22: Provocation from Wang Yao

"I... what have I done?"

The moment Zhou Yan jumped into the Spatial Rift, he had already broken free from the illusion effects created by the Third Elder.

As the influence vanished, his originally chaotic memories began to rearrange themselves.

"What a sin!" Zhou Yan covered his face, screaming inwardly.

While he was having a fit, the fighting felt great, but now that he was clear-headed, he felt only two words: deep regret.

Having a status one doesn't deserve is a terrifying thing. Zhou Yan was indeed full of expectations for this world, yet he hadn't stopped his malicious speculations.

This Sect seemed to have a good atmosphere. Although he appeared to have been messed with by a certain Sect Senior, it also proved that their conduct was quite good from top to bottom. Even the Sect Seniors didn't put on much of an air.

But that was only when their interests weren't touched. After all, this was a top-tier Sect in the cultivation world; those who could come here weren't ordinary people, and those who could succeed were all ruthless characters.

In Zhou Yan's view, people like Niu Zhiyuan were the norm in various Sects.

Perhaps under the influence of the atmosphere, Niu Zhiyuan would grow and change his Heart-Nature later, but the arrogance carved into his bones wouldn't be easily removed.

Thinking about the countless troubles he might face later gave Zhou Yan a massive headache. At the start, he only wanted to pretend to be a Prodigy with a Single Spiritual Root, but now that things had escalated like this, he had no idea how the outside world was hyping him up. Lies truly are harmful.

Dialing the special effects back to the minimum, Zhou Yan also began to adjust his mindset. Things had already reached this point; complaining further was useless. He could only take it one step at a time, hoping the things the System produced later could cover up his lies.

"But, where exactly is this place?"

Zhou Yan found the surrounding space dark and profound, with stars twinkling in the distance, as if he were in the middle of the Universe.

It was somewhat similar to the images that had condensed within the portal before he entered it.

Just as he was looking around, a sphere glowing with a strange blue light drifted slowly from afar.

Zhou Yan retreated a few steps warily, but the sphere drew closer and closer, eventually stopping right in front of him.

Zhou Yan swallowed hard and, summoning his courage, reached out to take it.

The moment he took it, Zhou Yan's entire being felt transparent. He seemed to see mountains, rivers, and oceans, as well as flowers, birds, fish, and insects. He could clearly smell the fragrance of the soil in the air and feel the touch of the damp sea breeze on his face.

The intense sensory impact made Zhou Yan's body stiffen suddenly, but in just a moment, his bewilderment shifted into a calm state of knowing everything.

"Is this the Secret Realm's core?" Through touch, Zhou Yan already understood how to use this object. "Send me to the High Tower."

Zhou Yan held it up above his head, and the light orb emitted a soft blue halo until the blue light submerged him. In the next instant, silence returned to the Void Realm.

Meanwhile, inside the High Tower, a blue light appeared in the previously empty hall, and the person within that blue light was none other than Zhou Yan.

"Look! Zhou Yan has appeared again!"

"He really has. How did he manage to bypass the middle layer and come directly to the High Tower?"

The people below the stage grew excited once again upon seeing Zhou Yan's appearance.

However, the atmosphere on the high platform was a bit subtle.

"Junior Sister, if this old man is not mistaken, the light orb in Zhou Yan's hand should be the core of the old trial Secret Realm, right?"

The Grand Elder looked at the Third Elder. Although he was asking a question, he already had the answer in his heart.

"So, the 'creating a new Secret Realm' Third Sister spoke of was just adding a layer inside and wrapping a layer outside the old Secret Realm, then tossing the old Secret Realm core aside to replace it with a new core you made?"

The Sixth Elder was speechless. Could someone really be this lazy?

A flush rose to the Third Elder's beautiful face, followed by her saying, "How can something regarding a Secret Realm be called laziness? That's called recycling!" and then things like, "The Secret Realm was old, how can a renovation not be called new?" which made everyone burst into laughter. The high platform was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

After laughing, the Sixth Elder raised a question at the appropriate time.

"This kid seems to have sensed the core through those eyes of his, which is why he deliberately used a method to shatter space with the help of that Secret Realm monster."

"Now that he has obtained this old core, will it be unfair to the other Disciples?"

Just as the Sixth Elder finished, the Fourth Elder cut in angrily, "Bullshit! My Disciple obtained it through his own ability, why shouldn't he be allowed to use it? If it's unfair, isn't that because they lack the ability?"

"Why don't they look for the reason within themselves? After all these years, is it because they haven't worked hard enough? Why can't they see through the Origin and shatter the void during the Qi Refinement Stage?"

Seeing the Fourth Elder's smug look, the other three became even more firm in their thoughts. "Your Disciple? Heh, you'll find out when the time comes."

The Third Elder said, "No need to worry. Although I had the idea of stea... er, saving resources, I wouldn't leave even this unhandled."

"The core in his hand only serves an auxiliary stabilizing effect in this Secret Realm. In fact, it doesn't matter whether he has it or not."

"Its authority is very low; it can only help him perform some teleports within the Secret Realm."

"Anyway, with his strength, the monsters in the inner circle won't be able to stop him. He could have arrived quickly even without this object."

Hearing the Third Elder say this, the Sixth Elder felt relieved. This involved the Sect's reputation, and as an Elder, he had to consider the Sect's interests.

The Fourth Elder just curled his lip; what he said earlier was just banter. If something really went wrong, as an Elder, he wouldn't just stand by.

Zhou Yan stepped out of the blue light and found himself in a massive circular space. In the center of the space stood a giant, crystal-clear pillar of light that was several people wide. It was exceptionally quiet here, with only the low hum of energy flowing through the central pillar.

"Huh?"

"To think someone arrived here even before me? Although the things outside aren't strong, it's not like any random nobody can sneak in this fast. Your Excellency has quite the skill!"

Zhou Yan looked toward the voice. Not far behind him stood a tall young man.

He was wearing dark red martial attire with a python-patterned belt at his waist. His black hair was loosely tied behind his head. He had a handsome face with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. Currently, he was standing with his arms crossed, staring at Zhou Yan with a frown, radiating a sharp and heroic Aura.

[Wang Yao]

[Rank: Qi Refining First Layer]

[HP: 19952/20000]

"666, a real BOSS has spawned. What kind of creature is this?"

Zhou Yan looked at this heaven-defying stat panel. This is the f*cking Qi Refining First Layer?

Even Niu Zhiyuan's panel at the Qi Refining Third Layer wasn't this high back then, right?

While his mind was racing, Wang Yao's health changed again. [HP: 20000/20000]

He even has auto-regen? He's not even trying to hide it?

Seeing that Zhou Yan didn't speak and only looked at him coldly, Wang Yao felt that such composure (in his eyes) only confirmed his suspicions.

He laughed heartily, took a few large strides forward, and said boldly, "To be able to arrive here silently a step ahead of me, why should Fellow Daoist hide any longer? I, Wang Yao, love making friends with heroes, especially sparring with the strong! Our meeting here today is fate. Why don't we cross hands? Let me experience Fellow Daoist's brilliant moves!"

Wang Yao's gaze shot toward Zhou Yan like lightning, replaced by intense surprise and burning Battle Intent.

Zhou Yan's heart sank. Sparring? Are you kidding me? His HP was only 1500. He was supposed to fight this guy with 20,000 HP who clearly looked like trouble?

"Not interested." Zhou Yan's voice was flat, devoid of any emotion. He tried to bypass Wang Yao to check the central light pillar and see if there was any further content for the Secret Realm trial.

Swish!

Wang Yao's figure flashed, blocking Zhou Yan again like a ghost. He was incredibly fast.

The smile on his face faded slightly, and his gaze became sharp. "Why must Fellow Daoist be so cold? It's just a spar, we'll stop once a point is made."

"By being so evasive, could it be that you look down on me, Wang Yao?"

He was naturally straightforward and a battle junkie. The more Zhou Yan refused, the more he felt the other party was a hidden expert who disdained to fight him, which only further ignited his competitiveness.

Zhou Yan stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. He knew trouble had arrived.

This guy named Wang Yao seemed to be single-minded; once he set his mind on something, he probably wouldn't give up easily. Explain that he was actually a "fake"?

The other party would likely only feel his intelligence was being insulted. Could a fake arrive at this High Tower a step ahead of him?

"I am not the expert you think I am, and I have no intention of fighting you," Zhou Yan tried to communicate again, his tone still flat.

"Whether you're an expert or not, we'll only know after a fight!" Wang Yao laughed loudly, wasting no more words. "Take this!"

Before his voice finished echoing, his Aura suddenly shifted. Although his cultivation was suppressed to the Qi Refining First Layer by the Secret Realm, that surging blood vitality and condensed Battle Intent were undeniable.

His right foot slammed onto the smooth ground with a dull thud, and he shot forward like an arrow from a bow. His right fist struck out directly toward the center, carrying an unstoppable, fierce momentum. The wind from his fist was so intense it even made a slight whistling sound.

This punch was fast, ruthless, and precise! It completely exceeded Zhou Yan's understanding of the Qi Refining First Layer level. This was even more terrifying than the berserk Niu Zhiyuan he had seen before.

I can't dodge it!

Zhou Yan's pupils constricted as he made an instant judgment. The opponent's speed and power were far beyond his own; taking it head-on would mean certain death.

Time Acceleration: 18x.

In the moment of crisis, the only ability he could rely on activated instantly.

Everything around him slowed down once more. Wang Yao's incredibly fierce fist saw its speed drastically reduced in his eyes; while still fast, it was no longer impossible to track.

I can see it! Zhou Yan's spirits lifted as he dodged to the left in his accelerated state.

However, Wang Yao's fist seemed to predict his movement. Its trajectory adjusted slightly, still covering more than half of his body.

"I can only block!" Zhou Yan instantly changed his move, crossing his arms in front of his chest in an attempt to defend.

BANG!!!!

A dull, massive explosion echoed throughout the High Tower.

Zhou Yan felt an irresistible, terrifying force transfer from his arms. If he hadn't entered combat mode, that single punch would likely have shattered the bones in both his hands.

Zhou Yan felt as if he had been hit by a high-speed truck. His feet left the ground, and he was sent flying backward.

He slammed heavily into the jade-smooth wall and then slid to the floor.

[-747!]

A massive bright red damage number flashed wildly at the edge of his vision.

Just one punch! His health plummeted from a near-full 1495 points to 748 points. He was almost killed in one hit! His health bar was instantly drained by more than half!

Zhou Yan knelt on the spot, looking at his HP with a cold face, feeling a lingering fear.

"Hmm?" After knocking Zhou Yan back with one punch, Wang Yao didn't follow up. Instead, he stood in place, a look of surprise appearing on his face.

He looked at his fist, then at the seemingly unharmed Zhou Yan, his thick brows knitting together.

Something was wrong.

With that punch just now, although he hadn't used his full strength, it was definitely not something a normal Qi Refining First Layer could take.

The opponent had taken the hit head-on and was actually unharmed, with his state not declining in the slightest, and... Wang Yao lowered his head to look at the back of his right hand. A very faint but exceptionally clear stinging sensation came from there, as if he had been pricked by an extremely fine and sharp needle.

At the same time, he keenly felt the surging blood vitality within his body automatically circulating to heal him, but the recovery speed of that tiny injury on the back of his hand was unusually slow.

It was as if some extremely tricky power remained within it, obstructing the healing.

He raised his hand for a closer look and finally noticed a small bruise on the back of his hand.

Meanwhile, in Zhou Yan's eyes, a small [-11] had just floated up from Wang Yao's massive 20,000 HP, followed by a white [-3] number.

However, Wang Yao recovered those 11 points of health in a single breath, leaving only the 3 points of true damage still there.

Wang Yao was stunned for a moment, and then an even more burning and excited light suddenly erupted in his eyes.

He looked up abruptly, staring intently at Zhou Yan by the wall, his voice filled with the surprise of discovering a Treasure Trove.

"Good! Good! Good! I truly did not misjudge you! Fellow Daoist is indeed a hidden expert!"

"To be able to take my punch without the slightest injury and even leave such damage in return that even my Physique cannot easily recover from—I am impressed!"

He automatically filled in the blanks: the opponent must have an extremely powerful Physical Body just like him to remain unharmed under that punch, and he also possessed a powerful combat method, as a mere casual strike had left him with an injury that was difficult to recover from.

Even though I took the initiative to offend him, he only blocked and left a minor injury as a warning. This is truly the style of a powerhouse!

Zhou Yan: "..."

Listening to Wang Yao's excited monologue and looking at his own half-empty health bar, he was utterly speechless.

He had only blocked out of instinct just now; as for Wang Yao getting injured, that was a complete accident.

He had been killing monsters so smoothly earlier that his body still had some instinctive reactions. While being sent flying, he had casually thrown a punch that hit Wang Yao's fist.

That 1% true damage was purely a passive trigger. He hadn't expected it could also slow down the opponent's recovery, making the other guy even more fired up.

Now, looking at the update on the opponent's panel, Zhou Yan realized that this misunderstanding had become... way too big.

[BOSS: Wang Yao]

[Rank: Qi Refining First Layer]

[HP: 19997/20000]

"Again! Fellow Daoist, there's no need to hold back anymore! Let me see your true skills!" Wang Yao's Battle Intent boiled over as he laughed heroically, his Aura rising once again.

He was certain Zhou Yan was an opponent of the same caliber, perhaps even stronger. At this moment, he completely set aside all contempt and prepared to go all out.

His figure moved, pouncing toward Zhou Yan once more. This time, his fist technique was even more heavy, his speed faster, and the pressure he brought was even stronger!

Zhou Yan lamented inwardly as he looked at the figure pouncing like a tiger descending a mountain. He knew explanation was useless, and running away would likely be difficult.

He could only grit his teeth and forcibly activate Time Acceleration again. In this extreme speed difference, he struggled to find the possibility of dodging and blocking while frantically thinking of a strategy.

This forced "sparring" seemed to have only just begun. And the audience outside, seeing two Disciples they considered top-tier fighting each other, was even more incredibly excited.