HUM!

A low hum erupted from underfoot, and Chen Zheng's figure instantly vanished.

BANG!

A deafening explosion echoed through the air, like the roar of a wrathful god.

The next moment, Lin Xiaolong's body was flung backward as if by an invisible giant hand, streaking through the air like a meteor.

Immediately after, Chen Zheng shifted his weight with the agility of a leopard. His elbow, like a sharp sword, stabbed toward Zhao Qin. Zhao Qin saw only a blur before the elbow struck his chest heavily, causing his eyes to contract violently. He tried to shift his posture to defend, but it was too late.

BOOM!

A formidable power burst forth, and Zhao Qin was sent flying just like Lin Xiaolong.

AARGH!

Screams echoed in the air like a mournful song.

Everyone was dumbfounded. They simply couldn't comprehend what had just happened. All they saw was Zhao Qin and Lin Xiaolong charge at Chen Zheng, only to be bizarrely thrown into the air.

THUD! THUD!

Dull impacts echoed as the two men smashed hard into the ground, like two mountains colliding.

PFFT...

With a faint sputter, the two men retreated painfully, like swallows caught in a storm. They each spat out a mouthful of bloody mist, their faces instantly turning as pale as paper. Their gazes met in mid-air, filled with the same confusion and shock.

"What happened?"

"He was too fast. I barely caught a glimpse of an afterimage." A man's pupils shrank, his face a mask of disbelief.

The surrounding crowd began to cry out in alarm, their eyes filled with terror. They stared at Chen Zheng, their gazes now filled with awe.

"How could this have happened?"

Zhao Qin and Lin Xiaolong's voices, tinged with disbelief, were swallowed by the icy shock of their defeat. Although they didn't possess extraordinary talent like Ye Cangtian, they were already at the late stage of the Dark Energy Realm, just a single step from its peak. Yet, they had been utterly defeated without even touching a corner of their opponent's clothes.

Is the power of Baji Quan truly this terrifying?

"How do you feel?" Chen Zheng's smile was as pleasant as a spring breeze.

The two men's faces flushed red, then went white. Speechless, they could only silently accept the cruel reality.

"Could it be that you two have yet to grasp its mystery?" Chen Zheng suggested with a warm smile. "Perhaps another round is needed for enlightenment?"

Their expressions changed, and they instinctively took a step back, their eyes flickering with fear.

My God! They still hadn't recovered from the shock of that first strike. Another round would probably leave them seriously injured!

For a moment, they were at a complete loss.

Just then, Ye Cangtian spoke up. "The power of Grandmaster Chen's martial arts is truly immense and awe-inspiring! Hung Ga Kung Fu and the Buddhist Fist pale in comparison!"

"You two, hurry up and thank Chen Zheng for his mercy!"

Lin Xiaolong and Zhao Qin snapped back to their senses and offered Chen Zheng a distant bow. "Thank you!"

Chen Zheng gave a faint smile, as if he had done something trivial. This only made their expressions worsen.

In that instant, the system's voice sounded.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the selection. You have obtained the following reward: the secret technique, Golden Bell Shield.]

For a brief moment, Chen Zheng felt as if he had traveled through a time tunnel and understood the mysteries of the Golden Bell Shield. Its complex techniques flowed through his mind like water. A new power was born inside him. It was the product of a perfect fusion between a divine energy and his Dantian Strength, causing that divine power to be reborn like a phoenix, growing even stronger.

The commotion did not bring the banquet to a halt.

Ye Cangtian's words were as warm as a spring breeze. "Yi Tong, the Water Moon Manor has an excellent location with nothing to obstruct the view. The scenery under the moonlight is bound to be captivating. Why not stay and enjoy it?"

His voice carried through the air, causing those who were preparing to leave to stop in their tracks. Their gazes fell on Li Yitong, filled with teasing and envy. They knew very well that if Li Yitong chose to stay, the Li Family's future would be boundless. After all, Ye Cangtian was a Grandmaster-level powerhouse.

Li Yitong knew exactly what would happen if she chose to stay, but she rejected the tempting offer without hesitation.

"Grandmaster Ye, you've come to Magic Capital on an important mission. How could I become a stumbling block on your journey?" Li Yitong gracefully expressed her refusal.

Hearing this, everyone was momentarily stunned.

To let such a rare opportunity slip through her fingers? This is a Grandmaster-level powerhouse, a dazzling pearl in the world of martial arts. His every appearance shakes the world.

Ye Cangtian's expression turned a little grim at this turn of events. He had thought his plan was a flawless script, but a variable had just appeared.

"Li Yitong, what do you mean by that?" Lin Xiaolong suddenly interjected, his gaze full of reproach. "The Grandmaster himself invited you, yet you refused? You clearly have no respect for him!"

"Lin Xiaolong, when was I disrespectful?" Li Yitong calmly retorted. "Isn't considering the Grandmaster's important matters a form of respect?"

Lin Xiaolong was left speechless, unable to find the words to respond. Although Li Yitong's words were a rejection of Ye Cangtian, her reasoning was flawless.

Noticing Lin Xiaolong's silence, Li Yitong stood up gracefully. She smiled at Ye Cangtian and said, "Grandmaster Ye, thank you for your warm hospitality. We will take our leave now."

"Hold on!"

Just as Chen Zheng and Li Yitong were about to leave, Zhao Qin stopped them.

Li Yitong turned around, looking at Zhao Qin with a puzzled expression.

"Li Yitong, Grandmaster Ye came all the way from Foshan just to see you. Now that he has humbled himself to personally invite you to stay, you're just going to leave so easily? Isn't that a bit much?"

Zhao Qin's words revealed Ye Cangtian's true purpose, causing the guests who had been thinking of leaving to gasp in amazement once more. Rumors had already been swirling that Ye Cangtian came for Li Yitong, and his actions tonight all but confirmed it. Now, Zhao Qin's open declaration intensified everyone's curiosity about her. They watched to see if she would stay, as her decision would influence how they treated the Li Family in the future.

Zhao Qin stared at Li Yitong, awaiting her response.

"We are all part of the martial arts world. You should understand what a Grandmaster means for your Li Family. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You'd better weigh your options carefully."

Zhao Qin's words carried an implicit threat. In the world of martial arts, the law of the strong was absolute. A Grandmaster's will was your fate.

However, his words caused not a single ripple in Li Yitong's heart.

She answered calmly, "I have already thought it through very clearly."

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