The faint light of early morning filtered through the clouds, gently enveloping Qingchuan City.
Inside the Jubao Pavilion, time seemed to stand still.
Mu Yun sat cross-legged, surrounded by utter silence. Only a faint glow flickered around his eyes, the five acupoints alternately shining like twinkling stars. If one looked closely, one could see the light dimming and brightening, each with its own subtle mystery.
Suddenly, Mu Yun's eyes snapped open! Two sharp beams of light burst from the depths of his pupils, like arcs of lightning, only to fade and disappear in an instant, returning to calm.
He sighed softly, his voice low and distant: "In the end… I failed."
His gaze flickered as he calculated the time. Then he slowly rose, stretched his limbs, and walked toward the exit of the Jubao Pavilion.
"There is a barrier… blocking my progress." He frowned slightly, murmuring to himself, his eyes deepening with thought.
…
The streets were bustling with endless streams of people, carriages and horses crossing paths, the clamor rushing into his ears. Mu Yun stood amidst the crowd, silently looking back, his mind replaying the events of the past few days.
Finally, he shook his head, gathered his thoughts, and turned to begin his journey home.
Now, returning home was the priority.
First, to complete the task Old Man Zhu had entrusted to him. Second, to take this opportunity to learn more of this world's hidden secrets.
Outside the city gate, a vast expanse of open land stretched for thousands of zhang. Beyond that lay the wild forests where ferocious beasts lurked.
Mu Yun moved swiftly, his figure like a gust of wind across the open ground. Before long, he had entered the forest. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. He stamped his foot heavily, accelerated abruptly, and in the next breath, leaped into the air, vanishing behind an ancient towering tree.
Almost simultaneously, a voice tinged with amusement drifted leisurely from the forest—
"Not a bad reaction…"
Mu Yun's gaze darkened. Following the sound, he saw a young man in silver armor stepping out from between the trees.
His black hair hung over his shoulders, his features were handsome, and his battle armor gleamed coldly in the morning light.
He walked to the spot where Mu Yun had just leaped, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He bent down and pulled a pitch-black spear from the ground.
As the spear came free, dirt exploded. A low hum emanated from the shaft, like a beast awakening, its murderous aura surging.
Mu Yun narrowed his eyes at the young man—silver-white armor reflecting the dawn, black hair flowing, a mocking expression on his handsome face.
The young man flicked his wrist, sweeping the spear through the air, producing a sharp whistling sound. Before the dust could settle, he spun around, pointing the spear tip at Mu Yun, who was still hidden behind the tree. His gaze was sharp as a blade as he spoke coldly:
"Show me your strength. Let me see just how much you're worth—to have earned her favor!"
As his voice fell, a狂暴 aura rose. The spear trembled slightly, distorting the surrounding air, a faint thunderous echo reverberating.
Mu Yun's eyes flashed, but inwardly he felt helpless. He had no idea why this person had come.
Could it be… some jealous lover?
"Come… come out and fight!" The silver-armored youth pointed his spear, his battle intent soaring, his voice like thunder crashing through the forest.
Hidden behind the tree, Mu Yun's gaze sharpened. He had intended to observe secretly, but the other had already locked onto him. Though he did not yet know the man's intentions, the arrogant words stirred a fighting spirit deep within him.
Without answering, he suddenly pushed off with his feet!
Boom!
Leaves and debris exploded several feet into the air. Mu Yun's figure transformed into a blur, shooting forward like an arrow leaving a bowstring—straight at his opponent!
At this moment, the Earth-origin Mu Yun's consciousness was in control. He deliberately suppressed the many Earth technology weapon systems within him—he wanted to test just how capable this Qi Refining body truly was in combat!
Seeing this, the silver-armored youth smiled coldly. Then, unexpectedly, he halted, thrusting his spear heavily into the ground. His armor clanked as he crouched slightly—and then he, too, charged straight at Mu Yun!
A fierce wind rose. In the forest, two figures rushed toward each other. Their auras clashed, and in mere moments, they were locked in close combat!
Mu Yun's right fist clenched tightly, his bones cracking. A violent punch, carrying the force of thunder, slammed toward the silver-armored youth's chest!
The youth, seeing this, did not retreat or defend. He lowered his body slightly and swung his own fist in a sweeping arc!
Thud!
The fists collided. The shockwave rippled outward like a tidal wave, shaking the surrounding plants, sending air currents swirling!
Mu Yun's punch landed squarely on the youth's chest. The silver-armored youth's body trembled slightly. The earth beneath his feet cracked, his feet plowing furrows as he stepped back several paces to steady himself.
At the same time, Mu Yun was sent flying backward by the tremendous recoil. He hurtled through the air and slammed hard into a tree behind him. Branches snapped, leaves scattered!
Crash!
As leaves fell, Mu Yun tumbled down from mid-air and landed heavily, dust billowing around him.
In the first exchange, Mu Yun had lost.
He slowly rose, brushing the dust from his clothes. His gaze was deep as an abyss, silently fixed on the silver-armored youth across from him, not a word spoken.
The youth, seeing this, curled his lips slightly, a trace of contempt in his eyes. "Not a bad look… but your strength is mediocre."
The words were mocking, yet the killing intent had not dissipated.
Mu Yun did not respond. He knew that in that last exchange, he had indeed been at a disadvantage. But defeat was not the end—his fighting spirit burned even hotter!
He took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and slowly closed his eyes. A moment later, his eyes snapped open—a flash of white light, and his senses sharpened several times over!
Seeing this, the silver-armored youth's gaze hardened, his voice cold: "So you are indeed at Qi Refining… the Sharpening Senses stage."
He chuckled lightly, stamped his foot, and with an explosive burst of wind, charged forward with his spear!
The spear tore through the air, its tip flickering with lethal sharpness!
Mu Yun's perception was now acute. As the spear thrust toward him, he could discern its trajectory. He stamped his foot and retreated explosively!
But the spear's momentum did not diminish—it only grew stronger by three parts! The wind howled, the spear shadows danced wildly, seemingly locked onto Mu Yun's vital energy. No matter how he dodged, there was no escape!
In a few steps, Mu Yun had retreated to the base of a tree, his path blocked!
"Not good!"
In the flash of a thought, he caught a subtle change in the spear's trajectory. His eyes gleamed, and without hesitation, he ducked low to the side!
Wham—
Just as Mu Yun lowered his body, the spear tip pierced through the tree trunk and swept across violently!
Shriek—
The fierce spear energy whipped up a gale. Mu Yun felt the wind scream past his ears. Strands of his hair were severed by the spear's aura and flew away. The tree trunk pierced by the spear shattered with a crash, splinters flying everywhere!
Seeing that Mu Yun had dodged this thrust, the silver-armored youth raised an eyebrow. He withdrew his spear with a spin and leaped back several paces, sneering, "Not bad for Qi Refining… an ordinary Body Refining perfectionist would already be dead under my Falling Star Spear Art."
His eyes narrowed, a hint of battle intent flickering within. "It seems… you'll let me play a little longer."
Mu Yun raised his head slightly, his gaze profound, mental power quietly flowing.
Suddenly, a sharp sound of tearing air came from the front!
Whoosh—
The spear thrust forward abruptly, its edge ripping through the air like a raging dragon emerging from the sea. The spear's momentum was overwhelming, heading straight for Mu Yun!
Mu Yun's eyes narrowed. He calmly observed the spear's shadow, his mind steady. Seeing the attack coming as before, he lowered his body slightly and dodged to the side, skillfully evading.
But—
Suddenly, something changed!
The silver-armored youth's face flushed red. His right hand gripped the spear shaft tightly, and between his fingers, a layer of swirling white mist arose!
Mu Yun's heart jolted. He realized something was wrong!
"Falling Star Third Form—Five Serpents Devouring the Moon!"
The youth roared. The spear trembled, its tip exploding like thunder, stabbing five times in the air!
Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum!
The air shook, revealing five spear shadows, each like a serpentine dragon soaring into the sky, carrying destructive force, sealing off all directions and lunging at Mu Yun!
Mu Yun was horrified!
These were not illusions, but afterimages created by the spear's momentum pushed to its extreme. Each thrust carried lethal danger! The spear wind struck his face, the energy tearing at the surroundings—it seemed there was nowhere to hide!
In an instant, Mu Yun forced down his fear. His eyes swept over the spear shadows, quickly judging the weakest point, and dodged toward it.
But the spear came too fast! Changed too quickly… Mu Yun instinctively wanted to use the Earth technology weapon systems, but then remembered the purpose of this fight. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not use them.
A fierce wind rose, and blood sprayed! Though Mu Yun avoided a fatal blow, his left arm was cut open—a wound so deep the bone was visible. Bits of flesh clung to the spear tip. The silver-armored youth raised his spear, looking at Mu Yun, and said, "I haven't even used Qi Refining techniques, and I've already defeated you… you're too weak!"
Mu Yun's gaze was deep as he looked coldly at his opponent.
His chest heaved, but the fighting spirit in his heart did not fall—it rose instead, now surging to the heavens!!