Chapter 423 - 405: Hunting the Profound Bone

Though Ding Yi’s expression was calm, his heart was once again stirred by waves of shock.

’The rumors say Younger Brother Su’s greatest talent is his comprehension—that it’s far stronger than his innate constitution. It seems those rumors weren’t exaggerated in the slightest!’

’He’s only in the Ape Tendon Realm, yet he can actually discern the intricacies of a clash between Profound Bone Realm masters!’

’One must understand that a Profound Bone Realm expert’s use of potential is far superior to that of the Muscle Forging Realm.’

"Brother Ding, Master Qin and Huyan Muyuan... have they transformed their potential into an invisible force that envelops their bodies? Is that what’s happening?"

Su Yu asked, based on his own understanding.

Hearing this, Ding Yi’s last trace of doubt vanished. A look of admiration appeared on his face as he said, "Younger Brother Su, your comprehension is truly astonishing. You are correct."

"In the Profound Bone Realm, the first step of cultivation is to bring one’s potential to the level of Perfection. Some exceptionally brilliant individuals can achieve this even in the Muscle Forging Realm. But the second step... that is absolutely impossible to accomplish while in the Muscle Forging Realm."

"Oh? And why is that?"

A flicker of doubt crossed Su Yu’s eyes.

"Younger Brother Su, watch their fight. In many instances, they clearly don’t make contact, yet an invisible force still destroys the surroundings. That is a more profound application of potential: transforming potential into tangible power!"

Su Yu nodded. The area around their clash was a complete wreck.

Moss-covered bluestone slabs cracked and shattered, CRACK CRACK, while rows of expensive nanmu benches silently collapsed into splinters.

All of it was effortlessly destroyed by this invisible force.

"You can only wield this power once you’re in the Profound Bone Realm, have finished tempering your skull, and have broken through the Niwan Palace Acupoint."

’Skull? Niwan Palace Acupoint?’

Su Yu’s expression grew even more perplexed.

Ding Yi didn’t keep him in suspense and continued to explain, "At that stage, you will need to fuse your potential with your spiritual power. Then, you’ll be able to transform potential into tangible power at will!"

"Look at Brother Qin; his every saber strike is just like that. With this invisible power fused into his attacks, combined with his Profound Bone Realm’s Qi and Blood and Profound Bone foundation, he can unleash explosive force with every blow. A Martial Artist in the Muscle Forging Realm could never hope to withstand it."

"Everyone comprehends potential differently, so the power it transforms into is also different. Now look at Huyan Muyuan. His Huyan Family is famous for a saber art called Cold Blade Gale. The potential he has cultivated clearly carries a chilling aura! If you fight him for too long, your movements will be gradually affected by the cold and you’ll only get slower and slower!"

"Alright, it’s time for me to make a move. Brother Qin is suppressing him for now, but if this continues, the effect of Huyan Muyuan’s chilling aura will begin to take hold."

Ding Yi, clearly a seasoned warrior, saw through Huyan Muyuan’s plan. He drew the cyan shortsword from his waist and began to advance, pressing forward step by step.

As Su Yu watched Ding Yi advance, his mind was reeling.

Ding Yi’s explanation of how the Profound Bone Realm cultivates potential had left him utterly astonished.

’The Demon-subduing Power I obtained after Breaking Limit is too similar to what Ding Yi described as transforming potential into tangible power.’

’Perhaps I’ve already mastered this kind of power ahead of time!’

’It’s just that my own foundation is a bit weaker, which is why it’s so difficult for me to fight against the Profound Bone Realm!’

...

"Huyan, you old thief! It looks like your potential won’t have time to take effect! HAHAHAHA..."

As Qin Fangqiong laughed, he brought down another strike with his Demon-subduing Saber. The long saber seemed to carry an unstoppable force, and with a BOOM, it shattered the frost coating Huyan’s saber.

He, too, had seen through his opponent’s plan. If this were a one-on-one duel, he would have gone all out to end the fight quickly.

But with allies present, there was a much better option.

Huyan Muyuan had just blocked the attack when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. A powerful killing intent assaulted him from behind.

’Not good!’

In an instant, his figure suddenly swelled as he brazenly activated the Divine Blood within him.

As the Patriarch of the Huyan Family, he was also a descendant with Divine Blood. This was the source of his confidence, the reason he hadn’t tried to flee immediately.

Now, Ding Yi had launched a fatal assassination attempt, making him feel a mortal crisis.

To be targeted by a master assassin of the Profound Bone Realm meant that the slightest misstep would lead to instant death!

Therefore, he didn’t hesitate for a second, activating his trump card immediately. In the blink of an eye, his body transformed, growing into a three-meter-tall, semi-divine figure.

Of course, "semi-divine" was a generous term; in reality, he looked more like a demi-beast. This was likely because the Huyan Family’s Divine Blood was too diluted, making their transformations incomplete.

The current Huyan Muyuan had several Bone Spikes erupting from his back and arms. His skin was pallid, his head had morphed into that of a tiger, and his eyes were blood-red.

PSHFFT!

Ding Yi’s assassination strike was like a flying fish leaping from the abyss—so astonishingly fast it was impossible to dodge.

The shortsword accurately pierced an area on the center of Huyan Muyuan’s back not covered by Bone Spikes. However, after breaking through skin and muscle, it only sank a few inches before being stopped by hard, silver-glowing bone.

"Get lost!"

Huyan Muyuan swept his long saber in a wide arc. A great wave of chilling aura surged with the flash of the blade, instantly knocking back both Qin Fangqiong and Ding Yi.

The next moment, without any desire to continue the fight, he stomped his foot down. BANG! The ground cracked, forming a large crater, and his body shot out of the Huyan Mansion like a cannonball.

"After him!"

Qin Fangqiong and Ding Yi were also incredibly fast and gave chase instantly.

Su Yu activated his Second-Step Rushing Thunder and pursued them as well.

The four figures, like four streaks of light, vanished from the Huyan Mansion in the blink of an eye.

The various factions watching from a distance were all stunned by this scene.

"So fast!"

"That’s Huyan Muyuan, the Huyan Family Patriarch! Another Profound Bone Realm expert!"

"He’s escaping so fast! The two behind him are Hall Master Qin and Hall Master Ding, they’re hunting him down! And that last person must be Commander Su... he can actually keep up with a Profound Bone Realm expert’s speed!"

"Sigh, the Huyan Family is finished. Even a Profound Bone Realm master like Huyan Muyuan has fled!"

"Huyan Muyuan has fled! Flying Feather Guard, on my command! Charge into the compound and take down the Huyan Family!" Lin Wanzhu’s voice instantly spread across the grounds, her face flushed with excitement.

’Ah Yu really did it! Even a Profound Bone Realm master was forced to flee. The Huyan Family’s downfall today will be the talk of all Black Stone City!’

She could already imagine the news that would sweep through Black Stone City tomorrow.

Great Commander Su Yu Annihilates the Black Lotus Sect Traitors, the Huyan Family!

...

"Brother Qin, his Divine Blood has enhanced his Profound Bones! Even the power of my Flying Fish Annihilation Strike could barely pierce his Profound Bone defense. Be careful!"

Ding Yi’s footwork was nimble and agile. He moved with extreme speed, sticking close behind Huyan Muyuan.

Qin Fangqiong, who was a few paces behind, grew grim upon hearing this. He had seen Ding Yi’s strike clearly. It was shockingly powerful; an ordinary expert at the Mid-stage of the Profound Bone Realm would likely have been killed by that single blow.

Yet Huyan Muyuan had somehow withstood it!

’It looks like I’ll have to use *that* technique to kill him!’

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!

Just then, Su Yu, who was more than ten paces behind, began to act. His hands moved like a butterfly flitting through flowers as he continuously hurled Flying Locust Stones at Huyan Muyuan.

The Flying Locust Stones were incredibly fast, their trajectories unpredictable. They carved parabolic arcs through the air, relentlessly assailing Huyan Muyuan.

"Get lost!"

Huyan Muyuan spun around and threw a punch. A powerful Gang Wind, like a miniature storm, erupted and swatted the Flying Locust Stones from the air.

But that brief delay was all Ding Yi needed to catch up.

A cold light flashed from his shortsword, instantly striking Huyan Muyuan’s neck.

It had to be said, Ding Yi’s assassination Skill was simply astonishing. In a single move, he had once again struck one of Huyan Muyuan’s vital points!