This young man is only at the Fifth Realm yet already possesses such strength. If given time, who knows how formidable he will become, so he must not be left alive.
But just as he raised his palm again, ready to deliver a lethal blow, a strong sense of threat suddenly came from behind him, as if targeted by a giant python.
He turned around at an almost impossible speed, raising his palm to meet the threat.
Thud!
A dull, blood-curdling sound spread out, and the massive shockwave instantly destroyed all the tables, chairs, doors, and windows in the tavern’s hall.
Only then did Qin Jianji coldly say, "Shen Jiu, do you truly think our Azure Dragon Temple has no one?"
The one who struck was none other than the Ninth Elder of Wanghai Tower, Shen Jiu, also known as Shen Zigeng.
Shen Jiu retreated to the now barren window frame and said calmly, "I was wondering who it was, turns out it’s Qin Jianji, Elder Qin of the South Canglong Temple. But let me set this straight, your man was the first to want to kill my disciple, I was merely teaching him a lesson on your behalf."
"Teaching him a lesson on my behalf?" Qin Jianji laughed angrily, "It seems our Azure Dragon Temple has indeed fallen into decline when people dare to speak so presumptuously."
"There’s no need for so much useless talk. Let the juniors resolve their conflicts; how about we have a life-and-death duel between us now?"
As he spoke, the air currents around Qin Jianji began to stir, particularly around his fists, where cyclonic waves seemed to form, clearly revealing his genuine anger.
Seeing this, a hint of apprehension appeared in Shen Jiu’s eyes.
Qin Jianji was long famed and exceptionally powerful, especially with his fist technique that had reached a state of divinity.
Coupled with the Azure Dragon True Strength, renowned throughout the world, Shen Jiu had no confidence in a sure victory.
Luckily, at this moment, the guards of Jade Dragon City hurriedly arrived.
The officer leading was the same one who previously prevented Qin Jianji from fighting with Luo Congkuan of the Northern Sect.
Upon seeing it was Qin Jianji fighting again, and with such havoc wreaked on the gigantic tavern, the officer felt nothing but helplessness.
"Elder Qin, it’s you again?"
Qin Jianji’s face was sullen, "It’s not that I want to break the rules, it’s just that others have pushed our Azure Dragon Temple too far, and I must act."
The officer also noticed Shen Jiu and recognized him as someone from Wanghai Tower, which only added to his helplessness.
Neither Azure Dragon Temple nor Wanghai Tower were forces this small officer from Jade Dragon City could afford to provoke.
But his duty compelled him to say, "If there are unresolved grudges between the two of you, take it outside the city to settle it. Although this time there was no street fight, you’ve made such a mess of this large tavern, how do you propose to resolve this?"
At this moment, Gui Heshu suddenly laughed, then stepped forward and said, "General, this was all a misunderstanding earlier, how about I take care of the damages? Would that be acceptable?"
"And you are...?"
"I am Gui Heshu from Ink Sea City!"
"So it’s Patriarch Gui, that would naturally be for the best, but let this be a one-time exception. I don’t want to see anyone breaking the rules and fighting within the city again."
"Alright, it won’t happen again."
Gui Heshu readily took out a sum of money to compensate for the damages from the duel.
For him, with Ink Sea as a cash cow, spending some money was no concern at all.
Moreover, this duel had greatly helped vent his son’s grievances, so he was more than willing to spend this money.
After receiving the compensation, neither the shopkeeper of the tavern nor the officer had anything more to say.
As for Shen Jiu from Wanghai Tower, after checking over the still shaken Pei Quan’an and ensuring his disciple was alright, he forced a smile and cupped his fists towards Qin Jianji.
"Qin Jianji, I’ll remember today’s incident. We will settle this account in the future, mark my words."
"Why the future? How about we settle it outside the city right now?" Qin Jianji seemed unconcerned by these threats, responding aggressively.
"Hmph!"
Shen Jiu snorted coldly, but in the end, he left with his disciple in tow, looking rather dejected.
Before leaving, Nangong Yanran gave Gui Xuanqing a complicated glance, but the usually smiling Gui Xuanqing turned his head away, not even sparing her a look this time.
Not until Nangong Yanran left did Gui Xuanqing lower his head dejectedly and solemnly salute Zhao Ya.
"Senior Brother, thank you."
Zhao Ya smiled, reaching out to pat his shoulder.
"Alright, we are brothers of the same sect, no need to be so polite."
A warm feeling surged in Gui Xuanqing’s heart, instantly dispelling any prior estrangement and replacing it with a deep sense of gratitude.
"Mhm!" He nodded vigorously, indicating he remembered.
At this time, Qin Jianji approached, looking at Zhao Ya with some concern.
"How are you doing?"
"Reporting to Elder, I’m fine."
"Are you sure you’re fine? I saw Pei Quan’an land a punch on you earlier." Tian Yixin also came over, a bit worried.
Zhao Ya smiled, "Don’t worry. With his level of strength, he can’t break through my defenses."
Earlier, Zhao Ya had deliberately left an opening to test the defensive power of his Golden Body Armor Technique against Pei Quan’an.
The result left Zhao Ya very satisfied.
At least, someone like Pei Quan’an in the Meridian Opening realm couldn’t break through his Golden Body Armor Technique.
Hearing Zhao Ya’s words, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"In the future, you mustn’t be so reckless. Even if you have the Horizontal Refining Secret Technique, there are countless Meridian Opening True Strengths. You don’t know which True Strengths specifically counter the Golden Bell Shield and Iron Cloth Shirt, so you should still be cautious," Qin Jianji warned.
Zhao Ya nodded, "Yes, I will remember."
At this time, Gui Heshu added from the side, "It’s getting late now. Since we can’t eat here, let’s head to another place quickly."
"Good!"
Everyone had no objections and turned to leave.
But after they left, the distant crowd that had gathered to watch the fight became a hubbub.
"Wow, I always thought the Azure Dragon Temple was done for, but now I realize a starved camel is still bigger than a horse," a martial artist lamented.
"When Elder Qin threw a punch, I felt like a true dragon appeared in the sky. Azure Dragon True Strength truly lives up to its name," another martial artist said with awe.
"I think the disciple from Azure Dragon Temple is the most amazing. He seems to only be at the Fifth Realm, yet he managed to suppress a Meridian Opening realm combatant. It’s incredible."
"I heard he just joined the Azure Dragon Temple today, along with that young master from the Gui Family. Is the Azure Dragon Temple about to rise again?"
"Wanghai Tower’s reputation took a big hit this time. I doubt this matter is over, there will certainly be more to come."
Amidst these discussions, not far from the tavern, Luo Congkuan stood at a window in an inn, calmly listening to his subordinate’s report, then said,
"You’re saying this Zhao Ya almost killed Pei Quan’an of Wanghai Tower?"
"Absolutely true, sir; I was present at the scene and confirmed it all."
"What is Pei Quan’an’s cultivation level?"
"I heard he recently opened his meridians with Shen Jiu’s help, not particularly strong."
"Not strong, but still at the Meridian Opening; Zhao Ya could counter-kill someone at that level from the Fifth Realm. His potential seems extremely impressive. Send someone to investigate and see what connection he has with the Azure Dragon Temple."
"Understood!"
"And the Gui Family. Given their family’s strength, it would be challenging to enter the Celestial One Pavilion, but joining sects like Wanghai Tower’s Dragon Elephant Institute shouldn’t be difficult. Why suddenly join the South Canglong? Investigate this carefully as well."
"Understood."
As the Northern Canglong Temple was being alerted, in another luxurious inn’s elegantly decorated room, two people were engaged in a game of Go.
One was a man dressed in white, with a face like white jade, even his eyes were a faint white like jade.
Opposite him was a woman wearing a veil, looking like someone out of a painting.
"Qin Jianji from the Azure Dragon Temple has been low-key for a long time; who’d have thought he’d stand out so much at this opening ceremony," the woman smiled as she placed a stone on the board.
The man, holding a stone, spoke indifferently, "He had no choice but to act; with their division weakening for so long, who knows how many people have their eyes on the Azure Dragon Temple. Without deterring these petty offenders, the Azure Dragon Temple truly wouldn’t be worthy of standing among the Beyond the World Thirteen Sects anymore."