The Sealing Cloud Locking Sun—the second stage of the Heretic God Arts—was originally designed as a defensive barrier. When Yun Che first unlocked Burning Heart upon reaching the True Profound Realm, he dismissed it as unnecessary. His naturally reinforced body had already made the barrier redundant. Now, with his Lower Rank Saint Body, its usefulness seemed even more questionable.
However, while experimenting with the Apple of Eden, Yun Che discovered a flaw in his defense. Despite his resilience, an attack strong enough could still send him flying—even if it failed to injure him. A barrier would prevent that, anchoring him like an immovable mountain. The problem? The original Sealing Cloud Locking Sun created a sphere-shaped barrier around him. That was inefficient in fast-paced combat, where mobility was key.
This led him to a breakthrough.
While training, he noticed that expanding the barrier to shield others weakened its integrity—spreading it too thin. A larger barrier dropped its integrity to 90%. That raised an interesting question: What if, instead of expanding, he condensed it entirely around his body?
It took him two days of rigorous experimentation. Through microscopic observation, he realized that the barrier's structure was hexagonal—much like a honeycomb. When spread wide, these hexagonal cells separated, reducing overall durability. But by compressing them into a tight layer over his body, he maximized their stacking integrity.
The result? A full-body barrier with near-unbreakable defense.
However, a new problem emerged—the condensed energy transformed his body into a glowing red figure, as if sculpted from ruby. That wouldn't do. To counter this, Yun Che infused Haki, adjusting the opacity to dim the glow while simultaneously reinforcing the barrier's integrity.
Now, the transformation was complete. His Maximum Armor became an invisible, body-shaped barrier, only revealing its presence through a pulsing crimson glow when activated. It was a seamless fusion of Haki and the Sealing Cloud Locking Sun, refined into a perfectly condensed, humanoid-shaped defense field.
To top it off, the system even added a custom 'Maximum Armor' activation sound—just for him.
His inspiration? A nano-suit from his previous world—a cutting-edge armor system that pulsed blue upon activation. But here, with the Heretic God's signature red energy, his Maximum Armor pulsed with a deep crimson glow—a fusion of divine power, science, and sheer will.
======================
[Maximum Armor]
[Description: A refined evolution of the Sealing Cloud Locking Sun, enhanced with Haki to achieve an astonishing 200% armor integrity instead of original 100% integrity. Combined with host's body cultivation, the activation of this mode renders the host virtually immovable, akin to Mount Tai itself.]
[While active, Maximum Armor grants complete invulnerability for 200 seconds. However, there are limitations:
Attacks exceeding host's current cultivation level will deplete the timer at an accelerated rate. Integrity recharge: 1% per minute (Full recharge: 3 hours 20 minutes should host deplete it entirely). Cooldown rate decreases as host ascends higher realms within the Heretic God Arts.
======================
"Nice technique. Guess you're not all talk." Yun Che crossed his arms, standing tall as Maximum Armor Mode pulsed around him. The crimson energy coated his entire body—from the tips of his hair to the soles of his feet—even his clothes were covered in the invisible, yet tangible, barrier.
The Maximum Armor Mode – The evolved version of the Sealing Cloud Locking Sun
"You… what the hell just happened?!" Ling Yun's voice wavered in shock.
This was a scene no one had expected. A moment ago, he had exchanged hundreds of attacks with Yun Che, only for him to effortlessly dodge every single one. But when Ling Yun unleashed Heavenly Star Frenzy, fully confident that the battle would end in his victory, something impossible occurred. Not a single sword beam had touched Yun Che—every strike had been completely negated. It was as if his opponent had become untouchable.
"Ara… Yuu-kun decided to test his Maximum Armor," Retsu mused, her voice carrying to Mio and Cang Yue.
"You knew about this, Nee-sama?" Nemu's voice chimed in as she arrived, stepping out from the Inner World just in time to witness the fight. She had planned to finish her task later, but this match had piqued her interest.
"Nemu? Since when did you get here?" Retsu blinked in mild surprise.
Removing her veiled hat, Nemu gracefully took a seat beside her. "Just now… But Yuu-sama never told us anything about this. Is this some kind of new technique, like the Kekkai techniques he created?"
"Not exactly," Retsu replied, her gaze still locked onto the battle. "I stumbled upon him practicing in the Training Room the other day. He was refining his old red barrier technique, reshaping it into something new. He mentioned that the sphere-shaped barrier annoyed him, so he condensed it directly onto his body, making it even stronger than before. Now, instead of just extreme defense, he's turned it into absolute invulnerability—for 200 seconds. Attacks taken beyond his level will deplete the time faster."
"Sugoi! So he was secretly working on this the whole time?" Mio's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"He did say he didn't need the barrier at all," Retsu mused, "but he hated being sent flying—even if he couldn't be damaged. So, he evolved his barrier art to fix that."
Ling Yun narrowed his eyes. "Yun Che… so you still have more tricks up your sleeve."
"Kind of…" Yun Che smirked before deactivating Maximum Armor mode. The pulsing red energy surrounding his body faded, returning him to normal.
He exhaled slightly. Conserving time was crucial. Maximum Armor had a one-minute recharge per second used—a frustrating limitation, but the price for absolute invulnerability. Not to mention, Ling Yun's strongest attacks hadn't even depleted its timer. He had used 20 seconds, meaning he needed 20 minutes to recover them. The real problem was the three-hour cooldown.
Hopefully, as my cultivation grows, that cooldown time will shrink… Yun Che thought. One day, regeneration will take mere seconds—just like in the original game.
The audience erupted into murmurs. Yun Che had survived one of Ling Yun's strongest attacks—completely unscathed. Shock and awe spread across the stands as people began questioning the impossible.
"Could he… actually match Ling Yun?" someone whispered.
"A mere True Profound Realm cultivator holding his own against the strongest genius of his generation?" another gasped.
From afar, Little Fairy watched in silence, her eyes locked onto the arena.
Her rascal was full of surprises. No matter how much she thought she knew him, he always found a way to prove otherwise. Even with Haki, she could see it clearly—Ling Yun's attacks didn't just miss; they were completely negated. His sword beams crashed into Yun Che's body, yet he stood unshaken, as if the assault never even happened.
Ling Yun gritted his teeth and formed another Heavenly Star Frenzy in an instant, unleashing an even greater barrage of sword lights.
Yun Che could tank the damage with his Lower Ranked Saint Body—but he couldn't ignore the force behind it. If he took too many direct hits, he'd be sent flying across the arena. That wasn't an option.
Time to activate it again.
===========
[Maximum Armor]
===========
The custom voice echoed in his mind as the red energy pulsed around him once more. His entire form shimmered, as if encased in a living, breathing force field. The crowd held their breath as Yun Che began moving forward—slowly but steadily—straight through the onslaught.
Bombardment after bombardment, sword beams crashed into him, yet not a single one pierced his skin. Instead, they dispersed upon impact, scattered like ripples in a pond. The audience gasped in disbelief—nothing had ever survived Ling Yun's attack like this.
Ling Yun's eyes widened. Impossible!
Snarling, he increased his speed and slashed at Yun Che, aiming for a weak spot—only for his blade to bounce off.
CLANG!
It was as if he had struck a wall of tempered steel—except this wasn't steel. This was pure energy, an absolute defense that deflected his every move. He swung again and again, trying to cut through, but every attack was repelled. Each strike simply slid off Yun Che's armor like raindrops on glass.
"What are you?!" Ling Yun shouted in frustration, teleporting behind Yun Che for a surprise strike. His sword slammed down on the back of Yun Che's head—
DING!
It bounced right off.
Yun Che blinked and rubbed his head. "The heck was that?" He muttered, as if someone had just flicked him instead of trying to kill him.
"You cheat!!" Ling Yun roared, attacking relentlessly, but nothing—not a single strike—even made Yun Che flinch.
On the sidelines, Xia Yuanba gawked in disbelief. "It's like Brother-in-law is wearing a full suit of metal armor..."
Mai nodded, equally stunned.
"Yun Che! If you're going to play like this, I'll just keep attacking until your technique runs out! You can't maintain it forever!" Ling Yun's voice rang across the arena, his frustration barely restrained.
Yun Che chuckled internally. Well, he's not wrong about that.
200 seconds. - That was the limit.
He had already burned through 50 seconds just testing it out. Another 150 seconds, and Maximum Armor would be gone.
Time to try something else.
Across the battlefield, Ling Yun's aura surged. He lifted his sword, and a massive, radiant blade began forming in the air—a technique similar to his younger brother, Ling Jie, but far more terrifying in scale.
"Let's see how strong your armor really is! Try taking an attack stronger than my brother's and surviving it!" Ling Yun roared.
But Yun Che just smirked. A deep crimson pulse rippled across his body, the energy coating him like living armor.
==============
[Cloak Engaged]
==============
Then—he vanished.
The arena fell deathly silent.
Ling Yun froze mid-action, his sword still brimming with power. His eyes flickered across the battlefield, scanning for any trace of Yun Che.
Nothing.
The audience murmured in confusion, heads swiveling in every direction. Even the most skilled disciples, those trained in detection arts, desperately stretched their senses—but found nothing.
Yun Che was simply… gone.
Little Fairy's eyes sharpened as she activated her Haki, her gaze sweeping the battlefield. Yet—even with her heightened perception—she saw nothing.
Impossible!
Xia Qingyue did the same. She reached out with her own detection techniques, but it was as if Yun Che had ceased to exist.
Was this a movement art? Did he vanish with sheer speed?
Disciples glanced skyward, wondering if he had launched himself into the air too fast to be seen. But the sky remained empty.
"No… this isn't movement speed," Little Fairy thought, her brows furrowing. That rascal is fast, but even then, I'd still sense his Haki…
This was something else.
Even Chu Yueli and Gong Yuxian, both powerful cultivators, found nothing.
He didn't just move—he became invisible.
Not just to the eye. Not just to spiritual senses. Even to Haki itself.
---------------------------------
Cang Yue, Mio, Retsu, and Nemu all scanned the arena, their eyes sharp, their senses stretched to their limits. Yet, no matter how hard they tried, Yun Che was nowhere to be found.
They were all well aware that even true invisibility wasn't absolute—Haki users, especially those with Eagle Vision, could still detect living beings through their presence. And yet, Yun Che had somehow managed to render himself completely undetectable.
A sense of awe and relief washed over them. If anyone else had developed such a technique, it would have been a terrifying advantage in the wrong hands. But this was Yun Che. The ability was his alone.
"Looks like Yuu-kun is testing out Cloak Mode," Retsu mused, her voice drawing the attention of the others.
"Cloak Mode?" The girls echoed, curiosity sparking in their eyes.
Retsu's mind drifted back to the moment she had first witnessed this technique—a memory she hadn't shared until now.
It had been a quiet evening, the same day Yun Che had perfected the technique. She had stumbled upon him in the midst of training—or so she had thought. At first, she had mistaken his sudden disappearance for something else entirely. The timing had been unfortunate, considering it happened just as she and the other girls were bathing.
Her immediate thought? He was trying to peep.
But she knew him too well—Yun Che would never stoop to something so base. Kon, on the other hand… He had once attempted something similar, and she had swiftly pummeled him into the dirt for it.
Not that she would have minded if Yun Che had actually tried. She was actually hoping he would at least tried.
Shaking the memory from her mind, Retsu refocused and explained, "Cloak Mode is basically a variation of Yuu-kun's Maximum Armor Mode—but instead of using the barrier for invulnerability, he manipulates its energy to bend light around himself. He's essentially turning absolute invincibility into absolute invisibility."
Cang Yue's eyes widened. "Bending light? Is that even possible?"
"Exactly," Retsu nodded. "The microscopic hexagonal armor that forms his barrier undergoes a transformation, shifting into a crystalline state. The effect distorts light around his body, making him invisible—not just to the eye, but also to most forms of detection. It even erased his entire existence to the point of he is invisible."
Mio, however, had already caught on. "Ret-chan… You almost sound like Danna-sama when he starts ranting about science. Remember last time when he explained how the toaster works?"
Retsu sheepishly smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed as she repeated what she had memorized from Yun Che. Truth be told, she hardly understood his modern terminology. "Ugghhh, trust me… I didn't even get half of what he was saying at the time," she admitted, rubbing the back of her head.
"All I understood was that these new microscopic crystalline barrier types can absorb and bend the light spectrum to make him invisible. Cloak Mode has the same 400-second timer, twice of Maximum Armor, meaning it lasts for that long, even against Haki users. Yuu-kun actually used Haki itself to reinforce the technique, making it undetectable even by those with Eagle Vision. The faster he moves, the quicker the energy drains, since staying completely still is required to maintain the crystalline formation."
She let out a deep breath before adding, "That's all he said."
A moment of silence followed. Mio and Cang Yue blinked at her, utterly lost.
"Ugghh… I didn't understand any of that," Mio finally said, tilting her head.
"Me neither," Cang Yue sighed, sweatdropping.
Nemu, who had been quietly listening, let out a small sigh and decided to step in. "Allow me to explain," she said calmly. "According to Nee-sama, Yuu-sama turned his pulsing Maximum Armor Mode into a state that makes him invisible—even to Haki users like us. He can maintain it for 400 seconds, but if he moves too fast, it will wear off faster."
Retsu, Mio, and Cang Yue suddenly lit up in realization.
"Ohhh~~ Now we get it," they all thought at the same time.
Mio, still emotionally overwhelmed, grabbed Retsu's shoulders and started sobbing dramatically. "Ret-chan, please… don't turn into Danna-sama with his modern science rants. We can't even handle him when he starts talking like that!"
Retsu pouted, crossing her arms. "Muu, I won't! I don't even understand half of what he says anyway! That's why I let Nemu listened all his explanation and let her simplify them for me."
The group let out a collective sigh of relief. No matter how overpowered Yun Che was, at least he was the only one spouting incomprehensible scientific explanations.
----------------------------------
[Cloak Mode]
[Description:]
[By utilizing Maximum Armor Mode, the host can modify its function, sacrificing absolute invulnerability in exchange for complete invisibility. Cloak Mode allows the host to become undetectable to the naked eye, spiritual senses, and even Haki users, effectively erasing their presence from all perception.]
[Effects:]
Total Invisibility: The host vanishes entirely, including from advanced detection techniques such as Eagle Vision and Haki.
Extended Duration: Cloak Mode grants 400 seconds of stealth, double the duration of Maximum Armor.
Existence Erasure: The host's presence is completely nullified, making them impossible to perceive by conventional or supernatural means.
Shared Cooldown: Cloak Mode shares the same cooldown as Maximum Armor.
[Limitations:]
Trade-Off: Activating Cloak Mode removes all defensive benefits of Maximum Armor in exchange for invisibility, leaving the host vulnerable.
Energy Drain: Fast movement decreased the timer rate faster, causing the effect to wear off faster. Staying still maintains the full duration.
No Switching Back: If the host deactivates Cloak Mode and reactivates Maximum Armor, the extended duration bonus is lost, reverting to the original timer.
--------------------------------------
Yun Che maintained his stealth as he moves entirely invisible. Even if the effects wear off, he still had the Apple and Invisibility Kido. So he didn't have much problem should the Cloak Mode wears off. Besides, today was more on testing the evolution of the Sealing Cloud Locking Sun.
"Where are you?" Ling Yun scanned the area as he charged the Radiant Sword. "Come out and face me, Yun Che!"
The moment Yun Che vanished, the arena was swallowed by an eerie silence. A stunned hush fell over the audience as countless eyes darted around in search of his figure. Whispers spread like wildfire, a ripple of disbelief washing through the spectators.
"Where did he go?!" one disciple blurted out, his voice laced with shock.
"I—I don't see him at all! Did he teleport?" another gasped, rubbing his eyes as if trying to dispel an illusion.
Even the elders, seasoned cultivators who had witnessed countless battles, furrowed their brows in confusion. Their spiritual senses stretched across the battlefield, probing every inch of the arena—yet Yun Che was nowhere to be found. It was as if he had ceased to exist.
From the VIP seating, sect masters and grand elders exchanged bewildered glances. Some clenched their fists, attempting to pierce through the mystery with their profound senses, only to be met with absolute nothingness.
"He's not just invisible…" an elder muttered in disbelief. "His very presence is gone! Not even my spirit sense can detect him!"
Among the younger disciples, panic and excitement mixed in equal measure.
"This… this isn't a movement art! He didn't just vanish—he erased himself!"
"Monster… just what kind of ability is that?! Even Ling Yun can't sense him!"
Ling Yun himself stood frozen in place, his Radiant Skies still surging in his hands, his gaze darting wildly in every direction. His grip on his sword tightened as he let out a frustrated snarl. "Where the hell are you hiding?!"
From the stands, Yun Che's allies were equally stunned, though their shock quickly turned into pride and amazement.
"Whatever this cloak mode is…we can't see him at all." Cang Yue whispered, covering her mouth.
Mio's eyes sparkled with awe. "Danna-sama… is a complete cheat. If he tries to peep on us, we won't be able to detect him."
Retsu, though she had already witnessed Cloak Mode before, couldn't help but smirk. "Ufuu, he won't. He has much more important things to do other than peeping."
Jasmine, perched on Retsu's shoulder, widened her eyes in sheer disbelief. Even with her Divine Sense, she couldn't detect Yun Che's presence—he had completely vanished from her perception.
"This… this is impossible!" she muttered, her voice laced with shock.
A technique that could completely erase someone's presence, even from Divine Sense? Such an ability was beyond the comprehension of most cultivators. Even in the Realm of the Gods, the only comparable technique she had encountered was the Moon Splitting Cascade—a divine movement art capable of slipping through the perception of even the most powerful beings.
But Cloak Mode was different. It wasn't just a movement art or a stealth technique—it was as if Yun Che had removed himself from existence itself.
Retsu, noticing Jasmine's reaction, gave a knowing smile. "Hehe~ Yuu-kun really outdid himself this time, huh?"
Jasmine, still reeling from the revelation, crossed her arms and huffed, trying to suppress her astonishment. "Hmph. That reckless fool… Always pulling off ridiculous things. If he refines this ability further, even those from up there won't be able to find him…"
And that thought alone sent a shiver down her spine.
Even Little Fairy, usually composed and unreadable, narrowed her eyes in astonishment. "Even my Haki can't find him. This rascal really erased himself completely."
The disbelief soon gave way to exhilaration. The crowd erupted into frenzied cheers, their initial shock transforming into wild excitement. Some shouted Yun Che's name, others debated the mechanics of his technique, while some simply stared in slack-jawed awe.
Ling Jie gulped as he scanned the arena, his eyes darting frantically. "Big Brother can't even see Boss… Forget him, I can't even see him. If I had to fight him… would I even stand a chance?" he muttered to himself, shaken by the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Meanwhile, Yun Che smirked as he casually strolled across the battlefield, completely undetectable. Cloak Mode was proving to be far superior to the Apple of Eden's invisibility function. Unlike other stealth techniques, this wasn't just hiding—this was erasure. His presence, aura, and even the energy fluctuations of his Spirit Force were completely nullified, making it impossible for anyone in this world to sense him.
Ling Yun gritted his teeth, his patience running thin. "You coward! Come out and fight me!" he roared, frustration boiling over.
Yun Che only smirked. Alright, since you insist.
Without warning, a gust of wind swept across the arena—then—
BAM!
Ling Yun doubled over, his breath stolen as an unseen force struck him in the stomach.
"Urghh!!" He staggered backward, but before he could recover—
WHAM!
Another invisible strike slammed into his right side. His body twisted from the impact, his mind racing in confusion.
Then—
CRACK!
A brutal blow struck him from above, driving him to his knees. Then from the left. Then the right. Again. And again.
The audience could only watch, wide-eyed and speechless, as Ling Yun was mercilessly battered by an unseen force. His body lurched in different directions, as if he were being toyed with by some malevolent specter.
Ling Jie felt a chill run down his spine. "B-Boss… is terrifying…"
Then came the final blow.
BOOM!
Yun Che's invisible fist smashed into Ling Yun's face, sending him flying across the arena. He crashed hard against the ground, skidding to a stop in a heap of dust and debris.
Silence.
Then, a gasp rippled through the audience.
At that moment, Yun Che reappeared, standing over his fallen opponent as Cloak Mode deactivated. His form shimmered back into existence, arms crossed, eyes filled with amusement.
The entire arena stared in stunned disbelief.
Yun Che let out a long, exasperated sigh as he watched Ling Yun stagger out of the crater, gripping his Celestial Yuan Yang Swords with shaking hands. Bruised, battered, and breathing heavily, Ling Yun still managed to muster enough rage to shout, "You coward! Face me like a man instead of using your tricks! Where's your honor as a fighter?!"
A chorus of voices from the audience followed, mostly from Ling Yun's supporters, jeering at Yun Che.
"Yeah! Fight fair!"
"Using invisibility? That's just cheap!"
"Coward!"
Yun Che pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. Seriously?
"So let me get this straight…" he muttered under his breath. "He bombards me with devastating sword techniques, throws everything he has at me, and no one bats an eye. But the moment I turn invisible and hit him back—suddenly everyone loses their minds?"
He exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Typical.
Yun Che lazily raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine… I'm done with my testing anyway." His smirk widened as he tilted his head, eyes glinting with amusement. "I guess I can give you a handicap."
Ling Yun, panting heavily, clenched his jaw. "A… handicap?" His pride burned at the thought. The humiliation of being reduced to this state was unbearable. "He'll pay for this!"
With a furious roar, Ling Yun surged forward, his swords igniting with Profound Energy. The sheer pressure cracked the stone beneath his feet. "Heaven's Might Absolute Sword—MOON BREAK!"
A massive arc of energy exploded from his twin Celestial Yuan Yang Swords as he swung them in a devastating vertical strike, aiming to cleave Yun Che in two. The force was enough to split mountains.
"Die, Yun Che!"
But Yun Che didn't even flinch. "I'm about to do what's called a pro gamer move."
At the last moment, he simply… shifted. A slight movement—just enough to let the attack pass harmlessly by his side. The blinding energy howled past him, splitting the air with a deafening roar before crashing into the ground behind him, obliterating everything in its path.
Ling Yun's eyes widened in horror. Impossible! He dodged it—effortlessly?!
Before he could recover, Yun Che's foot shot forward like lightning, a brutal kick slamming into his stomach.
BANG!
Ling Yun's body folded around the impact, a strangled gasp escaping his lips before he was sent hurtling backward like a ragdoll. He crashed into the same crater he had just climbed out of, the ground shaking from the force of his landing.
The arena fell into stunned silence.
Yun Che exhaled, lowering his leg as he dusted off his sleeve. "Impressive...unless, of course, you were aiming at me."
Gasps echoed through the arena.
The very technique that had gravely wounded Xia Yuanba—one of Ling Yun's most powerful attacks—had just been casually avoided by Yun Che with a mere sidestep. No Maximum Armor. No Cloak Mode. No elaborate defense. Just pure skill.
The audience sat in stunned silence, struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
Ling Yun, however, was livid. His pride, his honor as a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Villa, had just been trampled beneath Yun Che's feet. Face twisted in fury, he roared, "You dare insult me?! You dare insult the Heavenly Sword Villa?!"
Yun Che scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "If I was insulting you, I'd be dancing instead of fighting." A cocky smirk played across his lips as he raised one foot slightly, energy surging beneath him. "Come on then, let's see who's tougher."
Without hesitation, flames erupted along his legs—brilliant, golden-red phoenix flames licking the air, radiating intense heat that made the stone beneath him crack.
Ling Yun gritted his teeth and gripped his swords tighter. "You arrogant—"
But before he could finish, Yun Che moved.
And just like that, the fight truly began.
"Radiant Skies!"
Ling Yun roared as colossal swords of pure light materialized above him, their radiant edges crackling with divine energy. With a powerful swing, he hurled them straight toward Yun Che, their sheer force distorting the very air around them.
The audience held their breath. This was the technique that had nearly overwhelmed Xia Yuanba. A move so destructive, few could stand against it—let alone counter it directly.
But Yun Che?
He barely flinched.
As the first sword of light neared him, he pivoted on his heel and launched a blazing kick. The moment his foot connected, the entire sword was sent flying off course, spinning wildly before crashing into the barrier surrounding the arena.
The audience gasped.
Another sword came—kicked aside.
Then another—redirected mid-air like a mere toy.
The technique that had pushed Yuanba to his limits? Yun Che had just effortlessly dismantled it with his legs.
Stunned silence.
The entire arena fell into a shocked hush as Yun Che casually kicked away Ling Yun's Radiant Skies like it was nothing more than a child's plaything. The massive swords of light, each carrying enough power to shake the battlefield, were effortlessly redirected mid-air, scattering like falling stars.
The spectators could barely believe their eyes.
"H-he just… kicked them away?" one disciple stammered, his voice trembling.
"That was the move that almost crushed Xia Yuanba… and he just—!" Another disciple's words died in his throat as the reality of what they were witnessing set in.
Even the sect elders, who had remained composed throughout the fight, couldn't hide their shock. One of them clenched his fist.
"Does he not realize how insane that is?!"
Ling Jie, standing among the spectators, felt a cold sweat drip down his temple.
"If… If I were in my big brother's place… I would already be finished."
Ling Yun lunged. His twin Celestial Yuan Yang Swords shimmered with divine light, a storm of radiant slashes cleaving through the air. His movements were flawless—each strike precise, each step calculated.
But Yun Che?
He met Ling Yun's onslaught head-on.
His right leg ignited, a swirling mass of crimson and gold flames enveloping his entire limb. The scorching heat distorted the air around him, sending embers crackling in every direction.
With a powerful step forward, Yun Che spun into a blazing roundhouse kick. His fiery leg collided with Ling Yun's sword, sending a shockwave through the entire arena. The sheer force of the impact blasted both combatants apart, their feet digging into the stone floor as they skidded backward.
Ling Yun, unwilling to accept defeat, roared in defiance and unleashed a storm of countless sword lights, each one shimmering with devastating power. The air crackled as the sky filled with radiant blades, cascading toward Yun Che like a divine punishment.
But Yun Che? He simply grinned.
With a quick stomp, his legs ignited in swirling, rainbow-colored flames. The sheer heat distorted the air around him as he assumed his stance.
"Diable Jambe—Poêle à Frire: Spectre!"
In an instant, he launched a barrage of flaming kicks, each one releasing an arc of scorching spectral fire. The flaming projectiles met Ling Yun's sword lights head-on, and the sky erupted in a dazzling display of clashing energy—light and fire colliding in a chaotic dance.
The two attacks matched intensity for intensity, neither side relenting. But then, Yun Che's eyes gleamed with opportunity through his Haki.
With a final twist of his body, he unleashed a Spectre kick straight through the formation—a concentrated blast of rainbow flames that pierced through the chaos like a comet.
Ling Yun barely had time to react before the attack struck him square in the chest.
BOOM!
The impact sent him hurtling downward, crashing into the arena floor with bone-rattling force. The sheer power of the attack rippled through the ground, shattering stone and leaving a deep crater where he landed. Dust and debris shot into the air, momentarily obscuring the battlefield.
The audience gasped in disbelief, their eyes locked onto the ruined stage.
Yun Che lowered his flaming leg, smirking as he watched the destruction below.
The elders of the Heavenly Sword Villa sat rigid in their seats, their teeth gritted in frustration. The Heavenly Sword Villa, the number one sect in the last year's tournament, was humiliated before their very eyes by Yun Che after losing Ling Jie to Xia Yuanba. Now, their Earth Profound Realm proud genius, Ling Yun, who was guaranteed winner with his cultivation, was getting tossed around like a ragdoll, and there was nothing they could do. Worse yet, his father wasn't here to back him up with moral support.
Down in the ruined arena, Ling Yun brushed the dust off his robes, eyes burning with frustration. "Is throwing flames with your legs all you can do?" he sneered, gripping his swords tightly.
Yun Che tilted his head, then let out a mocking chuckle. "We all have our own fighting styles. But you know what? You're kinda right… I have been using my legs a lot."
With a small flicker of energy, the flames around his legs died out, and he disengaged Diable Jambe. He rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers as if preparing for something new.
"Since Retsu used Waterbending earlier, I guess it's only fair that I—"
But before he could even finish his sentence, Ling Yun snapped.
"DON'T YOU DARE—!"
Yun Che blinked. "Huh?"
Ling Yun's entire body trembled as he got up from the destroyed arena, his hands white-knuckled around his swords. His eyes blazed with raw fury, but there was something… unhinged about them.
"Don't you dare say the goddess's name! You are NOT WORTHY! You're not even worthy to be in their presence!" he shouted, his voice laced with jealousy and obsession.
Yun Che just stared at him, baffled. "What the…?" Did this guy just get triggered because he said Retsu's name?
Up in the Blue Wind Imperial Family seating zone, Mio let out an amused giggle, covering her mouth with a mischievous grin. "Ufufu… Looks like Ret-chan has a stalker fan."
Retsu simply sighed, shaking her head. "Ara… He really is delusional."
Ling Yun's face twisted with contempt as he snarled, "You don't get to say the names of the Heavenly Beauties! They surpass all other women—untouchable, divine! A nobody like you doesn't deserve to be near them!"
Yun Che smirked, clearly enjoying how easy it was to provoke him. "Huh? Dude, she's my fiancée. Of course, I can say her name anytime I want."
That was the final straw.
With a furious roar, Ling Yun lunged forward, his swords swinging wildly. But Yun Che simply sidestepped each strike, his movements smooth and effortless, almost mocking.
"I won't accept it!" Ling Yun raged, his voice growing more unhinged with each failed strike. "They are the only women worthy of existence! The rest? Useless, ugly creatures who don't even deserve to be called human! Only the Heavenly Beauties are fit to stand beside men like me!"
A sudden, heavy silence filled the arena.
Then, a wave of boiling fury erupted from the audience. Every woman in the stands—from disciples to elders—had murderous intent in their eyes. Ling Yun had just insulted all women, reducing them to nothing but trash.
Yun Che's expression darkened.
"Have?" His voice dropped, now deadly serious. "What do you think a woman is to you?"
Ling Yun sneered. "Women? They're nothing but tools for us men. Their only purpose is to give birth to our heirs. That's it. They exist to serve our needs, to sate our desires. They are not—they will never be—our equals."
The moment those words left his lips, the very air around Yun Che shifted.
His rage surged to the surface. In his previous world, women were respected, cherished, and seen as equals. He had carried that belief with him into this world. But here, before him, stood a man who saw women as nothing more than disposable playthings—a man who had been raised to treat them like property.
Yun Che's mind flashed through the countless injustices he had witnessed in this world.
Women of extraordinary beauty were coveted, placed on pedestals, treated as prized possessions—yet those deemed ordinary were discarded like trash. While some managed to cultivate, most were powerless, existing only to suffer at the hands of men who saw them as nothing more than tools.
He recalled the servant women of the Xiao Clan in Floating Cloud City—exploited, disrespected, given no authority of their own. He remembered how Xiao Lingxi had been pushed around, her voice disregarded despite her intelligence and kindness.
The Wang Family and the Yin Devourer Sect—monsters who used women as nothing more than cultivation resources, draining them dry and discarding them like broken dolls.
Then there was Cang Yue's mother—a woman accused of infidelity simply because she had given birth to a daughter instead of a son. The young princess had spent her childhood branded as a curse, called a bastard, forced to endure whispers and sneers for something beyond her control.
Even Mai and Mei, two innocent girls, had been bullied and humiliated, their suffering ignored because they lacked power.
The weight of it all pressed down on Yun Che. The sheer cruelty, the twisted beliefs, the deep-rooted misogyny that plagued this world.
In his previous life, women had fought for their place, had risen above oppression after the sixth century Dark Age. They had gained equality to men, independence, and respect. They were prospering like women in this world, veiled themselves in public to preserve their honor—only to lower themselves again in the 21st century, selling their honor for fleeting validation in the modern age of technology.
But here?
Here, women were pure and innocent—and yet, they were still treated as disposable.
Yun Che gritted his teeth, his hands clenching into fists. This world was rotten. And men like Ling Yun were the ones feeding the rot.
Yun Che didn't move an inch.
"You really have no shame," he said, his voice calm—but laced with pure, lethal fury.
Ling Yun scoffed. "Shame? There is no shame in the truth! All women are beneath us! But those three—those goddesses—possess a beauty beyond all reason. They are wasted on someone like you!!"
With a final, desperate roar, Ling Yun swung both of his swords with everything he had. "DIE, YUN CHE!!"
His blades whistled through the air, aimed directly for Yun Che's head—a full-powered strike, meant to kill.
BOOM!
The moment the swords made contact, a deafening explosion echoed across the arena, a thick cloud of smoke erupting on impact. The sheer force of the strike shook the ground, sending debris flying.
Ling Yun panted, his chest heaving. He had put everything into that attack.
The audience held their breath.
Had Yun Che survived?
Gasps filled the arena as the dust settled, revealing Yun Che standing unscathed, his body encased in a shimmering barrier. The attack that should have sent him crashing had done nothing.
Ling Yun, panting and still gripping his swords, froze in disbelief. His strongest strike—his full power—had been utterly useless.
The audience murmured, eyes wide with shock. How? How did Yun Che withstand that without even flinching?
But Yun Che wasn't gloating. He wasn't smiling. His expression was cold, serious—his patience had run out.
"Beauty?" Yun Che's voice rang out, firm and cutting. "What's that got to do with anything? You're the one who doesn't understand a damn thing about women."
Ling Yun's body stiffened. Something was different. Yun Che's tone wasn't mocking anymore—it was absolute, a judgment passed down from someone far beyond him.
"Ling Yun, right?" Yun Che continued, stepping forward, his aura pressing down like an unshakable mountain. "Here's a little advice for you. If you only see those three as 'females'—if you only value their beauty and nothing else—you don't deserve even a second of their affection."
Before Ling Yun could react, Yun Che's fist shot forward.
BOOM!
The air howled as a forceful shockwave erupted from his knuckles. It didn't land—but it didn't have to. The sheer pressure of his stopped punch ripped through the air, slamming into Ling Yun like a hurricane.
CRACK!
Ling Yun's robes shredded apart, his top half left bare, revealing his now wildly disheveled hair. He staggered backward, eyes blown wide in shock as he trembled. Even his swords were trembling as well.
His expression was pure shock plus fear. Eyes widened and his body was screaming death all the time.
If that punch had landed—if Yun Che had even twitched his wrist forward just an inch more—he would have been obliterated. Not once. Not twice. Over and over again.
The entire arena remained deathly silent, the tension thick as steel. No one could process what they had just witnessed.
A simple punch—not even thrown, just stopped—had blasted Ling Yun's robes apart, leaving him bare-chested and shaken.
Whispers finally broke through the stunned crowd.
"Wow… s-so strong…" one disciple stammered. "Just the force of his punch pushed Ling Yun back…"
"Push?" another scoffed, still wide-eyed. "That guy's entire upper robes got shredded! If that punch had actually landed—"
"—Ling Yun would be dead."
Yun Che slowly lowered his fist, his eyes flicking to his now-depleted armor mode.
"Ah, shit…" he muttered under his breath, realizing his mistake. "There goes the remaining time on my Armor Mode. I put too much power into that. Almost killed him." He sighed, shaking his head. "Then again…"
In the stands, three particular women were staring at him, their expressions a mix of shock, curiosity, and something else entirely.
Little Fairy. Xia Qingyue. Chu Yueli.
"All this time… he's only been using his legs…?" Little Fairy murmured, barely audible. She never seen him used his fist when they traveled.
Xia Qingyue swallowed, her eyes still locked on Yun Che's fist. "Then… just how strong is he when he actually punches?"
Even Chu Yueli—normally calm and composed—felt a chill run down her spine. If that was a punch he had held back….
What would happen to Ling Yun if Yun Che ever truly didn't stop that punch?
-------------------
"Maximum Power," Retsu mused, watching the sheer force of Yun Che's punch. Deep down, she felt a secret satisfaction—a glimpse of what would have happened if he hadn't held back against Ling Yun for berating them.
Mio, however, pouted and crossed her arms. "Mouuu! Did you and Danna-sama come up with this without telling us?"
Retsu chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. "Sorry~~~ He told me to keep quiet so it would be a surprise… but I kinda caught him testing it."
"No fair desu!!!" Mio clenched her fists in frustration.
Cang Yue, still in awe, leaned forward. "So… mind explaining to us what this 'Maximum Power Mode' actually is?"
Nemu, ever the inquisitive one, added, "Nee-sama, please explain it in a way we can understand."
Retsu nodded. "Hnnnn… alright! So, Maximum Power Mode works like this: Whatever remains in Yuu-kun's Armor or Cloak time limit, he can condense it all into a single attack with his hand. If he has, let's say, one hundred seconds of energy left, that means his next strike will have one massive realm boost—stronger than his current cultivation."
The realization hit Cang Yue like a thunderbolt. "Wait… just one hit? That means—"
Retsu grinned, confirming her thoughts. "Exactly! If he doesn't need his Armor or Cloak, he can compress all that energy into a single, devastating blow. Two hundred percent of his power in one attack. That's equivalent to a Sovereign Profound Realm cultivator's full-force strike!"
Cang Yue's breath hitched. A single attack at the power of a Sovereign? And he could recharge that strength every three hours and twenty minutes?!
Retsu continued, "Oh! And I forgot to mention something important! In Maximum Power Mode, Yuu-kun doesn't have to use it for attacking. He can convert the energy into pure speed instead. The faster he moves, the more seconds it consumes. And if he stacks it with Flash Step…"
Mio's eyes widened in excitement. "Multifold speed boost?!"
Retsu nodded, recalling the insane acceleration she had witnessed in the Training Room. "Yes! If he stacks it, his speed increases exponentially. But… he did say he got dizzy after testing it."
She had seen it firsthand—his blinding movement, almost as if he had vanished from reality itself. It was eerily similar to Nemu's boosted attributes.
200 seconds of power.
He could channel it into Maximum Armor, becoming an unstoppable force. He could convert it into Cloak Mode, granting him 400 seconds of absolute stealth. Or he could funnel it all into a single, realm-breaking attack or 200 seconds of godlike speed.
And all of it would regenerate in just over three hours.
Jasmine, sitting on Retsu's shoulder, widened her eyes in pure shock.
He really did it.
He had evolved the Second Art of the Heretic Arts, the Sealing Cloud Locking Sun, far beyond its original purpose. No longer just an ordinary barrier, it now boosted his defense, agility, and strength to unprecedented levels. Even his cloaking ability was now seamlessly integrated into his arsenal—so much so that he no longer relied on the Apple of Eden or Kido as a necessity. Those techniques had now become his Plan B should he ever need them.
Yet, he had not evolved the Falling Moon Sinking Star or the Destroying Sky Decimating Earth—at least, not in their original form. Instead, he had transformed them into devastating Quincy Arrows, capable of obliterating foes with sheer force.
Or perhaps…
He already had evolved them. He just hadn't found the right situation to unleash them yet.
"Sugoii!!!" Mio's eyes sparkled in awe.
Cang Yue sighed, shaking her head. "Even now, Yun Che keeps surprising us."
She was strong—she had matched their level in cultivation. And yet… she couldn't compete with his ever-growing arsenal of techniques.
The same level of strength didn't mean equal combat ability.
"And he's getting even more powerful," Retsu noted, crossing her arms. She had the Rasengan and Rasen Shuriken in her arsenal, but Yun Che? He always found new ways to push the limits of his power.
Nemu tilted her head. "Nee-sama, did he tell you the name of this new self-made art?"
"Hnn, he called it the Crynet Art." Retsu replied. Though she wasn't entirely sure why he named it that.
Crynet?
Mio furrowed her brows. "Crynet? That sounds kinda cool… but also kinda odd. It is in English after all."
Retsu nodded. "Ah, one more thing. He can't simply condense all his power at once. Maximum Power Mode works similarly to his other Crynet Arts—if he tries to hold all that energy for too long, it drains the integrity of his power."
Cang Yue's brows knitted together. "What do you mean?"
Retsu crossed her arms. "If he condenses everything into one strike but doesn't release it immediately, the energy will disperse, wasting all that power. So, if he has 100% integrity left, he can only safely condense around 97% or 98%—leaving just enough to make the attack connect. Otherwise, if he fails to strike within the next second… all of it will vanish."
Nemu's eyes gleamed with understanding. "So he has to activate Maximum Power at the very last second before impact?"
Retsu nodded. "Exactly. I remember him testing it on a tree. He miscalculated, held the energy for too long… and poof! It just disappeared. He was so pissed because he had to wait almost three hours to recharge it again."
Mio laughed. "Pfft! I bet he was sulking the whole time."
Retsu smirked. "Not really, But now… he's mastered it. And if he really lets loose?"
She gazed at the battlefield where Yun Che stood, untouched, his power still surging.
--------------------------
[Maximum Power]
Description: A desperate yet devastating ability that converts all remaining Maximum Armor time into a single, unparalleled burst of attack power.
Power Exchange Rate: 1% attack power boost per second sacrificed. Limitations: The accumulated power must be unleashed within one second, or it will dissipate, forcing a cooldown period of three hours and 20 minutes before the lost energy can be restored.
Flexible Usage: Instead of pure attack power, the host can choose to allocate a portion of the traded energy for a temporary speed boost, allowing for blitz-like movement or overwhelming offense.
Current Stats:
Maximum Trade-off: 200% boost (equivalent to a Two Massive Realm increase for a single attack). Tactical Application: All energy can be channeled into either an unstoppable strike or a blindingly fast maneuver to outpace an opponent.
----------------------------