The sudden appearance of the cloaked figure in the hall instantly drew everyone's attention. After a moment of astonishment, the crowd turned to look at Mo Cheng, whose face had suddenly turned stern. Instantly, they offered a silent tribute to the cloaked figure, recognizing that for a man of such strong pride, being challenged in this manner was a direct affront to his dignity. The unexpected arrival of the cloaked figure also startled Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye, who exchanged glances. They recognized him as the one they had met at the inn earlier. A slight frown on his brow indicated that this enigmatic figure was not merely polite—he came with clear intentions. "Who are you?" Mo Cheng coldly scanned the cloaked figure below, furrowing his brows. "You're Mo Cheng, aren't you? You've come to speak with me about something." The voice emanating from the cloak was young and calm, unchanged by the intensity of Mo Cheng's expression. "Today is a joyous occasion for my Mohist family. I would be most grateful if you would kindly take a moment to rest, and we may discuss any matters after the banquet concludes—would that be agreeable?" Hearing this young voice, Mo Cheng felt a weight lift from his shoulders. With his dry hands slowly extending from his sleeves, he gently curled them, gathering and channeling the turbulent, fiery qi that pulsed with a deep crimson glow, casting an oddly vivid impression on the palm. Listening to Mo Cheng's words, laced with a clear sense of cold determination, the black robe subtly trembled, and the figure within seemed to sigh in mild resignation. After a pause, a statement so bold that it left everyone seated in stunned silence was softly delivered: "Kindness? What right do you have to speak of it? Though the Mohist family holds considerable influence in the northeastern provinces, at the end of the day, we are nothing more than a mere dog—loyal, perhaps, to Yunlan Sect." "As soon as he spoke, the entire hall fell silent. A wave of astonishment washed over the guests, all turning their eyes toward the black-robed man who had spoken so boldly—was he truly determined to provoke the very warrior who had once slaughtered the Black Whirlwind band of robbers in bloodshed? On the raised platform, Lan Yanran's delicate features subtly changed as she listened to the black-robed man's tone. Since she had become a disciple of Yunlan Sect, she had never heard anyone speak of the Yunlan Sect so calmly and matter-of-factly. The black robe slightly lifted, and Mo Cheng seemed to sense the mocking gaze beneath it—especially as the words from beneath flowed out, causing the simmering rage within him to finally surge and erupt. "Stop wasting your breath with empty threats. You're right—today, I *have* come to disrupt the scene. Mo family, you old clowns!" The words, laced with a hint of quiet laughter, once again sent shockwaves through the entire hall. "Excellent! Excellent! Hah! Young man, you've got guts!" With a strained, teeth-clenched roar, a powerful aura surged forth from within Mo Cheng, expanding violently. His robes fluttered and swelled, and under the force of this surge, the tables and chairs around him shattered with a thunderous crash. "This old man's strength is truly growing stronger,"葛叶 remarked, his eyes flashing with astonishment as he felt the steadily mounting pressure filling the hall. "Master Ge, shall we intervene?" Nalan Yanran glanced at the tense atmosphere, slightly turning her head to speak softly to Ge Ye. "Wait a moment. This black-robed figure is no ordinary person. The Mo family has been unusually assertive lately, to the point that some of the senior monks in the temple have begun to grow dissatisfied. This time, giving Mo Cheng a bit of hardship might just help him temper his ambition. Otherwise, he'll always feel that there are no true strong contenders left in the Jamma Empire." Ge Ye shook her head, pondering. As she sensed the growing pressure radiating from within Mo Cheng's body, the guests around her all noticed subtle shifts in their expressions. It had been several years since Mo Cheng had last stepped onto the stage, and now, his strength seemed to have grown so significantly. "He must now possess at least five-star Battle Spirit level, right? In just over two years, he's advanced by three stars—remarkable!" The guests exchanged glances, silently marveling at the progress. Gazing at the elder of his family, whose face was etched with unyielding fury, the surrounding Master-level strength of the Mo family also gripped their weapons, their faces blazing with determination, their bodies radiating bursts of ki, ready to surge forward and cleave the presumptuous figure into pulp. Standing firmly in place, the cloaked figure made no attempt to dodge. As the sharp blades of dozens of swords closed in to strike his body, a dense, pale flame surged suddenly from within, enveloping him entirely. "Shhh—" The blades, wrapped in the aura of qi, came into contact with this strange, pale flame and, within mere moments, were transformed into molten iron, hissing and splashing under a wave of astonished gazes. After the blades were consumed, the pale flame leapt and surged, sending tendrils of fire shooting out. Several unfortunate defenders, unable to evade, were scorched as the flames climbed their bodies. With only a soft, dull thud, several Master-level Mohist warriors were reduced to black ash without uttering a single cry. "Shh..." The scene of the several Moji masters' injuries immediately elicited a series of sharp inhalations throughout the hall. A wave of astonishment swept across the crowd, their eyes fixed on the still-standing black-robed figure, the sight of that pale, searing flame sending shivers down their spines. "This... is something unusual?" Eg Ye, wide-eyed, gasped aloud. You must know, my Mohist background...” The surge of pale white flame sent a sharp tremor through Mo Cheng's heart, a growing sense of unease spreading through him as he roared. “Heh, you're referring to Yunlan Sect, aren't you? But even if Yunyun were here today, she wouldn't be able to save you, Mo Cheng!” The black-robed figure cut in, his tone more arrogant than before. Yet under the weight of the pale white flame's presence, no one dared to dismiss him as merely boastful. “Hand over Qinglin, or I’ll wipe out your entire Mohist family today!” The black-robed figure took a slow step forward, his calm words suddenly sharp with lethal intensity. “I don’t know what you’re talking about! Are you truly so arrogant? You may dishonor our Mohist family, but Yunlan Sect and its Master Yunyun cannot allow you to tarnish their reputation!” As he sensed the rising menace in the black-robed figure’s words, Mo Cheng’s heart fluttered, yet he stood firm, his voice resolute and defiant. "Indeed, you've flattered me well, but I've already stated that even if Yunyun arrived today, it would make no difference!" The cloaked figure smiled calmly, then took another slow step forward. Suddenly, his body shuddered, and a surge of energy erupted beneath his feet. In an instant, he transformed into a streak of black light, nearly teleporting to appear behind Mo Cheng. "If you refuse to yield, then you shall perish." The cold, clear voice at his side caused Mo Cheng's eyes to shrink to pinpoints. Such ghostly speed sent a deep chill through his heart. Though chilled, Mo Cheng, a renowned warrior, swiftly surged with inner ki, deep crimson energy flowing like a blazing flame, completely enveloping his body. At the same time, his hands curled into claws, sharp nails resembling an eagle's, pressing firmly toward the black-robed figure's heart. Gazing at the withered hands rushing toward him, the cloaked figure chuckled coldly. With a fierce, unyielding force, he clenched his fists and drove the power directly into the palms. At once, a crisp cracking sound echoed, and Master Mo's face turned pale as a sheet. A gush of blood erupted from his mouth, splattering his robe. The force of the impact hurled him backward, sending his body crashing to the ground, where it left a long, nearly ten-meter-long trail of impact marks before he finally came to rest. In just one exchange, the renowned warrior who had gained acclaim across the eastern provinces of the Gamma Empire was effortlessly sent flying—like a gnat being brushed aside—by the cloaked figure. This dramatic turn of events left every guest in the hall stunned. Though they had already sensed the cloaked figure's exceptional prowess following his earlier display, none of them could have imagined that such strength would be so overwhelming. Even a warrior of at least five-star Spiritual Combat level was completely powerless to resist. What kind of terrifying power is this? A Battle King? A Battle Emperor? Gazing at the man whose face had gone pale—having transformed from a once-distinguished, lofty Master of the Mo Family to a disheveled old man within just a few minutes—his dark robe now whispering a calm voice, he said, "Hand over the prisoners." "You're challenging both the Mo Family and Yunlan Sect!" With a wobbly, staggered movement, he managed to rise to his feet, still firmly asserting his stance, clearly intending to use the prestige of Yunlan Sect to instill hesitation in this mysterious figure.