Chapter 556: Breaking Through the Barrier

"She doesn’t agree, so why force the issue?"

Chen Yu still spoke politely.

After all, the two men in front of him held positions higher than theirs, and in the Holy Land, a higher position represented greater strength.

"Young man, are you teaching me, Deng Kuan, and Brother Shen?"

Upon hearing this, Deng Kuan’s face grew sullen, and he emitted a menacing aura, intimidating Chen Yu.

Moreover, he was eloquent, always dragging Shen Han into the conversation.

A Silver Emblem Holy Guard daring to lecture a Law Enforcement Holy Guard? Even Shen Han felt he was losing face after hearing this, and found Chen Yu even more disagreeable.

Boom!

A surge of invisible Evil Qi emanated from Deng Kuan, and in the void, it seemed as if a ferocious, grimacing beast was baring its teeth and claws.

This Evil Qi was so oppressive that Ye Luofeng and Yuan Chen felt a sense of suffocation, while Yu Bu Yu turned pale and couldn’t help but retreat.

Chen Yu immediately fixed his gaze forward, and his eyes surged with a dark and fierce demonic light, shooting out aggressively to block Deng Kuan’s intimidating aura.

"Hmm?"

Deng Kuan realized that Chen Yu’s momentum was strong and unyielding, like a tall wall keeping him on the outside.

It was rare for a mere Silver Emblem Holy Guard to achieve this.

However, as a Golden Emblem Holy Guard, it was an utter failure on his part not to have intimidated these newcomers yet. Deng Kuan was ready to take further action, determined to teach these few a lesson.

The dispute also drew the attention of others around.

"Who is that woman? She looks pure and ethereal, just like a fairy."

"I’ve heard of her; she only joined the Holy Land a few years ago, but in terms of talent and beauty, she is the foremost among that group. She is now considered one of the three great fairies of the Holy Land, alongside Yun Fei’er and Ning Man Yao."

Everyone’s gaze gathered on Ye Luofeng, inevitably landing on her.

Those who could enter the Holy Land were all of exceptional talent, and with her demeanor and appearance, she perfectly fit many cultivators’ ideal.

Indeed, even a Law Enforcement Holy Guard like Shen Han took the initiative to approach her.

"Deng Kuan, what are you doing?"

Just then, a melodious and pleasant voice rang out.

Deng Kuan, who was about to take further action, paused upon hearing the voice, and immediately, a joyful smile appeared. "Isn’t this Miss Fei’er? I knew today was bound to be a joyful day; I didn’t expect to see Miss Fei’er."

"Look, Yun Fei’er is here."

A ripple of excitement spread around the area as several men looked eagerly.

Three men and a woman quickly ascended, among them a golden-robed woman with a silver jade belt around her waist, displaying an enticing figure.

Her clear eyes and flawless skin radiated unmatched splendor, looking absolutely breathtaking.

Chen Yu recognized two of the three people beside the woman, Yunhai Zhen and Yun Yingwu.

The two had also seen Chen Yu early on and fixed their gazes on him, especially Yunhai Zhen, whose eyes conveyed a fighting spirit.

"Miss Fei’er, it’s been two years since our last meeting. You’ve become even more beautiful than before," Shen Han walked up to her.

In his heart, Yun Fei’er was more outstanding than Ye Luofeng.

"Make way."

From among Yunhai Zhen’s group, a dignified middle-aged man coldly passed by Shen Han.

"Brother Yun, why are you so furious? Could it be that your cultivation has been unsmooth lately?" Shen Han asked with displeasure, snorting coldly.

But he still stepped aside, seeming somewhat wary of the other.

At that moment, the golden-robed woman, Yun Fei’er, accompanied by Yunhai Zhen and Yun Yingwu, approached Chen Yu and the others.

"So you are the one who took the first place from my cousin Hai Zhen in the grand competition and caused the death of my cousin Yingwu’s rival?"

Yun Fei’er smiled as she spoke, her beautiful face nearing Chen Yu as she sized him up.

Chen Yu looked at Yun Fei’er, also drawn by her appearance. Unlike Ye Luofeng, who was an untouchable Ice Mountain Fairy, this woman carried the grace and elegance of a princess, yet felt approachable.

Despite the harshness of Yun Fei’er’s words, they felt inoffensive coming from her.

"Cousin!"

Yunhai Zhen and Yun Yingwu looked helplessly at Yun Fei’er.

Yun Yingwu and Yunhai Zhen had both become Silver Emblem Holy Guards.

Yunhai Zhen saw Chen Yu as a rival, while Yun Yingwu always considered Fu Sanguang his nemesis. However, since Fu Sanguang had died because of Chen Yu, and he had heard that Chen Yu had had the upper hand in their encounter,

Yun Yingwu thus saw Chen Yu as his new rival. By defeating Chen Yu, he could avenge the humiliation suffered at the Talent Tea Party.

"…That is indeed me,"

Chen Yu admitted with a smile.

On the side, Ye Luofeng saw Chen Yu smiling broadly and pouted, glaring at him fiercely.

"Chen Yu, this time at Sky Sea Mountain, let us see who is superior," Yunhai Zhen said with bright eyes.

"My two cousins have made great progress. You’ll have to work hard to surpass them,"

Yun Fei’er added.

Yunhai Zhen and Yun Yingwu were at a loss, wondering whose side their cousin was really on.

"Since Miss Fei’er knows these people, this time, we will let them off the hook and pardon their offense,"

Deng Kuan suddenly intervened, looking arrogant.

Shen Han nodded; as a Law Enforcement Holy Guard, he wasn’t about to quibble with a Silver Emblem Holy Guard.

Following that, Shen Han, Deng Kuan, and others left with Yun Fei’er’s group.

"Yun Fei’er deliberately engaged in conversation with us to help us out of that situation,"

Yuan Chen couldn’t help but smile as he watched Yun Fei’er leave, clearly attracted to her.

"Yun Fei’er is naturally kind-hearted and eager to help, especially some Holy Guards from Yun Zhao Country who encounter difficulties; she’s always willing to lend a hand,"

An elder nearby said softly, seemingly also an admirer of Yun Fei’er.

Gradually, more and more people arrived at the mountaintop.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, the sky shuddered violently, and the wind and clouds surged wildly.

Swoosh—

Nearly a dozen figures flew swiftly, hovering in the void, each walking on air, all of them being Sky Sea Realm elders.

Among them, leading the group, was the Great Elder.

Intense fluctuations of True Yuan radiated from their bodies, all pouring into a dark silver sphere covered in mysterious characters.

Buzz buzz!

The sphere inside burst forth with a dazzling silver brilliance; within, countless Array patterns and mysterious characters emanated, merging into the void.

Gradually, a vague mountain shadow appeared in the void.

The mountain peak floated in the void, gradually becoming clear, and came into everyone’s view, radiating an imposing majestic aura of heaven and earth.

Sky Sea Mountain, always floating there, only hidden by the Holy Land using special means, typically invisible.

"Sky Sea Mountain is now officially open, for the duration of one year!"

The Great Elder waved his sleeve, taking away the dark silver sphere, then turned and looked down at the Holy Guards, his resounding voice echoing through heaven and earth.

Immediately, several people soared into the sky, flying into Sky Sea Mountain.

Among them was Sun Wuhai, and also Little Sword Master Bai Yang, whose speed was the fastest, like lightning streaking through the wind, the first to step onto the foothills of Sky Sea Mountain.

Afterward, the rest also flew, arriving below Sky Sea Mountain.

Standing on Sky Sea Mountain, everyone felt a celestial force descending upon them, involuntarily arousing a sense of awe.

"There are eight levels to Sky Sea Mountain, it’s said that the higher you go, the stronger this oppressive force becomes; those with too weak willpower might be oppressed to the point of immobility."

Yuan Chen whispered.

Sky Sea Mountain had only one wide mountain path that led to the summit, challengers could only proceed along this path.

In sight, 500 meters away on the mountain path, stood three ancient temples, only by passing the tests of the temples could one continue to climb upwards.

Currently, in all three ancient temples, people were attempting the challenges.

In the first temple was Little Sword Master Bai Yang, in front of him stood an opponent formed by the power of the Array.

Swoosh!

The swordlight flashed by, the opponent split into two, and then dispersed and vanished.

Bai Yang passed the first checkpoint’s test swiftly and arrived at the second checkpoint.

With Bai Yang’s strength, it was not surprising that he passed the first checkpoint with a single move.

Then, from the other two temples, two people rushed out, heading upward.

"Let’s go, brave the mountain!"

Someone dashed out, ascending the mountain path.

Several others then rushed over, but each time only three were allowed to challenge, the rest had to wait.

Sky Sea Mountain would be open for one year, Chen Yu was not in a hurry, waiting for fewer people before departing.

Swoosh!

A familiar figure leapt out beside him, advancing shoulder-to-shoulder with Chen Yu, it was Ye Chengfeng.

Chen Yu entered the first temple, Ye Chengfeng entered the third temple.

Inside the temple, the Array operated and formed a man of ordinary appearance with no distinguishing features.

"Defeat me to pass the first challenge."

The man’s voice was mechanically cold and indifferent.

Swoosh!

The ordinary man suddenly threw a punch, but in the void, hundreds of fist shadows attacked Chen Yu.

"Break!"

Chen Yu activated his body’s strength and True Yuan, throwing a punch.

Instantly, all the fist shadows in front of him shattered, and the ordinary man also vanished into thin air under Chen Yu’s punch.

The door on the other side opened, and Chen Yu passed through the temple.

Behind the three temples was a small stone pool, within it a pool of blue spring water emitting the fresh and exotic fragrance of herbs, taking a breath made one feel refreshed.

"This must be the Sky Sea Sacred Liquid, right?"

"Yes, but this is only First Grade Sky Sea Holy Liquid; it’s significantly effective for Copper Badge Holy Guards, lesser so for Silver Emblem Holy Guards."

Ye Chengfeng walked out from the third temple and spoke blandly.

He then took a small wine cup, filled it, sealed it with True Yuan, and put it into his storage bag.

"First Grade?"

Chen Yu pondered thoughtfully.

"Sky Sea Mountain has eight challenges; the Sky Sea Sacred Liquid at each challenge differs in effect. The Eighth Grade Sky Sea Sacred Liquid at the final challenge has a great effect on Half-step Sky Sea; drinking it can save you five to six years of arduous cultivation."

Noticing Chen Yu’s cluelessness, Ye Chengfeng explained.

Of course, with the strength of a Silver Emblem Holy Guard, it was impossible to reach the eighth challenge.

A woman walked out of the second temple, joyfully took a cup of Sky Sea Sacred Liquid, then ran to one side, found a small cave dwelling, and entered to cultivate.

Each person had only one chance to challenge Sky Sea Mountain each time it opened; once they came down, they could not go again.

Thus, there were temporary cave dwellings on Sky Sea Mountain available for Holy Guards to cultivate in.

Chen Yu took a wine cup, gently scooped it up, filling it.

"Can’t we take more?"

The thought crossed Chen Yu’s mind, but he suddenly felt the gaze of two onlookers.

It turned out that elders were stationed all around Sky Sea Mountain, responsible for monitoring and maintaining order.

Seeing this, Chen Yu took only one cup and continued upward, arriving before the second challenge.