Chapter 125: One Blow Each

"Is... is this the true power of a supreme master? It’s... it’s terrifying."

Lu Jin had emerged with a menacing aura, only to be flattened by a single palm strike from the Old Celestial Master. In that moment, the entire group of Ten Elders—including Zhao Fangxu, an outsider to the world of martial arts—finally witnessed the Old Celestial Master’s overwhelming strength.

Even Lu Jin, who had mastered the Tongtian Talisman and the Inverted Three-Fold State and was in his absolute peak condition, had been taken out in a single move. There was no need to elaborate on the vast chasm between them. After all, even among the Ten Elders, few could rival Lu Jin.

If Lu Jin could not pose the slightest obstacle to the Old Celestial Master, what could the rest of them do? Continue to throw eggs against a rock? That suppression born of absolute, undeniable power was like an uncrossable abyss with no end in sight.

It wasn't just that they couldn't see the end; after what happened to Elder Lu, their view of Ye Yan had shifted as well. They had no idea what kind of clash had taken place between Ye Yan and the Old Celestial Master, but they knew the outcome: Ye Yan had only been injured.

With their preconceived notions, their first reaction was to think that Ye Yan was weak and that the "Dagger Wielder" was not as formidable as rumors suggested. After all, he was a master of the "Hero" tier, yet he hadn't lasted a single round against the Old Celestial Master before being thoroughly defeated. But after the incident with Elder Lu, their line of thinking was completely overturned. It wasn't that Ye Yan wasn't strong enough—it was that Elder Lu was too weak, which was simply preposterous.

The crowd’s thoughts drifted, ignoring even the fallen Elder Lu lying on the ground. The atmosphere was somewhat subtle. In such an environment, the Old Celestial Master, pressed for time, had no interest in what they were thinking.

"Is there anyone else? If not, this old Daoist must be on my way to the next encounter."

The Old Celestial Master’s goal for this trip was the Quanxing organization. To him, the company personnel before him were nothing more than obstacles, and he did not want to waste time or energy on them. After all, there was a major battle waiting below.

The Old Celestial Master’s voice was not loud, yet it silenced the Ten Elders once more. If even Ye Yan and Lu Jin had fallen to him, what was the point of them stepping up? To go through the motions?

Seeing no response, the Old Celestial Master shook his head. "Since no one else is here to stop me, I shall move on..." He turned to the company leader. "I appreciate your concern, Director Zhao. Once I have dealt with these private grievances, I will come to accept whatever punishment you deem fit."

Even though he held the upper hand, the Old Celestial Master’s words remained polite and tactful, leaving Zhao Fangxu speechless. Given the terrifying power the Old Celestial Master had displayed, he could easily have knocked out everyone present before squaring off against Quanxing. But he had not done so, choosing instead to return the initiative to Zhao Fangxu, while promising to provide a satisfactory explanation to the company afterward. There was nothing left to say.

"Fine..." Though reluctant, Zhao Fangxu sighed and waved his hand, signaling everyone to disperse and let the Old Celestial Master pass. The situation was clear: even if everyone behind him banded together, they were no match for the Old Celestial Master alone. Continuing served no purpose. Besides, the Old Celestial Master had shown them respect, and Zhao Fangxu was not an unreasonable man.

As Zhao Fangxu stepped aside, the others saw no reason to persist. They cleared a path for the Old Celestial Master, their eyes filled with newfound awe.

"Many thanks." The Old Celestial Master bowed to the group, said no more, and walked straight through the crowd, heading toward the rear, leaving the atmosphere in silence once again.

"Little Ye, are you alright?" In the gap, Feng Zhenghao approached Ye Yan, looking at his pale complexion. As a newly appointed Ten Elder, Feng Zhenghao’s perspective differed from the others. His situation was similar to Ye Yan’s; he was essentially there to make up the numbers. It was like a mandatory corporate retreat—you didn't have to care, but you had to show up. During their earlier conversation, Ye Yan had specifically warned him not to intervene in the Old Celestial Master’s affairs if he could help it. Thus, his opposition to the Old Celestial Master had been purely performative.

"It’s nothing, Uncle Feng," Ye Yan replied vaguely, taking a sip of water. He knew his own condition best; the aftereffects of his "Domination" ability just looked a bit frightening, but that was all.

"That's good." Honestly, when the Old Celestial Master had taken out Lu Jin with one palm, Feng Zhenghao had been shocked and worried for Ye Yan. However, seeing Ye Yan now, although he looked terrible, the actual damage wasn't that severe—at least, he looked much better than the humiliated Lu Jin. It was likely that after today, the image of Elder Lu as a "fallen fighter" would be deeply etched in everyone's minds.

***

With the company’s interference gone, the situation returned to its original rhythm. The Old Celestial Master and his fourth disciple, Zhao Huanjin, were the first to enter, finding a spot to sit in meditation and quietly waiting for Quanxing to appear.

On the other side, while the Old Celestial Master was ready, there was still no sign of the Quanxing members, which was baffling. Despite having been humiliated by the Old Celestial Master, the company personnel had no intention of leaving. Since they were already here, how could they miss the spectacle of a supreme master challenging the experts of Quanxing single-handedly?

Time ticked away. Just as the crowd’s patience was wearing thin, a group of figures slowly approached across the boundless grassland, drawing attention.

"Quanxing is here..." Mu You, as the head of the Jianghu Information Bureau and an intelligence peddler by trade, had the habit of observing his surroundings carefully. He was the first to notice the signs of the approaching group. His words instantly drew everyone’s gaze.

Ye Yan looked in the direction Mu You pointed and saw a vast, surging sea of people stretching across the distant horizon, marching toward them in a grand procession. Among them, Ye Yan recognized a few familiar faces, including Ding Jiao’an, the top expert of Quanxing with whom he had clashed before, and Tu Junfang, whom he had dealt with in the Southern Frontier. As for the others, Ye Yan was not familiar with them.

"Ding Jiao’an, Tu Junfang, the Six Thieves, the rising star 'Xue Fan'... It seems Quanxing has mobilized quite a few experts this time..."

Ye Yan wasn't familiar with all of them, but others were. Mu You, the intelligence peddler, immediately identified the backgrounds of these people, earning Ye Yan’s respect for the otherwise quiet and inconspicuous man.

As Ding Jiao’an appeared, the Old Celestial Master, sitting on the grassland, slowly opened his eyes. His gaze, clear and return-to-truth, opened, and in an instant, the dark clouds overhead began to churn with angry thunder, roaring incessantly. The Old Celestial Master rose and walked toward the direction of the Quanxing group, waiting for them to draw near.

In a fleeting moment, the lean Ding Jiao’an arrived with the fourteen members of Quanxing. After surveying each other, Ding Jiao’an took the lead, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture, and said in a serious tone: "Ding Jiao’an of Quanxing, greets the Old Celestial Master."

"Tu Junfang, greets the Old Celestial Master."

"The Six Thieves..."

Although this duel was a life-or-death struggle between Quanxing and Longhu Mountain, it was a grudge between two factions that had nothing to do with Ding Jiao’an. He had come with no bias, simply to seek guidance from the Old Celestial Master, the man who suppressed the entire world of outsiders—the number one person of the current age. Therefore, he offered the respect of a junior. Beside him, Tu Junfang, filled with curiosity about the Old Celestial Master’s "Three Corpses," did much the same.

Apart from them, the remaining Quanxing experts were mostly lethargic; some didn't even lift a hand, while others spoke with a lack of respect, clearly showing they didn't hold the world’s top master in high regard.

The Old Celestial Master nodded slightly.

"Ding Jiao’an, if I recall correctly, you were not involved in the targeting of Longhu Mountain. I am not a man who kills indiscriminately. If you leave now, I can pretend I never saw you..."

Toward the Quanxing members, the Old Celestial Master was clearly not as polite as he had been with the company, his expression notably cold. However, when speaking to Ding Jiao’an, one could sense a difference.

"Thank you for your kindness, Celestial Master." Ding Jiao’an was undeterred by the warning. He said earnestly, "Our path lies beneath our feet; we must cut through thorns and brambles, crossing mountains and rivers. Even if I hear the Dao in the morning, I would die in the evening without regret."

"Please, Old Celestial Master, enlighten me."

Ding Jiao’an’s words were resonant and firm, moving even the cold-faced Old Celestial Master. Beneath the surface, the Old Celestial Master saw a resilient and fearless heart in Ding Jiao’an. Someone like him, provided he didn't die prematurely, would surely achieve greatness in the martial arts, falling behind no one.

"I... understand." The Old Celestial Master nodded, abandoning the thought of further persuasion, and raised his fists into a stance. "I will not bully a junior. You lot... all come at me together."

The Old Celestial Master’s gaze was indifferent; he would show no mercy to these people from Quanxing. After all, they were the murderers and accomplices who had caused his junior brother’s death. They were the ones who had plunged Longhu Mountain and the Orthodox Sect into chaos; they were Zhang Zhiwei’s enemies. From the moment he descended the mountain, he had made up his mind: he would not show mercy. He was here for revenge.

"You arrogant old man, do you really think that just because you're some 'supreme master' you can look down on us?"

"Do you think we're made of clay?"

The Old Celestial Master’s words stirred discontent among many in the Quanxing ranks. In their eyes, the old man was simply ungrateful. He was already half-buried in the earth; wouldn't it have been better to stay on the mountain, tending flowers and playing with birds? He had to come down and act out. And then he dared to issue a challenge, wanting to take on all the experts of Quanxing by himself—it was simply absurd.

Within the Quanxing group, some were cautious, others scornful. The noise was chaotic, but most shouted that they would make the Old Celestial Master pay for his arrogance.

Under such an atmosphere, a few hot-headed youths in Quanxing could no longer restrain themselves. They activated their respective techniques and lunged at the Old Celestial Master, raising the curtain on the grand battle. Condensed white lightning flashed through the crowd like a meteor shifting across the ground, leaving behind only large swathes of afterimages and trails of flame.

Facing the siege of fourteen Quanxing experts, the Old Celestial Master appeared at ease, dodging and weaving. He did not counterattack, only evading. In such a complex situation, he was not the only one busy; Ye Yan was as well. Of course, unlike the Old Celestial Master’s combat, Ye Yan was holding his phone, constantly crouching and standing, attempting to record this classic moment from every angle.

"Little Friend Ye, how is the battle going?" As Ye Yan filmed, Zhao Fangxu leaned in and whispered. As an outsider, he couldn't keep up with such high-intensity combat and needed someone to explain the situation. Previously, Elder Lu had been responsible for this, but since taking a palm strike from the Old Celestial Master, he hadn't fully regained consciousness. With the likes of Lu Ci and Feng Zhenghao mesmerized by the fight, no one else could provide a play-by-play. So, he turned to Ye Yan.

Ye Yan filmed while briefly narrating the situation to Zhao Fangxu.

"So, the Old Celestial Master is not doing well?" Zhao Fangxu’s expression shifted, looking particularly agitated when he heard the master was struggling. The company had entered to prevent the balance of the outsider world from being broken and to protect the Old Celestial Master. If something were to happen to him, the consequences would be unimaginable. As the chairman, Zhao Fangxu could not allow that.

Just as Zhao Fangxu was in a panic, Ye Yan smiled and reassured him: "Director Zhao, you worry too much. The Old Celestial Master’s strength is boundless. With the caliber of Ding Jiao’an and his peers, it is difficult for them to threaten him."

"But the Old Celestial Master is..."

"He is likely testing their depths, which is why he hasn't struck back. With his strength, if he were truly to attack, it wouldn't matter if you added me, Elder Lu, or Uncle Feng—it still wouldn't be enough. He wouldn't even need to use his full power; one move for each would be enough to finish them."

"Like he did with Elder Lu?" Zhao Fangxu asked blankly.

"...Yes."

Such a blunt and merciless comparison made Ye Yan twitch. He looked over at the unconscious Lu Jin on the stretcher, feeling speechless. If even a layman like Zhao Fangxu knew what "one move each" meant, it seemed that Elder Lu’s days in the circle were going to be very difficult from now on.