Wang Yishan let out a furious roar, his body igniting with golden flames, conjuring the unique "King's True Qi" of the Wang family. The mere sensation of it felt overwhelmingly powerful. He took a few steps forward and bellowed, launching a mighty fist into the air. A fierce surge of Qi erupted from his punch and, in the blink of an eye, it was upon Shen Xiang.
As the energy shot out, the ground beneath it shattered, leaving a deep furrow in the stone pavement. The sight alone made onlookers tremble in fear. If this power hit someone directly, they would surely be pulverized.
"With that level of skill, you dare call yourself a clan leader? My father could crush you with one hand!" Shen Xiang sneered disdainfully, casually waving his hand to disperse the incoming Qi blast.
The crowd was astonished. Shen Xiang's gesture was so effortless, like swatting away a fly, yet it had neutralized a strike that filled them with dread.
When Shen Xiang waved his hand, his palm glowed with Qi. To deflect Wang Yishan's attack so easily showed that Shen Xiang's Qi was leagues stronger.
Wang Yishan's confident strike was dispelled by a casual wave, making him doubt whether he had put his full strength into the attack. But the furrow on the ground was proof enough. A shudder ran through him as he realized the young man before him possessed an insurmountable strength.
As Wang Yishan and the others stood frozen, Shen Xiang suddenly flashed forward, appearing in front of Wang Yishan with terrifying speed, leaving the crowd in shock once again.
Before Wang Yishan could react, he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. Looking down, he saw a hand, cloaked in azure Qi, piercing through his body and emerging from his back.
"Ahh—!" Wang Yishan let out a blood-curdling scream. Shen Xiang withdrew his arm, the Qi still swirling around it. He had used the Azure Dragon Claw, a technique that turned Qi into a razor-sharp claw capable of penetrating even the hardest stone, let alone flesh.
His hand, encased in Qi, remained spotless, untouched by blood. Looking down at Wang Yishan, who had collapsed before him, Shen Xiang coldly said, "Crawl away while you still can. This is between me and the Black Wind Gang. You interfered and brought this upon yourself. I'll spare your miserable life today, so you can witness the true strength of the Shen family."
Wang Yishan, shaken to his core by Shen Xiang's overwhelming power, swallowed his pride and crawled away, despite the pain. He had no choice. Shen Xiang's strength was beyond anything he could contend with.
As Shen Xiang's piercing gaze swept over the remaining figures, his killing intent palpable, he coldly said, "If anyone else wishes to meddle, don't blame me for what happens next. I have no quarrel with you, and I don't intend to waste my strength."
City Lord Hua Gaoyun, a formidable fighter at the eighth level of the Mortal Martial Realm, was stronger than Wang Yishan. But after witnessing Shen Xiang's capabilities, he was deeply shaken. Even if he could win against Shen Xiang, it would come at a great cost. The risks weren't worth it, especially not for the sake of a notorious gang leader.
Without a word, Hua Gaoyun left with his son, fully aware that after today, the Black Wind Gang would cease to exist.
Watching as those he had called for aid left one by one, the Black Wind Gang leader seethed with fury, though he dared not lash out.
"All of you, attack! He's just one man!" the gang leader roared, brandishing a black spear as he charged toward Shen Xiang.
With a thunderous shout, Shen Xiang unleashed a wave of energy that rippled out like water from his center. The shockwave smashed the ground, shattering stone tiles and tearing apart the garden's plants and trees. Those rushing toward him screamed in agony, their bodies mutilated, and collapsed to the ground, bleeding from every orifice.
Shen Xiang had used a technique that spread his Qi in a destructive shockwave. Though it consumed a vast amount of energy, its power and range were immense.
Now, only the gang leader remained standing. The rest of the thousand-strong Black Wind Gang had fallen, most of them dead or gravely injured. They had been felled in an instant by a mere sixteen-year-old. The gang leader was horrified, realizing just what kind of monster they had provoked.
Suddenly, the gang leader burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing?" Shen Xiang asked, stepping toward him.
"Because the Yao Family won't let your Shen Family off! You're all doomed!" the gang leader snarled, his face twisted with malice.
Before he could react, Shen Xiang dashed forward, launching a powerful punch infused with Qi. The blow sent the gang leader flying, crashing into a distant building.
Shen Xiang quickly followed, entering the building and placing his hand on the gang leader's head. "Devouring Devil Art!" he shouted inwardly.
Though the gang leader was at the seventh level of the Mortal Martial Realm, and his Qi was substantial, he was no match for Shen Xiang.
This was Shen Xiang's first time using the Devouring Devil Art. He felt an immense amount of Qi surging into him through his arm. The energy was wild and violent, making his body feel strained, but he endured.
The gang leader screamed in terror, realizing that Shen Xiang was draining his Qi and absorbing it into his own body. This martial art was terrifying, one that righteous sects would destroy on sight.
However, Shen Xiang's body had been tempered in the Celestial Demon Pool, making his bones, muscles, and meridians incredibly resilient. He could handle the sudden influx of energy without risking his body's destruction.
In a matter of moments, the gang leader's decades of cultivation were drained away, and he died. Shen Xiang, though feeling discomfort from the unruly Qi, quickly burned the corpse and left, knowing that if the Yao Family arrived now, he would be in trouble. He needed time to digest the Qi.
With his current strength, Shen Xiang had reached the eighth level of the Mortal Martial Realm, a power few in the Southern Martial Nation could match.
Back at Dan King Pavilion, Shen Xiang returned to the underground chamber. Shen Luzong, seeing Shen Xiang's grave expression, did not ask any questions. Meng Bo was still in seclusion refining pills, which was why the pavilion had been attacked earlier.
The news of the Black Wind Gang's destruction quickly spread throughout the capital. Though the gang had caused trouble at Dan King Pavilion in the morning, by noon they were wiped out—by Shen Xiang alone. The city's citizens were left in awe of his power. They now had a new understanding of Shen Xiang's formidable strength.
Even though many lives were lost, no one dared interfere. Even though the imperial palace was nearby, no one wanted to provoke such a powerful martial artist. Everyone understood the fearsome might of a true martial expert.