There was dead silence beneath the stage!

Dozens of people stared in disbelief!

Qin Yuan’s eyes widened as if he’d seen a ghost, his mind totally blank!

This scene struck him with such impact it was as if the heavens and earth were collapsing, suffocating him!

The shock far surpassed the effect Xu Yang had brought by swinging a thousand hammers in less than ten breaths!

"How is this possible?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"The runes on the stone wall have completely disappeared. That means no one will ever comprehend the secret technique again—he succeeded."

"Hiss!"

"Less than ten breaths, swung a thousand hammers, and went on to directly comprehend the secret technique. Who the hell is he?"

Exclamations instantly erupted, setting off a formless storm!

Everyone’s scalp tingled from the shock!

Wei Wu, who brought Xu Yang here, felt as if he were dreaming!

He stared at Xu Yang, suddenly relieved—thank god he hadn’t said anything that could have offended him!

Otherwise, the consequences would have been absolutely unbearable!

"You... you really succeeded?"

Qin Yuan stared helplessly at Xu Yang, his voice trembling.

He admitted—not only was he envious, he was consumed by jealousy!

His eyes were red from envy!

Xu Yang slowly stood up, exhaled a deep breath of foul air.

He glanced at Qin Yuan, and said coolly, "Seems like I did succeed."

At the final moment, what entered his mind was a complete cultivation method called ’Chaotic Void Celestial Hammer!’

Extremely powerful!

Even stronger than the Ten Thousand Forms Tribulation Seal!

Although it was a hammer skill intended for artifact refining, it could be used for combat all the same!

But...

Xu Yang’s expression suddenly turned very strange.

Clearly, he couldn’t become an apprentice now!

If Tang Yan came out and Xu Yang refused to become his closed-door disciple, would he be enraged from humiliation?

And besides, this was a hammer skill.

To be honest, though it packed tremendous power, he really didn’t like using hammers!

"What secret technique was it?" Qin Yuan’s stare could bore holes in Xu Yang.

"Hm?"

Xu Yang gave Qin Yuan a funny look: "Since it’s a secret technique, why should I tell you?"

Qin Yuan realized he had lost his composure.

He ground his teeth, but simply couldn’t calm himself down.

In this moment, the urge to compete for the number one prodigy had completely disappeared!

Mr. Tang’s closed-door disciple!

"I want to challenge you!"

Qin Yuan glared at Xu Yang, enunciating each word.

He couldn’t accept that, at his own gathering, a complete stranger had become renowned overnight!

And the way he’d become famous made Qin Yuan mad with jealousy!

Even just the opportunity to have Tang Yan refine an artifact drove countless strong cultivators crazy, let alone becoming his closed-door disciple.

With that status, even True Monarch-level powerhouses would have to treat him with utmost courtesy!

"You’re not my match!"

"This battle is meaningless!"

Xu Yang shook his head.

"How would you know if you don’t try?" Qin Yuan’s eyes blazed with anger!

He was at least the second strongest prodigy in the capital, at the Late Stage of Myriad Manifestation Realm—being looked down on like this?

The surrounding crowd was frozen with fear; not a single person dared make a sound!

Even an idiot could see it—something was off about this atmosphere!

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife!

"You really want to fight?" Xu Yang’s lips curled in a mocking smile.

"Come on then!"

Qin Yuan’s eyes flickered with joy as he stepped forward, his aura soaring like wildfire and roaring throughout the hall!

Seeing this, Xu Yang just smiled faintly. "If I make a move, you might not even get the chance to try!"

Qin Yuan wasn’t weak—his Late Stage of Myriad Manifestation Realm cultivation put his strength among the very best here!

He might even be able to battle Huangfu Qing now that the latter had lost so many of his True Monarch’s Supreme Treasures!

But unfortunately, he ran into Xu Yang!

"Arrogant bastard!"

Provoked, Qin Yuan disappeared in an instant.

Heaven and earth twisted; a massive claw-shadow tore through the sky.

Qin Yuan’s hands transformed into beastlike, blood-red giant claws. Ferocious and monstrous, each swing churned his bloody energy like an ocean, flooding the realm—its terrifying might suffocating all present.

Boom!

One claw tore heaven and earth asunder, slashing viciously at Xu Yang!

"What terrifying power!"

"After his recent breakthrough, Qin Yuan’s changed completely—a total metamorphosis!"

"With this strength, he could at least put up some kind of fight against that number one freak!"

"That guy may have comprehended a secret technique, but perhaps he’s just incredibly talented. He’s only at the Middle Stage of Myriad Phenomena Realm—not necessarily Qin Yuan’s match!"

...

Xu Yang moved.

He took a step, then carelessly slapped upward with one palm.

Boom!

The claw-shadow shattered; a miserable scream erupted!

It was as direct as an egg smashing against stone.

Thud!

Qin Yuan fell from the sky, spitting blood, his hands mangled and bloody.

His lips quivered, his face as pale as paper, utterly dazed and lost in a dream!

"One move..."

"Impossible!"

"Even if I lost, how could I lose so badly?"

He couldn’t accept it!

Just moments ago, even the Martial Artists who thought Qin Yuan might win were burning with embarrassment, their faces hot as if scorched by fire, mouths shut tight like they’d been sealed with cement—not daring to utter a sound again!

"Who the hell are you?"

With great effort, Qin Yuan lifted his head, eyes bloodshot.

This kind of power—there’s no way he’s some nobody!

Xu Yang glanced at Qin Yuan, shook his head slightly, and had no intention of saying more.

He looked back at the stone wall. Nothing happened—he frowned slightly.

Tang Yan still hasn’t shown up?

Hesitating for a moment, he prepared to leave first!

He could always find Tang Yan afterward—it wouldn’t be difficult!

Suddenly—

A figure appeared out of thin air.

"Father? Why are you here?" Qin Yuan stared in shock.

The newcomer was clad in crimson robes, tall and imposing, exuding an extraordinary presence.

His cultivation was at the Myriad Manifestations Realm Perfection!

"Greetings, Mr. Qin!"

The moment the young prodigies saw him, they hurried to bow in salute.

Mr. Qin shot a glare at Qin Yuan, his voice ice-cold: "You idiot!"

Qin Yuan’s eyes widened in confusion and grievance!

What did I do?

Why am I getting cursed at the moment he shows up?

But Mr. Qin took a step forward and, to everyone’s shock, cupped his hands in a respectful salute toward Xu Yang: "Qin Lang pays his respects to Mr. Xu!"

The moment his words fell, the space went so silent you could hear a pin drop!

Gulp!!

The sound of numerous people swallowing echoed in succession.

The crowd stood frozen and dumbfounded, wooden as statues!

Qin Yuan’s entire body shivered; he stared in utter disbelief at his father, whose back was bent in deference—felt a sudden chill run through his bones.

Just—who is he, really?