I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1769 - 202: First Encounter

Chapter 1769: Chapter 202: First Encounter

Lanshan City, Pine Wave Hall

The resplendent and opulent tavern was a venue used by Clan He for hosting guests, with Patriarch He personally present to emphasize the distinguished status of the attendees.

Across all of Longzhou, aside from a few leaders of major clans, only a handful of holy land affiliates could enjoy such deference.

Presently, seated in a loose robe, was Shi Muzhi, the Lord of Ten Thousand Beasts Manor.

Across from him, sharing drinks, were Patriarch He of Clan He and emissaries of the Nong Family and the Liu Family.

It was evident that the three major clans of Longzhou were investing significant effort into this mediation attempt.

Yet, their efforts were not born of justice or fairness but rather their desire to curry favor with Unparalleled City. Their hope was that when the Void Grandmaster returned to Longzhou, he might let bygones be bygones.

Despite their meticulous planning, they did not expect Unparalleled City to remain unyielding—refusing Shi Muzhi’s terms and embracing an uncompromising stance of "If war must come, so be it."

Given such rigidity, trying to work on that side was clearly futile now. Instead, they could only redirect their efforts toward Shi Muzhi’s side.

Thus, Patriarch He personally intervened, hoping Shi Muzhi would grant the three clans more time to persuade that obstinate scholar to compromise.

"There are always those whose hearts won’t rest until they reach the Yellow Springs."

Shi Muzhi did not accede to Patriarch He’s request. Instead, he remarked to himself, "I’ve lingered long enough. My disciples are itching for action. Since Unparalleled City believes victory is certain, what else is worth discussing?"

With those words, Shi Muzhi rose, untied his robe, revealing dazzling dragon-scale golden armor. He tightened the dragon-horn bracelets on both wrists and left with an air brimming with killing intent.

In Pine Wave Hall, Patriarch He wore a grim expression, while the Nong Family’s and Liu Family’s emissaries exchanged unsettled looks before hesitantly asking, "Patriarch He, shouldn’t we try to stop Lord Shi somehow?"

"Stop him? With what?"

Patriarch He sighed, "Shi Muzhi has already brought out two divine artifacts gifted by the Mao Sect. His determination for a decisive battle is clear. He cannot be stopped."

"What if we asked Elder Mao Sect to intervene? Couldn’t even he dissuade Shi Muzhi?"

Still unwilling to give up, the Nong Family emissary persisted.

"Shi Muzhi isn’t going to massacre a city; he’s merely seeking justice for the slaying of Shi Yuqing. On this matter, the Mao Sect will remain silent!"

Patriarch He shook his head and sighed, "You should promptly inform Unparalleled City to recall its disciples. Red Cloud Mountain is about to turn into a battlefield!"

The two emissaries glanced at each other, momentarily speechless. Though they verbally agreed, their eyes betrayed indifference.

...

Inside Unparalleled City

Ever since the academy’s announcement of its founding and the emergence of the Five-turn Dragon Gate, Red Cloud Mountain had been frequented by visitors, with few leaving.

Yet now that Ten Thousand Beasts Manor had arrived brimming with hostility, many itinerant cultivators who were previously waiting for the academy’s rookie trial in September began to leave ahead of schedule. Combined with the fact that noble families were recalling their disciples, a wave of departures had formed.

Of course, it was hard to blame them for being timid. Given the current reputation damage Unparalleled City was suffering, the scene was reminiscent of the previous global campaign against Tang Luo. Many feared Red Cloud Mountain would follow in the footsteps of the Longxi Alliance.

Yet where there is fear, there is also courage. Some wandering cultivators, previously unable to secure a spot, took this opportunity to advance their scheduled appointments, while several noble families sought to exchange inner-city property with those fleeing amid the panic.

Their targets were not only the fleeing noble families but also local inhabitants of Unparalleled City.

Some, driven by pessimism about the situation, quickly traded inner-city assets with these outsiders. Even though municipal authorities issued advisories to discourage such private transactions, many still conducted them in secret.

At the academy, most students were rattled by the news of war. While some, such as those from Clan He, the Nong Family, and the Liu Family, remained composed—whether due to specific instructions or innate courage—acting as though the impending battle did not affect them in the slightest, attending lessons and leisure activities as usual.

However, the majority of noble family students were consumed by anxiety, feigning sickness, withdrawing from classes, or acting like startled birds ready to flee at any moment.

The instructors within the academy remained unfazed, sticking to regular teaching schedules daily.

This tranquil demeanor helped calm certain individuals’ anxieties, but naturally, some pessimistic students found themselves overwhelmed and left. Their departures weren’t limited to notable classes; even the business divisions experienced losses.

Principal Shentu Jihui certainly wasn’t one to block their exits. He approved every submitted withdrawal request without hesitation.

The inner city, struggling to find shelter for mountainside residents, found unexpected help as the departed students freed up plenty of lodging.

...

Dragon Continent Calendar, February 2, 1796

Shi Muzhi led his beasts to assault Red Cloud Mountain. Draped in pale garments, his chilling gaze betrayed no emotion. Riding a ferocious beast that broke through waves, he clashed with Unparalleled City’s vanguard army over the water, fifty miles north of the city.

"Mr. Du!"

Seated atop the purebred Bi’an’s neck in his dragon-scale golden armor, Shi Muzhi directed a cold glare at Unparalleled City’s ice-ship phalanx and declared, "Unparalleled City stands no chance of winning this battle. Hand over the fugitives and the dragon beasts, and I will leave. Otherwise..."

He patted the Bi’an beneath him, and the divine beast with a dragon’s wings, a qilin’s head, and a lion’s tail let out a thunderous roar. Its domineering evil qi reverberated across the waters, unsettling the currents, and swirling clouds darkened the skies.

Confronted by the beast’s terrifying aura, many warriors from the Marshal Star Pavilion turned pale, their internal organs trembling. Yet, they gritted their teeth and refused to falter, standing firm on their unsteady ice ships.

As the prison warden divine beast, Bi’an’s innate talent was its ability to assault the human psyche—a single roar could send the faint-hearted fleeing in terror.

Even those of resilient minds could not escape its potent aura entirely. Only warriors like Du Sha, whose face was as unmoving as stone and whose heart was as steadfast as iron, were unaffected.

Though unaffected, as the leader of the Marshal Star Pavilion, Du Sha would certainly not tolerate Bi’an’s display of dominance before him.

Invoking the connection between furious souls and bloodline forces, a soft white glow erupted from his chest. A Black Light Mysterious Cauldron leapt forth in inversion, spilling countless round Red Crystals that plopped into the water.

The Red Crystals writhed and twisted once submerged, transforming into whale sharks and sea dogs. With crashing waves, they surged at the roaring Bi’an in attack.

"Stubborn fool!"

Seeing Du Sha dare to strike back, Shi Muzhi sneered, raising his right hand slowly. The dragon-horn golden bracelet on his wrist spun into action, emitting waves of golden light. These dispersed the crashing waves, shattered the crystal beasts, and sent an unstoppable shockwave hurtling toward Du Sha.

The Black Light Mysterious Cauldron churned once more, colliding into the golden light.

With a thunderous crash, the clashing energies split the water’s surface, sending a rain of mist sweeping across the battlefield.

Astonishingly, the same Shi Muzhi who could barely withstand a few moves against Meng Jiao now seemed evenly matched against Du Sha, the First Star General.

The Marshal Star Pavilion warriors standing on the ice ships exchanged incredulous glances, doubt etched across their faces.

...

On the window ledge of the principal’s office

Tang Luo cradled a teacup, gazing leisurely into the distance. Yun Xiu clung to his shoulder, tiptoeing to peer out, but apart from the sea of clouds, she could see nothing.

"What are you looking at, husband?"

"I’m watching Mr. Du’s battle with Shi Muzhi."

"The fight has started?"

Yun Xiu turned to leave immediately, saying, "I must go and help."

"No need—Du Sha can handle it."

Pulling her waist into an embrace, Tang Luo gently remarked, "Stay here and watch. You might find insights for your martial path."

"But I can’t see anything."

Yun Xiu smiled bitterly. Although her Charming Eyes were considered divine, their power did not enhance her vision. From this distance, she couldn’t make out a thing.

"You can see."

Tang Luo slid his hand to Yun Xiu’s nape and said softly, "Watch carefully."

Following her husband’s words, Yun Xiu obediently gazed outside. Suddenly, her limited vision expanded exponentially, as though her sight gained life.

It felt as though someone had transported her eyes to the edge of the battlefield, leaving Yun Xiu awestruck by the surreal experience.