Chapter 73: Proudly Fighting Lu Zhannan

“No, it’s you who’s challenging me.”

His expression, his gaze—everything reeked of extreme disdain. Facing such a look and posture, Yun Che’s eyebrows lifted slightly, his eyes turning sharp.

Who challenges whom? The concepts were not the same. For only the weak challenge the strong; if they lose, they lose; if they win, they claim the strong’s place. But when the strong face the weak, they don’t call it a challenge—they just trample on them.

In just a few words, they’d already faced off. The hall’s atmosphere had subtly shifted.

“Hahaha.” He smiled faintly, his figure swaying, taking a few simple steps yet somehow covering dozens of meters, standing before Yun Che. A cold, indifferent light seeped through the narrowed slits of his eyes: “Since you insist, I’ll spare you. The number of geniuses I’ve killed is countless—today, I’ll add another.”

“Lu… Lu Zhan Nan!!” When he appeared at the hall’s center, many disciples immediately lost their composure, shouting his name.

“That person… could it be Lu Cold Blood from the Seven Slaying Sword Sect?”

“Exactly! That’s him! Yun Che dares to spar with him? This—this—this is beyond any comparable level! And this ‘Lu Cold Blood’—his name isn’t just for show! If Yun Che fights him… he’s asking for death!”

The hall erupted in hushed whispers. No one had ever imagined these two, standing at the center, would ever clash. They were from entirely different realms—Yun Che, sixteen; Lu Zhan Nan, eighteen! After thirty, a few years’ difference mattered little, for at that age, cultivation was secondary; it all hinged on talent. Talent could break through to True Spiritual Core; lacking it, one might spend a lifetime trapped in the True Spiritual Core bottleneck.

But before twenty, it was the critical phase of cultivation. Even half a year’s difference could mean vast disparities. A sixteen-year-old in the Immortal Realm’s first level was top-tier talent in the New Moon City—but still a handful. A fifteen-year-old in the same realm? That was genius-level, rarer than five in the entire city. One step in age before twenty meant something entirely different.

So contests before twenty were usually between peers; otherwise, it was unfair.

Yun Che and Lu Zhan Nan were two years apart! And Lu Zhan Nan’s cultivation? It had reached Immortal Realm Level 7! By age and cultivation, they were from different realms entirely! Their clash couldn’t even be called a contest—it was pure, one-sided domination!

Age worked against Lu Zhan Nan. Even with thick skin, he couldn’t initiate it. But here, Yun Che had actively sought him out. If Lu Zhan Nan refused to fight, it’d mean he feared Yun Che!

In everyone’s eyes… Yun Che was strong enough to beat Yuan, Yan Ming, and Feng Guangyi, and even the Iron Legion. But daring to challenge the eighteen-year-old, Immortal Realm Level 7 Lu Zhan Nan… this was just a sadistic masochist looking for a fight!

Immortal Realm Level 1 versus Level 7? A gaping chasm no technique could bridge. How could he possibly win?

The disciples of the Seven Sects all smirked, delighted. Challenging Lu Zhan Nan? They were just digging their own graves! Lu Zhan Nan’s nickname, “Cold Blood,” wasn’t for show—he was heartless, merciless, and would spill blood without hesitation. Yun Che might lose, but even losing an arm or hand would be the least of his worries.

The elders of New Moon Manor were stunned. They knew Lu Zhan Nan’s caliber—Yun Che would likely be crushed, and New Moon Manor would lose a once-in-a-century prodigy. Xin Kong Han quickly gave a subtle nod to Lan Xue Ru, but before he could send a message, Lan Xue Ru had already stepped forward, hurrying to block Yun Che.

“Yun Shijie, let me handle this. You’re two years younger—we’re not equals.”

Yun Che shook his head, smiling confidently: “No need. This kind of scum doesn’t require Shijie’s help. I’m confident I can handle him. Even if I’m two years younger, it’s more than enough.”

Normally, if Lan Xue Ru stepped in, the Seven Sects’ disciples would’ve felt sorry for Yun Che. If he just stepped back, no one would’ve faulted him. Lan Xue Ru, at eighteen, was the perfect match for Lu Zhan Nan. But Yun Che’s stubbornness—his refusal to back down—made the Seven Sects’ disciples burst into laughter.

Lan Xue Ru paused, urgently: “Yun Shijie, don’t act rashly! This man’s cultivation is Immortal Realm Level 7, and he’s ruthless—he’s not someone you can face! Let me go instead.”

Yun Che still shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips: “Thanks for your concern, Shijie. But as a disciple of New Moon Manor, I won’t let you down.”

Yun Che’s smile carried an odd magnetism. His insistence left Lan Xue Ru no choice but to sigh silently, her gaze complex as she cautioned: “This time, you might lose. Don’t let New Moon Manor down. Whatever happens, protect yourself… that man’s nickname is ‘Cold Blood’—he might even kill you in front of the Manor’s head. If it comes to that, surrender gracefully!”

Yun Che nodded slightly. Lan Xue Ru stepped back, retreating to her seat. Meanwhile, Xia Yuanbo’s heart had leaped. Though he’d only entered New Moon City half a year ago, he’d heard of this “Lu Cold Blood.”

“I admire your boldness—your unapologetic arrogance.” Lu Zhan Nan’s voice was low, cold: “Only pity, you’re too reckless. Such people usually die young.”

“No more words. State your name.” Yun Che said flatly.

“Name?” Lu Zhan Nan lifted his head, his narrow eyes dripping with icy contempt: “You… don’t even deserve to know.”

“Fine, I take back what I said.” Yun Che shrugged. “I don’t care what you’re called. You’re just another stepping stone in my journey. I don’t bother with stepping stones.”

“Hahaha. Perhaps this is the last time you’ll speak so confidently.” Lu Zhan Nan smiled faintly, deeming the boy not just arrogant, but foolishly so.

“It seems the boy Yun Che has already met his end. I can feel his aura shifting—this Lu Zhan Nan is getting serious.” A middle-aged man from the Xia Sect’s outer branch nodded.

“Lu Zhan Nan’s always been cruel, and now he’s been provoked from all sides. Of course he’ll strike hard.” Xia Luochen smiled, nodding softly: “When he defeated the Iron Legion, I was thinking of stepping in to humble him, to show him what true genius is. But now, it’s unnecessary.”

The middle-aged man hurriedly said, “Lord Xia, your status and power! How could this arrogant boy warrant your personal intervention?”

Xia Luochen smiled serenely, saying nothing more.

“You’ve succeeded in making me want to destroy you. Enjoy your final seconds with your whole body intact, hehe…” Lu Zhan Nan’s right hand swept to his left, drawing a nearly three-foot-long sword. His lips curled into a cruel grin. Suddenly, his still form erupted, becoming a black illusion. In a gust like a storm, he vanished, appearing three paces from Yun Che in an instant.

“The Seven Slaying Sword Sect’s footwork and sword techniques… Gale Wind Flow!”

“CLANG!”

With that storm-like movement, the sword in Lu Zhan Nan’s right hand trembled for a fleeting, chilling moment. In the next heartbeat, his blade shot out like lightning—a flash of light, like thunderbolts racing across the sky, so fast only a flicker of icy gleam could be caught.

“Lightning flash! Brother Lu’s first move—he’s aiming to end this arrogant boy in one strike!” A disciple from the Seven Slaying Sword Sect gasped.

“If Brother Lu lets this boy step on his blade three times, he’s no longer Brother Lu.” Another disciple said matter-of-factly.

This dazzling sword technique reached its apex. The blade, infused with Lu Zhan Nan’s immense cultivation, struck with impossible force. It was flawless. The Seven Slaying Sword Sect was famed for “Swift Sword” across the land, and on Lu Zhan Nan, the title “Swift Sword” was perfectly realized.

“WHOOSH—!”

“AHHHHH!”

The ear-piercing sound of air being torn apart echoed as the lightning-fast strike pierced Yun Che’s form, his body and sword flying through him—

But it was just an afterimage.

“Impossible… he dodged it?! How?” The Seven Slaying Sword Sect’s disciples cried in shock. Lu Zhan Nan’s “Lightning Flash” had been executed flawlessly. None of his subordinates could match his skill. The strike’s speed was legendary, nearly unavoidably swift, and even with preparation, it’d be nearly impossible to evade. Yun Che, in his first encounter with the Seven Slaying Sword Sect, had no knowledge of their techniques, no preparation—yet somehow dodged it!

“He dodged it!” The elders of New Moon Manor were stunned, two leaping from their seats in excitement. Yun Che’s cultivation was dense and inexplicable, his body’s techniques odd and uncanny, and his reflexes—astoundingly fast.

“Incredible!” Yun Che’s brow furrowed slightly. If his Spiritual Root hadn’t been fully open, he might not have dodged that lightning flash.