The long spear that had been a cloth stick in Shen Lang’s hands instantly pierced through the diamond-shaped ice mirror. At that moment, it felt as if time itself had stopped.

He hadn’t counterattacked at all, but when he finally did, it was with the force of a thunderbolt.

It was like furious thunder, like a hurricane.

Its power could topple mountains and overturn seas; all who stood in its way were swept aside!

There was no killing intent, but a peerless Battle Intent swept over the entire arena, filling the space between heaven and earth!

At that moment, in the eyes of the onlookers, it was as if the only thing left in the entire world was Shen Lang’s proud, solitary figure.

All other people and things vanished from sight...

CRACK CRACK CRACK...

The surface of the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror was covered in cracks like a spiderweb, and bits of ice began to flake off.

It was the sound of the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror beginning to shatter that pulled everyone back to their senses.

Before their disbelieving eyes, the spear tip, which seemed capable of piercing through anything, had penetrated the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror and come to a silent stop less than three inches from the tip of Tang Yiyi’s nose!

The surging Thunder Power that had roiled around it had completely vanished.

Although Shen Lang still held the cloth stick, the immense Battle Intent he had exuded moments ago had suddenly disappeared without a trace.

His entire aura reverted to its previous state—relaxed, casual, and unremarkable.

A single drop of cold sweat slowly trickled down Tang Yiyi’s cheek...

Having just brushed with death, the cold, pure light in Tang Yiyi’s eyes was gone.

In its place was only confusion and panic.

The entire arena was frighteningly silent.

It was a single, straightforward spear thrust, with no tricks—the kind of blow that decides a battle on the spot.

A cloth stick, improvised by wetting two silk ribbons, had not only instantly defeated the Ice Dragon but had also effortlessly pierced the defense of Tang Yiyi’s Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror.

What was even more unbelievable was that Shen Lang had not only turned a cloth stick into an indestructible spear but had also demonstrated a level of precise control over its power that was simply beyond description!

He had no intention to kill; from the very beginning, he had never planned on killing Tang Yiyi.

But faced with the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror that Tang Yiyi had hastily conjured, what kind of person, with what kind of power, could control their strength so precisely? To be able to pierce the mirror exactly, while Tang Yiyi was moving rapidly, and then stop the spear tip less than three inches from her?

If anyone else had used the same move, they would likely have shattered the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror with a single strike, not pierced it cleanly.

And even if someone could pierce it, how could they have gauged the defensive power of the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror in that split second?

Without knowing the mirror’s defensive strength, adding even a fraction more force would have killed Tang Yiyi on the spot!

A fraction less, and he might not have even pierced the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror at all!

This single spear thrust showed that he had not only perfectly understood the defensive strength of the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror but had also completely accounted for Tang Yiyi’s rapid movements!

And he did it all with an improvised weapon, not a familiar Lifebound Spiritual Artifact that he used regularly!

Not a single one of the Sect Leaders present was confident they could do the same.

In fact, this was something that no Martial Artist in the Xuanwu Realm should have been capable of!

CRACK...

With a flick of Shen Lang’s wrist, the Ten Thousand Flowers Ice Mirror finally shattered completely and fell to pieces.

"Why didn’t you kill me?"

Tang Yiyi’s gaze was vacant. She had bitten her lip so hard it was bleeding.

"Why would I kill you?" Shen Lang asked back coolly.

Tang Yiyi staggered backward, her face deathly pale.

In that single moment, the confidence she had held for so long completely collapsed...

Shen Lang shook his head indifferently. "This was just a spar. I never intended to use this fight to crush your confidence in Martial Arts, or anyone else’s. On the contrary, since the Xiu Hua Sect is preparing to ally with the Profound Dao Sect, I would have even less reason to do so."

He spoke eloquently, "I defeated you with overwhelming force simply because it’s my habit. When I fight someone, unless they are a close friend or family, I strike like a lion hunting a rabbit—with my full strength. Even if I’m holding back my true power, when I make a move, I will treat you as my most formidable enemy, with killing blows and backup plans always at the ready."

"I have no particular opinion of the people from the Xiu Hua Sect. If I had been fighting one of my own martial brothers with a cultivation at the Spirit Martial Realm Sixth Heaven or higher, the result would have been the same."

Tang Yiyi bit her lip and said coldly, "So you did this just to show everyone your strength? You wanted to use me as your stepping stone?"

"My strength doesn’t need to be put on display," Shen Lang said, turning around. He added leisurely, "What happened on the mountainside was just a misunderstanding. I honestly didn’t know you were..."

"Shut up!" Tang Yiyi’s face flushed red as she snapped.

Shen Lang shrugged. "If you still want to defeat me, then you need to regain your confidence. On the path of Martial Arts, if you lose your confidence, you’re basically finished in my opinion."

"You... Who are you calling finished!" Tears welled up in Tang Yiyi’s eyes, and her voice trembled.

However, she didn’t notice it herself, but the look in her eyes was no longer as helpless and despairing as it had been before.

Beyond the lake, the plump Chen Tianci wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "That guy is so damn strong it’s ridiculous. Now you see why I didn’t dare to fight him, right?"

There was no response.

Puzzled, Chen Tianci turned around, only to see Liu Hai and his other martial brothers all collapsed on the ground. They were drenched in cold sweat, their bodies twitching uncontrollably like they were having seizures.

According to Liu Hai, Shen Lang had been a famous good-for-nothing back at the Upper Profound Dao Sect.

On the path of Martial Arts, when it came to talent, there was never a "strongest" genius, only an even stronger one.

The same was true for good-for-nothings; there was never the "worst" talent, only worse.

But during the Profound Dao Sect’s latest recruitment, Shen Lang had truly played the part of "the worst."

Furthermore, when they entered the Wooden Man Alley, Liu Hai had told everyone that Shen Lang only passed because he was protected by a woman named Shang Xiaoran, and with the help of a few High Tier Talismans.

Of course, Liu Hai would never admit that Shen Lang had knocked both him and Xiao Tong unconscious.

He only claimed that Shen Lang had framed him using despicable means.

Only now did Liu Hai and the others finally realize just how ridiculously wrong they had been.

A master of this caliber... how could the word "strong" even begin to describe him?

To someone like that, killing them would be as easy as slaughtering pigs and dogs!

Setting aside the fact that even the Sect Leader had come to see him personally, based purely on the strength he had just shown against Tang Yiyi on the lake, their entire group—including Chen Tianci—wasn’t even in the same league.

The gap between them was simply immeasurable...

Originally, having been forced by Shen Lang to hand over all their belongings as "medical fees," these people had been full of resentment.

Some of them had even been thinking of finding a senior brother stronger than Chen Tianci to deal with Shen Lang.

Now, it seemed such an idea was simply courting death...

On the other side, although Su Wenxuan was desperately trying to look serious, the smile playing at the corners of his mouth betrayed everything he was feeling inside.

Ye Xiangmo wiped the sweat from his forehead, silently thanking Zhang Cheng for his earlier warning. He made a mental note to praise him handsomely upon returning.

Shi Yanbin’s face was beet red, and all he could do was offer a few awkward chuckles of "Heh heh, haha" to hide his embarrassment. The two disciples behind him looked like they wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

Mei Yingxue was breathing lightly, a strange light flashing in her eyes as her mind raced with unknown thoughts.

By this time, Shen Lang had walked to the edge of the lake. He said, "Sect Leader and honored seniors, you came to find me about the Yumu Cave Blessed Land. Coincidentally, I also have some matters I wish to discuss with everyone. I’ll have to trouble these senior brothers to wait outside. Honored seniors, please follow me inside."

Without any further pleasantries, he turned and entered the house on his own.

Su Wenxuan and the others exchanged a glance, gave a subtle nod, and followed him inside.

Inside the stone house, several potted plants like Ningshen Grass and Calm Heart Flower filled the room with a fresh, peaceful aroma.

Both of these plants had the effect of purifying the mind and clearing one’s spiritual altar, making them perfectly suited for a place of cultivation.

Shen Lang sat facing the four of them—Sect Leader Su Wenxuan and the others—with wisps of steam rising from the tea on the table.

Nalan Ziyun set down the tea and was about to leave when Shen Lang took her by the wrist.

"What are you doing?" Nalan Ziyun hadn’t expected Shen Lang to make such an intimate gesture in front of the sect leaders, and a faint blush crept onto her face.

"Please call my sister and Old Chu in. There are some things you all should know as well."

Shen Lang’s tone was somewhat low and solemn, which made Su Wenxuan and the others pause for a moment.

"Alright." Nalan Ziyun nodded and walked out.

"What is it? Have you run into some trouble? How many things in this world could possibly give you trouble?" Su Wenxuan said with a smile.

For the Sect Leader of a Profound Iron Level sect to speak to a disciple in such a manner was truly astonishing.

However, at this moment, Mei Yingxue and the other two didn’t find it strange in the slightest.

"Sect Leader, you think too highly of me... By the way, I assume you and the three seniors didn’t come here just to ask me to be the commander of the Four Sects Alliance, did you? My master has already told me about the Yumu Cave Blessed Land. Since the Sect Leader came in person, are there some other details you needed to instruct me on?"

Shen Lang took a sip of tea and spoke slowly.

Su Wenxuan nodded and said unhurriedly, "Indeed, there are a few more details I wanted to nag you about. The Yumu Cave Blessed Land is vast. Even after entering twice before, the people from all the various sects have yet to explore its entire area."

"Legend has it that Pocket World Blessed Lands are cave residences created in the Human Realm countless years ago by Great Powers from the Upper Realm. They hide many things that should only exist in the Upper Realm. It is a place of both risk and opportunity."

Shen Lang didn’t reply, because everything Su Wenxuan had said was just stating the obvious.

But the Sect Leader clearly didn’t realize this. He adopted a mysterious air and continued, "When the major sects enter the Yumu Cave Blessed Land, aside from giving their Core Disciples some experience, they are actually after two main things. I doubt Senior Brother Wang has told you about this yet."

"And what two things would those be?"

To save him some face, Shen Lang could only pretend to be a very "eager student" and ask.

----Continuing with three updates today! Two more to come.