Zhou Gangyi had completely given up resisting, closing his eyes helplessly as the twin fists approached.
He never imagined his end would be like this.
Life was indeed unpredictable.
Just as Murong Chenggong's fists were about to reach Zhou Gangyi, he seemed to have already foreseen Zhou Gangyi's tragic demise when suddenly, a blade wind surged towards him from outside.
If he dodged the blade wind, Zhou Gangyi would die. If he continued to attack Zhou Gangyi, he couldn't dodge the blade wind.
This wasn't a difficult choice between two options. Murong Chenggong, without a moment's hesitation, retracted his attack, leaped back, and evaded the incoming blade wind.
Inner energy? Murong Chenggong frowned, a sense of unease settling in his heart.
Zhou Gangyi, eyes still closed, waited for the expected pain of death. When he finally opened them, he saw Murong Chenggong retreating three meters away. While he was still puzzled, Long Aotian walked in with a stern expression.
Zhou Gangyi felt as if he were dreaming. At that moment, his master looked so dashing, so full of charisma.
"Master," Zhou Gangyi exclaimed in surprise, almost moved to tears. "You're finally here! If you came any later, no one would be here to wash your clothes."
Long Aotian glanced at the exceedingly excited Zhou Gangyi without a word, then turned to Murong Chenggong and spoke with a cold tone, "How audacious! A cultivator causing trouble in the mortal realm. Do you have any regard for the Cultivator's Covenant?"
"Who are you?" Murong Chenggong had never met Long Aotian before, only knowing that the leader of the Dragon Group was Long Aotian.
"Long Aotian," Long Aotian's voice was as cold as the wind in December, chilling one to the bone.
Upon hearing this, Murong Chenggong's eyes narrowed. The very thing he feared had happened.
Did this Long Aotian have nothing better to do than to constantly monitor him?
He had finally ventured out once, hoping for a bit of enjoyment, only to encounter Long Aotian. Where could he even complain about this misfortune?
Could he be this unlucky?
Murong Chenggong doubted his own luck for the first time, feeling like he'd won the lottery the moment he stepped out.
"Heh... so it's the head of the Dragon Group. I was wondering who else could have cultivated inner energy," Murong Chenggong chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"A frog in a well, nothing more," Long Aotian scoffed.
"This world is vast and full of wonders. A mere Durapeter could crush you in minutes. Do you truly believe inner energy martial artists can act with impunity?"
"I admit defeat today. I bid you farewell." Murong Chenggong didn't wish to linger and prepared to leave.
"Trying to leave? No chance."
Seeing Murong Chenggong about to depart, Long Aotian flashed forward and blocked him, immediately engaging him in combat.
"Long Aotian, don't push your luck too far! Don't think I'm afraid of you!" Murong Chenggong, seeing Long Aotian attack him, uttered a fierce threat and then clashed with him.
Just as Long Aotian had said, he was a frog in a well. Murong Chenggong never imagined he couldn't even withstand one move from Long Aotian. The moment they exchanged blows, Long Aotian, with an overwhelming advantage, sent Murong Chenggong crashing to the ground.
"You... you're not an inner energy martial artist?"
Spitting blood, Murong Chenggong stared at Long Aotian before him with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"Inner energy? Hmph, I stopped being an inner energy martial artist long ago," Long Aotian snorted disdainfully.
He had learned this boastful line from Xia Feng and found it immensely satisfying to use now.
Long Aotian had ceased to be an inner energy martial artist years ago, thanks to Xia Feng's guidance, which allowed him to break through and advance to the Xiantian realm. It could be said that Long Aotian was a grandmaster among cultivators in China.
His next step would be to "leap out of the river" and become a "Land Immortal."
Once Long Aotian emerged from the river, he would be what cultivators called a Land Immortal. With him out of the water, the fish within would be at his mercy.
Zhou Gangyi gazed at his master with starry eyes. He never knew his master could be so coolly arrogant. It was like discovering a new continent for Zhou Gangyi, and it felt incredibly exhilarating.
Even standing by as an observer, Zhou Gangyi felt his blood surge. His master was truly his master.
His grand-master had once said that his achievements would surpass his master's. Zhou Gangyi found the thought stimulating.
If his master was this formidable, he couldn't even begin to imagine the level his grand-master had reached. The imagery in his mind only extended so far; any further would exceed his limited comprehension.
"I stopped being an inner energy martial artist long ago." Upon hearing this, Murong Chenggong's spirit visibly deflated, much like Zhou Gangyi's earlier. The sheer disparity in their cultivation levels made it impossible for him to muster the courage to resist.
Although legends spoke of some monstrous individuals who could fight above their level, Murong Chenggong knew with certainty that he was not one of them.
"You attacked ordinary people and even intended to harm a member of the Dragon Group. This is a capital offense. Keep your eyes open in your next life." Long Aotian had no intention of letting Murong Chenggong go.
Not only had this man attacked civilians, but he had also attempted to kill his disciple.
Had he arrived a moment later, Zhou Gangyi would have been dead. And Zhou Gangyi's identity was not ordinary. Even if he were just a regular person, such an act would not be tolerated.
Long Aotian was no saint. Anyone who posed a threat to the nation would be eliminated without mercy.
"You... you can't kill me! I'm from the Laoshan Sect. My grandfather is a grand elder of the Laoshan Sect. If I die, you will all die!"
Seeing the killing intent in Long Aotian's eyes, Murong Chenggong instinctively took a few steps back, his gaze inadvertently drifting towards Jin Xiaochen.
If he could seize Jin Xiaochen as a hostage, he might have a chance to escape.
Having worked in special departments his entire life, Long Aotian had navigated more treacherous paths than Murong Chenggong had walked. How could he not see through his petty scheme?
Long Aotian gave Murong Chenggong no opportunity. With lightning speed, he struck. Murong Chenggong's plan, barely conceived, was thwarted before it could even begin, as Long Aotian swiftly dealt with him.
Even in death, Murong Chenggong found it unbelievable that they would actually kill him.
"Master, this guy just mentioned the Laoshan Sect. Will that cause trouble?" Zhou Gangyi asked, looking at the still-warm corpse of Murong Chenggong on the ground.
"We represent the nation. Regardless of who they are, anyone who harms the country will be executed. Don't talk about the Laoshan Sect; even if the sky falls, your grand-master will bear it."
Long Aotian was unconcerned. What so-called Laoshan Sect? If they violated the rules, he wouldn't hesitate to obliterate the entire sect.
Decades ago, these cultivators had reached an agreement with the nation: a policy of non-interference. They were free to cultivate peacefully, but any harm to ordinary people would be a breach of the agreement.
While such matters could be troublesome, especially with the existence of powerful figures like Land Immortals, in this age of high technology, if it came to a fight to the death, they would have no chance. Not everyone was like Xia Feng, who had transcended this realm.
Xia Feng's power was immense, having transcended this plane, rendering him impervious to any high-tech weaponry. This was precisely what the higher-ups had worried about when Xia Feng emerged from seclusion.
After all, individuals who cannot be controlled are the most terrifying. Those who can be controlled are fearless.