Chapter 103: Watch as Master Turns the Tide

Chapter 103: Watch as Master Turns the Tide (End)

Su Lingxuan watched as the man in black unleashed a terrifyingly powerful palm strike, seemingly intending to annihilate Xu Yan. Her face turned deathly pale, and her eyes darted anxiously toward her master.

"Master!" she cried out.

However, her master remained seated, as calm as ever, showing no sign of intervening.

Xu Yan's expression grew solemn as he unleashed a sword strike. The sword intent surged like tens of thousands of rivers, vast and majestic, colliding with the incoming palm strike.

Yet, despite the boost from his Mountain and River Sword Intent, his attack seemed feeble compared to the overwhelming might of the black-robed man's strike.

The difference in their cultivation realms was just too vast.

The black-robed man's strength was clearly far beyond that of an ordinary Grand Master.

Boom!

Xu Yan followed up with another palm strike, and a golden dragon appeared, its eyes opening to release a mighty dragon's aura.

Dragon Subduing Palm!

Boom!

The golden dragon charged forward with unmatched ferocity, instantly confronting the descending palm strike.

Rumble!

The black-robed man's eyes narrowed as his powerful palm strike failed to obliterate his young opponent.

In mid-air, the terrifying palm print shattered.

The golden dragon faded away, and the sword intent of rushing rivers collapsed and disappeared.

The residual force from the palm strike caused Xu Yan to fall from the sky.

He crashed into the courtyard!

"Big Brother Xu!"

Su Lingxuan cried out in alarm and hurried forward to support him.

But Xu Yan jumped to his feet, looking a little disheveled but unharmed.

Gazing up at the black-robed man hovering in the air, Xu Yan's expression turned grave. "I am no match for him. If I had reached the Great Perfection or Completion stage of the Innate Realm, perhaps I would have had a chance to defeat him."

At that moment, he set aside his contempt for the Inner Domain's martial arts.

The Inner Domain's martial path was not entirely worthless.

The might of a Grand Master was truly formidable. Despite having cultivated the third level of the Dragon Subduing Palm, comprehending the Dragon's Aura Palm Intent, and gaining insight into the Sword Path with his Mountain and River Sword Intent, he was still no match for his opponent.

"There truly are exceptional geniuses in this world, beyond even my expectations," the black-robed man said. "To find a Grand Master within the Inner Domain who can withstand my palm strike and live is already a rare occurrence.

"Especially one as young as you—I doubt there is another like you in all the Inner Domain."

The black-robed man's voice was cold, his killing intent palpable, and his aura continued to swell, becoming increasingly overpowering as if it were a heavenly might pouring down from above.

"No matter how extraordinary you are, you will die today," he continued. "Your connection to certain people has sealed your fate. It is unfortunate, but such is the way it must be."

Rumble!

A terrifying force emerged in mid-air, and a massive palm print appeared, even more daunting than the previous one.

Xu Yan remained unfazed, confident that his master would intervene.

"You coward, hiding your true strength! How dare you act so arrogantly!" Xu Yan said scornfully.

Standing up from his chair, Li Xuan said, "My child, I have always taught you to be cautious and humble. Now, how do you feel?

"Just because the Inner Domain's martial arts are weaker doesn't mean you can become arrogant and overlook everything. You must understand that you are still a novice on the path of martial arts, and there are countless stronger cultivators above you.

"Arrogance and complacency are the bane of a martial artist. No matter the opponent, one must always remain vigilant and never underestimate them.

"When facing an enemy, even cutting off their head with your sword may not be enough to ensure their demise. You must crush their bones, scatter their ashes, and extinguish their soul, leaving no room for survival and no chance for them to escape with their lives."

Li Xuan ignored the oppressive might and terrifying aura of the Grand Master hovering in mid-air. Instead, he focused on imparting these lessons to his disciples.

Whether it was Xu Yan, Meng Chong, or even Su Lingxuan, they were all young and impetuous. With their growing strength, they tended to look down on the Inner Domain's martial arts and become careless.

Countless powerful beings had met their end due to underestimating their opponents and acting carelessly.

Thus, it was crucial for his disciples to understand the importance of caution.

When facing enemies, they must leave nothing behind—only ashes. Only then could they be certain that their foes were truly vanquished.

Leave no room for survival!

Even when facing seemingly weak and inferior foes, one must remain vigilant and not become complacent, lest they be overturned by unexpected circumstances!

Xu Yan and Meng Chong listened respectfully, and even Su Lingxuan breathed a sigh of relief. Was Master about to take action? Surely, she would be safe now?

"Throughout history, strong cultivators have often met their end due to underestimating their opponents and falling prey to their arrogance," Li Xuan continued. "They were overturned by weaker foes, assassinated by those they deemed inferior. Such tales are countless.

"Remember this, my child: when it comes to enemies, no matter how weak they may seem, do not hesitate to annihilate them completely, leaving nothing behind.

"The pride of a martial artist does not lie in looking down on the weak but in respecting every opponent. Only those who understand the importance of scattering their enemies' ashes are truly worthy of being called martial artists."

Xu Yan and Meng Chong listened attentively, their expressions solemn and respectful.

Their master was imparting valuable martial arts experience—an opportunity not to be taken lightly.

With such precious lessons, they would be able to forge a path in the martial world, securing their survival and establishing a formidable reputation.

"Yes, Master. I will keep your teachings in mind," Xu Yan replied respectfully.

"I will remember your teachings, Master," Meng Chong echoed.

"I... I will remember, too," Su Lingxuan added timidly.

Impossible!

He didn't look much older!

And he didn't seem like a Grand Master either...

Li Xuan had not used his mysterious aura but instead concealed his true strength, so the black-robed man couldn't sense the power of a superior cultivator emanating from him.

"To dare disregard a Grand Master, you deserve to die!" the black-robed man said coldly. "Today, I will crush your bones into dust!"

Li Xuan raised his head to meet the black-robed man's gaze and said, "Disciples, watch carefully. I will show you how to defeat an enemy of a higher realm.

"With my innate realm cultivation, I will demonstrate how to overcome an opponent of a higher realm."

Finally, it was his turn to take action. This was a perfect opportunity to broaden his disciples' horizons and showcase his own might. He would demonstrate how to defeat an opponent of a higher realm with a lower cultivation level.

Perhaps this would inspire them to gain new insights and enhance their strength, comprehending the power to overcome higher realms.

As their master grew stronger, so would they!

Xu Yan and Meng Chong's spirits were instantly lifted, and they became excited.

"How does Master overcome a higher realm?" Xu Yan wondered.

"Indeed, Master. You are already on par with the Grand Dao, transcending all realms of martial arts, yet you choose not to oppress us with your realm. Instead, you lower yourself to our level and demonstrate how to defeat an enemy of a higher realm," Meng Chong said in admiration. "Is this the pride of an exceptional master?

"When will I ever reach your level, Master?" he added, his eyes sparkling with ambition.

Su Lingxuan's beautiful eyes widened as she wondered how her master would demonstrate the art of overcoming a higher realm. "Just what is Master's true strength? He's so confident, even against a Grand Master!"

A Grand Master's power was ten times that of a Martial Master. She had never heard of a Martial Master being able to defeat a Grand Master.

Even though Master Li Xuan's martial arts surpassed that of the Inner Domain, could he really bridge that gap?

Li Xuan looked up at the black-robed man with a calm gaze, his hands casually resting behind his back, exuding an air of contempt. "With my full strength, a hundred times that of the Innate Realm, crushing that fellow up there should be a breeze."

He wanted to showcase his might and unfathomable depth to his disciples. He would show them how to truly overcome a higher realm.

Li Xuan would not hold back. When a lion fights a rabbit, it still uses its full strength. So, he prepared to unleash a full-force strike, a domineering and unstoppable attack that would blast the Grand Master above to pieces.

"The strength of an Inner Domain Grand Master is ten times that of a Martial Master. Even if I discount my power, it's not just ten times that of a Grand Master, but perhaps five or six times at the very least," Li Xuan explained. "With five or six times the power, my Dragon Subduing Palm, coupled with the perfection-stage Dragon's Aura Palm Intent, should be more than enough to finish him off with a single palm strike."

As an exceptional master, Li Xuan wanted to showcase his prowess.

"Young man, are you ready to receive my palm strike?" Li Xuan asked, his voice carrying a sense of authority.

The black-robed man's eyes burned with rage. "Young man?" he scoffed. "Are you trying to act like an ancient sage?"

"How dare you be so arrogant! Watch as I crush you!" the black-robed man shouted. He raised his palms, channeling his palm power to its utmost limit. A terrifying force surrounded him like a protective shield.

"Come then!" he roared, slamming his palms downward.

He pushed his defensive and offensive capabilities to the extreme, his anger fueling his actions. Yet, despite his rage, he held nothing back in this strike!

In this moment, he truly displayed the overwhelming might of a Grand Master.

Xu Yan and Meng Chong's expressions turned solemn as they witnessed the power of the Grand Master. They had underestimated the martial arts of the Inner Domain.

The might of a Grand Master was not to be taken lightly! They would have to be cautious when they ventured into the Inner Domain.

"Watch closely, as I show you how to overcome a higher realm!" Li Xuan proclaimed.

He kept one hand behind his back and raised the other, slamming it downward.

Roar!

A golden dragon soared into the sky, its dragon might shaking the heavens as if it sought to tear through the firmament itself.

With the golden dragon's appearance, the Grand Master's aura vanished without a trace.

Only the overwhelming dragon might dominated the heavens and earth.

In this moment, it seemed as if even the heavens themselves paled in comparison!

Gulp!

Xu Yan swallowed hard as he witnessed the might of his master's Dragon Subduing Palm, far surpassing his own. "Indeed, Master!"

Meng Chong's blood boiled with excitement. "Is this Master's strength at the Innate Realm?"

"Incredible!" he exclaimed.

Su Lingxuan's mouth hung slightly agape as she, too, was astonished by her master's display of power. "Is this the might of overcoming a higher realm? He seems even stronger than a Grand Master!"

Zhou Ying was stunned, her heart pounding. Miss Su's master was truly fearsome!

The black-robed man felt his body go numb as the sense of impending death washed over him. The terrifying pressure made it hard for him to breathe.

"Run! I must escape!"

That was the only thought running through his mind.

The golden dragon effortlessly shattered his palm strike, its might akin to a true dragon descending upon the world. The overwhelming dragon might enveloped him, leaving him with a sense of impending doom.

The black-robed man roared, his aura erupting as he unleashed the full extent of his power.

He tried to block the golden dragon's assault!

But all his efforts were in vain, as his attacks and defenses crumbled like paper.

Boom!

A thunderous roar filled the air, and the terrifying blast of energy swept through, causing the black-robed man to explode into pieces under the golden dragon's onslaught.

Boom!

The golden dragon coiled and swept through, leaving no trace of the body, reducing it to ashes in an instant. Only a few wisps of gray dust remained, drifting away with the wind!

A Grand Master, after uttering his final cry, had turned into ashes and disappeared without a trace.

Li Xuan retracted his striking hand, casually resting it behind his back as if he had just swatted a mosquito.

"The power of a Grand Master is indeed formidable," Li Xuan mused. "With my full strength, I was barely able to turn him into ashes. If I had held back even a little, I might not have been able to achieve that feat."

He marveled at the strength of the Grand Master, acknowledging the might of his opponent.

It had taken almost his entire strength to reduce his foe to ashes with a single palm strike.

Xu Yan's eyes widened in disbelief, and his face showed his incredulity.

Was this what Master meant by 'Reversing the Upper Realm'?

It had ended with just one palm strike?

How simple was that?

He had no reason to doubt that his master had used his superior realm to overpower the black-robed man. Moreover, the aura Master Li Xuan had displayed earlier was indeed that of the Innate Realm.

Xu Yan had initially thought that his master, in his Reversing the Upper Realm state, would engage in a few exchanges with the black-robed man before ultimately defeating him.

But it had ended with just one palm strike?

And the black-robed man had turned into ashes!

"Is Master's Innate Realm strength truly so formidable? I still have a long way to go," Xu Yan said, feeling ashamed of his own power.

Meng Chong, on the other hand, was rubbing his head in a daze, unable to process what had just happened. Was this what Master meant by 'Reversing the Upper Realm'?

With just one palm strike, the enemy had been reduced to ashes.

If one didn't know any better, they would think he had just swatted a mosquito.

Su Lingxuan was completely stunned. Was the Innate Realm so powerful?

This was only the second realm in martial arts, yet with a single palm strike, Master had turned a Grand Master into ashes? Just how strong was Master Li Xuan?

Li Xuan was pleased with the reactions of his disciples, but he maintained a calm and indifferent expression. "When I was at the Innate Realm, my strength was probably around this level.

"Disciples, I don't expect you to reach my level at the same realm. Even if you achieve five or six-tenths of my strength, I will be content."

He boasted without hesitation, making grand claims.

Xu Yan's heart was deeply touched, and he thought to himself, "So, Master didn't want to accept me as his disciple because he felt that no matter how hard I trained, I wouldn't be able to match his strength at the same realm.

"Master must have thought that it was pointless to take on a disciple who couldn't match or even surpass him.

"In the end, he accepted me as his disciple because he was moved by my sincerity and felt that it was our destiny to become master and disciple.

"It was because he took me as his disciple that he decided to enter the world and continue accepting disciples, passing on his martial arts legacy."

The more Xu Yan thought about it, the more ashamed he felt.

"I'm too weak. I haven't even reached five or six-tenths of Master's strength. I must work hard to improve my strength and strive to attain that level!"

Xu Yan firmly resolved in his heart.

"Master, I will definitely work hard to improve my strength!" Xu Yan declared with determination.

Li Xuan was unaware that his disciple had come up with yet another interpretation, and he casually sat back down in his chair. "Well, just do your best and don't be overly fixated on it."

After all, he possessed a hundred times the strength of someone at the same realm. No matter how hard his disciples tried, they would never be able to match even five or six-tenths of his strength at the same realm.

As his disciples grew stronger, so would he, always maintaining a hundredfold advantage over them!

Stimulated by what he had witnessed, Xu Yan also wanted to achieve the Reversing the Upper Realm state and crush Grand Masters!

Even if he couldn't defeat them with a single palm strike, doing so with a dozen or so strikes would still be acceptable.

Meng Chong felt the same way, his blood boiling with enthusiasm. He couldn't wait to break through to the Qi and Blood Realm and cultivate the Great Sun Golden Body.

Su Lingxuan was shocked, but she also looked a little timid. She gently massaged Li Xuan's shoulders and said sweetly, "Master, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

"Since you are my disciple, just focus on cultivating diligently. There is nothing in this world that can trouble me," Li Xuan said nonchalantly as he toyed with a jade scepter in his hand.

"Master, actually, I..." Su Lingxuan began, wanting to explain.

"There's no need to explain. Just cultivate with peace of mind," Li Xuan interrupted.

He didn't want to know about the troubles Su Lingxuan was facing at the moment.

What if his disciple asked him for help? Should he go or not?

If he was faced with a large group of people, and dozens of Grand Masters ganged up on him, what if he couldn't defeat them? Wouldn't that damage his reputation as a reclusive master?

Even if he could win, it would be a tough battle, and his image as a formidable master might be affected.

So, it was better to play it safe.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end