Chapter 223: An Easy Victory
Chapter 223: An Easy Victory
Gao Tianyu let out a furious roar that shook the heavens, his aura dominating the land. Clenching his fists, he unleashed a thick green light beam that destroyed everything in its path, transforming into a blue ox charging through the river of time with unstoppable speed.
Simultaneously, the ox horn on Gao Tianyu’s forehead released blinding light, forming a fiery beam aimed straight at Cheng Lingyu’s brow.
This was a spiritual attack capable of severing souls and destroying spirits – far deadlier than any physical assault.
As a peak Soul Martial expert, Gao Tianyu had fused techniques from the Spirit Communication stage into this strike, aiming to crush all resistance.
Cheng Lingyu’s counterattack appeared simpler. He casually waved his right hand, fingertips glowing as streams of moonlight fell from the sky. These coalesced into a sword containing the power of a thousand moons, its edge sharp enough to split mountains.
The golden sword light collided with the charging blue ox, while Gao Tianyu’s spiritual attack clashed with Cheng Lingyu’s Dreamy Magic Eyes – one attacking, the other defending, each displaying unique characteristics.
Choosing pure defense against the mental assault, Cheng Lingyu focused on his Thousand Moon Slash to counter Gao Tianyu’s furious strike.
Ox horn met sword tip in a deadlock, neither giving ground. Wild energies concentrated at this collision point, rapidly expanding into a destructive sphere of light.
Meanwhile, Gao Tianyu’s spiritual attack pierced into Cheng Lingyu’s sea of consciousness, becoming lost in endless bamboo groves. Each Circular Motion weakened the invading spirit, every turn scattering more of its energy. Through countless twists, the Dreamy Magic Eyes completely neutralized the assault.
The rampaging blue ox clashed with the unstoppable sword light, both forces dissolving upon contact. When the glowing sphere could no longer contain their power, catastrophe struck.
A blinding flash lit the void as thunderous explosions tore through space. Lightning arced from dimensional cracks while raging thunderbolts transformed into countless light beams shooting in all directions.
Gao Tianyu’s shouts mingled with Cheng Lingyu’s growls as their attacks continued unabated. Though still in the early stages of cultivating Thousand Moon Slash and unable to unleash its full power, Cheng Lingyu’s technique released devastating waves with each lunar rotation – enough to block Gao Tianyu’s fiercest strikes.
Worldly energy surged toward Gao Tianyu, fueling his assault. Above, a thousand moons shone, their moonlight bathing Cheng Lingyu in eternal radiance.
The deadlock broke when a calm voice cut through the chaos: “You lose.”
The moon-sword trembled as it sheared through the blue ox’s horn, splitting the beast in two. Unstained by debris, the glowing blade continued its path toward Gao Tianyu.
“Begin!”
Gao Tianyu’s aura surged, releasing earth-shaking sound waves that could split mountains, yet failed to deflect the sword strike.
The sharp moon sword glowed with faint yellow brilliance. Hazy lunar rings materialized along its blade like bubbles forming and bursting, their vibrations shattering Gao Tianyu’s defensive shield.
With a faint gleam, the moon sword halted at Gao Tianyu’s chest, its tip piercing fabric to touch skin. An icy chill seeped into his heart.
Cheng Lingyu’s Thousand Moon Slash channeled the essence of lunar splendor – an innate ability containing the moon’s extreme coldness within its sword intent.
Gao Tianyu stared dumbly at his chest, disbelief hardening his features as the light in his eyes faded.
“I lost.”
Three leaden words, reluctantly admitted yet undeniable.
The moon sword flashed and flew back, dissolving into energy within Cheng Lingyu’s palm before merging with his body.
The result stunned everyone.
“How? Soul Martial Fifth Realm defeating peak Soul Martial?”
“Impossible! Gao Tianyu… lost to weaker cultivator?”
Cheng Lingyu swept his gaze across the crowd. “Any more challengers? Otherwise I depart.”
The Thousand Moons in Sky remained mid-air, oppressive and undiminished.
“Clever tricks won’t save you! Tell us what happened in castle!”
“You don’t leave until we get answers!”
Though Cheng Lingyu showed strength, the mob felt bold facing a lone opponent.
Exactly as anticipated. Cheng Lingyu dismissed the void imagery behind him, gazing afar.
“Day’s young. I’ll play awhile longer – but don’t cry regrets later.”
He landed lightly, lips quirking an inscrutable half-smile.
“Halt! Where you going?”
A cultivator blocked his path.
Cheng Lingyu paused. “I’ll say this once: I want no conflict. But block my way through arrogance…” His voice turned frosty. “…face the consequences.”
“Ooh, scary threat!”
Mocking laughter erupted.
Cheng Lingyu stepped forward calmly.
“Gao Tianyu. Remember your vow.”
Mid-air, Gao Tianyu watched with strange expression, emotions warring.
“My word stands! Unless death claims either of us!”
The declaration echoed clearly.
“I’ll remember.” Cheng Lingyu turned. “Farewell.”
He walked away with unhurried strides, radiating untouchable ease.
“You brat, are your eyes on your ass? Can’t see me standing here?”
The cultivator blocking the path grew furious at Cheng Lingyu’s disregard. When Cheng Lingyu drew closer, the man viciously aimed a flying kick at his head.
Cheng Lingyu’s gaze shifted slightly. A mesmerizing smile curled on his lips, exuding an indescribable temptation. His left hand flicked outward casually—yet the motion provoked an ear-splitting shriek that clawed at the spectators’ nerves.
The attacking cultivator collapsed, his entire right leg obliterated. Blood and flesh sprayed the ground, bone fragments scattering like gravel. The gruesome sight made onlookers flinch. The crippled man writhed, his face contorted with agony and bitter regret.
“Kill this reckless bastard!” roared the injured man’s companions. Five or six cultivators lunged forward, weapons gleaming.
Cheng Lingyu kept walking, his expression detached, that faint smile still playing on his lips.
“Arrogant prick! Slaughter him!”
The six attackers swarmed him—only to be hurled backward moments later, limbs mangled, howling like slaughtered pigs. Spectators stared in disbelief. These were elite disciples from major sects, now reduced to broken wrecks in seconds.
Cheng Lingyu strolled onward, unperturbed.
“Ruthless little devil,” muttered a watcher. “But he’s picked the wrong crowd to provoke. No one leaves this castle with its secrets after making enemies here.”
“Halt!” A new group barred Cheng Lingyu’s path. “Stop now or face consequences!”
Cheng Lingyu ignored them, footsteps steady.
“Capture him! We’ll squeeze answers from his corpse!”
Twenty-odd cultivators moved in—all from Soul Martial Sixth Realm or Seventh Level of Soul Martial Arts. Cheng Lingyu studied them, his smile turning icy enough to freeze marrow.
Seven attackers charged first. Cheng Lingyu didn’t speak, but his counterattacks spoke volumes. He fluidly cycled through techniques: Seven Butterfly Shadows dissolved ambushes, Thunder Palm strikes crackled through defenses, Thousand Strikes shattered weapons, Soul Cutting Technique severed spiritual bonds. Occasionally, Skywing Escape blurred his movements.
Gao Tianyu swooped down beside him. “Need an exit?”
“Unnecessary.” Cheng Lingyu’s laugh held dark amusement. “I’m enjoying this training.”
Gao Tianyu hovered, watching as Cheng Lingyu advanced relentlessly. He barely dodged, relying on brutal precision—each technique honed through live combat. The path behind him littered with groaning figures, yet his robes remained spotless.