Volume One, Chapter Seven: A Peerless Talent

The next day, Mu Yi chose not to continue his cultivation but instead took Ye Yuwei to stroll leisurely through the city.

Previously, Mu Yi had trained day and night without pause, but now he understood the martial way—there must be rhythm, tension and release.

Although Lieshan City was not large, it was complete with all essentials. Along the streets stood teahouses, pharmacies, weapon shops, and inns, bustling with lively crowds and ceaseless traffic.

Ye Yuwei walked happily beside Mu Yi, seemingly forgetting the cold poison that plagued her body.

“Yuwei, in this world, aside from that mysterious mother, you are my only family. No matter what, I will never let you suffer even the slightest harm. Your cold poison—I will help you eradicate it completely!”

In Ye Yuwei’s heart, Mu Yi was her lord, her heaven, more precious even than her own life.

And Mu Yi had always regarded her as his sister.

The two siblings supported each other as they journeyed through this harsh world.

“Hmm? Not good…”

Suddenly, Mu Yi’s brow furrowed deeply. He noticed that as Ye Yuwei moved through the bustling street with a radiant smile, her delicate body began to tremble. Her beautiful cheeks turned pale instantly.

Her whole frame swayed precariously.

A fierce cold energy radiated outward, immediately drawing the attention of those around.

“The cold poison is erupting again!”

Mu Yi dashed forward and caught the nearly fainting Ye Yuwei in his arms, his eyes filled with panic.

“What’s happening? Yuwei’s cold poison is worsening. Even the Nine Suns Pill can barely suppress it now.”

He immediately gave Ye Yuwei a Nine Suns Pill, but it had little effect.

By now, frost had begun to form on her body; she shivered in Mu Yi’s embrace, icy crystals adorning her eyebrows.

“Master, I’m afraid I can no longer accompany you…”

Ye Yuwei’s sobs escaped as she seemed to sense the end of her life approaching.

“Don’t say such foolish things. Not even heaven can take your life!”

Mu Yi’s inner power erupted fiercely, enveloping Ye Yuwei’s body with scorching heat, attempting to dispel her chill.

“Hmm? Such a strong cold poison…”

At that moment, a clear and melodious female voice resounded.

Mu Yi looked up to see a young maiden in azure robes standing beside him.

Her eyebrows curved like distant mountains shaded with ink, her face like a lotus emerging from water, skin as pure as snow, her figure graceful and ethereal—an otherworldly beauty, as if a celestial being descended to the mortal realm, untouched by worldly dust. Every detail was breathtakingly perfect.

With delicate fingers outstretched, she released a stream of energy resembling crystal-clear water into Ye Yuwei’s body.

Instantly, the cold within Ye Yuwei dissipated rapidly, rosy color returning to her cheeks.

“Such formidable skill…”

Mu Yi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

His awakened Dragon Elephant Divine Demon Battle Body had activated one acupoint, granting him colossal strength, yet even he could not dispel or even temporarily suppress Ye Yuwei’s cold poison.

But this maiden in azure, with a mere gesture, effortlessly subdued the poison, leaving Mu Yi deeply impressed.

“Thank you, miss, for saving her! Your great kindness I shall never forget!”

Mu Yi clasped his fists in gratitude, sincerity pouring from his heart. Had it not been for this woman’s intervention, Ye Yuwei might have perished as her poison worsened.

“It was nothing worth mentioning,” the maiden said lightly, her watery eyes serene. “However, I can only suppress her cold poison temporarily—I cannot eliminate it completely.”

“Good heavens! She is… the unparalleled national scholar, Ren Yanyu!”

At that moment, some nearby onlookers recognized the young woman’s identity.

“What? Ren Yanyu!”

Mu Yi’s body shook involuntarily upon hearing the name.

The name was legendary.

At sixteen, she had emerged suddenly and been appointed the sole national scholar by Emperor Chu Xiaoran of the Great Qian Dynasty.

The president of the Great Qian Academy, Wen Lingzun, had once faced her in combat, result unknown.

This was Ren Yanyu.

Mu Yi had long heard of her renown like thunder echoing through the land.

“I did not expect National Scholar Ren to come here. It is an honor.”

“I have come seeking someone,” Ren Yanyu said, her cool gaze fixed on Mu Yi.

“Oh? To find Mu Liancheng? After he awakened the Great Dao Azure Heaven Saint Body, it caused a sensation within a thousand miles.”

Mu Yi replied instinctively.

“The Great Dao Azure Heaven Saint Body is indeed extraordinary, but to me, it’s ordinary—unworthy of my personal attention.”

Ren Yanyu smiled faintly. “I have come specifically for you.”

“For me?” Mu Yi was taken aback.

“From a thousand miles away, I sensed here a powerful surge of vitality soaring to the heavens, almost covering the entire world. Such a phenomenon is rare in my life, so I came searching—and the one causing it is you.”

Her words stunned Mu Yi.

She clearly meant the natural upheaval that occurred five days earlier when he awakened the first acupoint of his Dragon Elephant Divine Demon Battle Body.

But such things were usually too subtle to be sensed even by those in Lieshan City.

Yet Ren Yanyu had detected it from miles away—it was incredible.

“Do you dare to accept a move from me?” Ren Yanyu asked again. “I will suppress my cultivation to the same level as yours—Rank One of the Gangqi Realm.”

“Why not?”

Mu Yi laughed heartily. Even facing the unparalleled national scholar, he would not back down.

“Very well. Then prepare yourself. This move is no trifling matter—I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

Ren Yanyu raised her jade hand; faint light shimmered between her slender fingers.

“The great wind rises.”

Trees lining the street rustled violently as countless leaves swept toward Ren Yanyu, creating the sensation of all leaves returning to their source.

“What terrifying power!”

Though she had not yet struck, Mu Yi already sensed the gravity of her seemingly casual attack.

“Fine! National Scholar Ren! Forgive my impudence!”

Mu Yi responded resolutely, refusing to yield an inch.

Boom!

Inside him, the Nine Heavens Dragon Roar sounded like a great bell, vibrating with deafening force.

Behind him, six massive golden arms materialized, forged entirely from condensed Gangqi.

“Hmm? Interesting.”

Ren Yanyu’s eyes brightened as she pointed at Mu Yi.

“Go!”

The countless leaves coalesced into a blade of sword energy, hurtling straight at Mu Yi.

“King’s Path Overlord Fist, break it for me!”

Facing Ren Yanyu, Mu Yi unleashed his self-created ultimate technique—the King’s Path Overlord Fist!

Boom!

The two attacks collided midair, creating a violent explosion.

Mu Yi’s body was struck like by thunder, flying backward and crashing into a wall, leaving a large hole.

He was defeated—utterly and completely.

“Why, when facing Ren Yanyu, whose cultivation is suppressed to my level, could I not withstand her attack even with my King’s Path Overlord Fist?”

Mu Yi struggled to his feet, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Simple. Your domineering aura is insufficient.”

Suddenly, the voice of the mysterious woman inside the Divine Demon Tower echoed.

“I told you, the power of the King’s Path Overlord Fist depends on how strong your domineering aura is. Unfortunately, the woman before you far exceeds your aura, so your ultimate fist met its nemesis.”

“I see now.”

Mu Yi finally understood, and the despair in his eyes faded.

“I couldn’t withstand your Falling Leaves Rustling Sword Qi; that’s perfectly normal. No need to be disheartened.”

Ren Yanyu stood with hands behind her back, graceful and poised.

“Your previous fist technique was already remarkable, but for now, you are still far behind. Farewell.”

With that, she turned gracefully to leave.

“Wait!”

Mu Yi suddenly called out.

“National Scholar Ren, I do not accept defeat in this battle. Will you meet me again in the city’s martial arena five days from now?”

“Hmm? You want a rematch?”

Ren Yanyu turned, eyes shimmering like autumn waters, gazing at Mu Yi for a moment. Then, her crimson lips curved into a smile.

That smile could drain the color from a hundred flowers and brighten the whole world.

“Very well. I accept. We shall meet in the martial arena here in five days.”

With a flourish of her jade hand, a blue ox galloped over. With a swift turn, she mounted it backwards and vanished in an instant.

“A truly dreamlike beauty…”

Mu Yi watched her fading figure, enchanted, murmuring softly.

“Boy, this woman is no simple matter. She is a primordial Dao embryo born only once in the previous universe. Even I am somewhat astonished.”

At that moment, the mysterious woman’s voice inside the Divine Demon Tower sounded again.

“A primordial Dao embryo? The previous universe?”

Mu Yi was shocked, unable to grasp their meaning.

“These are matters far beyond your current comprehension, so no need to ask further. But you have courage, daring to challenge Ren Yanyu for a second match. Do you have some backing?”

“Of course—I have you, senior,” Mu Yi smiled.

“Me? Do you really think I would help you?” The mysterious woman smiled too.