Following the sound of the voice, they saw it was Miss Tie Lan who had spoken. The one she was speaking to, however, was Nie Yun, who had entered the hall a short while ago!

Hearing the girl’s question, Nie Yun gave a resigned chuckle.

He had planned to watch for a bit longer, but he didn’t expect the girl to speak up. He had no choice but to take a step forward and look at Huo Gangx and Wei Tian.

Back in Jibei City, Tie Lan had learned that Nie Yun was an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse and even had three Ultimate Venerable Level Demon Pets, so she wasn’t very worried.

"Alright, you should all leave now. I don’t want to fight, so don’t force my hand."

Ignoring the expressions on Huo Gangx and the others, Nie Yun gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

"What did you say? You ignorant fool! How dare you speak to Lord Huo Gangx like that? You’re courting death!"

When Wei Tian saw this youth suddenly appear and speak with such disregard, as if the three of them meant nothing to him, he nearly exploded with rage. "Today, I’ll teach you the price of showing off!" he roared.

With another furious roar, he thrust his palm at Nie Yun!

"Scram!"

As the palm strike approached, Nie Yun didn’t even bother to dodge. He simply let out a ferocious shout!

The shout was like a sudden clap of thunder. Its immense power instantly formed a tangible, wave-like sonic boom in the air that surged toward Wei Tian’s attack!

CRACKLE!

The moment the sonic wave and the attack met, the air erupted in a shower of sparks. Wei Tian’s vision went black, and it felt as if a giant sledgehammer had slammed into his head. Blood burst from his mouth and nose as he was sent flying backward, collapsing to the ground in a heap like a pile of boneless mud.

He hadn’t even lifted a finger. A single shout was enough to grievously injure a Peak Powerhouse of Qi Sect. The sudden turn of events left everyone in the hall stunned and speechless.

’Th-th-this... What kind of power is this? And I wanted to challenge him just now?’

Lying in the corner, Mengg Quan trembled uncontrollably as he saw the youth take down a Peak of Qi Sect powerhouse with a single shout, leaving him on the verge of death.

It was only then that he finally understood why the youth hadn’t accepted his challenge. It wasn’t out of fear, but because fighting him was simply beneath his notice!

’How ridiculous. I thought he was just some pretty boy. Turns out, I’m the one who’s nothing!’

"You’re an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse?"

Liu Jifei was no fool. His strength was comparable to Wei Tian’s, yet Wei Tian had been blasted away, bleeding from his mouth and nose, from just a single shout. You’d have to be an idiot not to figure out what level his opponent was on.

’So that’s how it is!’

’No wonder he was able to help that fatty, Yu Jie, advance to the Qi Sect in such a short time back in Jibei City, and defeat Liu Yuan so easily... He’s an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse!’

"An Ultimate Venerable? I never thought a minor Mercenary Corps would have such a powerhouse. It seems I misjudged." A flicker of surprise crossed Huo Gangx’s eyes when he realized Nie Yun was an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse. The surprise vanished in an instant as he slowly descended from the head seat, carrying himself with an air of noble superiority.

"However, even among Ultimate Venerable Powerhouses, there are vast differences in power. I’m about to show you the insurmountable chasm between an Early-Stage Ultimate Venerable and an Ultimate Venerable Peak. To think you can bridge that gap without a century of bitter training is nothing but a dream!"

Although the effect of Nie Yun’s shout was shocking, it had also completely exposed his own level of strength.

Early-Stage Ultimate Venerable!

The gap between an Early-Stage Ultimate Venerable and an Ultimate Venerable Peak was typically enormous. For this very reason, although Huo Gangx was shocked, he was not afraid.

"A vast difference? Just how vast?"

Nie Yun met his threat with a faint, unconcerned smile.

’Huo Gangx is indeed at the Ultimate Venerable Peak, but he’s worlds apart from the Baihua Sect Master. I brought her to her knees with a single sword strike, so what chance does this guy have?’

"How vast? The gap is greater than you can possibly imagine..."

Huo Gangx strode into the center of the hall. He looked at the youth before him, his eyes filled with composure and confidence.

"Lan’er... this friend of yours... he’s an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse?"

As a battle between the two Ultimate Venerables in the center of the hall seemed imminent, Tie Yan and the others at the side finally recovered from their shock. He looked at the girl and asked in a low voice.

"Yes! He’s an Ultimate Venerable. If he hadn’t helped me, how could I ever have tamed a Black Cloud Leopard at the Peak of Qi Sect?"

Tie Lan smiled, her praise for Nie Yun filled with the same pride as if she were showing off a treasured possession.

"An Ultimate Venerable..."

Hearing her confirmation, everyone’s jaws dropped in astonishment.

"Greater than I can imagine? Heh, I don’t plan on imagining anything. Let’s just get this over with." Seeing Huo Gangx continue to posture, Nie Yun grew annoyed and waved his hand impatiently. "Make your move."

"You... are courting death!"

Seeing the youth’s utter lack of respect, Huo Gangx’s face flushed with fury. He thrust his hand forward, and five beams of sword light shot out from his fingertips, flying straight at Nie Yun.

’Is that all? In that case, I won’t hold back!’

Seeing that the sword beams were a far cry from the Baihua Sect Master’s Flower Rain Divine Fist, Nie Yun gave a wry smile. With a flicker of his body, he charged right through the beams, appearing before Huo Gangx in what seemed like an Instant Teleportation.

Although the third level of his Spirit Rhinoceros Body Refining Technique hadn’t yet reached the Great Success Level, it was still enough to block the ordinary attacks of an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse. Combined with his formidable True Qi Power, the seemingly terrifying sword beams caused him no significant harm.

"What?"

Huo Gangx clearly hadn’t expected the youth to charge straight through. His pupils shrank. He tried to alter his technique, but it was too late. All he saw was the youth’s fist speeding toward his stomach.

BANG!

The blow landed unopposed. The combined might of Nie Yun’s physical body and True Qi, a colossal force far exceeding 50 Elephant Power, slammed viciously into him.

GAG!

The force of the impact sent a violent spasm through Huo Gangx’s stomach, and he instantly threw up everything he had eaten that evening.

Upon reaching the Ultimate Venerable Level, one’s body undergoes a metamorphosis, making things like catching a cold or vomiting practically impossible. Yet now, a single punch had him spewing bile, a clear sign that the pain had far surpassed his body’s limits.

"You... How can an Early-Stage Ultimate Venerable possibly have such strength..."

Trembling all over in agony, his face twitching uncontrollably, Huo Gangx struggled to roar.

A typical Early-Stage Ultimate Venerable possessed only 10 Elephant Power, and even a late-stage one barely had 30. This youth’s punch was even stronger than his own all-out attack. Such power was simply unbelievable.

"Die!"

Even as he roared, a cold glint flashed in Huo Gangx’s eyes. A dagger suddenly materialized in his palm, and he thrust it straight at Nie Yun!

The dagger gleamed with a cold light, and the moment it appeared, it radiated the noble aura of the Royal Family!

A Royal Family’s Top-Grade Weapon!

’This is bad...’

Seeing the dagger less than a foot from the youth, Tie Yan’s pupils contracted, and he trembled all over.

’A surprise attack at such close range is nearly impossible to dodge!’

"Heh."

Before Tie Yan’s fear could even fully register, he saw the youth smile faintly, as if he had known all along that a sneak attack was coming. The black sword from his back was now in his hand, and he brought it smashing straight down.

BOOM!

Like a nail struck by a hammer, Huo Gangx was driven into the ground. His feet and the lower half of his body were smashed deep into the earth! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)