Chapter 214 - 201: Dishonorable

Chapter 214: Chapter 201: Dishonorable

In the courtyard, the aftershocks of the Qi Force had yet to fully dissipate, and a suffocating pressure still hung in the air.

A few bamboo leaves, swept up by the blast wave, were still slowly twirling in the air.

Lu Jingxing stood his ground, his gaze fixed on the cyan figure opposite him, a mixture of shock and doubt in his eyes.

Though he hadn’t used a weapon, he had pushed his All Things Return to the Source to its absolute limit with that last palm strike. It was, for all intents and purposes, his full strength.

He had originally thought that even if the palm strike couldn’t injure Chen Yue directly, it would at least force him back a few steps, creating distance and establishing his own advantage.

However, not only had Chen Yue not retreated a single step, but he had also met his full-powered palm strike head-on.

As their palms met, their Qi Force collided. They were evenly matched, neither gaining an inch!

Lu Jingxing’s mind was in turmoil. He had spent years consolidating his power at the peak of the Refining Organ Realm and was just one step away from the Innate Acupoint Refining Realm.

And Chen Yue?

It had been twenty days at most since he had broken through to the Refining Organ Realm.

How could someone who had just entered the Refining Organ Realm contend with him—the third-ranked expert on the Cyan Cloud Ranking—and not be at a disadvantage?

’What kind of monster is this kid?’

Lu Jingxing took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart. He was about to channel his Inner Strength again and launch a second wave of attacks.

"Alright, that’s enough."

A calm voice came from beside the stone table, breaking the tense standoff between the two.

Feng Hansheng picked up a teacup from the table. His gaze swept over Chen Yue and Lu Jingxing, and a smile appeared on his face as he nodded slightly.

This spar was only a test, not a true battle to determine a winner. Chen Yue’s performance had already proven his strength—after all, Lu Jingxing was one of the top three on the Cyan Cloud Ranking.

Hearing this, Chen Yue and Lu Jingxing withdrew their palms simultaneously. They each leaped back several dozen feet, putting distance between them.

Lu Jingxing steadied himself and straightened his slightly disheveled robes. The initial indifference in his eyes as he looked at Chen Yue was gone, replaced by a genuine sense of approval.

"Junior Brother Chen, I’m impressed! I, Lu Jingxing, rarely admit defeat, but today, that palm strike of yours has convinced me."

Chen Yue returned the cupped-fist salute, his expression as calm as ever. "Senior Brother Lu, you’re too kind. I should be the one saying that. Your All Things Return to the Source is incredibly profound. If you hadn’t held back, I’m afraid I would have been injured."

Hearing this, Lu Jingxing gave a wry smile and shook his head.

’He knew better than anyone whether he had held back or not. He had used his full strength in that last palm strike.’

’And even so, he hadn’t been able to budge Chen Yue in the slightest.’

’This kid wasn’t just absurdly strong; he was also impeccably diplomatic, allowing him to save face.’

Zheng Tongchen waved his hand, interrupting their exchange. "Alright, alright, stop showering each other with praise. You both did well."

After saying this, he turned his head, his gaze landing on Chen Yue.

His gaze was completely different from the scrutinizing and critical look he’d had at the beginning. It now held a measure of true appreciation and approval.

He looked Chen Yue up and down, then suddenly asked, "Did you use your full strength just now?"

As soon as he spoke, all eyes in the courtyard once again focused on Chen Yue.

Mo Ciqiu’s hand, holding his teacup, froze in mid-air. Liu Zhengyi’s narrowed eyes opened completely. Even Feng Hansheng put down his cup, his gaze faintly settling on Chen Yue.

Of Lu Jingxing’s two moves just now, the first had been repelled by Chen Yue’s kick, and the second, a full-power strike, had been met head-on without Lu Jingxing gaining any advantage.

Judging from the fluctuations in Lu Jingxing’s aura, he had clearly used his full strength.

After all, as the third-ranked expert on the Cyan Cloud Ranking, if he were to be repelled twice in a row by a junior who had just entered the Refining Organ Realm, he would have nowhere to hide his face in shame.

But what about Chen Yue?

From beginning to end, his expression had been far too calm.

His breathing was almost completely undisturbed. His aura, too, remained in an extremely stable state.

This was not the condition of someone who had just been through a high-intensity confrontation.

Chen Yue met Zheng Tongchen’s gaze, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly shook his head. "Not yet."

These two simple words were like a giant boulder dropped into a calm lake, sending massive ripples through the courtyard.

Lu Jingxing’s expression stiffened slightly.

’Not yet.’

’He really hadn’t used his full strength?’

A complex mix of emotions churned within Lu Jingxing. He knew that, aside from a Life-or-Death Secret Technique, he had already used all the power he could muster in a normal state.

’And even that wasn’t enough to force out Chen Yue’s full strength?’

’Just how much power was this kid hiding?’

Meng Yu Jin’s eyes lit up instantly. She looked at Chen Yue, her eyes filled with delighted surprise.

The stronger Chen Yue was, the greater his chances of winning the duel the day after tomorrow. How could this not make Meng Yu Jin happy?

Mo Ciqiu’s and Liu Zhengyi’s eyes also lit up.

Although the result seemed unbelievable, Chen Yue had no reason to lie about such a thing. If he said he hadn’t used his full strength, then he truly hadn’t.

Liu Wenying stood to the side, the way she looked at Chen Yue now completely different from before.

’He went head-to-head with Lu Jingxing, the third on the Cyan Cloud Ranking, fought him to a draw, and that still wasn’t his full power?’

’Then just how strong is he at full power?’

’When he goes to the Liuyun Sword Sect the day after tomorrow, isn’t he going to completely crush that Guan Duhai?’

Feng Hansheng suddenly burst out laughing.

He didn’t speak, merely lifting his teacup and taking a light sip. But the slight upward curve of his lips and the visible crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes betrayed the satisfaction and relief he felt inside.

Zheng Tongchen also roared with laughter, his voice echoing through the courtyard, filled with delight and appreciation.

"Excellent, excellent! With strength like this, your previous decision wasn’t reckless after all!"

Feng Hansheng set down his cup, looked at Zheng Tongchen with a smile, and said in a teasing tone, "So now, is Elder Zheng willing to go to the Liuyun Sword Sect to lend his support?"

Zheng Tongchen shot Feng Hansheng a sideways glance and retorted irritably,

"Lend support? What support? I’m going to watch those old geezers from the Liuyun Sword Sect make fools of themselves!

"Hmph. Let them keep boasting about how the Liuyun Sword Sect’s Sword Dao is supreme. I want to see the looks on those old geezers’ faces when Chen Yue tramples over everyone on their Sword Heart Ranking one by one!"

Zheng Tongchen paused, the smile on his face fading slightly as his tone grew more serious. "However, if Chen Yue really does run through the entire Sword Heart Ranking, I worry those old geezers might not play by the rules."

Hearing this, Feng Hansheng’s smile also faded, and he nodded slowly.

Zheng Tongchen’s worry was not unfounded.

Among the various sects in the Celestial State Prefecture, the Liuyun Sword Sect had always considered itself the orthodox authority on the Sword Dao, and its members were proud and conceited.

If a single disciple from the Panshi Sect were to defeat their experts on the Sword Heart Ranking one by one, it would be a devastating blow to their reputation.

When that time comes, there’s no guarantee that some narrow-minded Elders won’t resort to dirty tricks or even disregard their status and intervene personally.

Feng Hansheng mulled it over for a moment before speaking. "The day after tomorrow, have Senior Brother Song go as well."

"Senior Brother Song?"

Zheng Tongchen was taken aback for a second, then he understood Feng Hansheng’s meaning. "You mean... Senior Brother Song Mingke?"

Feng Hansheng nodded. "Senior Brother Song’s lifespan is nearing its end, and he has no hope of breaking through to a higher realm.

He’s often told me recently that he wants to travel and see the world in his final days. This is a perfect opportunity to let him get some fresh air at the Liuyun Sword Sect.

If the Liuyun Sword Sect really tries any dirty tricks, they’ll have to consider whether a man at the Peak of the Innate Realm with nothing to lose might just decide to take a few people down with him."

Zheng Tongchen fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then slowly nodded. "Good idea. If Senior Brother Song is willing to go, then everything will be foolproof."

He turned his head to look at Chen Yue, a smile on his face. "Kid, you’ve really given us a big job to do."

Hearing this, Chen Yue smiled slightly and cupped his fist. "I must trouble the Elders to go to such lengths."

Zheng Tongchen waved his hand dismissively. "Enough with the pleasantries. You leave the day after tomorrow. Get some rest these next two days and build up your strength. The sun won’t rise any later just because you have a fight to get to."

Chen Yue nodded and once again bowed to the Elders and his Master present.

A short while later, several figures were walking slowly along a mountain path on Celestial Pillar Peak.

A gentle breeze swept by, carrying the fresh scent of the mountain’s grass and trees, as well as the faint, smoky aroma of cooking from the distant dining hall.

From the grass on either side of the path came the sporadic chirping of insects, mingling with the occasional calls of birds in the distance.

Lu Jingxing walked beside Chen Yue, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze was fixed straight ahead as if he were admiring the night scenery, but his slightly furrowed brow betrayed his inner turmoil.

Several times, he glanced over at Chen Yue beside him, his lips moving slightly as if he wanted to say something, but he hesitated and ultimately remained silent.

Although Chen Yue was looking ahead, with the current acuity of his Heart Spirit, how could he not notice Lu Jingxing’s unusual behavior?

He turned his head to look at Lu Jingxing, a slight smile on his face. "Senior Brother Lu, is there something you wish to say?"

Caught off guard, Lu Jingxing was startled for a moment before letting out a wry laugh.

He turned to face Chen Yue and hesitated for a moment. "Junior Brother Chen, forgive my presumption... but have you also cultivated some kind of Secret Technique?"

It was a rather blunt question.

After all, everyone had their own trump cards and secrets. Rashly inquiring about another’s Cultivation Techniques and Secret Arts was not considered good form.

But he simply couldn’t suppress the curiosity and confusion in his heart.

He knew that he had been consolidating his power at the peak of the Refining Organ Realm for several years. Whether in terms of cultivation depth or combat experience, he should be far superior to someone like Chen Yue, who had just entered the realm.

Furthermore, the All Things Return to the Source he practiced was the Panshi Sect’s highest-grade Body Refining Technique below the Innate Realm, and he had already cultivated it to its peak.

Logically, there was no way he should have been fought to a standstill in a head-on clash by a junior who had just entered the Refining Organ Realm.

Unless... Chen Yue had also cultivated some unknown Secret Technique that could drastically increase his combat power in a short amount of time.