Following that earth-shattering, eternally memorable long cry, amid the roar of billions of Xuan Beasts, two distinctly different roars erupted in succession, which the people of Tiannan City could clearly discern.

Two voices—one sharp and clear, the other deep and resonant—belonged to two of the kings of the Heavenly Punishment Xuan Beasts: He Chongxiao and Xiong Kaishan!

However, only a select few knew that these two were also the instigators of this Xuan Beast tide!

With a whoosh, a colossal white crane suddenly flashed from north to south like lightning; seen from afar, the crane’s wings were fully spread. They spanned at least five or six zhang wide, and the vibrant crimson crown atop its head gleamed dazzlingly under the brilliant sunlight, radiating intense, crystalline light. Its sharply pointed beak was like a keen sword that could cleave wind and cloud!

The moment it soared over the City Lord’s Mansion, the onlookers clearly observed the giant white crane glance downward with an air of profound disdain. Its massive wings blotted out the sky, instantly darkening heaven and earth, as if a black cloud had suddenly drifted overhead and just as suddenly vanished, gone in the blink of an eye.

Simultaneously, in the distant mountain forest, a gigantic silhouette was sprinting at full tilt. It neither stopped nor slowed for anything in its path, whether it was the ground or trees. When it collided with a trunk that was too thick to dodge, the tree was instantly snapped clean in half, and the silhouette tore right through the wood. By the time the large tree crashed down, this figure had already disappeared far beyond sight.

Li Juetian’s silhouette suddenly launched onto the rooftop.

In the process, his entire body, hands, and feet remained utterly motionless; not even a single strand of his hair shifted. He ascended so abruptly, as if defying gravity. When he finally stabilized on the roof, the spot where he had stood moments before retained a distinct, lifelike phantom image, gradually fading away to nothing.

This was no longer mere Qinggong movement; it was closer to a display of pure sorcery!

“Has Venerable Mei arrived? I, Li Juetian, have failed to greet you from afar!” Li Juetian gathered his entire Xuan energy, and his solemn, profound voice projected outward. The fact that he waited a moment after landing on the roof before speaking showed his caution. He dared not lose face before this supreme Heavenly Punishment expert, who was like an unfathomable dragon, nor was he willing to appear subordinate.

That resonant voice suddenly pierced the air, drifting slowly south. At first hearing, it sounded calm, but after it traveled outward, it echoed through the myriad mountains and valleys like booming thunder and the galloping of ten thousand horses. The sheer momentum was immense.

Tidal echoes surged back from the surrounding forests, only subsiding after a long while.

Failed to greet from afar...

...greet from afar...

...greet...

Greet!

A flurry of shrieks arose from the surrounding woods. Clearly, some lower-level Xuan Beasts were thrown into panic and minor chaos by the sheer force of Li Juetian’s projected voice.

It had to be admitted that while Li Juetian’s skill in projecting his voice might not match the resonance of the Heavenly Punishment Beast King’s earlier cry, its impact was certainly comparable. Yet, purely in terms of cultivation level, they were undoubtedly operating on the same plane!

After a long, long silence.

A clear, bright voice drifted over. Everyone understood that the speaker was likely at least several dozen li away, yet upon hearing the sound, it felt as if the person were speaking right beside them.

This person’s voice was peculiar—balanced and peaceful, giving no clue as to whether the speaker was male or female.

“Li Juetian...” a soft chuckle followed. “So it is you; who else possesses such exquisite cultivation! Haha. That explains why my two younger brothers were so furious this time. Ordinary people wouldn't warrant their attention, let alone incur their wrath... Very good, Li Juetian, you have improved. Truly improved.”

The crowd exchanged glances, a chilling sensation creeping up their spines. Li Juetian was the paramount figure in their eyes, publicly ranked second among the Eight Supremes of the world—what an astonishingly powerful individual!

Yet, this newcomer showed absolutely no attitude of equal dialogue, even adopting a tone of condescending praise: “You have improved.”

This compliment felt much like a teacher telling a very good, obedient kindergartner, “Little one, you’ve improved, you are such a good child.”

Though Li Juetian’s voice carried unparalleled momentum and immense power, the other person’s voice, while calm and placid, seemed effortless. However, every expert present could discern that this person’s cultivation likely surpassed Li Juetian’s by a significant margin! Not just one level higher! Even if the tiers were equal, the gap must be at least as wide as that between Ying Bokuong and Li Juetian!

Consider this: over the same distance, Li Juetian’s words stirred up resounding echoes. But the words from the distant person generated no echo! In this basin surrounded by mountains where an ordinary cough could resonate across the peaks, this person spoke from dozens of li away with utter silence following.

What kind of control was that! Merely this level of control demonstrated mastery that had reached the realm of divine integration, reaching the absolute zenith!

Li Juetian called out, “The cause of this incident was that the two of them wantonly provoked my Blood Soul Manor. Where is the justification or reason for me, Li Juetian, not to retaliate, and where did I act improperly? As for suffering losses... surely Venerable Mei, with your sharp insight, can see clearly who suffered the loss? Let’s say nothing else—Blood Soul Manor, as the very foundation of my sect, has been reduced to ashes! If I were to demand an explanation from Venerable Mei regarding that arrogant woman, I wonder what Venerable Mei would say?”

Li Juetian’s words carried a veiled tone of accusation. Even though the person opposite him was clearly superior in cultivation, Li Juetian, as the Second Supreme of the Heavenly Balance, would not concede the argument or appear weak.

The distant voice suddenly sharpened: “Li Juetian! By saying that, do you mean you were justified in striking my younger brothers? Do you think I am so easily bullied? Li Juetian, are you sure you aren’t dreaming?”

The crowd collectively shuddered. Here was another person fiercely protective of his own. To twist logic to this extent—this day was truly eye-opening. First, Supreme Juetian protected his son and skirted sharp issues, and now he faced another even more unreasonable party. Was this some kind of karmic retribution?

Jun Moxie stroked his chin, feeling a surge of admiration. Excellent! He shares my temperament. On this basis alone, I’ll ensure this ‘Venerable Mei’ gets a share of the rewards later!

“How dare I,” Li Juetian snorted. “It is merely that justice resides in the hearts of men. Everything must have a reason, a basis in logic. Even the number one in the world cannot act without reason!”

The other voice let out a long laugh. “Reason? Li Juetian, that joke you made doesn't sound good at all! In your entire life, with whom have you ever reasoned? Now that the tables are turned, because you are powerful, you demand reason? Justice resides in the hearts of men—those were your very words, Supreme Juetian, but do you even believe that statement yourself?”

This question was remarkably sharp. The so-called laws of the mortal world were merely tools to bind ordinary people. For these transcendent, high-level experts, they held no restraining power whatsoever!

For the powerful, ‘justice resides in the hearts of men’ was nothing more than an empty boast!

In this world of the strong, only the one with the bigger fist had the right argument.

Though the speaker’s words were slightly sophistical, they contained undeniable truth! And it was a particularly biting sarcasm aimed at Li Juetian. Jun Moxie felt immense satisfaction and almost wanted to step forward and point directly at Li Juetian’s nose to yell: Old bastard, you constantly talk about reason and justice, but have you ever truly acted reasonably? Did you use reason when your son tried to steal someone’s wife? Where was the justice then?

Truly, every villain has met their match.

Li Juetian heavily snorted, “Venerable Mei’s meaning, I presume, is to shield his side completely, regardless of right or wrong?”

The Supreme Juetian, always second among the Eight Supremes, was unwilling to entirely discard his conscience. He tactfully avoided the previous topic and laid the issue bare. Furthermore, with more than half of the world’s top experts gathered here, even if Venerable Mei possessed incredible connections, he would struggle to withstand the combined might present.

The other party responded with surprising, rigid coldness: “Yes, I will shield them. What can you do about it, Li Juetian? You Eight Supremes dominate the secular world, but you are not in my eyes! Li Juetian, before you speak, you had better consider who you are addressing!”

The voice paused, as if attending to something, but after a short while, it erupted in a sudden, furious roar, asking viciously: “Li Juetian, when did you enter the Hermit Immortal Palace? How did you leave a wound from the Vein-Splitting Heart-Piercing Sword on my Fourth Brother? You have immense gall!”

This roar shook heaven and earth! It surpassed the previous outcry, causing even the wind and clouds in the sky to churn violently! It was evident that the leader of the Heavenly Punishment faction was truly enraged. It seemed the injured Xiong Kaishan had reached him, allowing him to see the wounds.

Jun Moxie’s mind stirred. Hermit Immortal Palace? What place is that? Why have I never heard of it? Looking around at the others, he saw confusion etched on every face; clearly, none of them knew.

While others were puzzled, Jun Moxie delved deeper. The Hermit Immortal Palace might not be relevant for now, but the fact that Li Juetian could severely wound Xiong Kaishan, one of the Heavenly Punishment Beast Kings, was truly surprising. After all, Xuan Beasts inherently possess physiques far superior to humans, and Xiong Kaishan, as the Giant Bear Beast King, was exceptional. He had once endured attacks from both Shi Changxiao and Ying Bokuong without major injury, retreating intact—his defensive power was clearly immense.

Now, Li Juetian had inflicted such grave injuries with that technique called the “Vein-Splitting Heart-Piercing Sword.” The power of this move must also be astonishing!

“It is best to let go when it is time to let go, Venerable Mei. Do not invite utter disaster upon yourself due to a momentary surge of emotion.” Li Juetian’s voice carried a warning: “If things are pushed too far, provoking the displeasure of the Sacred Land, I imagine even Venerable Mei, with your boundless abilities, will need to pause and consider carefully?”

He completely avoided the question of when the other party entered the Hermit Immortal Palace.

“Hahahaha.” The voice erupted in a laugh so cold it chilled the bones. The laughter surged and echoed, continuing for a long time. After a long interval, the voice spoke word by word: “Li Juetian, are you threatening me with the Sacred Land?”