The entire martial arena fell silent as tens of thousands held their breath; a pin drop could be heard.
The Savage Emperor's mountain-like body staggered back three steps, each one leaving a deep footprint in the hard stone tiles.
The footprints were half a foot deep, with fine cracks spreading from their edges like spiderwebs, extending all the way to thirty yards away.
Lin Langtian, meanwhile, did not move an inch. Even the hem of his robe had not stirred. Only his extended right fist slowly withdrew and fell back to his side.
This scene branded itself into everyone's eyes as if frozen in time, carving itself deep into their souls.
Dead silence!
A deathly stillness.
It lasted for a full ten odd breaths.
Then—
"Boom!"
Like a boulder crashing into a tranquil lake, an explosive uproar erupted and swept through the entire arena!
"Savage Emperor! That's the Savage Emperor!"
"The veteran Earthly Supreme famed across the Qiankun Continent for an invincible physical body and unmatched strength was forced back three steps by a single punch in a frontal clash?!"
"Sky Demon King... is he really only newly advanced to the Earthly Supreme realm?!"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Countless disbelieving gazes locked onto the green robe figure standing with his hands behind his back, their eyes filled with shock, reverence, fervor, and a trace of indescribable fear.
On the high platform, the expressions of the Three Elders changed drastically. They could no longer remain composed.
The Great Elder abruptly rose to his feet, his eyes wide as his breathing grew heavy.
He stared fixedly at Lin Langtian, his once-clouded gaze churning as though he wanted to see through him completely.
Only after a long while did he draw a deep breath and suppress the turbulent waves in his heart. He muttered,