The moment the Dragon Subduing Mace and the dagger collided, the man's expression changed drastically. The dagger in his hand was sent flying by the powerful and heavy strike of the Dragon Subduing Mace.
However, he was a master on the Heaven Ranking, having navigated the martial world for so many years. His adaptability and reflexes were far beyond those of ordinary people.
Seeing the dagger slip from his grasp, the man clenched his other fist and slammed it fiercely towards Yu Daohan's chest.
Yu Daohan reacted with extreme speed, letting out a soft shout: "Five Elements Technique, Earth Kun Hand."
As soon as Yu Daohan finished speaking, a layer of rock-like material enveloped his arm. He met the man's blow head-on.
*Bang!*
With a dull thud, the man's face contorted. He retreated several meters, staggering before steadying himself, and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Yu Daohan also retreated a few meters, steadying himself. The hand he had used for the clash was held behind his back, trembling. He cursed inwardly.
"Good heavens, truly a master of the Heaven Ranking. If I hadn't used Earth Kun Hand just now, I would have sustained internal injuries from that blow."
The man wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and chuckled, "Five Elements Technique, Earth Kun Hand. When I saw the Dragon Subduing Mace, I wasn't entirely sure. But to use the long-lost Five Elements Technique, it must be the renowned Master Yu of the current martial world."
Yu Daohan scrutinized the man. He looked to be in his early thirties, neither handsome nor ugly, the type of person who would blend into a crowd. There were no distinguishing features. As one of the fifty individuals on the Heaven Ranking, it was difficult to identify him immediately.
"May I ask your esteemed name?" Yu Daohan inquired.
The man cupped his hands in a salute: "I am Ning Lin, ranked forty-seventh on the Heaven Ranking."
Seeing the man announce his name, Yu Daohan returned the gesture: "So it is Master Ning."
Ning Lin was indeed a figure on the Heaven Ranking, but Yu Daohan had never met him or had any dealings with him. He didn't even know the man's famous techniques, only that he was on the Heaven Ranking.
However, Yu Daohan recalled that Ning Lin was supposed to be ranked twenty-fifth on the Heaven Ranking. How had he dropped to forty-seventh?
"Could he have been surpassed by others?"
"I didn't expect Master Yu to possess such strength at such a young age," Ning Lin praised.
Yu Daohan knew the compliment was merely flattery. However, it seemed they wouldn't fight anymore. "Master Ning is too kind."
Ning Lin glanced at the house behind Yu Daohan, realizing that the item he needed was likely beyond his reach.
When Ning Lin first saw the Dragon Subduing Mace, he knew it was Yu Daohan. But his injury required the item urgently, so he had no choice but to press on.
What Ning Lin hadn't expected was Yu Daohan's formidable strength.
That single clash and punch possessed the power of a Heaven Ranking master. While he was injured, he shouldn't have sustained such severe internal injuries from just one punch.
Ning Lin coughed up another mouthful of blood. He tried to hold it back, but his injuries were too severe.
Seeing Ning Lin's ashen face, Yu Daohan could surmise that Ning Lin was heavily wounded. A person's complexion rarely lied.
Although his previous strike was powerful, it shouldn't have severely injured a Heaven Ranking master with a single punch. The only explanation was that the man was already injured.
Ning Lin pulled a golden token from his pocket and tossed it over.
Yu Daohan caught it and examined it closely. Engraved on it were the words: "Heaven Ranking Forty-Seventh."
"Master Ning, what is this?" Yu Daohan asked, perplexed.
Ning Lin smiled faintly: "Master Yu possesses the strength of the Heaven Ranking. I presume you wish to enter it as well."
Yu Daohan did not deny it. Frankly, he did want to challenge the masters on the Heaven Ranking. Being first on the Earth Ranking was a world apart from being on the Heaven Ranking.
"Master Ning wishes to lend me a hand?" Yu Daohan was still confused by Ning Lin's actions.
Ning Lin smiled faintly: "I believe Master Yu can sense that I was already heavily injured."
Yu Daohan suddenly understood Ning Lin's intention: "Master Ning wishes for me to create a reputation for myself?"
Given Ning Lin's current injuries, other individuals with the ambition to enter the rankings would undoubtedly challenge him, especially those with Heaven Ranking caliber.
A Heaven Ranking master who had entered the rankings and one who hadn't were two different entities.
For powerful and influential families, having a Heaven Ranking master as a guardian would put them leagues ahead of others.
Ning Lin was likely injured for some reason, and his ranking had been steadily declining due to challenges.
If lesser-known juniors succeeded in challenging him, Ning Lin would lose face. It just so happened that Yu Daohan was currently first on the Earth Ranking and enjoying widespread fame. This way, Ning Lin wouldn't lose face, nor would he suffer humiliation. If a former twenty-fifth ranked Heaven Ranking master were to become the first on the Earth Ranking, no fool would dare to challenge him.
Ning Lin sighed and nodded: "Precisely. I am currently severely injured and holding onto my position on the Heaven Ranking will likely lead to further challenges. Rather than let some unknown junior take it, it's better to let the currently famous Master Yu have it."
Yu Daohan nodded in agreement: "Since Master Ning has put it this way, I have no reason to refuse."
This was a win-win situation for both Ning Lin and himself. Why not?