Chapter 280: Living Up to One's Reputation

Although Tong Wei's eyes are now affected by the illusion spell and cannot see the soul‑devouring flower, he hurriedly groped his body with both hands and knocked the flower off.

At this moment, the figure of Ye Liuyun also vanished completely from his Soul Domain. In a short span, the soul‑devouring flower had already burrowed into him, creating a huge void. It will take him at least several months to restore those souls.

"Burdened by reputation! Why bother? Do you still want to compete?" Ye Liuyun asked with a smile.

Tong Wei's soul also returned to his own Sea of Consciousness. At this moment his soul was severely damaged, leaving no strength to fight again. Blood still stained the corner of his mouth, the light in his eyes dimmed, and he silently hunched his body, trembling as he stepped down from the arena.

Ye Liuyun watched his silhouette from behind, looking like an elderly man who could not even walk steadily, evoking an indescribable sorrow.

"Is it over?" a spectator asked.

"Probably, yes! Look at Tong Wei's desolate demeanor, he can't even walk steadily! Ye Liuyun must have won!"

Tong Wei trudged back to the Qingfeng Academy quarters, collapsed onto the ground, muttering to himself, his thoughts unknown.

The Elder immediately declared Ye Liuyun the victor. Anyone with eyes could see that Tong Wei had been defeated, and thoroughly so, otherwise he wouldn't appear so despondent and feeble.

The elders of the Divine Sword Palace repeatedly advised Lin Feier not to fight. Ye Liuyun's eye technique is far stronger than Tong Wei's. Lin Feier's soul was already damaged yesterday; another injury could affect her future cultivation.

But Lin Feier insisted on stepping onto the stage. "As a sword cultivator, how can one retreat when facing strength!"

Saying that, she drew her sword and ascended the arena.

Ye Liuyun also admired her tenacious fighting spirit and wanted to spar with her earnestly. Lin Feier should be an opponent even stronger than Mo Ya.

Ye Liuyun immediately drew the Demon Slaying Sword. Unexpectedly, his action earned cheers from the entire audience.

It turned out that the Divine Sword Palace disciples in the stands feared Ye Liuyun would use a Spiritual Soul Attack on Lin Feier, which would almost guarantee her defeat. Yet Ye Liuyun did not seize the advantage; instead he chose to duel with his sword, instantly earning the disciples' respect.

These sword cultivators are straightforward and greatly appreciate Ye Liuyun's upright style.

And Tong Wei, watching from below, seemed to have an epiphany. "It turns out that earning respect doesn't necessarily come from how strong you are, but from how you conduct yourself!"

Lin Feier's view of Ye Liuyun also changed dramatically. After seeing how Ye Liuyun dealt with Meng Wuj, she had thought him a villain.

"I misjudged you before. I should apologize!" Lin Feier said proactively to Ye Liuyun.

She rarely speaks; being able to say that to Ye Liuyun was already quite difficult.

"No need! I don't care about those empty titles! Just give it your all!" Ye Liuyun replied, then unsheathed his sword.

Lin Feier also drew her sword and slashed at Ye Liuyun.

The clash of two swords in perfect realms began. This battle was fought with thunderous intensity, not at all inferior to his duel with Mo Ya. Ye Liuyun also found it immensely exhilarating.

Their realms were similar, and their True Essence Quality showed little difference. Yet Ye Liuyun's sword intent could sway the forces of Heaven and Earth, so each strike placed tremendous pressure on Lin Feier.

The Bloodline Power they employed was also almost equal, but Ye Liuyun's Bloodline Power amplified attack potency far more than Lin Feier's.

Thus Lin Feier was finally sliced and sent flying by Ye Liuyun's blade, and the holy long sword was broken on the spot.

Damn! I just praised that kid, and he immediately goes hard on a woman! How can he not be gentle and cherish her!

"My goddess! She was cut by that kid so terribly!"

The Divine Sword Palace disciples almost unanimously sided with Lin Feier, offering their sympathy.

Lin Feier bore a deep, bone‑exposed slash on her right shoulder, gaping with a ferocious wound.

"I will train hard and then defeat you!" Lin Feier said firmly, staring at Ye Liuyun.

"Fine, I'll wait for you!" With that, Ye Liuyun sheathed his sword, crossed his arms, and slowly walked down from the arena.

Ye Liuyun is confident in his cultivation speed. As long as he doesn't stop training, anyone he has beaten once will basically never have a chance to surpass him again.

Then the elders of the Divine Sword Palace announced the rankings of this Seven Sects Grand Competition: first place Ye Liuyun, second Lin Feier, third Tong Wei, fourth Mo Ya, fifth Tang Hao.

Finally, the palace master of the Divine Sword Palace personally announced: "Congratulations! Tomorrow morning, the Heavenly Dragon Realm of the Divine Sword Palace will be opened to the five of you for seven days. According to your rankings, you will be transported to different locations within the Secret Realm to receive inheritances. Return tonight and prepare well!"

"Heavenly Dragon Realm?" Ye Liuyun had never heard of that place before.

The Grand Elder, realizing his ignorance, sent a Transmission Voice to explain: "The Heavenly Dragon Realm is a Secret Realm of the Divine Sword Palace, open only to its Holy Sons. It is said a true dragon fell there, leaving behind inheritances. You must seize the opportunity."

Ye Liuyun nodded in agreement. He had already tasted the sweet reward. Any Secret Realm contains treasures, and he would surely gain something.

After everyone returned to their quarters, Ye Liuyun went back into the Xuan Kong Shi to cultivate, preparing to breakthrough his realm.

Inside the Xuan Kong Shi, half a day later, Ye Liuyun broke through his realm.

The Ninth Sea Transformation realm!

Within Ye Liuyun's Qi Sea, the True Essence had almost turned into a paste. The ninth vortex had formed, rotating slowly.

His current True Essence Quality had doubled compared to the Eighth Sea Transformation, and the power contained within the True Essence was terrifying. Had he possessed such strength earlier, he could have directly sparred with Meng Wuj.

After this breakthrough, he devoured a heap of Spirit Stones, yet his True Essence was still not filled. Reluctant to use more Spirit Stones, he took out the Hell Mingshe's Yuan Dan, absorbed it for five days, and also took the pill sent by Lingyang Academy, barely filling his True Essence.

Ye Liuyun now worries. With his method of energy absorption, his Spirit Stones may not last long. He dares not use them recklessly, lest the Skeleton Puppet lack Spirit Stones when needed.

The Hell Mingshe's Yuan Dan still retains half its energy, but accounting for absorption loss, it won't last long. Moreover, it absorbs slowly; during a breakthrough, massive True Essence is needed instantly, and this source can't keep up.

"It seems that after entering a Secret Realm, I must pay more attention to Spirit Stones or other high‑energy items! Otherwise they'll still be insufficient later," Ye Liuyun thought. "I hope to find a Spiritual Stone Vein in the Divine Sword Palace's Secret Realm."

His Storage Ring now can hold even a mountain. Space is ample, but it lacks Spirit Stones!

Later, he released Lei Ming, Wu Qingcheng, and Yu Er, and they grilled meat together. They must eat their fill before entering; otherwise there might be no time to eat inside.

Ye Liuyun also told them that he would venture into the Heavenly Dragon Secret Realm, urging them to prepare; when the chance arises, he'll let them experience it as well.