Chapter 223 What Goes Around, Comes Around

Chapter 223: Chapter 208: What Goes Around, Comes Around

The disciples of the Liuyun Sword Sect stared blankly at the figure sitting at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena. His chest was stained with blood, his aura feeble. It was the second-ranked disciple on their Sword Heart Ranking, Zhao Jiuchu.

Just a few breaths ago, they had still clung to a sliver of hope, trusting that Zhao Jiuchu could rely on his mysterious and unpredictable Body Shifting Technique to hold his own against Chen Yue and pave the way for their ultimate victory.

However, the sequence of events—from Chen Yue catching up to Zhao Jiuchu, to his wave of sword light being shattered by a single slash, to him being kicked clear of the Martial Arts Arena—happened so fast it was dizzying.

Their feelings plummeted from hope, to disappointment, and finally to despair.

If this had been a battle to the death, Zhao Jiuchu would already be dead.

That was the second-ranked disciple on their Liuyun Sword Sect’s Sword Heart Ranking! How could he have lost so utterly?

He couldn’t even mount a decent counterattack before being so overwhelmingly suppressed?

"Way to go, Junior Brother!"

A crisp, loud voice rang out from the Panshi Sect’s observation platform, shattering the oppressive silence of the Martial Arts Arena.

Liu Wenying pumped her fists, her face flushed red with excitement, completely ignoring the angry glares from the surrounding Liuyun Sword Sect disciples.

Beside her, the faces of Meng Yu Jin and Mo Ciqiu were also wreathed in smiles, filled with gratification and pride, as well as a trace of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted.

Even the three Elders, Feng Hansheng, Zheng Tongchen, and Song Mingke, had eyes filled with undisguised satisfaction and praise.

Chen Yue’s performance had far exceeded their initial expectations. This wasn’t just about bringing honor to their sect; this was a loud, hard slap across the face of the Liuyun Sword Sect.

And in stark contrast to the jubilation on the Panshi Sect’s side were the faces on the Liuyun Sword Sect’s observation platform, which looked positively thunderous.

Bei Sujian sat in his chair, his hands gripping the armrests tightly. His expression was unbelievably grim.

His own sect’s second-ranked disciple on the Sword Heart Ranking, Zhao Jiuchu, had been crushed so effortlessly.

Moreover, the one who had crushed Zhao Jiuchu wasn’t the first or second on the Panshi Sect’s Cyan Cloud Ranking, but a young man who had broken through to the Refining Organ Realm less than a month ago.

If word of this got out, some would say that Panshi Sect’s Chen Yue possessed extraordinary talent, but more people would surely say that the Liuyun Sword Sect was declining with each generation, that their Sword Heart Ranking had been swept clean by a Martial Artist who wasn’t even at the peak of the Refining Organ Realm.

Many people wouldn’t care how prodigious Chen Yue’s talent was; they would only see that the Liuyun Sword Sect’s Sword Heart Ranking had been shattered by a previously obscure disciple from the Panshi Sect.

Worst of all, the Liuyun Sword Sect couldn’t say a word in their own defense.

They were simply outmatched. Who else was there to blame?

To reclaim the Liuyun Sword Sect’s prestige, there was only one way: defeat Chen Yue.

Bei Sujian’s gaze involuntarily shifted to the figure sitting at the very front of the Sword Heart Ranking area.

Now, the only one left who could possibly defeat Chen Yue was He Linxi, the top-ranked disciple on their Sword Heart Ranking.

If even He Linxi was powerless, then today, the Sword Heart Ranking would truly be run through from top to bottom by Chen Yue alone.

He Linxi sat there, feeling the expectant, anxious, and uneasy gazes from all around him. His expression was incomparably grave.

He knew, of course, that everyone was pinning their hopes on him.

As the first on the Sword Heart Ranking, as the strongest among the Liuyun Sword Sect’s Refining Organ Realm disciples, at a time like this, it was his duty to step forward and defend the honor of the Liuyun Sword Sect.

And yet, he himself could see no hope of victory.

The strength Chen Yue had just displayed was too overwhelming.

So strong that even he, the number one on the Sword Heart Ranking, felt a chill creep into his heart.

He knew better than anyone just how strong Zhao Jiuchu, the second-ranked on the Sword Heart Ranking, was.

Even if he were to fight, it would take him considerable effort to defeat Zhao Jiuchu; he could never win as effortlessly as Chen Yue had.

From the two brief duels, it was clear that aside from his Cultivation not having reached the peak of the Refining Organ Realm, Chen Yue had no other weaknesses.

Heart Spirit, strength, Body Technique, Saber Intent—every single one had reached the absolute highest level. When these top-tier individual abilities were combined, they formed Chen Yue’s terrifying combat prowess, far surpassing others of the same realm.

And what was most mind-boggling was that such terrifying combat prowess was found in a Martial Artist who had entered the Refining Organ Realm less than a month ago.

’What kind of monster is this?’

For the first time, a sense of powerlessness washed over He Linxi.

At that moment, Chen Yue’s gaze traveled across the long bloodstain on the Martial Arts Arena and landed on the figure at the very front of the Sword Heart Ranking area.

"I have long heard of Senior Brother He Linxi’s sky-piercing Sword Intent, and that he is the foremost disciple of the Liuyun Sword Sect in the Refining Organ Realm."

Chen Yue’s voice echoed across the silent Martial Arts Arena: "I wonder if Senior Brother He would be willing to offer some pointers?"

All eyes fell upon He Linxi.

He Linxi slowly raised his head to meet Chen Yue’s eyes. His gaze wavered intensely.

After a moment of hesitation and struggle, the Sword Intent within him began to tremble violently.

But just then, his gaze flickered to Ding Yuli on the observation platform in the distance. Her expression was terrifyingly grim.

He Linxi was silent for a moment.

Then, he took a deep breath, suppressed the restless Sword Intent in his body, looked at Chen Yue, and slowly said:

"I am carrying an old injury and am not in a condition to fight today. If you want a match, I will fight you in seventeen days, at the Celestial State Prefecture’s grand tournament."

The moment these words were spoken, an uproar swept through the Martial Arts Arena.

The disciples of the Liuyun Sword Sect looked at each other, their faces etched with shock and disbelief.

They never expected that their own number one on the Sword Heart Ranking, He Linxi, would actually evade the challenge in such a manner.

’An old, unhealed injury?’

The excuse sounded plausible enough, but everyone present knew the truth: He Linxi was too afraid to fight.

However, many quick-witted disciples soon figured out the implications.

Compared to being defeated by Chen Yue on the spot and having the Sword Heart Ranking completely dismantled by a single person, this method of evading the fight, though dishonorable, at least staved off the worst-case scenario.

Moreover, the time He Linxi gave—seventeen days later—was quite strategic.

Back when Guan Duhai challenged Chen Yue, Chen Yue had asked for a month’s time. Now, He Linxi was asking for seventeen days.

’If you, Chen Yue, can take time to prepare, then why can’t we of the Liuyun Sword Sect do the same?’

Besides, He Linxi’s claim of injury was a perfectly valid excuse. It wasn’t a refusal to fight, merely a postponement to a different time and place to settle the score.

And seventeen days was enough time for the sect to come up with all sorts of ways to enhance He Linxi’s strength.

On the observation platform, the three Elders—Feng Hansheng, Zheng Tongchen, and Song Mingke—turned their heads almost simultaneously, their gazes landing on Ding Yuli on the Liuyun Sword Sect’s observation platform.

With their Cultivation at the Innate Realm, they had clearly sensed Ding Yuli using a Secret Transmission just moments before He Linxi spoke.

Although they couldn’t hear the specific content of the transmission, judging from the current situation, it was clear Ding Yuli had instructed He Linxi to use a stalling tactic to avoid the humiliation of being defeated on the spot and having the entire Sword Heart Ranking beaten by a single person.

On the Martial Arts Arena, Chen Yue looked at He Linxi, a smile touching his lips.

It was a faint smile, holding no mockery or anger, only a knowing calm.

Seeing the smile on Chen Yue’s face, He Linxi’s expression grew even grimmer.

He knew, of course, how much doubt and criticism his words would provoke, but he had no other choice.

’Elder Ding Yuli’s Secret Transmission had given him a clear instruction: stall.’

’Use the next half-month to complete the second metamorphosis of his Sword Intent. The sect would use the Whetstone from the Sword Grinding Pool to maximize the quality of his Sword Intent, all without letting him break through to the Innate Realm.’

’Under normal circumstances, no one would do this.’

’Once the Heart Spirit has undergone its metamorphosis, one should naturally break through to the Innate Realm.’

’But under these special circumstances, such a measure was indeed possible.’

’Of course, this method was only viable for true prodigies. Other Martial Artists at the peak of the Refining Organ Realm couldn’t achieve it even if they tried.’

’Furthermore, it required the aid of a special Spiritual Object on the level of the Whetstone.’

"Since Senior Brother He is unavailable today,"

Chen Yue’s voice rang out again as his gaze shifted from He Linxi to slowly sweep across the faces of the other disciples on the Sword Heart Ranking. "Then what about the other senior brothers? Would you allow me to witness more of the profundities of your sect’s Sword Dao?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the other disciples on the Sword Heart Ranking changed instantly.

’This Chen Yue... he isn’t going to let us off the hook?’

’Even He Linxi ducked the challenge. How could any of us possibly defeat Chen Yue?’

’Even Zhao Jiuchu, the second-ranked on the Sword Heart Ranking, was beaten to such a state. If we go up there, aren’t we just serving ourselves up for a beating?’

For a moment, the Sword Heart Ranking disciples whose faces Chen Yue’s gaze swept over either lowered their heads or looked away. Not a single one dared to meet his eyes.

On the observation platform, the expressions of Ding Yuli and the others had turned utterly grim.

Ding Yuli opened her mouth, wanting to shout a reprimand at Chen Yue, but before the words could leave her lips, she sensed a sharp Saber Intent, like an invisible shackle, locking firmly onto her.

That Saber Intent was subtle, but it carried the absolute resolve to annihilate all in its path.

She had no doubt that if she dared to utter a threat against Chen Yue, the owner of that Saber Intent, Song Mingke, would unhesitatingly strike her down.

Mu Cangya’s brows furrowed tightly. He glanced at Song Mingke, then looked at Chen Yue on the Martial Arts Arena:

"Since you have already defeated Zhao Jiuchu, there’s no need to challenge the others. If you truly want to fight, then wait for the Celestial State Prefecture’s grand tournament to settle the score."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an authority that brooked no argument.

Chen Yue looked up, glancing at this Peak Innate Realm Powerhouse of the Liuyun Sword Sect, that same calm smile still on his face.

He didn’t respond directly to Mu Cangya’s words. Instead, he slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on another figure on the Liuyun Sword Sect’s observation platform.

Bei Sujian.

"Back in the Cloud-Gazing Hall, Elder Bei, you said that if I didn’t accept the challenge, it would mean I believed the Cyan Cloud Ranking was inferior to the Sword Heart Ranking. You also said that this is how Martial Artists ought to settle matters."

Chen Yue’s voice echoed across the silent Martial Arts Arena: "Isn’t that right, Elder Bei?"

Bei Sujian’s eyes instantly narrowed.

The aura of an Innate Realm powerhouse, though not directly pressing down on Chen Yue, began to rise uncontrollably from his body.

The air around him began to surge violently, forming an invisible gale that whipped his robes about, making them snap in the wind.

The atmosphere in the Martial Arts Arena grew dangerously tense once more.

All eyes were fixed on Bei Sujian, awaiting his answer.

And Chen Yue just stood there on the Martial Arts Arena, calmly watching Bei Sujian, without a hint of fear or retreat in his eyes.

’What goes around, comes around.’