The strike just delivered was like a collision between Mars and Earth, resulting in a truly stunning effect.

Where the Western Guest had just stood, there was now a massive crater large enough to hold ten men. Jin Zhanyi’s position was not much better; spiderweb-like cracks spread outward from him as the epicenter.

The power possessed by both combatants had far surpassed the limits of ordinary people, meaning the destructive force they generated was likewise beyond normal comprehension.

The Innate masters on the city wall were fine; although they couldn't replicate this display, they wielded the same fundamental power. Furthermore, decades ago, they had witnessed battles of a similar nature on this very plain. Thus, while their eyes were alight with excitement, they felt no dread.

But the young elites were utterly stunned. Only now did they realize that the human body of flesh and blood could actually harbor such formidable strength.

As his body was sent flying backward, the Western Guest instantly returned to normal. He landed squarely, his voice rasping, “Sir, who are you?”

His voice was not only dry but also slightly hesitant, clearly indicating he had only recently begun learning this language and hadn't yet mastered its fluent use.

Jin Zhanyi stood tall, chest out, and announced in a clear, loud voice, “I am Jin Zhanyi. Have you heard of me?”

The man paused, recognizing that this complex and specific manner of address was outside the scope of what he understood.

However, the pause lasted only a few breaths. Then, he suddenly lifted his head, a look of ineffable emotion in his eyes.

“Jin Zhanyi… You are, Jin Zhanyi?”

Perhaps he hadn't understood the entirety of Jin Zhanyi’s declaration, but it was clear he had caught those three distinct words: Jin Zhanyi.

Jin Zhanyi let out a loud, triumphant laugh, his mirth thick with satisfaction.

On the city wall, a clamor erupted. The name Jin Zhanyi seemed to possess an unbelievable magic; friend and foe alike were stirred into a frenzy upon hearing it.

The foremost figure beneath the Venerables of the Great Shen Empire.

Such a resounding title had been mentioned even to He Yiming, who was stationed far off in the northwestern corner; it was certainly well-known on the soil of Great Shen.

The next moment, thunderous cheers burst forth from the city wall. An atmosphere of fanatical fervor spread with the speed of an epidemic.

Someone, without preamble, suddenly roared, “Jin Zhanyi!”

Then, the voices of at least ten thousand people roared in unison. This sound hammered through the city, seeming to carry infinitely into the distance.

Jin Zhanyi stood firmly in place, imposing and proud, like a mighty sovereign basking in the adoration of his subjects.

He Yiming watched the unfolding scene in surprise.

It was only now he understood the immense prestige this man, who had been with him these past months, commanded within this nation.

This was prestige Jin Zhanyi had carved out step by deliberate step with his strength, built through challenge after challenge, accumulating immense authority through continuous victories.

The foremost under the Venerables had never tasted defeat when facing masters of a similar level.

Inevitably, the fervor in He Yiming’s heart began to boil even more intensely. His fists clenched without his realizing it. If another Western Guest of equal stature appeared at this moment, He Yiming was certain he would strike before Jin Zhanyi could, beating the interloper into a pulp.

The Western Guest, whose imposing aura had withered to its nadir, gradually turned pale. He took a deep breath, suddenly spun around, and fled westward with unmatched speed.

When he arrived, he had commanded immense attention through his sole presence, displaying a majestic and fearsome bearing.

Yet, as he departed, he left behind only a solitary retreating figure, as utterly pathetic and desolate as a stray dog.

The laughter on the city wall grew louder. All annoyance had subsided, replaced only by boundless elation after Jin Zhanyi’s intervention.

Jin Zhanyi did not return to Zhenjin City. After the Western Guest had fled a short distance, he pushed off slightly with his feet and immediately gave chase.

The ease with which he moved made it clear to everyone that he was merely playing a game of cat and mouse. The cheers from the wall intensified further.

He Yiming felt a slight shift in his heart and turned, sprinting off in another direction.

Though the city wall was high, its altitude presented no obstacle to him; a slight flex of his toes carried him over the parapet. While far fewer people watched from this section of the wall than from the front, as He Yiming departed like a flash of lightning, no one could track his movement.

Just as the two vanished from Zhenjin City, within the largest mansion in the city, a large, corpulent man shook his head and murmured to himself, “I warned them, but if they insist on going, it has nothing to do with me. The Lingxiao Palace shouldn’t hold me accountable. Heh heh… Jin Zhanyi, He Yiming, I truly look forward to it. I wonder if you two will manage to leave Ghost Cry Ridge alive this time.”

The wind roared past his ears, and He Yiming saw the perfectly clear lines connecting two distant points.

With a single stride, he covered dozens of zhang, and within a few leaps, he drew level with Jin Zhanyi.

Jin Zhanyi didn't even turn his head, acting as if he had already anticipated He Yiming’s arrival.

“Brother Jin, what is your plan?” He Yiming asked in a low voice. “Are you planning to let this man escape?”

In terms of pure speed, without employing supreme movement techniques like Wanli Xianting (Ten Thousand Mile Leisurely Courtyard)—which felt almost like cheating—He Yiming and Jin Zhanyi’s pace might not have been significantly faster than the fleeing Western Guest.

However, both men knew well that retaining the man would not require much effort. After all, the opponent’s momentum and confidence had completely collapsed. Subduing such a person, while not entirely effortless, would be far easier than during their initial encounter.

Jin Zhanyi smiled slightly. “Brother He, in the East we have an old saying: to receive without returning is uncivilized.”

He Yiming immediately grasped his meaning. Although he was aware of Jin Zhanyi’s audacious nature, this direct move to invade the enemy’s stronghold still surprised him.

But the astonishment lasted only a moment before the already surging heat in his chest claimed absolute dominance.

“Since Brother Jin has such an inclination, this junior shall gladly accompany you.”

The two exchanged a look and burst into laughter simultaneously, as if they were casually discussing lighthearted topics between friends rather than pursuing a formidable enemy into a dangerous den.

Their laughter carried far, sounding like the death knell to the fleeing Western Guest, striking terror into his heart.

Gritting his teeth fiercely, the Western Guest increased his speed beyond its absolute limit.

With his life directly threatened, his potential was once again unleashed. If he survived this ordeal and purged the shadow of defeat, he would achieve a breakthrough in his martial cultivation.

The speeds of the three vastly outstripped any famous steed in this world, and their stamina was incredibly abundant, as if they could persist even if they ran to the ends of the earth.

Zhenjin City was over a hundred li from the frontline cities, but in their eyes, this distance was negligible.

The Western Guest was far more familiar with the terrain than the other two, carefully choosing routes that bypassed the satellite cities. Nonetheless, even so, as they sped past the final city, they were spotted.

On the tall city walls of this settlement stood three men, poised with casual elegance.

These three men possessed distinct expressions, but without exception, they all carried an air of inherent superiority.

This bearing was something usually possessed only by scions of great families whose lineage spanned several generations, yet on these three, it appeared exceptionally distinguished.

If the hereditary young masters from Zhenjin City were placed beside these three, the difference would be that between a common chicken and a phoenix.

Though standing quite close to one another, the three men unconsciously formed a triangular formation. The atmosphere between them wasn't openly hostile, yet it lacked genuine warmth, suggesting a relationship of healthy competition.

At this moment, the gaze of all three was fixed upon a single direction, and solemn expressions shadowed their faces.

The three figures in the distance appeared far off, but with their cultivation levels, they could all easily sense the exaggerated, flying speed.

The three exchanged a look, recognizing the shock in the others’ eyes.

Such velocity was only achievable by them when exerting their absolute maximum effort.

One of them sighed suddenly. “Before coming here, the Old Clan Head explicitly warned me that once the war between East and West nears, this area will become a convergence point for masters. I have always been confident, but now I realize I greatly underestimated the heroes of this world.”

Another frowned. “Brother Fang, why belittle yourself so? While the movement techniques of these three have their merits, we three are hardly inferior to them.”

The man surnamed Fang offered a wry smile. “Brothers, I am not being self-deprecating, merely expressing my feelings upon witnessing such world-class heroes.”

The third, who had remained silent, was dressed like a scholar. He watched the distance, his eyes faintly gleaming, and a slight fluctuation of aura emanated from him.

The man surnamed Fang quickly cautioned, “Brother Hao, the direction those three are heading is where the Western camp is stationed. We must absolutely not act rashly.”

The man nodded slightly, but deep in his eyes flickered a strong will to fight.

His gaze was steady and profound, fixed on the three receding figures in the distance, filled with deep unwillingness and regret.

Yet, from beginning to end, he did not take a single step forward, as if invisible shackles bound him firmly in place.