"So, now that the grudge between you and the traitor from my sect has been settled, it's time... we settled the matter of you destroying our Mountain Protection Array!"
Lu Yuan stood at the foot of the mountain, under an ancient pine tree, gazing at Xiang Mantang with profound eyes that flickered with a cold light, speaking softly and quietly.
He had handed over Shen Cangsheng for Xiang Mantang to deal with because the Tianhe Sword Sect was indeed at fault, and he did not wish to escalate the conflict with Dragon King Hall.
But if he let Xiang Mantang destroy their Tianhe Sword Sect's Mountain Protection Array and execute Shen Cangsheng by Ling Chi in front of him, turn his ashes into wolf feed, and stand by doing nothing to allow them to strut away proudly, what would become of the Tianhe Sword Sect's face and reputation?
"Naturally."
Xiang Mantang stopped wiping his hands and nodded slightly towards Lu Yuan.
If he had known Lu Yuan was so reasonable earlier, he definitely would not have resorted to force as soon as he arrived, but since the deed was done, he would not regret it. Whatever moves Lu Yuan had, he was ready to take them on.
"Fine, the Dragon King can take a single palm strike from me, and we will consider this matter settled."
Lu Yuan's eyes flashed as he laughed out loud.
Xiang Mantang's expression changed subtly upon hearing this, his eyes carrying a strange look.
He had originally thought that Lu Yuan would demand compensation for the materials used to construct the Mountain Protection Array, a significant expense, but one he could afford. Yet to his surprise, Lu Yuan's condition was simply to take a palm strike from him!
"Dragon King, you mustn't agree to this!"
Before Xiang Mantang could say anything, Zeus and the others changed expressions upon hearing this and immediately began to dissuade him.
On the surface, taking a single palm strike from Lu Yuan seemed like a trivial matter, much more affordable than compensating for the materials of the Mountain Protection Array; however, both were God Realm powerhouses, and Lu Yuan was an old Earth Immortal, likely stronger than Xiang Mantang.
If Xiang Mantang were unprepared and took the strike head-on, he was very likely to be severely injured.
Should their only God Realm powerhouse be grievously injured, if Lu Yuan were to turn on them at that moment, they, being just Peak Energy Transformation Martial Artists, would stand no chance against him. They might all be left behind.
So, considering their own safety, Zeus and the others, despite not being entirely aligned with Xiang Mantang, still vehemently urged him not to agree to Lu Yuan's demands.
Even Jian Ruyan was gripping the hilt of her sword tightly, her cool and beautiful eyes fixed on Xiang Mantang, with a hint of concern.
In her view, receiving a strike from Lu Yuan was unwise. It would be better to engage the entire Tianhe Sword Sect in battle directly.
They had nearly ten Peak Energy Transformation Martial Artists on their side, which might not necessarily be inferior to the Tianhe Sword Sect!
"Good, I agree."
Xiang Mantang ignored the pleas of everyone and agreed to Lu Yuan's unreasonable demand.
Since Lu Yuan had given up Shen Cangsheng for him to dispose of, it was only right for him to give an explanation for maliciously destroying the other's Mountain Protection Array.
One palm strike, that wasn't too excessive.
Xiang Mantang could accept that.
Three palm strikes, however, he would not have accepted.
"Dragon King, what bravery!"
Lu Yuan had thought that Xiang Mantang would not agree, and upon hearing his response, he was momentarily stunned, then looked at Xiang Mantang with an amused look and started to laugh.
"So then…" After a few chuckles, Lu Yuan's smile faded, and he looked at Xiang Mantang with a profound gaze, saying, "I am making my move!"
"Please!"
Xiang Mantang raised his hand with a composed face and a steady demeanor, and spoke calmly.
"Ha!"
Lu Yuan sneered inwardly, and suddenly let out a loud shout, furiously urging his True Yuan, with Qi Force swirling around him that sent dust and dirt flying back ten meters away.
Above his right palm shone a bright red light, like a blazing sun, causing pain in the onlookers' eyes, tears streaming down, and risking blindness.
The Sect Leader of Tianhe Sword Sect stood to the side, watching Lu Yuan vigorously summon True Yuan and unleash his move, knowing that he was serious and that Xiang Mantang would likely find it difficult to withstand this attack!
He was pleased to see this and even wished Xiang Mantang would die on the spot.
After all, Shen Cangsheng was a disciple he held in high regard, yet before his very eyes, Shen Cangsheng was slowly and brutally killed by Xiang Mantang, and even his ashes were fed to wolves, an utterly humiliating end!
If it weren't for the fact that he was no match for Xiang Mantang, he would have immediately issued an order for the Elders of Tianhe Sword Sect to set up the Killing Formation and cut down Xiang Mantang and his gang right then and there!
Jian Ruyan, Mei Yinxue, San Liu, Zeus and others watched as Lu Yuan's aura became increasingly frenzied, and their concern deepened as they looked at Xiang Mantang's retreating figure.
"Die!"
Lu Yuan furiously stimulated his Extreme Origin, drawing on the abundant Elemental Qi of heaven and earth, and feeling unable to contain this ferocious killing move any further, he bellowed angrily once more and, with swift strides, rushed up to Xiang Mantang, slamming his palm directly towards his chest!
As the saying goes, pull one hair and move the whole body, when Lu Yuan unleashed his killing move, the vast Elemental Qi he had drawn in crashed towards Xiang Mantang with his movements!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!!"
In an instant, the ground beneath Xiang Mantang's feet cracked and rapidly spread outwards like a spider's web!
This showed the terrifying might of Lu Yuan's killing move!
However, Xiang Mantang, standing at the center, still honored his promise; even as he felt the crushing pressure like Mount Tai bearing down on him, causing all his bones to tremble slightly, he did not step back!
"Thud!"
Finally...
Lu Yuan's palm struck Xiang Mantang's chest without holding back!
"Humming..."
At that moment, a layer of dazzling golden light suddenly appeared on Xiang Mantang's body, forming a protective shield as impregnable as a Golden Bell Cover.
The fearsome force of Extreme Origin in Lu Yuan's palm hit the shield, like oil poured into churning river waters, and was washed away in no time.
"How is this possible?!"
Seeing this, Lu Yuan was taken aback, his tongue clicking in astonishment, and he hastily gathered True Yuan for another move.
"Ding!"
Xiang Mantang remained composed as he raised his hand and grabbed Lu Yuan's wrist.
"Elder Lu, we agreed to only one move, didn't we?"
Xiang Mantang spoke softly while holding Lu Yuan's wrist, his tone calm and unhurried, without any other action, but Lu Yuan understood that if he didn't stop now, Xiang Mantang would strike him at once.
Although Xiang Mantang had stood still without retaliating just a moment ago, it didn't mean he hadn't been secretly accumulating True Yuan. If the truce were broken and he was prepared to fight back, a lightning-quick, absolute killing move would be unleashed, and Lu Yuan himself, so close at hand, would likely fall victim to Xiang Mantang's lethal power!
"Hehe... I forgot..."
Lu Yuan let out a laugh and immediately ceased channeling True Yuan.
Instantly, his billowing clothes and wildly dancing hair all came to a sudden halt.
Seeing this, Xiang Mantang also released Lu Yuan's unmoving wrist.
"Pop!"
Simultaneously, the protective shield that had been guarding Xiang Mantang like a Golden Bell Cover, shattered into pieces as if made of glass.
However, as it was formed from Spiritual Energy, it didn't harm Xiang Mantang or Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan looked deeply at Xiang Mantang, realizing that this protective shield was likely the defensive capability of a Magic Artifact.
No wonder Xiang Mantang had readily agreed to his challenge of a single blow!
He had miscalculated.
Lu Yuan felt a twinge of regret internally.
Xiang Mantang was silent, his expression unreadable.
His ability to emerge unscathed from a blow delivered in anger by Lu Yuan, a powerful God Realm Martial Artist, was not due to his own strength, but rather thanks to the Order of Slaughter he had acquired from the Lord of the Killing Realm.