Chapter 330
Chapter 330: Wang Jie Must Win
Shao Gu Chen’s expression turned grim. Starforce erupted from his feet as he charged directly at Zhou Ye. Zhou Ye’s eyes were fixed steadily on a single point, and he immediately raised his bow, loosing an arrow straight at Shao Gu Chen. Casually, Shao Gu Chen swiped his hand, thinking he could deflect the arrow, but to his shock, his hand passed harmlessly through. The arrow brushed past his shoulder, drawing a thin streak of blood.
Everyone watching was stunned by this strike.
What just happened? Shao Gu Chen was injured first? They’d already exchanged two moves earlier, yet this cross-eyed archer acted like it was nothing. How could that be?
Zhou Ye stared seriously at Shao Gu Chen, saying with sincere caution, “Be careful—no one has ever caught my arrow.”
Such arrogance!
Shao Gu Chen charged once more. Again, an arrow neared, and again he tried grabbing it directly, determined to understand this peculiar arrow technique. Yet once again, he grasped empty air. Thankfully, prepared this time, he twisted aside to dodge the arrow.
Immediately after, countless arrows burst forth, covering the sky. Zhou Ye was shooting so quickly he had created a rain of arrows all by himself.
Shao Gu Chen’s starforce surged, shaking the very void, attempting to disperse this rain of arrows.
But the arrows paid no heed, unaffected.
It seemed like the arrows and the barrier existed in two entirely separate worlds: [You guard your way; I shoot mine. Neither concerns the other.]
Shao Gu Chen watched as the arrows approached steadily. He had no choice but to dodge continuously. What was going on? He glanced at Zhou Ye, whose cross-eyed gaze was now nearly crossed completely, focused intensely as he loosed another arrow.
Shao Gu Chen narrowly dodged once more.
None could comprehend it. How could this happen? Even the Void-Transcending Power of Non-Observation wasn’t so bizarre.
In the stands, Qin Xiao Shu also looked puzzled. “What’s happening?”
Beside him, a young lass shook her head, eyes wide in confusion, saying, “This is strange. It feels similar to us, yet completely different. Master, what’s going on?”
An aged gaze settled on the viewing screen as an elder voice replied gently, “Observe closely, and comprehend on your own. If you grasp this, you will take a step forward.”
Qin Xiao Shu began watching carefully, unusually serious.
No one had expected Zhou Ye, someone they’d barely noticed, would push Shao Gu Chen, the enlightenment tea recipient, to such limits.
Mainly, no one understood Zhou Ye’s methods.
Why couldn’t Shao Gu Chen touch the arrows? If he couldn’t solve this, he could never defeat Zhou Ye.
Shao Gu Chen focused intensely, weaving through the rain of arrows. If he couldn’t block, he would dodge.
In the distance, Wang Jie also observed Zhou Ye carefully. He was sensing Qi, but Zhou Ye’s Qi was just like any other cultivator’s. Starforce emerged from within, shaping into arrows—it was as simple as that.
[This must be the Bridge Technique.]
It was the only explanation Wang Jie could think of.
Many others had thought of it too. Yet no one knew exactly how Zhou Ye employed his Bridge Technique.
Shao Gu Chen finally closed in on Zhou Ye, directly striking out with his palm.
This palm strike gathered chilling white frost at its center, ice spreading along the palm lines, freezing even the void itself as it struck forth.
Frozen Calamity Palm.
It was one of Sincere One Dao’s ultimate techniques.
Anyone striking palms with this would have their starforce frozen, the frost spreading along their meridians, blood vessels, and even thoughts.
Yet the palm missed again. Instead, Shao Gu Chen received a hard kick from Zhou Ye, sending him staggering backward awkwardly.
Such immense power! Shao Gu Chen raised his head. This Zhou Ye was not only using strange methods but had astonishing strength.
This was trouble.
Nearby, on another stage, Gui Xiao Die watched with unusual seriousness. Her playful smile had vanished completely, replaced with solemnity.
What kind of method was this? Even she couldn’t see through it. Had Zhou Ye been in Hundred Star Realm, even Wandering Star Realm, she could understand. But for someone at the same realm, Zhou Ye’s techniques defied her imagination.
Zhou Ye seemed tireless, constantly loosing arrows with neither too much nor too little force. Shao Gu Chen could only dodge endlessly, growing increasingly frustrated.
How could someone gifted enlightenment tea be reduced to this?
He was the man destined to surpass Shu Mu Night.
As he thought this, a bone in his chest shone brightly—the Earth Abyss Tribulation Bone.
Immediately, starforce surged from the glowing bone, transforming into chains that wrapped toward Zhou Ye. Surprised, Zhou Ye instinctively dodged—his first dodge in this fight.
The chains pierced through space, rushing toward Zhou Ye.
But this time Zhou Ye didn’t dodge. The chains swept harmlessly through him once again.
The chain crashed heavily into the stage, leaving a deep scar that made many spectators tremble in fear.
Everyone knew how sturdy this arena was. To leave such a mark meant fewer than ten in the entire Full Star Realm Martial Gathering could withstand this attack without injury.
But strength meant nothing if the attack never connected.
Now the bone on Shao Gu Chen’s forehead shone—the Sky Charging Tribulation Bone.
In front of him, arrows appeared again. Shao Gu Chen’s eyes widened. Roaring in fury, his starforce erupted violently, twisting and distorting the void itself. This time, the arrows visibly shook for the first time.
Immediately, Zhou Ye shot a second arrow, shattering the first and following its exact trajectory toward Shao Gu Chen.
Shao Gu Chen reached out instinctively, the arrowhead piercing his palm and embedding itself in his body, though not passing completely through. The arrow was trapped in his flesh.
He stood perfectly still.
Blood trickled down the arrow as he slowly raised his head, a faint smile on his lips as he gazed at Zhou Ye. “I see now.”
Zhou Ye gripped his bow, pointing calmly at Shao Gu Chen. “You’ve seen clearly now?”
Shao Gu Chen sighed in admiration, pulling the arrow from his body, blood splashing onto the arena floor.
“Without using the Sky Charging Tribulation Bone to triple my physical strength, that arrow would’ve pierced straight through me, and I’d never have seen clearly.” He smiled with pride but also bitterness. “But even if I’ve seen through it, the direction can always change.”
Zhou Ye lowered his bow, genuinely impressed as he spoke, “Since entering the cultivation world, no one at my own realm has ever seen through me. Your name is Shao Gu Chen—I shall remember it.”
Shao Gu Chen looked deeply into Zhou Ye’s eyes. “I will also remember you. The Shao Clan possesses the Three Tribulations Bones. Right now, even if I unleash the full power of my Human Ultimate Tribulation Bone, I cannot defeat you. But at the Wandering Star Realm Martial Gathering, things will be different. By then, Shao Gu Chen will have transformed. Remember clearly, Zhou Ye: at the Wandering Star Realm Martial Gathering, I shall defeat you.”
Zhou Ye spoke solemnly, “Rest assured—I will remember.”
Shao Gu Chen had lost.
He finally understood how great the gap was between himself and Zhou Ye. Even if he had unleashed his full power, victory would have remained beyond reach.
The most pitiful were those who couldn’t see how far they truly lagged behind.
The Full Star Realm Martial Meet was, after all, just preparation. The true Starry Martial Meet was divided clearly: the Wandering Star Realm competition could crown the Wandering Gods, and the Hundred Star Realm contest decided those who would enter Heaven’s Azure Realm.
Many talented cultivators suppressed their realms to remain in the Full Star Realm, only to greet and measure themselves against the supreme Four Great Pillars. But their real battles waited in the higher meets.
Such was true for Shao Gu Chen, and for Wen Qing as well.
With Shao Gu Chen’s defeat, excitement in the Martial Meet soared once again.
No one expected that cross-eyed Zhou Ye would defeat Shao Gu Chen. Now, everyone wondered what mysterious power Zhou Ye possessed, forcing Shao Gu Chen to use the Three Tribulations Bone Bridge method just to uncover it.
After Zhou Ye defeated Shao Gu Chen, his gaze returned once more to Gui Xiao Die. He was still waiting for this woman’s apology.
Gui Xiao Die’s eyes looking at Zhou Ye changed completely—serious, wary, and filled with curiosity about his strength. But an apology? Impossible. [Men, hmph.]
This round quickly concluded.
The following matches were unremarkable. Perhaps the only exception was Ting Chen. Star Dome Visage hadn’t reported on her, and most people grouped her with those few lucky cultivators.
Only Wang Jie knew this woman was undoubtedly strong.
She simply hadn’t yet met a worthy opponent.
Opening his eyes, Wang Jie appeared in the Lock Path Interval. He stood up.
Another day of rest had come.
Only ten participants remained.
Next round, ten would become five. Perhaps someone might still advance through luck alone, but after that, luck would mean nothing.
[I wonder who my next opponent will be.]
On the Eastern Dipper Pillar, at the Cold Smoke Ferry:
Gui Xiao Die opened her eyes, greeted by a massive eye next to her—it belonged to the Three-legged Black Tortoise.
She gently touched its eye, softly reassuring: “Don’t worry, no one can match me.”
The Three-legged Black Tortoise gazed at her softly, but suddenly its pupil shifted sharply forward, its gentle aura turning fierce and intimidating.
“No need for such hostility, old friend. We’ve met several times before.”
The Three-legged Black Tortoise fiercely glared ahead, its huge body sinking slightly as starforce swirled protectively around Gui Xiao Die.
Curiously, Gui Xiao Die looked forward. [Who has arrived?]
“What brings you here?” a low voice rumbled. Gui Xiao Die recognized it immediately—it was her own ancestor.
“Delivering a message for someone else.”
“Speak.”
“If Gui Xiao Die faces Wang Jie in the next match, she must win—at any cost.”
Gui Xiao Die was astonished. [Wang Jie? The same Lock Force cultivator who had received Enlightenment Tea alongside me? He defeated Yuan Mu, clearly powerful. He made a lasting impression.]
…
At the Ancient Sword Pillar, Sword Pool:
Hou Qing Ge sat upon her meditation mat, reflecting on the duel between Zhou Ye and Shao Gu Chen. [What exactly was that power? Void? No—if it was Void, Shao Gu Chen would have handled it. After all, Sincere One Dao had battled the Void Watchers before.]
And there was also Jing Hong, and Gui Xiao Die; each person was unfathomable. Reaching the end would be truly challenging.
[Mother, your daughter will fight to stand till the very last.]
“Xiao Ge, are you inside?”
Hou Qing Ge frowned, looking out the hut.
Her dwelling was small, perched on a cliff’s edge, rarely visited by anyone.
Dry vines draped down from the roof, the yard covered with dust.
“Xiao Ge?”
“What is it?”
“Xiao Ge, in the next round, if your opponent is Wang Jie, you must win.”
Hou Qing Ge was stunned. Even after receiving Enlightenment Tea, her so-called father, the Later Sword Master of the Sword Pool, hadn’t once visited her. And now he approached her, all for that Wang Jie?
She gave no reply.
The Later Sword Master spoke again, softer this time: “Xiao Ge, father knows he wronged you. Just help your father this once—no matter the cost, you must win. Use every method you have. Don’t worry about the Wandering Star Realm Martial Meet or about revealing your sword techniques. Just win, and from now on all of Sword Pool’s resources will tilt in your favor. Whatever you wish to learn, it shall be yours.”
“And your moth—ah, that woman—I promise she won’t trouble you anymore.”
Hou Qing Ge stared toward the door, her voice calm: “I understand.”
The Later Sword Master let out a relieved breath: “Good, you rest. Father won’t disturb you further.” With that, he left.
Hou Qing Ge’s heart trembled.
She knew this father of hers well. What circumstances would make him lower himself so much, bargaining gently with her? [Wang Jie? Could he truly be worth this?] Still, even without this request, she was determined to win. She would rise to the end and show Mother—show the whole Sword Pool.
…
On the Eastern Dipper Pillar, atop Rebel Illusion Mountain:
“Old friend, are you there?”
“What matter?”
“Do me a favor. If Wu Ming’s next opponent is Wang Jie, he must win.”
“You people have gone too far. Why trouble a child who has no future?”
“Blame that child for following the wrong person.”
“Universal law is clear: karma always cycles back. Beware of pushing people too far.”
“All I know is, weeds must be uprooted completely. Once this is done, our debt with Grave Chain is fully repaid.”
…
At Star Dome Visage, a furious roar echoed throughout the starry skies:
“Get lost! This old man won’t meddle in your petty schemes, and you can forget about controlling anyone from my Star Dome Visage.”
“I’ll warn you all, not even heaven’s path is perfect! You think you can kill to the last, unaware you’re sowing your own destruction.”
“Let this old man tell you one more thing clearly: that child’s life—I’ve guaranteed it!”