Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 177: Clash! Wu Yuan’s Might (3)

"Where did he pop up from?"

"Just now, Grand Elder said this white-robed youth is Shadow Blade?"

"With his strength, he might even rank number one on the Land Rankings!" The experts from Great Jin were visibly shaken, their emotions a mix of fear and relief. If Jin Qing hadnt been the one leading their group, they would have surely been annihilated by Wu Yuan.

"Chu Ping died in just a few seconds, yet this white-robed youth exchanged hundreds of blows with Jin Qing without showing any signs of defeat?" Chang Dong, Chu Jun, and the rest of their team were equally astonished.

Incredible! In a span of mere months, Wu Yuan has risen to such heights? Could it be... he has also attained the Unity level of the Harmony of Man and Nature stage? Bu Yu found herself both shocked and exhilarated, her mind abuzz with a plethora of thoughts.

Perhaps Wu Yuan had a fortuitous encounter, but regardless of how he accomplished it, he was a prodigy from the Cloudstride Sect.

Suddenly, Jin Qing's speed and strength visibly waned. The impact of his attacks weakened, and his sword techniques seemed restrained.

He cant maintain his secret arts any longer? Wu Yuan's eyes turned icy. His body moved with an elusive grace, his saber akin to a blazing orb of fire, its blade's fervent radiance causing Jin Qing's strikes to deviate from their marks.

One reached the time limit of his secret arts, while the other continued to execute his secret arts. Naturally, the gap between their power and speed narrowed, allowing Wu Yuan, who was initially on edge, to find a measure of reprieve.

Yet, Wu Yuan had no intention to deliver a fatal blow to his opponent; the spirit armor was far too resilient, and Jin Qing was uninjured throughout their confrontation.

My strength still falls short of killing this Jin Qing. Wu Yuan came to a realization. My objective is to rescue the hierarch, but my strength alone is not enough.

Through his peripheral vision, Wu Yuan surveyed the entirety of the battlefield. Bu Yu, Chang Dong, and Chu Jun were engaged in a fierce clash with four Grandmasters from Great Jin's side. However, it was clear that they too were at a disadvantage.

If Chu Ping hadn't been overconfident, choosing to fight head-on, there might have been hope for this battle. Wu Yuan sighed inwardly.

If Chu Ping was still alive, then as long as Wu Yuan successfully pinned down Jin Qing, the battle between the other Grandmasters wouldn't have reached such dire straits.

They needed more than just strength to overcome this crisis.

Brother Li Yan, Brother Song Guang, Brother Tie Tuo. If Great Jin succeeds in annihilating the Former Chu Alliance, who do you think theyll set their sights on next? Wu Yuan's booming voice reverberated in all directions.

These words caused Li Yan and Song Guang's expressions to change subtly. This was exactly what they feared. Great Jins team was already the strongest of the three, and Jin Qing was far more powerful than any of them. Even Wu Yuan could only manage to restrain him. If Great Jin wiped out Bu Yu, Chu Jun, and even Wu Yuan, they would be left to deal with Great Jins experts alone.

Song Guang and Li Yan exchanged a knowing look, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Senior Jin Qing!" Song Guang suddenly darted forward, his white robes shifting as a layer of silver scales materialized over his body, completely enveloping him. This unexpected sight startled all the experts present. Another person with spirit battle armor?

"Senior, please halt your attack" bellowed Song Guang. "Otherwise, you cant blame us for intervening."

The words startled Great Jins team, and a flicker of unease flashed through Jin Qing's eyes. The addition of a few more Grandmasters was a minor concern, but the fact that Song Guang was also equipped with spirit battle armor changed the game entirely. It meant he had the strength to meddle in Jin Qing's battle with Wu Yuan.

And that wasn't all. Li Yan and Tie Tuo were no pushovers and were capable of inflicting devastating casualties on Great Jins team.

"Hold!" Jin Qing's voice rang out, his sword slicing through the air with a fluid grace as he retreated.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan disengaged as well, swiftly backing up.

Bu Yu, Chu Jun, and Yue Shanzhong, and the remaining combatants immediately broke away from their respective battles, re-grouping on either Wu Yuan or Jin Qings position.

Both sides now stood a few hundred meters apart, tension thick in the air.

"Grand Elder," Yue Shanzhong and the rest of Great Jins team directed their attention towards Jin Qing. There was no trace of blood on his divine sword.

A section of his armored helmet retracted, revealing Jin Qing's stern face. He locked his fierce gaze on Wu Yuan, declaring, "Very well! Whether you are Shadow Blade or not, since youve chosen to become my enemy, youd better be prepared to face the consequences."

His gaze then shifted to Song Guang and Li Yan, his tone cold, "Song Guang, I will spare them on your behalf. But mark my words, do not allow yourself to be manipulated. Spirit battle armor is valuable enough to ignite envy in any person."

"Lets go!" In a swift motion, Jin Qing abruptly left the training ground, swiftly followed by the other three Grandmasters from his team. The five individuals disappeared into the hills, sprinting towards the Redsoil Mountain Range that marked the boundary of the realm.

As for the Savant experts, those from Great Jin and the Former Chu Alliance had already scattered in opposite directions at the start of the conflict. Their purpose for venturing into the Chu-Jiang Immortal Realm was not to engage in battle but rather to hunt for hidden treasures. Join in the battle? A single Grandmaster could easily annihilate them all.

Once the Grandmasters from Great Jins team completely vanished from view. Chu Jun finally moved, standing beside Chu Pings lifeless body, his face etched with sorrow. "Your Highness."

Chu Jun was one of the two Grandmasters under Chu Ping.

Witnessing this scene, everyone remained silent, allowing him to grieve. Wu Yuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. No matter how formidable, illustrious, or talented, once dead, humans were just a hunk of flesh and blood.

After a moment, Chu Jun stored Chu Pings body away, a gesture met with no dissent, as the prized first-grade divine saber had already been claimed by Jin Qing. With a swift motion, Chu Jun returned to his group, his expression mostly composed, though the lingering grief was still evident. He understood that in life, one must always look ahead.

"Thank you for saving my life." Chu Jun offered a solemn bow to Wu Yuan, Song Guang, and Li Yan.

"Theres no need to thank me." Song Guang's spirit armor, resembling fish scales, retreated to reveal his face. With a smile, he gestured towards Wu Yuan. "If you feel compelled to express gratitude, then direct it towards Zang Jing. He held off Jin Qing, allowing me to intervene."

Zang Jing? Bu Yu, Chang Dong, and Chu Jun were all stirred by the mention of this name.

"Zang Jing, Jin Qing referred to you as Shadow Blade just now. Are you truly the Shadow Blade wanted by Great Jin?" King Khan, a straightforward man, asked the question on everyones minds.

All eyes turned to Wu Yuan.

"Indeed!" Wu Yuan affirmed. "I am Shadow Blade, the one responsible for Wang Huang's death. Li Yan is aware of this. My apologies to Song Guang and Brother Tie Tuo for keeping it from you previously.

"No harm done," Song Guang replied with a smile.

"Haha, Brother Zang Jing, you are refreshingly honest. As for me, Tie Tuo, I hold no grudges," Tie Tuo, wielding his wolfs tooth cudgel, laughed heartily.

The entire room joined in the laughter, except for one personChang Dong!

"Shadow Blade, we had our differences in the past," Chang Dong unexpectedly spoke up, his attitude humble. "However, my two disciples were at fault, and I cannot blame you, Brother Shadow Blade. Today, you saved me, and for that, I am grateful."

Previously, Yuanhu Villa's declaration to forgo revenge against Shadow Blade marked the first step. Now, seeing the person in the flesh and humbly yielding was the second step.

"Haha, I understand your sentiments, Brother Chang Dong. Let us put an end to our grievances," Wu Yuan said, his smile warm.

Killing Chang Dong would be childs play. But what about Yuanhu Province? The Cloudstride Sect wouldnt be able to establish control over his territory in a short time, and that would only present Great Jin an opportunity to seize it.

"Brother Shadow Blade and Brother Chang Dong, it is wonderful that you have resolved your old grudges," Song Guang chuckled. "But I must ask, Brother Shadow Blade, do you have ties to the Cloudstride Sect? Or should I say, are you Wu Yuan?"

A heavy silence descended upon the room. All eyes turned towards Wu Yuan, and even Wang Two and Wu Three were curious to know the answer.