Chapter 163: Guo Kai

For the next two days, Ye Liuyun spent all his time cultivating.

Besides his realm, he also cultivated the third move of Overbearing Heaven Fist, Thunder Fire Opening Heaven, to the Minor Achievement level. However, this move would expose twenty percent of his bloodline power, so he would not use it lightly.

Moreover, this move would instantly drain the True Essence from his current Sea Transformation dantian. Unless absolutely necessary, he could never use it.

In the last half day, he sought out the Xuanhuan Saint and consulted him about illusion arts.

The Xuanhuan Saint truly lived up to being an expert in illusion arts; he pinpointed the problem in Ye Liuyun's illusion technique with surgical precision, and in half a day his help was more effective than Ye Liuyun's own six months of contemplation.

Ye Liuyun benefited greatly. Finally he asked, "Senior, is there any way to increase the capacity of the Illusion Pupil? I have cultivated the Illusion Eye Technique, but the True Fire inside me cannot be released through the Illusion Pupil. Even though my body‑refining level has risen, the Illusion Pupil still cannot bear the flame's temperature."

The Xuanhuan Saint thought for a moment and said, "It's not an illusion‑art issue, but a problem with your Illusion Pupil. You'll likely need external aids to boost its capacity. You must find some appropriate heavenly materials and earthly treasures. I haven't encountered the specifics myself."

"Then I'll search for them gradually. Let's stop here for today; sorry for taking up so much of your time, I'm truly grateful for your teachings," Ye Liuyun said sincerely, thanking the elder.

The Xuanhuan Saint laughed. "Don't be formal! Being able to guide a talent like you shows my old bones still have some use. When you get back, refine the issues I pointed out; if you have further problems, come find me again—I'm always welcome here!"

After thanking him repeatedly, Ye Liuyun took his leave from the Xuanhuan Saint and returned to his residence.

That evening, he focused solely on cultivating illusion arts.

Now, when he activates illusion arts, the required time has been greatly shortened. The speed is astonishing, and even opponents of the same realm cannot evade his illusion. At least Lei Ming cannot escape his illusion.

He'll look for chances to test other Sea Transformation practitioners later. But he feels that any Soul not as strong as his will likely be affected to some degree.

The next step is to practice triggering illusion even when the opponent doesn't make eye contact.

But dawn arrived quickly, and time ran short. So after a brief cultivation of True Qi, he took Lei Ming and started roasting meat.

Lei Ming also wanted to join him in vying for a slot. Naturally lively and restless, she had been cooped up in the Grand Hall training every day and was bored; she couldn't miss a lively contest like this.

Lei Ming perched on Ye Liuyun's shoulder as they headed to the Inner Gate training arena.

Ye Liuyun glanced at the crowd, counting roughly six or seven hundred people—not too many. Moreover, most participants were below the third tier of Sea Transformation.

No wonder—each year the Main Institute recruits, and those of higher realms have already been taken by the Main Institute. The remaining ones are mostly those the Main Institute deems unworthy.

Han Feng and Leng Yue saw Ye Liuyun and were both startled. They hadn't expected Ye Liuyun to breakthrough so quickly. Now they finally stood on the same stage.

But the two of them both knew they were not Ye Liuyun's opponents.

Both of them went over to greet Ye Liuyun. A few Sea Transformation first‑tier disciples, who were part of the group that entered the Blood Demon Sect Secret Realm last time, also came to warmly greet Ye Liuyun.

Qi Tianyue and Nan Xin'er also came to watch the excitement. They had no slot to enter Blood Thunder Peak. Since the last time they entered the Blood Demon Sect Secret Realm, they no longer forced themselves to enter a secret realm.

If they were unlucky and met disaster, they'd truly die inside. It's not guaranteed that every time it would be like last time, encountering Ye Liuyun.

As soon as they arrived, they produced plenty of tasty food, lured Lei Ming over, and clutched her without letting go, playing gleefully.

Everyone knew how terrifying the Monster Beasts around Ye Liuyun were. They kept their distance, and only the two of them dared to tease Lei Ming.

When Lei Ming transformed into a pet beast, she was irresistibly cute, completely different from her combat demeanor.

"They say Blood Thunder Peak is far more dangerous than the secret realm we visited last time!" the group chattered after gathering.

Someone else added, "Indeed! I heard Master speak of it. So I'm not going this time; I'm just here for the spectacle."

Long Yue said, "I'd like to go, but I'm afraid I won't secure a slot!"

Only Han Feng and Leng Yue were brimming with confidence to vie for a slot. Both of them were highly skilled in combat, far surpassing Long Yue, and even matched late‑stage Sea Transformation second‑tier disciples.

"All who wish to compete for slots, come register with me!" a Steward shouted at the crowd.

Thus, Ye Liuyun, Han Feng, Leng Yue, and Long Yue all signed up. The rest of their group did not follow.

"It's up to the four of you! Fight for the pride of us newcomers!" a disciple called from behind.

Although these disciples entered the Inner Gate before reaching the Sea Transformation realm, they were only truly recognized by Inner Gate disciples after attaining the first tier of Sea Transformation. Hence they all considered themselves Inner Gate newcomers.

Ye Liuyun discovered that fewer than half actually registered. Among them, only one was at the fifth tier of Sea Transformation, over twenty were at the fourth tier, the majority were at the second or third tiers, and just a dozen were first‑tier Sea Transformation registrants.

The final count showed 267 registrants.

The Steward announced, "We have 267 registrants and must eliminate 77. To save time, we'll first have first‑tier Sea Transformation challenge second‑tier Sea Transformation; losers are eliminated outright. Then second‑tier disciples will continue eliminating until only 77 remain."

"These competition rules are way too casual!" Ye Liuyun thought to himself. Still, it didn't affect him.

Soon the contest began; each first‑tier Sea Transformation disciple stepped up, and the Steward called a second‑tier disciple to face them, with the loser eliminated.

Most eliminated disciples were first‑tier Sea Transformation. Even Long Yue could not escape elimination.

Only Han Feng and Leng Yue defeated their opponents and remained.

Ye Liuyun was the last to take the stage. His Divine Sense noticed Guo Kai slipping beside the Steward, whispering a few words, to which the Steward nodded.

Ye Liuyun gave a slight smile and paid it no mind. After all, they were all second‑tier Sea Transformation; it made no difference who came.

He had assumed Guo Kai wanted to step onto the stage to fight him, but the fellow was too timid to appear, so the Steward assigned him a peak‑level second‑tier Sea Transformation opponent.

When that disciple took the stage, the audience immediately began murmuring.

"Guo Feng? Is he still a True Origin Double? This newcomer is really unlucky!" Qian Qian Cao Yue

"Yeah, I heard Guo Feng has already been defeated by several third‑tier Sea Transformation disciples!"

Ye Liuyun's Divine Sense heard these remarks, but he merely smiled faintly and paid them no mind.

When Guo Feng stepped onto the stage, he glanced at Ye Liuyun. "My cousin told me you're a pretty reckless newcomer, huh?"

"So it was Guo Kai's prank! I wondered why this newcomer ran into Guo Feng!"

"Alas! This newcomer offended Guo Kai; they'll have bad luck from now on!"

Some in the audience gawked with schadenfreude, while others felt sorry for Ye Liuyun.

"Facing that trash when fighting for a slot, a little recklessness is perfectly normal!" Ye Liuyun said calmly.