Chapter 231: Hu Yuer
Chapter 231: Hu Yuer
At this moment, they reached the outskirts of the battle. Both the number of people and their overwhelming aura completely suppressed Tian Feng and Cheng Lingyu.
Among hundreds of cultivators, some were closely observing Cheng Lingyu. A girl in a green skirt stood out, her gaze toward him markedly different from others.
This maiden appeared around eighteen, charming and radiating an indescribable allure. Her entire being exuded a natural fox-like enchantment.
“Are you from Lou Ri City?”
While others focused on the fierce duel between two beauties, this bewitching girl approached Cheng Lingyu. Her slender willow-leaf eyebrows arched with curiosity, her appearance both cute and mesmerizing.
“I’m Cheng Lingyu.”
His calm reply carried a composed smile, emanating deadly allure.
“So it’s you! I’ve heard your name. I’m Hu Yuer from Snowpine Forest.”
The enchanting girl smiled sweetly, her slightly curved eyes naturally revealing a coquettish charm.
Cheng Lingyu sensed something – while her Mysterious Yin Energy remained pure, her power of seduction surpassed even Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s.
“Where did you hear about me?”
“Recently, I heard disciples of the Divine Martial Sect mention you. Seems they hold grudges against you. They even contacted experts from Night Soul Clan to eliminate you.”
Cheng Lingyu blinked in surprise. He never expected to learn from Hu Yuer that the mastermind behind Ye Tianlong was Divine Martial Sect, not Tianhua Ji family.
“They overestimate me. What kind of faction is this Night Soul Clan?”
Hu Yuer glanced around warily before whispering: “Night Soul Clan’s terrifying. Their geniuses consistently overpower contemporaries. They’re special existences nobody dares provoke.”
Though first hearing of them, Ye Tianlong’s capabilities made Cheng Lingyu grasp their fearsome reputation.
“Stronger than Three Saints and Four Peerless?”
“Can’t compare directly. Night Soul Clan has few members and stays low-key, but each generation produces unparalleled experts preserving their legacy. They endure through ages.”
“How many such ancient legacies exist in Tianyang Empire?”
Hu Yuer shook her head knowingly: “Fewer than fingers on one hand. All ancient heritages even Three Saints and Four Peerless avoid provoking.”
Before Cheng Lingyu could inquire further, a loud bang shattered their conversation.
Nie Jiaolong and Zhang Shuying’s clash ended mutually wounded. Neither gained advantage, yet both exchanged heated barbs.
Fuming, Zhang Shuying demanded her senior brothers exact revenge and humiliate Nie Jiaolong. Tian Feng staunchly defended his comrade.
From spectators, a cultivator called to Nie Jiaolong: “You’re outnumbered. Become my companion and I’ll settle this.”
Clearly exploiting her plight, the man coveted her status as Yunyang City’s Top Ten Beauties – her face, form, and aura magnetizing male cultivators.
Nie Jiaolong frostily retorted: “Try that if you dare face Lou Ri City’s wrath.”
“Ungrateful wench! See how you survive this.”
“My matter needs no meddling.”
Nie Jiaolong’s anger sharpened her tone.
Beside Zhang Shuying, a thirtyish man strode forward, sneering coldly at Nie Jiaolong: “Apologize now, or I’ll smash your filthy mouth.”
Tian Feng swiftly positioned himself in front of Nie Jiaolong and retorted, “In a fight, there are no clean hands; in an argument, no kind words. Are you trying to bully someone younger?”
The man sneered, “What if I am? Here, strength decides everything, not reason. Get lost.”
As he stepped forward, an overpowering battle aura erupted from him, instantly blasting Tian Feng away. The residual wave of energy rushed toward Nie Jiaolong, aiming to teach her a lesson.
Nie Jiaolong’s face changed color, her eyes revealing unease. Just as she prepared to dodge, a figure appeared beside her.
The wild shockwave surged toward Nie Jiaolong but suddenly froze mid-air. The chaotic energy and sounds vanished in that eerie instant.
Tian Feng, coughing blood from his injuries, crashed to the ground. He roared furiously and charged at the man. Only when nearing did he notice the figure beside Nie Jiaolong, his angry expression mixing with bitter frustration.
“Cheng junior apprentice…”
Cheng Lingyu stood calmly beside Nie Jiaolong, his gaze indifferent as he observed the man.
“Who are you?”
The man asked unexpectedly.
“Cheng Lingyu.”
The reply came calmly, carrying faint cold amusement.
The man scoffed, “Think you can block my path? Stop me from punishing this woman?”
Cheng Lingyu answered, “She’s my companion, just as Zhang Shuying is your junior sister. That’s fate.”
The man laughed loudly, “Fate? You think you can stop this?”
Cheng Lingyu smiled slightly, “I don’t want to stop it. I want to end it.”
Nie Jiaolong remained silent, watching Cheng Lingyu’s calm profile with complex emotions stirring in her heart.
The man frowned, “What does that mean?”
“You have two choices: advance or retreat. The opportunity lies with you – fate’s gift.”
The man mocked, “Pretentious nonsense! Who would fear such empty words?”
Cheng Lingyu’s lips curved faintly.
“My appearance isn’t frightening, but those who meet me never forget my name.”
“Shameless braggart!”
“Another perspective would call it confidence.”
Zhang Shuying shouted angrily, “Elder brother! Stop wasting words! Kill him and teach that bitch a lesson!”
The man growled, “Hear that, boy? Move or die.”
Cheng Lingyu remained composed. “I await your choice. Fate begins with decisions.”
“This is my choice!”
The man stepped forward, his crushing aura descending like a mountain.
“This encounter was destined by fate.”
Cheng Lingyu stood completely still, neither making attack nor defense preparations as he faced the incoming fury.
“Cheng Lingyu…”
Nie Jiaolong felt worried and instinctively blurted out softly.
Cheng Lingyu turned his head to smile at her, offering a reassuring look through his eyes.
The violent wave of energy whipped up swirling dust that formed into a yellow dragon charging at Cheng Lingyu, threatening to devour him.
Yet when this fierce yellow dragon reached ten feet away, it began trembling violently with visible cracks of disintegration. By six feet away, the swirling dragon disintegrated completely, collapsing in an instant.
As the dust and energy wave closed within three feet, everything abruptly froze – even sounds vanished.
The bizarre scene left everyone stunned. Few could believe their eyes, let alone understand what was happening.
Tian Feng and Nie Jiaolong shared looks of astonishment mixed with growing excitement.
“Well done, Junior Apprentice Cheng!”
Tian Feng’s shout shattered the silence. The crowd snapped from their daze, staring at Cheng Lingyu with bewildered expressions as they debated his methods.
The man showed surprise, his face hardening with wary seriousness.
“I allowed one move because we share no feud,” Cheng Lingyu said calmly, a trace of pity in his expression. “But what comes next will alter your fate – my tribute to Life itself.”
The man roared angrily, “A mere Soul Martial Fifth Realm cultivator dares Threaten us? Such insolence!”
Hu Yuer suddenly called out, “Cheng Lingyu! I believe in you!”
Her charming face beamed with the group’s only supportive smile.
Tian Feng and Nie Jiaolong exchanged suspicious glances, wondering how Cheng Lingyu had gained a supporter so quickly. Was it his natural charm, or Hu Yuer’s unique insight?
Cheng Lingyu turned to meet Hu Yuer’s gaze. Green bamboo images shimmered in his eyes like hypnotic illusions, radiating inexplicable Temptation.
Hu Yuer’s eyes gathered swirling Spiritual Light that dismantled Cheng Lingyu’s probing energy, blocking his attempts to discern her true motives.
Cheng Lingyu withdrew his gaze, newly cautious. Since encountering Ye Tianlong, he’d learned never to underestimate opponents.
“So you’ve got a supporter?” the man sneered. “I’ll show her foolishness firsthand. Die!”
His right hand slashed through air, silver-white light bursting from fingertips into deadly light feathers that sliced through the void toward Cheng Lingyu.
Though weaker than Ye Tianlong, Cheng Lingyu noted this peak Soul Martial cultivator surpassed Gao Tianyu. The gleaming feathers tore through space, each carrying a deadly force.
Cheng Lingyu raised his bare palm to meet the attack – drawing gasps from the crowd.
“He’s crazy! Blocking with flesh?”
“Not crazy – ignorant! Those light feathers will shred his hand at Soul Martial Fifth Realm!”
Tian Feng and Nie Jiaolong watched anxiously yet hopefully, yearning for legendary triumph. Hu Yuer observed intently, her vortex-like eyes tracking every movement.
The luminous feather struck Cheng Lingyu’s palm with metallic CLANG – then bounced back violently.