Lin Ye's pupils dimmed, his silence bitter. At this stage, no one could comprehend the despair and frustration in his heart.
An idea he had clung to for so many years was shattered by Ye Longlin's few words, collapsing his psychological defenses.
Boom!
Lin Ye spat out a mouthful of blood, his face rapidly paling. He had previously endured Qinglong's punch head-on, and then Ye Longlin's kick to his back as he fell from the air, causing his internal organs to be dislocated.
He couldn't even stand steady now. Further, learning the truth of the past from Ye Longlin destabilized his myriad dragon elephant realm, his vital energy rapidly draining.
Mid-grade myriad dragon elephant... low-grade myriad dragon elephant... Martial Spirit... Martial Aspect...
Within a single minute, he had dissipated his cultivation, completely reduced to an ordinary person.
Years ago, he fell from grace, harboring resentment. Now, learning the truth of the past, his cultivation was gone in a single blow.
This once formidable figure had now reached his end, failing to even enter the gates of Jinling City, his ambition dashed.
It was truly a hero's downfall.
Beside him, Xu Changfeng's blood surged, disbelief etched on his face.
Years ago, he had single-handedly broken through the Investiture of the Gods. After so many years, what terrifying height had his cultivation reached?
"Please, be human!"
"Even a monstrous prodigy wouldn't be this strong!"
"How old was he back then!"
"Let's go."
...
Within the city, many people, upon hearing news of Lin Ye, came to personally welcome him and were thus waiting inside the city.
Some had even unfurled banners, their gazes filled with eager anticipation.
The social climbers and powerful figures were eagerly watching the city gates.
Beyond hearing the commotion from outside, they were completely unaware of the situation, the city gates remaining shut.
"Heh heh, our Martial Association's Grand Elder Lin Ye has already taken action. The opponent is surely pulverized without a trace, not a single soul will survive. Our Martial Association has tens of millions of members and countless powerful experts. Any one of them can easily suppress any formidable enemy. The person who acted yesterday will definitely die at the Grand Elder's hands today!"
"Well said. Even the sons of noble military families who joined the army in recent years were leftovers that our Martial Association didn't even bother with. Cao Ziwen? Heh heh, our Martial Association wouldn't even look at him back then."
"The prestige of the Martial Association is boundless. As a disciple of the Martial Association, I am naturally honored!"
As the chatter raged within, the city gates slowly creaked open.
Ye Longlin stood at the forefront, walking in slowly. Yuan Gang was to his left, and Qinglong to his right, both a step behind him, following in his wake.
"You just said that the Martial Association has tens of millions of members, and any one of them can easily suppress any formidable enemy?"
Ye Longlin walked up to the man who had just spoken, his voice cold as he slowly inquired.
The man snorted, "So what if I did? Our Martial Association has branches all over the country. Every city has at least ten thousand members. With so many cities nationwide, the total number of Martial Association disciples surely exceeds tens of millions!"
Ye Longlin asked again, "You said that the sons of noble military families who joined the army in recent years were all leftovers from your Martial Association?"
The man continued to speak unpleasantly, "Are you f\*\*\*ing annoying? Who the hell are you, talking all this nonsense?"
"You said the prestige of the Martial Association is boundless, implying it's the best in the world?"
Ye Longlin continued to confirm, patiently inquiring.
"Damn it, you f\*\*\*..."
However, before he could finish his sentence, Ye Longlin slapped him directly across the face. The man was sent flying, crashing into the city wall, his life or death uncertain.
"The Martial Association's reign is over."
With those words, they got into their vehicles and left. News of what had transpired here began to ferment, and it was believed that soon, events here would spread to every corner of Jinling.
Meanwhile, Yan Wuji's eyes widened upon hearing the news.
As the heir of the Yan family's royal lineage, he had witnessed countless scenes. However, he had truly rarely witnessed a situation like this!
One piece of news after another swept through Jinling, making the entire city tremble. The news of the Martial Association's Grand Elder dying outside Jinling City was like a typhoon passing through, reaching Yan Wuji.
"Interesting, very interesting. This has become truly interesting. People from the Martial Association died here, and it was even the Grand Elder, the tenth ranked on the Investiture of the Gods back then. Tsk, truly interesting."
"Old Chen, I heard the breakfast at Jinling Fuxing Garden is very good. Arrange it for tomorrow."
Yan Wuji's tone shifted so quickly that his butler didn't have time to react before he swiftly changed the subject.
The butler could only comply, nodding helplessly. He truly had no way with this young master; his temperament was too erratic.
He thought of something and immediately acted, though it was also fortunate. Compared to other second-generation heirs, Yan Wuji was merely someone who caused trouble. His troubles were not significant, at least not yet crossing any lines.
Moreover, Yan Wuji was very individualistic. If he saw something he disliked, he would always butt in.
Among the many heirs of the Yan family, his chances of inheriting the family legacy were very high, not just within the family but also among the common people in Jiangnan.
"Young Master, it's just a meal. You're not going to flip the table, are you?"
The butler couldn't help but worry. This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened.
Yan Wuji rolled his eyes impatiently.
"What did you say? Martial Association's Lin Ye died outside the city, without even entering the gates?"
Upon hearing this news, Murong Renjing took a deep breath, a look of solemnity appearing in his eyes. It was clear that he also found this matter extremely troublesome.
"Yes, that is the news we received. We have sent people to confirm, and the facts are as reported. Master Ji Kong mentioned yesterday that a powerful individual had entered the city. There are also rumors that the Heavenly King appeared in Jinling. Perhaps Master Ji Kong was referring to the Heavenly King. However, it seems to have no relation to us for now."
"Furthermore, the Military God Ranking is being revised, and military personnel will be entering our area next. This might cause some trouble, but it's not directly related to us. I suggest that the capital can return early. Without their presence to stabilize the situation, we will also be implicated."
The butler saw things very clearly. These matters would certainly not die down quietly.
"Notify them to return. Confirm the marriage selection matters with a few families. If the Ye family truly intends to compete, find someone to negotiate with them. However, Ye Xingchen has not yet arrived in Jinling. Once he arrives, have Yuhan go and probe him."
Murong Renjing spoke, his brow furrowed.
"Understood."
Within the Song family, there was even greater silence, as they had already learned some things!
One of their relatives from outside had returned and happened to witness the battle today. He had recorded it with his mobile phone.
"This is the person who destroyed our plaque. According to their lip-reading, this person is... the current Heavenly King... the leader of the Investiture of the Gods... the leader of the Military Ranking... and... the Lord of the Dragon Pavilion..."