C24 Everyone Celebrated!

Although the Demon Suppressing Ring was classified as Grade Two Martial Arts, Yu Kun was well aware of its formidable capabilities. Martial Arts weren't just for inflicting damage; they could also serve a supportive role, and the Demon Suppressing Ring was precisely that—a support Martial Art. Once an enemy was ensnared by it, escape was virtually impossible.

Had Yu Kun not mastered a Grade Four Martial Art and advanced to the High Rank Qi Refining Stage, he would have undoubtedly been ensnared by the Demon Suppressing Ring and subsequently slain by Hu Qiu.

Descending from the Death Match Arena, Yu Kun noticed that while some disciples had departed, many still lingered. His gaze settled on Yaen Hongling amidst the crowd, but she didn't approach him. Instead, she turned and walked away. Puzzled, he thought, "Why did she come to watch my match? Was she just here for the spectacle?" With that, he turned away, dismissing Yaen Hongling from his mind.

An Inner Sect disciple approached Yu Kun and introduced himself, "I'm Zong Ruizhi, a disciple of Inner Sect Elder Zhou Xingtian." Yu Kun, momentarily taken aback, quickly composed himself and replied, "Ah, so you're Elder Zhou's disciple. He must have broken through to the next realm by now, hasn't he?"

"Yes," confirmed Zong Ruizhi. "I owe you thanks for aiding my master in finding the Shadow Soul Grass. Despite our numerous expeditions into the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range, the Shadow Soul Grass eluded us. Eventually, my master grew concerned it would hinder our training, so he halted the search. Without your discovery, he might have needed another year to break through."

Yu Kun responded with a modest smile, "It was no trouble at all, and Elder Zhou has already rewarded me appropriately."

"That's to be expected. My master is always generous with his disciples," Zong Ruizhi remarked, then added, "I've noticed your cultivation has reached the High Rank Qi Refining Stage. With the Inner Sect disciple trials on the horizon, you stand a great chance of becoming an Inner Sect disciple. Should that happen, we'll be fellow disciples."

Yu Kun grasped the implication behind Zong Ruizhi's words. "By aiding Zhou Xingtian with the Shadow Soul Grass, I've done him a significant favor. Now, it appears he's considering taking me on as a disciple. Becoming his disciple after joining the Inner Sect would certainly ease my path. This could indeed be a fortunate turn of events."

As Yu Kun pondered, he noticed Zong Ruizhi extend an object towards him. "I must return to my cultivation and can't linger," Zong Ruizhi explained. "My Master charged me with delivering this to you; you must accept it."

Yu Kun promptly nodded, taking the item from Zong Ruizhi.

It felt substantial in his hands.

"Is this a Spirit Stone, or perhaps another Heavenly Treasure? I'll examine it once I'm back."

Yu Kun then used the ring on his finger to store the box in the Leviathan-roc Space.

As he was about to depart, he found himself intercepted once more.

This time, it wasn't an Inner Sect disciple who barred his way, but an Elite Disciple who appeared to be no longer young.

Yu Kun was taken aback and inquired, "Senior Brother, what brings you to me?"

The Elite Disciple gestured towards the Death Match Arena and revealed, "I'm acquainted with Hu Qiu."

"You know Hu Qiu?" Yu Kun grasped the situation immediately and responded, "Have you come for vengeance? I'm willing to accept your challenge, though I must admit, I'm somewhat weary from today's intense battle."

The Elite Disciple paused, then smiled, "I am Hsu Shaan, an Elite Disciple. Hu Qiu used to oppress me, but I was never his match. Even after attaining my current status, our few encounters still ended in my defeat. His Broken Moon Palm technique is formidable."

Yu Kun took a moment to understand.

"Ah, so the Palm Technique Hu Qiu wielded is the Broken Moon Palm! It certainly has its strengths. Without the annihilating power of my Leviathan-roc Astral Energy, the fight could have gone either way."

Reflecting on this, Yu Kun chuckled, "I see. It's unfortunate you couldn't exact revenge yourself."

"That's of little consequence," Hsu Shaan dismissed, clapping Yu Kun on the back. "My talents are modest. It took me over thirty years to reach the status of an Elite Disciple. I've no illusions of advancing to the Inner Sect. When I saw you defeat Hu Qiu, I seized the opportunity to make your acquaintance!"

Yu Kun's realization dawned on him, and he responded with a hearty laugh, "You're overstating it. I've had a bit of a feud with Hu Qiu. A confrontation was inevitable. Brother Hsu, after you!"

"Alright!" Hsu Shaan bellowed with pride, "Being a few years your senior, I'll take the liberty of calling you Junior Brother. I'm overjoyed that our enemy has met his end. I've got nothing else on my plate, so let me treat you to a couple of drinks!"

"Sounds good. Let's head out!"

They left the Death Match Arena, still exchanging banter.

Subsequently, the Elders and other disciples dispersed. Some approached to retrieve Hu Qiu's body, intending to return him to his clan.

Yu Kun was no longer involved in these affairs.

Hu Qiu had sought out a death match with Yu Kun, only to be bested. No one else could intervene.

Even though most had departed, a handful of Outer Sect and Elite Disciples lingered at the arena. These individuals held certain positions within the Outer Sect.

An Elite Disciple, with a furrowed brow, voiced his concern, "Brother Feng has tasked us with keeping Yu Kun down. What now? Hu Qiu was a standout among us Elite Disciples, yet he fell to him! We don't stand a chance!"

"Exactly. Lee Qiang from the Mission Hall tried to suppress him, following Brother Feng's advice, and ended up making an ally of Elder Zhou. Now, Lee Qiang's cultivation is ruined, and he's left the Flying Cloud Sect. His situation is truly dire."

"Maybe we should just feign cooperation with Brother Feng and leave this thankless task to someone else?"

"Indeed! The Hu family may not rival the Chen family, but they're still influential. I'm sure they'll seek retribution against Yu Kun. There are those among the Outer Sect's Elite Disciples who were close to Hu Qiu. We'll let them handle it."

With that, they adopted an air of indifference, as if the issue was none of their concern, and scattered.

Though Chen Feng had instructed them to covertly oppress Yu Kun, witnessing Hu Qiu's defeat at Yu Kun's hands had them abandoning the notion.

After all, fear of death was common! If Hu Qiu could fall, what chance did they, who were lesser than him, have?

The Death Match Arena isn't a place for just anyone!