Chapter 139

The tall figure was naturally Wang Yu, who had seized the moment of the woman's distraction and rushed forward with lightning speed.

With Wang Yu's current physical strength, augmented by the Black Tiger Breathing Method, even a simple punch felt like a massive hammer striking down.

The slender woman's face paled in shock; there was no time to dodge. She flipped her wrist, and a black shield suddenly appeared in her hand, bracing to take the blow.

A thunderous crash echoed, like a bolt splitting the clear sky.

She felt her shield arm grow searing hot, then an unstoppable force slammed into her, hurling her and the shield clean away.

She tumbled through the air, barely stopping six or seven zhang away, but her palm was shattered, half her body numb and utterly lifeless.

Fortunately, Wang Yu did not pursue, and she exhaled in relief—until her body suddenly froze rigid.

Three glinting daggers pressed simultaneously against the back of her skull, her neck, and her waist—sharp points so keen she felt a faint chill, making her hairs stand on end.

"I yield."

The woman cried out immediately.

Seeing this, Wang Yu smiled faintly, then activated his Point Gold Technique, gesturing to the three daggers. Instantly, they shot back as three streaks of cold light.

These three willow-leaf daggers bore no spiritual runes, but were forged from iron essence, thin as paper—light and razor-sharp, perfect for channeling the Point Gold Technique's sensory link.

The Confucian scholar above declared Wang Yu the victor, yet his gaze toward the slender woman held a strange expression.

Outside the barrier, many murmured in astonishment.

They were not questioning Wang Yu's victory, but were stunned by his ability to control three willow-leaf daggers simultaneously.

Even if Wang Yu were a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, ordinary Spirit Manipulation could never achieve such agility and speed—otherwise, how could the slender woman have been caught off guard?

Many cast wary, questioning glances toward Wang Yu.

"You didn't use Spirit Manipulation—was that Sword Cultivator technique? What secret art is this?" the slender woman demanded of Wang Yu, still resentful in the training ground.

"Sword Cultivator technique? Impossible. Just a clever little trick. But you—you're from the Thousand Bamboo Sect, aren't you?" Wang Yu replied vaguely, then countered with a question. He exhaled slowly, and within the white mist, his body returned to normal.

Her mention of Sword Cultivators instantly reminded him of the Hengjiang Sword in his storage bag.

"Hmph, if you won't answer me, why should I answer you? Besides, you destroyed my artifact—how do you plan to make up for it?" The woman remembered her ruined black-fur artifact and winced in pain.

"Heh, in true combat, damage to artifacts isn't my fault. But your shield is impressive—it withstood my punch without breaking. I'll repair it for you, free of charge." Wang Yu replied coolly.

"What? You're going to repair my shield?" The woman blinked, looking down at the black shield in her hand—its once-impenetrable surface now bore a clear, sharp fist imprint, as if carved by a blade.

She sucked in a sharp breath, then looked up—Wang Yu had already taken to the air, flying toward his own stone platform.

This left her chest tight, nearly choking on rage.

At that moment, Liu Ming high above slightly opened his mouth, silently speaking.

The slender woman frowned, then wore a look of resignation, and floated back to her own platform.

Master Xin seemed unconcerned with her loss, still smiling as he stepped forward.

Liu Ming then quietly inquired of Gu Lian and Wang Yu before announcing aloud from above:

"The contest for the spiritual vein slots ends here. The two families awarded slots are the Yu family and the Yin family. These two tokens are your credentials to enter the spiritual vein—do not lose them."

As he spoke, he shook his sleeve, and two emerald-green tokens shot out, flying toward the Yu and Yin family platforms.

Amid the envious gazes of other families, Master Yu and Yin Linglong respectfully received the tokens, their faces glowing with barely concealed excitement.

"Other families, do not lose heart. The Thousand Bamboo Sect will release more slots in time—you still have chances to enter the spiritual domain. That concludes today's contest. I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave." Liu Ming spoke his formal closing words, then shook his sleeve and vanished in a streak of light.

"Husband, as soon as we return, we move immediately," Yin Linglong said happily, playing with the token in her hand.

"You handle the arrangements," Wang Yu replied gravely. "After I return, I must enter seclusion to cultivate deeply—I won't leave the sect until I reach late-stage Qi Condensation."

"Don't worry, husband," Yin Linglong said without surprise, soothing him. "With the spiritual vein, Yin family can stabilize and grow. Focus on your own cultivation. If you ascend to late-stage Qi Condensation, our family gains far greater standing. If you need anything from us, just send word."

"Heh, Yin family should continue gathering cultivation techniques, scriptures—even miscellaneous texts. The more, the better for me." Wang Yu gave his instruction without hesitation.

"Understood. I'll arrange it as much as possible without hindering Yin family's growth. Wait—why are those two coming over?" Yin Linglong was about to say more, but suddenly noticed two figures flying toward them, her expression turning startled.

Wang Yu glanced over and recognized them: Gu Lian and Li Tianqi.

Gu Lian's arrival wasn't surprising—but why was Li Tianqi here? That gave him pause.

The man and woman landed on the platform nearly simultaneously. After exchanging glances, the blue-robed beauty Li Tianqi, her face filled with disbelief, turned first to Gu Lian:

"Gu Lian, now I understand why your name sounded familiar—you're one of the former Top Ten True Disciples of the Sunset Sect, the 'Essence Fire Body,' famed as invulnerable to a hundred flames—how are you here? Weren't you rumored to have failed your Foundation Establishment attempt and vanished from the Sunset Sect long ago?"

Former Sunset Sect True Disciple! Essence Fire Body! Invulnerable to a Hundred Flames!

Hearing Gu Lian's titles, Wang Yu, though already suspecting, could not suppress a look of surprise.

Beside him, Yin Linglong was utterly stunned.