Myriad Dragon Divine Sovereign

All the crowd heard was a BOOM as the void trembled. A massive current of Fist Qi roared as it tore through the air, rushing toward Huang Youwen. The air ruptured and roiled in its path, leaving a visible trail of turbulence.

’Such powerful Fist Force!’

Huang Youwen jumped in shock. He couldn’t believe this perpetually calm and composed young man was so ferocious. This Fist Force alone proved that his physical strength was at least on par with his own, if not greater.

BOOM!

A violent roar echoed as the void trembled and Powerful Qi radiated outward.

Wen Qingye had met Huang Youwen’s first move head-on, shattering it completely. Both attacks dissipated into nothing.

”The Long River Shines on the Great River!”

Huang Youwen knew he had to win quickly and give Wen Qingye no chance to catch his breath. He immediately leaped forward, closing the distance in great strides until he was within thirty feet of his opponent. Then, he struck out with another palm, his Primordial Qi condensed and flowing without end, like a river descending from the heavens.

The Primordial Qi within his Fist Force seemed to flow endlessly, generating wave after wave like a surging tide. The momentum was terrifying. Amidst the torrent, Huang Youwen’s form seemed to magnify to an immense size, pressing down on Wen Qingye with a Heaven-shattering Earth-splitting aura.

’Not bad!’

Seeing Huang Youwen unleash such a domineering Fist Technique, it was clear his body had indeed been thoroughly refined. One palm followed another with the weight of a Thunderous Force, an assault meant to overwhelm and catch his opponent off guard.

Wen Qingye extended both hands. Instantly, the surrounding Primordial Qi surged wildly toward him as a bone-chilling wind erupted, causing everyone nearby to shiver involuntarily.

’So cold!’

Looks of astonishment filled the eyes of many. ’This... just what kind of Martial Arts is this person using? How can it be so powerful?’

”Undying Seal Technique, First Form! The Funereal Yin Wind Comes to Reap Your Soul!”

A profound and bizarre seal materialized above Wen Qingye’s palm, its astonishing aura climbing ever higher. With a push, the Seal Technique shot forward, seeming to warp the very void as it rushed to meet Huang Youwen’s Palm Qi.

BANG!

The two clashed again, fist against palm, and the Primordial Qi was once again annihilated.

Huang Youwen immediately felt a stuffiness in his chest and retreated several steps. A sweetness filled his mouth, but with his thoughts racing, he forcefully swallowed the blood back down.

”Again!”

Huang Youwen roared and threw another punch at Wen Qingye.

In truth, Wen Qingye had held back with that last Seal Technique. Otherwise, with his Primordial Qi far surpassing that of a Yin Yang Realm Seventh Layer Heaven Martial Artist, his bizarre Undying Seal Technique, and his domineering Five Elements Body Refining Technique, Huang Youwen would have been defeated long ago.

’A misguided persistence,’ Wen Qingye thought, shaking his head as he moved to meet Huang Youwen.

’The two greatest mistakes one can make in life are giving up too easily and persisting in the wrong thing.’

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The only thing the crowd could hear were deafening rumbles as the two traded blows, fist for fist, without holding anything back.

CRACK! CRACKLE!

Unable to withstand the pressure, the stone slabs of the platform began to crack and shatter. The Martial Artists watching from the edges felt their shoulders slump, as if an impossibly heavy mountain was pressing down on them. The weight was so crushing it made their hearts pound in their chests, and they even crushed the flagstones beneath their own feet.

Watching this, Zhou Sheng couldn’t help but comment, ”This Huang Youwen is incredibly fierce. Look, every time they exchange a blow, he surges forward, not giving Wen Qingye a single chance to counter.”

Zhou Ying remained silent, but she was inwardly lamenting. Their Zhou Family was standing at the very front, but her strength was the weakest. As the shockwaves and oppressive might of the battle washed over them, she felt as if she were nailed to the ground, unable to move a muscle.

Zhou Qing also nodded, agreeing with Zhou Sheng’s words.

It wasn’t just the Zhou Family; the surrounding crowd also felt that Wen Qingye was being completely suppressed by Huang Youwen. However, only Huang Youwen himself and the Vice Hall Master of Qinglan Hall, who stood in the distance, knew the true state of the battle.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Explosions rocked the platform continuously. It seemed Wen Qingye had been cornered by Huang Youwen.

”Alright, it’s time to end this!”

Wen Qingye shouted, raising his palm. Like a cyclone, it began to pull in the surrounding Primordial Qi.

BOOM!

Wen Qingye struck with his palm, the attack carrying the might of a tidal wave and the sound of a tiger’s roar and a dragon’s cry.

Huang Youwen extended a palm to meet it, but upon contact, he was immediately overwhelmed and sent stumbling back several steps.

BOOM!

Before he could stabilize himself, Wen Qingye struck again with another palm, making the air tremble.

”BANG!”

Huang Youwen’s body was sent flying. He crashed heavily to the ground, gouging a crater, and lay there, wailing in agony.

”Wh-what just happened?”

”It was too fast. The situation reversed so suddenly, I couldn’t even process it.”

”This guy’s body is so tough! Huang Youwen is an expert who has cultivated the Mountain Dominating Body Technique to the Eighth Layer, but he still couldn’t overpower this kid.”

”The way I see it, if even Huang Youwen couldn’t take him down, he can at least challenge the seventh platform.”

......

Next, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Wen Qingye continued his challenge. His subsequent opponents were all experts from the Yin Yang Realm Seventh to Eighth Layer Heaven, but without exception, they all fell to Wen Qingye.

The Sixth Platform.

First victory!

Second victory!

Third victory!

.....

Tenth victory!

The Seventh Platform.

First victory!

Second victory!

.....

After the ninth match.

Wen Qingye took a deep breath. Watching the Yin Yang Realm Eighth Layer Heaven expert fly off the platform, he knew the battles to come would only grow more difficult.

Standing on the seventh platform, Wen Qingye gazed down below. He felt an increasing distance from the ground, as if he were looking down upon all living things with detachment. It was a faint echo of how he used to feel.

”Hurry and look at the seventh platform! A young man has already fought his way to it in just a couple of double-hours!”

”For real? Let’s go see! If it took him less than three double-hours, that proves he has the strength to pass the eighth platform!”

”Yeah, but I wonder what kind of expert Qinglan Hall will send to stop him.”

”If he passes the eighth platform, it’ll prove this young man has the strength to contend for a spot on the Cyan Cloud List!”

More and more people began to gather as word spread throughout the Imperial City of the Qinglan Ancient Country. As an Ancient Country, it was a natural hub for experts, and an unusual number of masters had been appearing lately.

In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the entire Qinglan Platform was surrounded. While most were Martial Artists from the Qinglan Ancient Country, there were also some from other powers. A quick count revealed a crowd of at least ten thousand.

The Seventh Platform, Tenth Match.

A young man stared intently at Wen Qingye, his heart burning with fervor. A young woman beside him said, ”Young Master, didn’t you come out to gain experience precisely to compete for the Cyan Cloud List? If you defeat this Wen Qingye, you’ll have a chance to make a name for yourself in the Qinglan Ancient Country. This is the perfect first step.”

This young man was none other than the Young Master of the Deng Family from the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, Deng Jiuxian.

A flicker of interest appeared in Deng Jiuxian’s eyes. He nodded. ”You’re right, Huan’Er. I’ll go find the Vice Hall Master of Qinglan Hall right now. I’m going to challenge this kid.”

Wen Qingye stood on the seventh platform. After a short while, still no one had come up. His gaze was like a wisp of smoke, and he looked with a Piaomiao air toward the Vice Hall Master of Qinglan Hall in the distance.

At that moment, a youth in fine clothes was standing next to the Vice Hall Master. When Wen Qingye saw him, he felt a sense of familiarity, though it was only the young man’s aura that seemed familiar.

The Vice Hall Master of Qinglan Hall smiled faintly and glanced to Wen Qingye’s left.

Wen Qingye followed the Vice Hall Master’s gaze and saw a young man slowly ascending the platform, dragging the tip of his saber on the ground. It threw up a shower of sparks with a loud, scraping sound.

”Deng Jiuxian of the Deng Family, from the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty,” the young man announced, looking at Wen Qingye.

Hearing the youth’s voice, an irrepressible murmur rippled through the crowd.

Wen Qingye nodded and replied, ”Wen Qingye.”

Deng Jiuxian stared at Wen Qingye for a long moment before speaking in a low voice. ”I’m very curious—what power do you hail from? Your techniques are both domineering and profound, certainly not ordinary Emperor-Grade Martial Arts. Moreover, your mastery is so great that it feels like you’ve pushed these Martial Arts beyond their known limits. I simply can’t place you. Are you from Taiyi Pavilion?”

’Taiyi Pavilion?’

Hearing this, the crowd below exchanged uncertain glances.

The Vice Hall Master of Qinglan Hall heard Deng Jiuxian’s question and looked at the finely dressed youth beside him. The youth shook his head and chuckled. ”No, this Wen Qingye isn’t one of ours. I’ve never seen this person in the Taiyi Cloud Sea.”

”Indeed. This Wen Qingye’s Swordsmanship and Martial Arts are truly something else,” the Vice Hall Master said with a nod. ”I have to stop him. He put up three volumes of Emperor-Grade Martial Arts as collateral.”

Arrogance filled the youth’s eyes as he looked coldly at Wen Qingye. ”With me, Wang Hai, here, you have nothing to worry about, Vice Hall Master. I am confident that within the Yin-Yang Realm, aside from a few of my senior brothers from Taiyi Pavilion, there are few in the entire Eastern Profound Domain who can be my match.”

”Taiyi Pavilion?” Wen Qingye shook his head, his tone laced with mockery. ”What kind of Sect is that?”

BOOM!

Wen Qingye’s words were like a spark that instantly ignited a tidal wave of gasps from the entire audience.

”Is Wen Qingye showing contempt for Taiyi Pavilion?”

”Heavens, this kid is so arrogant. How domineering.”

”Hmph, unbelievably arrogant.”

It wasn’t just the crowd; even the members of the Zhou Family looked aghast.

Zhou Ying’s face turned deathly pale. ”Sister Qing, do you think... since Wen Qingye dared to show contempt for Taiyi Pavilion, will some expert come and kill him?”

”I don’t know. If there are any experts from Taiyi Pavilion here, they certainly won’t let him off,” Zhou Qing said, shaking her head and sighing. ”I never would have imagined he’d be so bold as to openly mock Taiyi Pavilion.”

Another member of the Zhou Family next to them nodded. ”Indeed. But he’s already fought his way to the seventh platform. His stamina must be heavily depleted. He’ll probably be exhausted soon. I think his chances of passing the eighth platform are still slim.”