109: The competition begins

Yun Mu, having been called out in public, was currently cursing Lu Yi's ancestors for eighteen generations in his heart.

"Damn it! I just want to lay low and develop, just want to sneakily get a spot, why do you have to keep targeting me?!"

Yun Mu roared frantically in his heart, but on his face, he had to struggle to maintain that terrified look of a "frightened Junior Sister."

He knew well the principle that "the bird that sticks its head out gets shot."

Although he possessed the combat experience of the Heaven-Reaching Realm from his past life, if it really came to a fight, he feared no one within the same Realm.

But the problem was, at this critical juncture, it was definitely not a good time to stand out!

However, Luo Qingcheng, on the high platform, looked down at this somewhat "battle-shy" Disciple, her brows slightly furrowed.

If it were any other time, she might not have had anything to say. But today was different.

The Hehuan Sect had already put the word out, explicitly naming you to offer "instruction." If Yaochi were to avoid the fight now, wouldn't it spread that her Yaochi Holy Land had no one capable?

For Luo Qingcheng, who valued the reputation of the Sect above all else, this was absolutely intolerable!

Luo Qingcheng spoke immediately, her voice laced with unquestionable authority: "Since the Saint Son of Taichu has named you to offer instruction, it is your good fortune! It is your blessing!"

"As a Disciple of Yaochi, enjoying the Sect's resources, you should naturally contribute to the Sect at critical moments!"

Her gaze was like lightning, piercing straight at Yun Mu: "Get on the stage immediately! Regardless of victory or defeat, you must display the backbone of a Yaochi Disciple! Do not tarnish the prestige of Yaochi!"

"..." Yun Mu knelt on the ground, listening to this righteous reprimand, feeling even worse than if he had swallowed a fly.

Good fortune? A blessing? Would you want this blessing if I gave it to you?!

He gnashed his teeth in hatred, but he also knew he had no way out. If he dared to refuse again, he feared that before Lu Yi could even act, this Sect Master would handle him herself.

"Yes... this Disciple obeys." Yun Mu could only grit his teeth and steel himself to accept.

However, the moment his feet truly stepped onto the arena, Yun Mu, who had been keeping his head low, suddenly lifted it.

The weakness and fear in his eyes vanished, replaced by a touch of determination and ruthlessness.

"Since I can't hide, I can only fight!" "Want to see me make a fool of myself?" "Hmph! Then let me show you that even if I, Yun Mu, am a tiger fallen to the plains, I am not a soft persimmon that anyone can just squeeze!"

To ensure his transformation didn't seem too abrupt, and to regain a little face.

Yun Mu deliberately puffed out his slightly slender chest, raised his voice toward Lu Yi offstage, and let out a crisp, feminine shout:

"Since Young Master insists on fighting, then Mu Yun will be offended!" "However, let me state the ugly truth in advance: fists and kicks have no eyes, and blades have no mercy! If you get hurt later, don't blame this young woman for not knowing etiquette or for striking too hard!"

Even though these harsh words were spoken in a female voice, the confidence and provocation contained within were genuine.

The members of the Hehuan Sect offstage couldn't help but sneer upon hearing this. Simply ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!

However, the playful look in Lu Yi's eyes deepened. "Interesting. Finally unable to resist showing your claws?"

Facing Yun Mu's provocation, Lu Yi took a step. "Swish!"

There was not the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy, nor any trace of movement technique. His figure was like a teleportation, directly crossing dozens of zhang, appearing out of thin air on the arena, standing opposite Yun Mu.

He looked at the battle-ready Yun Mu opposite him with a smile, speaking in a relaxed tone:

"Junior Sister is right, fists and kicks have no eyes. I am also worried that those Disciples might not know their own strength and hurt Junior Sister. So..." He smiled slightly, revealing a row of stark white teeth: "I have decided to personally accompany Junior Sister... and have some fun!"

Before the words had even faded, a terrifying fluctuation of spiritual energy erupted from his body without reservation!

The Disciples offstage who had been watching the fun, standing a bit closer, instantly turned pale as paper. "This... this aura... Undying Realm?!"

The Elders of Yaochi on the viewing platform were filled with shock and disbelief. "How is this possible?! How old is he?! Bone age is only just over twenty, yet he has already stepped into the Undying Realm?! This is too much of a Prodigy!"

Even Sect Master Luo Qingcheng, who had always maintained a calm expression, had a flash of undisguised shock in her calm eyes.

"That old monster, the Taichu Old Ancestor... what kind of Prodigy has he raised..."

She turned to look at her own Saintess, Chu Qianqian, who had just stepped into the Cave Heaven Realm and was already hailed as a Genius. Then she looked at Lu Yi on the stage. A deep sense of powerlessness arose in her heart. This gap... was simply too large.

At this very moment, Yun Mu, who was at the center of this terrifying Spiritual Pressure, felt as if the sky had collapsed! The Spiritual Pressure of the Undying Realm made it difficult for him to breathe!

"In... Undying Realm?!" Yun Mu widened his eyes, looking at the man opposite him who was still smiling, roaring frantically in his heart: "Is this a joke?! How old is he? How can he be in the Undying Realm?! Where the hell did this guy pop out from?!"

Deep despair enveloped Yun Mu's heart.

At the same time, Luo Qingcheng's cold and authoritative voice rang out from the high platform at the perfect moment, breaking the suffocating repression:

"Holy Son Lu. Since this is a sparring match, it should be fair. According to the rules of the Yaochi Immortal Realm slot competition, if the Realms of both sides are vastly different, the one with the higher Realm must suppress their cultivation to the same Realm as their opponent to proceed with the competition. Otherwise, this competition would be meaningless."

To Yun Mu's ears, this voice sounded like the music of the heavens!

Yun Mu suddenly lifted his head, and in his eyes, which had been dead gray, a raging fire of hope instantly ignited!

"Haha! I almost forgot about that! As long as we are in the same Realm, who has Yun Mu ever feared?! Within the same Realm, I am invincible! As long as you dare to suppress your Realm, I can grind you into the dirt!"

He stared fixedly at Lu Yi, already imagining how he would trample this arrogant guy under his feet and humiliate him later.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi did not show any dissatisfaction or rebuttal. He glanced at Yun Mu, whose fighting spirit had been reignited, and nodded readily: "The Sect Master is right. Since I am accompanying Junior Sister for some fun, we should naturally strive for fairness."

Having said that, he moved his mind. "Hum..." One could see the terrifying Spiritual Pressure around him beginning to recede rapidly. The Star Immortal Power within his body was sealed layer by layer, and his aura continuously dropped.

Undying Realm... Guiyi Realm... Cave Heaven Realm... Finally, his aura stabilized at exactly the same level as Yun Mu's—Cave Heaven Realm Early Stage!

Feeling the change in Lu Yi's aura, Yun Mu felt the pressure on his body suddenly lighten. He straightened his back, stretched his hands and feet, and felt his whole body filled with strength.

"Holy Son Lu, truly refreshing!" Yun Mu immediately assumed an extremely profound starting stance, his spiritual energy surging, and shouted with high Battle Intent: "Yaochi Disciple Mu Yun, please offer your instruction!"

On the high platform, seeing this, Luo Qingcheng did not hesitate any longer. She waved her hand, sending out a beam of spiritual light that struck the bronze bell beside her. A cold and solemn voice resounded throughout the entire venue: "The competition, begins!"