Chapter 74

"No, it's you who should challenge me."

The man's expression and eyes were filled with extreme disdain. Facing such a look and posture, Yun Che's eyebrows slightly raised, and his eyes became dangerous.

The concept of who challenges whom was naturally not the same. A challenge could only be made by the weak against the strong; losing meant losing, and winning meant replacing the strong. However, when the strong faced the weak, it wasn't called a challenge, but rather bullying.

In just a few short sentences, they were already at odds. The atmosphere in the hall had quietly changed.

"Hehehehe." The man laughed lightly. His figure flickered, and in a few simple steps, he strangely covered several dozen meters, standing in front of Yun Che. His narrowed eyes radiated a cold, indifferent light: "Since that's the case, I'll fulfill your wish. I've stifled countless geniuses, and it seems today, there will be one more."

"Lu... Lu Zhannan!!" When he appeared in the center of the hall, many disciples immediately shouted his name, losing control of their emotions.

"That person... seems to be Lu Lengxue from the Seven Kill Sword Pavilion?"

"That's right! It's him! Yun Che wants to fight him? This... this... the two are not even on the same level! Moreover, this person's nickname 'Lu Lengxue' is not for nothing! Fighting him... does Yun Che not want to live anymore!"

The hall was instantly filled with chaotic whispers, as no one had ever expected these two to face each other. They were, in a sense, people from two different planes... Yun Che was sixteen, while Lu Zhannan was already eighteen! After thirty, a few years' age difference was no problem, as at that age, the accumulation of mystic power was secondary, and the key was talent. With enough talent, one could break through to True Mystic and Spirit Mystic realms; with insufficient talent, one might be stuck at the True Mystic bottleneck for life.

But before twenty, it was the critical period for accumulating mystic power. Even a half-year difference could result in a significant gap in mystic power. For example, a first-level Mystic Realm at sixteen was considered a good talent among the young generation in New Moon City, but there were plenty of such cases. However, a first-level Mystic Realm at fifteen was a top-tier genius, with no more than five in the entire New Moon City. The saying that "a year's difference before twenty is like a step in the sky" was not an exaggeration.

Therefore, before twenty, competitions were generally between people of the same age, otherwise, it would be extremely unfair.

Yun Che and Lu Zhannan had a two-year age gap! And Lu Zhannan's mystic power was as high as the seventh level of the Mystic Realm! In terms of both age and mystic power, they were like people from two different realms! Their confrontation could not be called a "competition," but rather a one-sided suppression!

Given the age difference, even if Lu Zhannan had the thickest skin, he wouldn't take the initiative to step up. However, it was clear that Yun Che was the one who wanted to fight Lu Zhannan, which was a different matter. If Lu Zhannan didn't accept the challenge, wouldn't it mean he was afraid of Yun Che!

In everyone's view... Yun Che defeating Xuan Yu, Yan Ming, and Feng Guangyi was impressive, and defeating Tie Hengjun was impressively abnormal. But challenging an eighteen-year-old, seventh-level Mystic Realm Lu Zhannan... this was purely asking for punishment after being full!

A first-level Mystic Realm against a seventh-level Mystic Realm, a difference of almost half a realm! This was a huge gap that was almost impossible to make up by any means. How could he fight?

The disciples from the Seven Sects were all gloating. Challenging Lu Zhannan? It was simply courting death! Lu Zhannan's nickname was "Lu Lengxue," with a cold and ruthless heart. In battle, he would definitely draw blood. Yun Che fighting him, losing was secondary, but losing an arm or a hand would be the least of it.

The elders of the New Moon Mystic Mansion were all greatly alarmed. They knew what kind of person Lu Zhannan was. If Yun Che fought him, he might be crippled by Lu Zhannan, and the New Moon Mystic Mansion would lose a once-in-a-century genius. Sikong Han quickly signaled to Lan Xueruo, but before he could transmit a message to her, Lan Xueruo had already stood up and quickly blocked in front of Yun Che, saying, "Junior Brother Yun, let me handle this battle. He is two years older than you, and it's not suitable for you to spar with him."

Yun Che shook his head, his face full of confidence: "No need, I can handle this kind of person without Senior Sister's help. Although I am two years younger, it's more than enough."

Originally, if Lan Xueruo had stepped up, the disciples of the Seven Sects would have secretly lamented. If Yun Che had withdrawn at this point, no one could say anything. Lan Xueruo, at eighteen, was the perfect match for Lu Zhannan. But unexpectedly, Yun Che was stubborn and insisted on fighting Lu Zhannan himself. This made many disciples of the Seven Sects burst out laughing.

Lan Xueruo was stunned and said anxiously, "Junior Brother Yun! Don't act on impulse. This person has seventh-level Mystic Realm mystic power and a ruthless mind. He's not someone you can handle. Let me do it."

Yun Che still shook his head, a smile appearing on his face: "Thank you, Senior Sister, but don't worry. Since I have become a disciple of the New Moon Mystic Mansion, I won't bring shame to it."

Yun Che's smile had a mysterious infectious quality. Seeing his determination, Lan Xueruo could no longer say anything, only sighing inwardly and looking at him with a complex gaze, warning him, "If you lose this match, it won't bring shame to the New Moon Mystic Mansion. So, no matter what, protect yourself... this person's nickname is Cold Blood. He might even kill in front of the Mansion Lord, so be careful! If it comes to it, admitting defeat isn't shameful!"

Yun Che nodded slightly at Lan Xueruo. Lan Xueruo stepped back two steps and reluctantly returned to her seat. Xia Yuanba's heart was already pounding. Although he had only been in New Moon City for half a year, he had heard of Lu Lengxue's name.

"I admire your personality, completely unmasked arrogance and pride." Lu Zhannan said coolly, his voice low and cold: "Unfortunately, you're a bit too arrogant. People like you usually die young."

"Enough talk, state your name." Yun Che said expressionlessly.

"Name?" Lu Zhannan raised his head slightly, his narrow eyes full of cold, disdainful mockery: "You... don't deserve to know."

"Alright, I take back what I said." Yun Che shrugged: "I'm no longer interested in your name, because you are just an ordinary stepping stone on my life's path. I have no interest in knowing the name of a stepping stone."

"Hehe, this might be the last time you speak with such confidence in your life." Lu Zhannan smiled faintly, feeling that the arrogant youth in front of him was not only boundlessly arrogant but also incredibly foolish and arrogant.

"It seems this Yun Che is already finished. I can sense that Lu Zhannan has already been provoked." The middle-aged man from the outer sect of the Xiao Sect shook his head.

"Lu Zhannan is already ruthless and cruel, and he has been provoked in every way. How could he not use his full strength?" Xiao Luocheng smiled and shook his head, whispering: "Seeing him defeat Tie Hengjun, I originally wanted to step up and crush him, to show him what a true genius is. But now, it seems I don't need to."

The middle-aged man hurriedly said, "What kind of status and strength does the Young Sect Lord have! This arrogant youth doesn't deserve the Young Sect Lord to personally step up."

Xiao Luocheng smiled warmly and said no more.

"I must admit, your arrogance has successfully made me want to destroy you. Enjoy the last few seconds of having a complete body, heh..." Lu Zhannan's right hand touched his left, and a nearly four-foot-long sword was already in his hand. A sinister smile appeared on his lips, and his body suddenly burst into motion, transforming into a black shadow in the center of the hall. In a whirlwind of sound, he instantly moved within three steps of Yun Che.

"The Seven Kill Sword Pavilion's mystic technique... Storm Cloud Flow!"

"Clang~~~"

As Lu Zhannan moved like a storm, a heart-shaking sound of a blade vibrating came from the sword in his right hand. In the next instant, Lu Zhannan's sword flashed like lightning... that sword light was like a sudden, raging bolt of lightning, so fast that one could only catch a glimpse of the blinding cold light.

"It's Lightning Flash! Senior Brother Lu actually started with this move, it seems he wants to cripple this arrogant youth in one strike!" a disciple of the Seven Kill Sword Pavilion exclaimed.

"That's right. If Senior Brother Lu lets this youth last three moves, he wouldn't be Senior Brother Lu." Another disciple of the Seven Kill Sword Pavilion said matter-of-factly.

This elegant strike was incredibly fast, and the thin blade was infused with Lu Zhannan's powerful mystic power, making the sword's momentum almost unimaginably strong. This strike could be said to be flawless. The Seven Kill Sword Pavilion was famous for its "swift sword," and in Lu Zhannan, the "swift sword" was perfectly embodied.

Rip!!

"Ahhh!!!"

The sharp sound of the air being torn apart rang out. This lightning-fast strike, amidst the shocked cries of the New Moon Mystic Mansion disciples, directly pierced through Yun Che's figure, passing through his body with the sword...

But unfortunately, it was just an afterimage.

"Actually... dodged? How is that possible?" The disciples of the Seven Kill Sword Pavilion exclaimed in shock. Lu Zhannan's "Lightning Flash" just now was performed flawlessly. None of the disciples who came with him were confident they could achieve the same level. The speed of that strike was almost earth-shattering, and even with preparation, it would be extremely difficult to avoid. And Yun Che, who was fighting a disciple of the Seven Kill Sword Pavilion for the first time, should have been completely unfamiliar with their sword techniques and unprepared... yet he managed to dodge!

"He actually dodged!" The elders of the New Moon Mystic Mansion were also greatly surprised, with two of them standing up from their seats in excitement. This Yun Che not only had an incomprehensible amount of mystic power and a mysterious and strange mystic technique, but his reaction speed was also astonishing.

"So fast!" Yun Che's brows furrowed slightly. If not for his fully open mystic gates, allowing him to mobilize mystic power and activate the Star God's Shadow at the fastest speed, he might not have been able to dodge that lightning-fast strike.