As the words faded, Wu Ren suddenly sprang forward, raising a long staff high into the air before bringing it crashing down toward the Five Immortals.
The Goat Immortal bore the brunt of the assault first. Two strikes came in rapid succession. He narrowly dodged the first blow, but the second reversed like a returning spear and smashed squarely into his back.
From the sidelines, Wu Tian laughed mockingly.
"A beaten dog loses all its spirit, doesn't it?"
At the same moment, Wu Ren swung the staff again. The Horse Immortal and Ox Immortal were each struck by another heavy blow. Wu Di, standing nearby, burst into loud laughter.
"Our junior brother's unrivaled staff technique turns out to be beating dogs with a stick! Even the Beggars' Sect's Dog-Beating Staff Technique may not compare!"
Before his words had fully ended, the Dragon Immortal and Tiger Immortal were likewise struck by the staff one after another. Wu Tian sneered again:
"A dog that's been beaten truly hangs its head in shame!"
Wu Tian and Wu Di laughed uproariously from the sidelines while Wu Ren chased the wounded Five Immortals around the arena, swinging his great staff wildly. Under such circumstances, who among the crowd dared recklessly step forward to mediate?
Yet at that very moment, a young woman suddenly leapt gracefully into the arena and cried aloud:
"Stop at once! This master humiliates five gravely injured men in front of the heroes of Jianghu—does he not fear ridicule from all under Heaven?"
Instantly, every eye in the arena turned toward the girl. All wondered who this young woman could be.
Though martial heroes liked to boast of righteousness, most people merely watched coldly when Jianghu disputes arose. Besides, the Five Immortals had provoked the conflict first, so few felt sympathy for them now suffering humiliation beneath Wu Ren's staff.
The Five Immortals themselves were startled when they saw Tan Wei suddenly appear to defend them. In that instant, all previous grudges vanished from their minds. They only hoped she could stop Wu Ren's savage beating.
Wu Ren halted his staff and glared at her.
"Little girl, do not involve yourself in Jianghu affairs and invite trouble upon yourself."
At that moment, another figure stepped out from behind Tan Wei.
It was Li Jian.
Stepping protectively in front of her, Li Jian cupped his fists respectfully and said:
"Reverend Master, mercy should be shown whenever possible. Please spare them."
Wu Ren possessed a fiery temper, and since the Five Immortals had insulted his master first, he naturally replied with irritation:
"Benefactor, mind your own business. My master is merciful and compassionate—he did not kill them. But these dogs dared speak disrespectfully toward my master. The more I think of their insults, the harder it is to calm my anger. A few more blows from my staff will help me vent my rage. Don't worry—I won't beat them to death!"
Such was karma and retribution—cause and effect repaid without error.
The gathered martial artists merely watched the spectacle unfold, yet none stepped forward to uphold justice. Truly, as the saying went: "Experts watch the skill, outsiders watch the excitement."
As soon as Wu Ren finished speaking, he once again swung his staff viciously toward the Five Immortals. Gravely wounded as they were, how could they possibly resist?
In an instant, dozens of staff shadows filled the air as he attacked relentlessly. Agonized screams erupted continuously from the Five Immortals.
Then suddenly—
A blur flashed forward.
Pa!
Wu Ren's staff was abruptly seized in Li Jian's right hand.
The staff instantly froze in place, unable to move forward or backward.
Wu Ren's eyes widened furiously.
"Boy! Let go!"
Heat surged within Li Jian's chest as he answered loudly:
"Reverend Master, it is time to stop."
Wu Ren barked angrily:
"This has nothing to do with you! Release it!"
As he spoke, Wu Ren poured his strength into the staff and pulled fiercely, yet the weapon remained utterly motionless in Li Jian's grip.
Li Jian hesitated for only a moment.
Suddenly, Wu Ren gave another violent yank—
And Li Jian unexpectedly released his grip.
Caught off balance, Wu Ren tumbled backward together with the staff, crashing heavily onto the ground in a most humiliating fashion.
His face lost all dignity.
Li Jian hurriedly apologized:
"Reverend Master, if I have offended you in any way, I sincerely beg forgiveness. Please be magnanimous."
But Wu Ren, after scrambling back to his feet, immediately raised both palms and roared:
"You brat! Looking for a beating, are you?"
Even as he spoke, one palm already came chopping straight toward Li Jian's forehead.
Li Jian, uncertain how to explain himself further, thought inwardly that he had indeed embarrassed the monk first and thus should not retaliate recklessly. He merely sidestepped while saying:
"Reverend Master, I have already apologized. Please forgive my offense."
Wu Ren's fury soared to the heavens.
"You dare mock me? Then pay the price!"
Several vicious palm strikes exploded forth in succession. Li Jian continuously dodged backward until finally he shouted:
"Reason cannot prevail here! If you refuse to stop, then do not blame me!"
At that moment, Wu Ren drove a straight punch toward Li Jian's chest.
Li Jian swept his left arm horizontally, diverting the attack. Then, in one fluid motion, he lifted his leg—
Bang!
Wu Ren was sent flying through the air.
Yet Li Jian's kick had been executed with exquisite control. It merely sent him tumbling backward and carried no intention of causing injury.
Nevertheless, after crashing to the ground, Wu Ren showed not the slightest gratitude. Instead he shouted furiously:
"Senior brothers! Come help me!"
Wu Tian and Wu Di immediately leapt into action.
Seeing this, Li Jian shouted:
"Everyone, fists and feet are blind—stop fighting!"
Wu Tian sneered coldly.
"You are quite bold to aid the Five Immortals!"
Wu Di added angrily:
"He must be one of their accomplices! Let's capture him together!"
Hearing these accusations, Li Jian instantly abandoned any thought of explanation.
At that moment, his mind became resolute.
This must end quickly, he thought. Better to throw one decisive punch than invite a hundred more.
Even as the thought crossed his mind, Wu Ren had already closed in. Suddenly, the monk stomped both feet against the ground and soared high into the air. Mid-flight, his palms crossed and shifted unpredictably before descending directly toward Li Jian's head.
Li Jian was startled and hurriedly raised both palms to block before leaping backward.
At the same instant, Wu Tian and Wu Di lunged forward as well, striking fiercely with rapid palm attacks.
The situation on the battlefield changed in an instant.
Li Jian now faced enemies from three directions at once.
For a time, he endured an unprecedented barrage of attacks. Though he possessed peerless martial arts, even Li Jian found himself temporarily overwhelmed. He stumbled repeatedly beneath the trio's coordinated assault, forced into frantic defense.
The disciples of the Wu Tian Chan Sect erupted into cheers at the sight.
But Tan Wei's heart tightened anxiously.
After several exchanges, Li Jian suddenly spun rapidly several times, slipping free like a mudfish escaping a net. With a sharp cry, he pressed both feet against the ground and shot upward over ten feet into the air.
Midair, both palms swept downward with astonishing speed.
Wu Tian, Wu Di, and Wu Ren had never witnessed such terrifying agility.
Li Jian unleashed six consecutive palm strikes in rapid succession.
Each monk managed to block one strike, but after that they had no strength left to defend further. All three were struck directly by another palm.
Yet Li Jian controlled his force perfectly.
The three monks were blasted backward simultaneously, flying several zhang before crashing heavily onto the ground. Even after landing, they continued tumbling helplessly before finally collapsing.
Li Jian had merely intended a light punishment and held no desire to injure them seriously. He withdrew his force at precisely the proper moment, his restraint flawless and exact.
Even so, the three monks saw stars spinning before their eyes. Their faces turned deathly pale with terror, drained entirely of color.