Zhang Tianhe gazed at Ziyuan, his eyes brimming with undisguised astonishment and adoration. He formed a palm with one hand and declared, "May infinite blessings be upon you. True Person Ziyuan, please proceed!"

Ziyuan approached the assembled crowd and spoke in a clear, ringing voice, "I thank everyone for allowing this humble woman a moment to address you all publicly."

From the crowd, an ardent admirer immediately called out, "True Person Ziyuan, if you wish, you can speak for as long as you like; we are eager to listen!"

At this remark, the entire crowd erupted in laughter.

Ziyuan smiled faintly, her demeanor perfectly serene as she spoke, "Just now, I saw how vehemently you all debated with this True Person Li, finally deciding to settle the matter by contest. But have you all considered how the outcome should be judged? Should we rush him all at once? Or should we take turns, one by one?"

Someone in the crowd shouted loudly, "If we rush him, even if this brat were a true immortal, we'd crush him to death just by crowding him!"

Ziyuan nodded and chuckled, "Precisely. That would terribly tarnish the reputation of our great sects. Imagine the stories told afterwards—that so many members of our major sects ganged up on one person. It would be a laughingstock!"

As she finished speaking, another voice immediately responded, "The Fairy speaks the truth. For all of us to attack him at once would be giving him far too much credit!"

Ziyuan laughed, "But if we take turns, there are over a hundred of us here. How long would the fighting last? Are we supposed to set up stalls and market stands here, fighting on the stage while eating and sleeping in the audience?"

The crowd burst into uproarious laughter. Li Yundong couldn't help but chuckle himself. He remarked, "Seeing as none of you brought any provisions, don't strip Tianlong Mountain bare by the time you're done, leaving only piles of white and yellow refuse. Then there'll be no need to fight; the stench alone will suffice."

His words provoked even louder laughter, and the tense, aggressive atmosphere dissipated considerably.

Ziyuan glanced at Li Yundong, but her smiling face instantly froze into an expression of icy severity. She said coldly, "You nameless nobody, daring to interfere in the affairs of so many sects. Do you truly believe yourself to be the Jade Emperor? If you insist on being the hero, then let me tell you: with so many sects present, do you think you can handle us all?"

Seeing Ziyuan turn on him so abruptly, Li Yundong, though knowing she was acting, couldn't help but mutter inwardly, Damn, this fairy sister changes her mood fast!

Li Yundong cupped his hands and announced loudly, "I, Li Yundong, boldly volunteer to spar against any single individual from the assembled sects!" He then pointed to the line traced on the ground by the Seven Treasures Spiritual Fan and declared, "If anyone crosses this line, consider it my defeat!"

The crowd was instantly thrown into an uproar. They each thought to themselves: This brat is too arrogant, setting such terms. Crossing that line is hardly difficult! And he never specified how he wins. Does he possess such confidence?

Ziyuan paused slightly upon seeing the rule Li Yundong had established, then shot him a swift, appreciative look. She thought to herself: Clever enough. He knows not to inflict unnecessary slaughter, lest he accumulate too many enemies and find himself unable to move freely in the future.

Ziyuan played her part perfectly, saying, "Since True Person Li has laid down the terms, we shall abide by them. What do the rest of you think?"

Turning back, the cultivators who admired the various sects immediately shouted in unison, "True Person Ziyuan, we will agree to whatever you say!"

Ziyuan continued, "Since this is a contest of skills, even the gentlest academic duel carries the possibility of injury or death. That is the meaning of 'fists and feet have no eyes.' Too much bloodshed has already occurred today. Why don't each of our sects nominate their strongest practitioner to compete? The loser steps aside automatically. How does that sound?"

Some of the more seasoned and prudent individuals felt a slight unease, but couldn't articulate exactly what was wrong. After all, they themselves didn't believe this unknown nobody could defeat so many of them single-handedly. They pondered for a moment, and for a time, no one spoke.

Ziyuan turned to Zhang Tianhe and asked, "What does True Person Zhang think?"

Zhang Tianhe knew that although nominally the six major sects were surrounding the Fox Charm Gate, over a dozen sects had actually arrived. Naturally, he didn't believe Li Yundong could challenge over a dozen individuals consecutively. He smiled, "This arrangement is perfect; it prevents any gossip!" Then he said to Li Yundong, "Did you hear that clearly?"

Li Yundong smiled faintly, not bothering with pleasantries. He cupped his hands, "Who is first!"

Du Fei of the Quanzhen Dragon Gate Sect immediately leaped onto the field, sneering, "I'll go! Brat, today I’ll teach you the might of our Quanzhen Dragon Gate Sect!"

Du Fei wore traditional Tang clothing. With a great shout, he swung his arm, and with a swoosh, a golden-banded staff shot out from his sleeve. It struck the ground with a thud, causing a slight tremor beneath their feet.

Du Fei took a deep breath, adopted a ready stance, placing one hand on the butt of the staff and the other near the seven-inch mark. Being quite tall with exceptionally long arms, when he fully extended his posture, his movements were truly like an ape stretching its limbs, eager for battle.

Li Yundong saw the tip of the golden-banded staff swaying slightly, like a venomous snake ready to strike, and felt a chill. His gaze settled on Du Fei's shoulders while his own feet remained perfectly still just behind the boundary line.

Seeing that Li Yundong would not step beyond the line, Du Fei narrowed his eyes slightly. When he reopened them, his gaze flashed with intense brilliance. With a loud roar, he swung the golden-banded staff forcefully. In an instant, the staff lengthened by nearly a meter or two, transforming the rod into something resembling a massive iron hammer, which he brought down ferociously and terrifyingly toward Li Yundong!

Li Yundong instantly tensed. Grabbing the nearby Seven Treasures Spiritual Fan, he sidestepped the blow and, with a backhand flick, deflected the golden-banded staff with a sharp clang.

Both weapons were magical artifacts forged from Black Iron, immensely heavy. When they collided, the resultant deep humming vibration made the ears of the onlookers ache.

Du Fei, having his downward strike deflected, immediately executed a somersault. As he turned, the golden-banded staff abruptly shortened, concealed entirely behind him, leaving no indication where his next attack would come from.

But when he reappeared from the flip, the staff had vanished from his hand. It then darted out from under his ribs, moving like a phantom, swift as lightning!

Li Yundong saw a flash of gold rushing toward his face. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist, causing the Seven Treasures Spiritual Fan to snap open with a swish, forming a solid iron wall directly in front of him to block the attack.

Du Fei's move was an evolution of the 'Reverse Horse Maneuver,' exceptionally concealed. Furthermore, his staff could instantly change length and size, making it unpredictable when combined with this technique—countless cultivators had fallen victim to this lethal move, which was truly his masterpiece.

However, Li Yundong simply ignored the logic of the attack. Regardless of where it originated or where it aimed, he met it head-on by blocking with an iron wall directly in front of him, fully shielding his body, and effortlessly neutralizing the blow.

Du Fei was so enraged he felt like spitting blood. He thought fiercely, This brat's artifact is too domineering; I must draw it away!

With that thought, he suddenly tossed the golden-banded staff straight up into the sky. The staff then sprang into the air on its own, attacking Li Yundong from all directions.

Although the power of the artifact was significantly diminished when it attacked autonomously compared to when it was in Du Fei's hands, its agility increased, and its movements were as swift as lightning, its assault relentless—a speed human reflexes simply couldn't track. Li Yundong found himself struggling to fend it off.

After blocking several attacks, Li Yundong simply tossed out his own Seven Treasures Spiritual Fan. The fan immediately moved like a flood dragon entering the sea, aggressively meeting Du Fei's golden-banded staff. The two artifacts battled fiercely in mid-air, a twisting mass of gold and dark light, punctuated by continuous clanging and sparking fire.

Seeing Li Yundong discard his artifact, leaving his hands empty and defenseless, Du Fei rejoiced greatly. He rapidly formed a hand seal and bellowed, "Receive!"

A three-foot-long sharp sword shot out from behind him, piercing the air with tremendous speed and force. When it first flew out, it was a single sword, but as it rose into the air, it transformed, one becoming two, two becoming four, until upon descent, it densely covered the area seven or eight meters around Li Yundong—it was a veritable rain of swords!

The members of the Quanzhen Dragon Gate Sect cheered wildly, shouting, "Senior Brother Du, what a magnificent Flying Sword Rain! Well done!"

Those from other sects who recognized the technique nodded secretly, thinking: Although the Quanzhen Dragon Gate Sect has declined from its former glory during the era of Sect Master Qiu Chuji, it is not yet utterly defeated. They still possess some capable hands!

Li Yundong watched the terrifying sword rain falling from above. His Seven Treasures Spiritual Fan was currently entangled with Du Fei's artifact. While he could retreat to avoid the swords, doing so would immediately allow Du Fei to cross the line, resulting in his loss.

As the long swords seemed poised to pierce him through, Li Yundong suddenly darted a few steps forward, covering a distance of four or five meters, and violently raised the two massive three-legged bronze cauldrons, each weighing over a thousand jin, which rested within the Yin-Yang Taiji diagram.

The moment he lifted the cauldrons, he heard a series of metallic dongs from above. Clearly, the sword rain overhead was being blocked entirely by the massive bronze vessels.

The onlookers gasped in horror, watching Li Yundong use sheer physical strength to lift such a colossal weight and intercept a blow that seemed certain to land.

Du Fei, angered that his attack had been blocked, was just about to form another hand seal to command his flying swords when he saw Li Yundong suddenly swing the cauldron, striking its belly with his palm!

With a sharp clang, the foot-thick layer of accumulated soot and ash inside the cauldron shot out like a sharp arrow directly at Du Fei.

Du Fei was caught completely off guard. He only managed to hold his breath and shut his eyes before being instantly transformed into a soot-covered figure.

The field was immediately shrouded in smoke and dust, and the surrounding cultivators quickly covered their noses and backed away.

Du Fei waved his sleeve to clear the soot from his face and opened his eyes, only to suck in a sharp breath of air. To his horror, he saw Li Yundong—who had just thrown the cauldron aside—now hurling the thousand-plus-jin vessel directly at him!

The cultivators behind Du Fei shrieked in alarm and scattered like startled birds and beasts.

After releasing the first cauldron, Li Yundong leaped swiftly to the second one nearby, kicked its belly, sending it soaring into the air, and then immediately lunged toward Du Fei.

Seeing the massive cauldron charging with such ferocity, Du Fei knew he couldn't dodge in time. He gritted his teeth, extended his long arms, and brought his palms together in a defensive posture, preparing to meet the impact head-on.

With a dull thud, as Du Fei caught the thousand-jin cauldron, he felt as if he had been struck by a speeding express train across both arms. A sickening crack echoed from his bones, as if his skeleton was about to shatter in the next second!

But Du Fei was the senior disciple of the Quanzhen Dragon Gate Sect, possessing formidable cultivation. In that split second, he clamped down with fierce resolve, inhaling rapidly at a moment when he shouldn't have been able to draw breath. Immediately, he rotated his feet, violently channeling the immense force surging through his arms down into the ground beneath him.

With a resounding boom, the ground beneath his feet suddenly sank, the pressure forcing a small crater into the bluestone pavement!

Having successfully dissipated that force, Du Fei paused for no moment. Utilizing his power, he hurled the massive cauldron cradled in his arms back toward Li Yundong.

Li Yundong saw the returning cauldron but did not slow his momentum. He suddenly dropped low, his entire body skimming the ground, as the heavy cauldron whistled past his scalp with a deep whoosh.

But just as the cauldron swept over his back, Li Yundong suddenly straightened his waist and arched his back, driving the cauldron backward with a solid thunk. He simultaneously used the upward thrust from that movement to execute a swift Somersault, catching the foot of the other massive cauldron—which was spinning down from the air—with precise timing. With a mighty swing, he hurled it down at Du Fei’s head!

This sequence—the sudden drop, the powerful upward thrust, the flip, and catching the other cauldron in mid-air to swing it like a hammer toward Du Fei—was executed with breathtaking speed, like a startled swan or a clap of thunder. This continuous motion vividly showcased Li Yundong’s extraordinary combat talent and superhuman reflexes.

The entire audience watched in horror as Li Yundong brought the cauldron crashing down toward Du Fei. They gasped, realizing that if it connected, even an iron statue would be instantly turned into a pulp of meat and bone.

Du Fei saw only blackness as a massive cauldron descended upon him like a sweeping net. He had no time to evade; his mind flashed with a single, subconscious thought: It’s over. I will die here today!

Yet, as the thousand-jin cauldron, carrying the might of thunder and lightning, was about to smash into Du Fei, Li Yundong suddenly twisted his waist, halting the colossal vessel mid-air.

The crowd watched as the terrifyingly heavy cauldron was stopped by Li Yundong as if it weighed nothing. His entire body transitioned from dynamic motion to absolute stillness, like a sculpted statue, the thousand-jin artifact held perfectly motionless in his hands. Only the incense ash spilling from the tilted cauldron continued to dust down onto Du Fei's head.

Though showered in ash, Du Fei stared straight up at the cauldron, which hung less than an inch from his face, his face utterly pale with terror, sweat streaming down him. He didn't dare blink, as the ashes continued to softly fall onto him, creating a strangely comical sight.

But the field was utterly silent; not a single person dared to laugh.

Li Yundong leaned forward, maintaining the posture as if about to smash down. The first cauldron, which he had driven backward with his waist, landed precisely on one of the points of the Yin-Yang diagram on the ground with a muffled thud.

Li Yundong asked in a deep voice, "Are you convinced?"

Du Fei felt his throat burning. His voice was dry as he replied, "Convinced!"

Li Yundong pressed further, "Do you concede defeat?"

Du Fei nodded, speaking with a mixture of awe and reverence, "I concede!"

Li Yundong nodded once, without looking, pivoted his feet, rotated his body, and with a shake of his arm, flung the thousand-jin cauldron he held away.

Li Yundong clapped the ash off his hands and announced loudly, "Good, since you submit! Next!"

As his voice faded, the first cauldron, which had been thrown behind him, landed perfectly on the other circular dot of the Yin-Yang diagram, as if the two massive vessels had never moved an inch!

At that moment, the entire field was dead silent. Everyone stared at Li Yundong in profound shock, no one daring to speak. A single thought echoed in every mind: That cauldron is far heavier than a thousand jin; the force behind its rapid approach must have been many thousands of jin. Yet he stopped it with effortless grace. Such cultivation is terrifying! Who exactly is this person!