A young man yawned, tears rolling down his face, and said irritably.
Though he appeared unassuming, his martial arts skills were formidable.
Outside, he was undoubtedly a fierce warrior, capable of fending off dozens of enemies single-handedly.
Before coming to Zhongcheng Hall, he was a local influential figure, commanding hundreds of followers and owning over ten businesses. Although his assets didn’t exceed a billion, they were close.
However, now he could only be a gatekeeper.
But he was merely venting. If truly asked to leave, he would beg on his knees and wail loudly.
No choice.
No matter how well one does outside, they’re still just ordinary people.
Like working, no matter how well one does, they’re ultimately just workers. To escape the class, one must control the means of production.
Zhongcheng Hall, even if fallen, remains the landlord of the new era, holding favors that one could never exhaust in a lifetime.
Zhao Sanxin was also yawning, but upon hearing the young man’s words, he couldn’t help but glance at him and say irritably:
"Nothing to do is fine! The grand elders are dead, and you still disdain this tranquility?"
"Big brother, now it’s just the two of us, so don’t act high and mighty. The grand elders died due to their own actions; what does it have to do with us?
If they hadn’t died, we wouldn’t have had the chance to enter the family. Don’t you agree?"
The young man chuckled, looking triumphant.
Zhao Sanxin snorted coldly, but a smile flickered in his eyes.
The young man’s crude words had truth. Previously, when speaking of the family, their faces were full of pride. Yet, when asked about their standing within the family, they hesitated, afraid to speak.
Once, no matter how powerful Zhongcheng Hall was, it had nothing to do with them.
But now, despite Zhongcheng Hall’s setbacks, it also granted them an opportunity.
"Lin Beichen is a mysterious figure. I heard that when he came to Zhongcheng Hall, he single-handedly forced all the major families to bow and apologize, not daring to breathe deeply.
Rumor has it he can perform Immortal Techniques, controlling wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, appearing like an immortal."
The young man said with glowing eyes.
"Boss, you’ve seen so much. Do you think immortals exist in this world?"
Zhao Sanxin hesitated, his face darkened, and coldly said:
"You brat, never speak recklessly. Mr. Lin is not a person with a false reputation. Though I was far away at the time, I saw it myself!
Zhao Huanglong and Zhao Tianjie, one a peak expert, the other above peak. Even so, neither of them could touch Mr. Lin’s fingers. Just his bodyguards killed them both on the spot."
"Wow, above peak realm, already at the pinnacle of the world? Such strength doesn’t even warrant his action; what realm could he possibly be in?"
The young man said excitedly, eyes shining.
Zhao Sanxin initially looked proud but twitched at the words.
Though he became the outer sect’s head, he didn’t dare assess Lin Beichen’s realm with his meager cultivation.
"Why ask so much? Mr. Lin’s realm must be unparalleled! Not just Zhao Tianjie; even if a hundred more came, they wouldn’t stand a chance. There’s no one more powerful than him in this world!"
Zhao Sanxin hadn’t seen other masters, but with Zhao Tianjie dead by Lin Beichen’s hands, he believed there couldn’t be anyone stronger.
To avoid losing face before his people, he exaggerated as much as he could.
His subordinates, hearing this, looked awestruck.
Feeling their worshipful eyes, Zhao Sanxin chuckled, taking a sip from his tea cup leisurely.
"Is Lin Beichen truly invincible? Has he asked my master?"
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
Hmm?
Zhao Sanxin was slightly stunned, setting down his tea cup, and looked up.
On the stone path of Bamboo Forest Manor, an elderly man with white hair stood at the gate.
The elder’s posture was as straight as a pine, eyes sharp with a tiger-like aura.
Beside him stood a black-haired man, face filled with anger.
"Who are you?"
Zhao Sanxin frowned and asked.
"Did I say something wrong? Zhao Tianjie is above peak, who in this world has a higher realm?"
"Zhao Tianjie?"
The elder had a faint smile.
"He’s merely a pawn in my hand, who luckily obtained my legacy and happened to reach above peak. Do you think it’s due to his talent?
You, boy, are too shallow, quite ignorant! Do you know that among the pinnacle masters, besides Zhongcheng Hall, no one acknowledges Zhao Tianjie’s status?"
"Lin Beichen defeated a worthless man, yet you praise him as invincible. He truly believes he’s significant?"
"You...you dare insult our family?"
Zhao Sanxin was bewildered, unable to grasp the elder’s words, but understood at least one thing.
This old man spoke with a mocking smile, clearly disrespecting Zhongcheng Hall.
Zhao Sanxin slammed his hand on the table, rushing out with his subordinates.
The group wielded clubs, electric batons, and a few held firearms.
Though this was the Imperial Capital, where openly using guns was prohibited, it didn’t mean they didn’t have them.
If anyone tried to cause trouble during Zhongcheng Hall’s weakness, as the outer sect’s security head, he wouldn’t tolerate it.
"Your Zhongcheng Hall isn’t worthy of my insult."
The elder said blandly.
"Thirty years ago, I stood where you stand now and defeated him with a single move."
What?
Zhao Sanxin instinctively looked down, noticing two deep footprints on the ground.
These footprints appeared old, weathered by the elements, filled with dust. Still, their presence hinted at the immense pressure borne by the person who stood there.
These footprints, not left by a craftsman?
Zhao Sanxin wondered.
He always thought these deep footprints were due to a craftsman’s mishap, leaving imprints while working.
Unexpectedly, they were left by Zhao Tianjie?
If that’s true, who’s the person before him?
Thirty to forty years ago, Zhao Tianjie was at his peak.
Even Zhao Tianjie at peak couldn’t withstand this elder’s single move?
Is he stronger than Lin Beichen?
The elder ignored the stunned Zhao Sanxin and approached the giant stone monument at the manor’s entrance.
A tall stone monument, over ten meters high, resembling a titan.
The monument symbolized not just a peak master in Zhongcheng Hall but the family’s formidable power.
The elder reached out, silently stroking the monument’s rough surface, a reminiscing look in his eyes.
"Hey, what do you intend to do?"
Zhao Sanxin shouted angrily, heart pounding with a sense of impending doom.
The next moment, his eyes widened, filled with terror.
The elder lightly patted the monument, causing immediate cracks.
A thunderous roar.
The monument shattered, web-like cracks spreading rapidly.
Stone fragments splintered, the ground quaking, feeling as if heaven and earth were collapsing.
"Monster..."
Zhao Sanxin and the others stared at the elder in fear, thoughts racing with the same notion.
With just a light pat, the monument cracked, though not completely shattered, the force was unbelievable.
Is his body truly human?
"Bang!"
The elder raised his hand, delivering another palm strike.
He continued repeatedly, the monument’s cracks increasing.
Zhao Sanxin and the others stood motionless, lacking the courage to intervene.
"What’s happening outside, why so noisy?"
People from Zhongcheng Hall came out, faces angry.
But seeing the elder, they were terrified, legs trembling.
Every mind raced with the same query.
Who is this elder, is he truly human?