Chapter 033: Kneel and Accept Your Death

In that instant, a fierce murderous aura surged from Mu Tianhen, relentlessly sweeping toward Mu Tianfeng, causing Mu Tianfeng’s robes and hair to flutter wildly.

Sensing the sudden killing intent, Mu Tianfeng was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected Mu Tianhen to wield such overwhelming force, enough to make him feel a trace of pressure. Yet he quickly regained his composure, letting his meridian power ripple outward and effortlessly dispel Mu Tianhen’s murderous intent without leaving a mark.

Mu Tianfeng then gave a dismissive, cold smile. “Is that all you’ve got? Trash will always be trash! Today, I’ll show you what true genius looks like!”

With those words, Mu Tianfeng strode toward the center of the martial arena, secretly gathering his meridian power to raise his aura higher and higher, leaving the crowd in shock. Each step he took caused the earth to tremble and emit a dull thud, like a heavy hammer beating upon the hearts of all present.

This was a show of dominance, a declaration that with Mu Tianfeng’s return, there was no room for anyone else. None present were qualified to oppose him.

However, Mu Tianfeng did not unleash his full might against Mu Tianhen just yet. He wanted Mu Tianhen to enter the arena, and only then would he torment him to death, using Mu Tianhen’s tragic end to announce his triumphant return.

The two men advanced toward each other, meeting quickly at the center, less than ten meters apart.

Casting a sideways glance, Mu Tianfeng sneered, “Trash, do you really think you’re worthy to contend for the clan head position? Do you deserve it?”

“I had no wish to dirty my hands by killing a worthless wretch like you, but to avenge my father and brother, I must swallow my disgust and do it!”

“To die by my hand is the greatest honor a failure like you could ever hope for!”

The arena was utterly silent; no one dared utter a word. All stood motionless, watching the two men, waiting to see how this battle would unfold.

Many had already decided in their hearts that Mu Tianhen was doomed this day. The only question was how wretched his death would be.

Mu Tianhen paid no heed to what others thought, nor did he care about Mu Tianfeng’s taunts. His mind was calm as still water, unruffled, as if he alone existed beneath heaven and earth.

For the past three months, Mu Tianhen had spent every night cultivating the Infinite Heart Method and the Azure Lotus Sword Manual, gaining insights he had never achieved in over a decade.

These revelations had profoundly changed his state of mind, making him steady and mature.

Thus, even in the face of Mu Tianfeng, who stood three minor realms above him, and with the odds against him, he felt no fear—only calm resolve.

His earlier roar to interrupt Mu Tianfeng was merely to stop him from further wounding his sister with words.

Now, with Mu Tianfeng’s full attention fixed on him, there was no longer any fear of insults directed at Mu Tianxue, and so Mu Tianhen remained composed.

Seeing Mu Tianhen’s apparent disregard, Mu Tianfeng grew furious and barked, “Wretch! How dare you ignore me—an unforgivable crime!”

“Kneel! Kneel and beg forgiveness at once!”

With a shout, Mu Tianfeng channeled his meridian power, forming a powerful aura that he pressed toward Mu Tianhen.

Though the crowd could not sense the pressure directly, they all guessed that Mu Tianfeng would use his overwhelming cultivation to force Mu Tianhen to his knees.

Yet, to their disappointment, Mu Tianfeng failed.

The force he unleashed was indeed directed at Mu Tianhen, but it met a powerful backlash and vanished without a trace.

Impossible!

Mu Tianfeng was shocked, scrutinizing Mu Tianhen anew.

This weakling ought to be easily crushed—so why was this happening?

He had used sixty percent of his meridian power just now. Anyone below the fifth level of the Sky-Gazing Mirror would have been unable to withstand it, let alone someone at the mere first level.

What he didn’t know was that Mu Tianhen’s display of being at the first level was only a façade, a suppression of his true cultivation. Moreover, with his innate sacred body, his defenses were formidable; among his peers, few could rival him. Breaking Mu Tianfeng’s sixty-percent pressure was hardly a challenge.

Of course, Mu Tianfeng could not bear to step down and lose face.

He had declared Mu Tianhen would kneel, and so he must make him kneel, to show all that his words were law and must be obeyed.

Thus, Mu Tianfeng increased his meridian power, imposing his might on Mu Tianhen a second time, once again shouting for him to kneel.

This time, he used eighty percent of his power—enough to crush anyone below the fifth level of the Sky-Gazing Mirror. Even a genius would struggle to withstand it, and if they managed, they would suffer grievous injury.

Mu Tianhen sensed the vastly increased aura, feeling a considerable threat, yet it was still within his ability to resist.

He too increased his meridian power, shattering Mu Tianfeng’s pressure once again, standing unmoved, his face calm as if nothing had happened.

This left Mu Tianfeng even more baffled. Never had he imagined that Mu Tianhen could so easily break his pressure twice in a row.

“Let’s see how long you can hold out! Kneel and die!”

Mu Tianfeng roared again, this time using his full strength.

Whoosh!

In the onslaught of his tremendous aura, the air howled, and dust and leaves swirled into the air, swept up as if by a raging storm.

Bang!

At last, Mu Tianhen moved, stamping his foot so hard that cracks split the flagstones beneath him, scattering fragments far and wide.

At the same time, he unleashed a tremendous counterforce, meeting Mu Tianfeng’s pressure head-on.

Boom!

A muffled explosion sounded in midair, warping the very air as though the roar would tear it apart.

Crack!

The stone beneath Mu Tianhen’s foot caved in, forming a shallow pit, sending more shards flying into the distance.

Seeing this, the crowd understood: the two were locked in a silent contest of strength. From the outcome, it seemed Mu Tianfeng held the advantage.

Especially Mu Tianxue, who was beside herself with anxiety, longing to rush forward and strike the villainous Mu Tianfeng and fight alongside her brother.

But before she could move, Mu Tianxiang held her back, urging her not to fear and to believe that little Hen would handle everything.

Mu Tianxue clenched her fists tightly, eyes fixed on the two figures, praying endlessly for her brother.

On the other side, Yang Cui and her allies already wore smug smiles, their faces brimming with satisfaction.

They did not urge Mu Tianfeng to finish it quickly; in fact, they hoped he would prolong the contest, to better torment Mu Tianhen and further intimidate the rest.

As the central figure in this contest, Mu Tianfeng was keenly aware of his advantage. With a sinister smile, he summoned his meridian power once more, determined to force Mu Tianhen to his knees.

P.S.: Today is the last day of the month and the first day this book is up for recommendation. I hope to have your support and advance successfully—praying for good fortune! Now... back to work.