Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

The Imperial Ruins Terrace and the nine-tiered circular jade battle platform lay empty, like a desolate wasteland. The silence was oppressive, suffocating.

The barrier within the battle arena was faintly enveloped in a gentle, flowing light.

In this deathly, almost frozen atmosphere, a slightly thin figure slowly stepped onto the battle stage. He stood alone in the center of the stage, his appearance abrupt and out of place with the solemn and grand arena around him.

He was a rogue cultivator whose name was unknown. He wore simple clothes and had his hair tied up, his attire extremely plain. His spiritual energy was calm and restrained. The shimmering light of the arena's spiritual light platform clearly reflected the fluctuations of his Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation.

Among the hundreds of cultivators present, most were disciples of established sects with solid foundations, their cultivation levels generally hovering around the seventh or eighth level. In contrast, this sixth-level rogue cultivator's act of stepping onto the stage was reckless and overconfident. He raised his hand and solemnly bowed to the four directions, his clear voice breaking the deathly silence and resounding throughout the entire arena: "This junior rogue cultivator humbly requests to challenge a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator."

As soon as the words were spoken, the high platform and the area around the battle arena were suddenly engulfed in a storm of turbulent waves, with discussions rising and falling in waves. In everyone's eyes, it was undoubtedly humiliating and asking for trouble for someone with only a sixth-level cultivation who dared to challenge a seventh-level cultivator.

The disciples from all factions watched silently, none of them responding to the challenge, regarding this sudden challenge as a ridiculous farce.

"I'll have a go at you."

Within the Laoshan camp, a disciple at the seventh level of Qi Refining took a step forward and stepped out of the ranks.

He was dressed in a traditional Laoshan blue robe, exuding a profound and powerful aura, giving him a clear advantage over his opponent.

Having said that, the disciple in green robes leaped onto the arena with composure. In everyone's eyes, the outcome was already a foregone conclusion. They secretly cursed Laoshan for seizing the opportunity to enter, and also regretted why their own camp hadn't made a move first.

The Mo family's barrier flashed, locking onto the two figures, and the battle officially began on the arena.

The seventh-level disciple of Laoshan made the first move, his fingertips brimming with spiritual light as he condensed the basic sword techniques of Laoshan. The sword light was orderly and steady, the spiritual energy thick and abundant, and each move carried the rules and power of orthodox cultivation methods. The suppression of cultivation level was obvious at a glance, and the pressure of spiritual energy spread out layer by layer, firmly locking down the escape space of the rogue cultivator.

The rogue cultivator, however, showed no sign of panic. He didn't rely on the sheer volume of his spiritual energy or the sophistication of his techniques; instead, he followed the most unrefined and practical path of a rogue cultivator. He lacked flashy spells, but his movements were cunning and unpredictable. He was well-versed in the art of combat and survival, avoiding all direct confrontations and using the interplay of light and shadow on the arena to maneuver and evade attacks. His years of experience wandering the mountains and wilderness, fighting for his life against demonic beasts, and surviving in perilous situations became his greatest asset.

The Laoshan disciple, despite possessing profound cultivation and orthodox techniques, fought with rigid rules and following the sect's routines in every move. Faced with this wild cultivator's fighting style, which was unpredictable and ruthless, he found it difficult to adapt. Although his spiritual power was strong, he repeatedly missed his target, and all his exquisite sword moves went unpunished. His tense mind gradually became anxious.

After several rounds of fighting, the seventh-level cultivator's spiritual energy was greatly depleted, his mentality became increasingly agitated, and the flaws in his moves gradually became apparent.

Seizing the fleeting opening, the rogue cultivator sidestepped the sword's edge, made a close-range advance, and delivered a swift and precise palm strike to the blind spot in the opponent's meridians where spiritual energy was circulating.

puff--

The Laoshan disciple in green robes felt his breath catch in his throat, his spiritual light suddenly scattered, and his spiritual power surged in reverse in his dantian, nearly causing him to drop his longsword. He retreated in shock, forcibly stabilizing himself, but his spiritual power was already disordered, his moves were all broken, and he had no strength left to fight.

The entire room fell silent instantly.

No one expected that a seventh-level disciple of Laoshan, who had the advantage of cultivation level and came from an orthodox sect, would be defeated by a nameless, unaffiliated, low-level rogue cultivator who was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

The Mo family's protective barrier slowly withdrew its spiritual light, declaring the outcome of the battle.

After a deathly silence, a wave of commotion swept across the entire arena. Disciples from all factions wore varying expressions, their hearts churning with emotion. After this battle, no one dared to underestimate the rogue cultivators who operated outside the sect system—cultivator rank was never the sole measure of victory; years of life-and-death struggles and honed combat skills were enough to bridge an entire rank difference and reverse the course of the battle.

Lin Yan stood quietly in the queue, his face calm and expressionless, with only a very faint curve at the corner of his lips, which no one noticed.

A comeback victory against a much stronger opponent ignited the competitive spirit on the field.

Challengers arrived one after another on the battle stage, their shouts rising and falling, growing ever louder. However, most of the low-level cultivators' attempts to challenge those of higher levels ended in crushing defeat, only adding to the noise of the arena and failing to replicate the miracle of the rogue cultivators' incredible comebacks.

Just as the chaotic challenges were about to come to an end, a calm and clear voice suddenly broke through the noise.

"Shen Yue, a disciple of Laoshan, challenges the early stage of Foundation Establishment!"

All eyes suddenly turned to each other.

Shen Yue stood tall and wielded a seven-foot-long spear made of cold iron. The spear shaft gleamed with a chilling light, the tip of the spear was sharp and concentrated with spiritual energy, and the iron tassel at the end of the spear swayed gently in the wind, exuding a fierce and murderous fighting spirit.

These words caused another stir on the Imperial Ruins Platform.

In the path of cultivation, Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment are worlds apart. Foundation Establishment cultivators condense their Qi into a core, undergo physical transformation, possess inexhaustible spiritual power, and can even unleash exclusive Foundation Establishment techniques. They completely overwhelm Qi Refining cultivators in terms of foundation, endurance, and explosive power. Ordinary ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators can only avoid battle and retreat when encountering early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, utterly lacking the confidence to confront them head-on. Shen Yue's feat of defying Foundation Establishment at the ninth level of Qi Refining once again shocked the entire audience.

A cold, deep voice suddenly rang out from the Hao Clan Alliance camp: "I've come to take you on in battle."

Hao Lei landed opposite Shen Yue with a "whoosh," his face sharply defined, his expression cold and arrogant. His spiritual energy was solid and heavy, his aura calm and restrained, a genuine early Foundation Establishment cultivation level. A Hao family secret-made spirit-tempered double-edged short sword hung at his waist, its design sinister.

Hao Lei lowered his eyes to scrutinize Shen Yue, who stood holding a gun, his gaze filled with condescending indifference and disdain: "A mere Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivator dares to challenge a Foundation Establishment cultivator; the Laoshan disciple's courage is commendable. But the chasm between cultivation levels cannot be bridged by mere hot blood. I, Hao Lei, will show you what true Foundation Establishment is all about."

As soon as he finished speaking, the spiritual light of the Mo family's barrier surged and rose, and the pale golden light screen instantly sealed off the four sides of the arena, isolating the airflow inside and outside and locking onto the two figures.

Om-!

Hao Lei struck first, unleashing his Foundation Establishment spiritual power without reservation. His spiritual power solidified into a tangible form, layers of azure energy swirling around his body. His figure flashed like a black shadow, the short sword at his waist unsheathed, its cold light exploding for a moment before its sharp blade swept across all directions.

Foundation Building Technique: Wind Slash.

The blade, carrying a violent gust of wind, tore through the surrounding air, its ear-piercing whistling echoing across the arena. The broad, heavy blade light layered upon layer, its spiritual energy piling up and crushing down, sealing off all of Shen Yue's escape routes from top to bottom. Once struck by the blade, even with spiritual energy protecting him, his inner energy would be shattered and his meridians severely damaged by the powerful spiritual energy of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The audience held their breath. Faced with such an absolute difference in foundation and skill, no amount of movement techniques or combat experience seemed to be of any use.

Shen Yue, standing at the center of the battle arena, remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic.

As the blade's light crashed down upon him, Shen Yue stomped his feet, his body darting out diagonally, gracefully avoiding the main force of the blade. The aftershock of the blade's force swept across the bluestone of the battle platform, instantly cracking the surface with fine spiderweb-like patterns, revealing the domineering power of his Foundation Establishment spiritual energy.

In the instant of dodging, Shen Yue did not retreat in the slightest, but instead charged forward, thrusting out his cold iron spear with lightning speed.

The spear vibrated rapidly, emitting a sharp hum. A single point of cold light at the spearhead condensed nine layers of refined spiritual energy, abandoning all fancy moves, focusing solely on the refined killing techniques honed through countless trials of the Laoshan Spear Technique, each strike aimed directly at vital meridians. With each inch longer, the weapon's advantage was amplified, and Shen Yue maximized this advantage, his attacks swift, fierce, and relentless.

Hao Lei's pupils contracted sharply, a slight shock rising in his heart. He had never seen a Qi Refining cultivator possess such extreme speed and explosive power.

In a moment of haste, he sheathed his sword and blocked the spear tip with a double-edged dagger.

clang--

A deafening roar shook the arena, sending sparks flying blindingly. A violent shockwave of spiritual energy exploded from the two of them, creating a chaotic atmosphere and causing the barrier's light screen to tremble violently.

Hao Lei's body swayed only slightly, his long and stable Foundation Establishment spiritual power firmly supporting him, giving him a confident stance. In contrast, Shen Yue's feet sank inch by inch on the jade platform, his feet grinding two shallow grooves into it, his arm meridians tingling, and his tiger's mouth burning and trembling.

The difference in their levels of understanding was laid bare at this moment.

The Foundation Establishment spiritual power is inexhaustible and profound, while the Nine-Layer Refining spiritual power is ultimately shallow. In just one head-on clash, it was depleted of strength, its blood and qi surged, and it fell into a disadvantageous position.

"Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, it's futile and overestimating one's own strength."

Hao Lei shouted coldly, his killing intent suddenly solidified, and his wrist twisted rapidly. As the short sword spun, the powerful Foundation Establishment spiritual energy flowed upwards along the blade and rushed straight into Shen Yue's meridians along the spear shaft, intending to knock away the spear and completely shatter the opponent's offensive.

A violent and tyrannical spiritual force swept over his arm, causing Shen Yue excruciating pain and numbness, and his spear nearly slipped from his grasp.

In that split second between life and death, Shen Yue's mind suddenly calmed down, and he abandoned all head-on confrontations.

Shen Yue suddenly twisted his wrist, the gun smoothly sliding against the blade. Taking advantage of the momentum of the opponent's spiritual energy impact, he spun and flipped in mid-air, perfectly avoiding the direct crushing spiritual energy. The instant his toes lightly touched the table, the butt of the gun, carrying the remaining spiritual energy, swept out horizontally, accurately aiming for Hao Chen's vulnerable side.

The shift from offense to defense can happen in the blink of an eye.

Shen Yue knew perfectly well that his spiritual energy reserves and foundation were far inferior to those of Foundation Establishment cultivators, and that a prolonged, head-on battle would inevitably result in defeat. Only by seizing opportunities, finding weaknesses, and using speed to counter stability could he have a glimmer of hope for turning the tide.

Hao Lei's rhythm was disrupted by this tricky and agile fighting style. He hastily dodged to the side, avoiding a fatal blow, but his black robe was torn open by the sharp spear energy. The spear wind grazed his flesh, leaving a faint bloodstain.

The minor physical injury completely erased Hao Lei's initial contempt, leaving only solemnity and anger.

He no longer held back, unleashing all his Foundation Establishment spiritual power. Countless blade lights swirled and intertwined, layer upon layer of blade nets sealing off all sides of the arena. He continuously activated the Rending Wind Slash, the fierce wind carrying the chilling blade light, enveloping Shen Yue's body without any blind spots. His attacks were dense and fierce, cutting off any chance for him to catch his breath.

For a time, the battlefield was filled with the glint of swords and the flash of spears, a breathtaking display of attack and defense.

With his absolute advantage at the Foundation Establishment stage, Hao Lei steadily suppressed the entire field, launching endless attacks and wielding inexhaustible spiritual power, constantly compressing Shen Yue's living space.

Shen Yue remained composed and unhurried throughout, avoiding greedy attacks and reckless advances. He wielded his spear with impenetrable skill, using the tip to lightly parry and the shaft to deflect and cushion the impact, effectively dissipating most of the violent spiritual energy.

The intense struggle caused his internal energy to be rapidly depleted, his forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, his breathing became increasingly rapid, and his arms were sore and numb from the continuous clash of spiritual energy. His internal energy gradually became disordered and turbulent.

All the cultivators present could see that Shen Yue was already at his limit, and was only holding on with his extraordinary tenacity and combat experience. His defeat was only a matter of time.

Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, Hao Lei grew increasingly anxious.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator, locked in a prolonged stalemate with a Qi Refining cultivator, had long been a laughingstock. Enraged, he concentrated all his primordial spiritual power, raising his short sword high. The sword's spiritual light surged, and a cyan wind force tightly coiled around its body, condensing all his power into a single point.

"Splitting winds and shattering mountains." The ultimate foundation-building technique was unleashed with a thunderous roar.

The interwoven net of blades suddenly contracted, condensing into a massive, heavy blade beam, carrying the power to split mountains and shatter rocks, and slashed fiercely down at Shen Yue.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the arena. Everyone was convinced that with this final blow, Shen Yue would be defeated without a doubt.

A resolute glint suddenly ignited in Shen Yue's eyes. He poured all the remaining power of his ninth-level Qi Refining Source into his spear, causing the spear's cold light to surge to its peak. Then, abandoning all defense, he charged forward along the ground, meeting the oncoming giant blade of light head-on.

Just as the blade was about to strike, Shen Yue sidestepped at the last second, barely avoiding the fatal blow from the blade, and instantly appeared three feet in front of Hao Lei in a blind spot.

Boom—

The giant blade of light grazed his back and slammed into the jade battle platform. The hard surface instantly shattered, creating a deep crack several meters long. Shards flew everywhere, spiritual energy surged wildly, and a terrifying aura swept across the entire arena.

Having escaped death, Shen Yue had already reached Hao Lei's side.

At this moment, Hao Lei's old strength had just been exhausted and his new strength had not yet been generated. After his killing move missed, his body stiffened for a moment, and there was a momentary break in the flow of spiritual energy around him, completely exposing his weakness.

Shen Yue's eyes were sharp as an eagle's. With a sudden burst of strength, his cold iron spear abandoned its thrusting motion and abruptly flipped, the shaft carrying the last of his strength and immense weight, precisely striking Hao Lei's chest where his dantian meridians were most vulnerable.

boom.

A dull, heavy impact reverberated across the battle arena. The force was concentrated, precise, and cunning, all directed at vital points without any waste.

Hao Lei's pupils shrank sharply, and his face turned deathly pale.

With a violent tremor in his chest, his steadily circulating Foundation Establishment Qi suddenly became disordered and stagnant, and his long and powerful Foundation Establishment spiritual power instantly reversed and dissipated, causing his protective aura to collapse and vanish.

puff--

A mouthful of scalding blood gushed out, and Hao Lei staggered back several steps, his spiritual energy completely dissipating. His hands were weak, his body utterly exhausted, and his double-edged dagger clattered to the bluestone platform. He clutched his throbbing, pulsating dantian, gasping for breath, his internal energy utterly chaotic, his body swaying precariously, utterly powerless to fight again.

In the blink of an eye, the offense and defense reversed, and the desperate situation was turned around.

The entire imperial ruins platform fell into a deathly silence once again, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared in disbelief, no one daring to believe what they were seeing—a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator defeating a beginner Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Despite being completely outmatched in terms of cultivation level, spiritual power, and magical techniques, Shen Yue, a disciple of Laoshan, relied on his exceptional agility to overcome the insurmountable barrier and achieve an incredible, narrow victory.

A few breaths later, the deathly silence was completely shattered by a deafening roar.

Exclamations, praises, and discussions swept across the entire arena, creating a far more intense and passionate atmosphere than the previous comeback by the rogue cultivators.

In the center of the battle platform, Shen Yue stood tall and straight, spear in hand. His clothes were torn at the shoulder by the blade, and there were shallow bloodstains on his back. Sweat soaked through his clothes, but his eyes were clear and bright, showing no sign of defeat.

Throughout the stands, the expressions of the various factions were quite varied.

The Hao Clan members stood silently, their faces ashen. This defeat not only damaged the morale of their faction but also caused the Hao Clan to lose face.

Lin Yan's expression was calm and composed, with a faint hint of charm flashing in his eyes.