Chapter 23: I Only Use One Finger

Speaking of which, sending Ye Yuan to the Danwu Academy had some benefits for Ye Hang—at least that kid attended a few classes and picked up some things.

Although these things were insignificant to Ye Yuan now, they were a good choice for covering up his true abilities.

With Ye Yuan's current strength, Flash Step was a practical martial skill that wasn't too flashy.

Although this martial skill was said to align with the Heavenly Dao, it barely touched upon it, not even crossing the threshold.

These past few days, Ye Yuan had sorted through his predecessor's memories and, relying on some impressions from his predecessor's classes, figured out several basic martial skills on his own, Flash Step being one of them.

In truth, the Flash Step Ye Yuan executed was somewhat plausible but not entirely accurate; however, with his understanding, it was at least as strong as, if not stronger than, the instructors at the academy.

"No wonder you dared to come out without attendants. I never thought you'd trained Flash Step to such a level. Impressive! It seems the intelligence reports on you are wildly inaccurate!" Qiu Ying said coldly.

Flash Step was not a unique martial skill, and Qiu Ying naturally knew that. However, Flash Step was a footwork for short-range movement, not very useful for assassination, so he hadn't delved into it.

A martial skill also had levels of attainment, from low to high: Beginner, Minor Success, Major Success, Perfection, and the legendary Break Illusion.

Even so, Qiu Ying knew that being able to leave afterimages with Flash Step meant the skill had at least reached the Perfection level. Being able to train such a formidable movement skill to Perfection meant that below the Yuan Power realm, unless facing a martial artist skilled in movement, one could almost defend oneself. No wonder this kid was so arrogant—he really had some skill.

As an assassin, Qiu Ying naturally had movement skills he was good at. But his movement skill had only reached Major Success, still a considerable distance from Perfection.

Although Major Success and Perfection were only one level apart, for a martial skill, the difference was like heaven and earth.

So-called Perfection meant that the training of this martial skill had reached its peak, with no possibility of further improvement. Only those with extraordinary talent could train a martial skill to Perfection.

As for the legendary Break Illusion, it meant breaking Perfection and transforming into another possibility, a sublimation of the original martial skill.

To reach the Break Illusion realm in a martial skill required conditions so harsh they were appalling, hence it was a legendary realm. Generally, training a martial skill to Perfection represented reaching the highest level.

Qiu Ying had always been quite proud of his movement skills, but he never expected to be defeated by a playboy.

"You flatter me, but it doesn't add points. You still have to die," Ye Yuan said indifferently.

"Hahaha!" Qiu Ying laughed as if he had heard a very funny joke. After a burst of wild laughter, he said, "You don't know your place! I admit I'm inferior to you in movement skills, but those two beside you don't have Perfection-level movement skills, do they? I'd like to see how you, a mere Yuan Power realm third level, can take my attack head-on!"

Qiu Ying was battle-hardened; having failed in one strike, he immediately sought other methods. Clearly, the two people beside Ye Yuan were his greatest weakness.

Tang Yu was fine, but Lü'er was a lamb to the slaughter in Qiu Ying's eyes.

You're fast? I'll force you to fight me head-on. What use is your speed then?

But the next moment, his wild smile froze on his face, looking indescribably strange.

Because at that moment, the aura around Ye Yuan surged upward at a speed everyone could perceive!

Yuan Power realm third level peak!

Yuan Power realm fourth level!

Yuan Power realm fifth level!

Yuan Power realm sixth level!

Ye Yuan's realm instantly broke through the bottleneck from Yuan Power third to fourth level, soaring straight up until it passed Yuan Power sixth level before stopping.

Qiu Ying stared at this scene, dumbfounded, momentarily forgetting to attack.

"Th-this... how is this possible?" Qiu Ying gasped.

He suddenly thought of the pill Ye Yuan had swallowed earlier and wondered if it was the effect of that pill.

Although he had heard of pills that could temporarily enhance strength, a pill that could raise one's realm by three consecutive levels was something he had never seen before.

Qiu Ying couldn't help thinking that if he had such a pill, completing missions would be as easy as cutting vegetables.

But the reality was that a rookie four realms below him had, in the blink of an eye, become only one realm below him...

Although Yuan Power sixth level and seventh level were still not on the same level, there was no doubt that Ye Yuan now had the capital to contend with him. Combined with the Perfection-level Flash Step, Ye Yuan might indeed be able to fight him.

Qiu Ying suddenly felt that today was very strange; this kid before him had brought him too many surprises. He had originally complained that the mission was too easy, but now he couldn't help regretting taking it.

But no matter what, the mission had to be completed; otherwise, the hard-earned status he had gained in Mo Sha would be for nothing.

Of course, Qiu Ying still wanted to complete the mission because after taking the Five Elements Spirit Link Pill, Ye Yuan's realm had finally stopped at Yuan Power sixth level.

This was a realm he could accept.

With eyes narrowed, Qiu Ying's killing intent firmly locked onto Lü'er.

"One-Character Kill!"

Qiu Ying directly used his strongest strike, one with which he had killed countless opponents.

One-Character Kill was simple and direct, yet overbearing.

A strike without any flourish. Lü'er stood there, unable to react in time, and the sword was already before her.

A sinister smile flickered at the corner of Qiu Ying's mouth, as if he saw the scene of Lü'er's beauty fading and Ye Yuan's heart-wrenching pain.

But just as Qiu Ying's sword was about to pierce Lü'er's throat, a 'ding' sounded, and then his hand holding the sword went numb, and the short sword that had never left him was knocked flying.

A tremendous force came, and Qiu Ying himself was sent flying along with it.

At the critical moment, Ye Yuan used Flash Step to appear beside Lü'er, arriving after the fact but before the blow.

He simply extended a finger and lightly tapped, accurately hitting Qiu Ying's short sword, sending it flying.

Absolute Yang Finger!

After a few days of training, Ye Yuan's Absolute Yang Finger had achieved some success, reaching the Beginner level.

A martial skill of this level was naturally not easy to master quickly. For Ye Yuan to reach the Beginner level in just a few days was already a sign of exceptional talent.

Even a Beginner-level Absolute Yang Finger, executed with Ye Yuan's current Yuan Power sixth level, was not something Qiu Ying could withstand.

Qiu Ying tumbled to the ground and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Ye Yuan looked at Qiu Ying and said coldly, "I only use one finger. Whether you can escape depends on your own skill."

Qiu Ying's internal organs were churning, but he knew he had run into a tough opponent. This kid was clearly playing the fool, hiding his strength—he was too powerful!

Forcibly suppressing his injuries, Qiu Ying ignored everything else and frantically mobilized all his Yuan power.

He had to flee for his life!

Qiu Ying could feel Ye Yuan's surging killing intent; it was clear that his attempt to kill Lü'er had thoroughly enraged Ye Yuan.

Qiu Ying dashed out with all his strength, even feeling that his current speed was faster than ever before, so fast that his movement skill touched the threshold of Perfection.

This discovery filled him with ecstasy.

He would definitely escape!

He would definitely escape!

Qiu Ying shouted in his heart, and then his consciousness gradually faded...