Chapter 22: Confronting Ye Yunqi

Chapter 22: Confronting Ye Yunqi

The clouds surged violently.

A black-gold ship cut through the layers of mist, riding the winds and waves with unstoppable momentum.

Standing on the deck of the ship, Chen Feng gazed at the endless sea of clouds beyond the invisible protective barrier, his heart filled with countless emotions. Never had he imagined that one day he would find himself thousands of meters in the sky, piercing through clouds and mist, traversing the heavens.

However, this time, he was aboard the Sky Patrol Giant Ship.

"One day, I too will be able to fly on my own through Artifact Flight," Chen Feng thought to himself, recalling the Sect Envoy, the Blue-robed Man.

Then, his mind turned to the earlier challenge of climbing the Cloud Ladder, and a chill ran down his spine.

Out of the 280 disciples who had passed the Preliminary Screening, 50 had been eliminated during the Cloud Ladder trial. The sight of their dejected faces and despondent figures left him with an indescribable sense of complexity.

"Chen Feng, I don’t care what method you used to raise your cultivation to the Seventh Level of the Body Forging Realm, nor do I care what stroke of luck allowed you to board the Sky Patrol Giant Ship," a cold voice came from behind him. Chen Feng turned and saw a face as icy as frost, twisted with disgust. "In any case, stay as far away from me as possible. Don’t let me see you, or I’ll only feel sickened."

"Get lost," Chen Feng said coldly, glancing at Yang Xuening.

"You—!" Yang Xuening nearly choked on her fury, her face flushing with humiliation. "You’re nothing but trash—always have been, always will be. Don’t even think of comparing yourself to Brother Yun, let alone me—"

"Shut up," Chen Feng snapped, slapping her mid-sentence.

Smack!

Yang Xuening’s head whipped to the side, her pale neck stretching as if about to snap, her entire body stumbling from the force.

She staggered but managed to steady herself, her cheek burning with searing pain as it rapidly swelled.

"Chen Feng! How dare you hit me! You—!" Yang Xuening’s face twisted with rage, but when she met Chen Feng’s cold, razor-sharp gaze—one that looked at her as if she were already dead—she shuddered involuntarily. Her words died in her throat, and without another sound, she covered her swollen cheek and hurried away.

"Tsk tsk, brother, that was ruthless," a teasing voice came from the side.

A short, plump young man dressed in an extravagant golden martial robe approached, his eyes narrowed into slits, his expression full of admiration.

Chen Feng merely nodded in acknowledgment, offering no further response.

"My name is Jin Hongdang, from the Huntian Dao Academy in Hongtian City. May I ask your name and which academy you hail from?" the golden-robed fatty asked again.

"Chen Feng, from the Great Xia Huntian Dao Academy," Chen Feng replied calmly.

"Brother Chen, care to explain why you were so ruthless just now?" Jin Hongdang leaned in, his beady eyes twinkling with gossipy curiosity.

Before Chen Feng could answer, an icy aura seeped through the air and settled upon him.

Then, he saw a pair of cold, hollow eyes staring down at him with utter disdain, as if he were beneath notice. Deep within those eyes lurked a trace of ruthless killing intent.

"Ye Yunqi!"

Chen Feng’s gaze sharpened, his pupils like sword points piercing through everything.

Yang Xuening, standing beside Ye Yunqi with a face full of venomous resentment, was completely ignored.

"I spared your ant-like life that day, yet you show no gratitude." Ye Yunqi's hollow, icy eyes locked onto Chen Feng, his tone indifferent. "Kneel and kowtow three times, then cut off the hand you used to strike Xuening, and I’ll spare you this once."

"Holy shit!" Before Chen Feng could respond, Jin Hongdang beside him couldn’t hold back.

This was the Huntian Sect’s Sky Patrol Giant Ship, carrying disciples from various Huntian Dao Academies, including elites and even true geniuses. Kneeling, kowtowing, and severing an arm—such news would spread quickly, leaving one forever disgraced.

This move… was nothing short of vicious!

"I used this hand to strike her." Chen Feng raised his right hand with a faint smile, his sharp eyes meeting Ye Yunqi’s gaze like sword blades. "Come and try to cut it off."

"Brother Yun, kill him!" Yang Xuening, her face hidden behind a veil to conceal the swelling, shrieked with venom.

"You had your chance and wasted it. Now, I’ll draw my blade and sever both your arms." Ye Yunqi gripped his saber hilt, drawing it an inch from its sheath. A melodious hum resonated, and a razor-sharp gleam split the air, forcing onlookers to avert their eyes.

Chen Feng’s gaze sharpened, a surge of battle intent rising unbidden from within. His right hand settled on his sword hilt.

Instantly, a chilling, murderous aura spread. Ye Yunqi’s hollow eyes focused, condensing into a cold glint—slightly surprised.

Surprised that Chen Feng actually seemed ready to fight him, yet disdainful of such overconfidence. After all, Ye Yunqi had defeated the former academy chief with a single strike, his strength unrivaled in the Body Forging Realm.

A faint smirk curled Ye Yunqi’s lips, his expressionless face betraying a trace of contempt for the first time. He took a step forward, like the strike of a celestial drum, his overwhelming aura crashing forth to annihilate all resistance.

Chen Feng drew his sword an inch, a terrifying edge of cold light erupting to block the incoming pressure, neither yielding nor advancing.

All around, many turned their attention to the scene.

The Sky Patrol Giant Ship carried not just disciples from the Great Xia Huntian Dao Academy but others from various Huntian Dao Academies as well.

Every one of them watched with the glee of spectators.

"This first strike… will sever your arm!"

Ye Yunqi’s voice was as light as a breeze, but his figure flashed forward, taking another step. His long saber left its sheath, trailing a dazzling arc as it slashed through the air, splitting it like rolling waves. The piercing screech of the blade assaulted eardrums.

This strike was unstoppable, invincible.

Chen Feng’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes narrowed to their sharpest focus. With an explosive burst of strength, his sword left its sheath, conjuring Nine Sword Shadows in an unbroken, gale-fast chain.

Blade met sword!

A deafening clash erupted. The onlookers recoiled, their faces paling as their eardrums seemed on the verge of rupturing. Those with weaker cultivation clutched their heads in pain.

The sword shadows and saber light shattered against each other.

Chen Feng staggered but didn’t retreat, his sword trembling violently, half his strength already dispersed.

Ye Yunqi swayed slightly, also refusing to step back, but his previously aloof demeanor vanished, replaced by shock.

"You've surprised me." Ye Yunqi's razor-sharp eyes seemed to pierce through Chen Feng. "In just one month, your cultivation has risen from the Third Level to the Ninth Level of the Body Forging Realm, and you've even mastered the Wind Shadow Sword Technique to its peak. It seems you harbor great secrets. Hand them over, and I'll spare your life."

"Holy shit!" Jin Hongdang gaped at Chen Feng, cursing aloud once more.

The surrounding Dao Academy disciples also fixed their gazes on Chen Feng, their expressions shifting dramatically, their eyes flickering with intense speculation.

Clearly, they were all shocked by Ye Yunqi's words, their minds churning with various thoughts.

"Ye Yunqi, Chen Feng possesses extraordinary comprehension and a special constitution for rapidly absorbing and refining pills. Such progress in a single month is hardly surprising," a sharp voice interjected as Li Xinyue swiftly arrived.

Chen Feng gave Li Xinyue a slight nod, his expression calm, as if acknowledging her words.

The strange thoughts swirling among the onlookers gradually faded.

"In that case, I can't let you live," Ye Yunqi said coldly before suddenly lunging forward. He took three rapid steps, his speed surging as his blade conjured nine phantom slashes. The air seemed to transform into crushing waves, splitting apart under his relentless strikes.

Chen Feng took a deep breath, gathering his strength once more.

"Cease!" A thunderous roar reverberated through the air as two bursts of wind shot forth, striking Ye Yunqi's blade and Chen Feng's sword with such force that both weapons nearly flew from their hands. "No unauthorized combat is permitted aboard the Sky Patrol Giant Ship. Violators will be expelled."

Ye Yunqi and Chen Feng locked eyes, their murderous intent undisguised.

Swords were sheathed, and blades returned to their scabbards.

Ye Yunqi turned and walked away.

Yang Xuening shot Chen Feng a venomous glare before reluctantly following Ye Yunqi, her heart brimming with resentment.

"They didn’t even fight..."

The gathered crowd dispersed in disappointment.

"Brother Chen, you're incredible—holding your own against a peak Ninth Level Body Forging Realm expert despite only being at the initial stage yourself," Jin Hongdang said, squinting as he gave Chen Feng a thumbs-up.

Chen Feng couldn't help but look surprised.

"Brother Chen, don’t let my small eyes fool you—they’re sharp and full of spirit. No one at the same cultivation level can hide anything from me," Jin Hongdang said with a grin, pointing at his beady eyes. "Come, Brother Chen, let me tell you about the other extraordinary individuals aboard this Sky Patrol Giant Ship."