Chapter 42: Giving This Kid a Lesson
Translator Krukist
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Enraged, the Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape unleashed an even fiercer aura. Terrifying power erupted from its massive fist, slamming down towards Mu Yunfei.
Sensing the immense power in that fist, Mu Yunfei focused intently. His long sword, sharp and gleaming, was held defensively across his chest, blocking the ape's brutal punch.
Bang!
A thunderous boom echoed through the forest. The force of the impact sent Mu Yunfei tumbling through the air before he managed to regain his footing. Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, a ferocious grin spread across his face, and his aura surged.
Though disadvantaged in the initial clash, Mu Yunfei wasn't intimidated. Instead, his fighting spirit ignited, making him even more eager. He charged forward, sword in hand, power coursing through him. He became a blur of motion, blade and body one, as he thrust his sword horizontally.
The Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape, knowing no fear, swung its massive fists, a relentless onslaught. Despite its size, it moved with surprising agility, leaping and dodging Mu Yunfei's sword strikes while launching a barrage of its own powerful punches.
Rumble!
Deafening collisions echoed through the dark forest. Shockwaves rippled outwards, felling black, twisted trees. Stray sword beams and fist-force pulverized the fallen timber, scattering dark splinters through the air.
The furious exchange between man and beast captivated Ling Feiwu and Li Tianxin, their pretty faces wide-eyed and stunned into a cute blankness. Ling Feiwu was surprised by the strength of this junior brother who had joined the sect after her. A sense of urgency arose within her – she was the senior sister; how could she be outdone by a junior?
No, I need to train harder. As the self-proclaimed head female disciple of the Divine Immortal Sect, she needed to uphold her senior status.
Li Tianxin was even more bewildered. As a Sovereign Realm Early Stage cultivator, she clearly sensed Mu Yunfei's current cultivation – only Sovereign Realm Mid Stage. Yet, Mu Yunfei's combat prowess was enough to rival the peak Sovereign Realm Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape. He fought on equal footing, neither gaining ground, neither yielding. How terrifying was that?
Are all disciples of the Divine Immortal Sect this strong? This was combat across two minor realms, Sovereign Realms no less!
In the Spirit Connection or Profound General Realms, such a feat wouldn't be unusual. Any top prodigy could bridge two minor realms. But the higher the cultivation level, the harder it became to overcome realm gaps. Past the Entry to Sainthood Realm, even crossing a single minor realm was a mark of a remarkable talent.
And this Fourth Disciple was bridging two minor realms in the Sovereign Realm! Such power was likely unmatched within the Radiant Sun Empire. Li Tianxin felt incredibly fortunate she had taken the initiative to join the Divine Immortal Sect. This mysterious and powerful sect was truly worth begging to enter.
Only Li Hei watched Mu Yunfei's intense battle with the Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape with disdain. To him, a reincarnated peak Profound Emperor, Mu Yunfei repeatedly missed opportunities to strike decisive blows, allowing the ape to evade. It was simply inefficient.
If I were to step in, one strike would make that ape howl, two would cripple it, and three would end it. Even with his current Sovereign Realm Early Stage cultivation, his past life's expertise as a peak Profound Emperor granted him that confidence.
Boom!
A deafening blast marked a brief pause in the fight. Mu Yunfei and the Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape stood momentarily apart, facing each other.
Mu Yunfei wiped blood from his lip, a grim smile plastered on his face. His robes were torn, injuries visible across his body, yet his fighting spirit remained unbroken.
The Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape was even more enraged. Its massive form, now riddled with sword wounds, was stained crimson with blood seeping from the cuts. Although Mu Yunfei's sword strikes hadn't fully breached its defenses, merely scratching the surface, the sheer number of cuts was taking a toll, making it appear more gruesome than Mu Yunfei.
While the ape was agile for its size, Mu Yunfei was just as nimble. And the ape's bulk was essentially a large target for Mu Yunfei's swift sword. The issue was Mu Yunfei's still-developing combat experience. Otherwise, with his demonstrated power, the Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape would already be heavily injured, if not dead.
Roar!
Enraged by its injuries, the Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape let out a sky-splitting roar. Its massive body pulsed with even more savage power. It pounded its chest, a drum-like thud echoing out, as raw power gathered within its limbs.
Its massive arm shot out, power converging in its limb. Razor-sharp claws, gleaming coldly, struck like a dragon extending its talons. The claw's sheer force tore five visible rifts in the air.
The attack's power ripped through the air, even tearing apart distant trees. A black tree was cleanly severed at its trunk. The ferocious force made both Li Tianxin and Ling Feiwu shudder, worry clouding their eyes.
Could Mu Yunfei withstand such a devastating assault?
Hum!
Facing the Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape's violent onslaught, Mu Yunfei's expression calmed. He held his sword upright before him, placing two fingers of his free hand lightly on the blade, a focused light in his eyes.
A formidable sword intent erupted from Mu Yunfei. It felt grand and all-encompassing yet, like mist, ethereal and elusive.
"Rainbow Celestial Sword!" Mu Yunfei roared, channeling his surging power through his fingers into the sword. The blade vibrated intensely, and a blinding sword ray, like a rainbow, burst forth.
The moment the sword ray erupted, it tore through the void, leaving a long, thin crack in space itself.
As the Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape's claw descended, Mu Yunfei didn't flinch. He charged forward, blade leading, in a head-on collision.
The clash between man and beast riveted Ling Feiwu and Li Tianxin. Their eyes were locked onto the battle, hands clenched tight.
Li Hei, though dismissive of Mu Yunfei's combat inexperience, now watched intently, power subtly gathering within him, ready to intervene.
Despite his criticisms, Li Hei had begun to acknowledge the Divine Immortal Sect and wouldn't stand by if his junior faced mortal danger.
"Hmm?"
Wang Feng, also watching, suddenly frowned, his gaze shifting to a distant point, as if piercing through layers of forest to see something beyond.
"Fine, time to give this kid a lesson." Wang Feng unclenched his fist, glanced at the imminent collision, and murmured.
…
Meanwhile, hundreds of meters from the battle, several figures huddled beneath a black tree, watching the clash with stunned expressions.
"Senior Brother Feng, who is that? His combat power is incredible! To fight a peak Sovereign Realm Cloud-Piercing Demonic Ape to a standstill!" one figure said to the handsome young man leading them.
"Indeed, Senior Brother Feng," another added. "We know the prodigies from the top sects, but I've never seen him. His cultivation and strength... even the Crown Prince might not match him?"
These hidden figures were completely awestruck, hearts pounding at the ferocity of the distant battle.
"He's either a hidden prodigy from some major sect or…" the handsome youth, Senior Brother Feng, said, his eyes gleaming, "…he's had a fortuitous encounter."
"Which is more likely, in your opinion, Senior Brother Feng?" one disciple asked eagerly.
The others turned to Senior Brother Feng. He was a renowned prodigy in the Radiant Sun Empire, and his judgment held weight, especially for his followers.
"I believe it's definitely the latter. He must have stumbled upon some incredible opportunity to gain such power!" Senior Brother Feng stated with certainty.
"Oh? Why do you say that?" the earlier disciple pressed.
"Think about it. Would a top sect hide such a monstrous genius? We're both from powerful sects; we know that when a true prodigy emerges, they want the whole world to know, to intimidate rivals."
"Therefore, the first possibility is unlikely. That leaves only the second!" Senior Brother Feng concluded confidently.
His followers nodded in understanding. As expected of Senior Brother Feng, he sees the truth so clearly.
"Senior brother, in that case, shouldn't we…?" A sharp-faced disciple with a sly glint in his eye murmured, making a cutting gesture.
Though unspoken, Senior Brother Feng and the others understood his meaning.
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