Yang Jian’s punch came fast and sudden; Ye Wen barely had time to react before the fist was right in front of him. What surprised Ye Wen most was that even though Yang Jian had clearly put immense force into the blow, not the slightest anomaly manifested. At a glance, it looked like a casual punch thrown by an ordinary person.

Though inwardly startled, Ye Wen’s hands moved swiftly. Despite cultivating for only a few decades, Ye Wen’s combat experience was far from meager. At this moment, his hands reacted much faster than his mind could process. Seeing Yang Jian's fist hurtling toward him, his hands instantly executed the appropriate defensive maneuver.

By the time Ye Wen regained full presence of mind, his right hand was already positioned to intercept Yang Jian’s punch. He had initially intended to parry the strike and then use the Xie (Unloading) principle from Tai Chi to neutralize its force. He believed that with his Tai Chi divine mastery and the energy of the Dark Chaos, he should be able to manage this, especially with his body protected by the Immortal Indestructible Physique. Even if the punch carried formidable power that he couldn't entirely unload, he should be able to withstand it.

Unexpectedly, just as the punch reached him, Yang Jian’s strike accelerated further. Ye Wen had absolutely no time to change his move and could only watch as Yang Jian’s fist landed squarely in the center of his right palm—though Ye Wen was too slow to fully react, in that split second he managed a slight adjustment, moving his arm slightly. This prevented the punch from striking his forearm, ensuring his palm took the impact.

A muffled, sharp boom echoed suddenly in the hall. The sound was dull and incredibly brief, yet everyone present felt a jolt in their ears and a momentary blur before their eyes. They then saw the two figures standing close together: Yang Jian’s right fist extended, now firmly caught by Ye Wen’s palm.

Immediately, a flash of light erupted from Ye Wen’s palm—a Tai Chi diagram formed by black and white energies flickered and vanished instantly. Then, the stone slabs beneath Ye Wen’s feet let out a crisp cracking sound. Centered on Ye Wen, the superior flagstone floor of the great hall shattered into pieces, even beginning to sink downward.

Those standing far away hadn't noticed much initially, but as the depression became more obvious, everyone suddenly felt a powerful surge of force through their feet. Nearly everyone struggled to maintain their footing; the ground seemed to vibrate slightly, and the cracks spread rapidly. In the blink of an eye, even the stone slabs beneath their feet were crisscrossed with fissures.

“The might of a single punch, brought to this extent?”

Everyone in the hall was inwardly shocked, never imagining that Yang Jian's single punch could possess such terrifying power. Before today, they knew that cultivators in the Immortal Realm could develop formidable power in their limbs through martial arts, but they never conceived that such a seemingly casual punch could cause such horrific effects!

If Yang Jian’s punch had been accompanied by intimidating presence and terrifying visual phenomena, they might not have been so surprised. Instead, Yang Jian threw the punch, manifesting no otherworldly signs, appearing just like an ordinary martial artist newly learning the basics, throwing a simple punch—only the speed was terrifyingly fast.

Only then, witnessing the aftermath, did they realize the destructive power contained within that single strike far exceeded their imaginations. Many also silently pondered, "If I had been the one taking that punch from the True Lord of Pure Essence and Wonderful Tao, could I have blocked it?"

With this thought, they looked back at Ye Wen on the stage. They saw that a faint smile still lingered on Ye Wen’s lips, and his right hand firmly enveloped Yang Jian’s fist. A faint glow emanated from his hand—though ‘glow’ might not be the right word. His hand seemed to transform into a black hole capable of devouring everything, flickering in and out of sight, making it impossible to focus on clearly.

Meanwhile, Ye Wen’s face flickered between shades of black and white several times before returning to normal, the strange phenomenon ceasing. It was only then that the onlookers realized Ye Wen had actually withstood that terrifying punch head-on!

“Ye Wen actually managed to block the True Lord’s punch?” Not only Guan Yu and Yuan Hong were astonished, even the Gourd Immortal’s eyes widened in disbelief. “This Ye Wen is actually this powerful?” Thoughts raced through his mind, making him feel that his earlier behavior had been rather rash.

What they didn't know was that Ye Wen's seemingly effortless feat had required him to use almost every trick in his arsenal just to meet the blow squarely. The moment his body clashed with Yang Jian’s, Ye Wen’s instinct was to channel his Tai Chi energy to neutralize the force. Alas, the punch was too overwhelmingly strong; it burst straight through the Tai Chi energy.

Fortunately, Ye Wen had backups. His Dark Chaos energy erupted immediately, forming a mire that trapped the invading force, relentlessly dissolving and wearing it down. Following that, the Tai Chi energy reactivated, cleaning up the residual force that managed to breach the Dark Chaos energy.

Even with all this, Ye Wen couldn't completely dissipate the entire force of the blow. Luckily, he had already mastered the Immortal Indestructible Physique, allowing him to shunt the unsustainable energy outward. To avoid harming bystanders, Ye Wen directed this overflow downward, which is why the floor of the grand hall was utterly ruined—and that was only a fraction of Yang Jian’s punching power.

In the end, Ye Wen had to deploy his yet-to-be-fully-mastered Profound Universe technique just to barely manage the strike. It was evident that Yang Jian’s casual punch had forced Ye Wen to utilize his entire repertoire, exhausting everything he knew just to parry it. This truly affirmed the reputation of the Second True Lord as a War God; he was terrifyingly powerful.

Retracting his hand, Ye Wen cupped his fist toward Yang Jian: “I yield gracefully!” Yang Jian also withdrew his fist, scrutinizing Ye Wen again, feeling a surge of appreciation for him. The crowd couldn't discern how much force he had used, but only he knew that the punch was delivered with zero restraint.

Having long cultivated the Eight-Nine Arcane Art to temper his physical body, Yang Jian had long ago refined his strength to the point of absolute control. He could summon ten levels of power without any preliminary preparation; the amount of force was merely a thought. Thus, one could not judge the intensity of his strike by its outward appearance. Furthermore, knowing Ye Wen's considerable abilities, how could he possibly hold back? Therefore, the punch he just threw was indeed delivered with his full strength, yet Ye Wen had actually neutralized it.

He had expected that even if he couldn't injure Ye Wen, he would at least force him into a degree of disarray!

Men like Yang Jian admire true ability, and Ye Wen was undoubtedly exhibiting that quality in his eyes now.

“It has been a long time since anyone could squarely take a punch from this Lord... That monkey tricked away to the Western Buddhist Lands was one. Now, Sect Master Ye can be counted as another…”

Ye Wen smiled casually, seemingly unfazed, yet inwardly he mused: “Judging by Yang Jian’s words, his strength ranks among the very top in the Immortal Realm. The fact that I could barely withstand one of his punches means that even if I’m not a peak master, I’m certainly not weak...”

This offered him a rough measure of his standing in the Immortal Realm. He thought, “If I could fully master the Primordial Chaos Sutra, perhaps then I could genuinely challenge Yang Jian!” As it stood, he stood no chance against Yang Jian. While he blocked the punch, he had used nearly everything he possessed. In a real fight, Yang Jian could simply land another blow and walk away! Moreover, Yang Jian hadn't even drawn his weapon; the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Lance was currently held by Yuan Hong—that treasured blade was one of Yang Jian's most powerful artifacts.

If Yang Jian had his weapon, could Ye Wen even withstand a single move? That was a vexing question that felt disheartening upon deeper consideration. However, Ye Wen knew that Yang Jian had achieved his current cultivation through millennia of arduous practice, whereas he himself had only cultivated for a few decades. Being able to meet Yang Jian head-on already counted as extraordinary.

“One must learn to know one’s place sometimes…”

Thinking this way, the feeling of frustration lessened. Although this was somewhat self-soothing, he couldn't afford to stew in resentment for thousands of years. He cupped his fist toward Yang Jian: “True Lord flatters me!” After a few brief exchanges, the tension that had previously saturated the grand hall had largely dissipated. Ye Wen then invited Yang Jian to be seated, and they began to converse.

At this time, Ye Wen and the Shu Shan Sect were not yet under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court, allowing him to sit as an equal to Yang Jian. Yuan Hong and Guan Yu, who had previously been seated, now stood respectfully behind Yang Jian, flanking him on either side.

However, the Gourd Immortal, Cui Jun, remained comfortably seated. This demonstrated that the Gourd Immortal truly held considerable prestige and status within the Immortal Realm. Even upon seeing Yang Jian, he offered only a slight greeting, requiring no further ceremonial deference.

“The reason this Lord has brought troops here today, I imagine Sect Master Ye already knows!”

As soon as he was seated and tea was served, Yang Jian broached the main subject.

“I know. True Lord has come to investigate and condemn my sect and this mountain for suddenly appearing here!”

Yang Jian nodded. “Precisely. Furthermore, the Heavenly Court’s order was to directly annihilate any sect or group that dares to establish influence in this forbidden zone. However, I still wish to ask Sect Master Ye why you acted in this manner?”

Ye Wen inwardly gasped: “Pure luck!” He hadn't expected the Heavenly Court’s order to be immediate annihilation rather than investigation followed by destruction. It was fortunate that Yang Jian, who held a less than favorable view of the Jade Emperor, was the one leading the contingent. Had another Divine General arrived, there would have been no room for negotiation; they would have been forced into a desperate battle—or more likely, Ye Wen would have made a hasty retreat with a portion of his disciples.

While thinking this, Ye Wen began recounting how his group originated from Earth, later discovered the Changbai Immortal Realm, and then encountered a massive celestial anomaly that resulted in the entire sect relocating to the Immortal Realm. The general narrative remained the same as before, but this time, he added further details.

“Senior Brother’s skill in spouting nonsense has certainly improved…” Ning Ruxue watched Ye Wen sitting there, his face completely composed, his voice steady, as he spun such elaborate falsehoods, internally remarking on his audacity.

Xu Xian, meanwhile, felt admiration mixed with internal commentary: “Senior Brother’s storytelling prowess is reaching new heights. In just this short while, he’s expanded a concise narrative of barely a thousand characters into an epic spanning over a hundred thousand! If we ask him again later, will it become a mega-novel exceeding a million words?”

While Ye Wen spun a captivating tale, Yang Jian’s expression remained utterly unchanged, his lips unmoving. Only when Ye Wen finished did he adopt an expression of dawning understanding.

“Damn, that composure is incredible! Truly, those who have cultivated for millennia are different!” Sipping his tea, Ye Wen secretly observed Yang Jian’s face, finding that the Second True Lord’s expression had been constant from start to finish, revealing nothing. He could only sigh that this man had perfected the art of maintaining inner composure far beyond Ye Wen’s current capability.

Yang Jian then spoke: “If that is the case, it is hardly Sect Master Ye’s fault. I now understand the matter. I shall report it to the Jade Emperor upon my return, thereby sparing Sect Master Ye’s mountain gate from future military disaster... However, in my opinion, Sect Master Ye’s current location for the Shu Shan Sect…”

Ye Wen blinked, immediately realizing the True Lord was suggesting the Shu Shan Sect relocate. After consideration, he saw little impact on the sect; they had only just settled down and held no deep attachment to this specific location. Moving elsewhere would be the same.

The most crucial point was that the entire Shu Shan mountain could now be moved at Ye Wen’s will. What mattered most was Shu Shan itself; wherever it was, they could reside there equally well—even floating over the ocean would make no difference. In the near future, they would not be accepting new disciples or sending any down the mountain anyway.

Even if the Shu Shan Sect intended to increase its overall combat power, it first needed to cultivate the existing disciples properly before considering others. Currently, the disciples needing cultivation ranged from Zhou Zhiruo down to some unnamed junior—all tasks that would require significant time. Therefore, the immediate priority for the Shu Shan Sect would be closed-door cultivation.

Unexpectedly, just as Yang Jian was about to elaborate, Guan Yu suddenly interjected: “True Lord, your humble servant has something to say!”

Yang Jian paused, turning to look at Guan Yu. Seeing Guan Yu’s eager expression and subtle wink, Yang Jian immediately knew this matter was not suitable for an outsider’s ears. He apologized briefly to Ye Wen and said, “Follow me!”

The two stepped out of the main hall and soared into the sky. The members of the Shu Shan Sect understood that the group had important private matters to discuss concerning their sect, but they dared not eavesdrop. Moreover, Yuan Hong was standing guard nearby; they couldn't possibly spy on their superior's conversation right under the nose of his subordinate.

Aside from that, there was a clear senior fellow cultivator from the Immortal Realm sitting among them. If they acted improperly, what would this senior think? And how would he comment on them later? In any case, the Shu Shan Sect could not afford such a loss of face!

Ye Wen did not mind; Yang Jian would return eventually to relay the arrangements regarding Shu Shan. For Ye Wen, the location was irrelevant; cultivation was the same anywhere in the Immortal Realm.

At this moment, Cui Jun suddenly rose and addressed Ye Wen: “Sect Master Ye, this hall possesses magnificent momentum. It is a pity that the floor has been ruined today…”

“No matter, I shall instruct a disciple to commence repairs shortly!”

Cui Jun smiled. “No need for such trouble. It was my abruptness earlier; allow me to cover the damage!” He then performed a few hand seals, muttered an incantation, and flicked his sleeve. A round mirror flew out, bathing the damaged floor in its light.

Under the mirror’s glow, the cracked and sunken floor gradually began to return to its original state. As Cui Jun channeled his spiritual power to flow throughout the hall, every spot touched by the mirror’s light gradually restored itself. After only about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the great hall was as good as new, bearing no trace of prior damage.

What astonished Ye Wen was that the floor didn't just become brand new; it genuinely reverted to its prior state, as if time itself had flowed backward to the moment just before the clash with Yang Jian.

“What kind of spell is that?”

Cui Jun laughed. “A minor technique, merely requiring a bit of skill and a corresponding magical implement!” He brightened the bronze mirror in his hand. Ye Wen noticed that the mirror displayed the interior of the hall, but in the reflection, the floor was indeed broken and ruined, just as it had been moments before.

“This treasure is called the Universe Mirror; it possesses the ability to reverse the cosmos... though only ordinary inanimate objects—like this hall’s floor or pillars—can be reversed by at most one hour…”

It turned out the Qiankun Mirror could record the scene within the hall and restore reality to a state up to one hour prior. By channeling spiritual power, the image within the mirror could then be exchanged with the actual object outside. He had just used this method to repair the hall floor. However, the treasure only worked on dead things; living beings or superior magical artifacts would not be affected.

Hearing this, Ye Wen finally let out a sigh of relief. He had been slightly apprehensive upon hearing how powerful the mirror was, but now he understood it wasn't utterly heaven-defying; at best, it was for repairing things.

Then, the mirror swept across the hall once more. The image of the damaged hall vanished, replaced by a perfectly intact hall. Thus, inside and outside matched again, functioning like an ordinary mirror.

Cui Jun recalled his artifact and said to Ye Wen, “My sect is called the Heavenly Secret Gate (Tian Ji Men); we specialize in researching magical artifacts, mechanisms, and arrays. If Sect Master Ye has any needs…”

Ye Wen finally understood why Cui Jun had offered help: the Heavenly Secret Gate specialized in exactly these fields. Perhaps he assumed that the Shu Shan Sect, being newly arrived in the Immortal Realm, would lack such items and was trying to market his sect's treasures?

But wouldn't this play right into Ye Wen's hands? He had been searching for precisely such talented individuals! However, these matters were not urgent. The immediate focus remained on strengthening his own power. Thus, after exchanging a few polite phrases with Cui Jun, he adamantly avoided mentioning artifacts or arrays, acting as if he had forgotten the topic entirely.

Just then, Yang Jian and Guan Yu returned. Seeing the hall restored to its original condition, they both glanced toward Cui Jun, suggesting they were familiar with the old Daoist’s abilities. They then resumed their original positions.

Once seated, Yang Jian spoke: “After further consideration, I believe that Sect Master Ye’s chosen location for the Shu Shan Sect is actually an excellent choice!”

“Huh? Why the sudden change of heart?” Ye Wen looked toward Guan Yu with some confusion, realizing the Martial Saint must have said something to Yang Jian in private.

Yang Jian continued: “However, for this matter to be finalized, Sect Master Ye must accompany me to the Heavenly Court... This will be a good opportunity to resolve all the necessary registration and reporting for your esteemed sect!”