The Seven-Colored Dou Qi cultivated by Chris and Tommy, along with the techniques of the Shu Mountain Sect, differed vastly from the Heavenly Might unique to their practice, and even more so from the cultivation methods of other sects in the cultivation world.

Generally, once a cultivator reached a certain realm, all their vital essence, spirit, and energy would be completely contained internally, making them indistinguishable from ordinary people in outward appearance.

Although Ye Wen practiced martial arts designed for fierce combat, his discipline stemmed from Taoist cultivation, making it fundamentally balanced and peaceful. Now that he had reached his current level, his power was utterly unreadable from his exterior; if he didn't move, most people would mistake him for just an ordinary young man.

However, Chris and Tommy, who practiced the Seven-Colored Dou Qi, were different. After achieving success in their cultivation, merely standing there… even a blind man could sense they were not to be trifled with.

Chris, originally a clean-cut youth with a decent, if merely standard, physique, now had his clothes stretched taut over bulging, powerful muscles, looking as if the fabric might rip at any moment. Though he stood casually, he seemed capable of unleashing a formidable power that could tear apart any challenger to shreds.

His eyes flashed with brilliant light. Anyone with a modicum of understanding knew this man was a master. This intensity was a side effect of the Seven-Colored Dou Qi; once proficient, pretending to be weak became nearly impossible. Nevertheless, this suited the Western mindset, so Chris didn't see it as a drawback.

Furthermore, having spent years in Europe fighting things like vampires and werewolves, appearing easily bullied would only invite more trouble. It was better to project an aura that could deter petty nuisances.

For example, now that Chris stood there, many unsavory characters kept a wide berth, even instructing their companions to observe carefully whom this man was meeting, lest they mistakenly target someone they shouldn't offend.

When Ye Wen and his group emerged, they picked up numerous hushed conversations through their potent divine sense. Once Chris approached and respectfully greeted Ye Wen, those lingering figures vanished instantly—Ye Wen was keeping a low profile this trip, wearing large dark glasses that obscured his identity from most onlookers.

This reaction was entirely due to Chris, and what made Ye Wen even happier was that Chris's strength had improved even faster than he had anticipated.

"Disciple greets Master!" As the years passed, Chris grew increasingly respectful toward Ye Wen. Perhaps as his strength grew, so did his perception, allowing him to grasp just how formidable Ye Wen truly was. Being able to learn from him was the greatest fortune of his life, a chance he had to seize wholeheartedly.

Ye Wen, his face almost completely hidden by the dark glasses, turned toward Chris, his gaze lingering momentarily on Chris's hand before he nodded with a smile: "Not bad, great progress!" Chris had just reported his cultivation achievement to his master; a faint spark of red energy had just manifested on his hand—the Red Dou Qi from the Seven-Colored spectrum.

According to Ye Wen's previous estimations, reaching the Red Dou Qi level meant truly stepping into the ranks of masters. He believed that reaching the peak of Red Dou Qi would allow one to move freely in this world, possessing enough self-preservation capability even against experts.

Now, after learning the situation of the cultivation world from Bei He, he roughly recalculated, realizing that Red Dou Qi might mark the dividing line between a cultivator and an Earth Immortal. He remained uncertain of the exact gap, relying only on broad speculation. Furthermore, the advancement of the Seven-Colored Dou Qi seemed far more gradual than the methods used by other cultivators.

He surmised that everything below Green Dou Qi fell within the standard cultivator range, with Red Dou Qi being the intersection point. Perhaps if Chris continued to cultivate the Red Dou Qi to its peak, he might possess the strength of an Earth Immortal. Alternatively, maybe it would take Blue Dou Qi—it was hard to judge; the true situation would only become clear when Chris reached those levels.

As Chris got into the car—this time it was the stretched Rolls-Royce Ye Wen had stationed in Britain—the spacious interior easily accommodated the group.

As soon as they were settled, Chris immediately updated Ye Wen on the local situation: "There are some tricky matters with Ale. The Vatican might send someone else to contact you this time!" Ale was Alaisdair Flores, the person Ye Wen was most familiar with in the Vatican; all previous communications had gone through him. A change in contact was a clear anomaly.

Ye Wen detected the strangeness from this subtle detail. He exchanged a look with the Scholar Bei He but acted nonchalant, continuing his inquiry: "The person I mentioned to you earlier, where is she now?"

His trip to Europe this time naturally included more than just a few people. While Scholar Bei He was the main force in searching for the God-Beating Whip, many others were coordinating efforts.

Some people had arrived in Europe earlier to make preliminary arrangements. When Ye Wen learned of this, he had instructed Bei He to contact that person and have Chris prepare lodging for their arrival.

At this question, Chris’s expression turned peculiar, and he replied awkwardly, "She is currently staying at Master's villa…"

Ye Wen noted that Chris used "she" instead of "he," realizing the advance liaison was a female operative. But Chris's expression suggested more.

"Did that woman do something?"

Chris shook his head: "She hasn't done anything specifically, but... that woman has been quite disrespectful to Master with her words…"

Ye Wen was momentarily surprised; he hadn't expected this. Still, he didn't care; she was just some unknown woman, not worth his attention. Besides, he didn't consider himself a saint or any renowned deity; whether others respected him was normal. As long as they didn't provoke him directly, there was no need to address it.

Shrugging to show his indifference, Ye Wen then inquired about the situation in Europe.

"The recent movements from the Blood Race and the Werewolves have been quite frequent. Besides the few well-known major families, many reclusive old timers have also started stirring, Master, this time…"

Chris didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was that the current task would be complicated and potentially dangerous. Yet, he couldn't gauge his Master's true strength, and the long-haired man accompanying him felt distinctly powerful. Because of this, he still believed the matter would be trivial for Ye Wen.

Perhaps sensing Chris’s gaze, Bei He (Bei He’s secular name was also Bei He) turned and smiled kindly at Chris.

However, a fleeting, sharp glint of a blade flashed in his eyes. Chris paused momentarily before his fighting spirit surged, eager to engage Bei He in a match right then and there.

Bei He specialized in blade arts, and practitioners of the blade often possessed straightforward temperaments, coupled with a strong competitive streak—otherwise, they wouldn't choose such a weapon.

When he met Chris at the airport, Bei He had already conceived the idea of a spar. Seeing Chris’s readiness and lack of intimidation naturally pleased him. Thus, as the group returned to the villa, a fighting stance was soon adopted in Ye Wen's backyard.

For this outing, Ye Wen had left his two female companions behind, bringing only Tommy and Chris, his registered disciple who was highly familiar with Europe. The main reasons were that the women were at a critical juncture in their cultivation, and the current matter involved significant players. He could move freely, but bringing the women might create unnecessary complications.

He wasn't worried about Tommy and Chris; being Westerners, they could easily blend into a crowd if necessary, making them hard to find.

Currently, Ye Wen was sipping a can of Coke, with a small table beside him laden with fruit and popcorn—the picture of an eager spectator. Tommy cheered on Chris while ensuring Ye Wen's drink was never empty.

"Master, how many moves do you think Chris needs to beat that effeminate man?"

The "effeminate man" was Bei He. Based on Western aesthetics, Bei He lacked exaggerated muscle mass, possessed delicate features, and had long hair, making him resemble a woman in appearance, hence the nickname.

Ye Wen glared at him, but seeing Tommy’s playful smirk, he sighed resignedly: "If Chris can last half an hour against Bei He, that will already be proof of his tremendous progress over the years."

Tommy’s expression instantly changed: "No way? Is that sissy that powerful?"

Ye Wen glared again: "Stop talking nonsense! Scholar Bei He is a master refined over hundreds of years; you must show him respect and never speak so carelessly again!" These lessons needed to be taught early, lest Tommy’s loose talk bring trouble to the Shu Mountain Sect once they entered the cultivation world. The Shu Mountain Sect was still in its foundational stage and couldn't afford enemies!

Just as he was admonishing Tommy, a light snort sounded nearby. Turning, Ye Wen saw a young woman, perhaps twenty-five or twenty-six, standing next to Wang Zhao. She wore a jacket casually over a turtleneck sweater, paired with slightly faded jeans. Her attire was utterly ordinary, yet it perfectly accentuated her superb figure.

Especially her long, straight legs; combined with her tall frame, she was quite striking. Tommy had stolen several glances and even tried to chat her up, only to nearly provoke the young woman into physical violence.

This woman was named Jiang Ning. She was reportedly a disciple of the Kunlun Sect, having joined relatively recently but demonstrating outstanding natural talent. She was sent down for practical experience after less than ten years of cultivation within the sect—a testament to her genius!

After all, if a new disciple learned nothing upon entry, the sect would never allow them onto the secular path. Why send them down if not to cause trouble for their own sect? Furthermore, ordinary cultivators might train for twenty or even a hundred years without being permitted to descend.

Jiang Ning had been working in the secular world for over two years. Because of her exceptional talent and considerable strength, she had become somewhat arrogant. She held Scholar Bei He in high regard; however, during their conversations, Bei He often mentioned Ye Wen, and Jiang Ning doubted Ye Wen's prowess. Every time she voiced her skepticism, Bei He would correct her, causing her considerable frustration. She had been looking for an opportunity to see this 'Ye Wen' for herself, never expecting the chance to arrive so soon.

Upon meeting Ye Wen, Jiang Ning was even more dismissive upon seeing such an unassuming young man. She felt Scholar Bei He must have been utterly mistaken to show such reverence to this individual.

"Hailing from the Kunlun Sect, why bow to a sect whose name you have never heard?"

This thought lingered in her mind. Now, she secretly hoped Scholar Bei He would severely teach Ye Wen's disciple a lesson. This would not only display the might of the Kunlun Sect but also curb the perceived arrogance of this 'Senior Ye.'

Although Ye Wen hadn't done anything overtly arrogant, in Jiang Ning's eyes, he was putting on airs—look at the situation: they stood while Ye Wen sat comfortably, even bringing out a spread of drinks and fruit. Did he think he was at a movie theater?

If Ye Wen could hear her thoughts, he would probably reply with a touch of mischief, "I think this is much better viewing than those blockbusters at the cinema!" Furthermore, the matter concerning Zheng Ying also deeply annoyed Jiang Ning. It wasn't that she had a conflict with Zheng Ying; she was genuinely happy her colleague had a chance to save her life and perhaps even enter the cultivation world.

But the ones stepping up to handle it were the Emei, Huashan, or Wudang Sects—that would be understandable. But what was this Shu Mountain Sect? She had never heard of them before, yet they stepped in and took over problems that established sects couldn't solve! Weren't they blatantly slapping the faces of these renowned great sects?

Perhaps the sect leaders wouldn't think that way, but the disciples, fiercely proud of their own lineage, couldn't help but feel slighted. She had run errands for Zheng Ying countless times over the years and had recently found promising clues within her own sect that suggested she was close to finding a cure for Zheng Ying’s condition. But upon meeting Zheng Ying now, she was cheerfully informed that the problem was resolved, thanks to 'Master' (Ye Wen).

"Hmph, let's see what this Shu Mountain Sect is truly capable of!"

While she stewed in her displeasure, Chris and Bei He had already engaged. Initially, both unleashed their power: Chris flared his flame-like Green Dou Qi, while Bei He summoned his personal artifact, the Tianhe Divine Sand, swirling around him, projecting a fierce blade light that dared not be met head-on. After an initial clash of momentum, Chris’s Green Dou Qi seemed faintly unable to hold its ground.

Chris dared not prolong the stalemate. He lunged forward, drawing both fists back to his waist, condensing a ball of green energy in each—the signature Hadouken.

The Hadouken didn't strictly require two hands; one hand sufficed. With prolonged practice, Chris's mastery had reached an advanced level; he could now execute it with a single hand or simultaneously generate two blasts without weakening the power.

As he rushed toward Bei He, Chris slammed his left fist into the ground. The wave of energy followed instantly. Everyone saw a flash of green light, heard an explosion, and then a cloud of dust billowed up.

Bei He seemed unaffected by the dust cloud, still standing there with a calm smile. Then, a second later, the Tianhe Divine Sand around him erupted in brilliant blade light, coalescing into a long saber radiating azure starlight, which materialized out of thin air. The powerful blade energy sliced directly toward his right flank.

The blade energy burst forth, instantly sweeping the dust away. Everyone clearly saw Chris right where the strike was aimed. The sheer power of the blade felt palpable even to those standing further back.

Tommy had long since lost his earlier playful demeanor; he looked thoroughly tense, as if he were the one fighting Bei He. Since he was American like Chris and cultivated the same Seven-Colored Dou Qi, this battle held significant meaning for him.

Chris neither dodged nor avoided the attack. He suddenly roared, the green light of his left hand intensifying slightly. His fist morphed into a blade shape, the Dou Qi surging as it formed a green blade edge. Chris timed his attack precisely and struck with a hand blade. The light formed by the green Dou Qi unleashed formidable blade energy. Even before the sharp force fully manifested, a fissure cracked open in the ground beneath his feet.

Bei He registered surprise, but simultaneously found the situation more interesting. The Tianhe Divine Sand seemed to sense its master's intent; its aura surged slightly, and its speed increased imperceptibly. The spectators felt a flash of light before an intensely crisp sound of clashing metal rang out.

The green Dou Qi and the Tianhe Divine Saber collided, unleashing powerful, violent energy. The resulting scattered air currents utterly ravaged the ground, leaving little untouched even further away. The once picturesque backyard had been transformed, a sight Ye Wen found regrettable.

"Sigh, such a nice courtyard…"

He muttered just as a figure was blasted backward. As he retreated, bursts of Dou Qi flared around him, and he casually hurled the ball of Hadouken energy he had held onto, making it carve a 'C' shaped arc through the air directly toward the back of Bei He's head.

Normally, this would require no reaction from Bei He. That ball of green-glowing energy, though potent, couldn't possibly injure him. While most of the Star River Divine Sand was condensed into the Star River Divine Saber to contend with Chris, Bei He had retained a small portion for personal defense.

As the energy neared his head, numerous specks of blue starlight suddenly manifested, forming a barrier around Bei He. These points of light seemed to anchor the barrier, and the energy walls connecting these points also glowed blue, just like the Divine Sand.

"Oh? Is this Scholar Bei He's defensive technique?"

Ye Wen found this amusing, but the fight shifted again. Chris’s ball of Hadouken energy suddenly exploded, releasing countless smaller red energy pulses that shot out. Their power and speed were clearly far greater than the initial blast. They slammed into Bei He just as the blue crystal wall was forming.

After several sharp cracks, the uninjured Scholar Bei He looked at Chris with slight surprise. He had used another of his personal artifacts at the last second to neutralize the small Hadouken strikes. Although unharmed, he was astonished that Chris could land a blow. He spoke, praising, "Sect Leader Ye's cultivation is profound, and his ability to teach disciples is equally extraordinary!" This was clearly a compliment aimed at Ye Wen. However, Scholar Bei He, perhaps spurred by the challenge, then addressed Ye Wen: "This junior would very much like some pointers from Senior. I hope Senior will not refuse!"

"Huh? Fight me?"