C84 Martial Soul

Fann Tong had initially set out to teach Yu Kun a lesson, but found himself effortlessly surpassed by the latter. However, this was a predicament of Fann Tong's own making.

After giving Fann Tong a piece of his mind, Yu Kun was about to depart when he noticed several Inner Sect disciples heading toward the Heavenly Pass Altar. Among them were Hu Zhengye, Bai Qingfeng, Wu Baishun, Wang Mann, and a few other newcomers to the Inner Sect.

Bai Qingfeng was the most formidable of the group, naturally becoming their leader. Hu Zhengye, preferring not to draw attention to himself, was nonetheless present among them. Wu Baishun trailed at the end, solitary and head bowed.

Yu Kun inwardly shook his head. "They certainly have their quirks. Since I've run into them, I might as well say hello." He then raised his hand in greeting.

As they reached the vicinity of the Heavenly Pass Altar and spotted Yu Kun, Hu Zhengye, with his saber in hand, gave a slight nod and greeted, "Good morning, Brother Yu." Wu Baishun, bringing up the rear, also acknowledged Yu Kun with a nod, adding, "Senior Brother Yu, it's been a while."

The other new Inner Sect disciples exchanged pleasantries with Yu Kun as well. Unexpectedly, Bai Qingfeng showed no inclination to greet him. Hu Zhengye nudged him, "Brother Bai, we're all newly minted Inner Sect disciples. It's proper for us to acknowledge each other."

Bai Qingfeng scoffed, casting a disdainful glance at Yu Kun. "Everyone acknowledges my talent, yet Yu Kun is nothing but a failure who can't even manifest his Martial Soul. Why should I befriend someone like him?" His expression darkened as he continued, "Despite being a failure who can't even conjure a Martial Soul, he managed to steal the spotlight during the Inner Sect trials. As a result, my name goes unrecognized. If we weren't sect brothers, I wouldn't show him an ounce of respect." With that, Bai Qingfeng gave Yu Kun a curt nod.

Hu Zhengye's brow furrowed, clearly displeased by the exchange. Wu Baishun remained silent, resuming his detached demeanor after his brief greeting to Yu Kun. He appeared indifferent to Bai Qingfeng's discourtesy.

Yu Kun shook his head.

"Bai Qingfeng, you may be a renowned prodigy, but you still don't measure up to me."

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingfeng responded with a frosty tone, "That's only because I haven't yet formed my Martial Soul. But since I've become a disciple of an Inner Sect Elder, I've begun cultivating it. I'm here to join my fellow disciples in conquering the Heavenly Barrier Trial. Once my Martial Soul is formed, I'm certain to rank among the Inner Sect's top 450 disciples."

Yu Kun applauded lightly, "Really? That impressive?"

Bai Qingfeng, arms folded, allowed a smug smile to creep across his face.

"With my natural gifts, I'm bound to break into the Inner Sect's elite ranks with ease."

Turning back to Yu Kun, Bai Qingfeng added, "You may have overshadowed me during the Inner Sect trial, but your current plight is pitiable. Without the ability to condense your Martial Soul, the Heavenly Barrier Trial will surely be beyond your reach."

While Bai Qingfeng prattled on, Fan Tong and the others wore somber expressions.

Bai Qingfeng was undeniably talented. Fan Tong had struggled immensely to secure a spot in the top 450, yet Bai Qingfeng could achieve the same with the mere formation of his Martial Soul. Yet Yu Kun's talent surpassed even that.

Yu Kun was far from being a failure incapable of forming a Martial Soul; he had already done so.

Fan Tong, however, was at a loss for words. Ultimately, he chose silence, watching Bai Qingfeng indulge in self-praise.

After Bai Qingfeng finished, Yu Kun remarked, "Truly, you are a genius. The Heavenly Pass Altar awaits you. I'll leave you to it."

Bai Qingfeng huffed, seemingly pleased with the flattery, and made his way to the Heavenly Pass Altar, the others trailing behind him.

As they passed Yu Kun, Hu Zhengye gave a helpless shrug in apology.

Wu Baishun also offered Yu Kun a respectful bow before they all proceeded to the Heavenly Pass Altar.

Yu Kun just smiled, offering no explanation.

Upon reaching the Heavenly Pass Altar, Bai Qingfeng and his group were, as expected, denied entry.

They approached the stone tablet to check their standings.

Among them, Bai Qingfeng had the highest rank. But something seemed off to him after just one look.

"Why has my rank fallen by one? Who managed to surpass me?"

Bai Qingfeng's heart seethed with anger as his eyes scanned upward. At last, a name caught his attention.

The instant he saw it, Bai Qingfeng's face contorted with shock, disbelief etched across his features.

It wasn't just Bai Qingfeng; the other newly advanced Inner Sect disciples struggled to accept what they saw.

"It appears Senior Brother Yu has been concealing his true power..."

"Brother Yu, when you were captured by that demonic beast, you still saved my life. I knew then you had more up your sleeve."

Everyone was lost in deep reflection.

But Bai Qingfeng stood apart from the rest.

The shock had faded, replaced by profound bewilderment and a creeping doubt about his life's path.

He was a handsome, brilliant prodigy, lauded by all.

Yu Kun, once a bright star, had been dismissed by the Flying Cloud Tower as incapable of condensing a Martial Soul, a hopeless case with no prospects of advancing beyond the Martial Disciple Stage.

But now...

Bai Qingfeng's rank lingered beyond five hundred, while Yu Kun had astonishingly vaulted ahead of him to rank three hundred sixty-five!

"Even with a condensed Martial Soul, I'd barely make rank four hundred fifty. How did he leap to three hundred sixty-five? Is his Astral Energy truly that formidable? Or could he actually have condensed his Martial Soul?"

"Flying Cloud Tower deemed him unable to condense a Martial Soul, so how could he possibly have done it?"

Bai Qingfeng was on the verge of frenzy. In this moment, his surprise had morphed into a profound existential doubt, a questioning of the very world around him.

"I refuse to believe it!"

Whirling around to confront the issue, Bai Qingfeng found Yu Kun had already moved on.

Yu Kun's figure receded into the distance, leaving only a silhouette that stripped Bai Qingfeng of any right to challenge him.

At that moment, Bai Qingfeng was utterly dejected.

The rest of the group cast sympathetic glances his way, at a loss for words. Yu Kun refrained from cursing or resorting to violence. He didn't boast either; he simply offered Bai Qingfeng a few compliments before gracefully making his exit.

Yet, it was Yu Kun's inaction that deepened Bai Qingfeng's embarrassment!

Regrettably, Yu Kun was already gone, leaving Bai Qingfeng with no one to turn to, even if he had something to say.