Strong, so strong!
This was the only thought in Xie Zhenghong's mind.
Xie Zhenghong, who had attacked in a fit of rage just moments ago, had used almost ninety percent of his power.
Yet, to his surprise, he was forced to retreat repeatedly and even spit up blood.
In contrast, Du Fei on the opposite side appeared completely unfazed. This was too terrifying.
Just how strong was this young man?
The surrounding onlookers were astonished.
The Patriarch of the Xie family had been renowned for many years, and his strength was formidable. Yet, he couldn't even withstand a single move from the opponent. Who was this young man?
"I've taken one of your moves, now it's your turn to take one of mine."
Just as Xie Zhenghong was marveling at Du Fei's might, Du Fei spoke.
Ignoring his injuries, Xie Zhenghong forcibly circulated the vital energy within his body. He knew clearly that the next move would be earth-shattering and a matter of life and death.
If he couldn't block it, his fate would be death.
"Wait!"
"Show mercy!!"
Just then, several voices echoed from afar.
Following them were several sounds of air being broken.
Soon, several people appeared beside Xie Zhenghong.
They were a bald monk with a kind and benevolent face, a white-haired old man in a Taoist robe with a jade-like complexion, and a one-armed burly man carrying a sword almost as long as he was tall on his back. Coupled with his stern expression, he looked formidable.
"Master Wufa of Leiyin Temple!"
"Daoist Master Songran of Qixing Guan!"
"Even the one-armed swordsman Shen Cheng has arrived!"
As the three arrived, exclamations erupted.
Clearly, the three individuals now beside Xie Zhenghong were renowned figures among martial cultivators.
"Senior brother, that person looks a bit familiar to me."
The young monk who had apologized to Du Fei earlier said to Jie Kong, who stood beside him with a fierce expression.
Jie Kong himself was extremely shocked. He never dreamed that the person he had been so vocal about wanting to teach a lesson to was now confronting the Patriarch of the Xie family. And judging by the Patriarch's appearance, he seemed to be injured.
Damn, this guy could actually injure the Xie family patriarch?
The thought of his previous boasting made Jie Kong break out in a cold sweat.
"Amitabha, benevolent benefactor, heaven cherishes all life. Excessive killing will prevent one from entering the cycle of reincarnation."
"Killing is merely a nod of the head; any grievances can be discussed calmly over a seat."
The three individuals beside Xie Zhenghong sized up Du Fei as they spoke slowly.
Du Fei said, "Don't preach grand principles and noble words to me. The Xie family has committed countless evils. Since I've encountered them, I will seek justice for all the victims. Today, whoever stands in my way will not be excused."
The three men beside Xie Zhenghong were stunned by his words, clearly taken aback by the situation.
At this moment, the one-armed man, who had remained silent, spoke, "The Martial Arts Gathering is a grand occasion for all martial cultivators. You, without discerning right from wrong, have injured the host family's patriarch. If you surrender now, your life will be spared, otherwise..."
The one-armed swordsman Shen Cheng was a good friend of Xie Zhenghong. Seeing his old friend injured, he naturally felt furious.
As for the matters Du Fei spoke of, he cared not at all.
"Otherwise what?"
Du Fei could see Shen Cheng's obvious protection of Xie Zhenghong.
Shen Cheng's face darkened, and he drew his long saber from his back with his single arm, responding to Du Fei with action.
A great battle was imminent.
Master Wufa and Daoist Master Songran exchanged glances and chose to remain silent.
Although the Xie family was likely involved in what Du Fei mentioned, among all the martial cultivators present, who could claim they had never done anything similar?
After all, the path of cultivation required various resources, and in the process of acquiring them, special means were often employed.
However, as martial cultivators, they had transcended ordinary people and naturally didn't need to adhere to worldly rules.
As Shen Cheng slowly raised his saber, an astonishing aura emanated from him.
"It is said that the one-armed swordsman Shen Cheng had a fortunate encounter two years ago, and he might have a chance to contend for the Supreme realm within ten years."
"The Xie family patriarch's strength is indeed formidable, but compared to Shen Cheng, who is at the Half-step Supreme realm, there is a world of difference."
"This young man, who could even defeat the Xie family patriarch, is indeed exceptionally talented. It's a pity he has encountered Shen Cheng."
The onlookers, seeing Shen Cheng about to make his move, were extremely excited.
After all, no matter how exciting the Martial Arts Gathering was, their cultivation levels were incomparable to Shen Cheng's; the gap between them could only be described as vast.
"Don't say I'm bullying the younger. You can make the first move, and you can even use your most powerful killing blow."
Shen Cheng appeared ready to strike. However, considering his age and his extensive experience in the martial world, it was not appropriate for him to attack without a word.
Du Fei glanced at Shen Cheng. "Since you want to protect the Xie family, don't put on such a righteous act. Just make your move. Today, no matter who tries to stop me, the Xie family will not escape retribution!!"
"Arrogant! You are courting death!!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Cheng's face turned ashen.
He had initially intended to spare Du Fei a way out, but he hadn't expected this fellow to be so outrageously arrogant, showing no regard for him or the heroes of the world!
"Execute!"
Shen Cheng sneered, and the saber, which was already poised, slashed out in response.
As this saber strike was unleashed, everyone felt as though heaven and earth had changed color. The blade energy alone tore a ten-meter-long rift in the ground.
In contrast, Du Fei appeared completely unperturbed. Just as the blade energy was about to strike him, he slowly extended a hand to block it.
What!
Du Fei intends to block Shen Cheng's saber strike with his bare hands?
This fellow must be scared silly, hence this instinctive reaction.
It must be known that Shen Cheng's saber strike was earth-shattering. Let alone Du Fei's arm, it would be easy to split him in half.
When Du Fei extended his hand, everyone present felt he was seeking his own demise.
*Snap.*
To their astonishment, in the next second, Du Fei's hand effortlessly caught the blade.
This, this is absolutely impossible!!!
Everyone present, seeing Du Fei casually extend his hand and catch Shen Cheng's earth-shattering saber strike, felt as though their eyes were playing tricks on them, that they were hallucinating.
"Slash me!!!"
In fact, the most shocked person was Shen Cheng himself. He was acutely aware of the power of his "Execute" strike.
This single blow could shatter a rockery to pieces.
Yet, it was now caught by Du Fei as if he were catching a white blade with bare hands. He simply couldn't believe it.
Thus, Shen Cheng frantically channeled all the remaining vital energy within his body. He no longer intended to hold back; his sole thought now was to kill this fellow who had utterly humiliated him.