As Wu Tangge descended into the lower realms, he felt a disturbance ripple through the spiritual veins of the land. His crimson robes fluttered as he narrowed his eyes toward the source of chaos.
"Something... interesting is happening nearby."
With a sinister smile curling on his lips, he vanished in a blur of shadow and wind.
---
High above a battlefield, Wu Tangge hovered silently, concealing his immense cultivation. Below, two sects clashed—Thunder Sect and Heaven Thrilling Sect. The once-proud Thunder Sect was faltering, its formation weakening by the second.
"Ah, so the Thunder Sect is losing... poisoned ancestors, a broken core. How pitiful." Wu Tangge chuckled inwardly. "But if I help them... they'll be mine to command. Hehehe..."
His smile turned malevolent.
---
Thunder Sect - Main Hall
Tension filled the vast chamber. Eight elders sat on ornate chairs, while above them loomed the Thunder Sect's leader, Hua Lin, his brows furrowed in deep worry.
First Elder: "Sect Leader, we must fight! If we wait, they'll destroy us anyway."
Sixth Elder scoffed: "And if we fight, we lose. We should accept their terms and surrender the princess."
Second Elder slammed his palm on the table: "You dare suggest marrying off our sect leader's daughter to those animals? She's a prodigy!"
Sixth Elder smirked: "A prodigy? If she becomes the wife of Heaven Thrilling Sect's Leader Disciple, we survive."
Before the argument could escalate further, a calm yet arrogant voice echoed through the hall.
Wu Tangge: "Keep your voices down. We're not deaf, are we, elders?"
All heads snapped toward the grand entrance. A young man in black robes stood casually at the gate, arms folded, a smug grin on his face.
Eighth Elder: "Wh-What? How did he get past the barrier!?"
Fifth Elder: "The formation should have stopped him!"
Wu Tangge chuckled. "That weak thing? I showed a glimpse of my aura and it opened like a servant to its master."
The room went dead silent.
Sect Leader Hua Lin stood slowly. "I don't know who you are, but speak your purpose. Are you with Heaven Thrilling Sect?"
Wu Tangge shook his head mockingly. "Them? They're ants. I'm here to help you… for a price."
The elders scanned him with their spiritual sense—Nascent Soul Peak Realm.
Seventh Elder scoffed: "You? Help us? You're barely at Nascent Soul. I could crush you with one finger—"
Before he could finish, Wu Tangge appeared in front of him like a phantom and slapped him across the face. The elder flew backward, smashing into the wall with a loud crack.
Wu Tangge sneered: "You'll kill me? If I weren't interested in using you, I'd erase your soul."
The hall fell into shocked silence.
Hua Lin immediately bowed, swallowing his pride. "Senior Wu Tangge... may I ask who you are?"
"I am Wu Tangge... from the Upper World," he said calmly, enjoying their widened eyes and stiffened spines.
"From... the Upper World?!" the elders exclaimed in unison, suddenly lowering their heads.
Hua Lin gestured to the grand chair. "Please, Senior Wu Tangge, take my seat."
Wu Tangge sat leisurely, resting his leg on his knee. "Your enemy is weak. I'll destroy them for you."
The elders looked at one another, unsure whether to laugh or fear him.
Just then, a voice thundered from outside.
Li Mo: "Hua Lin! Have you decided? Will your daughter marry my disciple, or must we take her by force?"
Hua Lin looked to Wu Tangge. "That is Li Mo, Sect Leader of Heaven Thrilling Sect."
Wu Tangge stood, stretching lazily. "Let's go see the clown."
---
Outside the Thunder Sect's gate, Li Mo waited with his disciples. At his side stood his so-called "genius" disciple.
Li Mo sneered: "So, Hua Lin, what's your answer? Will your daughter—"
But his words died in his throat as Wu Tangge stepped forward.
Wu Tangge pointed at Li Mo's disciple. "This brat? Emperor Realm Peak? That's laughable."
Li Mo's face turned red. "You insolent cur! You're just Nascent Soul! You dare speak to me like that!?"
Wu Tangge's smile grew darker. "Your cultivation is so low I don't even want to kill you. I might dirty my hand."
Li Mo roared and lunged forward, punching with 90% of his power. His fist struck Wu Tangge directly in the chest—yet the impact did nothing.
Li Mo staggered back, stunned. "What?! That was 90% of my strength!"
Wu Tangge flicked his finger.
A single flick.
Crack!
Li Mo was blasted several meters backward, his chest sliced open as if by a blade.
Wu Tangge walked forward slowly. "That was a flick of my finger. You really thought you could stand before me?"
He leaned closer, smiling like a devil. "Now... kneel."