The Su City Defense Department was under strict lockdown, but with the presence of the elder Zhuge Nie, Wu Gaozhuo withdrew most of the guards. After all, with this guardian of Su City present, he could withstand thousands of troops, and no one would dare to cause trouble at the Defense Department!
Zhuge Nie sat in a rattan chair in the pavilion. Servants quickly brought tea and fruits, and Wu Gaozhuo and others came to sit down. Just as Zhuge Nie was raising his teacup, the quiet courtyard was suddenly filled with the harsh screech of rubber tires violently rubbing against the ground. With a click, the car stopped after a beautiful drift. Xiao Yunlong pushed open the car door and got out, followed closely by Jun Bufan.
It was somewhat different from what they had imagined. There were no large groups of guards surrounding them. The courtyard was quiet. Zhuge Nie was simply sitting there calmly drinking tea, while the other mid-level leaders of the Defense Department remained still. Only Wu Gaozhuo slowly stood up and snorted, "Xiao, you finally came, you actually dared to come!"
Xiao Yunlong scanned the area and asked indifferently, "Where is Liang Minghui? Why isn't he here?"
A mid-level leader of the Defense Department said coldly, "Kid, how dare you shout the name of our director? You, a martial world thug, are too arrogant and presumptuous, even daring to barge into the Defense Department!"
Xiao Yunlong shook his head and said, "Fine, since Liang Minghui isn't here, I'll just see what your so-called experts at the Defense Department are capable of today!"
"You kid truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. You think you can challenge our Su City Defense Department with just yourself? You think too little of us. I'm telling you, kid, you must pay a heavy price today. You crippled Deputy Head Ma's legs, so you'll repay it with your own hands and feet!"
Jun Bufan stepped forward, clenched his fists, and sneered, "Wu Gaozhuo, you are nothing but a defeated foe. How dare you act so presumptuously in front of my elder brother? Have you forgotten how you embarrassingly rolled away from the boxing gym just now? With these people, you don't even need my elder brother to make a move; I can sweep you all away!"
Jun Bufan clenched his fists. Since achieving true Huajin Grandmaster status, his strength had greatly increased, and his confidence had also risen considerably. Wu Gaozhuo gnashed his teeth in anger, but he couldn't refute it, as many people present had seen his pathetic state when he fled back like a stray dog earlier.
Zhuge Nie slowly put down his teacup and said unhurriedly, "Young man, don't think that just because you've learned some martial arts, you can sweep aside everything and be invincible. You must know that there is always someone better."
Jun Bufan paid no attention to the white-haired old man. However, Xiao Yunlong's gaze sharpened, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face. When he entered, he hadn't even noticed the presence of this white-haired old man. It was only when he spoke now that Xiao Yunlong saw clearly that on the old man's silver hair, there were three colors of qi converging and blending. What shocked Xiao Yunlong the most was that these three qi phenomena were almost completely fused, forming a pillar of qi. In other words, this white-haired old man sitting in the rattan chair was not only at the Wu Wang realm of Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, but he was also at the peak of Wu Wang, and even had one foot in the Xiantian Kaiqiao realm.
He had to admit that this was the person with the strongest martial arts cultivation he had encountered since arriving in Su City. He could hardly believe that such a person existed in a small place like Su City! Zhuge Nie wore a simple coarse cloth robe, looking ordinary, and his aura was not sharp. A peaceful smile always hung on his face, as if time had smoothed out all his edges and washed away all his sharpness. However, only Xiao Yunlong knew that the reason this old man looked as ordinary as the vegetable vendors on the street was that he had reached the state of returning to simplicity.
Zhuge Nie said faintly, "Young man, you are from the Jun family, aren't you? I had some dealings with your great-grandfather back in the day. You do have some talent, but with this level of martial arts cultivation, you are so arrogant. Today, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of the Jun family!"
"Teach me a lesson? I say, old man, aren't you being a bit too boastful!" Jun Bufan let out a cold snort and got into a stance, ready to charge at him.
"Bufan, come back, don't be rash, you are not his opponent!" Xiao Yunlong quickly shouted.
Jun Bufan stopped, blinked, and then asked, "Big brother, could it be that this old man is really a master?"
Xiao Yunlong patted his shoulder, signaling him to step back, then turned his gaze to the white-haired old man in front of him and said slowly, "Three flowers on the head, and they are about to fully merge. With your martial arts cultivation, let alone in Su City, even across the entire Dragon Country, you are not an unknown figure, right?"
Jun Bufan's eyes widened, and he exclaimed in shock, "Big brother, what are you saying? This white-haired old man, he actually... he's actually the legendary figure who has surpassed Huajin Grandmaster, a Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Wu Wang?"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "Not only that, but he is also a strong practitioner who has one foot in the Xiantian Kaiqiao realm. However, it's a pity that his vitality is already declining, clearly past his prime. Without any special opportunities, he will never reach the Xiantian Kaiqiao realm in this life."
Zhuge Nie, who was not far away, could no longer sit still. He stood up abruptly, his aged face filled with shock. "You... you can see through my cultivation level at a glance? How did you see it?" Zhuge Nie asked in shock.
Wu Gaozhuo and the others were also very shocked. After all, they knew that only martial artists who were a major realm higher than their opponent could see through their cultivation. Could it be that this young man named Xiao was even higher in cultivation than Master Zhuge? Wu Gaozhuo and the others naturally couldn't believe it, and of course, they didn't want to believe it!
"How did I see it? Does that even need asking? Of course, I saw it with my eyes," Xiao Yunlong chuckled.
Zhuge Nie also smiled, nodded slightly, and sighed, "It seems that your martial arts cultivation is indeed extraordinary. No wonder you dare to cause trouble at our Su City Defense Department. Come to think of it, I haven't made a move for over ten years. Today, these old bones of mine need to get some exercise."
Xiao Yunlong stood upright like a javelin and said solemnly, "With your cultivation, you should not be an unknown figure. May I know your origin and name?" In fact, Xiao Yunlong could see that although the white-haired old man was here to help, he had no violent aura on him, and was always peaceful and kind. This kind of old man was clearly a person of great caliber and vision. Coupled with his extraordinary cultivation, Xiao Yunlong asked about his origin and name, perhaps he had heard of him.
Zhuge Nie said with a faint smile, "As I said earlier, I haven't made a move for over ten years. It's rare to meet a young junior with extraordinary cultivation. I have to stretch my muscles, and besides, the authority of the Defense Department cannot be easily challenged."
"If that's the case, then let's fight. If you lose, tell me your name!" Xiao Yunlong said with his hands behind his back.
Zhuge Nie laughed heartily, "Of course, no problem. But I have a condition. If you lose, from now on, you and this Jun family kid must stay and serve at the Su City Defense Department!"
"As you say!" Xiao Yunlong said loudly.
"Watch closely, I'm making my move!"
As expected of the guardian of Su City, an old man who had experienced the turbulent years of the last century, the hardships of life had given him a compassionate and tolerant heart. Even though the other party was here to provoke and cause trouble, he did not forget to remind him before making a move. Moreover, it was evident that this white-haired old man had a fondness for talent and wanted to take the opportunity to subdue these two young men who had come to their doorstep and possessed good martial arts talent. Xiao Yunlong naturally saw this, which greatly increased his good impression of the old man.
It happened so fast that as soon as the words fell, Zhuge Nie leaped forward like a silver lightning bolt. A strong wind instantly swept through the entire courtyard, rustling the surrounding plants. After all, he was a Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Wu Wang. Zhuge Nie's speed was incredibly fast. To Wu Gaozhuo and the others, the old man had turned into a white blur. Even a Huajin Grandmaster like Jun Bufan could not accurately track Zhuge Nie's movements.
Xiao Yunlong's expression remained as usual. He made a rough estimate, used half of his inner strength from his dantian, and then got into a stance to meet him. The two immediately engaged in battle. Fists and feet crossed, and strong winds stirred, erupting with sounds of impact. Leaves fluttered down like snowflakes. The surrounding crowd watched in astonishment. Wu Gaozhuo, in particular, became more and more alarmed as he watched. He really couldn't imagine that this young man named Xiao was so powerful that he could fight back and forth with the elder Zhuge.
"Are you using the Bagua Swimming Dragon Palm of the Wudang Sect? Are you, by any chance, a disciple of the Wudang Sect?" Zhuge Nie shouted solemnly after a few rounds.
"Good eyesight!" Xiao Yunlong smiled, but his moves suddenly changed.
"This is... the Great Strength Vajra Palm of the Shaolin Sect! Why? You cultivated the Swimming Dragon Palm, so why do you also know the Vajra Palm?" Zhuge Nie was incredibly shocked.
Xiao Yunlong did not answer him, but calmly said, "Old man, you should use your full strength. With your current ability, you can't defeat me!"
"You are indeed extraordinary. If that's the case, then I will no longer hold back!" Zhuge Nie shouted solemnly, his aura suddenly changed, his attack speed increased significantly, and his palm strength became even more powerful.
However, even so, Zhuge Nie still couldn't defeat his opponent. Not only could he not defeat him, but he couldn't even touch Xiao Yunlong's clothes. Throughout the entire process, Xiao Yunlong only used the Swimming Dragon movement technique to dodge, occasionally striking out with a palm or two. After ninety-eight rounds of fighting, Zhuge Nie suddenly retreated from the battle like lightning, panting, and said, "I concede, I won't fight anymore, I concede!"
Xiao Yunlong also stopped and did not continue to attack. Compared to Zhuge Nie's panting and sweating, Xiao Yunlong remained calm and composed, appearing to be at ease. The difference in their strength was obvious. However, Wu Gaozhuo still shouted, "Elder, neither of you has fallen yet, why concede? This kid is young, his foundation is insufficient, and he will definitely lose if he continues to fight!"
"Elder Zhuge, you are the face of our Su City. If you lose, you will not only lose face yourself but also disgrace Su City. Therefore, we absolutely cannot concede so easily!"
Zhuge Nie directly gave Wu Gaozhuo a glare, his eyes showing disgust. He shook his head and said with a wry smile, "In our fight just now, I was mostly attacking, and the opponent was mostly defending. However, I couldn't even touch his clothes. Moreover, I can see that Mr. Xiao is still holding back, otherwise, I might have already fallen."
"I have lived most of my life and experienced hundreds of battles, big and small. I am not someone who cannot afford to lose. If I lose, I lose. It is shameful to refuse to admit it!" Unknowingly, his address to Xiao Yunlong had changed. He directly called him Mr. Xiao, and his words carried a hint of respect.
Xiao Yunlong nodded and said, "Your demeanor is extraordinary, sir. May I know your name? Perhaps I have heard of your great reputation."
Zhuge Nie waved his hand and said with a wry smile, "A defeated foe is not worth mentioning. My name is Zhuge Nie."
"You are... Zhuge Nie?" Xiao Yunlong was greatly shocked, his expression becoming solemn and respectful. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "So it is Elder Zhuge, the guardian of Su City. I did not know earlier and have offended you. I hope Elder Zhuge will forgive me!"
Xiao Yunlong admired few people in his life, but Zhuge Nie was one of them! The white-haired old man quickly walked over and helped him up, repeatedly waving his hands, "I dare not, I dare not. Truly a hero emerging from youth. Mr. Xiao's skills are extraordinary, and you are definitely not an ordinary person. May I know your identity and origin?"
Facing this elder, Xiao Yunlong naturally could not hide anything. He leaned closer and revealed his origin and identity. Upon hearing this, Zhuge Nie's face changed drastically, and he directly knelt on one knee, "Greetings..." However, before he could kneel, Xiao Yunlong quickly helped him up. After all, this white-haired old man was a battlefield hero from the last century, a true elder. He could not accept this bow!