Thirteen days later.
The scene that countless people had been anticipating finally began.
During these thirteen days, news had been streaming from the capital, and top-tier existences had emerged from the shadows.
Many beings once considered unreachable now appeared before everyone's eyes, and even those rumored to be dead had reappeared.
Lingfeng Mountain Villa had been fully occupied days ago, but this posed no hindrance to the martial artists.
Upon reaching the Martial King realm, one could achieve a brief state of levitation, allowing them to clearly observe the entire battlefield.
As the main base of the Martial Arts Association, Lingfeng Mountain Villa housed numerous supreme experts. This contingent of powerhouses was key to the decisive defeat of Ye Longlin.
Lingfeng Mountain Villa was situated halfway up several mountains, stretching from mid-slope to the ground. Three hundred and ninety-nine steps led upwards, flanked by statues of elders in various poses, some depicting suppression, others upheaval, their forms diverse.
Looking down from the highest platform, it gave one the feeling of soaring through the clouds.
Today, as an important occasion for the Martial Arts Association, every aspect, from prestige to all other factors, had been meticulously prepared to the extreme.
A large banner was the first to appear within the Martial Arts Association, bearing only the character "Martial," signifying the flag of the association.
Closely following, the procession began ascending from the foot of the mountain, starting from the left.
This column comprised the Martial Arts Association's Elder Council, elders from Martial Arts Associations across the nation, and all individuals of the Dragon Elephant realm, who had been summoned to the capital. A total of one hundred and eight Dragon Elephant realm experts!
On the right, the disciple corps, led by the chief disciple, appeared, arranged by cultivation from highest to lowest. There were also one hundred and eight of them, with the lowest being at the Martial Spirit realm.
Wu Xingteng sat in a grand tutor chair crafted from nanmu wood, facing this assembly, his expression gradually becoming excited.
Even Wu Xingteng, who had always been dedicated to the Way, couldn't help but feel stirred. After all, such a scene was beyond anything he had ever imagined. It was at this moment that he finally understood the true nature of the power and influence that countless people craved.
"Lying drunk on a beauty's lap, wielding power that awakens the world."
A wave of heroic spirit surged through his chest. His eyes blazed like torches, and his aura emanated outwards, coalescing behind him into a colossal figure akin to an emperor, overlooking all.
"Beat the drums, prepare for battle!"
Wu Xingteng stood up from his chair, hands clasped behind his back, his voice resounding throughout the heavens and earth.
"Dong dong dong—"
The beat of drums began to spread in all directions. On numerous peaks, dozens of drums struck, striking fear into people's hearts.
The drumming swept across the sky; even without witnessing it up close, one could feel the truly astonishing momentum.
"Ye Longlin, where are you? Appear and face me!"
Wu Xingteng called out loudly, his voice echoing through the firmament.
He stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of disdain for all under heaven, reveling in the moment.
The wind howled, but no sound answered.
A young man stepped forward from behind Wu Xingteng.
"Direct descendant of the Hidden Families, Wu Mochi!"
"Ye Longlin, do you dare to fight?"
His voice carried across the land, but no reply came.
Countless people were waiting for Mr. Ye Longlin, and just as many were anticipating today's spectacle.
After all, the announcement to dismantle the Martial Arts Association was first made by Ye Longlin. He couldn't possibly not show up!
"Indeed, with my strength, and as a direct descendant of the Wu family, it's only natural that you wouldn't dare to face me."
"The ants of the mortal world will eventually understand the might of the Hidden Families."
Wu Mochi reveled in the feeling of being looked up to. With a casual air, his demeanor was arrogant, and his light golden robe shimmered under the sun, like an immortal king descending to the mortal realm.
However, as his words fell silent.
Four figures suddenly descended from the sky!
"Boom boom boom boom!"
Four mountain peaks trembled, and amidst clouds of dust, fervent voices rang out.
"The foremost of the former Dragon Pavilion's Four Vajras, Yuan Gang, arrays himself in the East!"
"The second of the former Dragon Pavilion's Four Vajras, Xuanniao, arrays himself in the West!"
"The third of the former Dragon Pavilion's Four Vajras, Qinglong, arrays himself in the North!"
"The fourth of the former Dragon Pavilion's Four Vajras, Xuanwu, arrays himself in the South!"
The drumming suddenly ceased. As the experts of the Dragon Elephant realm appeared from the east, west, north, and south, the hundred drummers vanished into thin air!
"Hiss! Such a grand display right from the start. It seems this place is truly going to be a river of blood today!"
"Who says not? All four Vajras of the Dragon Pavilion have retired and now follow Ye Longlin. Including himself, that makes five top-tier experts."
"Don't you find these figures incredibly inspiring? My very DNA is vibrating!"
"Let us witness today, the myriad Buddhas paying homage to the peak!"
The voices of the four rang out again. Immediately after, on the four peaks, great Buddha figures manifested their divine forms.
Is this truly the homage of myriad Buddhas?
Just as countless people were discussing, a soft sound suddenly broke the silence, and the entire venue fell quiet.
A young man in a suit and tie, adjusting his cuffs, stepped onto the first stair.
Wu Xingteng's heart tightened. He felt a faint sense of crisis emanating from Ye Longlin. Despite the latter not releasing any aura, he genuinely sensed a threat from him.
And this sense of crisis was growing stronger!
The elders and disciples closest to Ye Longlin watched as he ascended the steps.
Auras like overturning tides pressed down upon him.
Yet, strangely, he did not falter under their immense pressure. Instead, they were forced to retreat one after another because of Ye Longlin, and the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.
"Ye Longlin, I didn't expect you to actually dare to come."
Wu Xingteng couldn't help but feel a grudging admiration for this young man, daring to come despite knowing it was a trap.
He stood on the platform, looking down at Ye Longlin.
"I have come today to raze your Martial Arts Association."
Ye Longlin took a step forward, and a vast aura, centered on him, instantly swept across the entire staircase!
Boom boom boom!
A muffled sound, like distant thunder.
Apart from the elders on the left, who could barely maintain their footing, almost all the disciples on the right were sent flying. Yet, the aura continued to press down.
"Pfft!"
Starting from the rear, one elder after another could not withstand this pressure and began to spit blood.
A playful smile appeared on Ye Longlin's lips, and he let out a disdainful chuckle.
"If your Martial Arts Association is merely this fragile and worthless, then today, I can destroy it with a flick of my hand."
His domineering and sharp words caused everyone present to gasp in disbelief.
He was actually this bold?
"Boasting shamelessly, I think you are courting death!"
"I will face you!"
Wu Mochi let out a cold snort and charged down from the platform. His long sword was unsheathed during his descent, and a flash of cold light streaked past.
"Wu Family's Nine Forms, First Form: Looking Back at the Moon."
A startling splash of white moonlight suddenly appeared. Half a moon rotated and descended directly towards his crown.
"A meager trick."