Chapter 544: Chapter 544: Useless to Say It!

The Sect Leader of the Wind Control Sect stared at Yang Qi, speechless for a long time. The expert I hired for a full billion was defeated in a single move? He even passed out? That money went completely down the drain.

"Can I avoid kneeling?" he asked Yang Qi with a bitter smile.

"You had your chance to stand, but you refused it. Now, kneel. Don’t make me use force, or I’ll cripple your legs," Yang Qi said coldly.

"You! Don’t push it!" The Sect Leader of the Wind Control Sect was seething. The esteemed leader of one of the four sects and six families, forced to kneel before a mere brat—it was utterly humiliating.

"Kneel, or I’ll act!" Yang Qi wasted no more time and moved to attack. To his surprise, the Sect Leader of the Wind Control Sect promptly dropped into a standard kneeling posture on the ground.

"Your mouth says no, but your body is quite honest! Next!" Yang Qi turned to the remaining men with a ferocious grin.

"Attack him together!" Wang Hai roared, slamming his hand on the table.

At his command, the experts from the Seven Swords Sect, the Wang Family, the Yan Family, and the Black Wolf Sect all charged forward. There were five of them in total, including the Fisherman of the South, an Overlord at the Grand Completion stage of the Second Rank.

"Smart, figuring out you should attack together. A pity it’s still useless!" Yang Qi sneered, stomping his foot. In an instant, five Cold Ice Chains shot out.

In a flash, the Overlords from the Seven Swords Sect, the Wang Family, and the Yan Family, as well as the elder from the Black Wolf Sect, were all ensnared by the Cold Ice Chains, completely unable to dodge. Only the Fisherman of the South managed to bat a chain away with his fishing rod, evading the strike.

"Oh? Interesting. In that case, I’ll deal with them first and save you for last!" Yang Qi chuckled. He pulled back, and the four chains yanked their captives forward, slamming the four Second Rank Overlords to the ground. They, too, were defeated in a single move. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

This time, before Yang Qi could even say a word, the Overlords from the Seven Swords Sect, the Wang Family, and the Yan Family, along with the elder from the Black Wolf Sect, all knelt. Yang Qi smirked and ignored them, turning his gaze to the Fisherman of the South. "You’re not bad, managing to dodge my attack. Of all the masters I’ve faced today, you must be the strongest."

"Heh, to think that after decades in seclusion, the world outside has changed so dramatically. A young whelp in his twenties is this powerful. However, running into me is your misfortune." The Fisherman of the South had long been seeking a stepping stone to announce his return and prove he hadn’t grown weak. Now, he saw Yang Qi as that very stepping stone.

"Is that so? My misfortune, or yours?" Yang Qi chuckled, seeing right through the old man’s intentions. It was a shame he was destined for disappointment.

"Fishing Skill!"

The Fisherman of the South had fished daily for decades, and from this practice, he had comprehended a set of martial arts. It was said to be incredibly formidable. Many had heard of it, but few had ever witnessed it. Today, they would finally see it in action.

"Like Jiang Taigong, I fish for those willing to be hooked!" the Fisherman of the South snorted, and his fishing rod shot directly toward Yang Qi. Even before the hook arrived, a piercing, sharp chill emanated from it.

The onlookers were stunned, pinning all their hopes of defeating Yang Qi on the Fisherman of the South. Incredible! The man doesn’t move, but the rod and line do. Such control! He truly is an old master of the Jianghu who rose to fame decades ago. His methods are astonishing!

"Heh, then I’ll be the one to get hooked," Yang Qi chuckled and reached out to grab the hook with his bare hand.

"You’re courting death!" the Fisherman of the South sneered. Daring to grab his hook? This single move would be enough to shatter Yang Qi’s hand.

But in the next moment, the Fisherman of the South realized something was terribly wrong. Yang Qi had pinched the hook, and it wouldn’t budge. How can anyone have such powerful defenses? Such a tough hand? Before he could fully process it, an electric current surged up the fishing line and through the rod.

"AHH—!" The Fisherman of the South shrieked in pain and dropped the rod. The right hand that had held it was already scorched black, and he grimaced in agony.

So strong! I’ve met many experts, though most were below the level of a Second Rank Overlord. I never felt anyone was worthy of being my peer, but today, I know I’ve truly met my match. This young man’s power is beyond my imagination.

"I am defeated!" The Fisherman of the South did not press the attack. He knew that if his ultimate move couldn’t beat Yang Qi, there was no chance of victory today. "I will return the money to the Black Wolf Sect in full. Farewell!"

The man was surprisingly honorable. After failing to help, he was even returning the payment. Then, he turned and walked away.

Yang Qi did not stop him. Instead, he turned to the King of Jingnan with a smile. "Well, now it’s just your Jingnan Royal Mansion and us left sitting here. It’s time we settled things." As he spoke, he sat down, and Ye Feng and the others followed suit.

The representatives from the Jingnan Royal Mansion and the Star Shining Society had become the key players in this negotiation. Everyone else understood the stakes: if the Jingnan Royal Mansion lost, they would have to submit to the Star Shining Society’s governance and rules. Otherwise, they might be forced to leave Thunder City, and even Jingnan Prefecture.

BANG!

A man slammed his hand on the table, his face contorted with rage. "This is not your place! If you want a seat, you’ll have to defeat me first!"

"And who are you?" Yang Qi asked casually.

"White Bone Claw, ranked third in the True Martial White Tower!"

"Oh," Yang Qi’s reply was flat. "You are not my opponent. I advise you not to try. Given your reputation, I won’t show any mercy. You’ll likely die. So, don’t do it."

I’ve heard of this White Bone Claw. The man practices a sinister martial art that requires a living person for each training session, resulting in a death every time. He has killed countless people. A man like that deserves to die.

"Cut the crap! If you’re too scared to fight, then get on your knees before the King of Jingnan!" White Bone Claw sneered, his words sharp and grating.

"Heh!" Yang Qi laughed and stood up. "I offered to spare your life, but you didn’t appreciate it. Don’t blame me for what happens next!"

"Fool! Do you think beating the Fisherman of the South makes you my match? I’m a Peak Second Rank Overlord, countless times stronger than him! And I’m not some old coward who’s afraid of death," White Bone Claw said coldly.

"Talk is cheap. Make your move," Yang Qi said calmly.

White Bone Claw took a deep breath, stood up from the table, and moved to an open space nearby. Yang Qi followed, the two of them now standing merely ten meters apart. In the next instant, White Bone Claw stomped the ground and shot into the air, clawing at Yang Qi’s head. A ghostly claw mark, condensed from pure True Qi, materialized in the air.