Chapter 945: One Move Will Do

"Senior Brother Du, you've reached the sixth level of the Spiritual Element Realm?" Yue Yunlan blinked her eyes, giving a faint smile as she looked at the green-robed youth leading the group.

"Yes. I had some gains in a secret realm recently," Du Wei replied, bowing deeply. "After cultivating in the Shadowmist Sword Forest for half a month, I was fortunate enough to breakthrough. I must thank you for yielding your spot to me, Young Lady. I haven't had the chance to express my gratitude until now."

"There's no need. That was your own fortune," Yue Yunlan said, waving her hand lightly.

Du Wei was already thirty years old and had reached the sixth level of the Spiritual Element Realm. Within Yanxia Mountain, such talent was rare. His future was considered very promising.

In truth, Yue Yunlan had only given up her spot so she could watch Ling Feng's match against the Royal Sword Team. She hadn't cared in the slightest who took her place.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Since you've already broken through, you should focus on consolidating your realm," Yue Yunlan said politely. "The elemental qi here is too chaotic for that."

Her words carried a clear message, but Du Wei chose to ignore it. Instead, his gaze drifted toward Ling Feng, his brow creasing with a hint of displeasure.

"Young Lady, this person doesn't appear to be a disciple of Yanxia Mountain. Outsiders aren't permitted inside the Shadowmist Sword Forest. Your actions seem rather improper..."

In truth, word of Yue Yunlan bringing an outsider into the forest had spread quickly. That was why this encounter had not been accidental at all.

From the moment Yue Yunlan and Ling Feng entered the mountain together, envy had begun to stir among the younger male disciples of Yanxia Mountain.

To them, Yue Yunlan was like a goddess. Seeing her walk side by side with an unknown man, laughing softly along the way, was more than they could tolerate.

They had been itching to teach this intruder a lesson.

Du Wei, as the descendant of a high-ranking elder in the Cangqiong Sect, held considerable influence among the younger generation. When he first heard the rumors about Yue Yunlan getting close to some man, he hadn't believed a word of it. The icy Young Lady had never shown interest in any man before.

But now, watching her speak so gently with Ling Feng, a storm of jealousy erupted in his chest.

Why should a mere Transformation Realm nobody receive her favor?

Why should he be allowed to enter the Shadowmist Sword Forest and enjoy its benefits?

The more he thought about it, the more furious he became.

Yue Yunlan's delicate brows drew together in displeasure. "This was approved by my master. She even gave him her Rainbow Cloud Token. If you have any objections, go speak to her directly."

"

Gulp

."

Du Wei fell silent at once.

Even with three lives, he wouldn't dare question Sword Emperor Yunmiao.

But he also refused to believe that the Sword Emperor would grant her personal token without reason. This had to be Yue Yunlan's doing.

That thought only deepened the resentment in his heart.

Du Wei glared at Ling Feng, doing his best to suppress the anger boiling inside him.

"Since this was approved by Senior Uncle Yunmiao, I have nothing more to say. However, the Shadowmist Sword Forest has always been reserved for core disciples of the Cangqiong Sect. Even if you're an outsider, you still have to follow the proper protocol to enter."

Ling Feng needed only one glance to see through him. Jealousy had already clouded Du Wei's thoughts. He clearly wanted to use this as an excuse to vent his resentment.

But Ling Feng was not the sort to simply endure it in silence. If trouble came to him, he would meet it head on!

"What kind of protocol are we talking about?" Ling Feng crossed his arms casually, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"

Hehe,

only core disciples are allowed inside. That means you need to prove yourself. If you can withstand eight or ten moves from me, we'll consider you barely qualified."

He had already taken one look at Ling Feng's cultivation. At most, the man was at the Transformation Realm. As someone who had reached the sixth level of the Spiritual Element Realm, Du Wei felt confident that he could crush him with a single slap.

Yue Yunlan and Qiao Qiao exchanged a glance, their expressions filled with amusement.

He wants to challenge Ling Feng? Is this guy for real?

"Ten moves?" Ling Feng shook his head and raised a finger. "That's too many. Let's make it one."

"

Ha,

works for me!" Du Wei laughed, though inwardly he looked down on Ling Feng.

He had thought the brat would at least try to act tough in front of Yue Yunlan, maybe grit his teeth and force his way through a few moves. But to his surprise, Ling Feng turned out to be spineless, only daring to ask for one move.

"Fine. One move it is," Du Wei said with a smirk, flipping his long hair back. "For the Young Lady's sake, I'll go easy on you."

"

Pfft.

" Yue Yunlan couldn't help but laugh lightly. Ling Feng had once defeated even a monstrous genius like Xuanyuan Pozhen in direct combat. Du Wei's cultivation might be decent, but he was nowhere near that level. Yet here he was, thinking he could take Ling Feng on.

"Senior Brother Du, you..."

"Miss Yue," Ling Feng said gently, cutting her off with a calm smile. "This is between men."

Du Wei, seeing Yue Yunlan's smiling eyes, felt even more pleased with himself. He mistook her amusement for admiration and felt his blood surge with excitement.

"Ready?" Ling Feng rubbed his nose lazily and looked Du Wei straight in the eye.

"

Hehe,

I was born ready!" Du Wei slowly drew his sword, his eyes gleaming with a cold light.

You dare approach the Young Lady? I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget.

A sharp sound rang out.

A sudden pain exploded across Du Wei's cheek. Before he could react, a powerful force struck him and sent his body flying. The world spun in front of his eyes. Then everything went black.

Ling Feng clapped his hands lightly and looked around.

"One move, as promised. Do I qualify now?"

The disciples nearby stood rooted in place. Not one of them made a sound. Their eyes were wide, and their throats had gone dry.

A Transformation Realm cultivator had sent a sixth-level Spiritual Element Realm expert flying with a single slap.

Was that even human?

No. This man was a monster. A terrifying monster!

When Du Wei finally regained consciousness, he could barely move. His cheek throbbed with pain, and his face flushed with humiliation. All he could do was watch helplessly as Ling Feng and Yue Yunlan walked away.

So

that

was what Ling Feng meant by one move!

"Miss... Miss Qiao Qiao," Du Wei stammered, touching his swollen face. "Who... who exactly is that guy?"

Qiao Qiao gave him a sideways glance and pouted.

"Serves you right for not knowing. That's Ling Feng. No time to talk, I'm going after them!"

She turned and dashed away.

Du Wei stared blankly after her, his expression growing stiff.

"Ling Feng?" he muttered, pupils shrinking.

He had never met him before, but that name had been echoing through the imperial capital for days.

This was the man who had slapped a prince in the presence of the emperor.

Now that he realized who he had just provoked, a cold chill ran down his spine.

Being sent flying with one slap was already more mercy than he deserved.