Chapter 575 - 575: Lu Yuan

Four level eight Martial Spirits had all been defeated.

What's more, they had all been defeated by Chu Qingyun, a single level seven Martial Spirit!

This left the surrounding Outer Disciples completely shocked. Even the Outer Elders in the pavilion were rather surprised.

These Elders were all Martial Emperor Realm experts, and every one of them had lived for several hundred years.

They had seen their fair share of geniuses in the Outer Sect.

Chu Qingyun, a level seven Martial Spirit, had defeated a level eight before. While that was surprising, it wasn't a major shock to them.

It was merely a case of defeating an opponent of a higher level. Nearly all the geniuses who won the annual Inner Sect qualification competition could do that.

But this time was different.

Not only was he defeating opponents of a higher level, he did it one against four, achieving a flawless victory!

A genius like that was extremely rare, even in the Saint Extreme Sect's Outer Sect!

'One against four, without showing the slightest weakness. Is a Mutated Martial Soul truly this powerful...?'

"He's this strong without even entering the Saint Extreme Tower. After he does, his Sword Technique and Secret Techniques will likely see a massive improvement. I'd say in another two years, he'll have a chance of passing the Inner Sect qualification competition and joining the Inner Sect!"

"This year's Inner Sect qualification competition is in half a month. If he can advance to level eight Martial Spirit before then, he might just be strong enough to participate..."

The Outer Elders' assessment of Chu Qingyun grew higher and higher.

"Hmph. The Inner Sect qualification competition? Let's see if he can even get past this first!"

But at that moment, Elder Huang snorted coldly.

"Four level eight Martial Spirits have all lost. What else can they do? They're not going to get a level nine Martial Spirit to step in, are they?" one Elder couldn't help but say.

"Heh, you're right on the money. They really did get a level nine Martial Spirit."

Elder Huang gazed down at the Saint Extreme Road, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

In front of the Saint Extreme Road, a level nine Martial Spirit spoke for a moment with the group of over twenty disciples, then unhurriedly stepped onto the path.

"Chu Qingyun is in trouble now. That kid's name is Lu Yuan, I believe. While his strength hasn't reached the level of an Outer Sect Seed Disciple, he isn't far off."

"A level seven Martial Spirit against a level nine... That's a tall order..."

"A level nine Martial Spirit is far stronger than a level eight..."

In the pavilion, upon seeing a level nine Martial Spirit actually make a move, the Elders couldn't help but sigh. They all felt that this was likely the end of the road for Chu Qingyun.

There was nothing they could do, however.

When the level eight Martial Spirits attacked, they had allowed Elder Huang to persuade them not to intervene. Now, even if they wanted to, they had no justification for stepping in.

Otherwise, wouldn't it look like they were targeting a level nine Martial Spirit disciple?

'Hehehe, little bastard. If you can't enter the Saint Extreme Tower, it won't matter how talented you are. You'll just be slowly surpassed by your peers until you become mediocre, a complete waste!'

Elder Huang sneered, his eyes fixed on Chu Qingyun on the Saint Extreme Road.

Meanwhile, the other Outer Elders all frowned.

For an Elder to target an Outer Disciple so brazenly was incredibly petty. However, as they were all fellow Outer Elders, they said nothing, though they couldn't help but feel a growing sense of disgust toward Elder Huang.

On the Saint Extreme Road, watching the level nine Martial Spirit approach, Chu Qingyun's expression turned extremely serious.

"Iron Thread Ten-Star Vine Martial Soul!"

"Flame Martial Soul!"

Before Lu Yuan could get close, Chu Qingyun preemptively unleashed his two Martial Souls. At the same time, he gathered a massive amount of Flame Martial Soul Power, igniting a scorching Martial Soul Fire around his body.

"For a level seven Martial Spirit to defeat four level eights is truly impressive. I'll give you a chance to save face. Walk off the Saint Extreme Road yourself."

Lu Yuan said, standing about ten meters in front of Chu Qingyun.

Judging by the strength Chu Qingyun had displayed, it was highly likely he would become an Outer Sect Seed Disciple in the future, perhaps even an Inner Sect Disciple.

Therefore, even though Lu Yuan had agreed to deal with Chu Qingyun for the group, he didn't want to offend him too deeply.

"If you want me to surrender, we'll see if you have what it takes."

Chu Qingyun said, a spark of fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.

It wasn't as if he had never fought a level nine Martial Spirit before.

At the time, however, he had only been a level six Martial Spirit. Moreover, the two level nine Martial Spirits he had faced were both afflicted with Fire Poison, their strength greatly diminished. That fight hadn't proved anything.

But things were different now.

His strength had risen to level seven Martial Spirit, and he was confident he could now truly go head-to-head with a level nine!

"Oh? So you really intend to fight me."

Lu Yuan chuckled, but his expression grew noticeably more serious.

He had seen Chu Qingyun's previous sword strike. An attack that could heavily wound a powerful level eight Martial Spirit in a single blow was not something that even he could afford to underestimate.

"Here I come!"

"Thunder Sword!"

With a sharp cry, Chu Qingyun attacked first.

He opened with his strongest move.

Thunder and fire coalesced into a five-meter-long greatsword that came slashing down toward Lu Yuan.

"Good one!"

"Now, take a punch from me!"

Lu Yuan barked, instantly activating his Soul Technique. With a flash of light, a pair of bright silver gauntlets materialized over his hands.

He then threw a fierce punch forward. A stream of gray Qi condensed into a giant fist flecked with silver light, hurtling fearlessly toward Chu Qingyun's surging Thunderfire sword.

Backed by the immense Primordial Power of a level nine Martial Spirit, the gray fist radiated an aura that made one's heart palpitate.

BOOM!

A violent collision.

A fierce gale erupted from the point of impact, instantly blowing out the Martial Soul Fire on Chu Qingyun's sword. Immediately after, a torrent of Thunder Power burst forth, venting its fury onto the gray fist.

The Thunder Power was rapidly depleted.

Meanwhile, the gray fist trembled violently under the continuous bombardment, and even the silver flecks of light on its surface grew much dimmer.

Two breaths later, the Thunder dissipated, but the gray fist still hung in the air between them.

A smile appeared on Lu Yuan's face. "The Intention Realm is nothing special after all. Now, fall!"

With a cold shout, he urged the giant fist forward, intending to smash it into Chu Qingyun.

But in the very next instant, his expression changed drastically.

Because as he willed it forward, the gray fist suddenly shattered. A torrent of gray Qi poured out from inside it and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Although it had blocked Chu Qingyun's sword, Lu Yuan's punch had completely exhausted its power. It was nothing more than an empty shell.

"Damn it!"

Lu Yuan cursed under his breath. He then clenched his left fist, pouring pure Primordial Power into his Martial Soul and blasting a blinding ball of silver light toward Chu Qingyun.

With the gray fist shattered, he couldn't possibly conjure it again so hastily.