"Greetings, Senior Green Ox!"
Whether it was Daoist Longshan, Lord Xiaoyao, or Daoist Baihe, all of them slightly bowed to show respect.
Daoist Longshan smiled and said:
"Only with Senior Green Ox's arrival today can my Heaven-Man Ceremony be considered complete."
Only the Wang Clan Patriarch looked a bit awkward. After all, he was actually older than the Green Ox Bladesman. Calling him "senior" felt strange, but doing nothing at all would make him seem too casual, so he forced a cheerful smile.
Still, in his heart, the Wang Clan Patriarch felt more joy than awkwardness.
He hadn't expected Daoist Longshan to actually invite a powerhouse from the Heaven-Man Ranking to show support. That meant he truly made the right choice in coming today. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and his smile gained more sincerity.
Everyone present looked on with awe.
A Heaven-Man Ranking powerhouse.
Such individuals stood nearly at the very peak of Great Yan. In an era when Martial Saints rarely appeared, those thirty-six were the strongest.
Even though the Green Ox Bladesman was only ranked thirty-third on the Heaven-Man Ranking, if Daoist Longshan and the other four Heaven-Man Realm experts joined forces, they would still be easily suppressed.
Ning Qi slowly withdrew his gaze, afraid of being noticed by the Green Ox Bladesman.
He could feel that subtle pressure—especially from the unsharpened blade on the old man's back, which made him marvel. There was astonishing Blade Intent brewing within it.
"Master once said that the Heaven-Man Realm is unique. Some people cultivate a single path, others two, and some even three simultaneously. And the sequence of cultivation varies, so combat power isn't as straightforward as in the Qi Origin Realm."
"Among Heaven-Man Realm experts, who is stronger or weaker can't be judged unless their paths are similar. Otherwise, only by fighting can the answer be known. Most rankings are based on past battle records, which is how the Heaven-Man Ranking came about."
"The Heaven-Man Ranking was issued by the Great Yan royal family. Only those on the Heaven-Man Ranking are considered top-tier Heaven-Man Realm experts and enjoy supreme honor."
There was no doubt.
The Green Ox Bladesman was the strongest person Ning Qi had encountered so far.
The Green Ox Bladesman cheerfully waved his hand and said:
"We're all in the Heaven-Man Realm—no need to fuss about titles like senior or not. If you don't mind, just call me Brother."
He looked toward Daoist Longshan with praise in his eyes:
"Longshan brat, I always thought you stepping into the Heaven-Man Realm was just a matter of time. Didn't expect it to happen even sooner than I thought. Surpassing me someday is only a matter of time."
Such praise surprised the Heaven-Man experts present.
The two clearly shared an unusual relationship.
Daoist Longshan laughed heartily:
"Brother Green Ox, you flatter me. Who knows how long it'll take for me to catch up to you?"
He was also somewhat high-spirited. Back in his wandering days, he had been rescued from danger by the Green Ox Bladesman and received some pointers from him. Now, many years later, he had finally stepped into the Heaven-Man Realm. That sense of achievement was beyond words.
"Everyone, please be seated!"
Now that all had arrived, a full five Heaven-Man experts stood on the central high platform, immediately sending the atmosphere of the arena to a boiling point.
Daoist Longshan sat in the middle, with the Green Ox Bladesman on his left and Daoist Baihe on his right. The remaining two were seated to each side.
All eyes were filled with excitement, and people whispered among themselves.
No one had expected that so many Heaven-Man Realm experts would attend today's Heaven-Man Ceremony—let alone a powerhouse from the Heaven-Man Ranking.
This news quickly spread to Zhenwu City, where countless martial artists who couldn't make it up the mountain beat their chests in regret.
Some shouted that the trip was still worth it—even if they hadn't seen the Heaven-Man experts in person, sharing the same sky was honor enough to boast about later.
Even the Wang Clan Patriarch's eyes showed a faint trace of envy and jealousy.
Recalling his own Heaven-Man Ceremony three hundred years ago—barely one Heaven-Man Realm friend attended, and afterward, he had to offer many benefits in return. Compared to Daoist Longshan's current display, the difference was too vast.
Still, when he thought of the purpose of his visit today, he calmed down somewhat.
Time slowly passed.
Everyone in the Zhenwu Arena could sense something and gradually fell silent.
Luo Wentian's spirited voice rang out:
"The auspicious hour has arrived. The Heaven-Man Ceremony officially begins!"
In an instant.
Nine thunderous drumbeats resounded from the Daoist drum. Everyone who heard them felt their blood inexplicably boil.
Next came the rise and fall of Daoist music drifting in from afar, making hearts feel entranced.
Fine wine and delicacies were laid out on the tables.
Zhenwu Sect disciples wearing ceremonial robes and carrying ceremonial swords poured in—thirty-six Inner Sect disciples and seventy-two Outer Sect disciples, matching precisely the numbers of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang and Seventy-Two Earth Fiends.
"We offer our congratulations to the Sect Master!"
The Zhenwu disciples were full of vitality as they launched into their sword dance like the rising sun.
Though there was no killing intent, the sword dance followed strict patterns. Their coordination hid many profound changes. When used in actual combat, it would surely be anything but ordinary.
This was not just a sword dance, but a brilliantly crafted sword formation.
Everyone's eyes lit up. Though these were merely Body Tempering Realm and Inner Origin Realm martial artists, what they displayed was the very foundation of the Zhenwu Sect.
Those with sharp eyes could easily tell—these disciples all had excellent foundations. In an ordinary sect, each would be a standout genius.
But no one had expected the Zhenwu Sect to have so many.
In an instant.
Many people's attitudes changed. Originally, they had thought the Zhenwu Sect only had a once-in-a-lifetime genius like Daoist Longshan.
But now it was clear—Daoist Longshan's ability to train disciples was equally exceptional.
Several long-established factions looked serious. With the Zhenwu Sect's displayed foundation, in just a few decades, they would surely gain a firm foothold and become a top-tier hegemon.
The Wang Clan Patriarch's eyes showed a trace of bitterness.
In recent years, what had troubled him most was the generational gap within the Wang Clan.
How could the talent from one family compare to recruiting outstanding individuals from across the world?
Seeing the Zhenwu disciples' brilliance today, he couldn't help but reflect once more—should he begin bringing in fresh blood from outside?
But a clan and a sect were different.
If too much outside blood came in and grew too powerful someday, would it still be the Wang Clan?
The Green Ox Bladesman simply sipped his wine with a chuckle.
Daoist Baihe, however, was seriously observing the sword dance of the Zhenwu disciples.
As a man of the Daoist path, he was especially sensitive to the significance of the Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiend numbers.
Watching closely now, he was even more shocked.
This sword formation—was not simple.
He couldn't help but ask:
"Daoist Longshan, may I ask—this sword formation…?"
His words drew the attention of the Heaven-Man experts.
Daoist Longshan smiled and said:
"This sword formation, when united, is the Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiend Sword Formation.
Divided, it can become the Heavenly Gang Sword Formation and the Earth Fiend Sword Formation.
It allows many to unite their strength to fight a foe—using the weak to strike the strong.
It's a clever trick, really. I've made Daoist Baihe laugh."
Their conversation immediately piqued everyone's interest.
Even the Green Ox Bladesman squinted and pondered for a moment, then laughed:
"Longshan brat, you're being too modest. This sword formation is far from simple.
Using the weak to strike the strong, huh?
If half of these Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiend Sword Formation members are Inner Origin Realm, and you add a few experts to lead—
They could probably even contend with a Qi Origin Realm martial artist, right?"
Lord Xiaoyao also laughed:
"Such a brilliant and awe-inspiring creation—it's truly admirable! Let's toast with a big cup!"
The Heaven-Man experts had all seen the underlying mystery and were full of praise.
The gap between the Inner Origin Realm and Qi Origin Realm was massive.
Yet this sword formation possessed such power—it was no ordinary thing.
The Wang Clan Patriarch casually asked:
"I've never heard of the Zhenwu Sect having this sword formation before. Not even in Qingzhou.
Otherwise, it should have become famous long ago."