Centered on Chen Yang, ripples spread outward, ignoring the crowd and striking the four surrounding walls.

THUD!

The sound was deep and muffled, like thunder shaking the earth.

The entire building seemed to sway slightly. Above, the chandeliers swung wildly, clinking and clanging nonstop.

"My God, is… is this building about to collapse?"

"This… this is the power of a Rank Thirteen Thousand-Faced Yama?"

Many people screamed in astonishment, their faces masks of pure horror.

GULP.

The others swallowed hard, their gazes fixed on Chen Yang.

If that strike had been an attack, could everyone here combined have withstood it for even half a second?

Rank Thirteen Thousand-Faced Yama… it wasn't just a fancy title. Most importantly, the guy was so young.

HISS!

Everyone sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.

Li Zhendong was still in a daze. In his estimation, Chen Yang was Rank Nine at best. It had never crossed his mind that he could be Rank Thirteen!

"If that's not enough, then how about this?" Chen Yang smiled and snapped his fingers again. Since he had made his decision, he needed to eliminate their doubts completely.

SNAP.

With the sound, a series of violet-gold phantoms separated from Chen Yang's back, encircling and layering around him.

Instantly, Chen Yang was framed by the phantoms, making him appear like a majestic, towering golden deity, solemn and imposing.

Though it lasted only an instant, the vast hall was plunged into absolute, deathly silence.

Everyone present was a Fist Master. How could they not know what those phantoms meant?

Rank Fourteen, Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo!

Li Zhendong stood dumbstruck, his expression one of horror.

As for Li Zhenmin, his pupils seemed ready to burst, as if he had just witnessed the most terrifying thing in the world.

Beside him, Li Ben's face was ashen, and his tall frame trembled like a leaf.

Only then did he realize that he was still alive purely because his opponent had shown immense mercy. Otherwise, a being of such power could have turned him to dust with a mere wave of the hand.

"Now then," Chen Yang said, lowering his hand and turning to Li Zhenmin with a faint smile, "are you sure you still want to fight me?"

That simple smile nearly made Li Zhenmin collapse. Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

"No, no, no!" Li Zhenmin waved his hands frantically, backing away in a panic. "I-I was spouting nonsense just now! Please, Lord Chen, don't take it to heart! Please, don't take it to heart!"

Me, a mere Rank Six and a half, fighting a Rank Fourteen peak expert? Heh… To put it nicely, I was overestimating myself. To be blunt, it was sheer arrogance—a death wish.

His face instantly turned beet red, burning with humiliation. How could I have been so arrogant? So utterly disgraceful and shameless.

"I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

He retreated several more meters until he was finally cowering behind Li Zhendong. He only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Chen Yang wasn't pursuing the matter.

Chen Yang had no intention of bothering with such a person. He turned back to Li Zhendong. "Gym Master Li, has your decision changed?"

"I… I…" Li Zhendong's voice trembled with hesitation.

Of course, he was moved. What martial arts school owner wouldn't want to break free from the Martial Association's constraints and expand as they pleased?

But Li Zhendong had, after all, once been a high-ranking member of the Martial Association. He knew all too well that beyond its public power, the Association was backed by countless interest groups. It was precisely because of their support that the Martial Association had been able to grow to its current scale in such a short time.

Yes, Chen Yang was a heaven-sent prodigy, having reached the realm of Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo before the age of thirty. But in the end, he was only one person.

One man against the entire Martial Association? To be honest, the odds looked grim. Perhaps the struggle would be spectacular, but the outcome would likely be like a firework: a brilliant, dazzling flash followed by a swift return to dust and ashes.

However, just as he was sinking into pessimism, a thought struck Li Zhendong. He looked at Chen Yang and asked, "Lord… Lord Chen, forgive my bluntness, but are you the mysterious powerhouse who has been openly opposing the Martial Association?"

After speaking, Li Zhendong stared intently at Chen Yang. He wasn't the only one; after a moment of stunned silence, everyone else turned to Chen Yang as well, holding their breath in anticipation.

"I am," Chen Yang confirmed with a nod. "And I meant what I said. As long as I am in Lingjin City, the Martial Association will not set foot here."

HISS!

Everyone present sucked in a collective sharp breath. This news was just as staggering as his Rank Fourteen cultivation—an earth-shattering, soul-stirring revelation!

He killed seven or eight high-ranking members of the Martial Association… that takes guts. And among them weren't just Elder Jingang, but also the Association President's own nephew and the protector, Ye Nantian! Tsk, tsk… 'Impressive' doesn't even begin to cover it.

Chen Yang held Li Zhendong's gaze for a moment longer, then began walking toward the exit. "I, Chen Yang, am not one to force people. Since Gym Master Li can't decide, we'll leave it at that. I'll just find another school."

"Wait!"

Li Zhendong finally gritted his teeth and hurried to block Chen Yang's path. "Lord Chen, I only hesitated for a moment! You must understand, this concerns the lives and safety of the dozens of people in my Li Family. I had to consider it carefully."

Chen Yang said nothing, simply watching him.

In truth, if Li Zhendong had agreed immediately without a second thought, I would have left right then and there. A man in his forties or fifties who still acts impulsively without considering the consequences has wasted decades of his life. Such a person cannot achieve great things, and I would never cooperate with him.

Li Zhendong asked, "Lord Chen, may I ask… what is the basis for your powerful confidence?"

"Myself, of course," Chen Yang answered seriously. "There's an old saying: 'Lean on a mountain, and it will collapse. Rely on a person, and they will flee. Only by relying on your own strength can you create infinite possibilities.' Of course, that's just my personal opinion."

He's trying to see if I have backing. Chen Yang understood Li Zhendong's true question perfectly. And the truth is, I don't.

Li Zhendong fell silent again.

Chen Yang wasn't in a rush; he simply waited for his response.

After a long moment, Li Zhendong finally nodded. "Alright. From this day forward, I, Li Zhendong, and the entire Feiyang Martial Arts School will follow you, Lord Chen!"

He then added, "Lord Chen, from what I've heard, after their last defeat, the Martial Association has regrouped. They've dispatched two Nine-Bag Elders and a mysterious expert to Lingjin City, determined to kill you once and for all!"

"Oh?" Chen Yang wasn't surprised by the Martial Association's actions, but the mention of a "mysterious expert" did pique his curiosity.

Li Zhendong shook his head. "I don't know the specifics. I only heard that this person has been in closed-door cultivation with the Association President. I imagine it must be the president's most trusted confidant."

"That president of theirs… he should have come himself," Chen Yang mused, not dwelling on it. He waved a hand dismissively. "The first thing you need to do now is find a larger space."

"Actually, that place the Martial Association tried to set up shop in last time is quite nice. Let's move there."

Li Zhendong was speechless.

Everyone else was speechless.

This isn't just slapping the Martial Association in the face. This is taking a crap on their heads! How exhilarating!

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