Chapter 165 Settled

"Since our master has unleashed his transcendent blade technique, that Earl King is destined to die. Hahaha, how utterly arrogant of him to try and block our master's transcendent blade technique; he is simply courting his own death," a disciple of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall boasted smugly, believing that the battle was already over.

"The outcome has been decided. What Grandmaster Council's Earl King? He's nothing more than lucky, I suppose. Under our master's transcendent blade technique, his defeat is certain."

"The master will use his transcendent blade technique to cripple him, letting that fellow know just how formidable our Black檀 Martial Arts Hall truly is."

...

The disciples of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall were convinced that victory was already in their master's hands, clearly confident in the immense power of the transcendent blade technique.

A smile played at the corner of Shen An's mouth as the primordial energy in his palms surged to its absolute peak. He believed a single crushing fist would be more than enough; the opponent stood no chance of easily withstanding his crushing fist.

"Hmph, I'd like to see whether your transcendent blade technique or my crushing fist is stronger. Prepare to take my blow!" Shen An gave a cold shout, immediately driving forward with a fist carrying overwhelming momentum directly toward the master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall.

Even a tank could not withstand this single strike, let alone the master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall.

Although the opponent had already deployed the transcendent blade technique, it was all in vain. Absolute strength shatters all techniques—Shen An's crushing fist was simply too formidable for the master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall to resist.

The fist landed squarely on the master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall, instantly blasting him backward through the air. He crashed straight into the ranks of his own disciples, his face ashen as he vomited mouthful after mouthful of blood.

In his wildest dreams, the master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall could never have imagined he would suffer such a crushing defeat.

"How is this possible? I was defeated by him so easily?" The master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall stared at Shen An, realizing at last that the title of Earl King was fully deserved.

Without sufficient strength, how could anyone have driven him to such a miserable state?

"Master, are you alright? Let us go avenge you! What Earl King, what Grandmaster Council... Hmph, I'll make them pay a heavy price right now," a Black檀 Martial Arts Hall disciple threatened furiously.

The master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall stopped him. Of course he knew that if these men rushed forward now, there would only be one outcome: courting death.

"Stop. Even if you went up there, it would simply be throwing away your lives. Not even I am this person's match; do not underestimate him. After all, he is the Earl King of the Grandmaster Council—truly a force to be reckoned with. Today, the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall has lost," said the master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall.

The defeat of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall's master was something most people had never anticipated. That Shen An had struck him down with a single blow displayed a level of strength and power that could only be described as unfathomable.

"I never would have imagined it. The master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall was defeated by the Earl King in a single strike! And keep in mind, that was after he had already unleashed his transcendent blade technique. How could he still lose under those circumstances?" an awakened being asked in shock.

"That Earl King is young and powerful—he's simply the idol of my dreams. If only I could have a boyfriend like that, just thinking about it makes me feel so happy," said a female awakened being with a infatuated expression.

"Stop dreaming. An Earl King like that can have any beauty he wants; why would he ever look at you? Your appearance is merely mediocre at best, so don't be so infatuated," another woman rebuked harshly.

"Hmph, of course I know I'm not worthy of the Earl King, but isn't a girl allowed to fantasize?" the infatuated woman retorted.

"If I had even one percent of the Earl King's talent, I'd wake up laughing in my sleep," an awakened being remarked.

"One percent of the Earl King's talent? Heh, do you even know what you're saying? The Earl King has just defeated someone formidable enough to terrify the Alliance of the Ten Martial Arts Halls. His talent can only be described as monstrous, and yet you hope for just one percent of it?"

Shen An walked toward the people of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall, who watched him with wary gazes, as if looking at an utterly terrifying entity.

"You... you are simply a demon god! Do not come any closer... If you take one more step, if you come any closer, I will strike!" a disciple of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall stammered in fear, watching Shen An draw ever closer like a terrified child.

"He's the Earl King who defeated our master. We can't let him get near the master; he'll definitely attack him."

"Right, stop him! Stop him and don't let him get an inch closer to the master!"

"Damn it, his aura is too powerful; we don't dare fight him at all. Besides, the master gave orders that we are not to come into conflict with him."

The master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall glanced at Shen An. Behind Shen An stood the entire Grandmaster Council. Having been defeated today, he would never rise again.

"You are strong. Since I have lost, I will no longer cause trouble for the Alliance of the Ten Martial Arts Halls. I never expected the Alliance to be able to enlist someone of your stature," said the master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall.

He struggled to his feet, the severe injuries on his body causing him nearly unbearable agony. Sweeping his gaze over the surrounding disciples of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall, he commanded, "Fall back immediately!"

The disciples of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall had been wanting to leave for a long time. Having no desire to face such a terrifying entity as Shen An, they naturally understood that they were by no means his match.

Fighting Shen An would be nothing short of suicide.

The master of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall led his disciples away in utter disgrace, while thunderous applause suddenly erupted throughout the entire martial arts hall.

"As expected of the Earl King, as expected of someone respected by the Alliance of the Ten Martial Arts Halls. Such a figure is truly astonishing."

"Now that the Earl King has relieved the Alliance of the Ten Martial Arts Halls from this crisis, will he become their greatest backing from here on out?"

"The masters of the Ten Martial Arts Halls will surely come forward to thank the Earl King."

True to their words, the masters of the Ten Martial Arts Halls approached. Showing the utmost respect, they bowed deeply to Shen An, the Earl King.

Those worthy of receiving such a bow from them were invariably people of immense virtue and prestige, and Shen An was accorded the highest honors.

Shen An said to the masters of the Ten Martial Arts Halls, "You need not thank me, everyone. I merely contributed my own modest strength for the awakened beings of Silver City. Even if I hadn't stepped in to deal with the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall, someone else surely would have."

"The Earl King is being far too modest. With the Earl King's extraordinary strength, being able to repel the experts of the Black檀 Martial Arts Hall means you are the core of our Ten Martial Arts Halls from this day forward. At a single word from the Earl King, our Alliance of the Ten Martial Arts Halls will fulfill your every wish."