His domineering counter-attack, while not flawless, was clean and decisive, easily neutralizing the sneak attack.
The scene left everyone dumbfounded!
A legendary waste had just effortlessly crushed Fang Yun, the one who'd tried to ambush him. Fang Yun's cultivation wasn't exceptionally high, but he was at least at the seventh level of the Body Refining Stage. That was hardly a low level; it was considered upper-middle tier.
This meant that Yi Tianyun's cultivation had reached at least the seventh level of the Body Refining Stage. With such talent, even if he couldn't be called a genius, he was certainly no waste.
No one could tell Yi Tianyun's exact cultivation level; they could only make a rough guess. If it was any higher, then he had hidden his true strength incredibly well.
"What... What's going on..."
Shi Xueyun was stunned. Just the fact that he could speak so articulately had been shocking enough. Now, the strength he was displaying was on par with the eighth level of the Body Refining Stage.
'Is this still the result of a trash Bloodline?'
Yi Tianyun felt the crowd's shocked gazes on him. This was well within his expectations. When a rumored waste could suddenly fight so effectively, anyone would be stunned.
As Fang Yun died in Zhao Hualong's arms, Zhao Hualong's rage instantly erupted. His aura surged, and a chilling killing intent flared!
"You're truly ruthless. So your cultivation is that high... no wonder you were able to kill Fang Chen!"
Zhao Hualong stared at Yi Tianyun, his voice thick with resentment. "Your cultivation is already so strong, a whole level above Fang Yun's! You could have just taught him a lesson! Why did you have to kill him!"
Yi Tianyun sneered. "They both drew daggers to ambush and assassinate me. If I hadn't fought back, they'd have to be taking me for a complete fool! Besides, in a life-or-death battle, who is there to blame?"
'He understood this principle perfectly. His fights had always been like this: he wouldn't attack unless provoked. But they had already drawn daggers to kill him. If his cultivation hadn't been a bit higher, if he hadn't been able to react in time, the one lying dead on the ground would be him, not Fang Yun!'
'Therefore, he would never show mercy to anyone who threatened him. When it was time to strike, he would strike.'
'Misplaced compassion would only lead to an early grave!'
'Repaying hatred with kindness? That was all bullshit to him. The moment someone made a move against him, they were branded for death! Forgiving Fang Yun was absolutely out of the question.'
Zhao Hualong's eyes were filled with venom. What Yi Tianyun said wasn't wrong, however. He could only grit his teeth and swallow his rage.
With Yi Tianyun's win, Merak Palace scored the first victory.
"That's a waste? How can a waste have such high cultivation and so much power?"
"It seems the rumors were just rumors. This kid isn't a waste at all, but a talented expert!"
"Did the Palace Master spread those rumors? Even we had no idea..."
...
The disciples of Merak Palace burst into discussion. They were utterly shocked by the strength Yi Tianyun had shown. It was as if their hearts were being battered by stormy waves. Their impression of Yi Tianyun had improved dramatically.
In this world, might made right. Only by displaying formidable strength could one earn the respect of others!
"Tianyun, you can come down now."
Shi Xueyun breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know how things had turned out this way, but as long as Yi Tianyun was safe, that was all that mattered.
"Palace Master, I can still fight!"
Yi Tianyun said, his eyes narrowed. His calm tone sounded incredibly sarcastic to the disciples of the Celestial Spirit Sect, especially to their elder, Zhao Hualong, all of whom had mocked him for being a waste.
"Oh? Quite spirited, aren't you? Fine! I'll grant your wish. You can continue fighting!"
Zhao Hualong glared at Yi Tianyun, his eyes filled with killing intent. If they weren't in Merak Palace, Yi Tianyun would already be a corpse!
"Tianyun, come down and recover. Don't push yourself..."
Shi Xueyun's face was filled with worry. She still believed Yi Tianyun couldn't continue and was afraid he would get hurt.
"Palace Master, I'm fine," Yi Tianyun said, his voice low. "Do you want me to continue being the waste they all think I am?"
'His words stunned Shi Xueyun. What power could have caused such a change in him? Had he met some powerful senior? Or received some kind of inheritance?'
Most importantly, he had to prove his strength, to let everyone know he was not a waste, so he could live with more dignity!
Zhao Hualong sneered. "A waste is a waste. No matter how tough you pretend to be, you're still a waste. Mo Cheng, you're up!"
"Yes, Elder Zhao!"
The words had barely faded when a young man leaped from below, landing gracefully on the dueling platform. A relaxed aura emanated from him, and his handsome features were striking. But now, none of the female disciples of Merak Palace could be bothered to give him a second glance.
He was the enemy; they would only greet him with hostility, not adoration!
Compared to Fang Yun, his entrance was far more elegant. Both his aura and his cultivation vastly surpassed Fang Yun's—he was at the ninth level of the Body Refining Stage! This was an astonishing level of cultivation, making him one of the most outstanding disciples they had brought.
"Mo Cheng!? He's a bonafide genius! How can he fight him?"
"Can Yi Tianyun possibly win? That's the ninth level of the Body Refining Stage!"
...
The disciples of Merak Palace felt a terrifying pressure. Zhao Hualong was clearly enraged to the point of sending up his strongest disciple. And on their side, the strongest was Mo Cheng. If Yi Tianyun's cultivation was only at the seventh or eighth level, he would undoubtedly lose this match!
"You will lose within three moves."
Mo Cheng said coolly, looking at Yi Tianyun as if he were already a dead man.
Yi Tianyun chuckled. "Three moves? That's pretty arrogant, don't you think?"
'Are all the disciples from the Celestial Spirit Sect this arrogant?'
"Your movements are too rigid and lack agility," Mo Cheng stated calmly. "Furthermore, your speed is far too slow."
Yi Tianyun grinned. "It seems I have so many flaws. Thank you for pointing them out. But thinking you can finish me in three moves? That's just a little too naive."
"If you can withstand three of my moves, I'll admit defeat myself!"
Mo Cheng was incredibly arrogant. Three moves wasn't a lot, but when there was a huge disparity in cultivation, a single move was often all it took.
"In that case," Yi Tianyun said, his expression calm, "I only need one move to finish you!" His words were even more arrogant than Mo Cheng's!
It wasn't that he was arrogant, but that he possessed that same level of confidence!