Chapter 1148: A New Heavenly Martial List Number One

Guan Hongri returned to his cave dwelling in a fury, destroying his quarters in a frenzy.

"Chen Yu, you scoundrel!"

Guan Hongri muttered through clenched teeth.

This time, he had really lost face.

Initially, he had planned to ambush Chen Yu, to severely injure him and damage his foundation.

But unexpectedly, while trying to set up the ambush, he ended up taking a hit meant for Chen Yu and had to ask for Chen Yu’s help to escape the predicament.

Upon learning the truth, even with a good temperament, Guan Hongri couldn’t endure the rage.

"No, I must teach this brat a lesson."

Guan Hongri resolved that unless he thoroughly humiliated Chen Yu, the anger in his heart wouldn’t be quelled.

But as the second on the Heavenly Martial List and a Five-star Half King, challenging Chen Yu would seem like bullying and using strength against the weak. Even if he won, he’d gain no praise; instead, he’d face contempt.

"However, as a king, I might not challenge you directly. I can find ways to make you challenge me."

Guan Hongri thought of a strategy.

However, the execution needed careful consideration.

A few days later, Guan Hongri went to Lin Yuxuan’s cave dwelling and confessed his feelings.

The disciples of the Heavenly Martial Sect all knew that Chen Yu and Lin Yuxuan were close to becoming a couple, though neither had publicly acknowledged it, it seemed just a formality.

And Guan Hongri’s way to provoke Chen Yu was to steal his Daoist couple.

Plus, Guan Hongri was somewhat fond of Lin Yuxuan, who was an exceptional beauty, so he welcomed the idea of confession.

Lin Yuxuan directly rejected him, as expected by Guan Hongri.

"Is it because of that guy Chen Yu? How does he compare to me?"

Guan Hongri asked.

He didn’t believe that confessing to Lin Yuxuan while belittling Chen Yu in front of her wouldn’t provoke a reaction from Chen Yu.

Lin Yuxuan actually had no special relationship with Chen Yu.

But to make Guan Hongri give up completely, she impulsively said, "In my eyes, he is not inferior to you."

This sentence somewhat implied she acknowledged a relationship with Chen Yu.

"After all, I do have a marriage agreement with Chen Yu. Although we aren’t planning to get married, as my fianc, it’s his duty to fend off pursuers for me."

Lin Yuxuan thought to herself.

"Not inferior to me? Haha, Junior Sister Yuxuan must be joking. The gap between him and me is significant; in a life and death battle, he wouldn’t last ten moves against me."

Guan Hongri chuckled lightly and turned to leave.

Before leaving, he said, "Please tell Chen Yu that I will compete with him fairly."

"Is his purpose to provoke Chen Yu?"

Lin Yuxuan realized from Guan Hongri’s final words and attitude that he was there to provoke, not confess.

She had no special ties with Chen Yu, so she didn’t bother to convey the message.

However, the matter was deliberately spread by Guan Hongri, becoming known throughout the Heavenly Martial Sect.

In the following days, Guan Hongri observed Chen Yu’s reaction, and it was as if nothing happened.

"This guy is really able to endure."

Since that was the case, he would openly pursue Lin Yuxuan.

...

After six months of closed-door training, Chen Yu had exhausted the resources he initially gathered.

But the results were immense; now he was very close to reaching the level of a Four-star Half King.

"Does Master need me for something?"

Chen Yu took out the Identity Token, which contained a message from his master.

Originally, he intended to stay secluded for at least a year, but since his master called for him, it turned a minor matter into a major one.

Chen Yu walked out of his cave dwelling, heading towards the residence of the Sky Martial Sect Master.

Along the way, he heard some gossip that Guan Hongri was pursuing Lin Yuxuan.

This had nothing to do with him.

Moreover, Chen Yu’s appearance sparked some discussions, but all were negative comments, accusing him of cowardly avoidance of direct competition with Guan Hongri, or questioning his moral character, all baseless rumors.

"Is this his way of retaliating against me? It’s utterly ineffective."

Chen Yu chuckled softly.

Soon, he arrived at the sect master’s residence.

"Does Master have any instructions for me?"

Chen Yu asked.

Generally, without a major issue, the Sky Martial Sect Master wouldn’t call on Chen Yu.

"Your seventh senior brother still hasn’t returned."

There were no others present, and the Sky Martial Sect Master spoke directly.

Chen Yu’s expression changed slightly.

When he first returned to the Heavenly Martial Sect, his seventh senior brother Hong Xiuyuan was on a mission to the Great Yu Realm to cure Ye Luofeng’s poison.

Given the passage of time, he should have returned by now.

"Could senior brother have been delayed by something?"

Chen Yu speculated.

"That’s possible as well."

The Sky Martial Sect Master nodded.

Of course, the outside world was fraught with danger; Hong Xiuyuan might have encountered serious trouble.

"If you plan to return to the Great Yu Realm soon, pay attention to this matter," said the Sky Martial Sect Master.

"Yes."

Chen Yu also intended to visit the Great Yu Realm shortly.

Before he left, the Great Yu Realm was at war with the Blood Race and foreign forces; after so long, he didn’t know what the current situation was.

"Once I receive the grand reward, I’ll take a trip back to the Great Yu Realm."

Chen Yu smiled.

If he went back now, he’d certainly stay in the Great Yu Realm for some time, thus missing out on the final fifty percent compensation reward.

"Oh? You have quite the ambition."

The Sky Martial Sect Master was aware of the compensation reward situation.

With ten years remaining, only two and a half years were left, and Chen Yu presently ranked fifth. Even as his master, the sect master was skeptical of Chen Yu reaching first place.

Suddenly.

The Sky Martial Sect Master took out a token, received a transmission, and his expression changed slightly, saying, "If there’s nothing else, you may leave first."

"Master, has something happened?"

Chen Yu asked curiously.

"A disciple on a mission outside has died."

The Sky Martial Sect Master remained expressionless.

Chen Yu was still puzzled; a death during a mission was quite normal, so was it necessary to report it to the Sect Master?

"Master, could it be... Senior Brother?"

Chen Yu suddenly recalled the warning from his master earlier and couldn’t help but speculate.

The death of an ordinary disciple on a mission shouldn’t normally be reported to the Sect Master.

"... It’s not your Senior Brother; it’s ’Song Mang’."

Chen Yu breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression soon turned grave again.

He did not know Song Mang, but he had certainly heard of his eminent status as the top of the Heavenly Martial List.

The fall of such a powerful genius was a big loss for the Heavenly Martial Sect, explaining why the news was reported to the Sect Master.

Chen Yu didn’t continue to disturb and left directly.

Even someone as strong as Song Mang, the first on the Heavenly Martial List, fell during a mission, prompting Chen Yu to be more vigilant and cautious when outside.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Yu went to the Heavenly Treasure Hall and purchased a new batch of cultivation resources, preparing to breakthrough to four and a half stars.

He sat cross-legged, fully activating the "Nine Revolutions Bright Star Technique."

Whoosh!

A dense layer of white light emerged around him, and starlight surged in the entire chamber, transforming into streams of light that gathered towards Chen Yu.

In the third month of Chen Yu’s retreat, another major event happened outside.

Lin Yuxuan issued a challenge to Guan Hongri.

It was said that Lin Yuxuan was tired of Guan Hongri’s pursuit and thus challenged him actively, even making an agreement that if she won, Guan Hongri would stop pursuing her.

On this day, almost every disciple in the Heavenly Martial Sect came to the Sky Martial Battle Platform.

When the appointed time approached, Lin Yuxuan was the first to appear, still as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal.

A moment later.

"Haha, I’m late."

A thunderous laugh echoed, and the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi surged wildly, with endless golden light shining in.

Within that golden light, a striking golden-haired man came swiftly.

"Guan Hongri is here!"

"A showdown between the first and second on the Heavenly Martial List; it’s been a long time since we’ve seen such an exciting duel."

The discussions began.

After Song Mang’s fall, Guan Hongri naturally advanced one rank, becoming the first, and Lin Yuxuan was the second.

"Lin Yuxuan versus Guan Hongri, the battle begins."

The battle started instantly.

Boom!

Inside the barrier-covered Sky Martial Battle Platform, a tremendous explosion erupted, brilliance shot out in all directions, and storms continuously battered against the barrier.

"Junior Sister Lin just broke through to five and a half stars recently, yet she has such strength; she’s indeed a prodigy of the time."

Guan Hongri said with a faint smile.

He waved his hand, and a golden large saber flew out, burning with scorching golden flames, drawing a thousand-zhang long blazing saber light.

Lin Yuxuan took a defensive position, her palms waved, conjuring a vast flow of purple starlight, colliding with the blazing saber light.

"These two are formidable."

"Of course, among all the disciples of the Heavenly Martial Sect, the highest cultivation is at five and a half stars; they are exceptional among them. If they unleash their full potential, their strength might approach the Xuanming Realm level."

"I think these two are still quite a bit away from the Xuanming Realm level; the huge gap between the Xuanming Realm and Condensed Star Realm can’t be bridged by one or two Primordial Power Stars."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

On the Sky Martial Battle Platform, the two fought fiercely, chaotic storms shrouding their figures, making it hard for ordinary folks to see the details of their hand-to-hand combat.

At one moment.

Guan Hongri’s whole body turned golden, with strange flame patterns outlined on it, and golden flame light radiating in all directions.

"This is Senior Brother Guan’s ’Golden Sun Battle Body,’ a very powerful combat physique, once activated, the combat power increases greatly."

Meanwhile, a burst of purple glow erupted.

Lin Yuxuan activated Lin Family’s "Purple Jade Bloodline," her whole body appearing like a piece of purple jade, crystal clear, god-like.

Rumble!

Another intense collision.

"Junior Sister Lin, you do have talent, but you’re still a bit early to replace me."

Guan Hongri’s voice suddenly came through.

Bang!

Golden-purple brilliance interwoven and exploded, dispersing everything.

Lin Yuxuan was blown away, crashing against the barrier, her face pale, with blood oozing from the corner of her mouth.

In this battle, Lin Yuxuan was defeated.

Three months later.

In the chamber, Chen Yu radiated white light, constantly absorbing the influx of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi in an instant.

The light on his body became more and more radiant, illuminating the entire chamber brightly.

Until one moment, the white light on Chen Yu’s body suddenly dissipated.

He opened his eyes, a smile on his lips.

His cultivation finally broke through to the "four and a half stars" level.

This retreat took only half a year to breakthrough, exceeding Chen Yu’s expectations in efficiency.

"There’s still two years before the ten-year deadline, I must secure the final compensation before returning to the Great Yu Realm."

Chen Yu continued to consolidate his cultivation and perfected some combat skills.

Additionally, he consumed the last "Human Soul Fruit," enhancing his soul realm to the level of a Five-star King, compensating for his weaknesses.

Half a year later.

Chen Yu came out of his retreat, heading directly to the Sky Martial Battle Platform.