Chapter 601: Did We Just Win?

“Hehehe.”

“If you two don’t submit to Lü Gong’s memory check, neither of you is leaving today.”

Having made up his mind, Wang Ai decided to go all the way.

If Zhang Jie and Zhang Chulan carried any clues to the Qi Body Source Flow,

or even a secret scripture, he would immediately seize them and leave Longhu Mountain.

And if this was just a misunderstanding, what harm would there be?

He was one of the Ten Elders—wasn’t it perfectly reasonable to invite two juniors for a “discussion”?

Would the Celestial Master’s Mansion really break ties with the Wang and Lü families over two novices who hadn’t even entered the door?

Zhang Jie currently didn’t possess the ability to hear others’ thoughts—the Observation Haki—

otherwise he’d have definitely muttered that this old man thought far too highly of himself.

The old Celestial Master was the kind of man who could descend the mountain alone and challenge the entire Quanxing sect.

A mere outsider family wasn’t even enough to warm him up.

It seemed that over the years, the old Celestial Master had cultivated tranquility, never leaving Longhu Mountain, and grown ever more benevolent and gentle—

causing old men like Wang Ai to forget his temper.

How had the old Celestial Master behaved in his youth, anyway…?

Hmm, his style was even more villainous than Wu Gensheng, the top boss of Quanxing.

And that “hehehe” laugh—did your Wang family get absorbed by the Soul Palace and become a branch of One World?

“Jie-ge.”

Zhang Chulan was startled by the terrifying aura and Qi output radiating from Wang Ai; the power of these elder figures in the outsider world

was clearly beyond what these youngsters could even pretend to challenge—he quickly stepped in front of Zhang Jie to shield him.

Facing this malicious old man, only Jie-ge, who had always remained unfathomable, could give him a sliver of safety.

With Zhang Jie’s strength, even if he wasn’t Wang Ai’s match, couldn’t he still break through the blockade?

He didn’t believe Wang Ai would dare escalate things on Longhu Mountain!

Beside them, Lü Ci leisurely lifted the steaming tea on the table and took a sip.

Lü Gong’s face also broke into a smile—now that Wang Ai had acted, they were safely seated on the fishing platform today.

“Come here quietly!”

Wang Ai waved his hand, covered in age spots, and the black Qi enveloping the entire courtyard transformed into two massive hands,

reaching to seize Zhang Jie and Zhang Chulan, clearly intending to crush them instantly.

“Idiot!”

Facing Wang Ai’s certain grasp, Zhang Jie didn’t even look up, muttering a contemptuous curse.

With a “hum,” an boundless aura erupted, crushing down upon Wang Ai like a mountain descending from heaven.

Ssssshhhh—

Black lightning spread through the air, as if space itself was being torn apart beneath Zhang Jie’s aura.

“What is this?”

Wang Ai’s eyes bulged.

In that instant, he felt an ancient, eternal divine mountain bearing down on him—no escape, no defense!

Crack.

Lü Ci’s teacup shattered violently; scalding tea spilled from his fingers, drenching his body, yet he seemed unaware.

This aura was too terrifying—he had never seen such power in anyone else.

Not even the old Celestial Master, who had dominated the outsider world for nearly a century and whom he had revered and feared his entire life!

“Just a mere junior—how could he possess such terrifying cultivation? Illusions! All illusions!”

Wang Ai slammed his dragon-headed cane, and even more furious black Qi surged from his body.

“Hehe.”

“Haha.”

“Wuwu.”

“Hehe.”

Dozens of phantom faces—some grinning, some grotesque, some cruel—all brimming with hatred—emerged.

Boom!

The boundless aura descended slowly, yet with impossible speed.

Wang Ai’s true Qi vanished like snow under the sun.

Even those phantom faces and flickering figures shattered instantly, crushed into green smoke.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Zhang Chulan, watching Zhang Jie’s move with every detail,

thought he saw relief on their faces.

Thud!

A great bell’s resonance rang in Wang Ai’s mind; his consciousness shattered instantly.

He had just risen to his feet when his eyes rolled back and he slumped sideways onto the master’s chair.

The dragon-headed cane he had always gripped tightly, never letting go, fell to the ground like trash.

Without Wang Ai’s control, the black Qi dissipated; sunlight streamed back in, and the main hall glowed bright again.

But Lü Gong’s mood plunged to the lowest depths, opposite to the bright sunshine.

As for Lü Ci?

He, too, like Wang Ai, had fallen into infantile slumber.

Two old men relying on their age—did Zhang Jie need to spare them even a shred of dignity?

“Jie…Jie-ge, did we…did we just win?”

Looking at Wang Ai and Lü Ci slumped on the chair, Zhang Chulan felt as if in a dream, utterly unreal.

These were the Ten Elders—the pinnacle of power and status in the outsider world!

Two of them, just like that, felled by Jie-ge’s hand?

Jie-ge hadn’t even moved a single step!

“What, not satisfying enough?

Should I wake them up so you can fight them for three hundred rounds?”

Zhang Jie teased.

“No, no, this is perfect as it is.”

Zhang Chulan shook his head like a rattle.

Lü Ci and Wang Ai were weak against Jie-ge—but if he faced them himself,

even ten of him wouldn’t stand a chance against the Ten Elders.

“Jie-ge, what ability did you use?”

Shock gave way to curiosity; Zhang Chulan’s curiosity was about to overflow.

What kind of ultimate ability could instantly knock out two Ten Elders?

Even Lü Gong, trapped in fear, involuntarily perked up his ears.

Although Zhang Jie had used this ability to knock out three outsiders during the competition,

could those three compare to the heads of the Lü and Wang families—two Ten Elders?

“Haki. I used Conqueror’s Haki.”

There was no need to hide it—Zhang Jie spoke plainly.

The convenience of Conqueror’s Haki in clearing weaklings was simply too perfect—he couldn’t get enough of it.

“Conqueror’s Haki?

Jie-ge, your ability really does resemble the Conqueror’s Haki from One Piece—naming it that is entirely fitting.”

Zhang Chulan nodded, deeply agreeing.

The One World, created based on the Blue Planet,

although it had outsiders like those from both East and West, its historical trajectory strangely mirrored that of the Blue Planet,

where the West had a nation seemingly ruled by art students launching the First and Second Global Brawls;

and in the East, a great savior descended to rescue that suffering people.

Of course, “outsider” was the term used in this realm; in the West, those with abilities were usually called wizards;

in a certain Eastern country whose daily life kept worsening, they were called onmyōji or samurai.

Under this backdrop, the three big shonen manga emerged naturally—and given their popularity, Zhang Chulan had certainly read them.

He couldn’t agree more with Zhang Jie naming this ability—using overwhelming presence to subdue without fighting—“Conqueror’s Haki.”

It was vivid, easy to understand, and utterly imposing—wasn’t it?

Zhang Jie: Could I possibly tell you my ability actually came from One Piece’s Conqueror’s Haki?

One can only say: the bigger the forest, the more kinds of birds there are;

and across the countless multiverses, any miracle is possible.

‘Still, based on the manga’s depiction of Conqueror’s Haki, it seems only effective against weaklings,

Not so useful against true top-tier experts—at least not enough to instantly knock them unconscious.

Could it be that Jiege’s ability manifests similarly to Conqueror’s Haki, but its inner core is entirely different?

Zhang Chulan speculated in his mind.

It couldn’t possibly be that the Ten Elders, atop the Yiren world, would fall before Zhang Jie

Like mere foot soldiers knocked out by a boss’s Conqueror’s Haki in One Piece?

That would be utterly absurd — it would be a cruel joke.