At this moment, Xiao Geng thoroughly felt Ye Jingyu's almost irresistible power, even sensing the threat of death. But he had already achieved the Martial Saint realm, and was the most gifted young man in the entire Nanyun Empire; how could he possibly die here? No, no, he absolutely could not die here…

Xiao Geng roared inwardly, struggled, and thrashed against fate…

The true essence within his body frantically gathered in his right hand, and a beam of blood-red sword energy shot toward the heavens. This sword energy shockingly transformed into a colossal, substantive greatsword, around whose blade roared, snarled, and struggled thousands of resentful spirits…

An immense power burst forth, seemingly capable of annihilating everything around it…

Moreover, the sword light continued to extend, instantly soaring several zhang high. Its destructive might grew ever greater; the intense sword energy tore open the void. Even Nangong Shang on the palace wall, and the rebel officers and soldiers, turned pale upon sensing this blade light.

The power of this single strike was enough to destroy half the Imperial Palace…

Yet, in the sky, the colossal hand continued to press down, landing directly upon the blood-red sword energy.

"Crack, crack, crack, crack…" The sound resonated continuously, and then the crowd watched as the blood-red sword energy began to shatter inch by inch. Countless streams of residual sword qi scattered everywhere; rebel soldiers a hundred meters away were torn to shreds by this energy. At least a thousand strands of sword qi sprayed out, killing several hundred rebel soldiers…

Such terrifying sword energy was smashed so easily; just how great was the power of that single palm strike? This thought entered everyone’s mind. The soldiers continuously retreated, terrified of being caught in the ensuing disaster.

Facing the terrifying Heaven's Punishment Palm, Xiao Geng suddenly flung a seven-story golden pagoda from his hand. This was the Celestial Wheel Pagoda, re-forged for him by his Master, rumored that anyone imprisoned within it, even a Martial Saint, would be refined away…

But before Xiao Geng could even fully deploy this golden pagoda against Ye Jingyu, he was struck so decisively by Ye Jingyu that he couldn't switch hands and was forced into a purely defensive posture.

However, against the ruthless Heaven's Punishment Palm, even the Celestial Wheel Pagoda, which claimed to refine Martial Saints, was crushed instantly…

Though the remaining force of the Heaven’s Punishment Palm was diminished, even this residual power slammed Xiao Geng into the ground. An unknown number of his bones were shattered, and blood poured simultaneously from all seven orifices. He lay sprawled like a toad, completely motionless…

And on the ground below, a massive handprint had been blasted into the earth…

The entire battlefield fell into sudden, stunned silence. Everyone stared at the scene, their faces filled with disbelief. Some rubbed their eyes repeatedly; others even slapped themselves hard, desperate to confirm if they were dreaming.

A Martial Saint, a Martial Saint, was utterly subdued in this manner? And Ye Jingyu had used only a single move from start to finish!

In just one move, he had brought a Martial Saint to this state—just how strong was his actual power?

Every single person looked at Ye Jingyu as if he were a monster. Except for Nangong Shang, who understood some of the hidden details, even Bei Li and the others gazed at Ye Jingyu with looks of utter horror…

There was excitement in their gazes, there was adoration, and there were many other indistinct, intertwined emotions swirling within them…

Not long ago, when they had just stepped into the Innate Martial Master realm, Ye Jingyu was merely a Martial Master with a slightly stronger physique. But now, when Ye Jingyu could torment a Martial Saint at will, where were they? They were still stuck at the Grandmaster realm…

When had they all fallen so far behind Ye Jingyu?

As for the rebel faction, terror contorted their faces. How could they possibly stand against such overwhelming might? This was not power belonging to a human being…

Qin Yunxiao was so frightened his face turned ashen. Even with his father’s help, he had only reached the peak of the Great Grandmaster level, and he couldn't survive a single move against Xiao Geng. He had initially assumed Ye Jingyu would be killed by Xiao Geng, but he never imagined Ye Jingyu was this terrifyingly powerful. If Ye Jingyu noticed him, given their history of enmity, wouldn't his end be certain?

At this thought, Qin Yunxiao disregarded the outcome of the war and the future glory and wealth awaiting him. While everyone else was still stunned, he turned and fled backward…

If he lost his own life, what was the point of enjoying future splendor?

"Qin Yunxiao, you think you can escape?" But less than a hundred zhang after Qin Yunxiao bolted, Ye Jingyu's resonant voice boomed out, sounding to Qin Yunxiao like the summons of Death itself…

His entire body instantly turned icy cold. He couldn't comprehend how Ye Jingyu had located him from such a distance?

In truth, Ye Jingyu hadn't noticed him initially. It was only because he suddenly broke away from the stunned crowd and ran backward that his movement caught Ye Jingyu's attention. A sweep of divine sense confirmed it was Qin Yunxiao—there was no reason to let him go…

Since his strength was already revealed, he might as well take this opportunity to annihilate these enemies in one sweep…

The moment the words fell, Ye Jingyu’s figure appeared before Qin Yunxiao, and he suddenly threw a punch out…

A golden fist shadow erupted from the tip of Ye Jingyu’s fist, instantly appearing before Qin Yunxiao’s chest…

Sensing the tremendous power contained within that punch, Qin Yunxiao’s face drastically changed, and he shrieked out loud, "Father, save me, I don't want to die!" But at this moment, no one could save him. The golden fist shadow slammed directly into his chest, the immense force piercing straight through, followed by the sight of his entire body completely shattering, blood and shredded flesh scattering everywhere…

Meanwhile, atop a hill outside Yunjing City, Qin Yan, who was currently pinning down Liang Xiaoke alongside several Soul Immortals, felt a sharp pain in his heart. His body, which had been swinging his sword with full force, instantly paused. Liang Xiaoke, who had been trapped in an array by three Soul Masters working in concert, seized the opportunity and soared toward the sky…

But Ye Jingyu was unaware of these events. Looking at Qin Yunxiao’s scattered remains, there was not a trace of joy on his face, as if killing the son of his enemy was merely an insignificant matter…

Just then, the body of Xiao Geng in the plaza began to glow with streaks of blue light…

(More this afternoon!)

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