Cangshi Ridge – Ancient Spirit Realm
Morning mist hung low, and wind swept across the mountainside.
Ye Chen stood at the peak, robes fluttering, unarmed. Yet behind him hovered a faint silver light—his spirit sword, silent and sharp like a predator in wait.
He had been expecting this moment.
The terrain beneath his feet formed a natural kill zone, chosen deliberately. His aura was retracted, his stance like a boulder unmoving.
Soon, a roar of wind broke the silence. A golden streak cut through the forest and descended like lightning.
"Ye Chen!"
A thunderous shout exploded across the ridge. A man in golden armor landed with crushing force, shattering the ground beneath his feet.
It was the Fourth Prince—Ye Chengyu.
He wore ornate battle armor, a massive greatsword on his back. Fiery battle energy surged around him, deep and fierce—far beyond Feng Qi or any previous opponents.
"You finally dared to show yourself," Ye Chen said calmly, eyes steady.
"A cripple is still a cripple." Ye Chengyu sneered, stepping forward. "You think you can face me head-on with that weak little trick of yours?"
Ye Chen's voice was soft. "You're afraid."
"What did you say?"
Ye Chengyu's eyes turned cold. With a stomp, golden energy surged, and a massive blade of condensed aura slashed down from above!
"Try this! Let's see if you can survive one real attack!"
Boom!
The ground split beneath the force. The golden strike screamed toward Ye Chen like a meteor.
Ye Chen didn't retreat. Instead, he stepped forward and lifted a single hand.
"Come."
Buzz—!
The silver-white spirit sword shot forward like a streak of moonlight and collided with the golden energy blade.
Crash!
In an instant, the golden blade shattered into fragments. The spirit sword trembled—but held steady—and shot forward, aiming directly at Ye Chengyu!
"What?!"
Ye Chengyu's face twisted in shock. He raised his sword to block.
Clang!
The spirit sword scraped past, tearing through his shoulder armor and leaving a deep, bloody gash.
"What… kind of sword is that? It cut through my battle aura!"
Ye Chen's voice remained calm. "A spirit sword, born of soul, nourished by intent. It doesn't cut flesh—it severs spirit."
"Your battle energy is stagnant water. My sword intent… is the first cry of thunder."
With a flick of his hand, the spirit sword split into three shadows, arcing from three directions at once.
Ye Chengyu roared. Golden aura burst forth as he swung his greatsword, creating triple energy shields.
But—
The sword shadows flickered.
They passed through the first shield.
Shattered the second.
And slammed into the third.
Slash!
A geyser of blood erupted!
Ye Chengyu flew backward, his chest torn open, and crashed hard into the mountainside. Blood soaked his armor.
Still, he forced himself upright, pale and gasping.
"You're no cripple… What kind of evil arts are you using?!"
Ye Chen walked forward slowly, his gaze like steel.
"Battle energy relies on the body. But I… cultivate essence. I wield Qi. I command the heavens."
"You fight with strength. I fight with will."
"You burn your body. I align with the Dao."
"We do not walk the same path."
Ye Chengyu gritted his teeth and roared. With a final surge of energy, he leapt into the air. "I'll never lose to a freak like you!!"
But before he reached even a dozen feet, the spirit sword flashed—
Thud!
It pierced his abdomen and drove him to the ground.
He lay unconscious, defeated.
Ye Chen stood over him for a moment, then turned away.
His figure, walking alone through the mist, was like a sword unsheathed.
The battle was over.
…
In the royal viewing chamber—
An elder exhaled slowly. "This boy… may one day become the pillar of the Cangyan Kingdom."
Another murmured, "Perhaps… no one can stop him anymore."
King Ye Yao remained silent. Then, in a low voice:
"Let him continue."
…
Meanwhile, deep beneath the mountains of the realm, in a forgotten part of the land—A faint blue light flickered. The mountains trembled.