Chapter 59: Chapter 59: A Tremendous Shock for Qian Xunji, and Bibi Dong’s Arrival
"What happened here?"
Qian Xunji dismissed the onlookers and turned his gaze to the figure lying on the stretcher—Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan. His brows furrowed deeply in puzzlement.
Could it have been Sword Douluo Chen Xin?
But Chen Xin had already returned to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, hadn't he?
"Your Holiness, it... it was Zhou Yi!"
Yue Guan's elderly face flushed with embarrassment. After hesitating for a moment, he finally stammered the words.
To be sent sprawling on the ground by a mere punch from a young man in his twenties—no matter how thick-skinned Yue Guan was, the humiliation was hard to swallow.
"What?"
"Zhou Yi?"
Qian Xunji and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, who stood nearby, were equally stunned.
They remembered how Zhou Yi had once repelled Yue Guan with a sword strike. But at that time, Yue Guan had been caught off guard and hadn't properly defended himself.
Besides, Yue Guan hadn't appeared to be seriously injured.
(Yue Guan, internally: I didn't want to admit it then, but I actually was injured...)
"You're telling me Zhou Yi injured you? How?" Qian Xunji asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
After all, no matter how skilled Zhou Yi's swordsmanship might be, his cultivation level was still far below Yue Guan's. How could he possibly leave him in this state?
"Your Holiness, Zhou Yi... he's truly bizarre," Yue Guan replied with a lingering sense of dread as he recalled that punch.
"When I conveyed your instructions, Zhou Yi refused outright! He told me that if I could withstand a single move from him, I could take Luo Yifan with me. Naturally, I agreed!"
"I was fully aware of Zhou Yi's mastery in swordsmanship and didn't underestimate him. I activated my Martial Soul Avatar right away!"
"What? You activated your Martial Soul Avatar and still ended up like this?"
Gui Mei exclaimed in disbelief.
He had initially assumed Yue Guan must have been ambushed by Zhou Yi, much like before. But that wasn't the case.
This time, both sides had faced each other head-on.
Yue Guan had even been the one to activate his Martial Soul first, unleashing his Martial Soul Avatar.
There was no room for sneak attacks.
Even Qian Xunji, typically cold and composed, displayed a rare look of surprise.
His thoughts mirrored Gui Mei's.
The notion that Zhou Yi could directly overpower Yue Guan in a fair fight—without resorting to ambush tactics—was utterly unexpected.
Yue Guan nodded bitterly, knowing his humiliation was inevitable.
In just a few days, the entire Douluo Continent would undoubtedly hear of this incident, and he would become a laughingstock among Titled Douluo.
"Your Holiness, I understand if this is hard for you to believe. Even I still find it hard to accept," Yue Guan said self-deprecatingly. His tone was laced with bitterness.
"The most terrifying thing was what happened after I activated my Martial Soul Avatar. Zhou Yi struck!"
"He didn't summon his Martial Soul, nor did he draw his sword. He simply threw a punch!"
"But his speed was so astonishing, I couldn't even react before his fist connected!"
"And the power of that punch... it shattered my Martial Soul Avatar instantly. I ended up like this!"
"After that, he had someone send me to a branch hall. That's all there is to it."
When he finished, Yue Guan lowered his head in silence.
Both Qian Xunji and Gui Mei were left speechless, their hearts turbulent.
If it weren't for Yue Guan recounting the event himself, and his injuries providing irrefutable evidence, they would have dismissed such a claim as absurd.
Zhou Yi, without using his Martial Soul, had shattered Yue Guan's Martial Soul Avatar with a single punch?
Could they even believe such a thing?
Even Qian Xunji knew that he himself couldn't break Yue Guan's Martial Soul Avatar in a single move, let alone inflict such grievous injuries.
Only someone like his father, Qian Daoliu, might be capable of such a feat.
"What do you think?" Qian Xunji asked coolly, breaking the silence.
"Your Holiness, Zhou Yi may possess tremendous strength, but his arrogance must not go unpunished!" Gui Mei's voice was chilling. His anger was evident—Yue Guan was his closest companion, and seeing him in this state fueled his wrath.
Qian Xunji remained silent.
He wasn't ready to sever ties with Zhou Yi just yet.
Judging from Zhou Yi's current strength—on par with a Titled Douluo—it wouldn't be easy to eliminate him. And given Zhou Yi's youth, the consequences of failing to kill him outright would be dire.
Moreover, Sword Douluo Chen Xin was Zhou Yi's master. Opposing Zhou Yi would inevitably mean clashing with Chen Xin, which would invite pressure from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Although the Spirit Hall feared no one, now was not the time.
"Your Holiness, I believe it's unnecessary to provoke Zhou Yi for now," Yue Guan interjected. "I agreed to his condition and was ultimately defeated fair and square. I have no excuse."
"Right now, the priority should be uncovering the source of Zhou Yi's strength. Knowing your enemy is key to any battle."
"Well said," Qian Xunji nodded slightly. He was indeed curious about the origin of Zhou Yi's overwhelming power.
If such strength could be harnessed, both he and the Spirit Hall would greatly benefit.
"Very well. Focus on recovering from your injuries. This matter is concluded for now."
Qian Xunji's decision was final.
Gui Mei assisted Yue Guan in seeking treatment.
The Spirit Hall had no shortage of powerful healing-type Soul Masters, so Yue Guan's recovery was not an issue.
"This matter will have to rely on Dong'er!"
Qian Xunji immediately thought of the best candidate for the task.
After all, this incident undoubtedly involved Zhou Yi's secrets. With Zhou Yi's overwhelming strength, ordinary people would never be able to uncover anything.
Given Bibi Dong's rapport with Zhou Yi, she was the perfect person to investigate.
If Zhou Yi could be drawn into the Spirit Hall, it would be an even greater triumph.
"Teacher!"
Summoned by Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong arrived at the Supreme Pontiff Hall and saluted respectfully.
"Dong'er, have you heard about Yue Guan being seriously injured by Zhou Yi?"
Qian Xunji got straight to the point.
"What? Elder Chrysanthemum was seriously injured by Zhou Yi?"
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes sparkled with shock. She genuinely hadn't heard about this.
Qian Xunji recounted the details of Yue Guan's injury, leaving Bibi Dong visibly stunned.
Zhou Yi seriously injuring Chrysanthemum Douluo with a single punch?
If it weren't her teacher saying it, Bibi Dong would have dismissed it as exaggeration.
"How could Zhou Yi be so powerful?"
Curiosity and confusion swirled within her.
"You must be wondering how Zhou Yi managed to inflict such grievous harm on Yue Guan. Today, I've summoned you to investigate how Zhou Yi accomplished this."
Qian Xunji's tone was decisive.
Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened. She hadn't expected her teacher to assign her the task of uncovering Zhou Yi's secrets.
She was reluctant to accept.
However, outright refusal wasn't an option.
Left with no choice, she agreed reluctantly.
She decided to take it step by step. At worst, she would make a superficial effort and report back that she had failed to glean anything.
At most, she'd face a few scoldings for incompetence.
Nothing too severe.
"Yes, Teacher!"
Bibi Dong took her leave.
Yue Guan's injuries were mostly healed after treatment by a healing-type Soul Douluo.
This time, Zhou Yi hadn't used his Sword Intent.
He had relied solely on raw physical strength to defeat Yue Guan.
As a result, Yue Guan's recovery was comparatively straightforward.
Thus, the next day, Yue Guan and Guimei accompanied Bibi Dong on a journey to Notting City.
Meanwhile, the news of Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan being gravely injured by Zhou Yi spread across the Douluo Continent, reaching the ears of various major powers.
"Who would've thought Brother Zhou was so formidable, even injuring Chrysanthemum Douluo!"
Tang Hao, upon hearing the news, was visibly shaken. He confirmed it repeatedly before believing it.
"Word is that Chrysanthemum Douluo had to be carried out!"
Tang Xiao laughed heartily.
Although the Clear Sky Clan and Spirit Hall had no overt conflict, their rivalry beneath the surface was ever-present.
Seeing Yue Guan suffer a setback naturally delighted them.
Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect
"This time, Chrysanthemum Douluo certainly kicked an iron plate!"
Ning Fengzhi, upon learning the news, was neither shocked nor incredulous. After all, he had personally witnessed Zhou Yi's formidable prowess.
Even Chen Xin wasn't a match for Zhou Yi.
Let alone Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"These meddlesome fools truly believe they can act freely in my absence? Little do they know that my teacher is the most terrifying of all!"
Chen Xin sneered, clearly referring to Luo Yifan.
"After this incident, I doubt anyone will dare to recklessly provoke Mr. Zhou again," Ning Fengzhi said with a faint smile.
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan
"We always believed Zhou Yi had boundless potential, but who would've thought he would rise so quickly!"
Yu Yuanzhen was visibly shaken, deeply moved.
Previously, Zhou Yi had shown immense promise and had the backing of Sword Douluo Chen Xin. But his cultivation was still limited at the time.
Strength was the foundation of respect.
Though they admired Zhou Yi, they had only regarded him as a talented junior.
But now, after Zhou Yi's feat of severely injuring Chrysanthemum Douluo,
No one could afford to view Zhou Yi as merely a junior anymore.
Every Titled Douluo stood at the pinnacle of the continent's power hierarchy.
They were figures no one dared to underestimate.
While the various powers were abuzz with discussion about Zhou Yi,
Bibi Dong, accompanied by Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Guimei, arrived in Notting City.
-------------------------
If you want to support me and read advance chapters, please visit:
patreon.com / igotneonlight
I would greatly appreciate your support if you choose to join my patreon :)