"So strong!"
"As expected of Senior Brother Yun Tianping, so powerful!"
"To cultivate puppet arts to such a degree, Senior Brother Yun Tianping is truly a role model for us!"
...
The group of "Foundation Establishment disciples" felt proud and showered Yun Tianping with endless praise!
However, Yun Tianping indeed deserved their admiration.
Not only the "Foundation Establishment disciples," but even the "Golden Core Elder" responsible for maintaining order near the arena was somewhat shocked by Yun Tianping's power!
Such formidable "puppet arts"!
The combat power displayed by this "metal puppet" had actually surpassed the "Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment realm," faintly reaching the "Golden Core level."
The "Golden Core Elder" waved his hand, and his true essence flowed, activating the "great array runes" beneath the "arena."
A flash of spiritual light shone, and the two shallow pits that had been dug out by the "metal puppet" stomped on the ground quickly recovered, leaving no trace of prior damage.
The entire "arena" rested upon a massive "formation base" beneath it.
Its initial setting was designed for the limit of "Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment" combat power!
Well, as long as the attack did not reach the "Golden Core level," it was in principle impossible to damage the "arena."
The fact that the "metal puppet" could cause some damage to the "arena" indicated that its combat power had broken through the limit, barely reaching the "Golden Core level."
Impressive!
The "Golden Core Elder" nodded, once again expressing his appreciation for Yun Tianping.
With this lad's disposition and aptitude, his future achievements were bound to be limitless!
Thinking this, the "Golden Core Elder" began to prepare to announce Yun Tianping's victory!
What? The battle wasn't over yet?
Heh, in reality, the battle had already concluded the moment the "metal puppet" appeared.
Surely, no one would believe that Ye Qiye, with his "pretentious swagger," could defeat the "metal puppet," right?
No way, no way, no way!
...
Clang!
In an instant, the "metal puppet" rushed before Ye Qiye. With a metallic hum, two incomparably sharp "great swords," glinting with cold light, shot out from each of the "metal puppet's" arms.
These two "great swords" were also extraordinary items, both being third-grade magic treasures!
Upon seeing this, the crowd erupted in cheers again.
"Excellent! What a metal puppet!"
"With this puppet alone, Senior Brother Yun Tianping is capable of contending with early-stage Golden Core cultivators!"
"Senior Brother Yun Tianping can challenge across major realms!"
...
The "Foundation Establishment disciples" were excited and thrilled.
In their eyes, Senior Brother Yun Tianping possessed immense strength, capable of venturing into the "Golden Core group" and perhaps even achieving the "epic feat" of a "cross-realm challenge"!
Tch!
"Yun Tianping, it seems I overestimated you! Is this the extent of your most formidable skill?"
Suddenly, a scoffing sound rang out, piercingly sharp.
Everyone turned their gazes towards the source and felt their lungs about to explode. The speaker was none other than Ye Qiye!
This "pretentious swagger" was still putting on an act when he was clearly destined to lose.
Even if "putting on an act" wasn't illegal, there was no need to go to such lengths!
The "Foundation Establishment disciples" all eagerly anticipated Ye Qiye being struck down by a sword, then kneeling before Senior Brother Yun Tianping and tearfully begging for forgiveness.
Yes, that would be the most perfect scene!
However, in the next second, something unimaginable happened.
Ye Qiye shifted his body slightly, stepping sideways.
His movements were small, and his speed was not fast, yet he effortlessly dodged the slashes of the "metal puppet's" two "great swords."
Bang!
Bang!
Two violent impact sounds, sparks flying!
The third-grade magic treasure "great swords" struck the ground, surprisingly creating two shallow pits in the "arena" once more.
This indicated that the "metal puppet's" attacks had once again reached the "Golden Core level."
A pity, bad luck, for the "pretentious swagger" Ye Qiye to have inexplicably dodged them.
What incredible luck!
The "Foundation Establishment disciples" all expressed their discontent.
In their view, Ye Qiye, with his "pretentious swagger," absolutely could not have dodged the "metal puppet's" lightning-fast attack. How could one dodge at such speed?
They suspected that Ye Qiye, with his "pretentious swagger," might not even have seen the "metal puppet's" movements clearly.
The reason he dodged was purely good luck!
Yes, sheer dogshit luck!
Senior Brother Yun Tianping's next attack, Ye Qiye would surely not be able to dodge!
So thought the "Foundation Establishment disciples" in their hearts.
However, Yun Tianping frowned.
He had a keen intuition that something was amiss.
Was Ye Qiye's dodge just now truly luck?
It didn't seem to be the case!
This Ye Qiye... is not simple!
A strong sense of foreboding surged within Yun Tianping.
His hands moved rapidly, casting a series of profound hand seals.
The various "puppet runes" all over the "metal puppet" began to erupt with spiritual light, one after another.
The "metal puppet" went into full power, entering a 100% combat state.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Its movements were like lightning, its two arms wielding the "great swords" like a whirlwind, slashing towards Ye Qiye.
The "great swords" were each a thousand-pound heavy sword, potent and powerful, each strike containing an earth-shattering, terrifying force.
Bang, bang, bang!
The "great swords" struck the "arena," sparks flying, and the "arena" exploding with shallow pits.
Each of its attacks reached the "Golden Core level."
Terrifying, powerful, inspiring awe!
Facing the fierce offensive of the "metal puppet," Ye Qiye pushed the "art of pretense" to its extreme. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, moving as casually as if strolling in his own courtyard.
Each of his steps was not large, and his movements were not fast, yet he was able to perfectly evade the onslaught of the "great swords."
Facing the tempestuous assault, Ye Qiye remained graceful and at ease, with plenty to spare!
This...
After the "metal puppet" had attacked furiously for a full quarter of an hour, yet hadn't even grazed the corner of Ye Qiye's clothes, the entire place fell into dead silence!
Everyone looked at Ye Qiye with disbelief.
What was going on?
Dodging once could still be attributed to coincidence.
Now, facing the relentless barrage of the "metal puppet's" attacks, Ye Qiye had perfectly evaded them all, and so gracefully, so calmly. To call it a "coincidence" now, even a ghost wouldn't believe it!
So, was this Ye Qiye fellow truly strong?
A devilishly charming and unrestrained smile curved Ye Qiye's lips. He swept his gaze across everyone and said with pretense,
"That's right, I am just this strong! If heaven did not give birth to me, Ye Qiye, the eternal immortal path would be like a long night!"
The entire audience was struck dumb!
Everyone just quietly watched Ye Qiye "pretend."
The faces of the "Foundation Establishment disciples" contorted into strange expressions.
Their countenances were as if they had swallowed a fly.
Damn it!
Truly infuriating!
This time, they had truly been fooled by "Ye Qiye," this "pretentious swagger"!