He didn’t hesitate and agreed.

Just as Qian Wu had said, any one of the three reasons was enough to convince Shen Bai to go. With all three combined, he found the proposition even more viable.

Qian Wu nodded. "I knew you would agree. You’re not like those flowers coddled in a greenhouse. You’re someone who loves a challenge, who enjoys taking on the impossible."

Shen Bai shook his head. "I’m just trying to protect myself in these chaotic times. I wouldn’t call myself a challenger."

This was his self-perception, but at the same time, Shen Bai truly coveted the fifteen Deceitful Objects.

’If I can appraise all of them,’ he thought, ’the rewards will be immense.’

Shen Bai was already growing impatient, eager to see the fifteen Deceitful Objects in the Nanxing Prefecture Observatory.

Being able to use them at will meant those fifteen Deceitful Objects would essentially be his. The only problem was that his current supply of Evil Qi didn’t seem to be enough.

"Oh, right. There’s one more thing."

Qian Wu seemed to have remembered something. He slowly raised his right hand and said, "This is just a personal thought of mine. I’m truly curious about your strength. Would you be willing to exchange a simple move with me?"

Shen Bai was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected Qian Wu to make such a request.

From his perspective, this was actually something he desperately needed.

He needed to gain a deeper understanding of his current level of strength.

Although he was only at the Meridian Realm, his combat prowess had been strengthening every single moment thanks to several recent, massive power-ups.

Even Shen Bai himself wasn’t sure what level he had actually reached.

All he knew was that anyone at the Unity Realm was now nothing more than a plaything before him.

Of course, he had no benchmark for comparison, because in Fenglin State, Shen Bai was already invincible.

Now that Qian Wu had brought it up, it was the perfect opportunity for Shen Bai to test his own strength and see what level he had truly reached.

"In that case, Lord Qian, shall we head to the Martial Arts Arena?" Shen Bai said.

It was impossible to fight here, of course. The Martial Arts Arena was the most suitable place.

Qian Wu nodded and glanced around. His gaze landed on Liu Wufeng as he said, "Aside from the few of you senior members of the Observatory, no one else is permitted to watch. Do you understand my meaning?"

Liu Wufeng nodded. "Understood. I’ll handle it."

With that, he waved his hand without a word.

The members of the Observatory understood and silently withdrew.

Although they were curious and desperately wanted to watch this fight, for them, executing orders was the top priority.

Qian Wu’s reasoning was simple. Just as Elder Mu had said, it was best to hide one’s true strength, so these things shouldn’t be seen by others.

Once most of the people had dispersed, Qian Wu and Shen Bai walked onto the platform in the Martial Arts Arena.

The Martial Arts Arena was now completely empty.

Liu Wufeng had cleared the area in advance. Only Liu Wufeng, Elder Mu, and Long Yan were watching from the side.

On the platform, Shen Bai and Qian Wu faced each other. Neither moved, but beneath the calm, water-like surface of their auras, a turbulent undercurrent surged.

"Elder Mu, what do you think the outcome will be?" Long Yan asked in a low voice.

Elder Mu shook his head. "Shen Bai definitely can’t win. But I’m very curious to see just how well he’ll perform."

Liu Wufeng also nodded. "Shen Bai is several levels below Lord Qian, so he’s certainly no match. However, for Lord Qian to have made the offer, Shen Bai must have some remarkable qualities."

As they talked amongst themselves, it was clear that while none of them thought the battle’s outcome was in question, their admiration for Shen Bai was palpable.

Qian Wu stood on the platform with his hands at his sides. "What level of strength do you want to face?"

Shen Bai’s eyes narrowed. He said slowly, "The Unity Realm is like an ant in my hands. Lord Qian, feel free to act as you see fit. I trust that with your status, you wouldn’t go so far as to injure me."

Qian Wu burst out laughing. "You clever rascal. Fine. In that case, I’ll be mindful of my power. How about you start by taking one move from me?"

As he spoke, Qian Wu slowly raised his fist.

A thread of Qi flowed over his fist.

This Qi seemed faint, but the moment Qian Wu finished speaking, it immediately began to surge like a vortex.

He threw a punch.

It was an ordinary-looking punch, yet it carried an unstoppable might.

A violent gale erupted around them. As the wind howled, the entire platform began to tremble.

Qian Wu declared loudly, "My profession is known as Illusion Wind Master. Using wind as a weapon and infusing it into my fists and feet is my own innovation. Ordinary Illusion Wind Masters are too fragile; they can’t even take a single punch from me."

By the time he finished speaking, the fist, wreathed in the gale, was already right in front of Shen Bai.

Wind is inherently formless and symbolizes swiftness. This punch even surpassed the speed of sound.

Seeing this, Shen Bai’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of caution appearing within them.

This level of power was already beyond the Unity Realm. Shen Bai could feel an immense pressure bearing down on him.

With this one punch, it was as if all the surrounding wind had been brought under Qian Wu’s command.

Qian Wu was like an emperor of the wind, completely locking down Shen Bai’s Qi and every possible escape route.

There was no dodging it. Even if he used Divine Thousand Miles, there would be nowhere to hide.

’Since I can’t dodge, I’ll just have to face it head-on.’

The Qi in Shen Bai’s body surged, and Cold Moon was unsheathed.

Blood-red Sword Qi bloomed like a flower of death, meeting Qian Wu’s fist.

BOOM!

A thunderous roar echoed out. Although Qian Wu had suppressed his strength, it still surpassed the Unity Realm.

Yet, after that punch landed, he was the one who took several steps back.

Shen Bai, on the other hand, slid back a considerable distance.