87: Chapter 87: Defeat Qin Lie, Secure a Spot in the Secret Realm!

At the same time, his footwork shifted, like a petrel weaving through turbulent waves.

Every time the blade aura reached his body, he dodged it by a hair's breadth.

The ice scar sword in his hand was like a butcher carving an ox, always finding the nodes where power flowed and the subtle flaws within that violent blade momentum.

With jabs, stabs, and slashes, he continuously weakened and delayed Zhao Gang's offensive.

Zhao Gang grew increasingly alarmed as he fought.

He felt as if his blade had sunk into invisible mud, restrained everywhere, unable to fully exert his strength.

The opponent's Qi shield was also incredibly strange.

When his blade aura struck it, it was like hitting a slippery loach; most of the force was deflected and neutralized.

Meanwhile, the opponent's sword always attacked from unimaginable angles, impossible to guard against.

"This cannot go on!"

A fierce look flashed in Zhao Gang's eyes.

Risking taking a sword strike from Ye Chen, he poured all his Qi into his blade.

He swept his blade horizontally, the blade aura surging several feet, intending to cut Ye Chen in half!

This was a desperate, life-risking strike!

However, Ye Chen seemed to have anticipated it.

At the moment when Zhao Gang's blade momentum was about to be unleashed—when his old force was spent and his new force had yet to arise—a flash of brilliance sparked in his eyes.

A wisp of invisible "Spirit Stab" that had been lurking and condensing at his brow suddenly launched!

"Soul-Shocking Spike!"

Soundless, shadowless, and formless.

Zhao Gang only felt an extremely sharp, stinging pain suddenly hit the center of his brow, as if a steel needle had ruthlessly pierced into his mind!

He let out a miserable howl, his vision went black, and his mind instantly became dazed.

That desperate, ready-to-strike blade also faltered, and most of the blade aura dissipated.

Now!

Ye Chen's figure was like lightning, surging forward, a gray light flashing on the ice scar sword.

A simple, straightforward stab landed on Zhao Gang's right wrist, which had loosened due to the intense pain in his Divine Soul.

"Clang!"

The heavy-backed mountain-cleaving blade fell from his hand to the ground.

The tip of the ice scar sword stopped right in front of Zhao Gang's throat.

Zhao Gang's face was deathly pale, cold sweat streaming down his forehead; his brow still throbbed with pain, his Divine Soul having suffered significant damage.

He looked at the sword tip at his throat, then at his own blade on the ground, and smiled bitterly.

"I… concede."

"group d, Ye Chen wins!" the referee announced.

Exclamations erupted from the audience again.

Ye Chen had won again!

And he had defeated Zhao Gang, a Peak Third Level of the Wheel Sea Realm expert with rich combat experience!

More importantly, many people hadn't even seen how Ye Chen won.

They only saw Zhao Gang suddenly clutch his head and howl, then his blade dropped.

Only a few with powerful Divine Souls or keen eyesight vaguely sensed a fluctuation of Divine Soul attack, and their gazes toward Ye Chen became even more wary.

"A secret technique for Divine Soul attack! This Ye Chen is actually proficient in this as well!"

"What a devious method! Impossible to guard against!"

"It seems that when he defeated Bai Yu before, it wasn't just relying on sword techniques and strange Qi..."

Ye Chen withdrew his sword, nodded to the dispirited Zhao Gang, and leaped off the ring.

Using "Soul-Shocking Spike" continuously was a significant burden on his Divine Soul, but it was still within his tolerance.

In this battle, he had intentionally exposed part of his trump cards to intimidate other opponents.

Especially... Qin Lie.

He returned to the rest area and looked in the direction where Qin Lie was healing.

Qin Lie also seemed to have just finished adjusting his breath and was looking over coldly, his gaze like a venomous snake.

Clearly, the Divine Soul attack method Ye Chen had just displayed also made him feel threatened.

"The next round is the semi-finals. According to the groupings, if I win, my opponent in the semi-finals will likely be Qin Lie." Ye Chen calculated in his heart.

Qin Lie was injured but his strength remained, and his hostility toward him was deepest; it would surely be a fierce battle.

"Must win!"

Cold light flickered in Ye Chen's eyes.

Not only must he win, he must win beautifully.

Win in a way that makes Golden Flame Peak, and everyone watching him in the dark, shut up completely!

The semi-final matchups were quickly drawn.

Ye Chen's opponent was a female Cultivator at the Early Stage of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

She was from Purple Mist Peak. Her name was Liu Qingqing.

Her "Purple Mist Sword Art" was agile and ethereal, and she had also advanced with consecutive wins.

Qin Lie's opponent was another Disciple at the Peak of the Third Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

Not weak, but clearly unable to pose too much of a threat to the injured Qin Lie.

The match between Ye Chen and Liu Qingqing began first.

Liu Qingqing was dressed in purple, her figure graceful, and her sword art was like flowing clouds on the horizon, hiding killing intent within its beauty.

Her sword moves were not fierce, but extremely fast with tricky angles.

It even carried a wisp of Purple Mist Qi that confused the mind, making it hard for people to track her sword path.

If it were before, Ye Chen might have had to expend some effort.

But now, he practiced the Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

His control over Qi was meticulous, and the Primal Chaos Qi had a natural ability to contain and neutralize that Purple Mist Qi.

Coupled with the deterrence of the "Soul-Shocking Spike" against Divine Soul attacks, Liu Qingqing's many methods were greatly reduced in power before him.

The two exchanged over thirty moves.

Ye Chen spotted a flaw.

With a move of "Ice Fire Overlapping Waves" that fused the "Primal Chaos Breaking Delusion" Concept, he shook away her long sword and lightly tapped the ice scar sword on her Jianjing acupoint.

Liu Qingqing's half-body went numb, her long sword fell from her hand, and she had no choice but to concede.

Ye Chen, advanced to the group d finals!

On the other side, although Qin Lie was injured, his strength was ultimately a cut above.

After a battle that was not too intense, he also defeated his opponent and met Ye Chen in the finals.

group d finals, Ye Chen versus Qin Lie!

One was at the Late Stage of the Second Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, the other at the Peak of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

One was a rising star who had recently become famous with strange methods, the other was a veteran Elite Disciple and a Genius of Golden Flame Peak.

One had long-standing grievances with Golden Flame Peak, the other was filled with murderous intent toward Ye Chen.

This duel, before it even began, had already attracted most of the attention of the entire venue.

Even the matches on other rings seemed to be overshadowed.

"Finally matched up!"

On the viewing platform, in the Golden Flame Peak area, Chen Ao and others gritted their teeth, wishing they could go on stage themselves.

Although Elder Elder Wang He had not arrived, he was surely watching in the dark.

On the Danding Peak side, Zhou Tong and others wore worried expressions.

Although Ye Chen's performance was stunning, Qin Lie's strength was obvious to all; even if injured, he was by no means an easy opponent.

The break time passed quickly.

"group d finals, Ye Chen, versus Qin Lie! Step onto the main ring!"

The referee's voice silenced the noisy scene.

Everyone held their breath and looked toward the largest main ring located at the center of the Heavenly Cloud Platform.

Ye Chen slowly stood up, straightened his robes, gripped the ice scar sword, and walked toward the ring step by step.

His pace was steady, his eyes calm, as if what was about to happen was not a life-and-death battle concerning the Secret Realm quota and his future, but just a casual stroll.

Opposite him, Qin Lie also walked toward the ring surrounded by his companions.

His face was still a bit pale, but his eyes were sinister and fierce, staring fixedly at Ye Chen as if staring at a mortal enemy.

The two stood opposite each other in the center of the ring.

"Little bastard, I didn't expect you to make it here."

Qin Lie's voice was hoarse, carrying undisguised killing intent.

"However, this is the end. I will let you know the consequences of offending Golden Flame Peak. I will crush every bone in your body in front of everyone, cripple your Dantian, and make you crawl off the ring like a dead dog!"

Ye Chen looked at him and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, but it carried a mockery that made Qin Lie extremely uncomfortable.

"Senior Brother Qin, anyone can talk big. I hope your strength is as hard as your mouth. After all, you seem to be quite heavily injured? Don't let your old wounds flare up while fighting later, causing you to vomit blood and fall, that wouldn't look good."

"You are courting death!"

Qin Lie was furious, having been poked in his sore spot by Ye Chen.

The murderous intent in his eyes instantly surged to the extreme.

"The match — begin!"

The moment the referee's voice fell, Qin Lie moved!

He stopped talking nonsense, his figure turning into a red lightning bolt, rushing straight at Ye Chen.

His injured right palm formed a blade with his fingers, carrying scorching flames, stabbing straight at Ye Chen's heart!

As soon as he attacked, it was a lethal move!

He wanted to use the fastest speed and the most ruthless method to completely cripple this kid who had repeatedly embarrassed him and Golden Flame Peak!

Facing this fatal blow that came with anger, Ye Chen's eyes suddenly turned cold.

He fully unleashed his "Phantom Step", his figure drifting backward like a ghost.

At the same time, the ice scar sword drew an arc, and the gray Primal Chaos Qi flowed on the sword body.

"Primal Chaos Guard!"

"Boom!"

The flaming finger-blade struck the gray sword arc, erupting with a muffled, thunderous sound.

Ye Chen felt a scorching, immense force coming through; the sword arc fluctuated violently, and he slid several feet backward using the momentum, his arm slightly numb.

Qin Lie was also shaken to a halt, a flash of astonishment in his eyes.

He felt that his scorching Qi, which had always been invincible, had actually been neutralized and dissolved by more than half upon contacting the opponent's gray sword light!

This kid really was strange!

"Let's see how many strikes you can block!"

Qin Lie shouted sharply, his figure moving again, his palms emitting brilliant red light.

His palm technique unfolded like a violent storm, carrying flames that would burn everything, sweeping toward Ye Chen!

Although he was injured, his cultivation at the Peak of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm and his vigorous Qi were there; the offensive was still incredibly fierce.

Ye Chen pushed his "Phantom Step" and sword technique to the limit, weaving and parrying amidst the sky full of palm shadows.

His Primal Chaos Qi constantly neutralized the erosion of the opponent's blazing flame Qi.

But Qin Lie's power was truly tyrannical; every hard collision made his blood and Qi churn, and his Meridians sting with pain.

The gap in cultivation was undeniable at this moment.

"Ice Fire Wave!"

"Profound Ice Stab · Extreme!"

"Primal Chaos Shatters Delusion!"

Ye Chen pushed his learning to the limit; his sword light was at times like crashing waves, continuous and endless.

At times condensed like a needle, specifically attacking flaws.

At times transforming into a grey sword light, attempting to disintegrate the opponent's offensive.

But Qin Lie was experienced in battle, his defense tight, and his blazing flame Qi was incredibly violent.

For a moment, it was difficult to find a fatal flaw.

The two fought speed with speed on the platform.

Crimson and grey lights collided frantically, energy blasts scattering everywhere.

Blasting shallow pits into the sturdy surface of the platform.

The scene was incredibly intense, making the audience below tremble with fear.

"Ye Chen can actually fight the injured Qin Lie to this extent?!"

"His Qi is so strange; it seems to be able to suppress Qin Lie's flames?"

"But the gap in cultivation is too large. If the battle drags on, Ye Chen will surely lose!"

"Qin Lie's injuries also seem to be affecting him; his attacks aren't as fluid as before."

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged nearly a hundred moves.

Ye Chen had added several burns to his body, blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and his aura began to destabilize.

Although Qin Lie was still fierce, his face was paler, and sweat appeared on his forehead.

Clearly, his injuries and the intense battle were consuming him greatly.

"I cannot drag this out!"

A fierce look flashed in Ye Chen's eyes.

He knew that if he dragged it out any longer, his Qi would be exhausted, and he would surely lose.

He had to use his trump card to decide the outcome in one strike!

He retreated rapidly, putting distance between himself and Qin Lie.

At the same time, he poured the remaining Primal Chaos Qi in his body frantically into the ice scar sword!

On the sword body, the grey light was unprecedentedly dense, faintly forming a miniature, slowly rotating Chaos vortex!

At the same time, at the center of his brow, a wisp of "Spirit Stab" condensed to the extreme and almost invisible, quietly aimed at Qin Lie.

Qin Lie saw Ye Chen retreat and, thinking he was exhausted, gave a grim smile.

"Can't hold on anymore, right? Die!"

He forced himself to hold his breath, ignoring his injuries, and poured all his remaining Qi into his palms. The crimson light surged, like two small suns!

"Crimson Sun Burns Heaven — Double Suns Over the Sky!"

He thrust both palms out, and two crimson fire pillars, more condensed and terrifying than before, roared like two fire Dragons, entwined, carrying the might to burn everything, and blasted towards Ye Chen!

This was his trump card, aimed at killing in one strike!

Facing this destructive double Dragon fire pillar, Ye Chen's eyes were terrifyingly calm.

He did not dodge, nor did he block, but focused all his mental energy on the "Spirit Stab" at his brow and the Chaos vortex at the tip of the ice scar sword.

"Soul-Shocking Spike! Go!"

"Primal Chaos Returns to Void!"

He shouted inwardly, and the "Spirit Stab" at his brow shot out silently, piercing directly into Qin Lie's Divine Soul!

At the same time, he gripped the sword with both hands and thrust it out towards the incoming double Dragon fire pillar!

The Chaos vortex at the sword tip suddenly expanded, like a miniature black hole, carrying the terrifying Concept of devouring, decomposing, and returning to nothingness as it met the attack!

"Hum—!"

There was no loud noise.

The moment the Chaos sword tip touched the double Dragon fire pillar, time seemed to freeze for an instant.

Immediately after, everyone saw a scene they would never forget.

The double Dragon fire pillar, which was enough to burn a Cultivator of the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, the moment it touched the Chaos vortex, was like a clay ox entering the sea, silently sucked in and annihilated by the vortex!

The vortex rotated, like a miniature land of return to void, devouring all energy and matter!

And Qin Lie, the moment the "Spirit Stab" entered his brow, let out a miserable scream, blood flowing from his seven orifices, clutching his head and stumbling back.

The originally violent Qi and the lethal fire pillar instantly lost control and collapsed because his Divine Soul suffered heavy damage!

"No—!"

Qin Lie's eyes were filled with boundless fear and disbelief.

He felt as if his Divine Soul was being pierced and shredded by countless steel needles, his consciousness rapidly blurring.

Even more terrifying was that the opponent's strange Chaos sword light, after devouring his fire pillar, showed no signs of stopping and struck towards his chest!

He wanted to dodge, to block, but his Divine Soul was in excruciating pain, and his body simply wouldn't obey him!

"Puchi!"

The grey, unremarkable Chaos sword light cut into his chest like a red-hot knife through butter, easily breaking through the hastily gathered and already thin protective Qi of Qin Lie, stabbing into his chest!

"Ah—!"

Qin Lie let out one last short scream.

A bowl-sized blood hole was blasted into his chest, blood mixed with broken internal organs spraying out wildly.

His whole body flew backward like a broken sack, crashing heavily onto the edge of the platform dozens of zhang away.

After rolling a few times, he became motionless. Only his body was still twitching slightly, his breath fading; he had clearly suffered a fatal injury.

Silence. A deathly silence enveloped the entire Heavenly Cloud Platform.

Everyone widened their eyes and opened their mouths, looking in disbelief at the figure standing on the platform holding a sword, swaying and bleeding from the corner of his mouth, yet looking like a war god.

Then they looked at the miserable Qin Lie in the distance, whose life or death was unknown.

Ye Chen, at the Second Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, had actually defeated Qin Lie, who was at the Peak of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm! And it was practically an instant kill!

What exactly was that last sword strike? That Chaos vortex, that Sword Intent of returning to the void...

"Ye... Ye Chen, wins! Obtains first place in group d, and a spot in the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm!"

The referee's voice, carrying undisguised trembling, broke the deathly silence.

"Whoa—!!!"

After a brief silence, there was a massive wave of sound like a mountain collapsing and a sea roaring, enough to overturn the entire Heavenly Cloud Platform!

Exclamations, praises, and incredulous screams swept out like a tsunami!

"He won! Ye Chen won!"

"My god! What did I just see?!"

"That sword strike was too terrifying! Even Qin Lie's 'Double Suns Over the Sky' was swallowed?!"

"Ye Chen! Ye Chen! Ye Chen!"

Countless Disciples shouted Ye Chen's name frantically. Especially those Outer Sect and low-level Inner Sect Disciples, their blood was boiling, as if they had won the victory themselves.

Ye Chen defeated the strong with the weak, the inferior overcame the superior, counterattacking against Qin Lie; this was simply a legendary achievement!

The Golden Flame Peak area was deathly silent. Chen Ao and the others were ashen-faced, trembling all over, their gazes towards Ye Chen filled with fear and resentment.

Qin Lie was one of their Golden Flame Peak's trump cards for competing for the spots this time. He was actually crippled by Ye Chen in public! This was simply a huge humiliation!

On the Danding Peak side, Pill Cauldron Peak Deacon Disciple and the others were stunned, then erupted into huge cheers.

Although Elder Li was not present in person, he would surely be satisfied.

Ye Chen leaned on his sword, breathing heavily, his face as pale as paper. That last strike had almost drained all his Qi and Divine Soul power, and his injuries had worsened further.

But he forced himself to stay standing, not falling down. He walked slowly to Qin Lie's side, took a look at his miserable appearance, his eyes cold, without any pity.

He knew that after this battle, his feud with Golden Flame Peak was completely settled. But, so what?

Ye Chen raised his head and looked towards the main viewing platform. There, several figures with deep auras seemed to be watching him as well.

One of them carried approval. Another was as cold as ten-thousand-year ice.

Ye Chen withdrew his gaze. Under the gaze of countless fanatical, awe-struck, and complex looks, he walked down the platform step by step.

Today, the name Ye Chen would truly resound throughout the Inner Sect of the Tianyun Sword Sect! And he had also obtained the spot for the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm.

Next, it was time to make final preparations for the trip to the Secret Realm. As for Golden Flame Peak, and that "Shadow Fiend" hidden in the dark, what should come will come. He was fearless.

The news of Ye Chen defeating Qin Lie, winning first place in group d, and obtaining a spot in the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm, swept through the entire Tianyun Sword Sect like a hurricane, causing an unprecedented sensation.

With the cultivation of the Second Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, he had defeated an Elite Disciple at the Peak of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm head-on. Moreover, the weirdness and dominance displayed by that last sword strike shocked and puzzled countless people, and also made him completely a prominent figure in the Inner Sect.

There were those who praised him, calling him a Genius not seen in a hundred years, a seedling for the future Core or even True Transmission.

There were those who were jealous, thinking he only won by opportunism, relying on his special Cultivation Technique and weird secret techniques.

There were those who questioned him, suspecting whether he had cultivated some forbidden Demonic Technique, or had obtained some unspeakable great Opportunity.

More people held an attitude of watching and curiosity, wanting to see how far this youth who had suddenly emerged could go. But for Ye Chen, the clamor of the outside world had nothing to do with him at this moment.