After finishing his sentence, Ye Lingyun didn't give Yang Jian a chance to react. He lunged again, spiritual energy surging around him as he clenched his right fist tightly.
"Black Bear War Punch!"
The phantom of a massive black bear appeared behind him, pouncing toward Yang Jian.
"Hmph, you think I'm afraid of you?" Yang Jian hissed through gritted teeth. Also being in the Foundation Establishment Realm, he relied on his superior Luck. Even against opponents one or two levels higher, he had never lost. He wouldn't allow himself to lose to a nobody today.
He figured he had just been caught off guard by a sneak attack. In a direct head-on clash, he wouldn't necessarily lose!
"Cloud-Transforming Battle Palm!"
A flash of cruelty crossed Yang Jian's eyes. His spiritual energy flared as green light exploded around him. A swirling mass of green mist gathered in his palm as he struck out at the approaching Ye Lingyun. This was one of his trump cards, far more powerful than his previous move.
However, the moment his palm met Ye Lingyun's fist, a force far beyond his imagination slammed into his arm, it felt like being hit by a ten-thousand-pound boulder.
"Fuck!" Yang Jian tried to pull back, but it was too late. His right arm was violently torn open by the impact; flesh and blood sprayed everywhere.
"AHHH!!!"
He slammed heavily into the bookshelf behind him. With a loud CRASH, the shelf collapsed, burying him under a pile of old weapons and books.
Twitching in agony, Yang Jian looked down at his right arm. It was gone. The jagged stump was a mess of mangled flesh, dripping blood onto the floor.
"My arm... my arm..." His eyes were glazed, his voice trembling with terrifying disbelief. He couldn't understand how, at the same cultivation level, Ye Lingyun's strength could be so terrible. One punch was all it took to cripple him!
Ye Lingyun walked forward slowly and smiled. "Now, do you see the difference between us?"
Without giving Yang Jian a chance to beg for mercy, Ye Lingyun raised his hand. Deep blue flames roared over his fist, carrying a chilling aura as he aimed for Yang Jian's head.
But just as the punch was about to land, the plain, old ring on Yang Jian's left hand suddenly erupted with golden light!
"WONG!!!"
The light shielded Yang Jian instantly. Ye Lingyun's pupils shrank, and he quickly leaped back. In the next second, the light vanished, leaving only a wisp of blue smoke. Yang Jian was gone.
[Detection: Special Teleportation Talisman wave! Target "Yang Jian" has escaped!] the System's mechanical voice announced.
Ye Lingyun felt a flash of regret. He hadn't expected a powerful figure to be hiding inside Yang Jian's ring to help him escape.
Then, the System chimed again:
[Ding! Congratulations Host for destroying Yang Jian's key opportunity and seizing the Flame Spear! Mission Complete!]
[Reward: Saint-Grade Spiritual Tool — Dragon Scale Armor!]
[Reward: 20,000 System Points!]
[Current Points: 1,013,270 (1 Simulation available)]
A blue-green suit of armor appeared in his hands. It felt warm and smooth, covered in lifelike dragon scale patterns that hummed with spiritual light.
[New Mission: Kill the Child of Fortune, Yang Jian!]
[Requirement: Completely erase Yang Jian.]
[Reward: 30,000 Points, King-Grade Golden Dragon Pill!]
[Item Description: A top-tier King-Grade pill that tempers the body and purifies spiritual energy. Small chance to awaken a trace of Dragon Power!]
The Golden Dragon Pill caught Ye Lingyun's interest. Purifying his energy and tempering his body would be a massive help at this stage. And even a trace of Dragon Power would allow him to crush anyone at his level.
He looked at the blood on the floor and said firmly, "Idiot you ran this time. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
He turned and left the Treasure Pavilion quickly. He could hear the Elder's footsteps approaching and he didn't want any unnecessary trouble.
........
In Wang Qingcang's Courtyard.
The Elder looked at the stunning woman in red sitting before him. Though she sat quietly, her natural pressure made the air feel cold.
Wang Qingcang's fingers trembled. After a long silence, he spoke nervously, "I wonder... does Princess Feng have important business in my courtyard today?"
Feng Yueyao leaned her head on her hand. "Nothing major. I heard Elder Wang is well-read and knows every record in the sect. I just have a small question."
Wang Qingcang breathed a sigh of relief. "You flatter me, Princess! Please, ask anything. I will do my best to help."
"Well," she began, "as you know, I recently took Ye Lingyun as my disciple. I'm curious—during the duel on the Martial Stage, how did he suddenly explode with the power of the Golden Core Realm?"
Wang Qingcang replied quickly, "Yes, I was curious too! He is only at Foundation Establishment, but that punch was definitely at the Golden Core level. It looked like a secret technique... and he only used one move the whole time."
Feng Yueyao nodded. "Exactly. Any idea what technique it was?"
"Well..." Wang Qingcang frowned. "The Phoenix Sect doesn't have such a technique. Even in all the Righteous Sects, I've never heard of one that jumps an entire Great Realm. Usually, they only boost you by one or two minor levels."
Feng Yueyao sat up straight. "And what if we look beyond the Righteous path? What about the secret arts of the Demon Domain?"
"The Demon Domain?" Wang Qingcang blinked. He searched his memory. "Wait! I remember now! Years ago, I read an ancient book about a forbidden Demon technique called... Nether... Nether something..."
"The Nether Demon Scale Art?" Feng Yueyao asked.
"Yes! That's the one!" Wang Qingcang said confidently. "The records say it allows a user to jump a whole Great Realm for one attack! But... the price is huge. After one move, the user's energy is drained, they are bedridden for three days, and they might even explode and die!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Feng Yueyao clapped three times. "Impressive, Elder Wang. I only gave a hint and you guessed it. It seems you would have figured it out even without my help."
Then her voice turned cold. "But if the news that my disciple uses Demon Arts gets out, those 'righteous' hypocrites will never let it go. Not even I would be able to protect him."