Invincible Beyond Heavens: Cultivating With A Broken EXP System - Chapter 215: Xiao Fanyun challenging Li Yun?

Chapter 215: Xiao Fanyun challenging Li Yun?

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

The Martial Ascension Gate deacon stepped forward once again and raised his voice, which resounded clearly across the entire hall. “The Ten Strongest Hegemony Round now begins. Any disciple who wishes to issue a challenge may come forward and submit it.”

The moment his words fell, the entire Martial Battle Hall erupted into excitement. The earlier matches had merely been a prelude, but this round was the true highlight of the Four Peaks Tournament. Every disciple leaned forward, their eyes filled with anticipation as they waited for the first clash among the Ten Strongest.

“I wish to issue a challenge.”

An indifferent voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the noise.

For a brief moment, the hall fell silent. Then recognition spread like wildfire.

“That voice…”

“It’s Xiao Fanyun!”

“Xiao Fanyun is issuing a challenge?”

“He is already ranked first. Who else is there for him to challenge?”

All eyes turned toward him. Under countless astonished gazes, Xiao Fanyun slowly rose to his feet. His expression was filled with cold disdain as he lifted his hand and casually beckoned toward Li Yun. His voice was calm, yet carried a chilling killing intent.

“Li Yun, come here and die!”

The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall exploded into an uproar.

“What?”

“He is challenging Li Yun?”

“The number one challenging the fourth?”

“Even though that kid defeated Bai Feng, does he really deserve to be personally challenged by Xiao Fanyun?”

“Judging by Xiao Fanyun’s expression, this is not just a simple match. There must be some deep grudge between them.”

“That must be the case.”

Speculation spread rapidly as everyone tried to make sense of the situation. Almost instantly, most people arrived at the same conclusion. This was not a normal challenge. This was a confrontation driven by hatred.

Within the Heaven Mandate Peak seating area, expressions changed drastically.

“This is bad.”

“Xiao Fanyun actually challenged Senior Brother.”

“This is trouble.”

Xiao Fanyun’s reputation was simply too overwhelming. As the undisputed number one, he had suppressed all Inner Sect disciples of the Four Peaks by himself. Facing such a figure, it was only natural for them to feel uneasy.

Yet the person at the center of it all remained completely calm.

Li Yun’s expression did not change in the slightest. There was no fear, no hesitation, only quiet indifference. He looked toward Xiao Fanyun and spoke in a calm tone.

“You really cannot wait, can you?”

As his words fell, Li Yun slowly rose from his seat.

“Wait a moment.”

Just as Li Yun was about to step onto the arena, the Martial Ascension Gate Elder suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet firm as it echoed across the hall. “Xiao Fanyun, I’m afraid your challenge cannot be approved. According to the rules of the sect, during the Top Ten Competition, only those ranked lower may challenge those ranked higher. Those ranked higher are not permitted to initiate challenges against those below them.”

Xiao Fanyun’s brows immediately drew together upon hearing this. He clearly had not expected such a restriction to exist.

“That is correct,” the Elder continued with a nod. Martial Ascension Gate had always placed great importance on its rules. Once a rule was established, it could not be broken by anyone, not even someone as powerful as Xiao Fanyun, who stood at the very top of the rankings.

There was a reason for this rule. It existed to prevent higher-ranked disciples from manipulating the rankings by targeting weaker opponents and creating openings for allies from their own peak to rise.

If Xiao Fanyun were allowed to challenge Li Yun and severely injure him, it would create an opportunity for someone like Niu Lie, who was ranked below, to easily take advantage and move up. Such actions would undermine the fairness of the competition.

The Four Peaks Tournament was meant to encourage genuine competition and growth among disciples, not schemes and calculated suppression.

“This Li Yun is really fortunate,” someone muttered. “With this rule in place, Xiao Fanyun cannot touch him. Otherwise, if Senior Brother Xiao Fanyun had made a move, Li Yun would have been seriously injured at best, or dead at worst.”

“That’s true.”

Many nodded in agreement. In their eyes, Li Yun was simply not qualified to stand against Xiao Fanyun.

However, just as the murmurs spread through the crowd, Li Yun suddenly stepped forward. A faint smile appeared on his face as he spoke in a calm and steady tone.

“Since you cannot challenge me, Xiao Fanyun, then I will challenge you instead.”

The hall fell into stunned silence for a split second.

Then it erupted.

“What?”

“Li Yun is taking the initiative to challenge Xiao Fanyun?”

“He is choosing death with his own hands.”

Shock filled the eyes of every onlooker as they stared at Li Yun in disbelief. In their view, this was not courage. This was sheer recklessness.

“No.”

The Martial Ascension Gate Elder shook his head once again, firmly rejecting Li Yun’s challenge.

“Why?”

Li Yun frowned slightly, confusion flashing across his eyes. Xiao Fanyun was not allowed to challenge him, and now even he was not permitted to challenge Xiao Fanyun. The situation made little sense at first glance.

The Elder let out a helpless smile before explaining, “According to the rules of the Four Peaks Tournament, those ranked below the top three may challenge freely. However, the top three cannot be challenged without meeting certain qualifications.”

“What qualifications?” Li Yun asked calmly.

“As the fourth-ranked, you are eligible to challenge Jin Yuanguang, who is ranked third. If you defeat him, you will then qualify to challenge Mo Chuxue, who holds the second position. Only after reaching second place will you be allowed to challenge Xiao Fanyun, who stands at the top,” the Elder replied.

Li Yun fell silent for a moment, his brows slightly knit together as he considered the explanation. Soon, understanding dawned on him, and the tension in his expression eased.

The rule was indeed well designed. It prevented the other top ten experts from taking turns challenging the first-ranked disciple in succession. Even the strongest individual would struggle to endure continuous battles against opponents of such caliber. No matter how powerful a person was, they could not fight endlessly without consequence.

A faint smile appeared on Li Yun’s lips.

“That is quite interesting.”

To him, this felt similar to progressing through levels, where one had to defeat each opponent step by step before facing the final adversary. Jin Yuanguang and Mo Chuxue stood as obstacles along the path, while Xiao Fanyun awaited at the very end.

“Since that is the case…”

Muttering softly to himself, Li Yun moved without hesitation. He stepped onto the arena and turned his gaze toward a young man in golden robes seated within the Earth Pillar Peak section. The man’s expression was calm and indifferent, like an unsheathed blade hidden within stillness.

Li Yun cupped his hands and spoke clearly, his voice steady and composed. “Jin Yuanguang, please enlighten me.”