Chapter 700: Fighting Yan Wuhen!
"A life-and-death battle."
A smile instantly appeared on Yan Wuhen’s face.
He glanced at Li Yun. Although Li Yun’s strength had improved, he was still only at the 8th level of Earthly Core Realm.
As long as Li Yun had not broken through to the Heavenly Core Realm, Yan Wuhen did not place him in his eyes. To Yan Wuhen, killing Li Yun and obtaining the highest reward of the Six Paths Pagoda would not be difficult.
"However..."
Just then, the black-robed man spoke again. He looked toward Li Yun and said indifferently, "Since your performance while traversing the Six Paths Pagoda was exceptionally outstanding, I can temporarily raise your realm by one level as a reward. This will help you deal with the upcoming life-and-death battle."
As his voice fell, he waved his hand.
A mysterious power instantly enveloped Li Yun. Under the enhancement of that power, Li Yun’s realm actually rose to the 9th level of Earthly Core Realm.
Although this increase was only temporary and did not mean Li Yun’s cultivation had truly reached the 9th level of Earthly Core Realm, his current combat power had directly jumped by a whole level. It was now enough to contend with experts at the Half-Step Spirit Manifestation Realm.
"Wait."
Yan Wuhen’s expression changed instantly. "Both of us passed through the Six Paths Pagoda, so why does this kid get such a benefit? This is not fair."
"There is nothing unfair about it."
The black-robed man said calmly, "In the first five levels, your performances were roughly the same. But in the most important sixth level, you only met the minimum requirement for passing, which was to last ten breaths before your opponent. He, however, fulfilled the highest condition and directly defeated his opponent."
"Because of this, the potential he has shown is stronger than yours. To ensure the fairness of the upcoming battle, there is no issue with me doing this."
"Impossible."
The black-robed man’s voice was very calm, but it caused Yan Wuhen’s face to change drastically again. "How could he possibly defeat the opponent on the sixth floor? That was an existence that possessed a Domain."
"So, to pass the sixth floor of the Six Paths Pagoda, one only needs to last ten breaths before the opponent?"
Li Yun was also stunned.
He had never imagined that the trial of the Six Paths Pagoda could be passed in such a way.
For a swordsman, the only way forward was to defeat the opponent with the sword in hand. The idea of passing by merely stalling for time had never even crossed Li Yun’s mind, so he naturally did not know that this was all it took to pass.
In that case, he could have passed the trial much faster and more easily.
However, one gained some and lost some. By spending more time to pass the trial, he had managed to master the fourth strike of the Zhen Hun Nine Strikes ahead of time under pressure.
Looking at it that way, he had actually come out ahead.
"Enough."
The black-robed man’s indifferent voice echoed across the arena.
"The nonsense ends here. From this moment onward, the two of you must decide life and death within one hour. If an hour passes and no winner has been decided, both of you will be obliterated."
As soon as his words fell, his figure disappeared without a trace.
Only Li Yun and Yan Wuhen remained.
The killing intent in both of their eyes erupted almost at the same time. Whether it was because of their previous enmity or because of the opportunity hidden inside the Six Paths Pagoda, neither of them had any intention of letting the other leave alive.
Yan Wuhen stared at Li Yun, and a cold smile appeared on his face.
"Li Yun, I admit that your progress is terrifying. But do not think you can stand a chance against me. No matter how strong you become, you are still only at the Earthly Core Realm. In front of me, that is not enough."
Li Yun looked at him calmly and smiled slightly.
He did not immediately draw out any complicated sword art.
He did not summon Sword Control Art.
He did not use Grand Profound Five Elements Sword.
He did not use Slow Sword.
He did not use soul attacks.
This time, he wanted to see how far his current strength had truly reached.
After rising from the 8th level to the 9th level of Earthly Core Realm, his essence qi, physical foundation, bloodline power, and ability to bear the burden of his own millionfold body weight had all increased again.
The improvement of one level might seem small to ordinary people, but for Li Yun, whose foundation was terrifyingly deep, this increase was anything but ordinary.
He had already been able to kill this clone when he was at the 8th level of Earthly Core Realm.
Now that he had reached the 9th level, he did not merely want to win.
He wanted to dominate.
Li Yun slowly raised his head.
"Yan Wuhen, today, I will show you what true strength feels like."
Yan Wuhen’s expression turned gloomy. "Arrogant."
"Nether Demon Great Seal."
Yan Wuhen struck first.
His hands formed a seal, and pitch-black devilish qi surged out like a tide. In only an instant, that devilish qi condensed into a massive black palm nearly a hundred feet wide. The palm pressed down toward Li Yun like a small mountain, corroding the surrounding space with sizzling sounds.
The aura was terrifying.
If this had been the previous Li Yun, even blocking this palm would have required serious effort.
But now, Li Yun did not retreat.
He took one step forward.
Boom!
The ground beneath his foot trembled violently.
At that moment, Li Yun fully released the power of the seventh stage of Ninefold Origin Flesh Scripture.
Indestructible Body.
His flesh seemed to transform into divine metal. His bones became like heavenly pillars, his blood surged like a golden ocean, and every inch of his body radiated a terrifying sense of strength and durability.
At the same time, an ancient dragon aura erupted from within him.
Golden Ancient Dragon Bloodline.
The moment that bloodline power awakened, golden light burst from Li Yun’s body. The dragon pressure was majestic and tyrannical, as if an ancient dragon had opened its eyes inside his flesh.
Then, Li Yun activated his bloodline ability.
"Dragon Blood Transformation."