Wude was, after all, an elder of the Wu family, and a Saint Realm powerhouse at that. Yet, he was killed so casually. The critical issue was that a dignified Saint Realm powerhouse, someone who had touched the very ceiling of this world, had his head crushed like that. This was… too surreal!
This display stunned the remaining five individuals, causing them to stand up, their eyes filled with disbelief, shock, and dread.
How could someone so easily crush such a top-tier existence? He was merely at the peak of the Dao Realm. No matter how monstrous he was, he shouldn't be capable of reaching this level.
Everyone present was dumbfounded.
Let alone the five Saint Realm experts, even Qin Wudao was bewildered!
He was born into the Zhenwu Qin family and understood the immense gap between the Dao Realm and the Saint Realm. The difference was immeasurable, like the disparity between a stream and the vast ocean!
Who had ever seen a stream swallow the ocean?
It defied the most fundamental principles!
Ye Longlin, no matter how monstrous, couldn't possibly reach such a level, right?
"Ye Longlin, what sorcery did you use to kill Wude!"
Ye Zhengchun also couldn't help but stand up, his eyes filled with apprehension. Without knowing Ye Longlin's trump cards, he felt a sense of panic.
He was also a first-level Saint Realm cultivator. If he could easily kill Wude, it meant he could also easily kill himself. He certainly didn't want to die an ignominious death at Ye Longlin's hands!
Ye Longlin slowly raised his head and chuckled, "Can't I break through to the Saint Realm?"
This statement made their eyes widen even further, disbelief dawning in their gazes!
Impossible!
Even monstrous talents had their limits!
Given his age and cultivation, reaching the peak Dao Realm was already an extraordinary feat. Even some veteran powerhouses hadn't achieved that. He had already surpassed countless individuals; there was no way he could surpass them further, right?
If Ye Longlin had indeed entered the Saint Realm, wouldn't that imply they were all good-for-nothings? Or perhaps, at their age, they had lived their lives in vain?
"Impossible! The youngest Saint Realm cultivator in history was the Sword Saint of the past, who broke through at forty-five. Even if you are more monstrous than him, you couldn't possibly have entered the Saint Realm before thirty!"
Ye Zhengchun simply refused to believe it, or rather, he couldn't accept such a fact. If Ye Longlin had truly reached the Saint Realm, with his methods and combat prowess, they might not be able to kill him today.
Ye Longlin extended a hand and chuckled, "Nothing is impossible."
"Don't measure me with your ignorance."
The next moment, a golden radiance descended upon him from the sky. In front of him, a series of steps formed by golden light appeared above the entire capital!
"Saint Steps!"
Ye Zhengchun and the others exclaimed in unison, their voices choked with shock!
He had truly broken through to the Saint Realm, and right before them!
If they didn't believe him, he would show them himself?
With the Saint Steps appearing, they had no choice but to believe, even if they were unwilling!
The Saint Realm had nine heavens, with each step signifying ascension. This was no joke!
Once one entered the Saint Realm, their strength doubled, making them incomparable to Dao Realm cultivators. With Ye Longlin's current power, once it doubled, wouldn't killing Saint Realm cultivators be as easy as playing?
"Prepare yourselves. Once he finishes walking the Saint Steps, we strike directly!"
After completing the Saint Steps, the steps would transform into power that surged into his body, a period of weakness for him. This was their only opportunity.
If they seized this chance, even if they couldn't kill him instantly, they could essentially cripple him!
"Understood!"
Ye Longlin leaped up, taking a step onto the Saint Steps. The golden steps beneath his feet began to spread across his entire body. The moment he stepped onto the Saint Steps, he had officially entered the Saint Realm.
The nine heavens of the Saint Realm – the gap between each of these levels was vast, which was why they were so meticulously divided!
Qin Wudao gazed at the scene in the sky, taking a deep breath. His eyes were filled with profound shock. "I never expected Commander Ye to break through to the Saint Realm at this juncture!"
"While the Dao Realm has touched the ceiling, it is not the ceiling itself. The Saint Realm is the true ceiling. In an era where Earthly Immortals have not appeared, the nine heavens of the Saint Realm represent the peak powerhouses."
Above the Saint Realm lay Earthly Immortals, but such peak powerhouses hadn't emerged for over a century. The strongest had only been Saint Realm ninth-heaven cultivators who appeared more than a hundred years ago.
Today, even Saint Realm fifth-heaven cultivators were considered the most elite.
Qin Wudao glanced at Li Qingsong and sneered, "What is the cultivation level of Tang Long, whom you follow?"
Li Qingsong's face had turned deathly pale. He sat on the ground, completely losing his composure, devoid of any dignity.
The Saint Realm!
It was a realm countless martial artists dreamed of entering. Once one reached this realm, even the Hall of Glory would have to treat them with utmost seriousness.
Dao Realm cultivators were still within the jurisdiction of the Zhenwu Division, but Saint Realm powerhouses were not.
Every Saint Realm powerhouse was a strategic asset. A single Saint Realm expert could destroy a city in a mere hour. If such individuals were not governed, it would bring dire consequences to Great Xia.
Therefore, every Saint Realm powerhouse had signed a treaty!
Inner Courtyard.
The Great Elder was cooking at home. He had cured some cured meats during the New Year, and they were just right to eat now. It was a pity his teeth weren't what they used to be; otherwise, he would have rendered the fatty meat dry!
"Great Elder, Great Elder!"
Ning Qi rushed in, panting, his face also filled with shock.
"What is it? Rushing in like this, what sort of decorum is that?"
The Great Elder frowned instinctively.
For a moment, Ning Qi felt as if he had returned to the Second Elder's courtyard. The Second Elder had once said the same words to him. But now, things had changed!
"Commander Ye has broken through to the Saint Realm!"
The chopsticks in the Great Elder's hand dropped to the ground. His eyes widened, and his breathing quickened. Clearly, he couldn't believe this news!
Entering the Saint Realm meant Ye Longlin had become a cornerstone powerhouse of Great Xia. Even if he was unwilling to return to the position of Supreme Commander, as long as he signed the treaty, he would be one of the military's foundations!
Such a person could not die!
"Are you sure? This cannot be a joke!"
Saint Realm powerhouses were incredibly precious. In recent decades, three foundational powerhouses had died, and no new ones had emerged, causing them much concern. Now, with Ye Longlin becoming a Saint Realm cultivator, it was only natural that he would be given a new status!
"Notify the Imperial Guards to be on standby. I will go personally!"