Chapter 186 – The Elder Who Seeks the Ultimate Path

“This can’t be real… I must be dreaming…” Yuan Jiaxiong muttered to himself, clearly losing his composure as he wore a dazed expression.

In contrast, Ma Jiaying snapped back to reality upon hearing this and roared hoarsely: “Guards! Kill him!! Kill that brat!!!”

It must be said that Ma Jiaying’s shout was extraordinarily loud, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

Among them were three Innate Elders who immediately sprang into action upon hearing the command.

Meanwhile, Ye Kuang’s face was contorted in agony. Though he could sense the killing intent approaching, he was utterly helpless.

If he forced himself to stand and resist now, he would likely explode and die before even exchanging a single move!

“Hahaha…” Seeing this, Ma Jiaying laughed triumphantly, clearly harboring deep hatred for Ye Kuang.

As the three Elders arrived almost simultaneously, raising their fists to deliver deadly blows,

At that moment, Ye Kuang truly felt despair!

Many thoughts crossed his mind – not only had he failed to achieve his ideals, but he might not even get to see his parents one last time.

Thinking this, he gradually grew frantic and suddenly found himself struggling to stand.

But then, a large hand inexplicably pressed against the crown of his head, followed by a thunderous roar that echoed throughout the mountain!

“Calm your mind, steady your breath!”

BANG!!!

Immediately after, the three Elders’ fists that were originally aimed at Ye Kuang instead struck an old man’s back in succession.

Though Ye Kuang could neither hear nor see, he could still sense that familiar aura.

Tears welled in his eyes, mixing with blood as they trailed down his eyelids, before he abruptly sat back down in meditation.

Because he knew exactly who this old man was.

Moreover, Ye Kuang trusted in the old man’s capabilities. Scenes from their parting that day silently flashed through the depths of his heart.

This elder had taught him that there’s always someone stronger, that beyond every mountain lies a higher peak; he had also taught him about the five great realms of martial arts;

This was the half-mentor Ye Kuang had once met, the enlightened master respected by both Feng Mingxue and the Masked Man.

At this moment, the three Elders paled in terror, successively sent flying by a tremendous wave of energy.

As everyone regained their senses, the old man sharply turned around, facing over a dozen Innate Elders with his cloudy aged eyes.

That seemingly harmless gaze actually radiated an overwhelming, contemptuous aura.

Then came the shocking discovery – as the group of Elders stepped forward, they were successively intimidated by this piercing stare, none daring to act rashly.

They seemed completely lost, trapped within those sharp eyes, unable to extricate themselves.

Even the five Dao Inquiry Realm experts including the Dragon King found themselves locked by the intense energy, simultaneously ceasing their movements as they all turned to look.

“Is this… Dao Inquiry Peak?”

“How is this possible? How could anyone in this world break through to Dao Inquiry Ultimate? Strange… truly strange…”

“Just who is this man?”

It could be said that only the five Dao Inquiry Realm experts present could still speak.

As for the others, without exception they stood under this astonishing pressure, secretly gasping while unable to articulate their thoughts.

The Elder: “It seems I’ve interrupted everyone’s enjoyment, haven’t I?”

Only when these soft words fell did the Innate Realm experts regain their composure, finally taking the steps they had been unable to moments before.Leng Qianxun, witnessing the scene, couldn’t help but exclaim in horror, “Soul-Seizing!”

Hearing this, even the Dragon King’s eyes sharpened involuntarily.

Not to mention White-Brow and the Tall-Fat and Short-Thin Elders—each of them paled at these words, their expressions shifting dramatically.

The Elder, however, seemed somewhat surprised by this reaction. He glanced at Leng Qianxun with clear approval. “Keen eyes.”

Unbeknownst to him, the Dragon King quietly revealed an eager, combative glint upon hearing this.

Noticing this battle-hungry look, the Elder asked indifferently, “Want to try? But I must advise you—abandon that thought. As you are now, you’re no match for me.”

Unexpectedly, instead of showing fear, the Dragon King grew even more fired up, his fighting spirit soaring at the challenge.

In the next moment, the Dragon King abruptly stepped forward, launching an attack without hesitation!

Yet the Elder seemed to regard the assault with utter indifference.

“You’re far too arrogant!!” the Dragon King roared.

As the words fell, his fist shot toward the Elder’s chest, carrying a murderous aura that filled the air.

Whoosh—BOOM!

Before the strike even landed, the air itself compressed into layers of explosive shockwaves, deafening to the ears.

“Sigh… I told you, you’re no match for me.” With those soft-spoken words, the Elder casually extended a single index finger, pressing it forward slowly.

Ssss—!

Instantly, the Dragon King’s overwhelming sharpness deflated like a punctured balloon, vanishing without a trace.

Hiss—!

In that moment, as the movements of both combatants abruptly ceased, Leng Qianxun and the other three could hardly conceal their utter shock and disbelief!

None had expected that even someone as formidable as the Dragon King would appear as helpless as an infant before the Elder, unable to withstand a single exchange.

They were well aware of the Dragon King’s strength—even if he was no longer at his peak, he still possessed the power of the Dao Inquiry Realm. Who could have imagined the gap between Dao Inquiry and Dao Inquiry Ultimate would be so vast? The two were clearly not on the same level.

At this realization, even the typically confident Leng Qianxun and the others felt deeply disheartened.

The Elder asked, “Shall we continue?”

Hearing this, the Dragon King’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, clearly still unwilling to concede.

Yet the Dragon King was one to accept defeat gracefully. He let out a bitter laugh and said, “Refusing to admit defeat when you’ve clearly lost is the act of a coward… Besides, I’ve always known how to lose with dignity.”

Then, his tone shifted abruptly, turning domineering as he declared, “However, I am not one to accept defeat lightly. If we meet again someday, I will challenge you properly!”

With that, the Dragon King turned and strode away without a backward glance, clearly no longer concerned with the grudges of the moment.

The Elder said nothing further, seeming pleased with this outcome.

“What about the rest of you? Does anyone else wish to try?”

Leng Qianxun: “…”

Elder White-Brow: “…”

The Tall-Fat and Short-Thin Elders: “…”

Seeing their silence, the Elder seemed to lose interest. He then pointed at a certain young man and said calmly, “I’ll be taking this lad with me. He has important duties ahead and cannot perish here.”

Elder White-Brow frowned deeply upon hearing this, clearly taken aback.

It could be said that the words “Dao Inquiry Ultimate” weighed upon them like Mount Tai, leaving them powerless to resist.

Even if White-Brow joined forces with the Tall-Fat and Short-Thin Elders, they would likely be no match for this Elder.

“I have no objections,” Leng Qianxun said. “In fact, I rather think this young man shows promise.”

But as soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly turned toward someone with a mocking smile. “However, I wonder what that old fool White-Brow thinks about this.””You…” Elder White-Brow grew agitated upon hearing this, clearly displeased with Leng Qianxun’s insinuating tone. He immediately retorted in kind: “Leng Qianxun! Do you truly believe we can do nothing about you?”

“The mere fact that your disciples attacked the Xingyi Sect has already determined that this matter cannot be peacefully resolved between us!”