BOOM!

The next moment, a violent gale of Spiritual Power erupted within the meeting hall. Within a ten-meter radius of Shen Haoran, the bluestone slabs on the floor instantly shattered. The resulting debris shot out like sharp arrows, piercing straight through the thick walls in an instant.

This time, Shen Haoran’s fist wasn’t just an empty show of force. The terrifying power behind his punch manifested as a monstrous, pitch-black beast, roaring as it hurtled toward the Fourth Elder!

The Elders present stared at Shen Haoran’s punch in shock, their minds reeling. This single punch was enough to make even them feel a hint of pressure. The terrifying force it contained was so immense that space itself seemed unable to withstand it. They couldn’t begin to imagine its true, horrifying extent. ’If we didn’t defend with our full strength, we’d likely be severely injured. In a worst-case scenario, we might even perish!’

In contrast to the other Elders’ shock, a sharp glint flashed in Jun Luohua’s eyes. He muttered to himself, "Stacking power? This kid actually managed to grasp such a concept!" His voice was filled with admiration.

Shen Haoran’s punch didn’t utilize any particularly profound Martial Skill; it was just the Profound Tier High Level Heaven-Breaking Kill, which he had simply enhanced. When cultivated to the Great Success stage, the single-target attack and explosive force of Heaven-Breaking Kill could rival the might of an Earth Tier Low Level Martial Skill. However, unlike other Martial Skills, it lacked sustainability, focusing instead on an instantaneous burst of power to achieve a one-hit kill.

However, Shen Haoran had previously grasped the essence of stacking power while in the mountain forests and had perfectly integrated it into his Heaven-Breaking Kill. The continuous, layered force completely compensated for the technique’s shortcomings. For this particular punch, he had continuously used the rebounding force from his own attack to spin his body, further increasing the power in his fist. He repeated this until the power had stacked five times. The might of this five-layered Heaven-Breaking Kill was far more than a simple five-fold increase. The force was so immense that even Shen Haoran’s Qilin Arm could barely withstand it—a testament to its terrifying nature.

Faced with such a ferocious punch, the Fourth Elder’s face turned deathly pale. However, the sense of crisis emanating from Shen Haoran’s fist forced him to rally. With a furious roar, all the Spiritual Power in his body surged out, forming layer after layer of Spiritual Protection Shields around him until they appeared to be hundreds of layers thick.

BOOM!

The Fourth Elder’s Spiritual Protection Shields had just finished forming when Shen Haoran’s massive fist smashed into them. The shields, as if made of paper, shattered in an instant.

Shen Haoran’s fist continued unstoppably toward the Fourth Elder. The terrifying power radiating from it sent a tremor of fear through the Elder’s heart. He desperately channeled the Spiritual Power in his body, unleashing the full strength of a Tier Six Spirit Aspect.

Alas, even by giving it his all, the Fourth Elder still couldn’t block the inexorable momentum of Shen Haoran’s fist. The hundreds of protective shields only held for a few breaths before completely shattering. The residual Powerful Qi from the punch slammed into the Fourth Elder’s chest. With the crisp sound of several breaking bones, his body shot backward like a cannonball. He crashed through the wall behind him, bringing it down in a heap of bricks and rubble that clattered loudly as they quickly buried him.

GULP.

Inside the meeting hall, the other Elders gazed at Shen Haoran, who still held his punching stance. They all involuntarily swallowed hard, then exchanged glances, each seeing the same look of utter shock in the others’ eyes.

’If that attack from Shen Haoran had been aimed at any of us,’ they thought, ’besides the Second Elder, Grand Elder, Sect Leader, and Third Elder, probably not a single one of us could claim to take it easily. This Shen Haoran... he already possesses the strength to fight us on equal footing!’

At this thought, those Elders couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath. ’Shen Haoran actually has the strength to fight us... What does that imply? He’s only a Tier Five Spirit Marquis! If we wait for him to reach the Spirit Aspect Tier, probably no one here would be able to last ten moves against him. A genius, an absolute genius!’ A fiery light ignited in the eyes of the Elders.

HUUFF... At that moment, Shen Haoran was oblivious to how his standing had skyrocketed in the Elders’ minds. He took a deep breath to suppress the churning qi and blood in his body and slowly straightened up.

Shen Haoran glanced down at his constantly trembling right arm and the skin covered in fine cracks, unable to stop himself from shaking his head. ’The power of a five-layered Heaven-Breaking Kill is just too terrifying. Even with the Qilin Arm, my entire arm almost couldn’t contain the force and nearly burst. Thankfully, I unleashed it in time. Otherwise, I would have become a one-armed man.’

’Besides, this Heaven-Breaking Fivefold Kill is very difficult to execute. The only reason I succeeded this time was that the Fourth Elder underestimated me. Otherwise, defeating a Tier Six Spirit Aspect would have been quite difficult. He’s no pushover, after all.’

Thinking of the Fourth Elder, Shen Haoran turned his gaze toward the pile of rubble, a cold sneer touching his lips. ’My power went slightly out of control. The Fourth Elder’s Spiritual Protection Shields absorbed most of the force, but the power that remained was enough to hit him hard. While it wasn’t enough to kill him, it’s more than enough to make him suffer for a good while. Dare to scheme against me? Then you must be prepared to pay the price!’

CLATTER CLATTER...

Sure enough, just as the thought crossed Shen Haoran’s mind, the pile of rubble began to tremble. A moment later, it suddenly burst apart, and the Fourth Elder emerged from within.

The Fourth Elder looked utterly wretched. His snow-white Elder’s robe was in tatters, so torn it barely covered his body. A purplish-black Fist Seal was branded on his chest, and a trickle of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. With his hair a complete mess, he looked just like an old beggar from the streets!

The Fourth Elder stared at Shen Haoran with bloodshot eyes. The excruciating pain wracking his body was causing him to lose his reason. ’I’ll kill this brat! I’ll make this brat pay!’

Sensing the icy killing intent radiating from the Fourth Elder, Shen Haoran’s brows furrowed tightly. The atmosphere in the meeting hall instantly grew tense, and the very air seemed to freeze solid.

"Fourth, stand down!" Just then, the Grand Elder, who was seated at the head of the hall, bellowed, snapping the Fourth Elder out of his murderous haze.

"This matter ends here," the Grand Elder announced, looking at Shen Haoran with a placid expression. "Shen Haoran has demonstrated his strength to all of us. He no longer needs to participate in the qualification battle. He is qualified to represent our Celestial Spirit Sect in the Desert Ancient City!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding Elders remained silent in tacit agreement. After all, the strength Shen Haoran had just displayed far surpassed that of the other disciples of his generation—with the exception of Xue Shitian, of course.

"Grand Elder!" the Fourth Elder protested, unwilling to accept it. ’Shen Haoran publicly humiliated me to such a degree! This score must be settled!’

"Enough. This matter is settled. Meeting adjourned!" The Grand Elder gave the Fourth Elder no opportunity to speak, finalizing the decision on the spot. He then turned and was the first to walk out of the meeting hall.

[PS: I got called in for a "talk" with my advisor today... I think you all know the feeling. I’m in a terrible mood and can’t write anymore. I’ll release more Chapters tomorrow to make up for it. That’s all for today, sorry everyone...]