Not only Mo Canglan felt surprised, but all the other powerful figures present shared his bewilderment.
"What happened? Was the first genius of Liang Province's hand severed by someone?" one elder muttered in disbelief.
"That shouldn't be possible! Yang Tiangui possesses numerous treasures. There shouldn't be anyone in those ruins capable of matching him, should there?" another voiced with confusion.
"Could he have been injured by a monster? But how could a beast create such a precise wound?" a third observer questioned.
A series of confused murmurs rippled through the assembled crowd.
The elderly Spirit Forging Realm expert who had escorted Yang Tiangui stood not far from Mo Canglan. Witnessing this shocking scene, he immediately flew forward and brought Yang Tiangui before the sect master.
"Tiangui, what happened to you?" Mo Canglan asked with restrained concern.
"I..." Yang Tiangui's voice trembled with rage and humiliation. "I was ambushed by someone!"
"Ambushed? Explain the situation clearly!" Mo Canglan demanded.
"Well, based on the map clues left by my senior brother from his previous expedition to the ruins, I went directly to the Extreme Yang Valley, seeking to harvest the Ziyang Flowers that hadn't fully matured three years ago. However, unexpectedly, I was ambushed by a pair of lovers who severed one of my arms when I was caught off guard!"
Feeling numerous eyes upon him, Yang Tiangui raised his voice dramatically. "If not for their cowardly ambush, how could I, Yang Tiangui, the greatest genius of Liang Province, possibly lose to anyone else?!"
"So it was indeed an ambush!" someone exclaimed with understanding.
"Yes, Yang Tiangui's power within the Yuan Condensation Realm is undoubtedly unmatched!" another agreed.
"Even so, those who ambushed Tiangui must possess considerable strength. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to sever his arm!" a third observer reasoned.
The assembled cultivators finally gained clarity on the situation.
Yang Tiangui felt somewhat relieved internally.
Of course, I can't admit that I lost because I was genuinely weaker than my opponent. If I said that, it would only demean myself and damage the reputation of the Tianque Sect! Perhaps even the sect master would punish me as a coward!
With a slight modification to my words, I can find a reasonable excuse for my failure and even turn Su Zhan and Su Zhaoyue into public enemies! It's like killing two birds with one stone!
"Damn it! How dare those two wicked individuals plot to murder my disciple!" Mo Canglan erupted with righteous fury.
Yang Tiangui quickly reinforced his narrative. "Those two people were extremely arrogant. Especially Su Zhan—even though he knew my identity as a disciple of the Tianque Sect, he still attempted to kill me! If I hadn't consumed a Blood Pill and activated my hidden potential, I might have perished! After that incident, I continued searching for treasures and medicines while injured, which is why I'm only emerging from the ruins now!"
"You did your best, but you simply haven't understood how cruel the cultivation world can be. That's why you became the target of those wicked people!" Mo Canglan replied with a grave tone.
In truth, I don't fully believe Yang Tiangui's words. I know my disciple's character well, and I suspect he provoked those two individuals first. However, that's not important now. What matters is that anyone who opposes disciples of the Tianque Sect must be eliminated! In this world, strength is everything! Yang Tiangui's words are merely an excuse to give myself justification for taking action!
Mo Canglan's expression darkened as his eyes fixed on the formation's barrier. "If you see those two again, would you still be able to recognize them?"
"Of course I can!"
"Excellent. We'll wait for them to appear here!"
"Thank you, Sect Master, for helping this disciple seek revenge!" Yang Tiangui responded with false gratitude while smirking internally.
Su Zhan, even though you are very strong, what can you do? In front of the sect master, you're no different than an ant!
With Yang Tiangui's appearance, the powerful experts became even more curious about the mysterious genius who had obtained the Sun God Divine Body.
Everyone emerging from the ruins would be carefully examined.
Although their current cultivation levels prevented them from directly determining who possessed the divine physique, the person with such a blessing must have extraordinary talent. By roughly assessing each individual's capabilities, identification might still be possible.
Two hours later, the formation's light surged, and Su Zhan and Su Zhaoyue walked out together.
"Why are there so many people gathered outside?" Su Zhaoyue asked with obvious confusion.
"Let's go. Those people have nothing to do with us," Su Zhan replied, slightly surprised but not paying excessive attention as he began walking forward.
"Su Zhan! You finally emerged!"
An angry voice rang out before they had taken more than a few steps.
Su Zhan turned around to see Yang Tiangui pointing at him while speaking urgently with a man beside him.
"Is this the person who ambushed Yang Tiangui?" someone in the crowd whispered.
"Looking at his extraordinary bearing, how could he resort to cowardly ambush tactics?" another observed skeptically.
"Such a shame. I was going to ask if he was willing to join my sect, but now that he's offended the Tianque Sect, forget it!" a third muttered with disappointment.
Su Zhan felt confused hearing the discussions swirling around him.
What? When did I ambush Yang Tiangui through stealth? We fought openly!
Just as he furrowed his brows and prepared to defend himself, the elderly Spirit Forging Realm expert who had escorted Yang Tiangui stepped forward aggressively!
"How dare you ambush our Tianque Sect genius! You deserve death!"
The old man snorted coldly as his true qi erupted, immediately forming a massive palm of condensed energy about one meter in size. The attack, containing tremendous power, flew toward Su Zhan from fifty meters away!
I didn't even get a chance to explain?
Su Zhan's brow furrowed with irritation.
The higher someone's cultivation level, the greater the power differential became.
He might have been able to defeat Yuan Condensation Realm experts while in the Qi Sea Realm, but that didn't mean he could casually challenge a Spirit Forging Realm expert while in the Yuan Condensation Realm!
Although the old man appeared to be only in the early stage of the Spirit Forging Realm, Su Zhan couldn't afford carelessness!
His true qi immediately circulated as he drew his pale crimson sword.
This sword strike contained the peak power of his perfected Wind Step, Diamond Body Technique, Heavenly Frost Sword Technique, and the true qi from his mastered Cold Jade Cultivation Art!
Simultaneously, after obtaining the Sun God Divine Body, even though Su Zhan's true qi attribute remained ice-based from his Cold Jade Cultivation Art, this sword strike already carried immense power and terrifying pressure!
"How is this possible!"
After Su Zhan executed his strike, the old man immediately sensed the overwhelming power contained within the sword energy. His face changed dramatically as he instinctively attempted to dodge.
But it was too late!
The sword energy directly severed his true qi palm, continued forward, and sent the elderly expert flying dozens of meters through the air!
"Pu!"
After being flung such a distance, the old man spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and stared at Su Zhan with a horrified and astonished expression.
How could a middle-stage Yuan Condensation Realm sword strike possess such devastating power?!
He wasn't the only one harboring doubts—everyone present shared his shock.
At that moment, Mo Canglan, the sect master of the Tianque Sect, immediately began analyzing the situation. He raised his hand and pressed downward toward Su Zhan through the air.
Suddenly, pressure several times stronger than what the elderly expert had exerted descended upon Su Zhan from above!
The overwhelming aura of a Core Formation Realm expert!
Under that crushing pressure, Su Zhan didn't hesitate and activated his Sun God Divine Body.
Golden light erupted from his form as the vague silhouette of a brilliant sun materialized behind him. Su Zhan then swung his sword upward, and the oppressive pressure vanished instantly!
"It's really you!" Mo Canglan's eyes gleamed with excitement as he spoke with obvious surprise and delight.
"Sect Master, this person not only ambushed and attacked our disciple but also injured an elder. Sect Master, please eliminate him immediately!" Yang Tiangui urged desperately.
Yang Tiangui hadn't expected Su Zhan to become even stronger since their last encounter, and at this moment, he felt more urgent than ever to see Su Zhan eliminated as quickly as possible.
"SILENCE!"
An furious roar resonated directly in Yang Tiangui's ears. He was startled and looked toward Mo Canglan with complete confusion.
However, his confusion quickly transformed into stunned bewilderment.
Mo Canglan, the sect master of the Tianque Sect, wore a friendly smile with no trace of hostility as he walked toward Su Zhan. "I didn't expect Young Master Su to be such an unparalleled genius! It seems there has been a misunderstanding between us!"
"Young Master Su, our Tianque Sect is the premier sect in all of Liang Province. If you are willing to join us, I will accept you as my sole personal disciple. The finest techniques, the most precious medicines, and the most beautiful maidservants in the sect will all be yours!"