"Chen... Little Brother Chen?"

Li Cangyun was completely stunned.

Just moments ago, he had felt the threat of death, his entire life flashing before his eyes. But now, he was still very much alive.

"Impossible! How could you possibly block my attack!" The Su Family Head's eyes widened in shock, his face a mask of disbelief.

"You're merely a half-step Grandmaster. Blocking your attack was simple enough," Chen Zheng said casually.

The next second, a powerful force erupted from his body.

BUZZ!

A fierce wind swept across the entire platform. The Liu Family Head and Li Cangyun, feeling this power at close range, were forced back several steps. The Su Family Head, who was the target of Chen Zheng's attack, was sent flying backward.

"This... this is impossible!" the Su Family Head trembled, his eyes filled with terror. He felt as though a great mountain was crushing his spine, making it hard to even breathe.

"A Grandmaster! This is a Grandmaster!"

"My heavens! I've actually witnessed a Grandmaster!"

The Liu Family Head and Li Cangyun exchanged a shocked glance.

Upon hearing their words, everyone in the plaza fell silent. They didn't dare to speak, afraid of being caught in the wake of this mighty force.

Eventually, Chen Zheng withdrew his Inner Strength. Looking at the Su Family Head, who had collapsed on the ground, he chuckled. "Your son tried to ambush and kill me. If I weren't a little more capable, I'd probably be dead by now."

The Su Family Head clenched his teeth. You're a Grandmaster, so you call the shots. I wouldn't dare talk back...

"Heh..." Chen Zheng let out a cold laugh and continued, "Your son got what he deserved. And yet, you dared to attack me. Su Family Head, do you admit your guilt?"

The Su Family Head endured the immense pressure, feeling as if he could hear his own bones creaking under the strain. After a long silence, he could no longer hold out. "The... The Su Family admits its guilt! I beg the Grandmaster for forgiveness and to spare my family!"

Upon hearing this, the members of the Li Family were overjoyed, but they didn't dare let it show.

However, Chen Zheng seemed disinclined to forgive the Su Family Head.

"Forgive you..." He sneered. "If you cripple your own cultivation, I won't pursue this matter further. Otherwise, you know the consequences."

The Su Family Head felt as if he'd been struck on the back of the head with a mallet, completely dumbfounded.

My son was killed, regardless of the methods he used. As his father, is it wrong for me to want to avenge him? Perhaps when I was the one with the highest cultivation here, everything I did was right. But now, whatever Chen Zheng says is right. This is the cruelty of the world of traditional martial arts. In this world, martial prowess is revered. No matter how outrageous or preposterous your actions, you are in the right as long as your cultivation is high enough.

His heart filled with sorrow, the Su Family Head could only blame his own inability to avenge his son. He didn't dare to resist.

The dignity of a Grandmaster cannot be offended. Once a person becomes a Grandmaster in the world of traditional martial arts, they have already transcended the mortal plane. The Su Family, despite being vast and possessing countless assets, has offended a Grandmaster. Even if we are spared today, our future will be unbearably tragic.

"Thank you, Grandmaster, for your mercy!" Finally, the Su Family Head chose to live in disgrace.

As he circulated his Inner Strength, several muffled thumps were heard, and he collapsed limply to the ground. Decades of cultivation, all destroyed in a single day.

Chen Zheng glanced at the man on the ground. He could clearly tell that the other's meridians had been severed and all his cultivation was lost.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the selection! Reward: Grandmaster Skill—Tai Chi Bagua!]

The system's voice echoed in his mind.

Scenes of himself practicing martial arts flashed before Chen Zheng's eyes. Soon, he could feel his control over his Inner Strength becoming even more effortless. With just a thought, he could trace the symbol of the Bagua in mid-air using his Inner Strength.

A corner of his mouth tilted up slightly. Chen Zheng activated his Inner Strength and, in a flash, appeared at the edge of the plaza.

"Alright, today's competition is over."

Chen Zheng left, but the members of the three families remained frozen in the plaza.

"Chen Zheng, wait up!" Li Yitong finally snapped out of her daze and hurriedly chased after him.

Only when she too had run out of the plaza did everyone else awaken from their shock. With the exception of the Su Family, everyone was buzzing with excitement.

This was a Grandmaster! They had actually witnessed a Grandmaster today! In the world of traditional martial arts, Grandmasters were like superstars. An ordinary cultivator might go their entire life without ever seeing one, yet they had today. How could they not be thrilled?

The Su Family's feelings were far more complicated. They had believed their family was on the rise, but before they could even begin to celebrate, Chen Zheng had shattered their fantasy. Now, they could only retreat in gloom, praying the Grandmaster would not hold a grudge against them.

"Brother Li, the reinforcement you invited..." the Liu Family Head said cautiously.

Li Cangyun, who was still profoundly shocked himself, shook his head. "I truly had no idea he was a Grandmaster..."

The Liu Family Head let out a breath. When someone reached the Grandmaster realm, their power would be imperceptible unless they chose to reveal it.

"For such a young man to be a Grandmaster... after what happened today, I'm afraid the entire world of traditional martial arts is going to be shaken! Brother Li, this is a great opportunity!" The Liu Family Head patted Li Cangyun on the shoulder. "I must get home and prepare as well. I should pay my respects while Grandmaster Chen is still here!"

With that, he promptly left.

Li Yifeng sat in his chair with his arms crossed. "This is just too demoralizing. We're both in our twenties, so how is he already a Grandmaster while I'm still at the peak of the Houtian realm..."

Meanwhile, Li Yiyu and his father, Li Cangmu, couldn't help but tremble.

A Grandmaster! They had been mocking a Grandmaster all this time. Had they lost their minds?

A few days ago, Chen Zheng had sent first Li Yiyu, then Li Cangmu, flying with a single punch. Neither had thought much of it, simply assuming Chen Zheng was a bit stronger than average. They never imagined... that Chen Zheng was actually a Grandmaster!

"It's over... It's all over for us."

By this time, Li Yitong had caught up to Chen Zheng.

"Chen..." she began, but stopped after one word. He was a Grandmaster; was it really appropriate to call him by his full name? The normally straightforward Captain Li was, for once, showing a hint of a young woman's shyness.

Chen Zheng looked at her helplessly. "Don't give me that look; you're making my skin crawl. We know each other well enough. Just call me by my name. Don't overthink it."

Hearing this, Li Yitong looked down and smiled. "Alright! In that case, I'll stick with calling you Chen Zheng!"

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