Chapter 183 - 177: Vajra Subdues the Demon

Chapter 183: Chapter 177: Vajra Subdues the Demon

Chen Yue stood in the arena, glanced at Ji Wanting in the distance, then turned to Song Zhen who was not far away. He cupped his fist in a salute before turning and leaving the Martial Arts Arena.

Below the Martial Arts Arena, the crowd automatically parted to form a path the moment Chen Yue started walking toward them.

Their gazes fell upon Chen Yue, filled with curiosity, awe, excitement, and a mix of complex emotions.

It wasn’t until Chen Yue had completely vanished from sight that the entire Martial Arts Arena erupted like a lit powder keg, exploding with fervent discussion.

All the emotions suppressed by shock, all the words held back in their throats by sheer astonishment, now poured out like a flood from a broken dam.

Some were exclaiming in shock, others sighing in amazement. Some argued endlessly, while others grabbed their companions, repeatedly asking, "Did you see that clearly?"

Chen Yue walked along the mountain path. The trees on either side cast mottled shadows in the morning light, painting the stone steps in a checkered pattern of light and dark.

From the direction of the distant Martial Arts Arena, he could still faintly hear the tide-like roar of voices. It drifted over with the wind, gradually muffled by the mountain forest and rocks, growing more and more distant and indistinct.

Chen Yue paid no mind to the noise, continuing along the path toward the Affairs Hall.

A moment later, Chen Yue crossed the threshold and walked up to a familiar counter.

An On-Duty Disciple was looking down, organizing a register. Hearing footsteps, he looked up. When he saw it was Chen Yue, he froze for a moment before quickly putting down the register and standing up straight.

He had already heard the news: that Chen Yue had defeated Ji Wanting, that Chen Yue had entered the Cyan Cloud Ranking, and that Chen Yue, with his Marrow Refining Realm cultivation, had crushed a Late Stage Refining Organ Realm expert.

Now, seeing Chen Yue in the flesh standing right before him, the On-Duty Disciple’s gaze held something new: reverence.

The disciples on the Cyan Cloud Ranking were the strongest Refining Organ Realm disciples in the Panshi Sect’s Inner Sect. Every single person on this list was a top-tier combatant, filtered through countless battles.

Now, Chen Yue had joined their ranks—and he had done so with the cultivation of the Marrow Refining Realm.

Once Chen Yue broke through to the Refining Organ Realm, with his current combat foundation, entering the top ranks of the Cyan Cloud Ranking was practically a certainty.

At that point, he might even challenge the top ten, or the top five, becoming one of the absolute best in the Panshi Sect’s Inner Sect.

Chen Yue looked at the On-Duty Disciple, ignoring the complex emotions in the other’s gaze.

"What position on the Cyan Cloud Ranking can I challenge now?"

"You are currently ranked ninety-ninth on the Cyan Cloud Ranking. The highest you can challenge is the eighty-ninth rank, held by Senior Brother Hua Guanzhi."

The On-Duty Disciple answered almost reflexively. He was clearly so familiar with the rules that he didn’t even need to think.

Chen Yue nodded. After fighting Ji Wanting today, he had a general understanding of the strength of the disciples on the Panshi Sect’s Cyan Cloud Ranking.

Ji Wanting was at the Late Stage of the Refining Organ Realm and cultivated All Things Return to the Source. Among those at the same realm, he was already considered quite strong, yet he couldn’t even last ten moves against him.

Hua Guanzhi’s rank was ten places higher than Ji Wanting’s. By common logic, he should be stronger than Ji Wanting.

But Chen Yue wasn’t sure by how much.

’But after a fight, I’ll definitely find out.’

"Help me apply for a challenge."

Hearing this, the On-Duty Disciple efficiently took Chen Yue’s Waist Token and began to operate the Jade.

A moment later, the On-Duty Disciple handed the Waist Token back to Chen Yue with both hands. Chen Yue took it, reattached it to his waist, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, looked up at the disciple.

"Right, how many Contribution Points did I get for that duel?"

"Two hundred Contribution Points. You’re awarded one hundred Contribution Points for every rank you advance on the Cyan Cloud Ranking."

’Two hundred points. Not a lot.’

’If I can beat Hua Guanzhi next time, I’ll advance ten ranks and earn a thousand Contribution Points.’

A thousand Contribution Points would be enough to support his cultivation expenses for quite some time.

’Looking at it this way, I can sustain my cultivation by challenging the Cyan Cloud Ranking for now, without having to specifically focus on Alchemy.’

’Alchemy takes too much time, spending several hours a day in front of the Pill Furnace.’

’If the rewards from the Cyan Cloud Ranking challenges can cover my daily expenses, then I can invest more time into cultivation and increase my strength even faster.’

Chen Yue cupped his fist toward the On-Duty Disciple and left the Affairs Hall.

Behind him, the few On-Duty Disciples inside the Affairs Hall glanced at each other, then simultaneously lowered their heads and resumed their work.

By the time Chen Yue returned to his courtyard, the afternoon sun was slanting over the wall, warming the stone slabs on the ground until they were slightly hot to the touch.

Chen Yue sat cross-legged on the stone slabs in the courtyard, consumed a Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill, and began his daily cultivation.

His breathing became long and even as the Vast Heart Rock Skill circulated to its limits within his body, guiding the Medicinal Power to flow along his meridians.

Meanwhile, the results of the duel had already begun to spread out from the Martial Arts Arena.

The news first circulated among the disciples who had watched the fight live. Then, through word of mouth, through the public records in the Affairs Hall, and through various other channels, it reached the ears of every disciple on the Cyan Cloud Ranking.

A few of the disciples ranked below ninetieth had come to watch the duel today, not because they were interested in Chen Yue, but because they wanted to see the current extent of Ji Wanting’s strength.

Although Ji Wanting was ranked ninety-ninth, he cultivated All Things Return to the Source. If he made any progress in his cultivation, he could drastically increase his combat power in a short time, thereby threatening them.

They had witnessed the entire duel today, and the outcome left all of them silent for a long time.

The On-Duty Disciple from the Affairs Hall once again set foot on Celestial Stone Peak.

Hua Guanzhi’s courtyard was more exquisite than Ji Wanting’s. The walls were built of polished bluestone, with clumps of winter jasmine planted on top. Although their blooming season had passed, the branches still hung lushly over the outer wall, swaying gently in the breeze.

The courtyard gate consisted of two vermilion wooden doors. The door knockers were bronze lion heads, their mouths holding the rings, giving them a solemn and majestic appearance.

The On-Duty Disciple walked to the gate, took a deep breath, and raised his hand to strike the knocker.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Three muffled thuds echoed along the quiet mountain path.

A moment later, the gate opened from the inside.

Hua Guanzhi stood behind the gate, dressed in a long robe with a cyan silk sash tied around his waist. He had a lean face and refined features, and appeared to be around thirty years old.

His features weren’t particularly outstanding, but his eyes were very bright, holding a calm and reserved light.

But the moment he saw the On-Duty Disciple, his heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

An hour ago, a junior brother he knew well had run over in a hurry and told him everything that had happened at the Martial Arts Arena, down to the last detail.

The junior brother spoke rapidly, his expression animated as if he were recounting a thrilling drama. After listening, Hua Guanzhi had remained silent for a long time.

He hadn’t even finished processing the news when the On-Duty Disciple arrived.

The On-Duty Disciple cupped his fist, his voice respectful and clear. "Senior Brother Hua, Senior Brother Chen Yue has issued a challenge to you. According to the Cyan Cloud Ranking rules, you must accept within ten days."

Hua Guanzhi took a deep breath. He hadn’t seen Chen Yue’s skills with his own eyes today, but he knew the extent of Ji Wanting’s strength.

Hua Guanzhi knew he could also defeat Ji Wanting, but he definitely couldn’t do it so cleanly and decisively.

"The duel will be in ten days."

Hua Guanzhi didn’t try to evade it. His expression showed no obvious change in emotion, but deep within his eyes, a solemn light was slowly gathering.

The On-Duty Disciple cupped his fist and turned to leave.

The sound of his footsteps faded into the distance along the mountain path, eventually swallowed by the wind.

Hua Guanzhi stood at his gate, watching the figure disappear around a distant corner. He remained silent for a long time before closing the gate and walking toward the Training Ground in his courtyard.

’Ten days. I need to prepare well.’

After returning to the Affairs Hall, the On-Duty Disciple recorded Hua Guanzhi’s acceptance of the challenge in the Jade and updated the challenge log.

The news that Chen Yue and Hua Guanzhi would duel in ten days once again sent ripples through the sect, slowly spreading out.

Within the Panshi Sect, the atmosphere, already lively because of the duel at the Martial Arts Arena, was taken to a whole new level.

They hadn’t expected that right after defeating Ji Wanting, Chen Yue would relentlessly challenge Hua Guanzhi. Not only that, he had issued the highest possible challenge, jumping directly from rank ninety-nine to challenge rank eighty-nine, skipping the nine people in between.

This was a clear declaration to everyone that his ambitions didn’t stop there.

Chen Yue cultivated peacefully in his courtyard, ignoring the commotion and discussions of the outside world.

「Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.」

For Chen Yue, these seven days were no different from any other. He practiced his fist forms at dawn, consumed Elixirs and used the Vast Heart Rock Skill to refine their Medicinal Power in the morning, and practiced his Saber and Palm Techniques in the afternoon.

The rhythm of each day was as if measured with a ruler—not a minute more, not a second less.

At midnight, a familiar ripple appeared.

[Daily Settlement]

[Diligently practiced Great Vajra Palm, EXP +785]

...

[Great Vajra Palm (Perfection)]

...

Chen Yue stared at the line of text on the panel as a flood of insights poured into his Sea of Consciousness, then transformed into bodily instinct.

A moment later, Chen Yue opened his eyes, stood up, and walked into the courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet at night. Moonlight spilled over the walls, coating the stone slabs on the ground with a layer of silver frost.

Chen Yue stood under the moonlight, slowly raised his hands, and began to circulate the Great Vajra Palm.

Where his palms passed, the air tore with a low, deep, muffled sound, like a great drum being lightly struck in the night sky.

His palms flew, and with each strike, he could feel the flow of Power become smoother and more condensed than before.

Feeling the change in the Power within his palms, Chen Yue nodded to himself in satisfaction.

’With this Palm Technique, enhanced by the Qi and Blood Power of the Ten Thousand Forms Tiger Roar Golden Bell and the Inner Strength of the Vast Heart Rock Skill, an ordinary Refining Organ Realm cultivator wouldn’t be able to withstand a single palm strike.’

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Chen Yue left his courtyard.

A thin layer of mist lingered on the mountain path. His Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step unfolded in the morning fog, his figure flickering in and out of sight like a bird soaring through the clouds.

He was heading to Celestial State Prefecture City.

The effects of the Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pills had begun to diminish recently. After some deliberation, Chen Yue decided to reduce his daily intake of Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pills by one, making room for Lighting the Acupoints Pills instead.

The Lighting the Acupoints Pill could improve his Wisdom Eye Brightening Talent, which enhanced the acuity of his vision in combat.

He had previously put this Talent on the back burner because he simply couldn’t consume any more Elixirs. Now that the effects of the Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pill were waning, it was the perfect time to fill that gap.

When Chen Yue arrived at Jishi Hall, the apothecary had just opened for the day. The steps at the entrance were still wet with water an attendant had just splashed on them.

The Shopkeeper was behind the counter, working an abacus. Hearing footsteps, he looked up. The moment he saw Chen Yue, his round face broke into a wide smile, and he greeted him enthusiastically.

"Honored customer, you’ve arrived!" His voice carried a genuine joy.

Just as Chen Yue was about to speak, he caught sight of a figure entering through the apothecary’s side door out of the corner of his eye.

He looked up, his brow twitching slightly. It was the disciple from the Liuyun Sword Sect he had encountered outside the city a few days ago.

Guan Duzhou was wearing a cyan robe with a longsword hanging from his waist. He also spotted Chen Yue at a glance, and his eyes couldn’t help but narrow slightly.

Guan Duzhou’s figure flickered, and in an instant, he appeared in front of Chen Yue. The aura of the Refining Organ Realm surged from his body like a tidal wave, pressing down on Chen Yue with overwhelming force.

"It seems you still remember me."

Chen Yue looked at Guan Duzhou, his expression unchanging.

"Senior Brother, you have the wrong person."