Every eye was fixed on Chi Yixiu charging toward Ye Jingyu, their faces etched with solemn reverence—a respect earned by Ye Jingyu's defiance, which had captured the admiration of the entire Chi Yi tribe...
Yet, beneath this solemnity lay a profound sense of regret, a mourning for a warrior's imminent demise...
After all, in their estimation, Ye Jingyu was surely doomed. Unyielding spirit alone, without commensurate power, could never secure ultimate victory...
In just a few strides, Chi Yixiu reached Ye Jingyu. He gathered the entirety of his strength and struck out like lightning toward Ye Jingyu’s chest, aiming precisely for the vital point. This punch, if it landed, would undoubtedly shatter his body completely...
Facing that immense figure, that colossal fist, and that terrifying pressure, the only thought echoing in Ye Jingyu's hazy mind was: defeat him, crush him...
An inexplicable power surged within him. His frail body leaped upward suddenly, utterly ignoring Chi Yixiu’s incoming blow, and he slammed his entire weight into Chi Yixiu’s sternum...
Almost instantaneously, the heavy impact struck Chi Yixiu’s frame, punctuated by a sharp crack. The giant body of Chi Yixiu was sent flying backward, vomiting great gulps of blood from his mouth. He crashed heavily to the ground, utterly motionless, his fate—alive or dead—unknown...
Shock flooded every face, a deep, inexpressible astonishment. A man on the very brink of death had, with a single collision, sent the Chi Yi tribe’s greatest warrior, Chi Yixiu, flying and left him barely clinging to life. How was this possible?
Many people rubbed their eyes repeatedly, desperate to confirm what they had witnessed. But the prone form of Chi Yixiu and the standing silhouette of Ye Jingyu made it starkly clear: this was no dream; this was reality...
Jiu Feng also watched, utterly dumbfounded. Though she desperately wished Ye Jingyu safety, seeing Chi Yixiu, who had held the clear advantage moments before, struck down into unconsciousness caused a disorienting reversal of fortune...
Only Chi Yi reacted. The green flame in his eye sockets flared brightly, and his ancient face showed profound emotion as he murmured, "Concentrated Thought Attack (Ju Nian Gong Ji). He... he actually used the Concentrated Thought Attack... an attack only a Soul Master who has reached the Soul Condensation Realm (Ning Hun Jing Jie) can wield..."
Those standing beside Chi Yi gasped at his quiet utterance, their astonishment mounting...
A Soul Master in the Soul Condensation Realm is equivalent to a Fifth-Tier Summoner. Even Chi Yi himself is only a Sixth-Tier. How old is this youth to already command the power of the Soul Condensation Realm? This... how could this be possible?
"No, no... he hasn't reached the Soul Condensation Realm yet. Although he fully materialized his Soul Power just now, it didn't leave his body; instead, it amplified his physical strike to create that immense force, knocking out Chi Yixiu. His Soul Power was incapable of external projection... Heavens! A cultivator at the Soul Cultivation Realm (Xiu Hun Jing Jie) at best has just unleashed a technique reserved for the Soul Condensation Realm. A genius! An absolute genius... Ye Jingyu wins this match. From this day forward, Jiu Feng belongs to Ye Jingyu. No one is permitted to harbor designs upon her..." In a flash, Chi Yi made his decree. In that split second, he had clearly sensed a powerful wave of Soul Power and recognized the technique Ye Jingyu employed...
Soul Masters are categorized into nine realms: Soul Awakening (Jue Hun), Soul Cultivation (Xiu Hun), Soul Manifestation (Xian Hun), Soul Transformation (Hua Hun), Soul Condensation (Ning Hun), Spirit Manifestation (Ling Xian), Soul Immortal (Hun Xian), True Immortal (Zhen Xian), and Divine Immortal (Shen Xian). For Ye Jingyu to employ the Concentrated Thought Attack—a technique requiring the Soul Condensation Realm—while still only in the Soul Cultivation Realm, this was an achievement more stunning than his victory over Chi Yixiu...
With proper nurturing, becoming a Soul Master of the Soul Condensation Realm would be a natural progression...
This was also Chi Yixiu’s conviction; such a prodigy must not be allowed to perish...
As soon as the command was announced, Jiu Feng bolted forward. In those few moments, Ye Jingyu had given her a depth of feeling that far outweighed everything else. For an "ugly woman" with no standing within the clan, a man willing to risk his life for her was enough to stir her long-numbed heart...
"Jingyu..." Jiu Feng rushed to embrace him, tears streaming down her face, her heart overflowing with a thousand complex emotions...
But Ye Jingyu offered no response. He remained perfectly still, letting her hold him, unmoving...
"Jingyu..." Seemingly sensing his lack of reaction, Jiu Feng straightened up and looked into his eyes, only to find them vacant...
"Jingyu..." She gently shook his body again, yet still, there was no response...
"Whoosh..." Chi Yi’s form instantly materialized beside Ye Jingyu. A powerful divine sense swept over the young man’s body, causing Chi Yi’s expression to change sharply...
"His Soul Power is depleted beyond measure. He requires immediate treatment..." As soon as the words left his mouth, Chi Yi swept his hand, stirring an icy gust of wind that wrapped around Ye Jingyu, vanishing without a trace. The others were left bewildered; what in the world was happening?
However, seeing their Clan Leader act with such gravity, they dared not delay. They quickly streamed back toward the village. The adult men shouldered the responsibility of guarding the settlement, while the fallen Chi Yixiu was carried back into the compound...