to rise and spoke: "Master, this is a matter between him and me. You need not be angered."
After saying this, Lin Xiaoyun turned his gaze to Qi Guyun, speaking in a calm tone devoid of emotion:
Qi Guyun narrowed his eyes. For some reason, seeing Lin Xiaoyun’s composed expression filled him with inexplicable rage. He sneered coldly:
"Why? Hah, Lin Xiaoyun, I can’t tell if you’re naive or outright foolish. Did you really think saving me once entitled you to stand on equal footing with me?"
"What is your status? And what is mine? You’re nothing but a lowly commoner from the wilderness! To consider me a blood-bonded brother—as if you’re qualified?"
"I only tolerated you because of your talent and usefulness, letting you join the Crown Prince Hall, giving you cultivation resources! In truth, you’re nothing more than a dog I’ve fed!"
Lin Xiaoyun’s face turned ashen, his entire body trembling slightly, his complexion pale as paper!
"Originally, if you’d been obedient, I wouldn’t have minded keeping you around, granting you a bright future! But..."
Qi Guyun pointed at Luo Cheng, smirking disdainfully: "You dare defy me for a useless wretch like him? Then don’t blame me for what happens next!"
"Those who submit prosper! Those who resist perish! Everything that has befallen you is your own doing!! Today, not only will I destroy you, but I’ll make sure you witness your junior brother’s death at my hands!!"
Qi Guyun gazed down at Lin Xiaoyun from above, his demeanor like that of a god.
Lin Xiaoyun let out a deep breath, his calm eyes tinged with self-mockery and acceptance as he spoke:
"So what they said was true. You really do see me this way. What I thought was a life-and-death bond was only my foolish delusion..."
As he spoke, Lin Xiaoyun’s aura continued to rise, swelling like an indomitable peak emerging from the earth, surging with boundless battle intent!