"Boom!" With a muffled sound, the Iron-Backed Saber-Toothed Tiger that faced Huayue head-on was sent flying by his sword. It rolled and crawled for a full dozen steps before struggling to its feet.

The terrifying force of Huayue’s Thunder Sound Sky Shake was not something that a master of the same rank could withstand, and the Exotic Beasts were no exception.

Beside it, the Dragon Scale Fire Pattern Rhinoceros that was charging swiftly suddenly halted. Three figures appeared ghost-like in front of it, with slender, narrow, and long sword blades flashing with the light of death, stabbing at its eyes from three different directions.

Although the Dragon Scale Fire Pattern Rhinoceros’s body was covered with dragon-scale-like thick armor, known for its strong defense, its eyes were a fatal weakness. Its defense was far inferior to the rest of its body, and it definitely couldn’t withstand a full-force strike from the Ninth Rank Sword Master.

The Dragon Scale Flame Rhinoceros had a robust body and developed limbs, but its intelligence was definitely not low. Seeing the situation turn bad, it stopped its feet forcefully, using its strong limbs to leap backward and retreat.

On the other side, Zirong’s snake-like longsword directly pierced into the gap between the armor plates of another Dragon Scale Fire Pattern Rhinoceros. Blood spurted like a spring, and the beast emitted a piercing wail.

The armor of the Dragon Scale Fire Pattern Rhinoceros, tough as fine steel, was comparable to that of the Fierce Stone Demon, but unlike the Fierce Stone Demon, the gaps between its armor plates had vulnerabilities. Others might find it difficult to find the flaws among thousands of plates, but don’t forget, Zirong’s Devil Eyes can see through countless mysteries, and the flaws on the beast couldn’t escape her gaze.

In pain, this Dragon Scale Fire Pattern Rhinoceros retreated quickly.

Behind it, the Earthly Ferocious Bear roared wildly, its fur shimmering with golden light. Two Heavenly Spirit Giant Palms smashed repeatedly, seemingly in fury. Facing it, Tang Bufan let out a wild shout, his black hair dancing in the wind. Each slash of his wide longsword carried an unstoppable momentum, resembling a mad demon.

In the blink of an eye, Tang Bufan’s longsword clashed with the stone mill-like giant palms of the Earthly Ferocious Bear dozens of times, producing thunderous rumbling sounds. Although the bear was known for its absolute power, Tang Bufan’s legs were like they were nailed to the ground, not retreating a step.

In contrast, the bear, usually known for its fury, showed fear in its eyes, driven by Tang Bufan’s fearless momentum to continuously retreat.

Huayue and Zirong, having succeeded with their strikes, gained confidence and gave their opponents no chance to breathe, attacking fiercely like shadow.

Faced with Huayue’s Thunder Sound Sky Shake, Zirong’s Demon Sword Heart Kill, Jiang Yuzhe’s Clone Illusion Destruction, and Tang Bufan’s Furious Demon Slash, the Exotic Beasts had no power to resist and could only retreat step by step.

Finally, with the Iron-Backed Saber-Toothed Tiger spitting blood under Huayue’s Thunder Sound Sky Shake, the two Dragon Scale Fire Pattern Rhinoceroses bleeding profusely from Jiang Yuzhe and Zirong’s ghost-like longsword strikes, and the Earthly Ferocious Bear’s forehead slashed open by Tang Bufan’s vast sword strike, the four Exotic Beasts let out sorrowful cries and turned to flee towards the distant Longyan Mountain.

Though it seemed lengthy in description, the whole sequence from Huayue and Zirong’s initial strike to the Exotic Beasts’ panicked flight took no more than seven and a half minutes.

All around was silent, as everyone on the city tower was stunned.

Ninth Rank Sword Masters were amongst Mu Hanyan’s followers. Tang Bufan’s berserk momentum far exceeded his cultivation level, making people mistake him for a Ninth Rank Sword Master.

If they were merely Ninth Rank Sword Masters, it would be impressive enough, but their true combat power was evidently far superior to ordinary Ninth Rank Sword Masters, otherwise they couldn’t have defeated those powerful Exotic Beasts in just seven and a half minutes. Remember, last time Dan Tai Xuan and ten others struggled for four hours to force the enemy back.

Without comparison, it was hard to appreciate Huayue and others’ true might.

No wonder Mu Hanyan was so full of confidence, smiling indifferently—not because she was indifferent to her followers’ fate, but because she had absolute confidence in their strength.

Reflecting on earlier criticisms of Mu Hanyan, the chamber of commerce stewards displayed ashamed expressions, finally believing Mu Hanyan’s previous reassurances.

Meanwhile, Park Donghan’s face turned pale and then red, wishing to find a place to hide.

But Park Donghan wasn’t the one with the worst look—it was Dan Tai Xuan.

Never in his dreams did he imagine Mu Hanyan’s followers would improve so quickly. Remembering last meeting, they weren’t even Sword Masters yet, and now they’ve reached Ninth Rank Sword Masters, matching him.

And the powerful combat ability and astonishing performance of Huayue and others felt like a resounding slap on his face. They forced the Exotic Beasts into a hasty retreat within seven and a half minutes, while his three seniors and juniors still struggled against an Iron-Backed Saber-Toothed Tiger.

As someone said, without comparison, there’s no disparity; without comparison, there’s no harm. At this moment, Mr. Tantai felt quite hurt. The gap between Eighth Rank Ninth Rank Sword Masters seemed huge.

He initially thought returning to Anyun, not only had his strength rapidly advanced, but also bringing nine outstanding seniors and juniors, would allow him to stand tall, and perhaps grab the Sword Heart Soul Cleansing Pond opportunity. Everything seemed as he wished; the Exotic Beast siege of Fang Town was practically a God-given chance for him.

However, Mu Hanyan’s appearance dashed all his hopes before they even began, making him the center of a joke.

Dan Tai Xuan wasn’t foolish; he probably realized what Mu Hanyan and others were astonished at earlier—clearly at his boastfulness, thinking highly of himself, so unaware of the world’s limits. Reflecting on his earlier threats, even he found it laughable.

"Mr. Tantai, it seems your juniors and seniors can’t hold on. Need help?" Mu Hanyan’s favorite thing was rubbing salt in wounds, and this time was no exception.

Sure enough, Dan Tai Xuan’s juniors and seniors, seeing Huayue and others easily repel the powerful Exotic Beasts, felt greatly shamed, their irritation causing a loss of performance, even forced to retreat continuously by the Iron-Backed Saber-Toothed Tiger.

"No need." Dan Tai Xuan felt as though Mu Hanyan slapped him hard across the face, his face flushed, humming as he spoke.

Unfortunately, Mu Hanyan didn’t heed him. Continuing to slap was her style after all!