Chapter 1402: The Top Contender of the Hundred Cities!

"He doesn't even know Jin Yu!"

"This guy... did he pop out of a rock? Among all the people from these hundred cities, there's still someone who doesn't know Jin Yu!"

"If anyone in these hundred cities has the best chance of reaching the Divine Lord realm, it's Jin Yu. And yet someone doesn't know him!"

Ye Yuan's question set everyone off.

They couldn't imagine that someone participating in the Hundred Cities Trial wouldn't know Jin Yu.

Qiushui Sheng was taken aback at first, then chuckled: "Perhaps that's exactly why he's so strong!"

Jin Yu was also stunned, blurting out: "You don't know me?"

From the reactions of others, Ye Yuan could tell that this Jin Yu was no ordinary person. He laughed awkwardly and said, "Sorry, I've only recently joined the academy, so I really haven't heard of your esteemed name."

Jin Yu's conduct could be called upright and honorable; he didn't want to take advantage of Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan had respect for such an opponent.

Especially in this setting, where the storage ring determined the final reward.

But the other party clearly valued a good opponent more!

Jin Yu nodded, acknowledging Ye Yuan's explanation, and said, "I am Jin Yu of Yongdang Royal City."

Ye Yuan cupped his hands and said, "So it's Brother Jin. Make your move!"

Jin Yu said, "You've just been through a fierce battle. You should rest a while and recover some divine essence."

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "No need. Those guys were too weak."

Jin Yu's heart tightened, and for a moment he couldn't tell whether Ye Yuan's words were true or false.

Was this guy just showing off, or had he really not expended much energy?

If it were him in that battle just now, he could naturally handle it with ease, but he would never say such a thing.

After all, He Ning was a very formidable opponent at that level.

Not to mention the other fourteen experts from Zuoxiang Royal City.

But to others, Ye Yuan's words were just bragging.

"I admit this guy is strong, but saying that in front of Jin Yu, the top contender of the hundred cities, is just unbearable."

"This guy would rather suffer for his pride! Well, at least if he loses, he can say he just had a tough fight. Hah!"

"He has no idea who Jin Yu is or how strong he is. He Ning is nothing compared to Jin Yu! This guy is too arrogant!"

...

How could they know that although the battle just now seemed intense, Ye Yuan's consumption was really minimal?

Though Ye Yuan was bold, challenging the geniuses of a hundred cities alone, he was still very strategic and didn't underestimate them!

For him, the final result was secondary; what he valued most was the exchange with these geniuses from the hundred cities.

So in that battle, he fought very conservatively, carefully budgeting every bit of divine essence.

Moreover, his divine essence was already extremely refined, so a battle of that level was nothing to him.

Seeing Ye Yuan's calm gaze, Jin Yu nodded and said, "In that case, make your move!"

Ye Yuan made a gesture of invitation, and the Exorcism Sword shot out fiercely!

Star Severing!

Though it was always the same move, Star Severing, Ye Yuan had played it in countless variations.

This time, Ye Yuan made a lifting motion, slashing upward from below straight at Jin Yu.

An attack from this angle was hard to defend against.

Jin Yu's expression tightened, instantly sensing that the power of this sword strike was far greater than when he had dealt with He Ning.

He dared not be careless. With a graceful sideways roll, his long sword was already out.

However, Jin Yu's sword was a straight thrust, coming from a strange angle to tap the back of Ye Yuan's sword from the side.

Ye Yuan's eyes lit up, instantly knowing he had met an expert!

This Jin Yu's understanding of combat was far superior to He Ning's.

In a martial artist's battle, even at the divine realm, it wasn't just about the level of law power and realm.

But powerful strength often made people overlook some subtle details.

A battle changes in an instant, and often a single detail can decide the outcome.

Ye Yuan had been through countless battles, big and small, and had long turned combat into instinct.

Thus, he could grasp every detail to secure victory.

These academy geniuses had also experienced many battles, but their battles were a completely different concept from Ye Yuan's.

Ye Yuan's battles were life-and-death struggles, with no room for mercy, and the opponent gave no chance.

But the academy geniuses mostly just sparred with each other, rarely engaging in life-or-death fights.

Only when they advanced to the inner academy and went on missions would they experience such life-and-death struggles.

But even then, inner disciples' battle experience couldn't compare to Ye Yuan's.

Clearly, Jin Yu was not someone who only focused on cultivation; that move just now showed his skill!

Both his dodge and his use of a point to break a lift demonstrated precise control over combat, with no hesitation.

More importantly, his realm and law comprehension were far above Ye Yuan's!

Before this sword could touch Ye Yuan's sword back, a golden light appeared on Ye Yuan's body.

Midair, Ye Yuan forcibly changed his move!

The essence of Star Severing lay in the word 'sever.'

Jin Yu's move was meant to break Ye Yuan's 'sever'!

So Ye Yuan's change of move was to pull back that 'sever'!

Ye Yuan changed his move, slashing at Jin Yu's sword body.

Jin Yu didn't have Ye Yuan's powerful physique; he was midair with no leverage, so he had to grit his teeth and exchange a blow with Ye Yuan.

"Ding!"

The two swords clashed, and both were struck as if by a tremendous force, each retreating dozens of steps.

For the first time, someone had pushed Ye Yuan back!

"Excellent sword!" Jin Yu praised.

Ye Yuan laughed heartily and said, "You're not bad either! Again!"

"Good, again!" Jin Yu was also filled with heroic spirit.

The two moved swiftly and clashed once more.

Qiushui Sheng's eyes showed deep shock, not because Ye Yuan could tie with Jin Yu.

But because... he knew that Jin Yu had actually lost by half a move just now!

Qiushui Sheng knew Jin Yu very well; he knew this guy was a natural warrior with a very high combat intuition.

In terms of realm and law comprehension, he and Jin Yu were about the same.

But every time they fought, Jin Yu always managed to outdo him!

That was due to his combat instinct.

But just now, Jin Yu had relied on his superior law comprehension and realm gap to tie with Ye Yuan.

If Ye Yuan and Jin Yu were on par, no, as long as Ye Yuan broke through to the Great Perfection of the Insightful Void realm.

Jin Yu would have surely lost that exchange!

"Heh, who would have thought that Jin Yu would also have to rely on his superior strength for once! He's really met his match today," Qiushui Sheng murmured to himself.

"Match? Not necessarily! Ye Yuan hasn't gone all out yet!" Just then, a figure suddenly appeared beside Qiushui Sheng and spoke.