Compared to kneeling, Zhang Ze prefers squatting.

So when that aura descended, he directly crouched down next to Maomao, adopting a squat-and-cover defensive mode.

However, such cover and evasive techniques were utterly useless in front of the super long-range attack from the Old Ascender, who was at the pinnacle of this world.

Ms. Mo's Sword Intent, devoid of killing intent yet equally emotionless, gently swept past Maomao's fur and shattered the space around Zhang Ze.

The concept of distance was erased in an instant.

Even though Maomao was right next to him, it felt like it was thousands of miles away.

This sense of anomaly began to spread from Zhang Ze, engulfing the entire Thousand Mechanism Pavilion cafeteria.

This spatial distortion affected everyone's Divine Sense.

Although the plate was right in front of them, no matter how they reached out, they couldn't touch it, and the bubbles rising from the kitchen pot seemed to explode in their minds.

Those severely affected even had the illusion of being torn apart in that instant.

Of course, it was only a moment, after which the Sword Intent causing spatial chaos was retracted, concentrating entirely on Zhang Ze.

Once everything returned to normal, the diners didn't flee but surged towards the second floor instead.

For bloodthirsty diners, witnessing a strongman of this caliber in action was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, even worth dying a hundred times for.

Moreover, there was a bet to be had, and with the betting interface still open, they might even make a little profit.

Making a little is still making money, every penny counts.

As for Zhang Ze, who was at the center of the problem, the pressure on him was mounting.

At this moment, he had already deployed the Innate Dao Body, but the influence of the Sword Intent still lingered.

Like shaving off pig skin, the Sword Intent hovered over Zhang Ze's head.

Zhang Ze felt as though his Divine Soul had been torn apart, and although his body remained intact, he was riddled with phantom pains.

It was as if any slight relaxation would truly result in being pulverized.

Zhang Ze felt it was getting hard to bear.

Even though his dual resistance far exceeded ordinary people, it seemed he couldn't withstand such torment.

What made it even harder to bear was that the onlookers were increasing in number.

Some were placing bets, but more were sitting cross-legged, beginning to comprehend the supreme Sword Intent, preparing to gain enlightenment from it.

This crowd was feasting on Zhang Ze's blood-soaked buns, and apparently finding them delicious.

Mr. Zhang had a feeling of being freeloaded.

Though he felt he deserved it.

Just as Zhang Ze was about to collapse, an imperceptible starlight descended on his head.

The supreme Sword Intent was instantly dispelled.

The oppressive force disappeared, and Zhang Ze collapsed like a deflated balloon, gasping for breath.

He thought to himself that he should have made it through this time.

Meanwhile, the cafeteria was filled with the howls of disappointed gamblers.

Amidst the wailing, Maomao, who had stayed by Zhang Ze's side all along but felt nothing due to being focused on eating, finally noticed Zhang Ze's presence.

Wagging its tail, it pounced over, its over 100-pound body landing directly on Zhang Ze, smothering his face with a frenzy of licks.

"Woof! (Good dog!)"

At this moment, Zhang Ze's good sister Li Yueqi also approached. She snapped her fingers, triggering mechanisms on the second floor of the cafeteria, and partitions appeared out of thin air, dividing the floor into separate compartments.

This gave Zhang Ze a bit of face.

She didn't disturb Hei Qu, who was still comprehending the Sword Intent, but squatted down beside Zhang Ze, poking his head.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I didn't expect you to survive, how did you manage that?"

Zhang Ze said, "With wisdom."

Li Yueqi replied, "Speak human words."

"Really wisdom."

Zhang Ze got up and moved Maomao's fifty-pound butt to the side, and after catching his breath, he raised a finger with deep wisdom and said,

"Remember dad's words, only magic can defeat magic, only Old Ascender can defeat Old Ascender."

However, just as Zhang Ze finished speaking, the starlight reappeared, transforming into a hammer that solidly bonked Zhang Ze once.

This time, Zhang Ze 'departed' peacefully, without a trace of pain in his daze. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

After dealing with the overconfident Zhang Ze, the starlight first transformed into a hand and patted Maomao twice, then turned into text in front of Li Yueqi.

[Good children shouldn't mimic him, be respectful to elders.]

Li Yueqi scratched her face, not knowing how to respond for a moment. Only after the starlight dissipated did she take out a small blanket and cover Zhang Ze with it.

After tucking in the corners of the blanket for Zhang Ze, Maomao once again sincerely laid on it.

Li Yueqi thought for a moment and then moved the heavy Maomao aside, telling it not to disturb Zhang Ze's sleep.

Taking care of Zhang Ze wasn't because she had any other intentions, purely to repay the fortune she gained from this event.

Looking at the incoming amount on her balance, even someone who didn't lack money couldn't help but click her tongue.

This time, Li Yueqi bet that Zhang Ze wouldn't have any issues, and because the principal amount was substantial, her gains were quite substantial.

But now, looking at the incoming money, she hesitated, unsure of how to distribute it.

Because the principal wasn't hers, but her brother Li Jue's, she was just managing the funds on his behalf.

The reason for this arrangement was that during the last Qinghe Association, Li Jue bet on Zhang Ze, looking only at the odds and not the reality, behaving like a pure gambler, and ended up losing everything.

Since then, whenever he encountered gambling sessions related to Zhang Ze, he was plagued by Heart Demons.

But not gambling made his hands itch, so this time, after much thought, he gave the principal to his sister to place bets.