Chapter 234: Self-aware

As Li Pin slowly sheathed his sword, the dazed Huang He and Zhao Yunlong finally snapped out of their shock, as if they had just returned from the brink of death. For a brief moment, the two of them felt as though they had swallowed a mouthful of bitter herbs.

"We lost...."

"Li Pin... he's truly terrifying!"

"The ones truly arrogant... were us."

The four people who had gone up against Li Pin—including Su Fang and Fang Ziyou, who were still being healed by the astral equipment—wore expressions of utter shock and despair.

Yet no one mocked them.

Everyone was still immersed in the overwhelming shock of Li Pin effortlessly defeating the four Martial Saints—Fang Ziyou, Zhao Yunlong, Huang He, and Su Fang. Song Wuya, Zhao Yushi, and the Great Sun Chosen One were no exception.

They had expected Li Pin to be strong. After months of training in Dragon Gate Hall's new environment, they themselves had grown immensely stronger. Therefore, when it turned out that someone as talented as Li Pin wasn’t lagging behind, it didn’t come as much of a surprise.

But... they never imagined he would be this powerful.

Su Fang and Huang He were understandable. Their strength wasn’t famed to be anything exceptional and their reputation wasn’t resounding. They barely even qualified to be third-tier Martial Saints.

But Zhao Yunlong... was undoubtedly one of the Top-Tier Martial Saints. If he had participated in the last season of the World Top’s Martial Competition, Song Wuya would have stood no chance against him.

As for Fang Ziyou... nothing more needed to be said. He was an Extreme Martial Saint. As only his qi and blood had reached the human limit, however, he was not considered a true Extreme Martial Saint.

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Nevertheless... he was someone who had pushed one of his attributes to the limit. For any martial artist, even a Martial Saint, this was the pinnacle of what they could achieve in a lifetime.

Moreover, Fang Ziyou had always held the fourth position on the Hidden Dragon List, just a step away from the top three. Yet even such a powerful figure was crushed by Li Pin as though it were nothing. The sheer strength Li Pin displayed this time...

It could only be described as dominating!

In the audience, Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. "Li Pin... is he really this strong!?"

Fang Ziyou's defeat could be chalked up to a one-on-one battle, but next came Zhao Yunlong, Huang He, and Su Fang...

Even with the three of them joining forces, they were still utterly overwhelmed!

Even more, the qi and blood Li Pin unleashed when he defeated the four Martial Saints... was staggering. Even if that was the result of a secret art, his strength still far surpassed everyone’s imagination.

Forty-seven? Forty-eight? Or was it forty-nine!?

With such power at his disposal, who could claim they could defeat him?

No one could confidently say those words. Only the top three on the Transformative Dragon List and Cang Yunxiao, ranked first on the Hidden Dragon List, were qualified to do so.

And as for Zhou Heng himself...

Sitting at the bottom of the Transformative Dragon List, how could he even think of challenging such a terrifying opponent!? And to top it off... spending 600 thousand points to challenge him!?

Meanwhile, Zhang Xujin, previously ranked second on the Hidden Dragon List, couldn't help but step forward as Li Pin swiftly defeated Zhao Yunlong, Huang He, and Su Fang.

It was as if, by moving closer, he could confirm whether the scene on the ring was real or just an illusion.

"This... this is the champion of the intermediate category in the World's Top Martial Competition!?"

After a long pause, this exceptionally powerful Martial Saint finally exhaled slowly. "Since when did the World's Top Martial Competition hold this much weight!?"

"How did Li Pin become so powerful?"

The woman in green was filled with disbelief. "How did he train!? He's only twenty-three! An Extreme Martial Saint!?"

"When Li Pin first said he would take on all four of them, I thought he was being arrogant, taking the Martial Saints of the Dragon Gate Hall lightly. But now... I realize it wasn't arrogance at all. Li Pin... he was simply telling the truth!"

Hong Feng's voice carried a trace of bitterness. "The truly arrogant one is Fang Ziyou! He dared to challenge Li Pin, someone capable of ranking in the top three of the Transformative Dragon List, all by himself!?"

Others, too, were fixated on Li Pin standing on the stage, speechless for a long time.

This was the first time they realized that such a formidable martial artist could exist outside the Dragon Gate Hall, where nearly half of the Tianyun Federation’s martial artists gathered.

It was as if a group of people who thought they represented the pinnacle were suddenly torn apart by an outsider. The sheer impact of it shook their minds, leaving them at a loss for words.

After a while, one of them exhaled deeply. "For Cang Yunxiao not to come and witness this... that's too presumptuous. With Li Pin's sudden rise, he might just lose his top spot on the Hidden Dragon List."

Several others nodded in agreement.

At that moment, the crowd of grandmasters and Martial Saints finally began to recover from their shock. The once quiet area around the stage erupted into a frenzy.

"I thought Cang Yunxiao was already the strongest on the Hidden Dragon List, and that Ye Chengyuan was the only one who could barely outmatch him. But now... it seems this man is much fiercer than Cang Yunxiao!"

"Li Pin! Li Pin! Indeed... no matter how strong someone is, there's always someone stronger. I underestimated the experts of the world."

"The rankings in Dragon Gate Hall are indeed authoritative. Li Pin's sudden rise to second place on the Hidden Dragon List had seemed dubious to me before. I even suspected some behind-the-scenes manipulation.

"But now... based on his strength alone, he more than deserves it. And considering he's only twenty-three, he might even surpass Cang Yunxiao. He was likely only in second place out of respect for the top three."

The wind had completely shifted.

By now, those who had once mocked or doubted Li Pin seemed to vanish. Everyone was still reeling in awe, but they didn’t forget to shower Li Pin with praise for his overwhelming strength.

Anyone with sharp eyes could see that a new star was rising in Dragon Gate Hall, unstoppable in its ascent.

Judging by his young age, he might eventually surpass Cang Yunxiao and, like Ye Chengyuan, crush all hopes of challenging or overtaking him.

This realization weighed heaviest on those who had dared to challenge Li Pin.

"Is it too late for me to back out now?"

"200 thousand! I spent 200 thousand points just for a chance to challenge Dragon Prince Li. That's a year's worth of savings! I nearly died several times to earn those points."

"So... what am I doing? Spending 250 thousand points just to get beaten up by Dragon Prince Li in front of thousands of Dragon Gate Hall's members?"

Even Zhou Heng, a renowned name on the Transformative Dragon List, felt his scalp tingle.

Fang Ziyou not considered, Li Pin had single-handedly defeated three Martial Saints, Zhao Yunlong, Huang He, and Su Fang.

It had to be sad that these three were not some newcomers who had only recently forged their Martial Wills! Each of them was a Top-Tier Martial Saint!

If they were to participate in the World's Top Martial Competition intermediate category, any one of them could claim the championship. Even if it were the adult category, it wouldn't be a stretch.

Yet despite their combined efforts, Li Pin had effortlessly crushed them. What could Zhou Heng, even with his Extreme Martial Saint abilities, possibly do if he went up there?

Was I just asking for a beating?

He thought.

"Alright, please step down, your four."

Li Pin shook his exquisite Lingfeng Sword. "Let's have the next batch of challengers step onto the stage."

He looked down at the crowd. "I'll call out names. When you hear your name, come up, one by one. No rush, you'll all get your turn... Shi Le."

Hearing his name, Shi Le’s expression was full of seriousness. He said, "Li Pin, my Martial Will does not allow me to back down from a challenge. But after careful thought, you're still too young. You're twenty-three, in your prime years of cultivation. I'm fifteen years older than you. If I fought you, it would be a case of an elder bullying the young.

"So, for fairness' sake, let's put this fight off until you're older and at your peak. As for those points, consider them a little help from an elder to a junior."

He strode off the stage without giving Li Pin the chance to respond.

Li Pin was stunned for a moment. In the end, he could only say, "Alright, let's call the next one then. Also, let me clarify, don't let my age make you hesitate. In real life-and-death combat, no one cares about your age or gender. So, let's welcome the next challenger, Yue Hengjiang...."

Upon hearing his name, Yue Hengjiang hesitated briefly before leaping onto the stage.

Li Pin immediately cupped his hands. "Please."

"Wait a second," Yue Hengjiang was startled and quickly asked. "Just me? What about the next one? And the one after that? Shouldn't you call up three or five people at once?"

"I thought about it just now, and what Fang Ziyou said made sense. Challenging four people at once does seem a bit arrogant. It's disrespectful to both my opponents and the hundreds of thousands of points you've spent. So from now on, I'll take on challengers one at a time and fully enjoy each battle," Li Pin explained sincerely.

"No, no, no." Yue Hengjiang waved his hands hurriedly, his face earnest. "Dragon Prince Li, please, you must be arrogant."

Li Pin was surprised. "Wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate?"

When I challenged several at once, they called me arrogant and conceited. Now when I don’t do it, they tell me I should be more arrogant? The heart is truly a mystery.

"Alright then, I'll call a few more," Li Pin said, pointing at two people below. "You, and you, come up."

"Just two? Dragon Prince Li, do you want to call up a few more?" Yue Hengjiang asked.

Li Pin looked at Yue Hengjiang in disbelief. Considering the points the man had generously offered, Li Pin gave him some thoughtful advice, "Remember, people must know their limits. In this world, no one is invincible, and no one remains undefeated forever."

He added seriously, "Every grandmaster and Martial Saint in the Dragon Gate Hall is already a leader among their peers, a prodigy in the martial arts world. The fact that you dare to challenge me means you have great confidence in your own strength.

"When I challenge three of you at once, it's not because I'm arrogant. I've carefully calculated and concluded that my strength can handle the three of you together. Understand?"

"..."

Damn!

Somehow, that explanation made Yue Hangjiang feel even worse.

Yue Hengjiang opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.

Forget it. Let's just consider this an investment in a future powerhouse.