Gu Chen's roar shook the air as his true Qi surged, causing onlookers to stagger backward.
"Impressive. Gu Chen has broken through to Posterior Heaven Realm, sixth stage mid-tier!" gasped a spectator, his voice trembling.
In Wutang City, few youths in their prime could boast such cultivation. A boy achieving this level left most in the crowd humbled.
"At the Chongyang Sect trials, Gu Chen will surely rank among the top thirty in Dahong Prefecture!"
Dahong Prefecture, one of Black Dragon Kingdom's ten provinces, housed over a hundred cities like Wutang. Tens of thousands of youths would compete for the sect's trials, with only the top hundred advancing. A top thirty ranking was extraordinary.
"With his talent, even after the Vein-Purifying Pool, he might break into the top ten. Such a prodigy!"
Xiao Ye frowned. To rank in the top thirty of Dahong Prefecture with Posterior Heaven Realm, sixth stage… The pressure mounted. To secure the pool's energy for breakthroughs and reclaim his honor against Zhao Qian, this wouldn't be easy.
Vein-Purifying Pool… don't let me down.
The Challenge
Gu Chen's gaze locked onto Xiao Ye. "You dare meet me? I'll crush you with one strike!"
"Scared?" Xiao Ye stepped forward, voice steady. "You lack the right to fear me."
He'd learned Gu Chen's cultivation: a nine-meridian technique, same as the Mixed Origin Skill. A prodigy who'd reached Posterior Heaven Realm, sixth stage at sixteen—impressive, but Xiao Ye's twelve-meridian Tianluo Skill outmatched him.
"Prove it," Xiao Ye challenged.
The Bet
Gu Chen smirked. "One strike. If I can't defeat you, I lose."
The crowd erupted. Unthinkable! A fifteen-year-old dares to gamble his life on a single move?
Suo Ying's face paled. He's only Posterior Heaven Realm, fifth stage mid-tier…
But Xiao Ye remained calm. He'd studied Gu Chen's records. The prodigy's strength came from refined techniques, not raw power.
The Clash
Gu Chen unleashed his Mountain-Cracking Fist, a second-tier combat skill. The ground cracked under the force.
Xiao Ye countered with a first-tier palm strike.
Boom!
Dust billowed. When it cleared, Gu Chen staggered backward, feet leaving the marked circle. Xiao Ye stood unshaken, half a step inside the boundary.
"He… he actually held his ground!"
The crowd fell silent. A single strike had reversed the odds.
The Aftermath
Gu Chen's face twisted with rage. "I'll kill you!"
"Arrogant fool," Xiao Ye jeered. "Losing to me, yet you cling to your pride?"
Gu Chen's father, Gu Chuchen, intervened. "Enough! Focus on the Vein-Purifying Pool."
Xiao Ye turned to Su Ying, who stared at him with wide eyes. He's stronger than I imagined…
Later, Su Meng warned Xiao Ye: "Gu Chen's eighteen Qi vortices. Stay out of his ten-meter range during the pool trial."
Xiao Ye smiled faintly. If he dares approach, he'll regret it.