Behind the Tianyan Sect Stands Me

However, they soon stopped caring about whose divine technique it was.

Because an equally terrifying aura surged from Mist Mystic Temple, shooting straight toward the azure energy in the sky.

Annihilating power spilled outward uncontrollably, and the shockwaves alone flattened a nearby mountain.

The entire Mist Mystic Temple was now obscured, and no one dared to probe it with their spiritual senses—nor did they want to find out what would happen if they tried.

This was a clash between true powerhouses—so far beyond their comprehension that they couldn’t even tell who had the upper hand.

Wang Ling watched the two terrifying forces collide, then turned to Chen Mouguang with a sharp look.

"Your Tianyan Sect is something else, hiding someone like this for so long?"

Chen Mouguang forced an awkward smile. Strictly speaking, this man wasn’t even part of Tianyan Sect.

"I didn’t expect him to actually be able to hold out like he said," Ye Antao muttered, nodding heavily. But her tone was slightly deflated. "But with shockwaves like this, even if he’s holding Daoist Yuyang back, we can’t go in to search. At this point, whatever we were looking for probably doesn’t exist anymore."

"By the way… are these two really at the Divine Transformation stage?"

Ye Antao stared at the apocalyptic scene before them.

Chen Mouguang now understood why Chu Xingchen, who didn’t seem like a reckless fool, had caught Bai Xuanling’s eye.

Wasn’t it purely because he could fight like a monster?

He was starting to suspect—was Chu Xingchen a hidden trump card for Tianyan Sect? Or perhaps Bai Xuanling’s personal ace?

On the surface, there was only Senior Uncle Xie, but in the shadows, was there also a terrifyingly powerful Senior Uncle Chu?

Wang Ling gazed toward Mist Mystic Temple, his expression tinged with envy.

"Divine Transformation stage? Sure, but whether they’re still human is another question. Geniuses always seem like freaks of nature."

"Chen Mouguang, your Tianyan Sect really has guts, keeping a top-tier genius like this hidden for so long."

Chen Mouguang nodded vaguely. Honestly, he didn’t know much more than the others—just that Bai Xuanling had taken a liking to this man.

He had no idea Chu Xingchen was this strong.

Hell, he wasn’t even sure if this powerhouse was actually part of Tianyan Sect.

Ye Antao frowned at Chen Mouguang’s clueless expression and asked skeptically,

"Why do you look like you know nothing? Are you even from Tianyan Sect?"

Chen Mouguang froze, then looked up at her blankly. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Come to think of it… was he?

But there was good news—the emergency communication jade token, after some relay, finally crackled to life. A lazy yet sharp woman’s voice came through:

"Who is this?"

All eyes immediately shifted from Mist Mystic Temple to the token in Chen Mouguang’s hand.

That voice… could it be?

Chen Mouguang tensed. This was the first time he’d ever spoken directly to Bai Xuanling.

"This is Chen Mouguang, newly promoted inner disciple of Tianyan Sect, from Wanhua Peak—"

"Too many disciples in Tianyan Sect, can’t remember them all. Get to the point."

"The bearer of your seal, Senior Chu, is fighting Daoist Yuyang at Mist Mystic Temple! I’m afraid—"

"Did that brat pick the fight himself, or was he forced into it? What did he say?"

"Senior Chu said he was going to ‘punch Daoist Yuyang’s head in.’"

A low, amused chuckle came from the jade token. "Hah, bold words." Bai Xuanling’s voice carried a hint of satisfaction.

"Don’t worry. Just wait for that brat to punch Yuyang’s head in. I’ve wanted to beat that kid up for a while, but I couldn’t bully the younger generation."

Chen Mouguang hurriedly added, "But this is Taidao Sect’s territory. Isn’t beating up one of their people here a bit…?"

"Yeah, sounds fun. Are all the new inner disciples as timid as you?"

Chen Mouguang’s spiritual sense twitched. Timid? Was this really timidity?

Bai Xuanling’s voice continued,

"Don’t be afraid. Tianyan Sect has your back."

Those words instantly eased the tension in Chen Mouguang’s heart.

Right. He had Tianyan Sect behind him!

Then Bai Xuanling added lazily,

"And Tianyan Sect has me."

Chen Mouguang: "…"

"R-right."

Wang Ling and Ye Antao exchanged glances.

Truly, the living nightmare of the Central Continent.

Inside Mist Mystic Temple.

Zhang Daotan stared blankly at the battle, his mind screaming one thought—

Why is my Divine Transformation stage nothing like theirs?

As the closest observer, he could barely withstand the shockwaves of their clash.

And that was likely only because both fighters were deliberately holding back around him.

Now, Zhang Daotan finally witnessed what a true top-tier divine technique looked like.

Something he would never comprehend in this lifetime.

Daoist Yuyang’s black wooden sword clashed against a descending river of celestial water—formless yet sharp as a blade.

He looked up to see Chu Xingchen watching him with casual amusement, lazily twirling his fingers as he manipulated the Spirit Response Grand Technique.

Impressive.

Which of the Eighteen Sacred Sects was hiding a divine technique like this?

Truly unforgettable—the Spirit Response Grand Technique!

It had been too long since Daoist Yuyang last felt such pressure.

He let out a wild laugh and declared,

"Divine Art—Instant Severance!"

His wooden sword flashed pure white. In a blink, his body and blade phased through the impenetrable water sword—

A streak of white light, carrying boundless might, slashed toward Chu Xingchen.

Chu Xingchen barely tilted his head as the terrifying white blade shot toward him, effortlessly bypassing his defenses.

As expected of the divine arts from the Central Continent’s Eighteen Sacred Sects.

A little unnatural, really.

But Chu Xingchen didn’t move, letting the annihilating white sword come.

Daoist Yuyang watched closely, but Chu Xingchen remained still. Yet he didn’t hesitate—

No one could ignore this strike.

This was absolute confidence.

But soon, Daoist Yuyang’s expression flickered for the first time.

Chu Xingchen lazily raised a finger and tapped the wooden sword mid-slash. Behind his mask, a mocking chuckle escaped.

His finger traced the path of the blade, as if humoring a child’s game.

Daoist Yuyang met Chu Xingchen’s gaze—and saw only one thing reflected in those eyes:

Is that all?

BOOM!

A white sword-light split the heavens.

The ground before Daoist Yuyang was now a sheer cliff—yet Chu Xingchen still hovered in the air, eyes brimming with mockery.

For the first time, doubt crept into Daoist Yuyang’s mind.

Could he… really win?

Zhang Daotan’s face paled. These two were beyond human!

Then, a teasing voice suddenly spoke beside him:

"Tsk tsk, not a shred of care for plants and trees."

Zhang Daotan swiftly turned his head to look.

There stood Chu Xingchen, arms crossed, shaking his head slightly. Meeting Zhang Daotan's gaze, Chu Xingchen offered an exceedingly gentle smile.

Yet from the corner of his eye, Zhang Daotan caught sight of another Chu Xingchen not far away—and Daoist Yuyang, who showed no reaction to the scene at all.

What in the world…?

Chu Xingchen seemed to read Zhang Daotan’s confusion and answered softly,

"It’s illusion magic. After all, one doesn’t always need to announce their moves out loud."

"Now it’s your turn, Fellow Daoist Zhang Daotan. You’ve got at least three things to explain."