Chapter 231: 222. The Struggle of the Cross-Dimensional Beings

222. Chapter 222: The Struggle of the Cross-Dimensional Beings

Only after actually fighting a Soul Realm cultivator did Li Yi understand just how monstrous this realm was—even without any martial arts training, a Soul Realm expert could still mobilize their body's power to unleash an unimaginable force, one far surpassing Li Yi, an evolutionist who practiced both martial and spiritual arts.

And this, it seemed, was still not the Soul Realm expert's limit.

But Li Yi's move this time was neither reckless nor arrogant; he needed these people to know his strength was sufficient to kill a Soul Perception cultivator, that he possessed the qualification of a cross-dimensional being.

If he were barred from crossing over merely due to his strength, that reasoning made no sense.

Upon sensing Li Yi's power, the other Soul Perception evolutionists in the conference room fell silent for a moment.

Recalling that single punch.

If they truly fought, none could be certain they'd win against Li Yi.

Zhang Xun narrowed his eyes and studied Li Yi: "So this is your plan. Good. Bold. You used my hand to display your strength. Very well—I'll give you a chance. If no one here objects to your joining the team, I'll retract my earlier words and allow you to participate in the cross-dimensional mission."

He then swept his gaze over the others: "If any of you can defeat Li Yi, I'll personally assign his cross-dimensional slot to one of you."

If you're going to demonstrate strength, you might as well offer a real incentive.

His words immediately stirred desire.

A cross-dimensional slot—how precious a thing it was. If one could claim it, even without using it, they could sell it and gain countless benefits. All they had to do was defeat a Soul Perception cultivator right here.

But Li Yi had just shown extraordinary power—his single punch revealed traces of two techniques, and his strength already exceeded that of an ordinary Soul Perception cultivator. To win would not be easy.

Moreover, defeating Li Yi and seizing his slot was a sure way to make an enemy.

If successful, fine. But if they failed, Li Yi would not let it go.

"What? All of you mute now?" Zhang Xun growled. "I'll give you one minute. If no one speaks, I'll take your silence as consent—Li Yi joins the team and participates in this cross-dimensional mission."

Qin Bing, Xu Qiumei, and two other Soul Perception experts still wore expressions of deep thought.

They weren't personally hostile to Li Yi, nor did they oppose his participation; they were simply tempted by the extra cross-dimensional slot. Zhang Xun's words had awakened greed, and now they found themselves torn.

"Li Yi's strength is solid. I have no objection to his participation." Suddenly, Qin Bing spoke—and after a pause, he gave up.

As a cultivator who had arrived here on the same helicopter as Li Yi, he had sensed on the flight that a vast, dormant power still lay hidden within Li Yi's body. That punch had not been his limit—he still held back cards. Anyone foolish enough to step forward would suffer dearly.

"I have no grudge against Li Yi. Fighting him would be unwise. He's an external field operative of the Investigation Bureau—we're colleagues. No need to turn on each other," another male Soul Perception expert shrugged, unmoved by the cross-dimensional slot.

With two voices spoken, only Xu Qiumei and another female Soul Perception expert remained.

Zhang Xun glanced at them: "Time's running out. If you two feel the same, this matter ends here."

"Li Yi and I had a conflict last time. Now, by coincidence, we're assigned to the same team for this cross-dimensional mission. Given his cultivation level, he'll likely reach Soul Perception soon—and then he'll surely retaliate for what happened before," Xu Qiumei's eyes flickered. "If I can take his cross-dimensional slot here and send him back to Tianchang City, that would be perfect."

Thinking this through,

Xu Qiumei took a deep breath and stood: "Captain Zhang, I'd like to try."

At her words, everyone turned to look at her.

"Xu Qiumei, you think Li Yi's strength doesn't qualify him for this cross-dimensional mission? Fine. If you defeat him, his slot is yours. You can arrange for another Soul Perception cultivator to replace him before tomorrow's noon deadline. I'll handle all the paperwork."

Zhang Xun said at once.

"Good."

Xu Qiumei agreed, then fixed Li Yi with a smile: "Li Yi, last time I told you—if you wanted revenge, act fast. Looks like you listened. Didn't expect you'd get a cross-dimensional slot. Too bad—this time, I'm crushing you. I won't let you rise again."

Li Yi's expression remained cold: "If someone else fought me, I'd only cripple them. But if you fight me, I'll kill you. Think carefully."

His killing intent spilled out without concealment.

For Xu Qiumei, his tolerance was extremely low. This woman wasn't just trying to steal his slot—she wanted revenge for what happened last time.

At his words, Xu Qiumei's smile froze, her expression twisting unnaturally.

She felt it—he meant it. His tone carried absolute confidence, as if killing her held no difficulty at all.

This—

Xu Qiumei felt trapped. She'd only intended to test the waters. Even if she lost, it didn't matter—she'd already angered him; one more offense was trivial. But Li Yi had instantly escalated it to life or death—and now she hesitated.

After all, they were crossing over tomorrow. If she died here, it would be a terrible loss.

"What? Scared? Afraid to fight? If you won't, I will." Li Yi strode forward, arms hanging loose, unleashing an invincible martial aura that crushed the air, as if demanding blood spilled across three feet.

He had dared to punch a Soul Realm expert—what was a Soul Perception cultivator to him?

Xu Qiumei's face paled. Her Soul Perception warned of imminent danger. Instinctively, she stepped back.

As her aura weakened, Li Yi pressed hard. He activated the Guiding Technique, drawing forth cosmic energy from within. His hands glowed brilliantly. With his blood qi churning, a wave of heat surged forward. His pupils sharpened into vertical slits. His aura surged to its peak.

As if Zhang Xun's earlier pressure had left no trace—he was still ready to kill.

"Kill!"

Suddenly, a roar split the air.

Li Yi moved again.

In that instant, his towering frame unleashed terrifying divine power. The air around him trembled. In the blink of an eye, he became a monstrous entity, lunging straight at Xu Qiumei.

This time, he didn't punch. He raised his hand—and struck with a palm.

A peculiar force spiraled around it, radiating an uncanny mystery.

This was the Heart-Shattering Palm.

Because its technique was cruel and venomous, Li Yi rarely used it—but he knew it. When he seized two martial schools during his journey to the Four Seas and Eight Provinces, he studied their martial legacies. He could wield the Listening Wind Blade too—though he disliked blades and never mastered them.

"Don't be so arrogant, Li Yi," Xu Qiumei said, gritting her teeth. She refused to dodge—choosing to take the blow head-on.

Boom!

A shockwave erupted. Xu Qiumei's face turned ashen. Only now did she feel the terrifying force behind Li Yi's strike—it exceeded the normal limit of a Soul Perception cultivator's endurance. But fortunately, the power lacked follow-through. If she could withstand the initial impact, she'd survive.

After absorbing the blow, she reeled backward violently, smashing through several tables before finally stopping.

Li Yi stood motionless, expressionless.

"That's all? All show, no substance. Loud noise, weak impact," Xu Qiumei sneered, a flicker of contempt in her eyes.

"Stop pretending. Kneel and spit blood," Li Yi said.

"Pretending? You really think your strength is so great—" But before she finished, Xu Qiumei clutched her chest. A piercing pain erupted. Her face turned deathly pale. She bent over, collapsing onto the floor.

Her heart—it hurt!

Xu Qiumei gasped for air, then suddenly vomited a gush of blood.

The others' expressions changed instantly.

What happened?

Xu Qiumei had blocked Li Yi's attack—so why was she suddenly collapsing and vomiting blood?

Confusion filled every mind.

"Her heart is injured. Your palm had some trick to it," Zhang Xun said sharply, staring at Li Yi. "It struck her body, yet damaged her heart. At first glance, it looks like sudden poisoning. What technique is this? It resembles hidden force. I once visited a world without cultivation—only martial arts. There, people pushed martial arts to extremes, cultivating hidden force. A light tap would leave no visible wound, but the victim would die vomiting blood on the seventh night."

"This skill is profound—a martial evolution. But for cultivators, it's useless. It's merely mortal martial arts, limited in potential. That world had almost no cosmic energy, and constant war. I didn't stay long—I left quickly."

Li Yi regarded Zhang Xun with surprise. He hadn't expected him to have visited another world. But that world sounded terrible—no cosmic energy, perpetual war. Unsuitable for cultivators. Prolonged exposure to such a world caused regression—eventually turning a cultivator into an ordinary human.

To cross-dimensional beings, such worlds were worthless. No one would willingly abandon their cultivation to degenerate.

"This is my martial art—not hidden force. Everyone in Tianchang's cultivation circle knows I practice fist techniques. It's no secret," Li Yi said calmly. "But my fight with Xu Qiumei isn't over. I'll kill her first—then you can ask your questions."

"This is my fist technique, not some hidden force—everyone in the Tianchang cultivation circle knows I practice fist arts; it's no secret," Li Yi said calmly. "But my fight with Xu Qiumei isn't over. I'll deal with these questions after I kill her."

But Xu Qiumei cried out urgently: "I yield! I can't beat you! I yield!"

The pain was excruciating. Another strike would kill her outright. She now understood—Li Yi didn't want to kill her openly. He wanted to torture her.

After all, if he openly killed her, Captain Zhang would intervene.

After all, if someone openly killed another, Zhang Xun as team leader would surely intervene.

Zhang Xun spoke calmly: "Xu Qiumei, since you yield, Li Yi retains his cross-dimensional slot. If no one else objects, this farce ends. If you had prior conflicts, now is the time to suppress them. After crossing over, you may settle scores however you wish—no one will interfere. But until then, I must maintain order. I won't allow deaths."

Zhang Xun spoke calmly: "Xu Qiumei, since you've conceded, Li Yi's cross-border mission proceeds. If no one has further objections, this farce ends here. Moreover, if you two had prior grievances, now is the time to swallow them. After the cross-border mission, do as you please—no one will interfere. But for now, I must intervene, for I cannot allow actual deaths to occur."

"Good. That's enough. After crossing over, we'll settle our score—life or death. I'll let you live one more day," Li Yi said, withdrawing—but his killing intent remained undiminished.

This bastard dared challenge him for his slot? Did he think Li Yi was easy prey?

Xu Qiumei's face turned even paler. Fear flashed in her eyes.

But Zhang Xun said nothing more. The other Soul Perception cultivators remained silent.

After all, when Xu Qiumei stepped forward, she accepted the risk—and the cost.

After all, when Xu Qiu stepped forward, she had to bear the risk and cost of failure.