Chapter 541: Hua Qingfeng
"It is actually him?"
Even Li Yun was slightly surprised. He had not expected Prefect Cloudrift to be able to invite Hua Qingfeng.
After all, although Hua Qingfeng was only at the Half-Step Earthly Core Realm, he was first on the Spirit Ranking and a disciple of the Origin Saint Sect. His future prospects were immeasurable. Even though Prefect Cloudrift was a Heavenly Core Realm expert, inviting someone like Hua Qingfeng must have required a considerable price.
However, after that brief moment of surprise, Li Yun shook his head and stepped forward.
Even Feng Sha, who had possessed a low-grade Heaven Rank spiritual artifact like the Bright King Axe, had been defeated by him. Although Hua Qingfeng was first on the Spirit Ranking, Li Yun did not regard him as an unbeatable opponent.
"Hm? 4th level of Mortal Core Realm?"
"What is going on? Prefect Lord actually sent a cultivator at the 4th level of Mortal Core Realm to fight. Does he truly think defeat is inevitable and has already given up on this battle?"
"Forget it. Our Mistcloud Prefecture has suppressed Cloudrift Prefecture for so many years. Who would have thought that, in the end, we would still be outmaneuvered by Cloudrift Prefecture?"
The others naturally did not know what Li Yun was thinking. Seeing Li Yun step forward, the cultivators of Mistcloud Prefecture were stunned at first, then seemed to understand something. One by one, they shook their heads and sighed.
Clearly, in their view, Li Yun was merely a sacrificial pawn sent out by Prefect Mu Yun in a battle where defeat was already assumed to be inevitable.
"4th level of Mortal Core Realm?"
Hua Qingfeng was also taken aback for a moment. Then, he shook his head and said lightly, "Since becoming first on the Spirit Ranking, I have killed many 1st level Earthly Core Realm cultivators and defeated many fellow Spirit Ranking cultivators. I never thought there would come a day when I would have to fight a cultivator at the 4th level of Mortal Core Realm."
He paused briefly before continuing in a calm tone, "Very well. I will suppress my cultivation to the 4th level of Mortal Core Realm and give you some pointers."
As he spoke, Hua Qingfeng truly suppressed his cultivation and lowered it to the 4th level of Mortal Core Realm. Then, he casually struck out with a palm.
As expected of the person ranked first on the Spirit Ranking, Hua Qingfeng was indeed a true genius. Even with his cultivation suppressed and his attack casually released, the power of this palm was already comparable to a full-force attack from a peak Spirit Mansion Realm expert as it fiercely swept toward Li Yun.
"Hua Qingfeng, if we fight at the same realm, you are no match for me. I suggest you use your full strength."
Li Yun’s expression remained calm. He also casually struck out with a palm and directly neutralized Hua Qingfeng’s attack. His movement seemed effortless, as if he had not used much strength at all.
"Hm?"
Hua Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, then chuckled lightly. "That is somewhat interesting. However, not just anyone can make me use my full strength. You, of all people, are not qualified for that."
His tone was calm and gentle, but his words carried an undeniable authority, as though everything he said was an indisputable truth.
However, he did indeed have the capital to be proud. Throughout history, those who ranked first on the Spirit Ranking, as long as they did not perish prematurely, would basically be able to step into the Heavenly Core Realm in the future and have their names listed on the Heaven Ranking. If even such a person did not have the right to be proud, then very few people in the world would.
"Heaven Suppression Seal."
Hua Qingfeng smiled faintly while still suppressing his cultivation to the 4th level of Mortal Core Realm. His hands quickly formed seals, and a cyan seal condensed in front of him in an instant.
Cyan light rippled outward as the seal expanded to a diameter of thirty meter. It was difficult to tell how much immense power was contained within it, but as it descended, it seemed as if even the air itself collapsed beneath its pressure.
The power of this seal was already comparable to the methods of a Half-Step Earthly Core Realm expert.
"I said that at the same realm, you are no match for me."
However, facing this seal, Li Yun only shook his head. He still casually struck out with a palm, seemingly not taking Hua Qingfeng’s technique seriously at all.
Bang!
Li Yun struck out with his palm. The movement looked light and casual, yet the moment it landed, Hua Qingfeng’s Heaven Suppression Seal was directly smashed into pieces.
"Hm?"
Hua Qingfeng’s expression immediately darkened.
Although he had suppressed his cultivation, he was still confident that with his ability, dealing with a cultivator at the 4th level Mortal Core Realm would be as easy as turning over his hand. He had never expected to suffer setbacks at Li Yun’s hands twice in a row.
If his attacks had merely failed to achieve much, he might still have accepted it. However, Li Yun looked far too effortless, and that made Hua Qingfeng feel as if he had lost a great deal of face. Embarrassment quickly turned into anger.
"This is truly interesting."
His face turned slightly cold, and his voice became indifferent. "There are not many people who can withstand two of my moves. For you to do so is quite impressive, but with this next move, you will undoubtedly be defeated."
"Magnetic Profound Tower!"
A small mountain-shaped spiritual artifact suddenly appeared in Hua Qingfeng’s hand. With a sharp shout, the small tower began to spin rapidly. As it spun, it expanded at an astonishing speed, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a giant tower fifty meter tall.
Like a mountain peak descending from above, it crashed down toward Li Yun with the intent to suppress him completely.
"Hua Qingfeng, I suggest you use your full strength. Do not bring out these petty tricks just to embarrass yourself."
However, facing the giant tower pressing down like a mountain, Li Yun’s expression remained calm. His sword appeared in his hand out of thin air, and with a faint smile, he swung it naturally.
Swish!
A burst of Sword Qi erupted instantly.
It moved as fast as lightning and passed through the air like an aurora. In a single stroke, it tore through the giant tower and then shot fiercely toward Hua Qingfeng.
"Huh?"
Facing this Sword Qi that arrived like a crashing aurora, Hua Qingfeng’s expression finally changed.
From this seemingly ordinary Sword Qi, he actually felt a threat to his life. In that moment, the hairs all over his body stood on end.
"Magnetic Profound Tower, suppress!"
Hua Qingfeng roared and no longer cared about suppressing his strength. His Half-Step Earthly Core Realm cultivation erupted instantly, and the fluctuations of essence qi throughout his body surged many times over.
Boom!
In the next moment, the giant tower spun even more violently and expanded once again. In the blink of an eye, it swelled to a full hundred meter in height. Dazzling light burst from the body of the tower like a small sun, radiating brilliant luster as it spun and crashed toward the Sword Qi.
Chi! Chi! Chi!
Within only a few breaths, the giant tower and the Sword Qi clashed hundreds of times. Every collision produced an intense sound like metal and stone striking against each other.
Finally, the giant tower was actually knocked flying by the Sword Qi.
Bang!
After knocking the massive tower away, the Sword Qi became even more intense. A shocking sharp aura burst forth from it, and it cleaved through the air toward Hua Qingfeng like a silver silk ribbon.
"Ah!"
Hua Qingfeng roared again and again, frantically releasing his essence qi in an attempt to block the Sword Qi.
However, all his resistance was futile.
As the sword fell, his figure was sent flying backward.