Zhao Yin carried the barely breathing Master Yuding on his back, rushing into the Taoist temple with a frantic expression.

Inside the temple, the air was filled with curling incense smoke. An elder sat quietly on a meditation mat, like an ancient and serene statue.

He was Master Wudao, the foremost expert in Qingyuan City.

His face was thin yet exuded an extraordinary aura; his skin like bronzed silk, with deep lines etched by time, each telling a tale of past hardships.

His eyes were deep and bright, as if containing endless stars; with a mere glance, he could perceive the mysteries of the world.

Long white hair, like frost and snow, spread over his shoulders, gleaming with a sacred luster in the temple’s dim light, with a few strands of beard gently swaying in the breeze, adding to his ethereal demeanor.

He wore a loose Daoist robe, as deep as the night sky, embroidered with ancient runes in silver thread. As he breathed, they shimmered slightly, as if alive.

A dark silk sash was tied around his waist, from which hung a warm jade pendant. The patterns on the pendant appeared faintly, emitting a subtle spiritual energy.

In front of Master Wudao, six disciples sat quietly on their meditation mats.

The eldest disciple appeared calm and composed, his eyes full of determination and wisdom.

The second disciple was agile, his gaze sharp, as if always ready to face challenges.

The third disciple had a kind face, giving off a sense of warmth.

The fourth disciple had a solemn expression, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

The fifth disciple was nimble, with eyes full of cleverness.

The youngest disciple was youthful, with a hint of immaturity on his face, but his eyes were filled with reverence for the master and passion for cultivation.

As Zhao Yin carried Master Yuding into the temple, everyone’s pupils contracted sharply, their eyes revealing an incredulous light.

They seemed unable to believe Master Yuding would be so severely injured.

Looking at Master Yuding’s pitiful state, barely clinging to life, the eldest disciple’s eyes flared with rage as he demanded, "Zhao Yin, what on earth happened? Who was the arrogant scoundrel that dared to gravely injure our second master like this?"

Zhao Yin felt an overwhelming surge of anger crashing towards him, like a tidal wave, and those burning gazes seemed ready to engulf him completely.

It seemed as if he were a single-leaf flat boat amidst a storm, or crushed by an invisible yet weighty mountain.

The intense pressure made his soul tremble, as if the next moment it would shatter, leaving nothing behind.

He forced himself to suppress the overwhelming fear and, trembling, said, "Senior, it was a young man named Xu Wendong."

"Although Xu Wendong is merely at the late-stage Foundation Establishment, the power he displayed was terrifying beyond measure."

"Even when Master Yuding used all his might, even drawing his longsword, Xu Wendong remained calm and unflustered, showing no fear."

"Moreover, he brutally smashed Master Yuding’s Golden Core with a single kick, leaving him severely wounded."

As Zhao Yin spoke, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead like raindrops, and he briefly recounted the events that transpired.

"Zhao Yin, do you take us for fools, daring to spew such nonsense and mock us?"

A middle-aged man, full of anger, snorted coldly, his eyes burning with a palpable flame of fury, and shouted, "A mere ant of the Foundation Establishment stage, even with extraordinary prowess, how could he severely wound Master Yuding, a mighty Golden Core Late Stage expert? The difference between them is a world apart! How could an ant achieve such a feat?"

Others also spoke up, clearly not believing Zhao Yin’s words.

To them, each level in the cultivation realm was an insurmountable chasm, with vast differences in power at each stage.

If Xu Wendong were a cultivator at the Golden Core stage, perhaps he might have the capability to defeat a Golden Core Late Stage like Master Yuding.

But he was merely a cultivator at the late-stage Foundation Establishment!

In their eyes, such an ant couldn’t possibly heavily wound a Golden Core Late Stage expert.

Let alone shatter a Golden Core Period expert’s core with a single kick.

"He... he didn’t... lie..."

Master Yuding’s weak voice echoed like thunder in everyone’s ears, sending shivers down their spines.

"Master... while Xu Wendong may only be at the late-stage Foundation Establishment..."

"His power is... unfathomable..."

"Not only can he catch my spells barehanded..."

"He can even catch my longsword barehanded... he’s simply not human..."

Recalling the confrontation with Xu Wendong, fear and shock were evident in Master Yuding’s eyes.

Even at death’s door, he couldn’t believe such a fierce and formidable person existed!

Hearing Master Yuding’s thunderous yet weak words, everyone was shaken, their previous doubt replaced with solemnity.

Could there truly be someone so powerful?

Master Wudao furrowed his brows, a hint of doubt flashing in his deep eyes as he slowly rose, his wide Daoist robe lightly fluttering, emanating an aura of authority.

"Yuding, elaborate on what other peculiar traits this Xu Wendong possesses," Master Wudao’s voice was deep and resonant, carrying an invisible power that calmed the mind.

Yet everyone remained trapped in disbelief.

Master Yuding, struggling to breathe, intermittently said, "Master, his... physical strength is terrifying, my spell attacks are like ants trying to shake a tree against him, utterly useless."

"Even when he engaged my longsword barehanded, he could firmly grasp it. His hands seemed indestructible, like a spiritual artifact; I’ve never seen anything so bizarre."

"Moreover, his speed of attack was so fast, I couldn’t react before being critically injured."

The eldest disciple, lost in thought, murmured, "With such capabilities, he’s no ordinary cultivator. Could he be a disciple of some hidden sect, bearing unparalleled cultivation techniques?"

The third disciple snorted coldly, "No matter his background, injuring my master, this vendetta must be settled! Master, I request to lead the brothers to investigate and uncover his true identity."

Master Wudao shook his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and solemnly said, "Do not be reckless. Yuding’s words indicate this person is extraordinary; rash action could lead you into danger." With that, he fetched an elixir for the disciple, intending for him to take it.

Master Yuding forced a smile, "Thank you, master, for your kindness. I know my time is limited, I won’t waste this elixir..."

"Xu Wendong asked me to deliver a message to you..."

With a face full of sorrow, Master Wudao asked, "What message?"