"Wow! Old man, you're badass!" Zhang Menglong shouted on the spot and started clapping, "I give you 99 points for this act, deducting one point because you're even better at showing off than I am!"

Zhang Menglong knew that Qi Congyun wouldn't be afraid of the two Dao Realm experts from the Hong Yun Empire, but he didn't expect his attitude to be so steadfast, not even bothering to ask more about the many details from Zhang Menglong, Hongyang, and others, and siding completely with Zhang Menglong without knowing who was right or wrong.

"This..."

Hong He and Mu Yifeng also didn't expect Qi Congyun to support Zhang Menglong to such an extent.

More and more onlookers gathered, and some were even starting to record the scene with various devices. After all, conflicts between Dao Realm experts were extremely rare; some people had never seen Dao Realm masters in their lives. Many flocked to the scene upon hearing the news, especially the Heavenly Prides from various countries.

If the two of them were to back down, one could imagine that once this superpower's recruitment ended, these events would spread across the entire continent like they had wings, saying that a young Heavenly Pride forced the entire Hong Yun Empire to back down. Their country's reputation would be utterly tarnished, and this spread would be even more effective than any media!

"Why don't we just leave it be?" Mu Yifeng was a bit hesitant; for the sake of a family's illegitimate child, it wasn't worth offending an elder of a superpower, especially when the person had already been brought back. They might find an Alchemist later on, and it might just be Zhang Menglong bluffing.

Even if it turned out to be an incurable poison, he wouldn't be too broken up about it; within the Mu family's main line, there were many more outstanding than you, Xiang!

"Mu Yifeng!" Hong He was clearly furious at Mu Yifeng's cowardly behavior, "This is no longer a matter of one or two families; it's a matter of honor for our entire Hong Yun Empire! Look at the crowd; can we afford to back down?"

Mu Yifeng looked over the surrounding crowd; the area was surrounded in layers, with barely any edge in sight...

"Then what do you want to do?"

"He just said he's only representing his personal will and has nothing to do with the Sunset Sect. Even if we were to injure him, it would be his own fault, and the Sunset Sect would have nothing to say!"

"That's all well and good, but how confident are you in defeating him?" Mu Yifeng asked again.

All three were First-grade in the Dao Realm. Under normal circumstances, with the two working together, there might be a chance of confronting Qi Congyun, but knowing now that he mastered two paths, even if they gave it their all, they were definitely not his match!

"Mu Nanxing, are you just going to watch?" At this point, Hong He called out another name.

"Who? Who did he call? Mu Nanxing!"

"I know! That's the third Dao Realm expert in the Hong Yun Empire, though he's a lone ranger, not establishing any family power nor belonging to any family power."

"It's said that his strength has already reached the peak of First-grade in the Dao Realm and was once an outer sect disciple of a superpower!"

"Why did he come too?"

"Which side is he on? This is getting more and more interesting!"

...

"Hahaha, it's just too lively, couldn't resist wanting to watch a bit longer." Mu Nanxing, dressed in a black robe, appeared like a bottomless black hole, as if any light reaching him was absorbed by some unknown force.

"Oh? The three Dao Realm experts of the Hong Yun Empire are all gathered," Qi Congyun smiled slightly, "I wonder if Mr. Mu Nanxing is just here to watch the excitement, or if you too want to join them in bullying this kid?"

"Mu Nanxing," Hong He didn't give Mu Nanxing a chance to speak, "you're also from the Hong Yun Empire; you can't just stand by while outsiders bully us, right?"

"Hahaha, old man Hong He, don't try to morally blackmail me," Mu Nanxing said, "although I'm from the Hong Yun Empire and did receive some help from your ancestors, I promised only to act in times of the empire's existential crisis, and this is far from such a time, isn't it?"

"Mu Nanxing, what you say is true, but if the two of us are scared off by this kid today, you'll have to keep your head down if you ever leave Hong Yun Empire in the future!"

Mu Nanxing's expression momentarily flashed with displeasure.

Indeed, Hong He's words struck a nerve; he too was someone who cared deeply about his reputation.

Even though his strength had reached at least Second-grade in the Dao Realm, with the help of the other two, he still had no confidence in defeating Qi Congyun.

"What a bunch of cowards," Qi Congyun felt a bit speechless, seeing the three seeming like they wanted to fight but were too afraid to, "how about I just give you all an idea? I'll take one move from the three of you; no matter what means you use, if you can make me take one step back, I'll leave this matter alone."

"Elder Qi, we know even the three of us together might not be your match, but isn't your offer too dismissive of us?" Qi Congyun's disdain made Mu Yifeng a bit upset.

Indeed, they couldn't defeat him, but to say they couldn't even make him take a step back was too much.

"Do you really mean this?" In Hong He's heart, saving people was the most important.

Even if today the three joined forces and only managed to save the person from Qi Congyun, the result wouldn't be too shameful, right? At least they saved someone, didn't they?

"Of course, a promise is a promise," Qi Congyun said, "if you can make me step back, you can do whatever you want with this kid, but if you lose, you're not allowed to harm him in any way while he's in the Hong Yun Empire."

"Old man, are you sure?" Zhang Menglong felt a bit speechless at this point; wasn't this using his life as a wager?

"Though I'm an old man, I'm still a man. Never ask a man if he can do it," Qi Congyun said, "you just need to clap and shout '666' for me on the side."

"Alright, got it," Zhang Menglong stepped aside, of course, he still prepared in advance, just in case this old guy messes up, he wouldn't be too passive.

"Alright then, with so many witnesses, we have no choice but to do this disgraceful thing today. Elder Qi, please teach us," Hong He said.

"Please!"

...

The three Dao Realm experts exchanged glances, and suddenly the surrounding energy began to surge furiously, even the air density seemed to reach a suffocating level.

"When was the last time the three of us fought together?" Hong Yun laughed.

"It's been a few thousand years, hasn't it?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Wasn't it yesterday with that white-feathered bird?"

"Hahaha, Mu Nanxing, you really never say anything appropriate for the moment."

"Alright, let's see if you've made any progress over the years."

"Same to you!"

The three soared into the air, forming hand gestures, with dense energy from the heavens and earth converging towards them like rivers into the sea.

"Damn," seeing the imposing approach of the three, Qi Congyun still wore a face of disdain, "what kind of hocus pocus is this? Are the three of you playing shamans here?"