C8 We Don't Owe Each Other Anything

Chen Feng gave Yu Kun a piercing look and let out a chilling laugh. "If you think I'm above using my strength to bully the weaker, you're sorely mistaken. I won't hold back against you. If you refuse to surrender the item, then I have no choice but to kill you and take it from your corpse!"

With those words, Chen Feng launched his attack without a moment's delay.

As soon as Chen Feng made his move, Yu Kun felt a crushing sensation in his chest, as if a tremendous weight bore down on him.

"Grade Two Martial Arts, Avalanche Punch! He truly lives up to his status as an Inner Sect disciple. An Elite Disciple is limited to one Grade One Martial Art, and I only learned the Great Vajra Palm by a stroke of luck. I didn't expect him to unleash a Grade Two Martial Art right from the start! He's showing no mercy. Well, I have no choice but to give it my all!"

In the face of danger, Yu Kun's mind sharpened. Without a second thought, he executed the first technique of the Great Vajra Palm, Vajra Worshipping Moon!

Against a formidable adversary like Chen Feng, Yu Kun understood that flashy moves were pointless. He had to rely on the most powerful Martial Arts at his disposal!

As Vajra Worshipping Moon was unleashed, it clashed with the Avalanche Punch head-on.

Chen Feng's Avalanche Punch should have been overwhelming, yet it ended in a stalemate with Yu Kun's counter. The obliteration that ensued from their Martial Arts' impact forced both men to retreat a step.

"How can this be!" Chen Feng exclaimed, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and disbelief.

"My Avalanche Punch isn't perfected yet, but it's still a Grade Two Martial Art! How could it be neutralized by an Elite Disciple's technique? And his Astral Energy... it's peculiar. It can actually obliterate mine? And..."

Despite his reluctance to accept it, Chen Feng sensed his meridians had sustained some damage, putting him at a disadvantage.

Chen Feng was taken aback, but when he looked at Yu Kun again, he saw only a serene expression.

"Something's off..." Chen Feng's gaze hardened as he eyed Yu Kun, a dangerous light flickering in his eyes.

"I seem to have underestimated you. You do possess some real power! In that case..."

Gathering his Astral Energy, Chen Feng prepared to strike once more.

Yu Kun didn't hesitate. With swift action, he channeled his Astral Energy, ready to execute another Vajra Worshipping Moon technique.

Having reached the Intermediate Rank in the Qi Refining Stage, Yu Kun was capable of performing the Vajra Worshipping Moon twice. Though this move would deplete his strength and prevent him from circulating his Astral Energy further, he had no intention of holding back.

But as tensions rose and they were on the verge of clashing once more, a cool voice cut through the air, "Stop."

At the sound, Chen Feng and Yu Kun both halted, surprise evident in their expressions.

Yu Kun's gaze shifted and noticed Yaen Hongling was present in the Cultivation Room.

"It's Senior Sister Yaen..." Chen Feng offered a respectful bow and said, "This is a personal matter. I'd appreciate it if you didn't interfere..."

Yu Kun's eyebrows twitched, but he remained silent.

Yaen Hongling casually flicked her nails and spoke with a detached tone, "I have no desire to interfere. But don't you think it's a bit excessive for an Inner Sect disciple to strike an Elite Disciple?"

"Excessive?" Chen Feng chuckled. "When it comes to family matters, there's no such thing as 'too much.'"

"Really?" Yaen Hongling's gaze softened as she suggested, "There are imperfections in your Martial Arts. Perhaps I could offer you some guidance?"

Chen Feng's face tensed, and he couldn't help but inquire, "Senior Sister Yaen, he's merely an Elite Disciple. Are you saying that you..."

"He once did me a favor," Yaen Hongling replied, her voice growing even more neutral. "It's only right that I return the gesture."

"I understand..." The tension in Chen Feng's face relaxed. He sneered at Yu Kun, "You're lucky Senior Sister Yaen is here. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll excuse myself. But next time, I'll be curious to see if anyone will be there to save you!"

With those words, Chen Feng turned and strode away.

Yaen Hongling then spoke up, "Since we've crossed paths, Chen Feng, I'd like you to relay a message. Tell Chen Rui not to be petty."

Chen Feng paused briefly, but without looking back, he responded, "Understood. Your message will be conveyed."

Having spoken, Chen Feng strode away as if his clash with Yu Kun had never occurred.

Once Chen Feng had departed, Yaen Hongling turned to Yu Kun and remarked, "Chen Rui ranks a mere 498th among the Inner Sect disciples. He's not particularly strong. Yet, he's not someone you can afford to cross."

She paused briefly before continuing, "Even though he's only at the High Rank Qi Refining Stage, he has slain numerous mutated beasts. His strength is considerable. You've helped me once, so I've saved you this time. From here on out, we're even."

Without waiting for Yu Kun to respond, Yaen Hongling spun on her heel, intent on leaving.

Her tone carried an unmistakable pride, but Yu Kun understood that Yaen Hongling had every right to it. She was, after all, not only from a distinguished family but also an Inner Sect disciple.

And judging by Chen Feng's recent behavior, Yu Kun was convinced that Yaen Hongling stood among the elite of the Inner Sect disciples.

"We're even," Yu Kun mused, his gaze briefly intensifying before he offered a smile. "Thank you for that. But next time, Chen Feng won't stand a chance."

At his words, Yaen Hongling whirled back to face him, her expression one of scorn.

"Do you really think such talk will catch my interest? I thought you were genuine, which is why I intervened on your behalf. It turns out you're just another superficial soul."

Yu Kun's laughter rang out. "My character isn't for you to judge. When the talented speak such words, it's from confidence; when the untalented do, it's from shallowness. As for whether I'm talented or not?"

He left the question hanging, his smile lingering as he chose not to elaborate.

Yu Kun then unleashed his Astral Energy for all to see, holding nothing back, before turning and entering the Cultivation Room.

Left behind, Yaen Hongling stood rooted to the spot, momentarily lost in thought. Her own advanced realm allowed her to sense the Astral Energy Yu Kun had released, as well as gauge his level of cultivation.

True, Yu Kun's realm didn't match hers, but Yaen Hongling sensed something else in him, something undeniable.

Yu Kun had reached the Intermediate Rank in Qi Refining!

"Just a few days ago, he advanced to become an Elite Disciple, which means he was at the Low Rank Qi Refining Stage. And now, he's already at the Intermediate Rank? How is it possible for anyone to cultivate so quickly? Could he truly possess such exceptional talent?"

Yaen Hongling's thoughts were tangled as she gazed at the Cultivation Room Yu Kun had entered, her feelings a complex mix that was hard to articulate.

"Maybe I'm just imagining things! There's no way he could have that kind of talent!"

Convincing herself with this rationale, Yaen Hongling finally turned and left the Cultivation Room.