Chapter 72

After Yun Che called out, more than ten breaths of time passed, and no one from the Seven Sects responded, making the situation extremely awkward. Yun Che's gaze gradually became mocking. At this moment, a young man from the Fentian Sect's outer gate could no longer hold back and was about to stand up, but he was pulled back by someone beside him, who whispered, "What are you doing? Your strength is on par with Feng Guangyi. Do you want to embarrass our Fentian Sect?"

"Damn, this kid is too arrogant!" The young man gritted his teeth in frustration. "If Young Sect Master Ziluan were here, he would definitely teach him a lesson that even his mother wouldn't recognize him."

The Ziluan he mentioned was the son of the Fentian Sect's outer gate master, the number one genius of the younger generation. Although he couldn't compare to Xiao Luocheng, at the age of sixteen, he had already reached the Seventh Level of the Profound Realm, and was just one step away from the Eighth Level. Among the younger generation in Crescent Moon City, he was second only to Xiao Luocheng.

At this moment, a young man with a resolute face slowly walked out from the Iron Spear Sect. His age seemed similar to Yun Che's, but he didn't give off any sense of immaturity; instead, he had a steadiness that didn't match his age. He stood in front of Yun Che, nodded slightly, and said calmly, "I am Tie Hengjun from the Iron Spear Sect, seventeen years old. I have no right to challenge you. But just now, I saw you defeat strong enemies one after another, and in your arrogance, there was a hint of a king's demeanor. I admire you, so I want to spar with you... This is purely out of admiration, with no other intentions. If you think I am too old and not qualified to fight you in this setting, you can refuse, and I will not persist."

"Wow!! That's the young master of the Iron Spear Sect! He actually came out this time!"

"I heard three months ago that he was at the Fourth Level of the Profound Realm! His mastery of the spear is already at a divine level! Defeating opponents one or two levels higher than him is no problem at all."

When Tie Hengjun appeared, almost no one in the hall, from disciples to elders, didn't recognize him. The young master of the Iron Spear Sect had a reputation, influence, and even status in Crescent Moon City that was no less than that of the city lord. His strength was also undeniable. Although being at the Fourth Level of the Profound Realm at seventeen was only considered top-tier, not the best, in the Seven Sects, the Iron Spear Sect valued spear mastery more than the level of Profound Energy! The average Profound Energy level of the Iron Spear Sect was the lowest among the Seven Sects, but their overall strength was in the middle.

"Tie Hengjun actually came out. Defeating this Yun Che would be easy for him. But since he is already seventeen, winning would be expected and wouldn't be satisfying at all," a disciple of the Profound Heart Sect said.

"It is a bit bullying, but if Tie Hengjun deliberately breaks his limbs or something, hehe, that would be nice. I can't stand Yun Che's arrogant face," another person said with hatred.

The people from the Crescent Moon Profound Mansion also wondered if Tie Hengjun might use the excuse of a "simple sparring" to harm Yun Che, preventing him from continuing to challenge. After all, with his status as the young master of the Iron Spear Sect and his Fourth Level of the Profound Realm, he could definitely do it. Immediately, several seventeen-year-old disciples of the Crescent Moon Profound Mansion clenched their fists, eager to step forward and use their age as a reason to stop Tie Hengjun, but considering his status and strength, none of them dared to step forward.

From Tie Hengjun's face and eyes, Yun Che saw a desire and sincerity, with no other impurities. He was slightly surprised, realizing that not all disciples of the Seven Sects were arrogant. Tie Hengjun, despite his young age, exuded a resolute and steady demeanor, and his upright and proud spirit was admirable, not arrogant.

Yun Che's performance earlier had earned his admiration, and he was also eager to spar with him. Yun Che smiled slightly and said, "Brother Tie, you are already showing me great respect by challenging me, a nobody, as the young master of the Iron Spear Sect, regardless of others' opinions. It is a great honor to have you as my opponent. Let's begin, then."

After saying this, Yun Che took a half-step back and raised his right arm.

Tie Hengjun was taken aback, completely not expecting Yun Che, who had been arrogantly overconfident, to show such respect. He felt a warmth in his heart and a slight smile appeared on his face: "Since that's the case, I will spar with Brother Yun! Brother Yun, you have already fought three battles, and your Profound Energy must be somewhat depleted. Although our sparring doesn't matter in terms of winning or losing, starting now would be unfair to you. How about..."

"No need," Yun Che shook his head and smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Brother Tie, but don't worry. Although I fought three battles, they were all decided in an instant, and my Profound Energy hasn't been consumed much. So there's no need to rest. I will face Brother Tie at my best."

Tie Hengjun did not insist, nodded, and touched his spatial ring, pulling out a silver spear as long as his body, pointing it diagonally at the ground. "This spear is called 'Piercing Cloud,' a hereditary Profound Artifact, and my beloved spear that I never part with. I will use my Piercing Cloud to challenge Brother Yun. Brother Yun, draw your weapon."

Yun Che shook his head slightly. "No need, I will fight Brother Tie bare-handed."

Tie Hengjun was taken aback, then nodded slightly. "Brother Yun is indeed proud. Since that's the case..."

"Brother Tie misunderstood," Yun Che quickly said. "It's not that I disdain using a weapon against Brother Tie, but I have never practiced with a weapon. My weapon has always been my hands. If I were to use a weapon, it would only hinder me and make me feel out of place."

Yun Che's personality was such that if someone respected him, he would respect them even more, and if someone offended him, he would retaliate. Tie Hengjun's sincerity and respect towards him naturally earned his respect and politeness in return.

Tie Hengjun looked deeply at Yun Che, then laughed heartily. "Hahaha! So Brother Yun is not the arrogant and overconfident person he appeared to be. Excellent. This sparring will surely be exciting. Brother Yun, be careful, my Piercing Cloud has never been defeated by anyone younger than me!"

"Brother Tie, be careful too!" Yun Che slowly extended his hand, activating the first realm of the Evil God Art—Evil Soul! Facing Tie Hengjun, who far surpassed Feng Guangyi and Yan Ming, he had to maintain the "Evil Soul" state to have any chance of winning. This was also a sign of respect for Tie Hengjun.

"Since that's the case, receive my spear!!"

Tie Hengjun roared, his Profound Energy surging, and the Piercing Cloud spear lunged at Yun Che. His movements didn't seem fast, but the spear tip was like a bolt of lightning, piercing through the air with immense force and reaching Yun Che in an instant, splitting the surrounding air and creating ripples.

Yun Che's pupils slightly contracted, and he retreated sideways, narrowly avoiding it. Just as he was about to counterattack, a dangerous gust of wind came from his left side...

Generally, the more powerful the spear's momentum, the slower the retraction and the greater the vulnerability. But Tie Hengjun's Piercing Cloud, after missing, suddenly swept horizontally, catching Yun Che off guard. He quickly pulled back his hands, crossing his wrists at his waist, and braced himself.

Bang!!

The moment his wrists blocked the spear, a fierce shockwave from the spear forced him to retreat three steps, and his protective Profound Energy almost shattered.

"Excellent spear momentum! Excellent spear technique!" Yun Che couldn't help but exclaim. Despite his young age, Tie Hengjun's mastery of the spear was already at a master level.

"Dragon Piercing the Clouds!"

Tie Hengjun's Piercing Cloud swept out again, creating a large area of spear shadows, forcing Yun Che back. The spear, the king of all weapons, with its overwhelming momentum, was unmatched by any other weapon, and once mastered, it could prevent the enemy from even getting close, let alone counterattacking.

"Dragon Probing the Depths!"

"Fire Meteor!"

"Roaring Sea!"

...

With each spear thrust, Tie Hengjun roared, and for a moment, everyone's eyes were filled with his spear shadows. The overwhelming spear momentum forced Yun Che back step by step.

"Sweeping a Thousand Armies!"

Tie Hengjun leaped five zhang, and the Piercing Cloud swept through the air towards Yun Che. Five zhang away, the overwhelming momentum almost made Yun Che unable to open his eyes. After several spear thrusts, Tie Hengjun had forced Yun Che to the edge of the hall. This time, Yun Che had no way to avoid it. He raised his head and suddenly roared, forcefully colliding his arm with Tie Hengjun's Piercing Cloud.

"Ah!" More than half of the Crescent Moon Profound Mansion disciples exclaimed in shock.

Yun Che's Profound Energy could defeat a Third Level Profound Realm opponent, but Tie Hengjun's spear contained not just Profound Energy but also an overwhelming spear momentum. How could he block it with his arm when the spear's momentum was at its peak?

Tie Hengjun's spear and Yun Che's arm touched, but there was no loud collision. Yun Che's arm suddenly deflected at the moment of impact, using the remaining momentum of the Piercing Cloud to change its trajectory and completely neutralize its force. He then quickly attacked, aiming for Tie Hengjun's chest.

Tie Hengjun quickly retracted his spear, but in the rush, he couldn't gather the spear's momentum and was easily pushed back by Yun Che. However, he remained calm, roared, and the Piercing Cloud swept up in a beautiful silver arc, not with overwhelming force but like a silver snake, aiming for Yun Che's throat at an unusual angle.

Yun Che's breath caught, and he used the Star God Shadow technique to flash backward, simultaneously striking the spear shaft, forcing Tie Hengjun back several steps.

Tie Hengjun and Yun Che, now a certain distance apart, did not immediately engage again, and the entire hall fell silent.

Although the exchange was brief, Tie Hengjun's spear, sometimes like a storm and sometimes like a snake, and his astonishing mastery of the spear, left everyone in awe. Such skill in a seventeen-year-old was truly remarkable. Those of the same age and level as Tie Hengjun were all shocked and had to admit that although they were at the same level, they could never be his match.

Even Tie Hengjun's father, Tie Zhanchang, nodded silently, a satisfied smile on his face.

The most shocking thing was that after several exchanges, Yun Che was completely unharmed and seemed to be on par with Tie Hengjun! This left everyone in shock, some with their mouths wide open, unable to close them.

"Seems like sparring with Brother Yun was the right choice," Tie Hengjun shook his Piercing Cloud, his resolute face showing excitement.

"Likewise," Yun Che smiled slightly, his voice carrying a hint of warning. "Brother Tie, be careful from now on!"

Tie Hengjun's spear technique was almost flawless, making it difficult to find any weaknesses. The best way to defeat him in the shortest time was to use overwhelming force to break his spear momentum.

Yun Che's eyes narrowed, and in the "Evil Soul" state, the violent Profound Energy in his meridians surged into his arms.