Chapter 100: I Will Not Show Mercy!

The scene fell into complete silence as everyone watched Li Xiaoyao lying on the ground, barely in better condition than Kong Xiangbei had been the day before. Since the contest for the Five Elements Cave spots, Li Xiaoyao had held the position of the strongest disciple under the direct disciples. He had been widely recognized as such. Yet, no one had expected that Li Xiaoyao would be defeated by Ye Chen…

This…

The entire hall stood speechless. The disciples were at a loss for how to express their astonishment. Even the elders displayed expressions of surprise.

“Why is Direct Disciple Ye’s spiritual power so overwhelmingly powerful? Didn’t he fail to enter the Five Elements Cave?”

“Moreover, his output of spiritual power is exceptionally fierce, indicating that his meridians are extraordinarily robust.”

“Li Xiaoyao was considered a minor genius even within the ninth level of Qi Refining. Even among the direct disciples, few could definitively suppress him, yet he was defeated by Direct Disciple Ye, who was at a lower cultivation level.”

“Could it be that Direct Disciple Ye is also a genius, only we haven’t recognized it until now?”

“Master Gu is truly sharp-eyed!”

The crowd buzzed with conversation, surprised by the turn of events. Some still remembered to flatter Gu Yunyun as they spoke. After all, the sect leader was now 270 years old. She only had about thirty years of life left.

Gu Yunyun was the most likely to break through to the Golden Core stage and become the next sect leader. Though Gu Yunyun herself was equally stunned by the turn of events, she only knew that Ye Chen had a third-grade spiritual root and never slept at night. Beyond that, she had little information.

But to be praised for having sharp eyes? Well, yes! That’s true.

However, the master of the Magic Peak, standing nearby, couldn’t resist a sarcastic remark.

“How wonderful that Fellow Daoist Gu’s disciple has advanced! If only my disciple could face such a challenge; then we’d have a proper exchange!”

Once the Master of Magic Peak spoke, the atmosphere grew tense and quiet.

Fa Zhen, the direct disciple of Magic Peak, possessed a fire-type root. His fire-based magic was unparalleled, reaching the pinnacle of mastery. He was universally acknowledged as the strongest combatant among this generation of disciples. He had claimed first place the previous year. Not only had he upgraded a low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill to a high-grade one, but this year, he intended to win again as a safeguard.

Truthfully, everyone expected the direct disciple of Magic Peak to secure first place this year. Even Gu Yunyun thought as much. However, if the disciples didn’t win, it wasn’t a problem.

Gu Yunyun gritted her teeth. She planned to find an opportunity soon to challenge Magic Peak and settle the matter. As for the sect leader sitting in the middle of the viewing platform, he was unconcerned about the discord between the elders as long as it didn’t escalate.

After watching Ye Chen’s match, he turned to look at Elder Chen. Though no words were spoken, the meaning in his weathered eyes was unmistakable.

Elder Chen: …

I didn’t expect Ye Chen to have such immense qi, capable of defeating even Li Xiaoyao!

Above the arena, fireballs soared through the air, spells shot in all directions, and the explosive sounds of magic filled the atmosphere. In the world of cultivators, prolonged battles were rare. It was all about finding an opening, seizing an opportunity.

The outcome was often determined swiftly. By noon, only four figures remained on the field. Ye Chen, Yao Xi, Fa Zhen, and the direct disciple of Artifact Peak.

The disciples marveled in awe. Who could have predicted that the seemingly unassuming direct disciple would suddenly reveal such immense power? Though his talent appeared ordinary, his combat ability was enough to place him among the top ranks of the disciples.

After the drawing of lots, the crowd erupted in surprise, for Ye Chen and Yao Xi had been placed in the same group. Who in the sect didn’t know the relationship between Ye Chen and Yao Xi?

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Ye Chen’s infamous words, “I love you, and it has nothing to do with you,” had long spread far and wide. The gossip had even reached the city of Green Cloud.

Now, the two of them were to face each other for a chance at the semi-finals. The disciples shook their heads, feeling that there was no need to watch further. The outcome seemed already decided.

Earlier, Ye Chen had even given up his spot in the Five Elements Cave for Yao Xi. One could easily imagine how important the Foundation Establishment Pill was for her. So, there was no need to think twice.