Chapter 27: The Holy Lord is a Despicable Old Codger-Eu só aceitei discípulos por acaso, como eles se tornaram Grandes Imperadores?(Espalhadas como estrelas sobre o rio inteiro.)

Just as the spirit energy sphere was about to strike the ground and detonate, a cold glint flashed in Ye Xinghe’s eyes. His hands moved in a rapid blur, forming seals as he let out a sharp command.

"Reversal of the Heavens! Taste the fruits of your own malice!"

The spirit energy sphere, which had been hurtling toward the open ground, traced an eerie arc in the air. Like a precision-guided missile, it whistled back toward the gray-clad elder with even greater velocity.

The elder’s expression shifted violently. He never imagined that Ye Xinghe possessed such heaven-defying means to forcibly alter the trajectory of the sphere and counterattack. In his panic, he hurriedly mobilized all his internal energy, his palms manifesting a thick shield of spirit energy in a desperate attempt to withstand the incoming strike.

However, the energy sphere, reinforced by Ye Xinghe’s own power and its inherent destructive force, was not something a hastily constructed shield could repel.

"BOOM!"

A thunderous explosion shook the earth as the sphere slammed into the shield. In an instant, a blinding light erupted, its shockwave sweeping outward like a raging tsunami. Nearby tables and chairs were instantly pulverized into wood splinters, and deep, spiderweb-like cracks spidered across the floor.

The gray-clad elder was sent flying by the sheer force. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he was tossed through the air like a broken kite, crashing heavily dozens of feet away. After rolling several times, he finally came to a halt, gasping for breath. He was pale as paper, his clothes in tatters, and his exposed skin covered in blood and abrasions—he was clearly severely wounded.

The onlookers were stunned, gasping in disbelief. They could not fathom how Ye Xinghe had performed such an incredible feat, effortlessly neutralizing and reversing the elder's attack to inflict such a crushing blow. His strength and techniques far exceeded their imagination. The other experts of the Sima family were equally frozen in shock, momentarily forgetting to continue their assault. Their initial contempt for Ye Xinghe had vanished, replaced by a deep-seated dread. The head of the Sima family felt the same; he knew Ye Xinghe was no longer the "useless peak master" he once was, but he had not expected such terrifying power.

Ye Xinghe, however, seemed deaf to their astonishment, his gaze locked firmly on the Sima family members.

The Sima family would never let this go, but he did not fear them. The leader of the black-clad experts roared, "Ye Xinghe, you despicable coward! Daring to use tricks! Today, we will tear you to pieces!" With that, he brandished his long blade and led the others in a charge toward Ye Xinghe.

Suddenly, a scorching red shadow streaked across the sky like a meteor, blocking the path before Ye Xinghe. The crowd focused their eyes to see Zhao Changsheng standing there.

Zhao Changsheng’s expression was cold. His hands moved in a rapid sequence of seals as he chanted, his inner spirit energy surging, accompanied by a crimson glow. As he moved, a dazzling red light enveloped him, with flames flickering and dancing within.

"If you want to harm my master, you must go through me first!"

Zhao Changsheng let out a thunderous shout: "Crimson Flame Heaven-Burning Art!"

The sound was like the tolling of a great bell. He thrust his palms forward, and a massive, crimson-red flame erupted from between them, surging toward the Sima experts like a roaring dragon of fire, claws bared. This was no ordinary fire; it was a spirit flame condensed through the Crimson Flame Heaven-Burning Art. Wherever the flame passed, the very air hissed, distorting into black ripples. The intense heat made everyone present feel a terrifying power capable of incinerating all things.

The Sima experts changed color, stopping dead in their tracks as they stared in horror at the approaching flame dragon. They could sense the immense power within the fire—it was not something they could easily withstand. The leader of the black-clad experts widened his eyes: "What... what technique is this? How can it be so powerful!"

The onlookers were equally dumbfounded. The various peak masters had never seen such a domineering flame technique, nor had they expected Zhao Changsheng to possess such a formidable move.

Some of the older, more experienced cultivators frowned, secretly wondering: this Crimson Flame Heaven-Burning Art appeared to be a long-lost secret technique—why would it be in Zhao Changsheng’s possession?

Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, the flame dragon plowed into the Sima family's ranks with earth-shattering momentum. Screams echoed as the experts were scorched, their skin peeling and flesh tearing as they writhed in agony on the ground. They desperately tried to channel their energy to repel the flames, only to find the fire clung to them like a parasite, impossible to extinguish.

Zhao Changsheng stood motionless, watching the struggling Sima experts with a cold, merciless gaze. These people had come with ill intent; if they were not dealt a heavy blow, they would never let his master or the Sacred Grounds be.

A moment later, Zhao Changsheng slowly withdrew his energy, and the raging flames gradually faded. The Sima experts were now in a wretched state, each one suffering from grievous wounds. Seeing his experts battered by the Crimson Flame Heaven-Burning Art, the Sima family head was both shocked and enraged. When had his family ever been humiliated like this?

He pointed a trembling finger at Zhao Changsheng and shouted, "Zhao Changsheng, how dare you! To steal my Sima family’s secret art—such a despicable act is the height of shamelessness! If you do not give me an explanation today, my Sima family will never rest until you are destroyed!"

Zhao Changsheng was taken aback for a moment before retorting angrily, "Sima family head, do not spout baseless accusations! This Crimson Flame Heaven-Burning Art was taught to me by my master, Ye Xinghe. What has it to do with your Sima family? What is your motive for slandering me like this?"

The Sima family head sneered, "Do you think you can deceive everyone? This art is a secret inheritance of the Sima family, never shared with outsiders. How could a mere disciple like you learn it? You and your master must have stolen it in secret, plotting to claim it as your own."

Hearing the slander, Ye Xinghe spoke with righteous indignation: "Sima family head, stop your lying. I have my own origins for this technique; it is not a possession of your family. To satisfy your own greed, you would stoop to twisting the truth and framing my disciple—it is truly contemptible."

The Sima family head ignored Ye Xinghe’s explanation, turning to address the Sacred Master loudly: "Sacred Master, you see it for yourself. Ye Xinghe and his disciple have stolen our family’s secret art, a clear violation of the rules of the cultivation world. If the Sacred Grounds do not punish them, other sects will surely criticize you later. I ask that you be the judge and hand these two over to my family for disposal, to restore justice."