Hate arises from harm endured yet cannot be avenged. Anger stems from discontent with the present state, yet being powerless to act. Both are mere expressions of weakness.

Tai Yin held these words close, never allowing hate or anger to cloud his judgment.

The Tai Clan stood as the foremost noble house of the Xia Dynasty, their lineage tracing back further than the nation itself. Yet, the perennial problem of lacking worthy successors plagued many illustrious families, and the Tai Clan was no exception. Wars between nations, the bloody tide unleashed by the Myriad Demon Gate, the perils confronting the kingdoms of the Southern Domain, and even the dangers inherent in the path of cultivation… all these could lead to the demise of even the strongest. As the elder generation of powerhouses gradually passed, and the younger ones proved few and far between, the once-renowned families found their glory fading with each passing day.

Fortuitously, they had the support of Uncle Grandfather Tai Hua, a man possessing the bearing of one who could overturn the heavens. He successfully ascended to the Cave True Realm, single-handedly upholding the Tai Clan’s prestige. With a True Person’s lifespan, he was capable of safeguarding the family from decline for a thousand years.

And there was Tai Yin. He rose to prominence at a young age, hailed by his Uncle Grandfather as the future of the Tai Clan, and was personally mentored by him. Many saw in him the harbinger of the Tai Clan’s resurgence.

But after the battle at Sword Peak Mountain, everything changed. The pillar that supported the Tai Clan had fallen, and the younger generation, like himself, had yet to fully mature. The ancient family’s former glory seemed a distant memory. Whither would the vast Tai Clan turn?

Following Uncle Grandfather Tai Hua’s death in battle, the court had extended as much support as possible to the Tai Clan. But Tai Yin had to prove that he could indeed bear the weight of this family! Facing an opponent from the Qi Dynasty, he bore the additional burden of Xia’s expectations.

As the vanquished in the struggle for hegemony, the Xia Dynasty had changed its era name to “Shen Wu,” signifying their indomitable spirit and unwavering will to fight. Yet, it was now the thirty-first year of Shen Wu. Not only had Xia failed to erase the shame of that day, but a new humiliation had been etched upon the border’s renowned Sword Peak Mountain by those same opponents, who had grown ever more formidable and fearsome. That year, the distant Yang Country in the far south had also reached this very mountain! Voices across the land now questioned: Did the people of Xia still possess that same spirit?

Tai Yin’s presence here was to provide an answer. For that answer to resonate, the identity of his opponent was crucial. The esteemed Lin Zi of Chong Xuan Zun, renowned throughout the lands, was, of course, the ideal adversary. By defeating Chong Xuan Zun, he could trample upon the city of Lin Zi itself. He could represent the Xia Dynasty and declare to the Qi Dynasty… “Merely so!”

The clamor from the surrounding spectator stands receded into the distance. The gazes, filled with anticipation or scrutiny, all faded away. In his ears, only two words lingered, awaiting the voice that would declare, “Begin.”

And then he moved.

His right hand, like a fish suddenly cast upon the shore, twitched and sprang forth in a convulsion. It was a movement devoid of grace, seemingly futile, yet imbued with the raw power of a life-or-death struggle. Though the action appeared somewhat comical, those who truly understood would never laugh.

This was a divine ability, “Fish Leaving Water.” Like a fish torn from the water, a bird snared in a net, a beast losing its trap, all forever losing their freedom. Bound by this divine ability, all living beings would fall into an environment utterly disadvantageous to themselves.

When the Yellow River Meeting commenced, all elemental forces were suppressed to a state of balance, a perfect equilibrium, favoring no single element, no single individual. The environment was fair to all. But now, it was different.

Tai Yin could distinctly feel the air around his opponent thickening, becoming viscous like a marsh, causing him to lose his footing. Furthermore, the fire element shattered, the water element raged, the wind element fell silent, the earth element became erratic… The elemental forces became utterly chaotic, even colliding and interfering with one another. Everything within this environment was, under the manipulation of his divine ability, set against his opponent.

What was meant by “embarrassment”? The character for “embarrassment” was depicted with “jun” beneath “hole.” A person under the eaves was forced to bow their head! It was unbearable, awkward, nowhere to adapt! With a divine ability such as this, how could he not make a heaven’s pride bow their head?!

Tai Yin’s left hand formed a protective barrier before him, his right hand hung slightly, fingers slightly splayed, and he stepped forward swiftly. He felt a powerful sensation, as though the very heavens and earth were within his grasp. This was the inevitable mental state when controlling the negative “embarrassment” divine ability. He suppressed his prideful state, allowing himself to calmly observe his opponent. He must never underestimate the people of Qi. If the people of Qi were incompetent, then what did that make the people of Xia, who had been repeatedly suppressed by them? Underestimating his opponent was, in essence, despising himself.

Just at this moment, he suddenly felt an incredibly strong repelling force descend, pushing him back furiously. From the moment he arrived at View River Platform, he had anticipated facing a Qi Dynasty heaven’s pride as an opponent. He had naturally prepared for the world-renowned Chong Xuan divine ability long ago.

From the distant starry sky, within the Northern Black Tortoise constellation, a starlight holy tower suddenly flared. The Black Tortoise embodies benevolence and vastness.

What path do you wish to forge? This was a question every cultivator aspiring to divine ascension must consider. But not everyone had an answer. The moment they erected their starlight holy tower was when they interpreted themselves to the world. The vast majority of cultivators followed the established path step by step, first adhering to the old ways, and then proving themselves. Like Confucian scholars, they restrained themselves with “ritual.” Like Buddhist disciples, they aligned with “precepts.” Even more so, like Legalist followers, they governed themselves with “law.” Under the restraint of these “rules,” they naturally progressed towards “morality,” eventually reaching the realm of “following one’s heart’s desire without exceeding bounds.”

And what was “I”? What was my “way”? For Tai Yin, “vastness” was one of the principles guiding his actions. It was the principle by which he strictly governed himself. When he steadfastly adhered to this path, the projection of the Black Tortoise starlight holy tower manifested the power of “benevolence.” He was not a follower of Confucianism, but having been deeply influenced by it in the Xia Dynasty, he associated the Northern Black Tortoise with the word “benevolence.”

Vastness was not cowardice, not retreat, not fear. It was “forgiveness.” And the premise of forgiveness… was admitting one’s wrong. Chong Xuan Zun would, of course, never admit wrong, so he would break his spine and force him to admit wrong.

Tai Yin, of course, would not be vast towards the people of Qi; he was vast towards himself. He forgave himself for not being born decades earlier, unable to participate in the great war for hegemony between Qi and Xia, unable to avert defeat. He forgave himself for being young and his cultivation far from sufficient, unable to ascend Sword Peak Mountain and prevent his Uncle Grandfather’s demise… He forgave himself for his current lack of strength, allowing himself to bravely move forward.

The distant starlight belonging to the Black Tortoise holy tower bathed his body, its power, thick with “benevolence,” allowing him to easily resist that repelling force. He would use the negative “embarrassment” divine ability to trap his opponent in an awkward predicament. He would use the Black Tortoise holy tower to accommodate his own powerlessness.

He stepped forward swiftly! His left hand, held horizontally in front of him, swept to the side. In the chaotic environment between him and his opponent, Chong Xuan Zun, it cleared a path for his attack. This was the order he re-established within the chaos. If not on a martial platform devoid of environment, the effect of this divine ability would only be stronger.

Just at this moment, directly in front of him, a great sun suddenly rose. Like the fierce sun breaking through dark clouds, the instant the sun disc descended, all other elemental forces were expelled, leaving only the pure fire element to wander, forming a new “order.” This was Chong Xuan Zun’s divine ability, Sun Disc! This divine ability was said to “repel all evil, burn gods and ghosts!” It was a powerful divine ability for suppressing evil and sweeping away the impure. Its use at this moment seemed unfitting.

But Chong Xuan Zun actually used it to re-establish the order of elemental forces, truly demonstrating skillful application! He had developed this divine ability to its extreme, using it as his core, truly worthy of the name heaven’s pride.

However…

Tai Yin sneered, “Indeed, you are a cultivator of the Heaven Mansion, capable of claiming kingship and hegemony within the Inner Mansion Realm. But you do not understand what is meant by the Outer Tower!” As he spoke, three more points of light in the distant starry sky lit up in succession. The Eastern Azure Dragon holy tower, the Southern Vermillion Bird holy tower, and the Western White Tiger holy tower. Starlight bathed his body, surging within Tai Yin.

When he finished speaking, his always slightly splayed right hand suddenly clenched tightly into a fist. Then, he thrust that fist forward! Upon his fist, the starlight shimmered, mixing and swirling with red, blue, green, and yellow light. This single punch landed, and the brief order Chong Xuan Zun had formed with the Sun Disc divine ability instantly collapsed.

This was… the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength! This was the power the Xia Dynasty’s Tai Clan relied upon for their fame. This strength dissolved all elemental forces; those who received it must shatter. It truly exhibited its power only at the peak level of the Outer Tower, for only by truly erecting the Four Great Starlight Holy Towers could one refine the true Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength.

He controlled the environment with the negative “embarrassment” divine ability, trapping his opponent in chaos. He broke through defenses with the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength, standing at the precipice of life and death. This was a nearly perfect pairing! The power was not merely additive, but multiplied! Wherever Tai Yin’s fist landed, everything unnaturally collapsed.

The Azure Dragon embodied “faith,” the Vermillion Bird “virtue,” the Black Tortoise “benevolence,” and the White Tiger “slaughter.” These were his starlight holy towers, the “reason” he espoused. The starlight flowed upon his body, red, blue, green, and yellow colors intertwining on his fist. This was not only the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength, but also the forging of his path.

And his fist pressed forward. It seemed as if everything between him and Chong Xuan Zun was making way for this single punch. In all of heaven and earth, there was only this one fist.

He felt the power. He felt his own strength. Countless days and nights of sleepless, arduous cultivation. The nation’s hate, the family’s enmity… He saw the white-robed Chong Xuan Zun, his robes fluttering, suddenly extend a hand, seize the Sun Disc in the air, and directly smash it towards him!

Clang!! Fist and sun disc met, emitting a metallic clang. Tai Yin’s face was devoid of expression, and he swung his fist again, striking. He saw the faint, almost imperceptible smile on his opponent’s lips. His fist smashed against the sun disc once more.

How could you be so composed? Facing your divine ability with the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength, what do I have to fear? Even if I cannot dissolve this manifested divine ability in one go, like water eroding stone, I can still completely exhaust the fire element. I will shatter your divine ability, and you will still be composed?!

Tai Yin’s fist surged with four-colored light and struck again. And that fiery red sun disc, its flames already extinguished, was seized by his opponent and smashed back once more. The two of them were like blacksmiths hammering iron, striking continuously. The Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength met the sun disc. The red color on the sun disc gradually faded. Tai Yin’s fist grew stronger and stronger, the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength wrapping around his fist, striking out again and again. Of course, he didn’t forget to control the negative “embarrassment” divine ability, creating the most unfavorable, most chaotic environment for his opponent.

Heaven and earth were united in their opposition; he would not let you be free!

However.

No matter how he struck, no matter how the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength surged, that Chong Xuan Zun would always, without hesitation, smash the sun disc back. It was as if he simply didn’t care about his gradually dimming divine ability. Again and again. Again and again… This sun disc divine ability was on the verge of being shattered, why was he still smiling?!

Tai Yin heightened his vigilance and stabilized his emotions. This was an advantageous situation; victory was within reach. There was no reason for him to change his strategy first. Battle required courage, but especially wisdom.

But just at this moment, he heard Chong Xuan Zun’s voice.

“Is the Tai Clan of Xia so limited in its skill?”

That utter disdain… That dismissive tone… Wasn’t it you who was about to be shattered?

Tai Yin suppressed the surge of anger. He only wanted to sneer, viewing it as a petty trick to disturb his mental state. Just as he was about to speak, with another collision of his fist, an extremely terrifying power erupted from the sun disc that was smashed back at him. It was the Chong Xuan divine ability! Its level far surpassed the repelling force it had shown before, much stronger, much heavier. It far exceeded the defensive space he had prepared! He had tried his best to evaluate, but it was still not enough. Was this the power of this man’s Chong Xuan divine ability?

Tai Yin had only time to fleetingly consider this thought. His fist was first struck back, successively impacting his own chest. The protective starlight still held strong. He had dissolved the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength in advance. But his breastbone was already caved in. His entire body was sent flying by this single blow!

As he flew backward at extreme speed, Tai Yin saw it. The white-robed man, his clothes like snow, suddenly approached! He seemed completely untouched by being trapped in the “marsh,” completely unfazed by the environment targeting him. The tearing of those elemental forces seemed to cease to exist at this moment. He had actually, in such a short time, completely adapted to the chaotic environment created by the negative “embarrassment” divine ability!

How was this possible?! How could an environment that changed dozens of times with every breath be adapted to? But that approaching, already less radiant red sun disc, was a stark reality! What was reality?

Reality was that the Xia Dynasty had lost the struggle for hegemony. Reality was the shameful inscription on Sword Peak Mountain. Reality was that True Person Uncle Grandfather Tai Hua had died in battle. Reality was the sun disc, about to smash against his forehead.

Damn it, absolutely impossible! Tai Yin roared in his heart, his blood boiling. Still flying backward, a surge of power erupted from within his body, causing him to twist and rush upwards! What damn reality, I absolutely refuse to accept it! He bit down on his teeth until they almost broke, responding to the power of the four holy towers, urging his inner mansion to rumble. I must… in this battle, I must… I must make you see…

But a terrifying gravitational force suddenly enveloped his entire body, pulling him, already soaring high, back down! The sun disc finally smashed against his forehead. The resounding impact echoed across the entire martial platform. Tai Yin’s entire being was sent crashing to the ground by this one sun disc.

He fiercely endured the intense dizziness, controlling his collapsing True Essence, his chaotic Qi and blood, and desperately seeking balance in his body. He exerted his utmost ability, responding to the starlight holy tower, protecting his body. His head was struck again! The starlight dimmed! This path will not do… this path absolutely will not do!

Tai Yin bit down on the tip of his tongue, the intense pain granting him brief clarity, and he struggled to clench his right hand! In the distant starry sky, the Northern White Tiger holy tower completely extinguished! He had actively collapsed the White Tiger holy tower. All his understanding of the word “slaughter” flowed back at this moment. A vast, terrifying force of slaughter, combined with the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength, surged into his fist. He wanted to…

Then he felt a hand fiercely grip his neck! Countless repelling forces, channeled through that hand, pressed into his body. Within his muscles, his blood, and even his True Essence, a constant conflict raged.

“Uh!” He couldn’t even let out a scream, only a muffled groan. He stubbornly mustered his remaining strength, using the fist that had condensed terrifying power, and struggled to punch upwards…

One sun disc smashing his head submerged his consciousness. This was truly… a strength that brought despair!

And in the eyes of the countless spectators, they only saw the Chong Xuan Zun, who moments before had been a figure of absolute grace and worldly charm, now gripping Tai Yin’s neck with one hand, pressing him relentlessly onto the ground. With the other hand, he raised the sun disc high… and barbarically, brutally, simply smashed down repeatedly, as if intent on turning Tai Yin into a pulp of flesh.

If one only looked at his face, his pupils, pitch black like ink, were utterly calm. And at the corner of his lips, that alluring, almost imperceptible smile still lingered, possessing a fatal charm. But the arm he raised and lowered repeatedly, the arm gripping the sun disc tightly, was covered in bulging blue veins, like wandering dragons intertwined on a mountain ridge, displaying the most direct violence.

“Winner, Chong Xuan Zun of the Qi Dynasty!” Yu Xi’s indifferent voice announced from below the platform. Without any visible action, a ray of clear light enveloped Tai Yin, gently yet firmly stopping Chong Xuan Zun. Just as the protective starlight, clearly on the verge of shattering, was about to be completely demolished by the falling sun disc, it failed to crush that head. The sun disc was like a blow against a ball of cotton, soft and yielding, absorbing all force.

Only then did Chong Xuan Zun release his hand, stand up, and retract the sun disc. And on the ground, Tai Yin, who had completely lost consciousness, still held his right fist tightly clenched. Within it, the power of the Reverse Four Symbols Mixed Origin Strength still surged…

He was indeed firm, unyielding, and brave. But that was all.

Because the battles on the other martial platforms had not yet concluded, Chong Xuan Zun stepped down from the platform. His gaze was calm, his footsteps steady. Not a single drop of blood stained his body, and the sun disc had already been returned to his inner mansion. He remained white-robed, like snow, his demeanor handsome.

To him, this Tai Yin was, of course, a decent Outer Tower cultivator. But he was not even a match for Bao Bo Zhao. In terms of understanding at the Outer Tower level, he was slightly stronger than Bao Bo Zhao, but in the application of divine abilities, he was significantly weaker. At that time, he had easily defeated three opponents, including Bao Bo Zhao. How could the present him be compared to himself when he had just entered the Outer Tower?

His opponent had stirred the environment dozens of times within a single breath, yet his Chong Xuan secret technique, supported by the Chong Xuan divine ability, had already probed and countered thousands of times. Thus, pressure… had never appeared.

Tai Yin’s hate, his anger, his struggle… No matter how much effort he put in, it was all irrelevant. There was no need to mention his story, or what kind of life he led. He was simply one among many insignificant defeated opponents, an ordinary one.