"Heavenly Sword Villa's Ling Jie surrenders! Blue Wind Profound Palace's Xia Yuanba wins! He will advance to tomorrow's Semi-Finals!"
Ling Wugou was stunned for a full three breaths before finally turning to glance at the elders of the Heavenly Sword Villa. With an expression that was both awkward and disbelieving, he announced the results.
The words were like sweet honey to Qin Wushang's ears. Yet, for the crowd, it was pure shock.
The Top Four.
Xia Yuanba had advanced to the Top Four!
For decades, the Blue Wind Profound Palace could only dream of even entering the Top 100, yet Yuanba alone had shattered that limitation.
He had fought his way through the Top 32, the Top 16, the Top 8, and now—the Top 4.
Not only had he defeated the Empire's most top geniuses, but he had just overcome Ling Jie, one of the Heavenly Sword Villa's strongest contenders.
This wasn't just his victory—it was the first Blue Wind Profound Palace's victory over the Heavenly Sword Villa in history itself!
Qin Wushang unable to believe his eyes and ears. His disciple whom enter the participating roster on the last minute managed to muscle his way through the top four.
Xia Yuanba.
A nobody.
A name no one had expected to go beyond the first few rounds.
Yet, he had walked into the tournament and kicked out one of the strongest prodigies of the Heavenly Sword Villa—standing now among the Top Four alongside his sister and Unohana Retsu.
Clap… Clap…
Clap… Clap… Clap… Clap…
At the edges of the Sword Discourse Arena, the sound of applause began to rise.
At first, it was scattered, hesitant, as though people were still processing what had just happened.
Then, it grew.
It spread—from a small area to a larger one… until nearly the entire arena stood up in resounding applause. Even some of the sect elders, who rarely showed favoritism, had stood up to acknowledge what they had just witnessed.
It was a scene reminiscent of the honor given to Cang Yue, despite her loss to Retsu.
But this?
This was the applause of a victor. Throughout the history of the Ranking Tournament, enthusiastic applause after a great battle was common.
But this…
This level of thunderous, heartfelt applause—rarely had the Sword Discourse Arena witnessed such a moment. It was similar to the cheers given during Cang Yue and Retsu's match—a moment so legendary, that simply being present to witness it was an honor.
Many sects left this tournament with disappointing results, but after seeing this battle, they felt no regret.
Why?
Because they had just witnessed history. They had seen the elegance of celestial swords and overwhelming power of a rankless sword.
And most importantly—
They had seen the first battle between two youths who would undoubtedly become the future elites of the Blue Wind Empire. Thinking back, they were only sixteen. Their profound strengths were only at the sixth level of the Spirit Profound Realm.
And yet—they had created a battle that would be remembered for generations.
Even though Yuanba had always been outmatched in levels, he had overcome every single challenge thrown his way. Against Ling Jie, he had fought on equal footing.
And in the end—
He won.
As Ling Wugou's announcement echoed through the arena, and cheers erupted, one thing became clear—
A new legend had just been born. For the first time ever in the history of the Blue Wind Profound Palace, one has finally carried the name of the Blue Wind Profound Palace to the Top Four. They could only dream to step into the top 500 but Yuanba carried the palace until the top four defeating the Heavenly Sword Villa elite. Kicking one of them from the top rankings.
Their win announced to the Blue Wind Empire that they are new top sects across the empire.
=====================
"Sugoi… You once taught him one technique, and that's all he needed to beat Ling Jie?" Cang Yue exclaimed, her eyes still wide with disbelief.
"Yup. The Shining Slash is all he needed since he has enough brute force to punch through anything." Yun Che replied with a smirk.
Cang Yue furrowed her brows as she recalled the incredible burst of golden aura that had turned the tide of battle. "That aura burst just now… you taught him that too?"
Yun Che shook his head. "Nope. I just helped him reawaken the strength he first unlocked that night when we rescued Mai. He used that memory to trigger his awakening, but… it's still incomplete."
"I see…" Cang Yue nodded in understanding.
Still lying on the shattered remains of the arena stage, Yuanba let out a deep sigh of relief. He stared at the sky above, his body exhausted, his mind still trying to grasp the reality of his victory.
"Somehow… I won…" he muttered, almost unable to believe it himself.
Not far from him, Ling Jie struggled to stand. His body ached, his energy was drained, but his mind was filled with nothing but questions. He forced himself upright and looked at Yuanba, his expression one of pure disbelief.
"Brother… what kind of sword is that? Even with my older brother's Celestial Yuan Sword, I couldn't overcome its power. Combined with my own sword, the Yuan Yang dual swords… an ordinary weapon would be useless against them."
Yuanba, still catching his breath, glanced at his sword before turning his gaze back to Ling Jie. "I don't know… my brother-in-arms gave it to me for this match. You can try holding it if you want."
Ling Jie nodded, his curiosity overwhelming his exhaustion. He bent down and picked up the sword, but the moment he gripped its hilt, his eyes widened in shock.
Throughout the entire match, despite the immense collisions and destructive force, the sword had not suffered a single dent or crack. Its sharpness remained pristine, its blade completely untouched. Even more surprising—it was incredibly light compared to his own swords.
Not a single trace of power remained within it. Yet, it was unnaturally durable, light, and sharp beyond belief.
Ling Jie tightened his grip and muttered, more to himself than anyone else—
"This sword… just what kind of sword is this? It's unbelievably light despite its size…"
"You'll have to ask my brother-in-arms about that," Yuanba said as he slowly got up, his body aching from the strain of his awakened power.
Ling Jie, still holding the sword, felt an overwhelming curiosity building inside him. "Who is he? I'll see him after this!" he asked, eager to meet the master who forged such a weapon.
"He goes by the name Yun Che," Yuanba revealed.
The moment he heard the name, Ling Jie's eyes widened in shock. "You mean… Boss!? He's the one who gave you this?!"
He could hardly believe it. The same Yun Che who had defeated him in the palace. The same Yun Che who took Cang Yue from him.
"Sort of. You know him?" Yuanba asked, raising a brow.
"He beat me in an arm-wrestling match! He's only in the True Profound Realm, yet he bested me completely!" Ling Jie exclaimed, before grinning mischievously. "I'll see him later! I'm still betting on making Princess Sis my wife!"
As Yuanba struggled to stand, his bloodied body swayed slightly. The soreness from his awakening still lingered.
Seeing this, Ling Jie stepped forward, concern flashing across his face. "Can you stand? I can help you… I kind of feel guilty for cutting your shoulders."
Yuanba waved him off with a casual smile, his body still aching but his spirit unbroken. "No need. There's no reason to feel guilty. You actually managed to wound my tough body. So… are you satisfied now?"
Seeing Yuanba laughing without any resentment, Ling Jie finally let out a breath of relief. The unease in his heart melted into a warm, newfound admiration.
"Heh, I'm satisfied. Completely satisfied! Every part of me is satisfied!" he chuckled before his eyes gleamed with excitement. "In the future, you and I—we're brothers for life!"
He then scratched his head in confusion. "But seriously, Brother, how exactly did you do it? Our strength is the same, yet you're already so powerful! And your body… how did you train it? It feels harder than rock!"
Yuanba shrugged. "I don't know. My brother-in-arms was the one who trained me. He unlocked something in me, and I've been training ever since. I owe him my cultivation."
Ling Jie's mind spun with disbelief. "What was that technique you used? I used so many techniques, yet you only used one to defeat all of them."
Yuanba grinned. "It's called Shining Slash. My brother-in-arms taught me last night… since, well, I didn't even know how to use a sword properly. I just hack and slash."
Ling Jie froze in shock. "Last night?!"
He had spent his entire life mastering the sword, refining countless techniques passed down through generations. Yet Yuanba had learned a single technique in one night… and surpassed him.
A single technique was all it took.
Ling Jie returned Yuanba's sword and, despite having overused his profound strength, slowly helped him up. His body trembled from exhaustion, but he refused to let his new brother struggle alone.
As he steadied Yuanba, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Mai pushed through the cheering crowd, her face filled with both relief and frustration.
"Mai! I won!" Yuanba grinned, his excitement barely contained.
But before he could celebrate any further—
Slap!
A light yet firm slap landed on his left cheek. Mai's eyes brimmed with tears.
"Idiot! You promised you wouldn't get hurt!" she scolded, her voice breaking slightly.
"Yikes… Brother, this woman sure is—" Ling Jie started, but the moment Mai shot him a glare, he immediately shut his mouth. That stare… It sent shivers down his spine, making him more afraid than facing Yuanba's raw power. Despite being realms stronger than her, something about a woman's glare was far scarier than any profound technique.
Ling Jie quickly released Yuanba and bowed his head slightly. "I am sorry… See you later, Brother!" he muttered before slipping away, eager to escape Mai's wrath.
Yuanba rubbed the back of his head, guilt flashing across his face. "I'm sorry…" he murmured sheepishly.
Mai sighed, her anger fading into concern. "As long as it doesn't happen again." She moved closer, supporting him as he leaned on her.
Despite the cheers roaring around them, Yuanba felt content. The crowd's admiration was nice, but Mai's concern? That meant everything to him.
"But I made it through…" he grinned.
Mai shook her head, but a small smile played on her lips. "I know. Whether you made it through or not, please… don't get hurt like that again." Her voice softened as she looked at him with pride. "But I am proud of you. Congratulations for made it to the Top four. Your master sends his regards."
She handed him a small potion vial, a gift from Yun Che. Yuanba uncorked it and drank a few sips, feeling its healing properties mend his wounds. The gashes on his skin sealed up instantly, though his body remained covered in blood and dirt.
Mai made a mental note to help him clean up later, but the moment she realized what that entailed—washing those muscles—her face turned crimson. Her daydream was abruptly interrupted as they passed a familiar figure just before entering the Blue Wind Imperial Family seating area.
"Ah! Big sis!" Yuanba called out.
Standing before them was the Frozen Cloud Asgard top pearl, Xia Qingyue—his sister.
Mai froze.
She suddenly felt… small. Compared to Xia Qingyue, an ultimate beauty, Mai was just a common girl.
Xia Qingyue's ethereal presence was on par with Unohana Retsu, Nemuri, and Mio, possessing an elegance that seemed almost untouchable.
Mai shrank slightly, feeling the weight of her own insecurities.
Xia Qingyue had countless questions swirling in her mind. Her brother—once a low-rank cultivator who couldn't even break past the Fourth Level of the Elementary Profound Realm—was now standing before her, bloodied yet victorious, having just dominated one of the strongest prodigies of Heavenly Sword Villa.
His awakening… his power… None of it made sense. She let out a quiet sigh before speaking. "Yuanba… how in the world did you gain this power?"
Yuanba rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, a grin forming on his face. "It was all brother-in-law… He was the one who trained me. It wasn't long, he just made some adjustments, and I was able to cultivate."
Mai's eyes widened in shock.
This was the first time she'd ever heard Yuanba refer to Yun Che as brother-in-law. Did that mean Yun Che had married into his family?
"Adjustment?" Xia Qingyue's brows furrowed slightly. What kind of adjustments could Yun Che have possibly made to bring out such strength in her brother?
A more pressing question followed. "Does Father know about your training and participation in the tournament?"
Yuanba's grin grew wider. "Father was the one who sent me to New Moon City. He told me to join the New Moon Profound Palace. That's where I met brother-in-law again. And at that time, he was already with sister-in-law. Before I was transferred from New Moon Profound Palace to Blue Wind Profound Palace. Did you know I am now Qin Wushang's disciple?"
Xia Qingyue's calm demeanor in her cold eyes cracked for a moment. Her mind was focused on that phrase.
"Sister-in-law?" she repeated, her tone laced with something between coldness and… jealousy?
"That girl whose always with him, Unohana Retsu." Yuanba casually dropped the bomb.
!
Xia Qingyue's eyes sharply focused on him.
Unohana Retsu?
Her heart skipped a beat. Since when? When did Yun Che marry that woman? And without his own wife's consent?
Her voice lowered dangerously. "They're married?"
"Not yet." Yuanba shrugged. "But she's going to marry him, so I just decided to call her sister-in-law. She really likes it."
Xia Qingyue's expression darkened slightly, but before she could process her emotions, Yuanba continued talking, unknowingly making things worse.
"As for Mio and her sister Nemuri, I met them on the first day of the tournament. They're strong. I don't think I can beat them in a fair fight."
"…"
Xia Qingyue remained silent, her mind caught between concern for her brother and the temptation to freeze Yun Che's sorry butt the next time she saw him.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Yuanba coughed, bringing her attention back.
"Ah, this is Mai," Yuanba introduced, motioning toward the young woman standing nervously beside him. "She is… a friend? She helped me out a lot, and I always go to her shop to eat her famous noodles."
Mai stammered as she found herself face-to-face with the legendary Fairy Xia Qingyue, the ice-cold beauty and prodigy of the Blue Wind Empire. "Ah… Greetings… Fairy Xia Qingyue… I am Chen Mai… Yuanba's friend."
Xia Qingyue narrowed her eyes slightly, assessing the girl. "Greetings… Are you close with my brother?"
"Ah… not… not yet… We're just normal friends," Mai replied quickly, her cheeks flushing red.
Xia Qingyue raised an eyebrow. "Yet?"
Mai immediately panicked, raising her hands in defense. "Ah… I-I am sorry for getting close to him without your permission!"
Xia Qingyue let out a quiet sigh before speaking in a calm tone. "I can't watch over my brother all the time, so please watch him in my stead."
Mai blinked in surprise before nodding hesitantly. "Ah… Hnnn…"
Xia Qingyue exhaled softly. Yuanba had never been interested in women before—something their father often said was due to her overwhelming beauty distracting him from noticing others. And yet, he had chosen to grow close to an ordinary girl. The irony was almost amusing. Even if he was immune to stunning beauties, he still found someone normal to care about.
Suddenly, Yuanba changed the subject.
"Big sis… You're going to face sister-in-law tomorrow… you can beat her, right?"
Xia Qingyue's gaze flickered slightly. "I am not sure… She is unpredictable…"
Hearing Yuanba refer to Unohana Retsu as 'sister-in-law' again only deepened her resolve to fight.
"Be well, Yuanba. My regards to Father if you ever see him again."
"Ahh… okay…" Yuanba nodded.
Before they could say more, a familiar voice called out.
"Ah, there you are…"
Yun Che emerged from the seating zone, his gaze landing on Yuanba before noticing Xia Qingyue standing beside him. "Oh, Qingyue… you're here?"
Xia Qingyue turned away immediately, her icy demeanor returning. Without another word, she walked back toward her seat, reassured that her brother was safe—but also remembering Yuanba's words.
'Sister-in-law…'
A strange feeling stirred in her cold heart.
Yun Che blinked. "What was that about?"
Mai leaned in slightly, whispering, "Brother-in-law? Is Yun Che married to your family or something?"
"Ehe… He's married to my older sister," Yuanba said casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"What?!" Mai nearly shouted before quickly lowering her voice. "Xia Qingyue is his wife? But… what about Retsu, Nemu, and Mio?"
Yuanba shrugged. "Oh, they're his future wives. He married my sister almost two years ago. He kind of… wrecked his own wedding by transforming into some kind of powerful being. I don't even know what he turned into, but it was insane. Back in Floating Cloud City, people started calling him an 'Emperor' or something."
Mai sighed, shaking her head. "Unbelievable… So not only is he married to Xia Qingyue, but he's also engaged to three ultimate beauties and was once considered an emperor? Just how ridiculous is he…?"
Feeling a gaze on her, she turned to see Yun Che staring at her, puzzled.
"What?" Yun Che asked, noticing Mai's sudden scrutiny.
She waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing… Just trying to wrap my head around the fact that you're Yuanba's brother-in-law."
Yun Che let out a deep sigh, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, I didn't expect that either, but we're… close. Sort of." His expression darkened slightly as he glanced toward Xia Qingyue's retreating figure. "She looked like she wanted to freeze my ass again. Did one of you say something to set her off?"
Mai shook her head. "Nothing much. I just introduced myself."
Yun Che raised an eyebrow before slowly turning to Yuanba. "And what about you?"
Yuanba grinned innocently. "Me? I just told her you trained me, where I've been for the past two years… and that I saw you with sister-in-law at New Moon Profound Palace."
A heavy silence fell over them.
Mai sighed, immediately realizing why Xia Qingyue had flared up. Even Yun Che's shoulders slumped as he exhaled sharply.
"Dude… really? You called Retsu 'sister-in-law' in front of Qingyue?" Yun Che asked, rubbing his temples.
Yuanba blinked, genuinely confused. "Yeah? Is that bad?"
Mai facepalmed. "Yuanba… you really are a loudmouth."
Yun Che let out a long sigh. "Mai, make sure to keep an eye on what this guy says next time."
Mai chuckled. "Oh, believe me, I'm already on it."
Yuanba, still completely oblivious, scratched his head. "Wait… what did I even say?"
Yun Che waved him off. "Forget it. Anyway, great job out there, but you released that power a bit early. Tomorrow, I'll teach you another technique—something you can use against me in our match."
Yuanba's face lit up with excitement. "You're teaching me another technique? Another sword skill?"
"Nope," Yun Che said with a grin. "This time, no swords. Just your hands. And to be fair, I won't use any weapons against you either."
Yuanba's shoulders slumped. "So… no giant bone snake then?" He sighed, knowing full well he was still an amateur compared to Yun Che. Even with his awakened power, fighting him would be an entirely different beast.
Yun Che smirked. "Nope. Just good old-fashioned hand-to-hand combat." He raised his fists playfully, readying an imaginary stance.
Yuanba grinned. "Thanks, brother in—"
SMACK!
Yun Che playfully smacked the back of Yuanba's head. "It's 'Aniki.' You really want me to get in more trouble, don't you? Your sister already looks like she wants to freeze my ass solid!"
Yuanba let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the sore spot on his head. "Ahaa… my bad."
Yun Che crossed his arms. "I won't smack your head anymore. I'll leave that job to Mai."
"Wait, what do you—OWW!" Yuanba yelped as Mai suddenly pinched his arm with a sweet yet utterly terrifying smile.
"You talk too much," Mai said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Yun Che chuckled. "Finally, someone who can keep his loudmouth in check."
Yuanba groaned, rubbing his sore arm, but deep down, he couldn't help but enjoy the warmth of his friends' teasing. Tomorrow's match would be something else—he was going up against his brother-in-law, and he intended to give it everything he had.
As he stepped into the seating zone, the tournament grounds buzzed with anticipation. The next match was about to begin.
"For our final battle of the day!" Ling Wugou's voice rang through the arena.
Yun Che let out a deep sigh, stretching his arms as he mentally prepared himself. His next opponent wasn't just strong—they might actually try to kill him out of pure jealousy.
"Great," he muttered to himself. "Nothing like fighting someone who'd rather see me dead than defeated."
He cracked his knuckles and smirked. "Well… I guess I'll just have to make sure I win."
Yuanba could hear the thunderous cheers from the Blue Wind Profound Palace stands, and he couldn't help but wave back at them. His master, standing nearby, was grinning from ear to ear, though inwardly he was already dreading the endless stream of sect masters vying to coax Yuanba away.
Like hell he'd give up his golden goose.
"Looks like someone's enjoying the fame," Mai teased, her arms crossed as she smirked at him.
Yuanba rubbed the back of his head, chuckling awkwardly. "Ahaa… Not really. Back at the palace, I didn't have many friends. But… I did have a brother there—someone named Yun Xiaofan."
"Yun?" Mai raised an eyebrow. "Is he related to Yun Che?"
Yuanba shook his head. "Nah, just happens to share the same surname. No family connection."
Mai simply nodded before gently pulling him toward the Imperial Family's seating area.
As they sat down, she frowned, inspecting his wounds closely. "Hmm… These injuries might take a while to clean up."
"Perhaps I can help?"
A soft, melodic voice chimed in from behind.
Mai turned to see Retsu, her serene expression unwavering. Instantly, she recalled how Retsu had healed Shui Wushuang earlier using her Water Refresh technique.
"Please do!" Mai said eagerly, stepping aside.
Retsu gracefully lifted her hand, summoning a delicate stream of water from her drinking cup. The liquid danced in the air before enveloping Yuanba in a shimmering sphere of healing water.
After a mere ten seconds, Retsu dismissed the water, letting it disperse into the air as mist.
Yuanba stretched his arms, grinning wide. "Thank you, Aneki! This feels amazing!"
But not everyone was focused on his excitement.
Xue Ling, Lin Yueru, Little Fairy, and even Mai were stunned, having witnessed the Water Refresh technique up close for the first time. The way Retsu manipulated water so effortlessly, so precisely, was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
However, Mai's sharp eyes caught something—a partially healed sword wound lingering on Yuanba's shoulder.
Before she could ask, Retsu leaned in, her lips barely an inch from Mai's ear.
"Ufuu… I'll let you heal that part."
Mai's face flushed a deep red as Retsu's playful whisper reached her ears.
She turned away slightly, pretending to focus on Yuanba's remaining injuries, but her hands trembled just a little. Did Retsu do that on purpose?
-------------------------
Quarter Final, Final Match
Blue Wind Imperial Family, Yun Che --------versus--------- Heavenly Sword Villa, Ling Yun
--------------------------
The crowd erupted into wild cheers as the next match was announced. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for—Yun Che, the unpredictable dark horse of the tournament, would face off against Ling Yun, the strongest member of the Heavenly Sword Villa.
Ling Yun had once been the undisputed top prodigy of his generation, a title he held before Cang Yue and Retsu had stolen the spotlight in yesterday's battles. Before Nezuko rose as the Heaven's Child. If this had been the original story, Ling Yun would still be revered as the strongest, the coolest young master of his time, standing proud at the Third Level of the Earth Profound Realm.
But now?
With Nezuko's Peak Sky Profound Realm strength, Cang Yue's overwhelming Peak Earth Profound Realm abilities, and Retsu's mysterious, almost unfathomable power—not to mention Xia Qingyue's mastery and Xia Yuanba's monstrous transformation—Ling Yun had become nothing more than a sideshow. Once adored, now overlooked.
Some doubted whether he even had a chance to win.
"The True Profound Realm Yun Che is fighting Ling Yun? Isn't that a bit ridiculous?"
"Ridiculous? Have you even seen Yun Che fight? He doesn't feel like a Peak True Profound Realm at all. It's like they're hiding something—all of the Blue Wind Imperial Family members."
"Even a Peak Earth Profound Realm Cang Yue lost to Unohana Retsu. What about him? Maybe he's the same as her—an anomaly."
"Who knows… this Yun Che is too mysterious. But I bet he'll put on a show like when he fought Fen Juebi."
"If that's the case, Ling Yun might as well surrender now."
"If he loses, his reputation will be ruined forever."
Ling Yun overheard the murmurs but paid them no mind. He wasn't here for the crowd's approval. He wasn't even here for the title.
He was here to prove something.
To prove that he, Ling Yun, was the true strongest of his generation. And to expose Yun Che—the man the goddesses seemed so infatuated with—as nothing more than a fraud.
He had heard the whispers. The admiration for Yun Che from those who once looked up to him. The way the women—the untouchable, unreachable figures of Blue Wind Empire—now spoke of him with intrigue.
That was unacceptable.
According to the original history, Ling Yun was an unparalleled genius. At just seventeen, he had already reached the Ninth Level of the Spirit Profound Realm. He had dominated the last Blue Wind Ranking Tournament, standing undefeated at its peak. His final match had been against Frozen Cloud Asgard's number one disciple, Mu Lingxue—a twenty-year-old prodigy who was already half a step into the Earth Profound Realm.
Ling Yun had beaten her in seven strikes. And he hadn't even used his full strength.
Now, he would face Yun Che—the man who had turned this tournament upside down. The man who had taken what should have been his stage. More importantly, his goddesses.
With quiet determination, Ling Yun stood up.
He reached for his brother's Celestial Yang Sword and then gripped his own Celestial Yuan Sword.
Ling Jie stared in shock as his brother gripped both Celestial Sky Profound Realm Swords—the Celestial Yuan Sword and his own Celestial Yang Sword. Was Ling Yun really planning to use both of them against Yun Che?
It didn't make sense. He had used the full power of the Yuan Yang Combination when facing Yuanba, but now his brother intended to unleash it on Yun Che?
Against a Peak True Profound Realm cultivator?
"Big Brother… Boss… Yun Che is only at the Peak of the True Profound Realm. You don't need my Celestial Yang Sword to beat him."
Ling Yun didn't even look at him.
"I don't believe it."
"What?" Ling Jie's eyes widened.
"I don't believe his strength is only at the Peak of the True Profound Realm." Ling Yun's tone was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "His power… it might even match the goddesses."
Ling Jie flinched. Goddesses? His brother had been obsessed with them all day, muttering about divine beauty and unparalleled power. It had gotten so bad that some of the elders in the villa whispered that Ling Yun had lost his mind. He had even dismissed the most beautiful women in the villa, calling them plain in comparison.
It had taken him days to regain his composure. But now, here he was again… speaking of goddesses.
"It's nothing," Ling Yun muttered, his voice forcibly steady. But his gaze betrayed him. It drifted toward the Blue Wind Imperial Family seating zone, locking onto them.
He couldn't forget them.
The beauty of those goddesses.
Their beauty was beyond comprehension, beyond artistry. He had tried to paint their faces, to sculpt them from memory—and failed.
If a beauty could topple nations, then theirs could topple entire worlds. They weren't just women; they were supreme existences, otherworldly beings draped in mortal form.
And yet, Yun Che… that man… that fraud… was able to enjoy their divine presence every single day.
Jealousy burned in Ling Yun's chest. It twisted and coiled like a viper, poisoning every thought. He wanted them. Needed them.
And he would not allow anyone else to have them. If he had to kill Yun Che to claim them, so be it.
No man should lay eyes upon them and live.
Not even Yun Che.
"Whatever happens, just do your best, big bro!" Ling Jie cheered, clenching his fists.
Ling Yun nodded, his face unreadable. Without a single visible motion or any profound energy fluctuation beneath his feet, his entire body vaulted effortlessly into the air. In midair, he reached out with his palm—grabbing at nothingness.
SHING!
The Celestial Yuan Sword—which was still in Ling Jie's hands—suddenly trembled and shot up by itself, landing perfectly in his grasp. With seamless grace, Ling Yun descended, his feet touching down in the center of the Sword Discourse Arena with elegance and power.
His robes fluttered in the wind, his jade-like face calm and composed, his sharp eyes as tranquil as an autumn lake.
And just like that, the arena was filled with the sound of gasping young girls.
"So handsome!"
"So graceful!"
"His swordplay is as divine as his looks!"
The audience swooned at the sight of Ling Yun, their admiration palpable. But their cheers were soon drowned out by a different kind of anticipation.
Because Yun Che had yet to arrive.
Yuanba smirked, nudging Yun Che with his elbow. "Aniki, go. If you win against Ling Yun, then we're facing off tomorrow!"
"Ara… looks like Yuu-kun is about to fight that perverted monkey," Retsu mused, her voice calm but her body shuddering slightly as she recalled the unpleasant memory of Ling Yun's earlier disgrace.
Mio crossed her arms, her expression twisting in pure disgust. "Danna-sama! Just beat that monkey as soon as possible. The way he keeps looking at us with those revolting, perverted eyes… Ugh. It makes me sick just remembering how he lost control back then."
Retsu sighed, rubbing her temple. "Don't even remind me. I swear, after that moment, I'll make sure I never forget anything ever again."
"Okay, but I wish to test a few things before I beat him." Yun Che cracked his neck before leaping onto the arena. His landing was sharp, precise—a superhero landing. One knee down, hand pressing the ground before he smoothly rose to his feet.
This wasn't like the original story. But in this alternate world?
Yun Che was the one standing before Ling Yun, not Xia Qingyue.
The trajectory of fate had shifted. Xia Qingyue's veil never fell before Ling Yun's eyes, sparing her from his obsessive infatuation. Instead, Ling Yun's desires had latched onto a different target—three goddesses whose beauty defied mortal comprehension: Retsu, Mio, and Nemu.
In the original tale, the fall of Ling Yun's heart began the moment Qingyue's veil slipped, revealing a beauty that shattered his composure. He tumbled into an endless cycle of obsession, mirroring the tragic love his own mother, Xuanyuan Yufeng, once suffered. She had watched her husband become hopelessly enamored with Little Fairy, and now, history repeated itself with her son.
Desperate to reclaim his focus, Xuanyuan Yufeng had turned to her uncle, scheming with Ye Xinghan of the Sun Moon Divine Hall to bring ruin upon Frozen Cloud Asgard. All to sever the bond between her son and the woman who unknowingly stole his heart.
The battle that was meant to be between Xia Qingyue and Ling Yun had transformed into something entirely different. Yun Che now stood as the wall between Ling Yun and his delusions, the last barrier protecting those he cared about from the consequences of Ling Yun's growing insanity.
And unlike in the original story, this time, Ling Yun's downfall wouldn't come from heartbreak.
It would come from Yun Che's fists.
Now, it was Yun Che standing in her place in this alternate world.
And Ling Yun hated it. The moment he laid eyes on Yun Che, a surge of fury burned inside him. But he exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain calm. He had a greater purpose.
He closed his eyes and conjured the memory of their gaze.
Even with their veiled hats obscuring their faces during the tournament, he had been blessed to witness their faces and remembered their eyes. Those eyes were unlike anything in this world—radiant as a starry sky, reflecting beauty beyond mortal comprehension.
Unohana Retsu.
Unohana Nemuri.
Mio.
Just imagining those eyes up close, he nearly lost himself. His consciousness wavered, his soul drawn into a trance. A beauty that defied words. A beauty that shattered reason.
And now, standing before him, was the very man who had them.
Who did not deserve them.
Yun Che.
This was his moment. His chance to claim them for himself and if Yun Che had to die for it… So be it.
Ling Yun tightened his grip on the Celestial Yuan Sword, his gaze sharp yet unreadable. With a smooth motion, he lifted his blade in a formal gesture of courtesy.
"Yun Che, I ask for your guidance. Heavenly Sword Villa, Ling Yun."
Yun Che, however, simply smirked and shrugged. "Sup?"
The casual response sent an immediate ripple of silence through the arena. Ling Yun's expression darkened slightly, but he maintained his composure. "..."
Yun Che tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Why bother with the formalities? We both know why you're here. You think that beating me will make them notice you?"
Ling Yun's grip on his sword tightened. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, come on now." Yun Che waved his hand dismissively. "You're using two Sky Profound Realm swords… against a guy who's supposedly only at the Peak of True Profound Realm? A bit much, don't you think?"
Ling Yun's teeth clenched. "Cease your tongue! I know you're hiding your true power, Yun Che. I'm simply taking precautions. Draw your weapon!"
Yun Che exhaled through his nose, still relaxed, before raising a foot and shaking it playfully. "Why would I? I've got these."
A flicker of disbelief crossed Ling Yun's face before he forced it down. "You may be talented, but your luck runs out today!" His voice carried a hint of something else—desperation.
Yun Che cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders. "Sure, sure. Let's just get this over with. I never got to fight you before, so let's see what you've got."
The audience murmured at his words, confused by his strange phrasing. But before anyone could question it further, Ling Wugou stepped forward.
"Second match of the Semifinals! Heavenly Sword Villa's Ling Yun versus Blue Wind Imperial Family's Yun Che—battle, start!!"
The arena erupted with cheers.
Despite the excitement in the stands, many in the audience already believed this match had a predetermined outcome. This was Ling Yun—Heavenly Sword Villa's strongest prodigy, the undisputed victor of the previous Blue Wind Ranking Tournament. His strength had once been thought unreachable for his generation.
Before the shocking rise of Nezuko, Cang Yue, and Unohana Retsu, Ling Yun had reigned supreme. His victories had been decisive, his dominance unquestioned.
And now, he was facing Yun Che—a man whose profound strength, on paper, was leagues beneath him.
Could Yun Che possibly defeat the former champion of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament?
Or would Ling Yun prove, once and for all, that his place at the top was unshakable?
Ling Yun's left hand folded behind his back, and only moved with simple interweaving steps without any movement profound skills. He lifted his Celestial Yuan and Celestial Yang swords, did not swing any kind of sword skills either, and calmly engaged…
His opponent might be in the True Profound Realm, so he decided to test the waters first. Ling Yun wasted no time. With a sharp glint in his eyes, he lunged forward, both Celestial Yin and Celestial Yang swords flashing in a deadly arc. His intent was clear—end this battle in a single strike.
But—he missed.
Yun Che tilted his body ever so slightly, slipping past the blade with an effortless grace. Ling Yun's eyes widened, but he didn't hesitate, launching a relentless barrage of slashes. His swords danced like twin streaks of silver light, aiming to overwhelm Yun Che with sheer speed and precision.
Yet, none of them connected.
Yun Che weaved through every strike as if he were strolling through a gentle breeze, his movements fluid and instinctive. He didn't block. He didn't counter. He simply dodged.
The audience fell into stunned silence.
Ling Yun, accustomed to cutting down his opponents with a single move, now found himself slashing at nothing but air. His strikes grew faster, sharper—yet Yun Che continued to slip past them, always a step ahead, always just beyond reach.
Frustration flickered across Ling Yun's face, but he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain calm.
Xia Qingyue narrowed her eyes, watching Yun Che from her seat. His movements… the way he reacted, the way he effortlessly slipped past Ling Yun's sword strikes—it was eerily familiar.
Just like Chu Yuechan.
She had seen the Fairy of Frozen Beauty train countless times, her flawless footwork and instinctive dodging honed to perfection. But Yun Che? How could he move like that? How did he predict every attack as if he had eyes in the back of his head? Was it merely instinct, or had he cultivated a similar skill?
The crowd was in disbelief.
"Impossible… Yun Che should've been cut down by now!"
"Ling Yun's first strike missed? That's unheard of!"
"No one can last more than a few breaths with big bro. Boss is really awesome." Ling Jie commented with widen eyes.
Ling Yun gritted his teeth, his frustration barely contained. His reputation was built on decisive, overwhelming victories. His sword was meant to end battles in a single strike—yet here was Yun Che, dodging every attack without breaking a sweat.
His grip on the Celestial Yuan and Yang Swords tightened. Fine. If speed alone wasn't enough, he would push his limits even further!
He surged forward, increasing the speed of his slashes. The twin swords became blurs of light, slicing through the air with terrifying precision. Left, right, downward slash, feint, reverse grip— his technique was flawless.
Yet, Yun Che still dodged.
The space between them was razor-thin, but it was enough. Yun Che moved with an effortless grace, his body shifting just out of reach at the last possible moment. As if he wasn't even taking this seriously.
Ling Yun's heartbeat pounded in his ears. He's toying with me.
His eyes locked onto Yun Che's smirk.
"You—" His voice was a low growl. "You're mocking me."
Yun Che shrugged, hands still in his pockets. "Not really. I'm just waiting for you to make a move."
A vein pulsed in Ling Yun's forehead. His pride demanded an answer.
Fine. If Yun Che wanted to play, then he would end this game.
With a somersault, Ling Yun landed fifteen meters away, his stance firm as he raised the Celestial Yuan Sword horizontally. His eyes narrowed, and in that instant, his entire presence changed. The air around him vibrated with raw power as his sword intent erupted like a flood breaking through a dam.
"Oh? He finally took the bait… Might as well test that skill while I'm at it." Yun Che smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Ling Yun's voice rang out, sharp with malice. "Yun Che! Perish and show those goddesses that you're nothing but a fraud!"
As his words fell, he flipped his palm, unleashing a tidal wave of profound energy. The Celestial Yuan Sword shot forward like a streak of divine light, its brilliance splitting the air. Then, it multiplied.
One sword became ten.
Ten became a hundred.
A hundred became a thousand.
A blinding storm of sword beams filled the sky, descending upon Yun Che like a meteor shower.
"Wah!!" Gasps of astonishment echoed through the arena.
This technique—Heaven's Might Sword Formation: Heavenly Star Frenzy—was the same move Ling Jie had used against Xia Yuanba. But this? This was on an entirely different level. Ling Yun's mastery amplified the technique tenfold, each sword beam radiating an unbearable intensity. This was power beyond the younger generation—something even some elders might struggle against.
Yuanba was about to shout but seeing his other sisters-in-law didn't even faze so much. He calmed down.
The crowd murmured in awe. "It's over… No one can withstand that."
A shockwave tore through the arena as the devastating attack struck, engulfing Yun Che in a massive explosion of dust and energy. The smug grins of his enemies spread across their faces—until the dust cleared.
Standing amidst the settling debris, Yun Che remained unscathed.
"Maximum Armor." He muttered.
Silence.
The audience's shock turned to disbelief. "Impossible!!"
The sight before them was beyond comprehension. Yun Che's body pulsed with a crimson glow, a faint but unmistakable armor of energy covering his form.
Even his own flock members were stunned—except for Retsu, who watched with an all-knowing smile.