At his words, Zhang Cheng and Mu Feng, who were standing behind him, jumped in fright. They could no longer remain calm and began to wipe away their cold sweat.

Zhang Cheng stared at the back of his Sect Leader’s head, fighting the urge to smack it and knock some sense into him.

’Look down on Shen Lang all you want, but why drag the two of us into it?’

’Have you forgotten that he thrashed us in just a few moves?’

’Don’t you know that Elder An Fengrui said not even he could afford to provoke this kid, let alone our entire White Rainbow Sect?’

At this thought, Zhang Cheng felt it was not just necessary, but his duty to give his Sect Leader a reminder.

Seizing a lull in the conversation, Zhang Cheng leaned over and said softly, "Sect Leader, regarding Shen Lang, this disciple has something to say..."

"Shut up!"

Ye Xiangmo was already in a foul mood. Seeing Zhang Cheng acting so furtively, his anger flared, and he cut him off.

"It’s not your place to speak with our elders here."

Zhang Cheng froze for a moment, then said indignantly, "But, Sect Leader, I really have some advice..."

"Insolence!" Ye Xiangmo seethed. ’This ungrateful brat, since when did he get so audacious?’

’I’d heard this punk used his old man’s name to throw his weight around, but I never thought he’d dare to butt in here.’

’The disciples from the other Sects don’t even dare to breathe too loudly, just standing there obediently listening to their elders. And you have the gall to offer suggestions?’

’Who the hell do you think you are?’

If the other Sect Leaders and their disciples weren’t watching, Ye Xiangmo would have stood up and slapped Zhang Cheng twice to teach him some manners.

Zhang Cheng, for his part, was filled with a sense of grievance so profound it could make it snow in summer.

’Damn it, would it kill you to let me finish one sentence?’

’Don’t you know how much of a badass Shen Lang is? And you’re sitting here mocking him relentlessly?’

’With his abilities, he’s sure to be the Commander of the four Sects’ disciples this time. If he decides to make things difficult for our White Rainbow Sect because of your attitude... people could die in the Yumu Cave Blessed Land!’

Zhang Cheng was so angry he could only roll his eyes. But seeing Ye Xiangmo’s rage, he ultimately didn’t dare to say another word.

Just then, Su Wenxuan’s words finally broke the impasse for Zhang Cheng.

Su Wenxuan smiled faintly. "When it comes to Cultivation," he said, "I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but among this generation of disciples from our several Sects, there really is no one who can withstand more than a few of Shen Lang’s moves."

"What?"

Mei Yingxue and the other sect leaders were stunned, their faces etched with disbelief.

Su Wenxuan’s words were spoken with absolute confidence. More importantly, he hadn’t just said that no one could *defeat* Shen Lang, but that "no one can withstand more than a few of his moves"!

’How arrogant do you have to be to say something like that?’

The crucial part was that, from what they knew of Su Wenxuan, he was an incredibly prudent man. He would never make such a claim unless he was absolutely certain.

"Since Wenxuan has said as much, so be it..." Ye Xiangmo said, sounding extremely displeased. "Zhang Cheng, go out and have a sparring match with Shen Lang. Let’s see for ourselves just how powerful this genius disciple of the Profound Dao Sect truly is."

"..." Zhang Cheng’s legs went soft, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

Ye Xiangmo turned to see Zhang Cheng trembling from head to toe, constantly wiping away cold sweat. His anger instantly flared.

"You worthless bastard! You’re at the Spirit Martial Realm Seventh Heaven, for crying out loud! I tell you to fight Shen Lang and you’re this terrified? All those times I told you not to indulge in wine and women, did my words just go in one ear and out the other?"

Pushed this far, Zhang Cheng had no choice but to bite the bullet. "Sect Leader, please, say no more... Elder Su is right. There’s absolutely no one from these Sects who can beat Shen Lang. Not long ago, I... er, sparred with him."

Ye Xiangmo was stunned. Mei Yingxue and the others were stunned as well.

Zhang Cheng was a sly punk with a poor character; not many people liked him.

But he wouldn’t lie about something like this.

’Could it be? Is this black-robed youth really as powerful as Su Wenxuan claimed?’

Mei Yingxue laughed heartily. "I believe your words, Sect Leader Su. However, if we’re to convince our disciples to follow Shen Lang’s commands, we must have some understanding of his Cultivation first."

"How about this? Let my disciple, Jun Qiluo, spar with Shen Lang. We’ll keep it friendly, just to see where they stand. What do you say?"

As soon as her voice fell, someone from behind stepped out. "Let me fight him."

Mei Yingxue paused, then nodded. "Very well. This is my disciple, Tang Yiyi. I believe you Sect Leaders have met her. She is currently at the Spirit Martial Realm Seventh Heaven, possesses an Ice Martial Soul, and specializes in the Xiu Hua Sect’s ’Ice Purgatory’ technique. Why don’t we let her have a go with Shen Lang?"

"Shen Lang, what are your thoughts..." Su Wenxuan asked.

Everyone was once again shocked. ’The revered leader of a Sect actually has to ask for Shen Lang’s opinion on a simple sparring match?’

They saw Shen Lang nod. "It’s a hassle, but I don’t mind stretching my limbs a bit."

"Arrogant!"

A cold glint flashed in Tang Yiyi’s eyes as she turned and strode out of the room.

Mei Yingxue gave a wry smile and offered a brief apology to Su Wenxuan and the others before following everyone out into the courtyard.

"Let’s fight on the lake. Falling into the water or off its banks is a loss. How about it?" Shen Lang said, looking toward Tang Yiyi outside the courtyard.

Tang Yiyi opened her mouth to reply, but she stopped when she saw Shen Lang turn and walk straight onto the lake. Her elegant eyebrows arched, and a flash of anger crossed her eyes.

Just then, Ye Xiangmo grabbed Zhang Cheng and sent a voice transmission: "You worthless bastard, what else do you know? Why didn’t you say so from the beginning? You made me lose face in front of everyone!"

Zhang Cheng felt incredibly wronged. "Sect Leader, weren’t you the one who told me not to speak? I was trying to warn you from the start... Look, let me put it this way. It’s not that I’m overestimating Shen Lang. Even *you*, Sect Leader, might not gain an advantage against him. This Tang Yiyi from the Xiu Hua Sect is just asking to be humiliated!"

"What!" Ye Xiangmo was utterly astounded.

Although he had gathered from the conversation that Shen Lang was likely quite formidable, Zhang Cheng’s latest words shocked him speechless.

He was, after all, the Sect Leader of the White Rainbow Sect, a Profound Iron Level Sect! His Cultivation had reached the Xuanwu Realm Seventh Heaven.

’And in this punk Zhang Cheng’s eyes, I can’t even beat a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy?’

’When did the Profound Dao Sect produce such a monster?’

He then shot a glance, seemingly casual, at Mei Yingxue, a satisfying sense of vindication welling up inside him.

The Profound Dao Sect, White Rainbow Sect, and Mahayana Sect—these Three Sects had always been allies. Whether it was during the previous trials in the Yumu Cave Blessed Land or in other major affairs, the Three Sects always acted as a coalition.

As for the Xiu Hua Sect, it had originally held significant animosity toward this alliance of three.

The Xiu Hua Sect was allied with the Holy Light Sect and the Golden Embryo Sect, and their coalition had always been rivals of the Profound Dao Sect’s bloc.

The two factions had fought for many years over the ore veins in the Celestial Profound Mountain Range.

But now, Mei Yingxue had suddenly had a great change of heart, swallowing her pride to come directly to the Profound Dao Sect and express her desire to ally with the Three Sects.

But as old rivals, even if they could accept strengthening their alliance, their long history of conflict wasn’t something that could be easily forgotten.

Ye Xiangmo, at least, could not forget that he had once been defeated by Mei Yingxue.

Noticing Ye Xiangmo’s gaze, Mei Yingxue offered him a smiling nod before turning her attention to the surface of the lake.

"Shameful Flower Celestial Net!"

Before Tang Yiyi even set foot on the lake’s surface, she thrust her hands toward Shen Lang without a word!

Two billowing silk ribbons shot toward Shen Lang like giant pythons.

Standing motionless on the lake’s surface, Shen Lang drew a circle in the air with his right hand, catching both of the ferociously advancing ribbons!

SNAP!

The two silk ribbons were instantly pulled taut.

Seeing the impossibly fast Shameful Flower Celestial Net, with its unpredictable movements, caught in an instant, both Mei Yingxue and Jun Qiluo were taken aback!

’Yiyi’s Shameful Flower Celestial Net may look unassuming, but it moves as if it’s alive, constantly changing direction to attack from unthinkable angles. Its power is immense; it can easily pierce a Profound Iron Giant Shield... I can’t believe Shen Lang caught it on the very first move! Is this boy truly as powerful as Su Wenxuan claimed?’

Mei Yingxue was startled, her expression turning grave.

’Tang Yiyi is the prized disciple of that woman from the Xiu Hua Sect. To think she’d show signs of losing on the very first exchange... It looks like Wenxuan wasn’t bluffing after all...’

Ye Xiangmo and Shi Yanbin, standing beside Su Wenxuan, wore identical expressions of utter shock.

In a duel between masters, a single move, a single stance, a single trace of aura, can reveal a great deal.

The three Sect Leaders’ gazes were fixed on Shen Lang, scanning him from head to toe, their astonishment plain on their faces.

Right before their eyes, Shen Lang, with an indifferent expression, suddenly clenched his fists!

BANG!

The two ribbons, pulled taut between him and Tang Yiyi, snapped in the middle with a loud bang!

The next second, instead of being thrown off balance, Tang Yiyi advanced!

As everyone watched, she fluttered gracefully like a butterfly, landing on the surface of the lake ten meters away from Shen Lang.

Shen Lang stood serenely upon the water, an invisible force holding him aloft, making him seem one with the lake itself.

In contrast, a small, thin sheet of ice had formed beneath Tang Yiyi’s feet.

The difference in their power was immediately obvious.

But no one voiced this observation.

After all, a fight isn’t a contest of style. Every person’s Cultivation Technique and specialties are different.

For Tang Yiyi, even if she could stand on the water as casually as Shen Lang, there was no reason to.

As a master of the Ice Skill, she didn’t even need to consciously channel her Spiritual Power to form solid ice wherever she stepped.

When fighting an opponent on water, this was a considerable advantage.

With a flick of her hand at her slender waist, Tang Yiyi drew a Longsword. It was as thin as a cicada’s wing, as flexible as a sash, and its vibrant colors made it look as if it were forged from countless flowers.

She raised her hand slightly, leveling the Longsword at Shen Lang. Her tone was grim and solemn. "Draw your weapon."

"A weapon?" Shen Lang chuckled. "A weapon is merely an extension of one’s limbs. Anything can be a weapon." With a flick and a twirl of his wrist, the two torn ribbons in his hand instantly twisted together, forming a rope as thick as his wrist.

Then, he released a burst of Spiritual Power from his hand, and the end of the rope dangling in the water immediately became saturated.

The lake water seemed to be drawn up the rope by some unseen force.

In an instant, the entire rope was soaked through.

With a sharp jerk of his arm, the once-limp rope snapped taut with a WHIP, becoming a long stick!

Only then did Shen Lang speak again. "This... is my weapon."

"A Cloth Stick!"

A flicker of anger finally appeared on Tang Yiyi’s icy face.

’No one had ever dared to treat her, Tang Yiyi, with such contempt!’

’No one had ever dared to just take two strips of ribbon, dip them in water, and face her while she wielded a Spiritual Artifact!’