? Upon hearing the elder deity announce that both parties would take the stage, Qingya’s heart involuntarily tightened. Seizing the moment before Qin Feng had yet to step onto the platform, she asked with concern, “How do you feel about your chances? You’ve only just ascended to the heavenly realm for three months—definitely not a match for Ju Ling Shen. You must choose to be strategic and cautious; absolutely avoid a prolonged, all-out battle.” Qin Feng shrugged, “Don’t worry—I’ve got a clear plan.” With that, he turned and ascended the stage, his refined demeanor standing in stark contrast to the self-assured warrior Ju Ling Shen. Ju Ling Shen strode confidently onto the platform, deliberately placing each footstep with weight to create a commanding presence, carrying two massive axes with sharp blades gleaming with a cold brilliance. The elder deity made a gesture of invitation, signaling that the two could freely negotiate. On the stage, the party that makes a request is seen as bold; if the other party fails to accept, it is considered hesitant—thus, whoever makes the first move holds the advantage. As a seasoned veteran of the heavenly court, Ju Ling Shen naturally knew this point and had already made up his mind—despite being accused of playing the big guy against the little one, he would press Qin Feng to agree to his unyielding, lifelong duel condition. He cleared his throat and said, "Chu Xi youngster, your very appearance here is surprising. Are you truly willing to accept my challenge terms?" Qin, coolly snorted, "Didn't you just want to settle for a lifelong duel? Why all the indirectness?" Ju Ling Shen blushed, about to reveal what he truly thought—when suddenly, he noticed General Li Jing, across the way, giving him a subtle signal. What does that mean? Among the heavenly generals, Ju Ling Shen was renowned for his exceptional martial prowess and never failed to lead from the front lines, yet his only flaw was his low intelligence—famously so. Li Jing, as a marshal, often appreciated generals like this—simple, straightforward, always charging forward, regardless of what he was told. Yet at times, the gap in intelligence created a rather awkward situation: communication became difficult. Matters that could be clearly conveyed in just one sentence to other generals might require ten sentences from Jigu Ling Shen, and even then, the recipient might not fully grasp them. Sometimes, a single glance from the commander would suffice to convey the message to his subordinates, but when addressing Jigu Ling Shen, one would grow weary simply from lifting their eyelids, only to find that the latter still couldn’t understand the intended action. Take the present moment: Li Jing clearly intended to convey that they must absolutely avoid a final, irreconcilable conflict with Qin Feng, yet Jigu Ling Shen failed to grasp the underlying meaning. Indeed, Li Jing himself often felt frustrated by his own intelligence, though he couldn’t help it—this quality was unlike cultivation, which could be improved through persistent effort. Since he couldn't gauge his superior's intentions, he had consulted many people, only to find that the number of times things went awry far exceeded the number of times he was right—without seeing the marshal's eyes, it was still manageable; but once he did, it became even more confusing. The giant god's brows gradually furrowed into a knot. Li Jing glanced at him and immediately thought: trouble. He had forgotten that the man wasn't particularly sharp—had he known that, he should have come sooner. With both of them already on the stage, there was nothing more to say. There were established rules for the arena—every matter was decided solely by the two contestants on stage, and no one else could interfere, even though Li Jing was the supreme commander of the heavenly army. Qin Feng, noticing his opponent's growing unease, asked with genuine interest, "Big guy, what are you worried about? I heard that last time you barged into the arena without permission, Lord Nezha gave you a good dressing-down, even landing several solid blows on your backside—causing your flowers to bloom. Is that true?" "This has been a deep source of pain for Ju Ling Shen, to have it mentioned in front of everyone, making him feel deeply embarrassed—he immediately jumps up: 'Chu Xia junior, if you insist on making me fight you until one of us dies, dare you face me?' Li Jing quickly covers his face, forcing out a few words: 'You're a fool! I've been ruined by you!' Below, Qing Ya clasps her hands, murmuring: 'Don't agree, don't agree...' The handsome young man is startled, while Tao Xiang, completely unfazed, claps his hands and says: 'Qin brother, you're magnificent! I've long had a grudge against Ju Ling Shen—so ugly, yet always showing off, completely ignoring our handsome men's feelings. Qin brother, go ahead and finish him off with one well-aimed blow!' Qin makes a smile, adopts an air of supreme confidence, and declares: 'I've been waiting for you to say exactly this. Ju surname, before we begin, I have one question for you.' Ju Ling Shen replies with pride: 'Ask away. Considering that you're about to die, I'll certainly answer you.'" "Have you washed your neck yet? If not, go back now and do it— I'm not in a hurry, I'll wait for you." Qin Feng's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly to everyone. A great honor indeed—when one Buddha emerges and another ascends, no one has ever dared to shame someone so publicly, especially not in front of the Monkey King. With hands outstretched, he pulled the axe from his back and swung it swiftly: "Young man, if I don't dismember you right now, then I'll write my name in reverse—on the back of the giant spirit of Ju Ling." Li Jing was nearly crying, mentally calculating how to act—how to honor the face of the Heavenly Emperor, how to preserve the dignity of the Jade Emperor, and also his own—without making the Giant Spirit feel too humiliated. Man, it's face after face, everywhere, and one can hardly breathe. "Young man, now present your weapon." "Jiuling Shen saw him motionless and thought he was afraid, saying, 'You're a junior, and I don't want to be accused of treating the young with arrogance. How about this—I'll let you have three strikes first.' Qin Shao's eyes lit up: 'Really?' 'Once I've spoken, even four horses can't outpace me. If I say you get three strikes, you'll get exactly three.' Jiuling Shen proudly declared, 'I'll only defend—I won't counterattack. Once those three strikes pass, it'll be your time of death.' 'No need for three strikes—just one will do,' Qin Shao said calmly, now steady as he drew out the Haotian Hammer and twirled it in his hands. Jiuling Shen burst into laughter: 'One strike? You're truly a bold young man with no sense of humility! Very well—I won't use my axe to defend. See how you break my spiritual shield! Come!' Qin Shao was thrilled inside, willingly giving up his axe—what a big fool you are! Watch me take you down. With a relaxed, unhurried motion, he launched the hammer, shouting, 'One strike, and I'll shatter the Among the six techniques of the hammer, the most refined is the Supreme Ultimate Way; yet the most direct and powerful is the first move, One Hammer to Break the Heavens—simple, unadorned, and devastating. Thud… In the astonished gaze of all present, the Giant Spirit God was launched skyward by the now-enlarged Heavenly Hammer, transforming into a streak of light across the heavens as he cried out. This, however, is not yet the worst. As his body soared, both axes unexpectedly slipped from his hands and fell to the ground below the platform. Before the Heavenly Hammer, even the refined spiritual shield of a superior spiritual immortal proved utterly vulnerable.