The movements of these people were orderly, as if they had years of coordination. Yet, in truth, He Yiming and his companion knew that given their strength, prior rehearsal was impossible. This level of synchronization might well be attributed to the distinctive discipline of the Westerners.

He Yiming’s expression shifted slightly, and he lowered his voice. “Brother Jin, perhaps we should leave. They have too many men.”

Although He Yiming possessed considerable self-regard, he was also realistic. If so many people rushed them at once, no matter how great his skill, he would only have the option of a desperate retreat.

Jin Zhanyi turned halfway, offering him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. They won’t resort to bullying the few with the many.”

He Yiming watched the movements of the opposing group, his heart uneasy. He could not fathom where Jin Zhanyi drew such immense confidence.

The posture these men adopted clearly indicated an intention to overwhelm the few with sheer numbers.

“Brother Jin, are you certain?” He Yiming asked doubtfully.

“Absolutely. I spent several years in the West,” Jin Zhanyi stated confidently. “They value chivalry there. If they were to win by overwhelming us numerically, it would severely damage their personal prestige. Therefore, they would rather come forward one by one to their deaths than attack all at once.”

He Yiming relaxed slightly. If these men were truly that obtuse, he could rest easy.

Tata Mu’s weaponry was a combination of a sword and a shield. His shield was large enough to cover half his body. While not as exaggerated as Xiong Wuji’s shield, it was still formidable.

The heavy shield gleamed with a golden light. Merely looking at its appearance suggested considerable weight. Yet, the old man held this thick shield as if it were a mere straw, seemingly without any weight at all.

The old man, Danny, held a longsword, perfectly straight and sharply pointed. Upon seeing this longsword, He Yiming was instantly reminded of Romiya, who had died by his hand.

Eastern martial arts were filled with countless variations, and strange, specialized weapons abounded. Western martial arts, however, were comparatively uniform; their weapon styles indicated that the techniques they mastered were broadly similar.

But precisely because their martial arts were fewer in number, over countless years of development, these techniques had evolved to a near-perfect state. Each weapon had specific methods for learning and utilization, and this specialization had likewise produced a significant cohort of top-tier masters.

Moreover, once these masters set aside vanity and fought together, the destructive power they unleashed would surely exceed all expectations.

This was He Yiming’s first impression upon seeing the large number of Western masters. He prayed silently that these fellows would adhere to Jin Zhanyi’s assurance and not resort to overwhelming force.

Jin Zhanyi slung his Dragon Spear over his shoulder and strode forward with powerful steps. His movements were swift, covering the distance to the center of the opposing lines in just a few paces. He called out loudly, “Tata Mu, Danny, which of you will strike first?”

Although the enemy numbered many, Jin Zhanyi only truly regarded these two elders. Based on the shimmering flow and sheer presence emanating from their weapons, their strength was likely at the level of a three-way standoff—exactly the opponents he had longed for.

Tata Mu and Danny exchanged a glance. Despite both being Westerners, their facial features were vastly different.

The Western territories were no less vast than those of Dashen. Just as local conditions shape the people, variations in countenance and physical traits were hardly surprising.

However, there seemed to be a tacit understanding between the two. After a moment of hesitation, Danny stepped back, while Tata Mu advanced resolutely, adopting a stance integrating both offense and defense before Jin Zhanyi.

Both He Yiming and Jin Zhanyi were greatly surprised. By all logic, it should have been Danny who stepped forward. Yet, seeing Danny’s somber, expressionless face now, a sense of foreboding stirred in He Yiming and Jin Zhanyi’s hearts.

Since the opponent had already presented himself, Jin Zhanyi could not retreat now, no matter what.

His eyes flashed, and he resolved to end the fight as quickly as possible and depart immediately thereafter.

The behavior of these Westerners seemed strangely unsettling, slightly exceeding his control.

He flicked the Dragon Spear in his hand, and under the urging of his powerful Zhenqi, the spear, which could contract at will, suddenly emitted a strange, potent shriek filled with force.

Within this sound was a boundless, vast power that caused hearts to tremble uncontrollably.

Immediately, countless shouts arose from the boundless sea of tents, coupled with the unified neighing of warhorses.

Affected by the piercing shriek, all the horses seemed to plunge into a state of extreme fear. Most collapsed weakly to the ground, trembling violently, while some particularly strong ones broke free of their tethers and bolted in all directions.

In an instant, chaos erupted in the tents reached by the sound, with men falling and horses rearing in disarray.

He Yiming’s eyes brightened; he hadn't realized the Dragon Spear possessed such a miraculous effect.

However, when He Yiming’s gaze fell upon the numerous Xiantian experts standing ahead, his heart sank.

These men remained entirely focused on Jin Zhanyi, utterly ignoring the commotion unfolding behind them.

Furthermore, new masters continued to arrive from the distance, joining the ranks. Seeing this terrifying number, even He Yiming felt a prickle of dread.

He became fully alert, his hands unconsciously gripping together, his feet planted evenly on the earth. His entire being seemed to enter an esoteric state.

At this point, he held no remaining hope for Jin Zhanyi’s claim that they would not gang up on him.

Still, he made these adjustments silently. Although there were countless masters opposite them, everyone’s attention was fixated on Jin Zhanyi.

This was unsurprising; with so many top experts on their side, no one would spare a thought for He Yiming, standing alone.

Tata Mu held his shield flat before his eyes, his gaze, sharp as that of a vulture, locked onto Jin Zhanyi through the narrow gap above the shield.

The qi fields of both parties locked onto each other in that moment, like two colossal magnetic mountains, from which no force could pry them apart.

A streak of light flashed past, tracing a beautiful arc through the air. Then, a point of brilliance appeared in the eyes of the onlookers. For just an instant, this light began to quiver, then in a breath, it became two points, then three, and finally, countless points…

The immense radiance brought pressure akin to a tidal wave, shooting directly into Tata Mu’s eyes.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. Suddenly, his body dropped low.

Westerners generally possessed a superior physique compared to Easterners, and Tata Mu was a prime example. But in this squat, he dropped by a full half of his height, curling his entire person behind his shield.

A sound like a drumroll of raindrops erupted. Jin Zhanyi’s spear shadows, which had multiplied into an uncountable number, hammered down onto Tata Mu’s shield. The immense force converged upon a single point in a short span, surging forward like a gigantic hammer blow.

A deafening roar erupted from behind the shield. Then, Tata Mu’s body, along with the shield, was blasted backward by this force, flying far away.

Neither He Yiming nor Jin Zhanyi could have anticipated such an unexpectedly smooth ascent to absolute advantage.

Tata Mu’s defensive posture had failed; instead, it had plunged him into dire straits.

Jin Zhanyi let out a long laugh, flicked his Dragon Spear, and transformed into a bolt of lightning, chasing after the retreating shield.

His Dragon Spear extended straight ahead, tracing a direct line, imbued with unparalleled momentum, aiming straight for the enemy. With this single thrust, possessing power that could shatter mountains, he seemingly paid no heed to the giant shield, as if intending to pierce right through it.

However, at that precise moment, He Yiming suddenly sensed a change in the qi signatures of the enemy group.

The qi of those dozens of masters, all at least at the Xiantian realm, had been aggressively suppressed. But the moment Tata Mu was struck away and Jin Zhanyi relentlessly pursued, the aura of every one of them exploded forth like igniting gunpowder.

He Yiming thought, This is bad. He glanced sideways toward where Tata Mu was retreating and instantly understood his opponent’s intent.

The direction of the retreat was precisely into the middle of the mass of Westerners. His earlier passive defense, collapsing at the first touch, was deliberate all along.

His objective was to draw Jin Zhanyi directly into their encirclement!

Perhaps this tactic was chosen only after they witnessed Jin Zhanyi unleash his Wanli Xianting technique.

Yet, for so many people to achieve consensus so rapidly without any apparent communication was almost unimaginable in the Eastern world.

“Brother Jin, be careful! Retreat quickly!” He Yiming shouted loudly.

But Jin Zhanyi paid him no heed. Not only did he not ease up or retreat, but he erupted with his entire reserve of Zhenqi. The Dragon Spear shone with ever-brighter brilliance, its tip scattering dazzling rays, emitting a soul-stirring radiance.

In Jin Zhanyi’s eyes, only Tata Mu existed; no one else mattered.

This thrust was charged with an indomitable, overwhelming momentum. He would not stop until his goal was achieved...