Chang Dongbin, wary of the impending confrontation over the new energy source and rare metals, felt his tensed brow smooth out. He glanced over the tight formation of the small team, then watched them draw even closer, bodies pressed together. The slight anxiety in his heart settled once more into calm. "Qin Fen, you are indeed powerful."

Lü Dongbin waved his hand gently. The Heavenly Gate martial artists surrounding him slowly spread out to the sides, clearing an open space for the Four Immortals of Shangdong, who watched the four leading martial arts masters with intense scrutiny.

Han Zhongli was a large man, his build resembling that of a new Sumo grandmaster on Earth, even sharing a similar skin tone, though his features were entirely different—it was clear they were no relatives. The stout Han Zhongli puffed out his large, fleshy belly, swaying the tungsten-steel fan in his hand. With a voice that sounded somewhat simple and honest, he slowly spoke, "Individually, none of us are your match. But you must not forget: this is not some one-on-one arena. This is the Natural Graveyard. And we are not here for a boxing match; we are vying for the new energy source and rare metals that could shape the future. Therefore,"

Click, clack, hiss,

A plume of white vapor jetted from the rear of the Jungle Ranger's chassis, and its armor panels retracted to the sides. For the first time, Qin Fen revealed his true appearance to the Heavenly Gate martial artists. "So young?" "He's not ugly?" "Is he really that brutal?"

A string of gasps and low murmurs spread among the Heavenly Gate warriors. In their perception, this rumored cold-blooded killer king should have had a monstrous visage; Qin Fen’s appearance simply did not align with the imagination fueled by rumor.

The sound of the Jungle Ranger's hatch opening interrupted Han Zhongli’s speech. Qin Fen calmly stepped out of the mech, looking at the four powerhouses who currently held apex status in the Saturn martial artist world. He casually flexed his fingers, sometimes forming a fist, sometimes spreading them wide. Then, he clenched them again. Repeating this motion several times, Qin Fen’s gaze locked onto the iron crate emitting a rhythmic thudding sound. Within it, a savage roar was faintly perceptible, giving him an indescribable sense of familiarity, as if sensing a long-forgotten scent.

However, the iron box was sealed too tightly; no odor could escape. Judgment had to be based solely on the roar and the aura emanating from within. Insect Martial Artist? Qin Fen glanced at Lü Dongbin’s cautious eyes, then frowned and sank into thought. The feeling released by the powerful entity inside truly resembled that of an Insect Martial Artist. Could the Heavenly Gate have ties with the Founding Society? This was both utterly unexpected and somewhat inevitable—a faction capable of controlling the Golden Triangle drug trade having connections with a lunatic organization like the Founding Society wasn't entirely impossible.

"The thing inside," Qin Fen slowly scanned the faces of the four Shangdong Eight Immortals, "is an Insect Martial Artist, isn't it?"

The scene fell silent again. Most of the Heavenly Gate martial artists looked bewildered—what was an Insect Martial Artist? What was Qin Fen talking about?

Lü Dongbin’s expression darkened. A mighty warrior can remain composed while Mount Tai crumbles before them, but not everything can be met with an unchanging face. Especially when one's greatest secret is casually exposed, as if it were common knowledge, it is difficult for anyone to guarantee no reaction whatsoever.

He Xiangu regarded Qin Fen with suspicion. The Insect Martial Artists were an extremely covert existence. Although rumors suggested the military had clashed with them twice, those incidents were supposedly classified at the highest levels. Qin Fen was so young, his military rank merely Lieutenant Colonel—how could he possibly know?

"As expected," Qin Fen felt no joy of winning a guessing game, only clicking his tongue twice. "You aren't planning on releasing it as well?"

Lü Dongbin and the other three simultaneously knitted their brows, looking at Qin Fen with incomprehension. They wanted to know what he meant. Didn't he realize how ferociously volatile Insect Martial Artists were? Bringing it along was merely a contingency, not an actual intention to deploy it on the battlefield.

Qin Fen walked across the ravaged battlefield, leaves and grass crunching under his boots, hands clasped behind his back. Nearly a hundred Heavenly Gate martial artists instinctively retreated a step in unison, their eyes reflecting fearful vigilance. Nearly a hundred dark muzzles were aimed at Qin Fen. At that moment, no one considered whether such small things could possibly harm Qin Fen, a Martial Arts Grandmaster immune to rockets and even missiles.

"What I mean," Qin Fen stopped his casual, stroll-like pace, his eyes sweeping over Lü Dongbin, He Xiangu, Han Zhongli, and Tieguai Li. He raised his right index finger and drew a horizontal slash across the air, stating, "If you insist on fighting for the new energy source and rare metals, then you might as well come at me all at once. Just as this warrior said, this isn't a life-or-death ring; there’s no need for one-on-one. All of you... come at me together."

Come all at once! All at once!

Every martial artist from the Heavenly Gate froze in shock. Even the Insect Martial Artist restlessly stirring inside the iron box suddenly grew quiet. Lü Dongbin looked at He Xiangu in surprise, seeking confirmation that he hadn't misheard. He saw the other three Immortals of Shangdong casting him similar looks of verification.

Come all at once! Lü Dongbin had never heard such an arrogant declaration, especially from such a young martial artist. It made him wonder if he were dreaming.

Even though Qin Fen had instantly killed Chen Ni with one move of the Heavenly Cut Flowing Light Slash, such bravado was excessive! Did he think he was facing a bunch of insignificant thugs? Or martial artists who had just started training? Before him stood four seventeen-star, battle-hardened experts who had faced death countless times! They held the title of Immortals within the Heavenly Gate—

This was beyond arrogance; it bordered on suicidal! Four seventeen-star martial arts masters, all activating their Level Four Bio-Beast systems simultaneously, perhaps even consuming Rage Pills and Iron Armor Pills, could exert destructive power focused entirely on one person. Even an eighteen-star martial artist would instantly vanish from this world.

"All at once?" Du Peng stared at Qin Fen’s retreating back and suddenly recalled the imposing aura Qin Fen exuded during the New Recruit Tournament when he faced down swarms of opponents.

In that instant, Du Peng felt Qin Fen's aura swelling, expanding rapidly and immensely, outward in all directions and toward the sky. In a flash, he seemed to grow monumentally tall, an overwhelming and invincible presence pouring out from his body.

"One against a crowd?" "Captain Zhan Peng? I think I'm sensing it. Brother Zhan's younger brother seems to have suddenly become incredibly immense." "You are not mistaken." The voice of the Jungle Ranger at the forefront, as melodious as ever, responded, "Qin Fen's aura is expanding rapidly. I hadn't realized he had reached this level. No wonder he could kill Chen Ni without even exiting his powered armor. Di Gang! His martial arts have fused with Gang Qi and techniques to this extent! Truly astonishingly powerful!" "Di Gang? Brother Zhan Peng, are you saying Brother Zhan's brother has entered the Di Gang realm?" "Yes, Di Gang." The Jungle Ranger, who had remained still until now, nodded for the first time. "Observe carefully! If Qin Fen has entered Di Gang, then this hunt operation just became much more interesting." "Yes!" The whispering ceased once more.

"I said, let him out too," Qin Fen said, hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the iron crate which had begun to stir again. His expression was remarkably calm. Under the faint light, his dark eyes were mesmerizingly beautiful yet subtly exuded immense pressure.

"Qin Fen!"

Lü Dongbin roared, opening his mouth to speak, but Qin Fen suddenly raised his hand, fingers splaying wide open. A majestic aura swept across the entire field in an instant!

That was not Martial Arts Gang Qi! It was pure, unadulterated warrior presence! The complexions of the Four Immortals of Shangdong turned grim. Although no actual clash had occurred, in that brief moment, the martial artist aura circle they had jointly formed was pushed back several rings by the force of Qin Fen's aura explosion as he raised his hand.

While this clash of presence might have been partially due to Qin Fen’s element of surprise and proactive aggression, the Four Immortals understood a crucial truth: fighting Qin Fen with all their combined strength did not guarantee a 100% victory.

Once this realization took root, Lü Dongbin noticed the grim expressions on his three companions. Such information was too shocking. Each of them was a renowned Heavenly Gate expert who dominated Saturn, one of the Shangdong Eight Immortals! Today, faced with a rising prodigy who had skyrocketed in just a few years, they had been reduced to coordinating an attack, still not certain of winning. If someone had told him this half a year ago, he would have laughed heartily, assuming the speaker was delusional.

But now, it was fact. This young man, who had vanished for half a year after the battle that killed Zuo Dongting and alarmed major powers six months prior, was now countless times stronger than before.

The four exchanged a quick glance. Chang Dongbin saw that his three companions had made the same decision: release the entity they kept confined in the iron crate.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Lü Dongbin’s eyes. He closed them, inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling twice. He looked at Qin Fen and saw that the young man’s expression remained utterly tranquil, showing no hint of coercion, simply waiting for him to open Pandora's Box.

Lü Dongbin’s hand slowly traced the surface of the iron crate affectionately dubbed "Pandora's Box" by the group. He still looked at Qin Fen with incomprehension—why was this young man so forceful? Why couldn't the Four Immortals of Shangdong guarantee victory without suffering injury or death against him?

Damn Yama Emperor, Lü Dongbin cursed viciously in his mind. If the Yama Emperor hadn't killed the Shangdong Eight Immortals sequentially, allowing their grand formation to remain intact, why would they fear a fledgling superstar like Qin Fen?

"Pandora's Box" opened slowly. Streams of sunlight pierced the dark iron interior, and a chilling, deathly cold erupted from the box, as if a demon from hell was being unleashed. Unearthly roars burst forth from the metal enclosure first.

The Heavenly Gate martial artists collectively held their breath, eager to see the identity of the powerhouse that had caused so much speculation. The dark shadow gradually straightened to its full height. The Heavenly Gate warriors all started, gasping as they looked at the proudly erect torso. An endless cold current swept over their skin, and goosebumps instantly erupted on everyone.

Lan Caihe! A deceased member of the Shangdong Eight Immortals! The crate contained Lan Caihe, one of the Eight Immortals officially declared dead!

I’m hungry; I need to go out to eat! After the sky darkens tonight—once it gets dark in Zibo, Shandong—I will return after a short stroll and relaxation. Rest assured! Today will definitely be more than four chapters, maybe five or six. That depends on how fast I eat. My wife and child are not home today, so I have to handle my own meal. For a professional shut-in writer, this is a glorious and resolute mission, so I have decided to go out and eat!

For more novels, visit storyread.net.