Chapter 974

Ye Liuyun's Golden Pupil, upon detecting his True Essence in motion, immediately mobilized his True Essence and Buddha Demon Power; with one palm he grasped the universe, striking first, he slapped towards Tao Lin.

As Ye Liuyun unleashed this palm, it immediately drew a chorus of applause, saying his palm was fast enough.

But when people sensed the power within it, they were instead shocked into silence.

Tao Lin, opposite Ye Liuyun, also panicked at this moment.

Originally intending to launch a straight punch at Ye Liuyun, he instantly changed direction and met it with an upward strike.

With a booming "Boom—", True Essence scattered across the platform and stone chips flew.

The spectators below then reacted, all beginning to discuss.

"This power is at least at the fourth level of the Zao Hua Realm! It seems his own strength is also formidable!"

"Ye Liuyun is indeed not ordinary! He can fight three levels above himself!"

"When has he not fought across levels? What's so surprising about that!"

Amid the crowd's chatter, the True Essence on the platform dissipated, revealing Tao Lin kneeling on the ground after being struck.

At this moment, Tao Lin's clothes were torn, his mouth full of blood, and fear still lingered in his eyes.

He could hardly understand how a first-level Zao Hua Realm disciple could unleash such powerful force.

Looking at it this way, Ye Liuyun wouldn't even need to be third; even if he faced the top rank, a single palm would be enough to settle the matter.

The Demon Race Holy Son Zuo Mu, upon seeing Ye Liuyun's palm, also furrowed his brows deeply.

Ye Liuyun's palm unleashed power comparable to his, and it also contained pure Demon Qi and Buddha Light Power.

In other words, his Demon Qi could not affect Ye Liuyun.

Yet Ye Liuyun's Buddha Light Power could restrain his Demon Qi.

Ye Liuyun's performance also astonished everyone.

This palm, as if he casually slapped it out, involved no buildup or accumulation of power whatsoever.

In other words, this certainly isn't Ye Liuyun's full strength; if he unleashed everything, Tao Lin would likely suffer more than mere injury.

Tao Lin trembled as he slowly rose to his feet.

He cupped his hands toward Ye Liuyun: "Thank you, Junior Brother Ye, for showing mercy!"

Having said that, he slowly walked down from the platform, blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth; this blow likely left him badly injured.

At this moment, Ye Liuyun felt quite satisfied with his control over his power.

This was his first real combat since his power increased; his control was just right—he didn't injure his opponent too severely, yet left him unable to retaliate.

He glanced at the Elder in charge of the challenges, signaling him to summon another contender.

That Elder also hadn't expected Ye Liuyun's progress to be so tremendous!

Compared to before, it's as if he'd become a completely different person.

If it were merely the strength gain from a realm advancement, he wouldn't be surprised.

But Ye Liuyun's abilities in every aspect have evidently undergone a comprehensive enhancement.

He immediately realized that Ye Liuyun must have visited the Dragon‑Abyss Pool; otherwise such a drastic change would be impossible.

Seeing Ye Liuyun looking at him, he promptly responded by calling the second‑ranked disciple onto the stage.

Li Qingyun also nodded repeatedly beside him: "This brat must have been to the Dragon‑Abyss Pool! The effect is good—he didn't waste the opportunity!"

Many disciples in the academy wait until they break through to the Sovereign Rank before using the Dragon‑Abyss Pool Token, but only Ye Liuyun was willing to spend it when breaking through to the Zao Hua Realm.

Yet the results brought by this are plain for all to see.

The benefit of his doing so is that his foundation has become more solid, each step taken firmly.

As for the resources needed to break through to the Sovereign Rank, Ye Liuyun isn't even considering them now.

Everyone waited a while, yet the second‑ranked disciple never appeared on stage.

"I forfeit!"

That disciple hesitated for a long time before finally saying it, his head bowed so low he dared not lift it.

He gauged his own strength and found it not much stronger than third place; he believed he could not withstand Ye Liuyun's palm.

Rather than go up and get injured, it was better to forfeit voluntarily.

Although somewhat embarrassing, at least it saves a Sovereign‑rank Healing Elixir.

"Hmph! Next. The top‑ranked disciple, come up!" The Elder snorted, showing extreme contempt toward him.

For a disciple who dares not even fight, there will be no great future prospects.

The spectators also erupted in boos, shaming that disciple so intensely he slunk away in disgrace.

The first‑ranked disciple, seeing this, could only grit his teeth and mount the stage, daring not to follow in the second‑ranked disciple's footsteps.

Otherwise, he'd never be able to hold his head up in the academy again!

Nevertheless, he did not resign himself to defeat.

Being a sword‑wielding Martial Cultivator, as soon as he stepped onto the stage he proactively said to Ye Liuyun: "Junior Brother, your palm technique is exquisite; I admire it. I wonder how your skill with weapons is?"

His words immediately drew curses from some in the crowd below.

"Zhao Yuande, have you no shame! Your swordsmanship is high, yet you make people compare weapons with you?"

"Junior Brother Ye, don't fall for his trick! He doesn't dare to palm‑fight you, so he's trying to get you to reveal your weapon!"

Zhao Yuande, however, was unfazed: "I am inherently a sword cultivator; in combat I naturally use the sword. As for Junior Brother Ye, if your weapon skill is lacking, just use your palm!"

Zhao Yuande said this while brandishing a Divine‑Rank treasure sword, glaring provocatively at Ye Liuyun.

He estimated that wielding the Divine‑Rank treasure sword's power should also be able to match Ye Liuyun's palm.

If Ye Liuyun used a weapon, he would surely lose even more decisively; his sword intent has reached the level of a sword‑intent seed, making him a unique sword‑dao master in the entire academy.

The spectators all cursed Zhao Yuande for being shameless—using a sword, and moreover a Divine‑Rank treasure sword—clearly trying to take advantage of Ye Liuyun.

Only Lei Ming and others who understood Ye Liuyun smiled at the corners of their mouths, utterly unconcerned that he might lose.

Speaking of blade intent and sword intent—the artistic conception of weapons—they have never heard of anyone stronger than Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun smiled as well and drew the Mountain‑splitting Sword.

At a glance he saw Zhao Yuande's sword‑intent seed and understood his strength. To deal with him, this Mountain‑splitting Sword is sufficient.

With a Holy Son of the Demon Race present, Ye Liuyun does not yet wish to let him see the Demon Slaying Sword.

He kept a trump card. If a real clash with the Holy Son ever occurs, he'll give him a "surprise!" then.

"Since Senior Brother Zhao is interested in a weapons duel, of course I'll oblige. However…" Ye Liuyun paused.

Zhao Wuji used tricks to force him to use a weapon. For such petty cleverness, Ye Liuyun felt he must make him pay a price.

When the audience saw Ye Liuyun also produce a divine artifact, their worries about him instantly lessened.