Hanshan had exaggerated somewhat in what heâd just said; he was trying to frighten Chen Yu and make him consider retreating.
Contrary to expectations, Chen Yu remained calm and composed, confident in his plans.
In fact, it was Hanshan who now felt uncertain. The twin shadows Chen Yu had left in his mind overlapped, leaving an indelible fear at the core of his being.
Boom!
The enormous black skeleton, its face twisted in madness, lunged at Chen Yu, trying to devour his body and soul.
Chen Yuâs spiritual power had long reached the level of the Sky Sea Realm. However, Hanshanâs sinister technique was formidable, and since Chen Yu wasnât skilled in spiritual resistance, he didnât plan to withstand it directly.
Hum!
Activating the "Four Jade Soul Bead," a stream of light burst forth, transforming into a protective membrane around Chen Yu.
With Chen Yuâs Sky Sea Realm level spiritual power powering this defensive Spiritual Artifact, even Hanshanâs powerful secret attacks could hardly breach its defense.
"Your spiritual power... it has reached the Sky Sea Realm!"
Hanshanâs eyes widened in shock.
Chen Yuâs spiritual power had actually reached the level of the Sky Sea Realm. Wasnât spiritual power always a weak point for Body Cultivation? Why did it seem like Chen Yuâs spiritual power had become his strength?
Hanshan felt as though common sense had betrayed him.
Boom!
The black skeleton descended, frantically biting, yet it couldnât tear through the defense of the Four Jade Soul Bead.
The physical attacks that fell upon Chen Yu were completely ineffective.
"Spiritual power of the Sky Sea Realm, coupled with the âFour Jade Soul Beadâ..."
Hanshanâs eyes glazed over in a daze.
Run!
His mind trembling, he turned and fled.
At this moment, Hanshan was brimming with regret. He had thought he had widened the gap between himself and Chen Yu.
But the gap had indeed widenedâChen Yu had widened it even further. Even if Hanshan advanced to the Sky Sea Realm, he could only scurry away under Chen Yuâs hands.
"This time, I wonât let you escape!"
Chen Yuâs gaze was icy and calm as he once again deployed the Yangming Sword Point.
Swoosh!
A blood-red Sword Qi light shot out, its momentum overwhelming.
Hanshan had been wary of Chen Yuâs secret technique all along, and when he heard the sharp sound of it tearing through the air behind him, he immediately dodged.
Puff!
A blood-red column of light raced past, leaving a gap in the sleeve of Hanshanâs right arm.
"That was close!"
Sweat streamed down Hanshanâs face as he burned True Yuan, fleeing at high speed.
Whoosh!
Chen Yuâs golden wings vibrated continuously on his back, stirring golden fire waves as he gave chase.
During the pursuit, Chen Yu launched several Yangming Sword Points.
But because of the distance, and Hanshan being highly alert, Chen Yuâs Yangming Sword Points either missed or inflicted only minor injuries.
This annoyed Chen Yu, leading him to focus even more. After concentrating for a long while on his sword point, he suddenly released it.
Swoosh!
A nearly three-inch-wide column of Blood Flame Light shot out, streaking rapidly through the air, leaving a bright red trail of fire in its path.
"This pointer..."
Chen Yu pondered for a moment, his face revealing a pleased expression.
This pointer had clearly surpassed the Great Success Realm. "Six Flames Sword Finger" first layer was complete.
Up ahead, as Hanshan dodged several more Yangming Sword Points and figured out their pattern, he felt somewhat smug.
Just then, he sensed another imminent crisis and immediately moved to dodge.
"Not good... so fast!"
Suddenly, Hanshanâs expression drastically changed.
This Yangming Sword Point was different from the previous ones!
Swoosh!
The blood-red column struck Hanshanâs shoulder, leaving a huge round hole where flesh and bone were completely destroyed.
"Ah..."
Hanshan cried out in agony, gritting his teeth.
His entire right arm hung limply, completely devoid of sensation, hanging by merely a shred of skin and flesh.
That arm was effectively ruined.
Hanshan was utterly hopeless; with his severe injuries, there was no possibility of escaping from Chen Yu.
But just then, a figure clad in purple sped by not far from them, moving incredibly fast, clearly a Sky Sea Venerable.
Hanshan had also encountered some adventurers on Burning Sun Mountain, but they were all below the Sky Sea Realm, and upon seeing himâa Sky Sea Realm being chasedâthey immediately steered clear.
"Brother, stop, save my life!"
Hanshan immediately shouted as the passing Sky Sea Realm was his only hope.
The man in purple stopped, his black and piercing eyes glancing at Hanshan before immediately shifting away, ready to continue his journey.
Seeing this, Hanshan gritted his teeth and said, "Brother, that man chasing me wants to silence me. He discovered a large amount of Elemental Fire Stones and Yang Pattern Fruits on Burning Sun Mountain."
The man in purpleâs gaze immediately shifted back.
Hanshan felt a flicker of hope; he had blurted out a lie, but it had bought him a slim chance of survival.
Even if the man in purple realized later that he was deceived, other fellow disciples from the sect might have already arrived by then.
In any case, every extra moment alive meant a chance to escape.
"Oh? Elemental Fire Stone, Yang Pattern Fruit? If you share some with me, Iâll stay out of this matter," the man in purple said, looking back at Chen Yu, his smile slightly sinister, his tone suggesting a negotiation.
What?
Hanshanâs expression shifted slightly; this man in purple was obviously not a good sort, instantly suggesting to betray Hanshan.
"You are too easily swayed by othersâ words, Sir. I do not have the Elemental Fire Stone or Yang Pattern Fruit in my possession. The words earlier were nothing but the desperate ramblings of this individual."
Chen Yu spoke methodically.
"Chen Yu, stop spouting nonsense. I discovered the Elemental Fire Stone and Yang Pattern Fruit first, and then you attacked me secretly, inflicted severe injuries, and stole all the treasures."
Hanshan began to fabricate lies, trying to buy himself some time.
"Since neither of you admits it, I might as well strike first and see if you have those two items."
The smile on the purple-clothed manâs face deepened as he spoke, his gaze on Chen Yu now carrying a thicker smile.
Upon hearing this, Hanshan felt a surge of joy in his heart.
This purple-clothed man clearly appeared to be a wicked figure from the demonic path, typically very greedy.
Chen Yuâs expression slightly darkened. Although he wasnât afraid to fight the purple-clothed man, he didnât want Hanshan to escape.
"But rest assured, Sir, should I kill you and find you do not possess these treasures, I will kill him as wellâto avenge you."
The purple-clothed man grinned sinisterly, pointing at Hanshan and added, "You are not allowed to leave, otherwise Iâll kill you first."
Both Chen Yu and Hanshan were startled, now looking at the purple-clothed man with increased wariness.
This man was shockingly arrogant!
"Could this person be... âHe Yunwang,â ranked ninety-fourth on the âChampions Listâ?"
Suddenly, Hanshan, making a connection, exclaimed in shock.
Although He Yunwang was only at the Early Guiyuan Realm, anyone who made it onto the âChampions Listâ was no ordinary character.
He Yunwang had defeated the previously ranked ninety-fourth person, taking his place. This individual had the power to challenge those beyond his level, his strength comparable to the Peak of Early Stage Sky Sea Realm.
"Oh? You are quite knowledgeable. But, if you deceive me, you will still die."
He Yunwang, the purple-clothed man, chuckled sinisterly.
"The Champions List, rank ninety-four, huh?"
Chen Yu instantly became interested in He Yunwang.
So far, he had only crossed hands with Tu Zhixiang from the âChampions Listâ.
Moreover, it seemed that as long as he defeated He Yunwang, he could replace him on the âChampions List,â thus fulfilling the goal his master had set for him.
Noticing Chen Yuâs expression, He Yunwang not only laughed but found it amusing. "Interesting, very interesting!"
Whoosh!
He Yunwang, after saying "interesting" twice, his expression suddenly darkened, making a move without any warning. A hundred feet radius was enveloped in a purple storm, as if countless blades were slicing through the air.
The opponent truly was a character from the âChampions Listâ, having grasped the demonic and wind realms.
With a wave of his hand, He Yunwang unleashed a purple light claw, curling up a layer of purple winds, rushing towards Chen Yu.
Boom!
Chen Yu unleashed the Spatial Realm and demonic realm, his body surrounded by swirling Demonic Qi. He threw a punch, and the rising Demonic Qi formed a gigantic black fist.
Clash!
The fist and claw collided, emitting a burst, and a storm swept around.
From this first clash, both assessed each otherâs power.
"This manâs strength, certainly stronger than Hua Rong and Dou Sanshui, genuinely possessing Peak of Early Stage Sky Sea Realm abilities."
Chen Yu made a judgment in his heart and felt anticipation.
During his three years long seclusion, he had nearly reached a limit in all aspects, finding it difficult to make progress unless he broke through to the Sky Sea Realm.
Now he wanted to measure, before his breakthrough to the Sky Sea Realm, whether he was stronger or weaker than the genius ranked ninety-fourth on the âChampions Listâ.
On the other side, He Yunwang was secretly shocked, finding it hard to believe that Chen Yu was only at Half-step Sky Sea Realm!
With the strength displayed by Chen Yu, he had far exceeded the ordinary Early Stage Sky Sea Realm.
"This man will surely be a figure on the âChampions Listâ in the future. Since thatâs the case, I shall remove you now."
He Yunwangâs eyes turned cold, having made a decision.
Swoosh!
Amidst the explosive winds, a purple light figure dashed forward, like a phantom.
"What incredible speed!"
Chen Yuâs eyes narrowed as He Yunwangâs speed, even faster than when Chen Yu used the Golden Winged Phoenix.
Upon closer inspection, He Yunwang had donned a Purple Pattern Cloak, which not only enhanced speed but also provided defensive capabilities.
This was why, even near the explosive winds, he could weave through them carelessly.
"Wind Cloud Demon Claw!"
He Yunwang struck out with a claw, shifting his position, then unleashed another claw attack.
In a breathâs time, enormous purple demon claws bombarded from all directions.
Chen Yu fluttered his wings and activated the Demon Scale Protective Light Shield behind him, defending and dodging, appearing to be in a disadvantaged state.
"Die."
He Yunwang sighed lightly, concentrating True Yuan in his hand, and unleashed a nearly forty-feet large purple wind demon claw from the sky, as if to flatten everything.
From a distance, Hanshanâs mind tightened, never expecting the Purple-clothed Demon He Yunwang to be so formidable, rightfully a figure from the âChampions Listâ.
If so, he had to prepare to flee, lest after He Yunwang killed Chen Yu, he would truly come to kill him.
But just then.
Facing He Yunwangâs fierce assault, Chen Yu suddenly turned towards Hanshan, striking a mysterious dark gray palm light.
"You..."
Hanshanâs eyes widened, in disbelief.
Faced with such a crisis, Chen Yu had disregarded his own life to strike at him, completely unexpected for him.
And what was even more unexpected followed.
Hanshan suddenly felt an invisible suppression inhibiting his movements, while the dark gray mysterious palm light, with inexplicably swift speed, struck him.
"Spatial Realm, Space Palm Technique..."
In that moment, Hanshan realized, his body involuntarily thrown into the air.
Just then, a blood-red brilliant light column flickered through the void, piercing Hanshanâs chest.
Thump!
Hanshan fell to the ground, not rising again, his chest wound gushing blood.
In his final moments, he finally understood that Chen Yu had feigned weakness to lower his guard, then moved in close to launch a deadly attack!