Cultivation starts from simplifying the exercises

Chapter 2202 Insurmountable?

The news of Chen Fei's rebellion against Cheng Yingjue, a half-step Heavenly Lord, and his powerful advancement swept through all 108 martial arts arenas like a hurricane, with astonishing speed.

"Have you heard? In the fifth arena of the Dingmao year, Chen Fei of the Danchen Sect shattered Cheng Yingjue's Law of Heaven and Earth from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion!"

"Chen Fei? The one who used that strange Dao Domain? He really defeated Cheng Yingjue?"

"It's absolutely true! Countless people have witnessed it with their own eyes! Cheng Yingjue's Zhou Tian Xing Su Dharma Image was shattered! He was utterly defeated!"

"My God! Cheng Yingjue is a half-step Heavenly Monarch, yet he was defeated? And defeated by a peak Tai Cang Realm expert?"

"In all the matches today, without exception, everyone who encountered a half-step Heavenly Monarch at the peak of the Tai Cang Realm was defeated! Only Chen Fei not only did not lose, but won so decisively!"

"A counterattack! This is a true counterattack!"

"Chen Fei is truly going to become famous throughout Huangji Tiandu now!"

"Go check it out! You might even see him in his next match!"

"Yes, yes, yes! We must see such a person in person!"

Wherever the news spread, it caused a huge sensation and heated discussion. Whether it was the ongoing competition or the spectator area where the fighting was temporarily suspended, almost everyone was talking about the name "Chen Fei" and that incredible counterattack.

Prior to this, all the duels between the peak of the Tai Cang Realm and the half-step Heavenly Monarch had been decided without any suspense, with the half-step Heavenly Monarch winning by an overwhelming advantage.

The gap between a half-step Celestial Monarch and the peak of the Tai Cang Realm was vividly demonstrated. This also made everyone realize more deeply just how terrifying those who could be called prodigies truly were.

However, Chen Fei shattered this assumption. At least, in his case, this seemingly insurmountable gap was completely shattered!

This brought not only shock to the other peak-stage Tai Cang Realm cultivators, but also an indescribable hope. It turned out that a half-step Heavenly Monarch was not invincible!

What it brought to those half-step Heavenly Monarchs, especially the top-ranked powerhouses, was a faint sense of pressure and vigilance.

An existence capable of defeating a powerhouse like Cheng Yingjue head-on while at the peak of the Tai Cang Realm is no less threatening than any veteran half-step Heavenly Monarch, and may even be more so.

After all, who knows if he is still hiding his strength? Who knows if his strange Dao Domain and Dharma Form may undergo even more terrifying changes?

For a time, the name Chen Fei became the most eye-catching name in these 108 martial arts training grounds.

Countless people began to inquire about his origins, his techniques, and all information about him.

As soon as Chen Fei flew out of the No. 5 training ground and landed on the viewing platform where the Dan Chen Sect disciples were gathered, a delicate body carrying a cool and fragrant scent rushed into his arms and hugged him tightly.

It's Cao Feiyu.

She tilted her head back, her clear eyes shining brightly, brimming with excitement, joy, and pride. She said nothing, only hugged Chen Fei tightly.

Chen Fei was slightly taken aback, then relaxed his body, letting her hug him, gently patted her back, and whispered, "It's okay, I won."

"Okay!" Cao Feiyu nodded.

She knew Chen Fei was very strong; he had been creating miracles in the ancient Heavenly Court ruins.

But she never expected Chen Fei to be this strong!

He broke through to the peak of the Tai Cang Realm in just three months! In just three months, he was able to directly confront and even defeat a well-known half-step Heavenly Monarch!

What an astonishing rate of progress! What incredible talent and strength!

She was proud of him, but even more so, she felt an indescribable sense of security and dependence.

"Junior Brother Chen."

A gentle voice rang out, and Feng Butong had arrived nearby without anyone noticing.

The usually gentle and mild-mannered senior disciple of Danchen Sect now wore an expression of undisguised amazement and complexity on his face as he looked at Chen Fei with eyes full of approval.

"This battle... was truly unexpected. I never imagined that in just three months, Junior Brother's understanding and control of his own path would have improved so much. I underestimated you before."

He paused, his tone becoming extremely solemn: "After this battle, your name will surely resound throughout the capital. However, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. If you need anything, you may come to me at any time."

Chen Fei could sense the sincerity and concern in Feng Butong's words, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Senior brother, you flatter me. Today's battle was just a fluke. In the future, I will have to trouble you, senior brother."

"We're all fellow disciples, no need to be so polite."

Feng Butong's face softened with a smile again as he patted Chen Fei's shoulder. "You should rest and recover first. There are still tough battles to fight. Junior Sister Cao also needs to prepare."

Not far away, on another viewing platform, Xu Ziqian stood quietly, holding the Broken Army.

His gaze never left Chen Fei.

From Chen Fei unleashing the Chaos Dharma Form, to knocking Cheng Yingjue back with a single punch, to using the Returning Void Heaven-Turning Seal to directly confront the Shattering Star Hammer, and finally shattering the Zhou Tian Star Dharma Form... he saw the entire process clearly.

He could feel a series of slight, excited, and eager tremors emanating from Po Jun, the instinctive reaction of a divine weapon when it encounters a worthy opponent.

"I can also defeat a half-step Heavenly Lord." Xu Ziqian had a clear understanding of himself.

After three months of intensive training following his crushing defeat in the inner sect competition, he not only solidified his peak Tai Cang Realm cultivation but also improved his control over the Po Jun formation, even touching upon the deeper levels of killing intent contained within it.

But... if he were in Chen Fei's shoes, could he do the same?

It was not a simple victory, but a complete and utter defeat of the opponent's Dharma form from the front with such ruthlessness, dominance, and overwhelming force, winning without any controversy.

Xu Ziqian fell silent.

What Chen Fei just demonstrated was not just strength.

It was a terrifying control over one's own power, a bizarre ability to perfectly fuse several completely different, even potentially conflicting, forces, unleashing power far exceeding the sum of its parts.

It is also a fighting spirit of forging ahead and daring to take on any challenge!

A complex mix of resentment, fighting spirit, and a hint of admiration that even he himself was unwilling to admit surged within Xu Ziqian's heart.

Has Chen Fei, the opponent who once brought him humiliation, now grown to a level that Chen Fei might need to look up to?

Standing next to Xu Ziqian, Liu Ruxu's face was also tense, and she looked at Chen Fei and Cao Feiyu, who were surrounded by a crowd in the distance, with complicated eyes.

Although she disliked Xu Ziqian because of him, the battle just now was truly shocking.

The strength Chen Fei displayed had already exceeded her comprehension. That domineering and unparalleled, defying the odds, heroic figure was something even she had to admit was truly...astoundingly brilliant.

"Hmph, it's just because of the strangeness of the technique." She muttered under her breath, but her tone was not as confident as before. Instead, it carried a hint of sourness and confusion that she herself did not realize.

She stole a glance at Xu Ziqian, who remained silent beside her, and silently cheered him on: "Senior Brother Xu will definitely not lose to him! He definitely will!"

Just as the storm sparked by Chen Fei's rebellion against Cheng Yingjue was still brewing, Cao Feiyu's identity token brought new guidance: her fourth duel was about to begin.

"Be careful." Chen Fei held her hand. He knew that Cao Feiyu had been quite exhausted from the previous matches and was not in her best condition.

"Well, I will."

Cao Feiyu took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions surging within her due to Chen Fei's resounding victory, her gaze regaining its cool and resolute intensity. She smiled at Chen Fei, and then, bathed in golden light, she teleported away.

Her fourth performance was scheduled for the Wuchen area, at the No. 11 Martial Arts Arena.

The opponent was a tall, well-dressed young man, about eight feet tall, wielding a steel-tipped spear.

The spear was twelve feet long, entirely black, with only a single, cold glint at its tip, flickering and radiating a sharp, soul-piercing aura.

"Shenqiang Sect, Yue Qing." The young man pointed his spear tip diagonally at the ground, his voice crisp and clear.

"Danchen Sect, Cao Feiyu." Cao Feiyu drew her longsword, her sword intent chilling.

Without any further words, the two moved simultaneously upon receiving the order to begin.

With a flick of his spear, Yue Qing instantly transformed it into countless spear shadows, like a storm, enveloping Cao Feiyu's vital points.

His spear technique was swift as lightning, fierce and domineering, and carried an indestructible penetrating intent. He had clearly cultivated his spear technique to an extremely high level. He launched a preemptive attack as soon as he made a move, trying to use speed to suppress Cao Feiyu's sword momentum.

Cao Feiyu was not afraid at all. She unleashed the Heavenly Sword Technique, and the sword light was like a curtain, guarding against any leaks.

Her swordsmanship was not as fierce as her opponent's, but it was more agile and elusive. Often, at the last second, she would use skill to break through force, and the tip of her sword would always accurately hit the weak point of the spear shadow, producing a dense sound of metal clashing.

The two exchanged blows with spears and swords, instantly becoming locked in combat.

Guns flashed incessantly, like dragons churning the sea. Swords gleamed fiercely, like a galaxy falling from the sky. Violent Yuan energy raged across the training ground, carving countless furrows into the earth.

Yue Qing's spear technique was not only fast but also heavy. Each strike contained the immense power to shatter planes and carried a spear intent that could break through qi and armor, putting Cao Feiyu's protective sword aura under tremendous pressure.

Cao Feiyu's swordsmanship places greater emphasis on change and timing. She often launches a counterattack when the opponent's old strength is exhausted and new strength has not yet been generated. Her sword moves are cunning and ruthless, targeting the flaws in Yue Qing's spear techniques and the weaknesses in his defense.

This was a classic contest of strength versus skill, hardness versus softness. The two were evenly matched, with Yue Qing's spear being powerful and heavy, giving him a slight advantage. Cao Fei's feather sword was fast, unpredictable, and incredibly resilient.

The battle quickly escalated to a fever pitch.

Unable to gain the upper hand after a prolonged assault, Yue Qing's spear technique grew increasingly fierce, even resorting to unleashing several devastating killing moves at his own expense. The spear's light flickered like venomous dragons ready to devour their prey, determined to tear through Cao Feiyu's sword curtain.

Cao Feiyu felt a sudden increase in pressure, and her internal energy was rapidly depleted.

However, she was resilient and her sword intent became increasingly refined. She brought the defensive aspect of the Heavenly Sword Technique to its extreme, while constantly observing the trajectory of her opponent's spear technique and looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

Her Heavenly Sword Technique would occasionally appear like a fleeting glimpse of a startled bird, forcing Yue Qing to return his spear to defend.

However, the continuous high-intensity battles took a heavy toll on Cao Feiyu.

Unlike Chen Fei, she did not possess abnormal recovery abilities and multiple cultivation techniques. Her soul also felt stinging pains from frequently activating the Undying Spiritual Light, and her movements and footwork gradually became less agile than before.

Yue Qing on the other side was also in a bad situation. In order to suppress Cao Feiyu, he was also going all out. At this moment, the veins on his forehead were bulging, obviously indicating that he had also consumed a lot of energy.

The Grand Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects is a series of continuous battles, which is a severe test for any participant. Unless one's strength is absolutely overwhelming, it is difficult to maintain one's peak condition.

The two fought from the center of the arena to the edge, and then back again, the sounds of clashing spears and swords ringing out incessantly, sparks flying everywhere. They battled fiercely for nearly a thousand moves, yet neither could gain a clear advantage, and the situation remained deadlocked.

As the battle progressed, Cao Feiyu felt the longsword in her hand growing heavier and heavier, a sign of excessive strain on her Yuan energy.

She knew she couldn't delay any longer. If she did, she would collapse from exhaustion of her vital energy and depletion of her soul, even without being defeated by her opponent.

We must finish this quickly!

However, Yue Qing's defense was equally tight, and his spear technique was as solid as a rock. Finding an opportunity to win with one blow was no easy task.

A resolute glint flashed in Cao Feiyu's eyes. She mustered her last bit of Yuan Power and retreated rapidly, temporarily creating some distance between them.

How could Yue Qing allow her to catch her breath? He immediately followed her like a shadow.

Just as the chilling spear tip was about to touch her body, Cao Feiyu's eyes suddenly narrowed, and her left hand flashed out a sword-like finger that pointed at her own brow!

The undying spiritual light illuminates the true nature of reality!

The warm, spiritual light between his brows suddenly shone brightly!

Although the light was much dimmer than before, it still carried that strange penetrating power.

Under the illumination of the spiritual light, Yue Qing's swift and powerful spear thrust appeared to Cao Feiyu with a slightly slower and clearer trajectory.

She could even see the nodes where the power flowed on the gun, and the fluctuating aura of Yue Qing due to the prolonged battle, all of which showed a very subtle fluctuation the moment he drew the gun.

It's now!

Cao Feiyu did not choose to block or dodge the fatal shot. Instead, with the blessing of spiritual light, she pushed her understanding of the Heavenly Sword Technique to its limit.

Transforming into a silver thread-like sword light, with an almost self-destructive and resolute attitude, it flowed upstream along the gaps in Yue Qing's spear stance, directly stabbing the weak point slightly exposed by the spear strike!

This is an extremely dangerous sword move from the Heavenly Sword Technique, defying the heavens!

It emphasizes offense as a form of defense, seeking a glimmer of hope in desperate situations, attacking the enemy to the point of needing to defend, and seeking victory in perilous circumstances! It demands the highest level of precision in timing, execution, and mental fortitude.

Yue Qing's eyes widened slightly. He never expected that Cao Feiyu would dare to take such a risky move under such a disadvantage, launching a counterattack instead of defending, and at such a tricky and ruthless angle.

It was too late for him to change his move and defend, so he could only desperately deflect his spear to the side while simultaneously striking out with his left palm in an attempt to intercept.

"laugh!"

A sound like a sharp blade cutting through leather rang out. The condensed silver sword light grazed the edge of Yue Qing's left palm as it struck. Although its power was greatly reduced, it still accurately pierced the aura node below his right wrist.

"Ugh!"

Yue Qing groaned, his right wrist throbbing with pain. His breathing became erratic, and the power of his powerful spear thrust was greatly reduced. It lost all accuracy, grazing Cao Feiyu's ribs and leaving a trail of blood.

Without the slightest hesitation, Cao Feiyu suppressed her overwhelming weakness, flipped her wrist, and her longsword transformed into a streak of light, taking advantage of Yue Qing's momentary lapse in balance to place it between his brows.

The sword's edge was icy cold, its killing intent palpable.

Yue Qing froze, feeling the chill between his brows. He glanced at Cao Feiyu, a hint of resentment and frustration flashing across his face, before finally letting out a long sigh: "I... admit defeat!" (End of Chapter)