"Slap!"

"Slap!"

"Slap!"

...

Amidst the crisp, loud, and rhythmically resounding slaps, the fiery red sun finally leaped out of the soup valley, dispelling the last vestiges of night.

Above the Returning Ruins Abyss, a host of Immortal Gods stared dumbfounded in the direction from which the sounds originated.

They saw the towering figure of Wei Hu being held in the hands of the equally imposing Yu Yuan, as if he were a mere chick.

Anyone who witnessed this scene would find it hard to imagine that just moments ago, this Third Generation Disciple of the Chan Sect stood there arrogantly demanding an apology from the disciples of the Jie Sect.

But change came so suddenly and unpredictably.

By the time the Immortal Gods reacted, Wei Hu's cheeks were already swollen like a pig's head, and all his white teeth had flown out.

With every slap, splashes of bright red blood were scattered.

He didn't fail to resist, but without the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet in his hand, his retaliation was as ineffective as scratching an itch, utterly inconsequential to Yu Yuan.

Seeing this, all the Immortal Gods present were stunned.

Especially the likes of Xuan Yang Zhenren and a few other Immortal Gods who had previously met Yu Yuan.

No matter how they looked at him, Yu Yuan was merely a Top-grade Profound Immortal.

At first, all the Immortal Gods present thought he was merely accompanying the Holy Mother Huo Ling'er on her travels, and while they envied his fortune, they didn't take much notice of him.

Even when he openly chastised Huo Ling'er, an Immortal Golden Immortal, they assumed it was due to a particularly close and special relationship between them.

It was only when he suddenly struck out, slapping Wei Hu with open palms, that the Immortal Gods realized he was the true master.

Even Wei Hu, a Top-grade Heavenly Immortal and direct disciple of the Chan Sect, was left at his mercy without the strength to fight back.

Not long ago, Wei Hu fought over two hundred rounds with the Golden Immortal Huo Ling'er of the Jie Sect before being defeated.

Yet in front of Yu Yuan, he was as helpless as a little chickling, being held and slapped repeatedly.

Comparatively speaking, Yu Yuan was much more formidable than Holy Mother Huo Ling'er, the Immortal Golden Immortal!

No wonder Huo Ling'er allowed him to admonish her so.

It wasn't just because of their close relationship, but because he truly had the qualifications to do so!

Elsewhere, Yang Jian, who had recovered from his shock, did not immediately rush forward to rescue but first dashed to catch the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet that had been sent flying. Enjoying the story? Find more at *.

This wasn't because he valued the treasure more than his brother Wei Hu, but because he felt that approaching empty-handed would likely be ineffective, whereas having the Treasure Mallet might increase his odds of success.

Yu Yuan took note of his actions and internally praised him. Indeed, Yang Jian was a bug-level character in the Divine Enthronement era, calm and adaptive like a veteran soldier on the battlefield, ready to do whatever it takes to win with praise (positive connotation).

Just like the cunning strategy he employed against Huo Ling'er, he was already far more adept than Wei Hu!

Although he was shocked to discover Yu Yuan's overwhelming strength, Yang Jian remained cool-headed, promptly assessing the disparity in power between them. Instead of rashly attempting a rescue, he chose to catch the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet.

Normally, the Spiritual Weapon of Wei Hu could not be wielded by others without his permission.

However, as a Top-grade Spiritual Treasure, it possessed sufficient sentience to recognize the dire situation its master faced and did not resist Yang Jian, allowing the latter to take it in hand.

Yang Jian's Eight-Nine Profound Skill had reached the Transformation Realm, his Dao Xing had soared, and his Divine Power was unrivaled, yet he had always lacked a suitable weapon.

Now that he held the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet, he felt its formidable weight and power despite a lack of perfect synergy, feeling confident that it would allow him to unleash his full strength.

This boost in confidence was evident as he stepped out and appeared behind Yu Yuan, swinging the mallet toward his back.

Yang Jian was not one to strictly adhere to doctrines, and taking advantage of an unprepared opponent with a surprise attack from behind didn't pose a moral dilemma for him.

Moreover, he was acting in this manner to save someone.

"Whoosh—"

The Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet, feather-light when held, became heavy as Mount Tai when used to strike, and with Yang Jian's Divine Power behind it, the blow was incredibly fierce. The sound of thunder roared, as if mountains were collapsing and stars plummeting, truly like Mount Tai bearing down.

Even as an Immortal Golden Immortal, Huo Ling'er couldn't help but have her complexion change drastically, and she instinctively exclaimed: "Junior Brother, be careful behind you!"

"Behind?"

Yu Yuan "surprisingly" turned around, still holding Wei Hu.

The latter's towering physique just so happened to be right in the path of the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet, serving as a shield of sorts.

At that instant, Yang Jian felt his hair stand on end, his body covered in cold sweat.

He knew all too well the might of his own strike.

Given the strength that Yu Yuan had shown, maybe he could withstand it, but Wei Hu would definitely not be able to handle the blow!

This Yu Yuan, he definitely did it on purpose!

Yang Jian was certain of it.

Because he himself could do such a thing too.

But none of that mattered now...

A surprise attack was all about suddenness and lethality.

Therefore, he had held nothing back with his strike, pouring all his strength into it, to the point that even if he wanted to stop now, he couldn't, only managing to retract thirty percent of his power. The Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet had already smashed down heavily...

"Bang!"

"Crack—"

"Pfft—"

A deafening boom accompanied by the crisp sound of breaking bones and the splatter of blood rose simultaneously, blending with Wei Hu's heart-wrenching howls of pain as well as the involuntary gasps and exclamations of the surrounding Immortal Gods, creating a symphony to welcome the arrival of dawn.

"Elder Brother!"

Yang Jian roared, his eyes slightly reddened.

Struck by the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet, Wei Hu was sent flying like a torn ragdoll, tracing a perfect parabola akin to a meteor, and after soaring through the air for over ten miles, he began to plummet towards the Returning Ruins Abyss below.

Sharp-eyed Immortal Gods could see that his chest cavity was completely caved in, with more air being drawn in than expelled, and his Primordial Spirit was even floating out from the crown of his head.

It was only because he was a Top-grade Heavenly Immortal, possessing a Heavenly Immortal Body that was naturally indestructible, and also because Yang Jian had pulled back some of his strength at the last moment, and Yu Yuan had released his grip, allowing Wei Hu to be thrown away while much of the force was diffused, otherwise, his physical body would have already been turned into a meat patty by that strike.

"Look at the mess this has caused..."

Yu Yuan clicked his tongue, glancing at the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet in Yang Jian's hand, "So young and yet not learning good things, playing at sneak attacks?"

"You did it on purpose!"

Yang Jian's eyes were full of bloodshot rage as he couldn't help but bellow.

Under normal circumstances, he would never have lost his composure like this.

Because he was the one who controlled the situation on regular days!

But in that split second just now, he keenly felt the gap between them.

Not just in strength, but also in planning, mentality, adaptability, and so on.

This Jie Sect disciple named Yu Yuan had in less than the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, reversed everything and had completely ruined the favorable situation he had schemed against Holy Mother Huo Ling.

"What do you mean 'on purpose'?"

Yu Yuan "confusedly" looked at Yang Jian, "Your elder brother insulted the Jie Sect, what's wrong with me giving him a few slaps?"

"..."

Yang Jian opened his mouth, his right hand clutching the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet tightly, the back of his hand turning pale blue.

In the end, he shook his head and slowly said, word by word: "No problem."

"As long as there's no problem."

Yu Yuan nodded slightly, with a warm smile like spring rain, "Go save your elder brother, otherwise it'll be too late."

Yang Jian nodded and took a deep look at Yu Yuan.

Without saying a word, he leapt up and transformed into a rainbow streak, catching Wei Hu, then quickly disappeared into the sky...