Chapter 133: Storm on the Mountain Peak

In the hearts of the disciples of the Majestic Martial Arts Academy, the realm of their master, Liang Meng, had already reached the pinnacle of perfection, a level inspiring awe and reverence. Whenever he was mentioned, their eyes would invariably shimmer with boundless admiration and adoration.

However, the senior martial brother gently shook his head, as if to instruct them that the path of a true powerhouse has no end.

Just as everyone was immersed in the senior martial brother's teachings, a deafening, muffled roar suddenly erupted from afar, resembling a clap of thunder exploding over a tranquil lake.

Everyone turned toward the source of the sound in unison, only to see the tightly closed gates of the martial arts academy kicked open violently by an invisible force, sending dust swirling into the air with a breathtaking momentum.

Immediately afterward, a middle-aged man clad in a black tunic walked in with steady steps, his hands clasped behind his back. Though his figure was lean, every step he took seemed to tread upon the clouds, carrying a bone-chilling, razor-sharp aura.

The disciples within the academy instantly fell silent, their gazes involuntarily converging upon this mysterious man, as if pulled by an invisible magnetic force.

The man came to a halt in the center of the training grounds, scanning his surroundings with a cold expression, as though taking in the entire academy at a single glance.

Then, he spoke, his voice deep and resonant:

"Send Liang Meng out to see me!"

As soon as these words fell, an uproar broke out within the academy.

One disciple stepped forward and rebuked angrily:

"Who do you think you are? What qualifications do you have to demand my master come out to welcome you?"

However, before his voice had even faded, the man in the black tunic narrowed his eyes slightly. With a flick of his sleeve, a gale of invisible force surged forward, directly blasting that disciple away. The crisp sound of snapping bones was clearly audible as the disciple collapsed to the ground in agony, unable to rise.

"Holy shit!"

"He's here to smash the place!"

"Take him down!"

Accustomed to looking down on others, when had the disciples of the academy ever witnessed someone so arrogant? Seeing the intruder make a move, they roared and charged toward the man in the black tunic, as if intending to drown him in an ocean of fury.

However, the man in the black tunic merely let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeve forward once more. A fan-shaped wave of invisible energy whistled forth like a gale sweeping away fallen leaves, sending the disciples charging at the very front flying backward.

The crowd rushing forward seemed to be instantly struck by an invisible sword, and shocking bloody gashes immediately appeared across their bodies. Spouting blood from their mouths and noses, they crashed to the ground one after another, groaning in misery.

Xia Lei, the senior disciple of the Majestic Martial Arts Academy, abruptly stood up, his expression grave. He knew deeply that the opponent before him was by no means an ordinary person. Although his heart was filled with worry and anger for his junior brothers, Xia Lei understood that he must not act rashly at this moment.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, cupped his fists in a formal salute, and said in a deep voice:

"Xia Lei, senior disciple of the Majestic Martial Arts Academy, request your guidance!"

As he spoke, Xia Lei curled his fingers into fists, and a faint yellow glow instantly erupted across his hands, as if an invisible force was gathering. He leaped into the air and smashed down directly toward the man in the black tunic with immense power and heavy momentum. The void itself resonated with a whistling sound, clearly indicating he had given it his all.

However, facing Xia Lei's all-out attack, the man in the black tunic merely glanced at him indifferently, without even lifting an eyelid. Casually waving his hand, with a deafening crash, the senior disciple Xia Lei—who was at the initial stage of the Yellow Realm—was blasted away without even managing to touch the hem of the man's garment, crashing heavily to the ground and lying completely paralyzed.

This spectacle left everyone present utterly dumbfounded. They had never witnessed such destructive, matchless power.

Just as the man in the black tunic was effortlessly sweeping through everyone, an angry voice suddenly echoed from afar:

"What kind of person dares to cause trouble in my Majestic Martial Arts Academy?"

All the disciples perked up instantly; they knew their master, Liang Meng, had finally arrived.

Sure enough, following the voice, Liang Meng strode out from the inner courtyard clad in a martial arts uniform, walking with the majesty of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, his momentum like a rainbow. He had been cultivating in the back courtyard and had hurried out upon hearing the sounds of battle.

However, when Liang Meng stepped forward and saw that familiar figure in the courtyard, his body instantly froze as if encased in ice, and even his teeth began to chatter:

"Sha... Sha Polang!"

That's right! The newcomer was none other than Sha Polang, the man feared by numerous moguls in Huaxi City! He had once been defeated by Liang Meng and forced to flee, but now he had returned with an arrogant, peerless momentum to challenge Liang Meng.

At a time when the Majestic Martial Arts Academy had plunged into an unprecedented crisis, Sha Polang reappeared before everyone with an attitude bordering on mockery. With his hands clasped behind his back and a gaze like torches, he stared straight at his former rival and spoke coldly:

"Cripple your own hands, and I'll spare your life today!"

This sudden demand caused Liang Meng's body to tremble. He knew full well that all his martial prowess rested in his arms; once deprived of his hands, he would be reduced to a complete cripple. His Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke in a low yet resolute voice:

"Sha Polang, do not push people too far! Even though I..."

However, before Liang Meng could finish his sentence, Sha Polang's figure flickered like a ghost, instantly materializing right before him. Pressing his fingers together into the shape of a blade, he gently swiped forward. A bloody gash instantly manifested across Liang Meng's neck, and then he collapsed straight to the ground. The former number one expert of Huaxi City had been killed instantly in a split second!

The entire venue fell into a dead silence, everyone deeply shocked by this scene.

Senior disciple Xia Lei’s eyes turned bloodred. Roaring with fury, he tried to avenge his master, but was kicked away by Sha Polang with a single blow, the crisp sound of breaking bones clearly audible once more.

Following this, Sha Polang slowly opened his mouth, his voice carrying an unquestionable hegemony:

"Tell Liu Zhenhua that I am back! Tomorrow night at eight o'clock, I will be waiting at Dushan Mountain in the northern part of the city to make friends through martial arts."

This sentence reverberated in everyone's ears like an exploding thunderclap. They knew that Sha Polang's return was not merely for revenge, but to challenge all the high-level experts of Huaxi City.

"Everything that was once lost, I will take back in full!"

Sha Polang's words echoed across the sky above the Majestic Martial Arts Academy before he calmly departed, leaving numerous disciples lying on the ground with terrified expressions, their hearts filled with uncertainty and dread about the future.

Several hours later, inside the Liu Group, an emergency meeting was underway.

Liu Zhenhua, Old Third Zhou, and seven or eight other tycoon moguls gathered together, each of their faces carrying a grave expression. Clearly, Sha Polang's return had brought immense pressure upon them.

Liu Zhenhua sighed and spoke first:

"Sha Polang has come after all! To think his opening move would be so ruthless—he is using Liang Meng's life to intimidate all of us!"

Old Third Zhou also appeared somewhat nervous:

"Back then, Sha Polang's cultivation was already formidable. After being injured, it was assumed his strength might have declined, but to think his return to the martial world begins with the slaying of Liang Meng, and a one-hit kill at that! With such strength, he is likely far stronger than that swordsman we encountered last time! We are facing a massive disaster now!"

The rest of the people nodded in succession, their eyes filled with panic and unease. They knew deeply that Sha Polang's return was not merely a personal challenge to them, but a shockwave striking the entire martial arts community of Huaxi City.

Someone asked:

"Since Sha Polang killed Liang Meng so blatantly, is he not afraid of facing punishment?"

Liu Zhenhua smiled bitterly and replied:

"His killing of Liang Meng falls under a duel between cultivators, which has nothing to do with the secular world. Now that he has issued an invitation for a battle on the mountaintop, he clearly intends to resolve Huaxi City's issues using the methods of cultivators. It is entirely justified and reasonable; who could possibly punish him?"

This remark made the assembled magnates even more anxious. They knew that Sha Polang was no longer the down-and-out martial artist who had once been defeated and chased out of Huaxi City, but a powerful and ambitious avenger.

Someone asked again:

"This fellow's strength is terrifyingly high. What on earth should we do?"

"Why don't we handle this through secular means? After all, we aren't cultivators ourselves!"

Someone attempted to find an excuse to escape, but Old Third Zhou's sneer was as piercing as frost:

"He sends you a martial arts invitation, and you actually take Sha Polang for a kind-hearted soul? You can choose not to go, but I guarantee you won't even know how you died in the end!"

These words caused everyone present to shudder. Recalling Liang Meng's miserable end, they felt a chilling sensation down the back of their necks, their hearts flooded with fear and trepidation.

"Right, don't we still have the Association President? We should hurry and invite President Li back at a time like this!"

Someone suddenly thought of Li Chao, as if having found a life-saving straw.

However, Liu Zhenhua sighed and said helplessly:

"I heard Liang Meng mention previously that President Li only recently broke through to the Profound Realm. He might handle the swordsman from last time, but going up against Sha Polang this time... I'm afraid it might be a stretch!"

Hearing this, everyone's hearts sank even further. They all knew that Sha Polang's strength had far exceeded their imaginations; even if Li Chao stepped forward, victory was by no means guaranteed.

"President Liu, what should we do now?"

Old Third Zhou asked anxiously.

Liu Zhenhua pondered for a moment, gazed into the distance, and said:

"Sha Polang specified tomorrow night, which leaves us with a day and a night to prepare. Let's make preparations on two fronts! I plan to spend four hundred million, along with some rare and precious treasures, to invite two Profound Realm experts from Zhongzhou Province to come and assist us. I will cover two hundred million and the treasures, and the rest of you can split the remaining cost evenly. Then, we will also invite President Li. Three experts should be able to handle Sha Polang!"

Four hundred million!

This figure caused everyone present to draw a sharp breath.

However, they all knew that this was not the time to be stingy with money. If Sha Polang were allowed to re-establish himself in Huaxi City, given his temperament and methods, none of them would live in peace.

...

As evening approached, Li Chao had just finished his meal and was sitting in the courtyard chatting idly with Yuxin and Luo Su.

Suddenly, the ringing of his mobile phone shattered the tranquility.

Picking it up, the caller ID displayed the name Liu Lele.

Li Chao walked aside and answered the call, feeling a slight flutter of anxiety in his chest. Ever since their breakthrough in physical intimacy up in the back mountains, an indescribable tacit understanding and awkwardness seemed to have formed between him and Liu Lele.

"Sister Le!"

Li Chao called out softly.

"I need to tell you something."

Liu Lele's voice came through the other end of the line, carrying a trace of urgency.

"Sha Polang has returned! The moment he showed up, he killed Liang Meng, and he has even declared that he will make friends through martial arts tomorrow night. His momentum is extremely aggressive!"

What?

Li Chao's heart jolted in surprise. He hadn't expected Sha Polang to arrive in Huaxi City so quickly, nor had he anticipated that the man would resort to killing so brazenly.

Immediately afterward, Liu Lele continued:

"My father wants to ask you to step in! But I heard that Sha Polang killed Liang Meng with a mere wave of his hand. Word has it that his strength is far greater than that swordsman you encountered at the Howard villa last time! There could be real danger this time. To be honest with you, I don't want you to get involved!"

Had Liu Zhenhua heard these words, he surely would have cursed aloud. Was this really his own biological daughter? Before she was even married, her loyalties were already leaning entirely toward outsiders!

However, Li Chao could sense the genuine worry and helplessness beneath Liu Lele's words.

Li Chao remained silent for a dozen seconds, then shook his head and said firmly:

"Let's go together tomorrow!"

Liu Lele asked softly:

"Have you made up your mind?"

Li Chao smiled:

"I am the president of the Huaxi City Chamber of Commerce. Now that Huaxi City is in trouble, I naturally have to step forward! I can't just take the money and not do the job, can I? Besides, I was the one who killed Di Shitian; since Sha Polang is seeking revenge, even if I wanted to hide, I wouldn't be able to escape!"

Pausing for a moment, he continued:

"Don't worry! A mere Sha Polang isn't enough to turn the heavens upside down!"

Liu Lele fell silent for a few seconds before nodding:

"Alright! Then I'll come pick you up early tomorrow morning!"

After the call ended, Liu Lele looked up into the distance. Her heart was filled with worry and unease, yet she also understood that Li Chao's decision could not be altered. She could only silently pray that everything would be safe and sound by tomorrow night.

Standing by the window and gazing into the distance, Liu Lele experienced a swirling mix of emotions. She suddenly realized that her concern for Li Chao had exceeded all expectations—to the point where she would rather watch her father struggle with difficulties than see Li Chao fall into danger. Such profound feelings were something she had never experienced before, nor had she ever imagined they could be so intense.

Meanwhile, inside a seemingly ordinary mountain village nestled within a canyon on the outskirts of the provincial capital of Zhongzhou Province—known as Yuan Family Village.

However, this was no ordinary mountain village; it was the home of the renowned Fire-Control Yuan Family. The Yuan Family had resided here for generations, famous for their weapon-crafting expertise. Countless cultivators had traveled from afar, enduring thousands of miles of journey, solely to acquire a weapon crafted to their heart's desire.

In the center of Yuan Family Village, standing before a giant bronze furnace statue, were two individuals.

One of them was Yuan Shiyang, the patriarch of the Yuan Family clan. With white hair and white eyebrows, holding a bronze-lustered cane, his waist was slightly stooped. Standing beside him was Yuan Yang, a top-tier powerhouse of the Yuan clan.

Yuan Shiyang gazed into the distance and spoke indifferently:

"The Liu family of Huaxi City has run into some trouble. Our Yuan family shares some historical ties with the Liu family, and this time Liu Zhenhua has offered a reward of two hundred million alongside three pieces of rare Tianshan cold iron ore, asking you to make a trip."

Yuan Yang nodded, a look of disdain crossing his bronze-toned face:

"This matter is simple; leave it to me."

Mount Mang, located north of Luoshi City in Zhongzhou Province, although not towering in height, was famous for its mysterious and peculiar terrain. Halfway up the barren mountainside sat a sect known as the Leaving Fire Sect.

At this moment, a thin, elderly man of around sixty stood before the Leaving Fire Sect gates, his black robes fluttering in the wind like a ghostly shadow, sending chills down the spine.

This elder was none other than Shi Wanli, the sect master of the Leaving Fire Sect.

Gazing out at the world beyond the mountains, he chuckled softly:

"Two hundred million in cash, two rare treasures! The Liu family certainly is wealthy. Just as well, I haven't ventured out into the world for so many years; taking a trip to see what's happening won't hurt!"

His words revealed a deep, keen interest in this mission.

Meanwhile, in the old district of Zhongzhou's provincial capital, a slender middle-aged man stood by the window, exuding the refined and scholarly aura of a literati. He was a hall master of a certain mysterious organization, with three figures standing behind him in black uniforms embroidered with dragon patterns, one of whom was Duan Tian, whom Li Chao had previously met.

"Sha Polang has gone to Huaxi City. The commotion this time probably won't be small!"

The hall master said in a deep voice.

"I cannot leave my post; the three of you should make the trip! Act according to the circumstances!"

The three men acknowledged the order with nods, preparing to set off for Huaxi City.

Beneath the veil of night, various factions surged beneath the surface. At this moment, Sha Polang was like a massive boulder tossed into the tranquil lake of Huaxi City, stirring up ripples in all directions. His arrival not only caused anxiety for the Liu family, but also drew the attention of the Leaving Fire Sect, the mysterious organization, and various other forces.

Early the next morning, just as Li Chao finished arranging the village affairs, Liu Lele drove up to the front of the clinic. The two of them set off together for Huaxi City to prepare for the impending crisis.

Two hours later, they arrived at the Liu Group.

Inside the conference room, Liu Zhenhua, Old Third Zhou, and a crowd of prominent figures from Huaxi City were already waiting expectantly.

When Li Chao stepped into the conference room, everyone stood up in unison and shouted respectfully:

"President!"

Li Chao smiled, waved his hand, took a seat in the middle position, and proceeded to inquire about the current situation.

Liu Zhenhua quickly opened the projector and played the footage of Sha Polang committing murder at the Majestic Martial Arts Academy. Although everyone had already watched it once, seeing those bloody and cruel scenes again still made them feel a chill gripping their bones.

Li Chao's eyebrows twitched slightly. He watched the footage carefully, attempting to discern any flaws or weaknesses in Sha Polang's techniques.

After the video ended, Liu Zhenhua turned off the projector and spoke:

"This fellow is clearly even stronger than before! To be prepared for any eventuality, I have once again spent a high price to invite the experts of the Fire-Control Yuan Family and the Mang Mountain Leaving Fire Sect. Combined with the President's strength, it should be more than enough to handle him!"

However, Li Chao waved his hand and said with absolute confidence:

"The opponent's strength is indeed not weak! But as far as I'm concerned, he's just so-so! In fact, there's no need for anyone else to make a move; I can handle this matter all by myself!"

Liu Zhenhua gave an awkward chuckle and said:

"The President possesses extraordinary methods! Still, it never hurts to be over-prepared; having extra preparations is always a good thing."

From his perspective, Li Chao's words perhaps carried a hint of exaggeration. However, he had no way of knowing that Li Chao practiced body-tempering techniques every single day, his cultivation progressing by leaps and bounds with each passing day. With Li Chao's current level of strength, even mid-stage Profound Realm cultivators were no match for him.

The atmosphere in the conference room was somewhat subtle. On one hand, everyone was astonished by Li Chao's confidence; on the other hand, they remained deeply concerned about Sha Polang's terrifying might.

Not to mention, resting quietly upon the second floor of the ancient pagoda was a legendary divine weapon, surrounded by wisps of spiritual energy as if resonating with heaven and earth, every faint hum containing power sufficient to shake mountains and rivers.

This divine weapon was not only a supreme treasure dreamed of by countless martial artists, but also a solid pillar of confidence within Li Chao's heart. With its blessing, even when facing an even more formidable enemy, Li Chao possessed a few more layers of poise and assurance.

Sha Polang was considered a notable figure in the martial world, but as long as he had not yet crossed the threshold into the legendary Earth Realm, to Li Chao, he was merely an unfledged eaglet—possessing some potential, yet ultimately unable to soar across the nine heavens.

Li Chao's perspective had long since surpassed these secular struggles; within his heart lay a vastly broader world.

Seated together around the table, the group continued their prior deliberations. The topics ranged from the future planning of the alliance to the impending challenge, every single detail repeatedly scrutinized to ensure absolute foolproof perfection.

Time slipped away unawares, and the sunlight outside the window gradually softened, reminding everyone that noon had arrived.

Liu Zhenhua, the head of the Chamber of Commerce, had long since ordered a lavish banquet prepared. On the table, various delicacies and exquisite dishes were presented in abundance, their rich aromas making one's mouth water.

Everyone raised their glasses to toast one another, laughing and chatting, and for a moment the atmosphere grew exceptionally harmonious.

Once they were well-fed and satisfied, Liu Zhenhua stood up and gently inquired about Li Chao's intentions:

"President, the people from the Yuan family and the Leaving Fire Sect will be arriving this afternoon. Would you like to meet with them beforehand?"

Hearing this, Li Chao shook his head lightly, a detached expression crossing his face:

"You can handle that yourself; I've never been fond of such tedious socializing."

His words revealed a worldly detachment, as though these martial feuds had nothing to do with him at all.

Liu Zhenhua nodded in understanding, then asked with concern:

"Shall I have a room prepared for you to rest for a while?"

Li Chao gave a slight nod of assent.

Consequently, Liu Zhenhua personally arranged a presidential suite so that Li Chao could temporarily distance himself from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a moment of peace.

Inside the suite, the view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was panoramic, the prosperity and clamor of the city seemingly isolated within these few square inches. Li Chao stood by the window, brewing a cup of fragrant tea and changing into a comfortable robe, intending to recuperate amidst this rare tranquility and prepare himself for the upcoming battle.

However, right at that moment, the doorbell suddenly rang, breaking the hard-earned peace.

Li Chao frowned slightly, secretly guessing the identity of the visitor. When he opened the door and saw Liu Lele standing outside, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

"Sister Le, didn't you have things to take care of this afternoon?"

Li Chao asked with some perplexity.

Liu Lele walked into the room with a smile and said:

"Nothing else pressing for now. My dad was worried you'd be bored by yourself, so he sent me over to keep you company."

Hearing this, the corners of Li Chao's mouth twitched slightly, and he thought to himself:

Old fox Liu Zhenhua really spares no expense when it comes to trying to win me over!

However, since she was already here, Li Chao couldn't very well chase her away, so he politely said:

"Have a seat then."

With that, he closed the door and poured Liu Lele a cup of hot tea.