Supreme of the Heavenly Realm
Chapter 252 - 249: Making the List

Chapter 252: Chapter 249: Making the List

A new contender on the Battle List!

Gasps of amazement rippled through the audience. A mere title was a goal many longed to strive endlessly for, and they never expected to witness the birth of a new Battle List master today, especially one who was an unknown youth.

Of course, "unknown" was a term of the past. Now that he had risen to become a master on the Battle List, Ye Xuan’s name would soon spread far and wide.

However, Ye Xuan himself wasn’t particularly interested in his ranking on the Battle List. His reason for engaging in twenty consecutive battles was more to challenge masters as well as the reward for twenty consecutive victories: one hundred thousand Xuanyuan Pills.

Certainly, Ye Xuan was yet unaware that Lady Xuan had already earned him nearly a million Xuanyuan Pills. Compared with that fortune, the reward for twenty consecutive victories paled into insignificance.

It also showed the generous spirit of those from the Chaotic Sea Domain. In the Tiannan Region, Xuanyuan Pills were generally used for personal cultivation, never given away in such quantities for rewards and gambling.

In terms of cultivation resources, the Tiannan Region naturally couldn’t hold a candle to the Chaotic Sea Domain; thus, its powerhouses were significantly stronger than those of the same grade from Tiannan due to the abundance of resources, resulting in a firmer foundation and a greater number of masters.

Besides, Ye Xuan had always preferred to keep a low profile. In the Chaotic Sea Domain, where powerful and strange figures were abundant, attracting too much attention wasn’t good. Of course, this was just Ye Xuan’s personal view; for anyone else placed on the Battle List, they’d probably be overjoyed, basking in the attention of thousands and the adoration of numerous young women.

Twenty battles, with only the final one left.

The martial artists watching secretly speculated who would be chosen for the twentieth bout, to stand as the Gatekeeper.

Indeed, after Du Hanlin’s defeat, many believed there was no need for the twentieth match. At the very least, Ye Xuan seemed to be in good shape, unharmed. If the arena was willing to show leniency, they could just go through the motions with a decent opponent for the final round.

Whoosh!

Just as most were secretly guessing, a figure swiftly leaped onto the platform, landing steadily opposite Ye Xuan.

The figure was a handsome young man with a somewhat effeminate face, holding a folding fan, exuding elegance and self-possession.

"It’s Fu Juechen!"

The audience erupted in turmoil. No one had imagined that the Gatekeeper for the twentieth battle would be this fellow.

"I can’t believe Fu Juechen is personally taking action. He seems to have a strange look when he sees Ye Xuan. Could there be some grudge between them?"

"Possibly. Although Fu Juechen is talented, he has always been of ill repute, lecherous, and vengeful. No wonder Ye Xuan’s previous opponents were so formidable; it must’ve been this guy’s doing."

"Shh, keep it down. If he hears you, we’re done for. Fu Juechen is not just someone with a powerful backing; he himself is ranked twenty-seventh on the Battle List, a force to be reckoned with."

No one dared to underestimate Fu Juechen, who was rumored to have once killed a Fourth Grade Martial Sect-level expert with astounding means.

"Ye Xuan, you’ve already fought nineteen battles. Your True Qi must be significantly depleted. This young master will not make things difficult for you. Admit defeat now and kneel to apologize for your disrespect, and I will not hold it against you." Fu Juechen’s tone was arrogant, as if he were looking down from a high pedestal at Ye Xuan.

"Indeed, quite a bit has been depleted."

Ye Xuan’s expression remained calm. Nineteen battles in a row, even if they were handled with ease and precision, would still drain True Qi. And given that he had just battled with the robust Du Hanlin, claiming no depletion would be impossible.

"However, it should be enough to deal with you."

As Ye Xuan was speaking, Fu Juechen smirked, but his expression quickly turned sour at the latter half of the sentence. "Boy, I admit you’ve got some ability, but you’re not qualified to be arrogant in front of this young master."

"I’m simply stating the truth. Enough with the trash talk; let’s get on with it." Ye Xuan didn’t wish to waste more words on Fu Juechen. Talking further was pointless; since the other party didn’t take him seriously, the outcome would be the same.

"You’ll pay for your insolence."

A murderous glint flashed in Fu Juechen’s eyes as he unfolded his fan. A stream of cyan and blue True Qi spread from his palm with a rustling noise.

"Meteor Phantom Rain!"

His figure floated into the air; with a light flick of the fan, the force lashed out like swirling, unfolding air. The attack, like falling meteors, blurred the lines between illusion and reality, filling the area like a downpour.

When a master made a move, you could tell if there was substance to their skill. The moment Fu Juechen made his first move, many martial artists’ eyes dazzled; those of lesser cultivation felt dizzy and had to look away, their faces turning pale.

Fu Juechen’s techniques were ever-changing and hard to distinguish between feint and actual strikes, and they also exerted a psychic pressure that only one with a strong and focused soul could withstand and be his equal. Otherwise, one could barely see the attacks clearly, let alone dare to meet them in combat.

"How about that, can’t even see my moves, how will you counter them?"

Fu Juechen looked at Ye Xuan with some satisfaction. Typically, his opponents were led by the nose, breathlessly struggling until he easily defeated them. In his eyes, Ye Xuan would be no different.

"Why would I need to counter when I can simply break them?"

Ye Xuan lightly pushed off the ground, leaping back into the air. From between his brows, a mark of Sword Qi emerged, clear and untainted, as he raised his long sword high. An endless pressure of the sword converged and descended. Then, with one slashing strike, he sliced through the air, creating an arc that spanned half the arena.

Pfft!

As the arc of the sword passed, the tide-like vigor cracked on cue, and the Sword Qi spread out in all directions, instantly spanning the entire arena.

"Hmph, Phantom Fantasia Kill!"

Ye Xuan forcefully broke through the move, causing Fu Juechen’s face to darken. He then struck again, whipping out his folding fan with great speed. The air twisted like water, and within this "water screen," hidden killing intent lurked, rapidly sweeping toward Ye Xuan.

Not daring to be careless, Ye Xuan summoned his True Qi, using his sword to clear a path. The Sword Qi tore through the sky, his body followed the blade, breaking through the "water screen" and charging directly at Fu Juechen.

At that moment, a smug smile appeared on the corner of Fu Juechen’s mouth. He suddenly clenched his hand, and from within the "water screen," a barrage of sharp, cold light burst forth, densely shooting toward Ye Xuan. The True Qi turned water screen was just a distraction; these hidden deathtraps were the real threat.

"Infinite Swords!"

Ye Xuan’s figure stalled for a moment, then he began to spin with his sword, and in no time, Sword Qi layered and radiated out from him in every direction, like a celestial maiden scattering flowers.

Pop pop pop pop!

The entire arena became a world of Sword Qi and cold light, with countless sharp glimmers bursting forth, turning the platform into a honeycomb riddled with holes. Even worse, some of the Sword Qi and cold light shot out of the arena, affecting the spectators, inducing cold sweats among many Martial Artists.

"That’s insane!"

Many people gasped in awe; this level of combat surpassed the limits of the battles they were used to. After all, the two before them were high-ranking fighters on the Battle List; such battles were not always witnessed.

Every move was deadly, every step fraught with danger. If any of them had been in place of the two fighters, they likely would have been dead many times over.

"Break!"

After shattering the dense barrage of cold light, Ye Xuan descended like a comet from the sky, his sword striking the "water screen" and cutting it open in one fell swoop.

"Thunder Devour!"

Almost without pause, Ye Xuan thrust his sword forward, and at the tip of his blade, a black thunderball flew out, emitting terrifying, devouring fluctuations aimed directly at Fu Juechen.

Sensing the thunderball’s formidable power, Fu Juechen dared not take it head-on. His figure twisted, like a refracted beam of light, instantly moving away from the original spot, deviating from the path of the thunderball’s attack.

"You can’t dodge it."

Ye Xuan’s gaze sharpened as his arm suddenly trembled, and with a prompt from his long sword, the black thunderball, just before it was about to smash into the ground, suddenly changed direction, as if taking a turn, and continued to bombard Fu Juechen.

"What?"

Fu Juechen’s face turned to shock as he saw the bizarre shift in Ye Xuan’s move. With nowhere to hide, he could only face it head-on, thrusting out his folding fan in a booming counterattack.

However, Thunder Devour, being one of Ye Xuan’s ace sword moves, was not so easily blocked. The black thunderball effortlessly destroyed Fu Juechen’s offensive and then blasted into his body, sending him flying.

Pfft!

A mist of blood burst from his mouth, and Fu Juechen, in utter disarray, reached out with both hands. The air around him twisted dramatically, becoming sponge-like, slowing his backward flight.

But Ye Xuan didn’t give him a chance. He moved forward with footwork, soaring through the air, creating a clear sword mark in the void. The sword mark was relentless, and along with the long sword in Ye Xuan’s hand, it formed an extremely fierce sword stance. This intensively sharp sword stance tore through the air, leaving a clear vacuum trail.

Seeing Ye Xuan’s ferociously swift sword, Fu Juechen’s face changed drastically. Gritting his teeth, he performed a Hand Seal, seemingly trying to confuse Ye Xuan with a lifelike illusion, while he sought to retreat and escape Ye Xuan’s lock.

"Child’s play, break!"

Ye Xuan shouted, and his sword momentum suddenly erupted, shattering the illusion, revealing Fu Juechen’s figure.

Sword light suddenly enveloped Fu Juechen.

"No!"

Fear filled Fu Juechen’s eyes. This sword was aimed directly at his throat; he felt he couldn’t avoid it, that he would die under this strike.

At the last moment, Ye Xuan deliberately shifted the sword’s trajectory slightly, and the sword light grazed past Fu Juechen’s neck, merely breaking the skin, not fatal.

Ye Xuan’s figure then landed behind, promptly sheathing his long sword.

Thump!

Kneeling on one knee, Fu Juechen was drenched in sweat, soaking his clothes and long hair, his face as pale as death. In that instant, he had tasted the flavor of death; if Ye Xuan had not shown mercy, that sword would have surely slashed his throat and sent him to his demise.