Chapter 858: Peerless Genius Is a Threat!
Peerless Genius Is a Threat! . . .
"I had constantly warned myself to be cautious. I knew underestimating him was a grave mistake. I fought with extreme vigilance... yet in the end, I genuinely believed I was on the cusp of victory. At that moment, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relaxation..."
"All the while, I couldn't let my guard down."
These were the ruminations of the disciples who had tasted defeat.
One talented disciple queried his master afterward, "Master, if you're engaged in a battle, and you're certain your opponent is utterly defeated, do you ever feel a bit relaxed?"
"That's precisely what Cha Chongxiao managed to make me feel. In that particular moment, it seemed like he had already met his demise, and I was certain of my triumph... How could I not relax in that moment?"
"But within that very instant, he launched an attack. He isn't human; he's a monster, a freak, an undead menace..."
This was nothing short of astonishing.
Indeed, it was only natural to lower one's guard when the opponent appeared to be vanquished. However, Cha Eun Xiao managed to convey the illusion of vulnerability, capitalizing on that brief instant to unleash a decisive strike.
Moreover, everyone attested that he played fair and didn't resort to any underhanded tactics during the fights. It was widely believed that he had genuinely exhausted himself before securing victory.
A full day had passed.
Cha Eun Xiao had completed thirty battles, and every single one left him grievously injured. Yet, he emerged victorious from each engagement.
In the final battle, his body soaked in blood, he stood triumphant while his opponent, a level two Dream Origin Stage disciple, conceded.
"I surrender, not because I'm inferior in cultivation or combat prowess, but because I can't quell my desolate heart. I'm aware that if I had engaged in thirty battles in succession as Disciple Brother Cha has, I would surely falter. I can't even partake in two battles in a single day!"
"I relinquish this bout. When you've recuperated tomorrow, I will challenge you once more!"
Cha Eun Xiao nodded with a smile.
Suddenly, he extended his arms, and a radiant moonlight surged from the ground into the sky. An unending stream of spiritual qi flooded into his body beneath the brilliant glow, causing his entire being to illuminate like the moon.
A radiant moon even appeared above his head, in its full glory.
The onlookers felt as though they had been transported to a surreal dreamscape. Reality seemed to blur.
"Has he broken through again?" Zhan Yunfei stared at Cha Eun Xiao, his eyes filled with terror.
Indeed, he was terrified. Fear was etched across his face.
Zhan Yunfei had faced countless battles and never felt fear, not even when battling the Xiao Monarch with his life hanging in the balance. Yet, as he gazed upon the young disciple who had joined them just six months ago, he felt genuine fear.
"Did he achieve a breakthrough after that battle?"
He couldn't shake the feeling of dread.
When Zhan Yunfei had first met Cha Chongxiao, the latter was merely at the fourth level of the Spirit Origin Stage. When Cha Chongxiao arrived at the sect and the moonlight bathed him, he reached the fifth level. After the special training, he advanced to the sixth level.
On the first day of the ground competition, Cha Eun Xiao achieved level seven. The very next day, he surged to level eight. A mere two days later, he astounded everyone by ascending to level nine.
Now, on the seventh day since the competition commenced, he shattered the confines of the Spirit Origin Stage, breaking through to the Dream Origin Stage. Such rapid progress was beyond belief and had never been recorded in any legend.
What set Cha Eun Xiao apart was that he had not resorted to any cultivation-boosting elixirs or pills. His ascent was attributed solely to his innate talent and unwavering determination.
The entire Cold Moon Palace was enveloped in an eerie silence. Members of the leadership, including masters and elders, gathered around, their eyes reflecting inspiration, hope, and an underlying sense of gravity. They all shared the same notion.
Should Cha Eun Xiao continue to progress at this unprecedented pace, Cold Moon Palace would inevitably ascend to unparalleled heights under his tutelage. He would require less than fifty years to reach the pinnacle of the Dao Origin Stage, where he could effortlessly vanquish the most formidable figures in the martial world.
This ascent to dominance would establish Cold Moon Palace as the most potent sect throughout the realm. However, the reality was that Cha Eun Xiao had not yet achieved such invincibility.
The next fifty years were the most perilous period for him, marked by incessant threats on his life. In their minds, the leaders of Cold Moon Palace were resolute in ensuring Cha Eun Xiao's safety during this critical period.
In contrast, rival sects would spare no effort to eliminate him once they became aware of his existence. Protecting him would necessitate numerous sacrifices. Perhaps, it would involve the entire sect.
This realization weighed heavily on everyone's hearts. An exceptional genius was a source of honor, an opportunity, and a destiny for the sect. However, it also represented a formidable threat.
To the Cold Moon Palace, Cha Eun Xiao was both a blessing and a curse.
The young man had undoubtedly become the center of attention for all. Only those who were at the apex of cultivation recognized that he was not just the focus of their sect but indeed the entire world.
With tens of thousands of disciples bearing witness to his extraordinary achievements, keeping this a secret was implausible. Sooner or later, the world would learn of this extraordinary talent.
After reaching the first level of the Dream Origin Stage, Cha Eun Xiao's engagements with fellow Dream Origin Stage disciples no longer held the gaping disparity seen previously. He no longer had to endure lengthy, grueling battles, and injuries became far less frequent. He repeatedly emerged victorious in his post-breakthrough contests.
No disciple below level three of the Dream Origin Stage could pose a threat to him anymore. For three days straight, Cha Eun Xiao metamorphosed into a formidable adversary, a nightmare for all disciples below the second level of the Dream Origin Stage.
Many disciples who had previously fought him before his breakthrough felt relieved that they no longer had to face his relentless power. While they may have suffered defeat, they had at least managed to inflict considerable damage on him. Those who now confronted him found themselves utterly helpless, unable even to land a blow.
The disciples at lower levels of the Dream Origin Stage experienced a significant shift in perspective. Once known for their arrogance, they now felt humbled by Cha Eun Xiao's overwhelming might. Even those who had previously bested him now harbored gratitude for not having to face him in his current state. Cha Eun Xiao was no longer a challenge; he was an insurmountable force.
The transformation in these disciples' attitudes did not go unnoticed, particularly by Yue Changtian, who was deeply perplexed by the unfolding events.
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