It was as expected.
Arriving before Bai Zihe, he unleashed his claws simultaneously, countless claw shadows intertwining to form an impenetrable cage of claw intent, enveloping Bai Zihe.
"Hiss..."
"As expected of a Domain Lord level expert."
"Too strong."
"Such power, truly terrifying."
Ji Xueyun and Yue Rushuang exclaimed, yet dared not blink.
Facing the surging, tide-like offensive of Gai Tianya, Bai Zihe remained calm and composed, parrying each move with precision.
After this round of attacks...
Gai Tianya had not managed to harm him in the slightest.
Not even...
A single scratch.
After exchanging over a dozen blows, Gai Tianya once again stood before Bai Zihe.
Now...
His face was devoid of its previous disdain, replaced entirely by admiration.
And within Gai Tianya's mind, countless thoughts flashed in an instant.
No wonder.
The War Department had not pursued Bai Zihe's responsibility this time.
Judging by the strength he had displayed, he was at least a Martial Grandmaster, and such a young one at that.
Those in the War Department...
Placed immense importance on prodigies.
Geniuses like Post-natal and Innate Martial Masters were commonplace to them, holding no significance.
Hence, when Bai Zihe had committed the massacre previously, the War Department had been enraged.
But this time...
Upon discovering Bai Zihe to be a prodigy of Grandmaster or Half-step Grandmaster level, their attitudes had shifted swiftly, almost to the point of wanting to bring him to the capital for cultivation.
Perhaps...
Gai Tianya had an idea.
His relationship with Ouyang Wushuang was not as profound as imagined; after all, he was an adopted son, not a biological one.
If he were to let go of his hatred and accept Bai Zihe...
There might be great achievements in the future.
With this thought,
Gai Tianya's gaze fixed upon Bai Zihe.
Little did Bai Zihe know, in mere seconds, Gai Tianya had conceived of many far-reaching plans.
His expression serene, he asked, "Gai Tianya, why have you stopped fighting?"
Gai Tianya smiled faintly and, under everyone's gaze, uttered words that stunned the entire assembly: "Bai Zihe, your talent is extraordinary, and you will achieve great things in the future. This old man cannot bear to kill you."
"Ouyang Wushuang's foundation was shallow, and his death at your hands is understandable. This old man will no longer pursue the matter."
"Do you wish to call this old man 'Foster Father'?"
"From this day forward, father and son will join forces, dominate the Southern Domain, conquer the world, and achieve eternal glory. What do you think?"
Upon these words,
The entire place erupted into an uproar.
The soldiers, their faces a mixture of confusion, shock, and utter astonishment.
Gai Tianya, the Domain Lord of the Southern War Zone!
It would not be an exaggeration to call him the uncrowned king of the Southern War Zone, capable of covering the sky with one hand. Coupled with his Grandmaster-level strength...
He was a figure standing at the pinnacle.
And now, he wanted to recognize Bai Zihe as his adopted son...
Would Bai Zihe not soar to unprecedented heights?
Meanwhile, those under the Xuan Tian Pavilion and War God Camp sneered contemptuously.
This old scoundrel...
He had just been shouting for battle and death, and now he was talking about foster father and son. Truly shameless.
"Not very good."
Bai Zihe found it amusing and replied indifferently.
Gai Tianya's eyes narrowed instantly.
However, he did not give up; he valued Bai Zihe's future!
"Why is that?"
Gai Tianya continued, "Could it be that, with Ouyang Wushuang having been my adopted son before, you feel that being my adopted son alongside him would diminish your status?"
"Very well."
Gai Tianya mused to himself, then looked at Bai Zihe again: "How about this: you kneel on the ground, perform the grand ceremony of master and disciple, and call this old man 'Master.' This old man can also let bygones be bygones."
"From now on, we shall be master and disciple..."
"Master?"
Before Gai Tianya could finish, Bai Zihe directly interrupted him, scoffing dismissively, "You... you are worthy of being my master?"
"Boom!"
Bai Zihe's words plunged Gai Tianya into a furious rage.
Powerful waves of energy formed into gusts of wind, sweeping outwards, possessing the momentum to engulf the world and swallow the universe.
"Bai Zihe, you are too arrogant!"
Gai Tianya's anger surged, his hair flying wildly, "This old man will show you today what a true Martial Grandmaster is!"
Immediately,
He hovered in mid-air and unleashed a palm strike.
This palm strike...
Appeared slow, yet it stirred an immense cosmic phenomenon.
Instantly, the earth shook and the heavens trembled, as if a demon god had descended, accompanied by mournful wails.
The gale force stirred pushed everyone back dozens of meters, and the grand platform, at the emergence of this palm strike, had already cracked with countless fissures.
The next moment,
The palm strike arrived before Bai Zihe, mere inches away.
Bai Zihe stood unperturbed, and with equal resolve, unleashed a palm strike of his own.