Hu Zhongyuan and Zong Yuan, who had been watching with great enthusiasm and finding it utterly thrilling moments before, now felt a knot of panic tighten in their chests. Was this Young Master truly intending to give everyone in the stone hall a thorough thrashing?

The former had always stayed close behind Zong Shou, fearing any injury to him. But even he sensed something was amiss now. Glancing from the side, he saw Zong Shou’s face flushed crimson, his gaze unfocused—he looked utterly drunk.

He had initially assumed Zong Shou's swift beating of these men was intentional, possessing some deeper strategy. Now, however, he couldn't help but inwardly groan. The beating of the first three men was one thing; their Qian Tian Mountain sect wouldn't particularly care.

But Xuanyuan Tong was not only the City Lord of Xuan Shan City, but also the future father-in-law of their Young Master. If the Young Master actually beat him, how would that be handled?

He immediately shook his head, thinking that was wrong. Xuanyuan Tong was a peak Earth Wheel realm expert, several times more formidable than his own father. Even without using true Qi, relying solely on his physical body, he was vastly superior to Zhu Junhou and the others; there was simply no logical reason for him to lose. The person he should truly worry about was their Young Master—perhaps Zong Shou would be the one getting beaten soundly! Focusing completely, he followed closely, ready to step in and take a blow for Zong Shou at the critical moment.

Xuanyuan Tong’s eyes, however, were currently as calm as still water. He only sighed deeply and rose to his full height from his seat when Zong Shou approached him again. While seated, he appeared refined and gentle, but standing up, he resembled a majestic, towering mountain piercing the clouds. His powerful, surging aura filled the hall.

It made Hu Zhongyuan and the others suddenly feel as if the vast stone hall had become incredibly narrow. The mere sight of this man’s silhouette was too much to contain.

Without weapons, his hands empty, his expression was complex and deeply emotional. "I thought the Young Master could not practice martial arts; I never expected that now, even Lord Junhou is no match for you. Your father’s boxing style once swept across the Eastern Lin Yun Continent virtually unmatched, yet your swordsmanship surpasses what your father achieved in his youth. At the age of fourteen, you achieved spiritual communion with the Way of the Sword, grasping the essence of sword intent. The son of an old friend—to achieve such heights! Xuanyuan Tong is greatly pleased, and my old heart is deeply comforted! Yet, because you insulted my subordinates, I also feel resentment, wishing I could beat you soundly myself!"

Zong Shou frowned slightly. Who exactly was this man again? He couldn't recall. Why all the unnecessary chatter just for a fight?

Then, Xuanyuan Tong’s outer robe violently shuddered, tearing into fragments that exploded outwards.

Revealing the tight-fitting garment beneath, he clenched both fists. "Since you claimed you were going to beat me, then come forward and let me see just how far the swordsmanship of my old friend's son has reached! All my cultivation rests in a single copper essence. However, this boxing style, having been guided by your father, is not weak. I will fight you barehanded. If you lose, do not blame me for bullying the young. Naturally, if you can truly land a solid beating on me, I will feel even more gratified." As the knuckles of his wrist began to crackle like bursting beans, Xuanyuan Tong’s imposing presence grew even more majestic.

Hu Zhongyuan, standing near the front, felt a sudden inability to breathe. He could not take a single step further. Only then did he realize how utterly ridiculous his intention to shield Zong Shou had been.

The confrontation between these two men left absolutely no room for him to intervene. Even if his power was only three threads below Xuanyuan Tong's, and perhaps even significantly surpassed Zong Shou’s in some aspects, in the realm of Martial Dao, both of these formidable experts were capable of looking down upon him!

Zong Shou’s eyes, however, were blazing—his blood was boiling within. Under the oppressive might of Xuanyuan Tong’s aura, his latent fighting spirit and intent began to leap wildly in his confused state, almost consuming his entire consciousness. Fight! Fight! Beat him!

This person is incredibly strong and powerful! Standing before him was a mountain so vast it seemed unshakable by any means. Yet, the more so it seemed, the more exhilarating the prospect became: to fell the mountain, to flatten the peak!

He intended to have a satisfying battle today, and the sword in his hand was already yearning to display its sharpness!

Grinning widely, Zong Shou reversed the grip on his Thunder Fang Sword and, without hesitation, stomped forward fiercely.

It was the same footwork he had honed deep underwater.

The sword was named Niliu (Reversal Flow), the step named Nishui (Against the Water)—both moving against the current, striking against the momentum! Under this intensely unparalleled pressure, his movements appeared effortless and graceful, like a casual stroll. He walked towards Xuanyuan Tong, each step targeting the weakest and most easily penetrated point in Xuanyuan Tong’s martial stance.

And Zong Shou’s own aura began to climb steadily with these steps. Initially suppressed, by the time he reached five zhang before Xuanyuan Tong, his intensity had soared to its peak, actually managing to stand toe-to-toe with Xuanyuan Tong, vaguely holding him in check!

Just as their gazes locked, poised for an imminent clash, a sudden, sharp clank echoed from the side.

Zong Shou frowned involuntarily. He had been about to draw his sword, but the sound forcibly broke his rhythm. He turned sideways with barely concealed annoyance. Who on earth was interrupting his momentum? How inconsiderate!

His gaze landed on Fang Shu. Fang Shu was currently biting his lip, seated behind a low table just beneath Lin Shina. Besides an expression of utter disbelief, his entire body was trembling uncontrollably. His seat was less than five zhang from the two fighters, and under the crushing pressure of Xuanyuan Tong’s aura, he could no longer sustain himself. The wine cup in his hand had slipped, falling to the floor.

Zong Shou was momentarily blank, trying to recall who this person was. After a long pause, he found no recognition. He only knew that this fellow irritated him immensely!

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. With a sweep of his left sleeve, four points of cold light shot out instantly.

Xuanyuan Tong, who had been slightly annoyed, was startled by this turn. He hastily stepped forward, his right fist gripping fiercely, sending an energy projection toward the cold lights from a distance.

In this Iron Gang Hall, he was actually managing to project force outward! But as the absorbing force made contact, the four Cloud Pattern Flying Daggers merely flickered slightly, like fish in water, deviating from their original path. Their speed increased severalfold as they continued their trajectory!

“The daggers changed direction!”

Xuanyuan Tong’s heart shuddered. This was not the sword control technique of a Spirit Master, but a martial cultivator using throwing techniques, not only infusing them with powerful true Qi but also achieving mid-air course correction!

His martial nephew could absolutely not have reached the Heaven rank; how did he accomplish this?

Fang Shu was even more alarmed, letting out a startled cry as he rose from his seat. He raised his hand, manifesting a sword into countless layers of thick sword curtains, enveloping his entire body. Yet, the four Cloud Pattern Flying Daggers seemed completely unimpeded, piercing through the shadow of the sword intent.

They embedded themselves directly into his body. Then, his entire person was dragged back by the immense force, shooting back ten zhang before being violently pinned against a stone pillar—two daggers stuck near his shoulders, and the other two in his lower legs.

Fortunately, the Qi within the flying daggers did not explode. They merely locked down all the Qi channels in his body, rendering him immobile. Following this, tendrils of Qi flowed in, causing him agony throughout his body, akin to slow slicing!

Looking at the two wounds on his shoulders, Fang Shu felt a wave of bewilderment. He didn't know how Han Nishui of the Shang Xiao Sect fared, but he knew that even his own Senior Brother, at this age, was only comparable to him. Yet, he was now so easily subdued.

Moreover, if Zong Shou had wished, just one of those flying daggers could have taken Fang Shu’s life!

In other words, this Young Master of Qian Tian Mountain, in terms of both innate talent and actual strength, likely surpassed the core disciples of these proud, secluded sects by immeasurable margins!

Even now, the pain was so intense that he desperately wished to faint immediately.

Beside him, Lin Shina’s expression was also dull, staring fixedly, having completely forgotten how to react.

Ever since learning that the Young Master of Qian Tian Mountain possessed a Dual Vein body, she had worried countless times for Yi Ren’s sake, spending countless sleepless nights. But now, seeing Zong Shou appear before her with such unparalleled, peerless posture, dominating every renowned young talent she knew in this world!

For a moment, like Xuanyuan Tong, she didn't know whether to feel joy or sorrow.

“With this level of skill, killing you is as easy as crushing an ant. Why put on such a grand show in front of people? I despise these so-called reputable disciples the most!”

Hmph, Zong Shou felt a small surge of satisfaction. But looking ahead, he saw Xuanyuan Tong’s expression shifting, muttering to himself,

“Flying daggers changing direction, Jingyun Shenmie—what kind of throwing technique is this?”

Xuanyuan Tong’s spirit was momentarily adrift. If he were to draw his sword now, he could certainly achieve a surprise attack. Zong Shou suppressed the urge. Since this wasn't a genuine life-or-death battle, he shouldn't win dishonorably. Even if he was going to beat someone, he needed to do it convincingly, making the opponent truly accept defeat.

Letting out a slight burp, Zong Shou thought for a moment, then extended his hand, waving it in front of Xuanyuan Tong. “Hey! Old man pretending to be young, snap out of it! Where are you looking? If you don’t pay attention, I’m going to strike!”

Xuanyuan Tong found himself caught between laughter and tears; Zong Shou truly had muddled his mind. Since he was also a martial artist, how could he get drunk so easily? Looking at the situation, it didn't seem fake.

However, his thoughts swiftly reassembled, and in an instant, he cast aside all distractions, focusing intently, just as Zong Shou’s shoulder suddenly moved.

“Look at the sword!”

A crisp, clear sword silhouette suddenly pierced the void, emerging from the most unimaginable location, shooting straight for Xuanyuan Tong’s throat.

Xuanyuan Tong’s eyes widened slightly. He didn't punch; instead, he stamped his foot fiercely, and spiderweb-like cracks immediately spread across the ground. Flying gravel, carrying formidable force, scattered everywhere.

A wall-like current of Qi Wind swept forward, forcibly deflecting that clear sword light.

And Xuanyuan Tong’s figure lunged forward violently, delivering a direct punch toward Zong Shou’s forehead!

The punch struck with the force of toppling mountains!

Zong Shou’s expression changed. Utilizing the Nishui step, he retreated several zhang within the fist wind before managing to stabilize himself. He thrust his sword back again, still incomparably fluid, moving freely through the turbulent wind and fierce Qi.

Xuanyuan Tong still did not block. Using his right foot as an axis, he suddenly swept out a leg, like a blade, slashing upwards diagonally. Before the sword’s intent even made contact, the incredibly tough Thunder Fang Sword began to curve under the pressure of the immense wind.