Chương 199: Woman's intuition

The grand arena of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament was alive with fervor as the battles continued to unfold. Among the many combatants, one figure stood out: Yun Che. His unmatched strength and calm demeanor in the face of adversity had drawn the attention of all. Yet, what truly set him apart was not just his power, but the way he carried himself through each match, his confidence emanating from every step he took.

Ling Yuefeng and Ling Yun, two of the most esteemed figures in the tournament, watched closely as Yun Che stepped into the arena for his next match. They were seasoned fighters, their decades of experience granting them insight into the true potential of a person. Both were astounded by the young man's abilities.

"He's no ordinary fighter," Ling Yuefeng murmured, his eyes sharp as they followed Yun Che's every move. "The way he fights... it's as if he's in a league of his own."

Ling Yun nodded, his gaze unwavering. "If he keeps this up, he'll break the records and make history. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it to the top hundred."

Their prediction wasn't far from the truth. As the tournament progressed, Yun Che's dominance became undeniable. Even the elders in the stands, those who had seen countless tournaments and battles over the years, were taken aback by his unexpected rise. Whispers of his feats spread like wildfire through the crowd. There was a growing consensus that Yun Che was not just a promising young fighter; he was a prodigy.

Yun Che's third match was one to remember. His opponent, a Spirit Profound Realm fighter, was no match for the calm, composed fighter that Yun Che had become. Despite the opponent's strength, Yun Che showed restraint, only using enough force to incapacitate him without causing lasting harm.

The crowd was stunned into silence as the fight ended in mere moments. Yun Che's effortless victory sent ripples of shock through the onlookers. The disparity in power was staggering, and yet Yun Che had won with such ease. His reputation as an unpredictable powerhouse continued to grow, with each win cementing his place in the tournament's upper echelons.

On the first day of the tournament's group matches, Yun Che won all five of his battles, each victory more impressive than the last. His style was unconventional, relying on his physical body and the mysterious techniques that had been drilled into him by Raja. Despite his lack of profound arts, Yun Che managed to outclass opponents who were far stronger in terms of cultivation.

Spectators who had initially mocked him for his humble origins now sat in awe, their ridicule silenced by his overwhelming performance. Yun Che had transformed from an underdog into a force to be reckoned with.

With each passing match, Yun Che's streak of victories left an indelible impression on the audience. No longer seen as a mere curiosity, he was quickly dubbed a "freak" by those who witnessed his ability to defy all expectations. The gap between his profound strength and his ability to defeat much stronger opponents was glaring, and it was impossible to ignore that something extraordinary lay beneath his calm, unassuming exterior.

As his victories continued to pile up, Yun Che's name began to spread beyond the arena. Ling Yuefeng and Ling Yun's earlier prediction that he might make it into the top hundred no longer seemed so far-fetched. It now felt like an inevitability.

One person who had always believed in Yun Che's potential was Xia Yuanba. Throughout the tournament, he had cheered enthusiastically for Yun Che, praising him after every victory. "Did you see that? Did you see how easily he defeated that Spirit Profound Realm opponent?" Yuanba said, his voice brimming with excitement. "This guy's unstoppable!"

His enthusiasm was contagious, and many others who had initially doubted Yun Che began to take notice. Even the most seasoned fighters couldn't help but wonder who had trained this remarkable young man. And, inevitably, all eyes turned toward Raja.

Despite the growing admiration, not everyone was so quick to jump on the bandwagon. Qin Wushang, the leader of the tournament's overseeing body, was a man of great experience. As he watched Yun Che's performance, a hint of caution entered his mind.

"His progress has been impressive," Qin Wushang said, his voice grave. "But do not be deceived. His initial victories have come against weaker opponents. The real tests are yet to come. He must not grow complacent."

Qin Wushang's words served as a reminder that the road ahead would only get more difficult. Yun Che's true strength would be tested when he faced opponents from higher ranks and stronger disciplines.

As the tournament progressed, Yun Che had a chance encounter with some familiar faces. Xia Yuanba, always the eager one, led him toward a group of people he had not seen in a while. Among them were Xia Qingyue and Xiao Lingxi, both of whom were now disciples of the prestigious Frozen Cloud Asgard.

"Big Brother Raja!" Xia Yuanba shouted joyously as he approached the group. "I've been telling them all about our adventures! We've come a long way, haven't we?"

Xia Qingyue's usual icy demeanor softened when she saw her older brother. "Big Brother..." she murmured, her voice filled with warmth. She rushed forward and embraced him, the cold exterior she often wore replaced by a gentleness that few had witnessed.

For a moment, the arena seemed to fade into the background as the reunion unfolded. However, the curiosity of the other disciples did not go unnoticed. Shui Wushuang and Wu Xuexin exchanged puzzled glances, their eyes widening as they watched Xia Qingyue embrace Raja.

"Big Brother?" Shui Wushuang whispered to Wu Xuexin, who nodded in acknowledgment. It was clear that they had not expected such a display from someone as aloof as Xia Qingyue.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lingxi, ever the lively and playful one, ran up to Yun Che and called out, "Little Che!" She began inspecting him up and down, as if she were making sure that he had grown stronger since they last met.

The moment was interrupted by a sharp voice. "Don't forget your place," Chu Yueli, another disciple of Frozen Cloud Asgard, called out, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at Xia Qingyue and Xiao Lingxi. "As disciples of Frozen Cloud Asgard, you must remember your status. You are no longer part of the same world as others."

Her gaze shifted to Raja, her expression a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "And you, how did you obtain your profound veins and heal Yun Che?" she demanded.

Raja's response was calm, his voice unwavering. "If anyone dares target us, I'll deal with them swiftly. As for Yun Che, his recovery was no mere coincidence. He's no ordinary man." He paused, offering a smile that was both mysterious and confident. "And now, I'd like to cook dinner for everyone. It's been a long time since I've seen my family."

After the brief exchange, Chu Yueli, along with Xia Qingyue and the other disciples, prepared to leave. As Xia Qingyue bid her farewell to Xia Yuanba, Yun Che caught her eye. "Once someone becomes a disciple of Frozen Cloud Asgard, they are no longer part of the family," he reminded her, his voice carrying a tone of finality.

Xia Qingyue's expression softened, but she didn't say anything in response. Instead, she gave Yun Che a fleeting smile before following her companions away from the arena.

As the disciples of Frozen Cloud Asgard departed, Cang Yue couldn't help but comment on one of the most famous figures to emerge from their ranks—Chu Yuechan. "She's so beautiful," Cang Yue remarked, her eyes following the elegant figure of the woman who had long been a legend. "But why is she participating in this tournament? She's always been so secluded."

Yun Che, however, remained silent, his thoughts elsewhere. He was more focused on the battles ahead.

Back in the tournament, Yun Che's success continued unabated. He fought his way through the first round, winning twelve consecutive battles without facing any particularly difficult opponents. His victories secured him a spot in the top 300, a historic achievement for the Blue Wind Imperial Family. The crowds were buzzing with excitement, and whispers spread about his true strength.

Among the other competitors, Xia Qingyue, Xiao Lingxi, and Ling Yun all progressed undefeated as well, with many of their opponents surrendering before the fights even began.

With the first round over, the second round of the tournament began. This time, the format would be even more unpredictable. Fifteen matches per participant, with randomly drawn opponents, ensured that luck would play a much larger role. Yun Che's first match in the second round would be against Lei Zhentian, a powerful fighter from the Thunderbolt Lightning Pavilion.

As Yun Che prepared for the battle, Cang Yue watched him closely. Her concern was palpable. "I hope he'll perform well against this opponent," she murmured, worry evident in her voice.

In the midst of the tournament, Chu Yuechan made a rare appearance, her icy beauty drawing the eyes of every spectator in the arena. Known as "Blue Wind's Number One Beauty," her cold demeanor and enigmatic presence only served to heighten the air of mystery surrounding her.

Cang Yue, though intrigued, couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to the woman's presence here than met the eye.

As for Raja, he tried catching Chu Yuechan's gaze, but to his dismay, she ignored him completely. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration.

Despite the icy barrier Chu Yuechan put up, Cang Yue had a keen eye for detail. "I think she's been glancing at you," Cang Yue said, her voice filled with curiosity. "I can tell. Women's intuition, you know?" Raja smiled, though there was a hint of mystery in his expression.

As the second round loomed, all eyes would be on Yun Che. His true challenge was about to begin.