The Demeanor of the Outer Sect's Senior Disciple Brother

"Since my Junior Brothers and Sisters are in such a good mood, it would seem rather inhospitable of me to refuse." Zhao Gongming's face showed a gentle smile as he nodded slowly. "Very well, I shall await you all at the training grounds."

Upon hearing Zhao Gongming's agreement, Shi Ji and the others' faces lit up with joy. After repeatedly thanking him, they excitedly went ahead to the training grounds to spread the word.

Zhao Gongming, unhurried, tidied his daoist robes before stepping out of his Cave Abode. He transformed into a Clear Wind, drifting towards the vast training grounds in the center of Jin'ao Island.

The training grounds on Jin'ao Island were a space opened up with great Mana. It was boundless, with the ground paved with indestructible Azure Jade Immortal Stones. Dao Patterns were densely inscribed upon them, sufficient to withstand any battle below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

At this moment, hundreds of Jiejiao Sect disciples had already gathered around the training grounds.

"Did you hear? Senior Brother Zhao Gongming is going to personally spar with us and guide our cultivation!"

"What? You mean the Senior Brother who, beside the Myriad Laws Returning Pool, drew in a vortex of Spiritual Energy and broke through to Golden Immortal in one go?"

"That's him! It's said that Master even summoned him because of it and bestowed a precious treasure!"

Discussions rose and fell like waves, and gazes converged on the center of the training grounds, filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Before long, a figure drifted into view and landed in the center of the field. Clad in a loose green robe, his aura was profound and deep. It was Zhao Gongming. His expression was calm, and he cupped his hands slightly towards the surroundings in greeting.

Immediately after, the burly disciple from before strode into the field and bowed respectfully to Zhao Gongming. "Outer disciple Xiong Shan, cultivation at Early Golden Immortal. I request Senior Brother Zhao's guidance!"

At these words, a commotion erupted from all sides.

"Senior Brother Xiong Shan is actually the first to step up! He has achieved mastery in body refinement, and his brute strength is comparable to an ancient ferocious beast. Ordinary Early Golden Immortals are no match for him!"

"This is going to be good. I wonder if Senior Brother Zhao can withstand Senior Brother Xiong Shan's onslaught."

Zhao Gongming looked at Xiong Shan before him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. This man's aura was strong, his Mana condensed, and his foundation was laid extremely solidly. He was indeed a worthy opponent.

"Junior Brother Xiong Shan, please," Zhao Gongming gestured, his demeanor composed.

"Senior Brother, I beg your pardon!"

Xiong Shan roared, no longer holding back. He clenched his fists, and immortal light erupted around him. The Supreme Purity Immortal Method was circulated to its extreme. As his Mana surged, a hundred-zhang-tall phantom of a black bear materialized behind him, roaring towards the sky!

"Myriad Sword Art!"

Xiong Shan swung his arms, and the boundless Mana instantly transformed into a sky full of sword qi. It was dense, like a swarm of locusts, each sword qi flashing with a chilling glint, carrying the sharpness to tear through the void. It swept towards Zhao Gongming like a tidal wave!

This was a fundamental technique within the Supreme Purity Immortal Method, yet it also heavily tested the thickness of one's Mana.

Wielded by a Golden Immortal like Xiong Shan, its power was terrifying. Ordinary immortals would likely be shredded into powder within a single exchange.

However, facing such an assault, Zhao Gongming merely stood still, not even raising an eyelid.

Only when the myriad sword qi was about to strike him did he slowly extend a hand.

Hum--!

A soft hum, and a tranquil blue light curtain, like ripples on water, silently unfolded before him.

On the light curtain, twenty-four bead-like shadows, like stars, slowly revolved, connected to each other, forming a flawless circular barrier.

It was the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls!

"Clang, clang, clang!"

Countless sword qi struck the water curtain, emitting crisp sounds like metal striking metal. Then, they vanished as if falling into the sea, instantly dissolved and absorbed by the seemingly soft water curtain, without even a ripple being stirred.

Effortless, casual, and nonchalant!

"What?!"

Xiong Shan's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief. His full-power strike couldn't even break the opponent's defense?

The disciples watching were instantly silenced, their eyes wide with astonishment.

Zhao Gongming's lips curved slightly. This was the optimized Sea-Calming Divine Pearls. The defensive power of its Water Origin Space was even greater than he had anticipated!

"Junior Brother, it's my turn now."

His voice was calm, as if merely stating a fact.

Before his voice even faded, he moved his mind.

Of the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls that had been encircling him for defense, one suddenly blazed with intense light!

Whoosh!

There was no earth-shattering display of power, only a streak of deep blue light cutting through the sky. The treasure bead seemed to traverse the distance of space and time, instantly appearing before Xiong Shan.

Fast! Extremely fast!

Xiong Shan felt an unprecedented, terrifying pressure lock onto him. The small bead, in his eyes, seemed to transform into a boundless ocean, carrying the might to suppress the four seas and eight desolate regions, and overturn a realm, crashing down upon him!

He couldn't even muster the thought of resisting. In the face of that magnificent and vast pressure, his proud physique and his abundant Mana seemed so tiny, so laughable!

"I... I surrender!"

The instant the Sea-Calming Divine Pearl was about to touch his forehead, Xiong Shan roared these three words with all his might.

Hum.

The treasure bead, containing terrifying power, stopped precisely three inches before his brow. Then, it transformed into a streak of light and flew back to Zhao Gongming's side, once again becoming a point of starlight on the water curtain, as if it had never moved.

The training grounds were deathly silent, both inside and out.

Everyone was stunned by the sudden, yet earth-shattering scene.

Just... one move!

No, it couldn't even be called a move. He had merely casually summoned a bead, and Xiong Shan, an Early Golden Immortal, had surrendered without any ability to resist!

What kind of magic treasure was that? To possess such divine power!

Xiong Shan stood drenched in sweat, his face pale, and it took him a long time to recover. He bowed deeply to Zhao Gongming, his voice trembling with genuine awe. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for showing mercy! Junior Brother... is truly convinced!"

Zhao Gongming nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings before finally landing on Shi Ji, whose expression was complex. He said gently, "Next, which Junior Brother or Sister is willing to offer some guidance?"

[Ding! Defeated an Early Golden Immortal cultivator, with an overwhelming victory. Gained Primordial Points: 50.]

The System notification that sounded in his mind made the smile on Zhao Gongming's lips deepen.

The deathly silence on the training grounds was broken by gasps of disbelief.

All eyes were fixed on Zhao Gongming, filled with awe, shock, and fervor... a mixture of emotions that ultimately transformed into absolute worship of the strong.

One move! Just one move!

Xiong Shan, an Early Golden Immortal, was quite a notable figure among the outer disciples of the Jiejiao Sect, renowned for his formidable physique. Yet, he couldn't even withstand a single blow from Zhao Gongming, unable to muster the courage to resist, and surrendered immediately!

What a terrifying gap in strength!

What rank were those twenty-four azure beads circling him? Each one seemed to contain the power of a vast ocean, so heavy it made one's soul tremble.