C5 Defeat Ye With One Move

So, it was from that time that his cousin in name began to immerse himself in cultivation. Now, he's seeking another challenge.

"Ah? Senior Brother Ling Yun is challenging Senior Brother Hongchen again? Has he forgotten how just half a month ago, Senior Brother Hongchen defeated him with a single Sword Drawing Arts technique?"

"Shh, are you trying to get killed? Speaking so loudly right in front of Senior Brother Ling Yun?"

"Hmph, I'm only stating the facts. Besides, Senior Brother Hongchen will surely protect me. Go Senior Brother Hongchen! Take down Senior Brother Ling Yun with one sword strike!"

The two inner court disciples nearest to Yeh Hongchen overheard the conversation and immediately began rooting for him.

Their voices caught the attention of the others, who quickly gathered around, pointing and whispering about Yeh Lingyun.

They were all commenting on how Yeh Lingyun was bringing humiliation upon himself.

Yeh Hongchen, however, just offered a faint smile, secretly appreciating his role as the antagonist.

After all, wasn't it better not to face mockery before the fight even began?

Yeh Lingyun, hearing the taunts of his junior brothers and sisters and seeing Yeh Hongchen's lack of intervention, grew impatient: "Yeh Hongchen, if you won't accept the challenge, then I'll force you to fight!"

Whoosh!

With those words, Yeh Lingyun drew his sword and lunged at Yeh Hongchen!

His cultivation at the late Celestial Stars Stage was unmistakable, as a red Celestial Stars aura enveloped him.

Yeh Hongchen simply shook his head. As Yeh Lingyun's sword neared, he lightly pushed off the ground with the tips of his toes and spread his arms.

He soared backward like a majestic swan.

This was his signature movement technique, the Lightweight Swallow! A top-tier technique of the Heaven Rank!

Cultivation methods, weapons, martial arts, and pills were all categorized into ranks: Yellow, Black, Earth, Heaven, Emperor, and Saint, each with three levels: High, Middle, and Low.

Yeh Lingyun's sword tip followed in hot pursuit, but it couldn't match Yeh Hongchen's speed and failed to land a hit, maintaining the initial distance.

"Ah! That's Senior Brother Hongchen's original movement technique, the Lightweight Swallow! Rumor has it, it allows him to soar freely like a swallow, and it's a top-tier Heaven Rank technique!"

"Incredible! Senior Brother Hongchen truly lives up to his reputation as one of the Four Great Prodigies. Even the martial skills he casually invents are of Heavenly Rank!"

"Absolutely. He wouldn't be able to single-handedly challenge the likes of Yeh Lingyun and Mo Ran otherwise."

"Go Senior Brother Hongchen! Take down Senior Brother Ling Yun!"

The crowd of disciples erupted in excitement at the sight of Yeh Hongchen's graceful movements, particularly the female disciples.

"Is dodging all you can do, Yeh Hongchen?" Yeh Lingyun, already frustrated from being unable to keep up with Yeh Hongchen, grew even more irate upon hearing the onlookers' comments.

He halted in his tracks, his sword stirring, and a shadowy black sword qi slashed towards Yeh Hongchen in an instant!

Boom!

As the sword qi approached, Yeh Lingyun's toes lightly touched the ground, and he effortlessly soared into the air.

The sword qi obliterated a large rock, reducing it to rubble.

Yeh Hongchen, having just leapt skyward, reached for his waist and smiled lightly, "If you're eager to lose more quickly, then I shall oblige."

Buzz!

The moment Yeh Hongchen's hand rested on the sword hilt at his waist, a surge of sword intent immediately enveloped Yeh Lingyun!

Yeh Lingyun could sense that any movement outside the area Yeh Hongchen had designated for him would spell certain death.

"Sword Drawing Arts!"

With the moon poised behind him due to his ascent, Yeh Hongchen appeared ethereal.

Whoosh!

In the next breath, Yeh Hongchen transformed into a black shadow and vanished!

Reappearing behind Yeh Lingyun, he whispered, "It's over."