Chapter 146: Formidable Enemy [Please Subscribe]

Upon seeing the Dragon-Snake Sword, the look in Feng Ye’s eyes toward Yang Xiao changed dramatically. Top-tier spirit treasures were rarely ever in the possession of Qi Condensation realm cultivators. Yet now, Yang Xiao, a mere mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, actually wielded a top-tier spirit treasure—how could this fail to fill Feng Ye with suspicion?

"Since the first round has ended in a draw, let us begin the third match," Feng Ye said inquiringly. "Brother Linke, is this the external helper your side intends to send into the arena?"

"Indeed, the third match will still be contested by young friend Yang Xiao," Linke replied with certainty.

"Very well. Then our clan shall dispatch an outsider as well. This Bu Yun is a member of the Bu clan who has recently pledged allegiance to our Feng clan, so I will send him forth to do battle," Feng Ye stated. He seemed to have altered his original plan; instead of dispatching a disciple of his own bloodline, he sent out Bu Yun, who had been standing by his side.

With a flick of his wrist, a large square seal materialized in Feng Ye’s hand. Handing the seal solemnly to Bu Yun, he instructed, "This magical artifact of mine, the Emperor's Heaven Seal, has accompanied me for many years. I now temporarily entrust it to your hands. Bu Yun, you understand the gravity of this trial, so there must be no room for error."

"Bu Yun obeys. I shall not fail the elder's high expectations," Bu Yun replied solemnly as he received the Emperor's Heaven Seal.

"Good. Then take your place in the arena," Feng Ye nodded and said.

Without delay, Bu Yun stepped into the arena, standing face-to-face in a standoff against Yang Xiao.

As Bu Yun entered, Feng Shen and Feng Yi, who had previously been in the arena, retreated. Feng Shen resumed his position beside Feng Ye, while Feng Yi lowered his head in shame and walked to a spot somewhat further away from Feng Ye, naturally fearing the elder's wrath.

Naturally, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Feng Ye could not throw a temper tantrum on the spot. However, after this matter concluded, Feng Yi would undoubtedly lose much of his favor and importance—though that was a story for another time.

"Grandfather, why did you send Bu Yun instead of me? Our cultivation levels are virtually identical. Am I truly incapable of dealing with that fellow named Yang Xiao? With Grandfather's Emperor's Heaven Seal, even an opponent of the exact same rank could be utterly defeated, let alone a low-level brat like him. I could have flattened him with a mere wave of my hand," Feng Shen muttered by Feng Ye's side, clearly dissatisfied with the arrangement.

"Feng Shen, if you still underestimate Yang Xiao at this stage, you are gravely mistaken. His abilities are far from simple. The mere fact that he can produce a treasure of the top-tier spirit treasure level grants him ample qualification to battle a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator. Coupled with his quite formidable cultivation techniques, securing a swift victory is clearly no easy task. Had I known this earlier, I should have listened to your suggestion and eliminated him back then. That way, we wouldn't be facing today's trouble," Feng Ye said, sounding somewhat regretful.

"Is that brat truly so difficult to deal with? With Grandfather's treasure in my hands, could I really not crush him?" Feng Shen questioned.

"It is not that you couldn't, but rather that it would pose some difficulty. In terms of sheer power, his sword is likely inferior to my Emperor's Heaven Seal by no margin, though his cultivation is slightly lacking. You would still have a certain chance of winning," Feng Ye mused.

"Does that sword truly possess such terrifying might? To be a match for the Emperor's Heaven Seal, which Grandfather has nurtured for centuries—isn't that simply incredible? Furthermore, if I could win, why not let me go instead of Bu Yun?" Feng Shen asked, full of doubt.

"The might of Yang Xiao's sword is indeed formidable; the spiritual fluctuations radiating from it are not the least bit inferior to my Emperor's Heaven Seal, and it may even be slightly stronger. I truly wonder how such a treasure was forged. The person who crafted it is clearly no ordinary individual—their artifact-refining mastery is likely far superior to that of our ancestor Linlang. With such a sword in hand, Yang Xiao naturally holds a massive advantage. Under those circumstances, even if you could defeat him, it would not be an easy feat. That is why I sent Bu Yun. On the surface, Bu Yun's cultivation is the same as yours—both at the late-stage Qi Condensation—but ordinary people cannot perceive the truth: his strength is heavily concealed. In other words, compared to you, Bu Yun is far more powerful in actual combat prowess. Sending him gives us a much greater certainty of victory," Feng Ye explained.

"So that's how it is." Feng Shen naturally trusted Feng Ye's judgment of people, so he saw no need to argue further. He turned his gaze back toward the arena.

By now, Yang Xiao and Bu Yun had already locked in combat.

Once again, Yang Xiao unleashed his illusionary divine abilities. Seven or eight superimposed illusions bloomed with formidable might, enveloping Bu Yun within their grasp.

Naturally, Yang Xiao hoped that if the illusions successfully trapped the enemy, he could secure an easy victory and spare himself the trouble of resorting to other methods. However, his plan was destined to fall through.

Bu Yun's combat experience was exceptionally rich. The moment he was trapped by the illusions, he immediately erected a protective barrier of light around his body. This barrier was extremely peculiar, displaying shell-like patterns that flowed and solidified into an immensely sturdy defense, radiating formidable protective power.

Unlike when he trapped Feng Yi and stood outside the illusionary array without moving a muscle, Yang Xiao launched a proactive assault the instant Bu Yun was enveloped. With a single punch, multiple fist shadows hurtled toward the vulnerable spots on Bu Yun's body. At that moment, Bu Yun's protective barrier had not yet fully formed. However, the barrier solidified with astonishing speed; by the time Yang Xiao's fist shadows struck, the flowing light on the barrier instantly dissolved the majority of the impact force. Furthermore, Bu Yun reacted almost instinctively, throwing a punch of his own that similarly generated multiple fist shadows, directly colliding with Yang Xiao's attack. With a thunderous crash, the opposing fist shadows slammed into one another and completely dissipated into thin air.

"As expected, I've encountered a formidable enemy." Yang Xiao had long since sensed that Bu Yun was extraordinary. Judging by how effortlessly the man had neutralized his attack within the illusionary array, he knew that defeating Bu Yun would by no means be an easy task.

From the very first moment he laid eyes on Bu Yun, Yang Xiao had sensed that this person was unfathomable. Now, reality had proven his intuition correct. A fierce battle was inevitable, and he dared not harbor the slightest bit of complacency simply because he had temporarily trapped his opponent. (To be continued.)