Seven days passed.
With the help of the one-fifth Blood Spirit Fruit, Liang Hutu not only fully recovered from his injuries but also advanced his strength.
Becoming a Heavenly Origin Realm expert required the convergence of essence, qi, and spirit, reaching their peak.
Essence referred to vital blood.
Qi referred to true qi.
Spirit referred to divine intent.
Currently, Liang Hutu’s vital blood and true qi had both reached an unassailable peak.
He was considered a quasi-Heavenly Origin Realm expert!
Only by condensing his divine intent could he achieve the Heavenly Origin Realm martial arts mastery.
Beside him, Ji Hong appeared unchanged. However, only Liang Hutu knew how monstrously his physique had been strengthened by the Blood Spirit Fruit.
Even he, a quasi-Heavenly Origin Realm expert, felt a sense of threat.
Ji Hong now could likely contend with late-stage peak Profound Gang Realm experts in battle.
In a life-or-death struggle, relying on his War Demon Golden Body that grew stronger with each fight, Ji Hong even dared to go toe-to-toe with peak Profound Gang Realm experts.
Liu Xiran looked at the palace entrance with concern. "Uncle Liang, will Brother Ling Fan be alright?"
Liang Hutu waved his hand without hesitation. "Rest assured, Second Miss Liu! What kind of person is our master? He's a celestial being descended to the mortal realm. What could possibly happen to him!"
Only then did Liu Xiran nod in relief.
Ling Fan had presented her with too many surprises and shocks, making it impossible to associate him with a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth.
She always felt that Ling Fan's gaze was unfathomably deep, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.
Such a gaze and composure were deeper and more mysterious than anyone she had ever met.
It was hard to believe a teenager could possess them.
The three fell silent for a moment, and then an irresistible repulsive force descended, forcibly expelling them from the ruins.
...
Outside the ruins.
The Governor's Mansion, Miyun Mountain, Seven Stars Cave, and other powerful factions surrounded the entrance to the ruins, appearing as if facing a great enemy.
This was because they knew the ruins were about to close, and Ling Fan and the others would emerge soon!
On the outer perimeter, a crowd of various powerful individuals had already gathered, chattering and discussing incessantly.
Whoosh.
A burst of intense light erupted.
Everyone felt a sharp pain in their eyes, unable to look directly.
Several breaths later.
When everyone could see clearly, they let out a collective gasp.
Before them stood only Liang Hutu, Ji Hong, and Liu Xiran. Ling Fan's shadow was nowhere to be seen.
"Liang Hutu, I ask you, where is that good-for-nothing Ling Fan!"
Xiong Kuang immediately couldn't help but shout.
"Hmph, quickly tell us the whereabouts of that trash Ling Fan, or you won't leave here alive!"
A powerful individual said with a cold smile.
Liang Hutu's single eye narrowed instantly, and a dangerous aura permeated the air.
Damn it!
These scumbags were still not giving up, lying in wait for them outside the ruins.
Damn it!
"Besides that dog Xiong Kuang, who else spoke just now? Step forward."
Liang Hutu shouted.
"So what if it was me!"
A powerful individual stepped forward. Upon seeing him, everyone recognized him as Elder Ding Kainan of the Ding family, a prominent family in Tianchu Province!
Like Xiong Kuang, he was at the late-stage peak of the Profound Gang Realm.
"I didn't expect your injuries to heal so quickly. You were almost beaten to death by me before, and now you're back on your feet! Hmph, with so many powerful individuals from various factions here, Liang Hutu, even if your injuries have recovered, do you still dare to act presumptuously!"
Ding Kainan said with a cold laugh.
However, before he could finish speaking.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past.
A flash in front of his eyes, and Liang Hutu's tall and sturdy figure appeared before him.
Such speed!
Ding Kainan was startled, but he wasn't overly panicked.
After all, he himself was at the late-stage peak of the Profound Gang Realm, only half a step behind Liang Hutu's peak Profound Gang Realm.
As long as he could withstand one blow from Liang Hutu, the experts from other factions would surely provide assistance.
At that point, no matter how strong Liang Hutu was, how many Profound Gang Realm experts could he fight?
As he was thinking this, a large palm slammed towards his face.
A flash of shame and indignation crossed Ding Kainan's eyes.
This was too insulting!
To dare to slap the face of a dignified Elder of the Ding family, how arrogant!
Ding Kainan channeled all his martial qi, blocking with both arms, defending with all his might.
However, when Liang Hutu's palm descended, all defenses were as fragile as tofu, being shattered with overwhelming force.
Slap!
A clear and resounding slap echoed in everyone's ears.
Ding Kainan's entire face was deformed, several teeth were knocked out from their roots, and his body was sent flying, crashing heavily onto his face.
In that instant, the entire scene fell silent.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Even though Liang Hutu was at the peak of the Profound Gang Realm, he shouldn't have been able to defeat Ding Kainan so effortlessly...
Old Han from the Governor's Mansion's gaze sharpened, and he spoke with surprise, "You've actually advanced to quasi-Heavenly Origin!"
Quasi-Heavenly Origin!
When Old Han uttered these words, it was like a bomb dropped into the crowd.
Buzz.
The entire venue erupted.
Xiong Kuang was so scared he almost wet himself.
What the hell is going on.
Seven days ago, Liang Hutu was being beaten to a pulp, but now, not only had his injuries recovered, but his cultivation had also advanced!
Quasi-Heavenly Origin!
Liang Hutu had actually become a quasi-grandmaster.
He instinctively wanted to retreat to the rear.
But how could Liang Hutu let him go?
This dog dared to insult his master, he was truly tired of living.
Liang Hutu descended before Xiong Kuang like a malevolent god, grabbing him with a domineering and unparalleled force that instantly crushed Xiong Kuang, leaving him no room to resist.
Xiong Kuang's counterattacks were as fragile as tofu before him. He was directly lifted up like a chicken.
"Slap"
"Slap"
"Slap"
Liang Hutu slapped Xiong Kuang across the face more than a dozen times!
He completely dazed Xiong Kuang.
"Do you know how long I've tolerated you! What kind of thing are you, with a mouth that spews filth, to dare insult my master? Next time, I'll twist your head off and use it as a chamber pot, understand!"
Liang Hutu glared.
Xiong Kuang's entire face burned, not just from the pain of the slaps but from extreme humiliation!
He was the City Lord of Xingsha City, after all.
Yet today, in front of so many families and powerful individuals from Xingsha City, he was slapped repeatedly by Liang Hutu.
Now, look at him.
His old face had been disgraced beyond measure.
"I... I understand, I won't dare again!!"
Xiong Kuang was so aggrieved he felt like spitting blood.
If he had known that Liang Hutu had benefited from misfortune and become a quasi-martial arts grandmaster, he wouldn't have dared to be the first to step forward, even if it meant death.
"Then this Great Marshal will let you off for now!"
Liang Hutu snorted coldly and dropped Xiong Kuang.
"Is there anyone else who is not convinced! If you're not convinced, step forward. You bunch of scumbags, you don't even need my master to make a move, this quasi-grandmaster alone can take care of all of you!"
Liang Hutu roared at the top of his lungs.
For a moment, he was filled with heroic spirit.
Full of pride.
He felt he had never been so glorious in his life!
Xiong Kuang, Ding Kainan, Yun Wanshan, and the experts from the Jiang family, the Nong family, Miyun Mountain, Seven Stars Cave, and the Governor's Mansion.
These people were not weaker than him in the past, and some were even one or two levels stronger.
Yet today, he could openly curse them and even trample all over them.
That's how arrogant he was!
The elder from Miyun Mountain looked extremely displeased.
However, he did not step forward to confront Liang Hutu.
Because he was no match for Liang Hutu now!
He quietly instructed someone beside him.
That person then stealthily departed.
Not only him, but the Seven Stars Cave, the Nong family, the Ding family, and the Jiang family were all secretly giving instructions.
For a time, a greater undercurrent was building.
...