"Hall Master Yun, although Alliance Master Ji personally appointed you as Hall Master, we can only obey," Zhai Ge said, his expression full of mockery. "However, in terms of strength, the difference between early Mahayana and mid-Mahayana is like heaven and earth. Hall Master Yun could barely defeat that early Mahayana Phantom Demon who is not adept at combat. My strength far surpasses that Phantom Demon. If I deliberately lost to you, I doubt anyone would believe it."
Yun Jin smiled. "Vice Hall Master Zhai, are you saying this to prepare an excuse for future defeat? If you lose, that means you were holding back for me?"
Zhai Ge's face darkened. "Since Hall Master insists, then I have no choice but to give it my all."
The moment his words fell, Zhai Ge unleashed his divine ability, and golden light erupted across his entire body.
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes.
She had already studied Zhai Ge thoroughly. His spiritual root was a single-attribute Gold Spiritual Root. His main divine ability, Firm as Gold, had been honed to perfection. On top of that, he had mastered multiple Laws of Gold. He was exceptionally difficult to contend with.
But difficult or not, he had to be fought.
Yun Jin struck without hesitation.
In an instant, a massive fire dragon erupted, roaring toward Zhai Ge.
Zhai Ge sneered, refusing to dodge. He intended to give Yun Jin a harsh lesson. With Firm as Gold at its peak and supplemented by Gold Laws of Solidity, his body's defense was virtually invincible. Even mid-Mahayana cultivators would struggle to break it, let alone Yun Jin at Unity stage.
She could already comprehend a Primordial Force at Unity stage, which was impressive. But in the end, she was still only Unity stage.
Confidence radiated from Zhai Ge's face.
Yun Jin's gaze flickered.
Then she let out a soft laugh.
At the very moment the fire dragon was about to strike, Yun Jin's fingers moved slightly.
Super Law: Endless Cycle.
This was a reward she had received in the Trial Tower.
One of the five Wood-element Super Laws: Endless Cycle.
This Super Law could be combined with any attack, extending its continuity indefinitely.
The fire dragon slammed into Zhai Ge.
Zhai Ge's expression remained relaxed; he even smiled. "Hall Master's Law is truly formidable."
Formidable, yes.
Yet Zhai Ge did not even move and effortlessly absorbed the strike.
So who was truly more powerful?
"Vice Hall Master Zhai, you are indeed impressive," Yun Jin said with a gentle smile. "It seems you plan to endure this without any other treasures or techniques?"
Zhai Ge looked at Yun Jin mockingly. "Hall Master, your talent is extraordinary, but unfortunately, you are still young. In terms of cultivation, there are gaps. We are merely sparring lightly, no other techniques are necessary."
Yun Jin was not offended; her smile only brightened. "Good. Then Vice Hall Master, remember your words."
Zhai Ge frowned. What did she mean?
This Yun Jin was conceding?
Yun Jin ignored him, silently activating Endless Cycle, over and over.
At first, a faint smile lingered on Zhai Ge's face.
An incense stick's time passed.
Zhai Ge began to feel doubt.
At Yun Jin's cultivation, she should have been nearing her limit.
What was with this fire? It seemed endless.
Half a tea's time passed.
Zhai Ge's expression darkened. Earlier, he had boasted that he could endure purely with his own defense. A month ago, Yun Jin would have had no problem letting him do that. But now… this woman had become incredibly persistent. As the saying goes, "Dripping water wears through stone." This could not continue.
Zhai Ge furrowed his brow. He could sense it: The fire dragon was not pure; it seemed to be entwined with some Wood-element spiritual energy.
Wood feeds Fire. Maybe Yun Jin was using it to strengthen her flames.
But that didn't make sense.
Her Fire had already reached the level of a Primordial Force. To further enhance it with Wood meant she must've had deep mastery over the Wood element too.
Half an hour passed.
Sweat formed on Zhai Ge's brow. His gaze at Yun Jin shifted.
This woman! How much comprehension did she have over Wood-element spiritual energy?
Her endurance was terrifying.
"Vice Hall Master still looks relaxed. As expected, your defense alone is enough," Yun Jin said lightly.
Zhai Ge: "..."
He wanted to back out, but how could he?
An hour passed.
Zhai Ge was forced to endure the fire for a full hour.
His once confident expression became tense, and his face twisted into grimaces.
Finally, Zhai Ge could not take it.
His spiritual energy was nearly depleted; if this continued, he would be humiliated.
"Hall Master, there are still matters in the hall to attend to. It is inconvenient to delay further. Let's end this for today," Zhai Ge said, trying to maintain composure. He waved, intending to extinguish the flames.
But the problem arose. To maintain appearances, he had endured the flames for so long. Now… his spiritual energy was insufficient. He could not extinguish the fire.
A burst of flame surged onto Zhai Ge's face. He could not dodge, and his face turned charred black.
Although it lasted only a moment, and he returned to normal the next instant, Yun Jin was quick to capture the scene with a Shadow Stone.
She watched Zhai Ge's ashen face and her smile grew even brighter.
Zhai Ge wanted to manifest divinity in front of others? He did not know that manifesting divinity was an art, not something anyone could just do!
"Remember," Yun Jin said softly. "Wherever I am, only I can manifest divinity. No one else has that right."
Zhai Ge: "???"
Although he did not fully understand what she meant, it somehow angered him.
"Vice Hall Master, let us go. Report properly to me. I want to see why none of you have achieved anything over the years," Yun Jin said calmly.
Zhai Ge's expression changed slightly and he quietly obeyed.
Many were watching the duel in secret. No one expected the outcome: Yun Jin remained composed, while Zhai Ge fell from the air, utterly embarrassed.
Everyone was shocked.
Zhai Ge, a mid-Mahayana cultivator, lost in a pure endurance duel to Yun Jin?
"Hall Master Yun is truly formidable. Zhai Ge was no match," Lin Feng said, excitement on his face.
Hong Ye retracted her gaze and said calmly, "In terms of raw strength, Hall Master Yun might still be slightly weaker."
Most could not hear the dialogue due to spiritual interference.
Hong Ye, however, heard clearly.
In this battle, Yun Jin had provoked Zhai Ge into only using defense. Then, she slowly drained his spiritual energy. By the time he tried to back out, it was too late, leading to his humiliation.
This did not mean Yun Jin's true strength surpassed Zhai Ge's.
If they fought seriously, Hong Ye still favored Zhai Ge.
Yet…
Hong Ye smiled to herself.
The new Hall Master was indeed an interesting person.