Linghu Hongfei’s arrival sent a surge of excitement through the younger generation.
He was truly exceptional. The moment he appeared, even the brightest stars like Linghu Yueyue and Wuma Shengjie paled in comparison, rendered insignificant.
Yet his overwhelming strength brought mixed feelings to those within the formation—joy tempered with worry.
Linghu Hongfei had the power to protect them, but his presence also dashed their hopes of claiming a Boundary Sword for themselves.
Though they were geniuses among their peers, they knew all too well the vast chasm separating them from Linghu Hongfei. They weren’t even in the same league.
“Look at that!”
Suddenly, the crowd stirred, their eyes widening as they noticed something behind Linghu Hongfei—a sword hovering in the air.
It was a Boundary Sword!!!
“Linghu Hongfei… he’s already obtained a Boundary Sword?”
The younger generation gaped in shock. His speed was unreal.
And now, it seemed the second Boundary Sword in play was destined to be his as well.
“Brother Wuma Shengjie, this sword guardian beast isn’t something you can handle. Could you let me take this Boundary Sword?”
Linghu Hongfei didn’t act immediately. Instead, he courteously sought Wuma Shengjie’s opinion.
Strong as he was, he carried himself with grace.
“And if I said I’d like to try?” Wuma Shengjie replied, surprising many.
His performance today had been impressive, no doubt.
But the sword guardian beast was at the Venerable Realm—a foe Wuma Shengjie couldn’t possibly defeat.
Moreover, no one among the younger generation had ever dared defy Linghu Hongfei’s wishes.
“I only meant well. If Brother Wuma wants to give it a shot, go ahead. If you can handle the beast yourself, that’d be ideal,” Linghu Hongfei said with a smile, unfazed by the refusal. “If you can’t, I’ll step in—no rush.”
His politeness was disarming.
“Fine.” Wuma Shengjie nodded, unable to argue with such courtesy.
He unleashed his boundary power and began setting up a formation.
“This guy’s really something,” people muttered.
At first, they’d been skeptical, but as Wuma Shengjie’s formation took shape, opinions shifted.
It seemed tailored to counter the sword guardian beast.
Even before it was complete, the beast’s gaze grew restless. Once finished, the creature’s massive body trembled faintly.
“He must’ve uncovered some secret here. How else could he craft a formation that terrifies even the guardian beast?”
“No wonder… both of us wear insect-patterned venerable robes, yet his array-breaking speed is ten times mine,” Linghu Yueyue mused, her eyes narrowing with resentment.
She wasn’t convinced. Without some hidden advantage, Wuma Shengjie couldn’t have outshone her so badly. Her loss wasn’t due to skill—it was ignorance.
*Swish—*
Wuma Shengjie pointed, and the formation rose, transforming into a vast net that enveloped the beast.
*Roar—*
The guardian beast, clearly terrified, froze like a fool, trembling violently. It let out a low, fearful growl, too scared to dodge.
*Swish—*
The net descended, trapping the beast.
It thrashed wildly, shrieking in agony.
A Venerable Realm creature, yet utterly dominated by the formation!
The net glowed red-hot, like molten steel wires, searing into the beast’s flesh and leaving it battered and scarred.
The Linghu Clan members instinctively glanced at Linghu Hongfei.
They were worried—worried for him.
This Boundary Sword was supposed to be his.
No one had expected Wuma Shengjie to conjure a formation capable of suppressing the beast.
It was unthinkable, yet it was happening.
If Wuma Shengjie succeeded, Linghu Hongfei would lose out on this sword.
But unlike his clansmen, Linghu Hongfei watched with a calm smile, showing no trace of concern. It almost seemed like he was happy for Wuma Shengjie.
Soon, though, the formation weakened as it sank into the beast’s body. Eventually, it dissipated entirely.
The beast, though battered, still lived.
*Roar—*
A piercing bellow shook the heavens as the creature’s fury erupted. Everyone in the formation felt its murderous intent.
Wuma Shengjie’s formation had enraged it beyond reason.
*Roar—*
With a deafening cry, the earth quaked.
The beast lunged at Wuma Shengjie, jaws gaping, its massive form aiming not just to kill but to shred him to pieces.
Yet as it reached him, a figure flickered into place before Wuma Shengjie like a phantom.
Linghu Hongfei.
With a single outstretched arm, he stopped the beast—a colossal, three-thousand-meter monstrosity resembling a mountain—in its tracks, despite his slight frame.
“Brother Wuma, may I handle it now?” he asked.
“Yes,” Wuma Shengjie nodded. He had no choice. Without Linghu Hongfei’s intervention, he’d be dead. He was no match for the beast.
*Boom—*
Before his word settled, the beast’s enormous body shattered apart.
The Boundary Sword in its maw flew to Linghu Hongfei’s side, as if claiming him as its master.
Shock painted every face, Wuma Shengjie included.
A Venerable Realm guardian beast—crushed so effortlessly by Linghu Hongfei.
This was the flair of the Zuwu Star Domain’s mightiest genius.
