"Who among you dares to fight me?"
At this moment, the barbarian clan's young master, Tuoba Hong, also stood up. Although only fifteen or sixteen years old, he was tall and burly, clearly harboring extremely powerful strength within his body.
Tuoba Hong wore a haughty expression and an arrogant demeanor, his gaze sweeping over the princes and imperial grandchildren of the Han royal family like a hawk eyeing wolves, as if those before him were all vulnerable fools.
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of everyone present changed drastically. They finally understood why the Southern Wasteland had dispatched an envoy group—it was to establish their might before the Han.
The Han Emperor's face阴沉 (darkened), and he said in a deep voice to the princes and imperial grandchildren seated below, "Who among you is willing to step forward and defeat this wretch? I will bestow a great reward!"
The princes and imperial grandchildren present immediately became eager. If they could leave a good impression on the Han Emperor, they might have a chance to ascend the throne in the future.
"Stop dawdling. Who among you will come forward to赐教 (instruct) me?"
Tuoba Hong scanned the surroundings,冷哼 (snorted coldly), his provocative intent growing stronger.
"I'll fight you!"
Seeing Tuoba Hong's arrogance, a prince immediately couldn't sit still and stood up directly.
"Father, let me teach this barbarian a lesson for you!"
The 17th Prince 冷哼 (snorted coldly), looking down on Tuoba Hong with disdain. As a dignified prince of the Great Han, he had consumed various spiritual medicines since childhood and received guidance from renowned masters. Now, at sixteen, he had advanced to the 5th Martial Realm, standing out among the princes and imperial grandchildren. Thus, he was full of confidence in defeating Tuoba Hong!
"Are you kidding me? You actually sent a 6th Martial Realm fool to deal with me?"
Tuoba Hong glanced at the 17th Prince, his expression even more arrogant.
"Scoundrel! Watch how I deal with you today!"
The 17th Prince's face turned red with anger. He rose furiously and charged toward Tuoba Hong. In an instant, he reached Tuoba Hong's front, then transformed his palm into a blade, slashing fiercely at Tuoba Hong.
"Good!"
This palm strike was fierce and swift. Many ministers nodded in approval, and the princes and imperial grandchildren who shared his hatred even cheered loudly.
The corner of Tuoba Hong's mouth curled into a cold smile, dismissing the 17th Prince's move. He let out a沉声 (deep) roar, raised his right fist, and smashed it toward the 17th Prince's palm-blade. A scorching aura surged from his right fist, and as this punch was thrown, faint flames flickered.
Bang!
Tuoba Hong's punch directly shattered the 17th Prince's palm-blade. The 17th Prince was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground, creating a large pit. He then clutched his right arm and let out a miserable groan—Tuoba Hong's punch had directly broken the 17th Prince's right arm, its power wildly绝伦 (peerless).
Everyone looked at Tuoba Hong in disbelief. The 17th Prince was around the same age as him, yet he couldn't withstand a single move!
"Scoundrel! How dare you injure a prince of the Great Han? I think you barbarians are seeking death!"
"Your Majesty, these barbarians are deliberately provoking us. Why not behead them and send their heads back!"
Many ministers shouted angrily. The imperial guards also unsheathed their weapons in unison, ready to slaughter the entire Southern Wasteland envoy group at the Han Emperor's command.
The Han Emperor's face remained dark. He looked coldly at Tuoba Hong and said in a deep voice, "Attendants, take the 17th Prince down to receive treatment!"
"Sorry, the 17th Prince is very strong, so I had to go all out. I might have struck a bit too hard just now!"
Tuoba Hong apologized, but his casual demeanor made it clear he was merely敷衍 (perfunctory). The Han Emperor's face grew even darker—this was not only an insult to him but also to the Great Han Dynasty. However, he couldn't directly order Tuoba Hong's execution, or it would only bring more shame if word got out.
"All of you, retreat!"
The Han Emperor waved his hand, and the imperial guards immediately withdrew. The civil and military officials, as well as the princes and imperial grandchildren, all had铁青 (livid) faces, feeling extremely憋屈.
"Is there anyone else who dares to 切磋 (spar)?"
Tuoba Hong chuckled, continuing to provoke them, his arrogance reaching its peak as he completely disdained the Han royal family present.
"Whoever can defeat this wretch will receive this jade finger ring as a reward!"
The Han Emperor removed the jade finger ring he wore and placed it on the table, then looked at the princes and imperial grandchildren. At the sight of the jade finger ring, everyone's breathing grew heavier. This ring was a spiritual treasure that could withstand attacks from cultivators below the 7th Innate Realm, serving as the Han Emperor's protective talisman. That he took it out as a reward today showed he was completely enraged by Tuoba Hong!
"Father, let me face him!"
The 15th Prince stood up, looking at Tuoba Hong with a cold smile: "Ignorant barbarian, today let you see the might of the Great Han royal family!" As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful aura burst from him, clearly revealing his 8th Martial Realm cultivation!
Lin Yu had advanced to the 7th Martial Realm at sixteen, hailed as a genius. The 15th Prince, only seventeen, had already reached the 8th Martial Realm. In terms of talent, he surpassed Lin Yu in his prime and was called another cultivation prodigy of the royal family after the 7th Princess!
"The 15th Prince is an 8th Martial Realm genius. Dealing with a mere barbarian is definitely no problem!"
"If the 15th Prince had acted earlier, this barbarian might have been defeated long ago!"
Seeing the 15th Prince step forward, the ministers present nodded, waiting to see him teach Tuoba Hong a harsh lesson.
The 15th Prince stood opposite Tuoba Hong and 冷哼 (snorted coldly): "I'm two years older than you. I originally didn't want to bully the young, but you're too arrogant. Today, let me show you that there are always people better than you, and skies beyond the sky!"
"Do you think you can defeat me?"
Tuoba Hong looked completely disdainful, saying in a deep voice: "First, try my punch!" Before the words fell, Tuoba Hong took a step, his figure as fast as lightning, instantly appearing in front of the 15th Prince. He then threw a punch at the 15th Prince's chest. A scorching aura surged from Tuoba Hong's right fist again, with a streak of red firelight flashing across it.
"Perfect timing!"
The corner of the 15th Prince's mouth curled into a cold smile. HeStartlingly (defiantly) raised his right fist and smashed it toward Tuoba Hong's punch, intending to defeat Tuoba Hong cleanly and directly in the most straightforward way.
The 15th Prince's and Tuoba Hong's right fists collided fiercely, erupting with a thunderous roar. For a moment, the ground in the imperial garden trembled slightly. Then, everyone saw the sleeve of the 15th Prince's right arm burst into熊熊 (raging) flames, and his arm seemed unable to withstand the might of Tuoba Hong's punch, being硬生生 (brutally) twisted and broken. Tuoba Hong pressed his advantage, directly sending the 15th Prince flying over ten zhang (30+ meters), crashing heavily in front of the Han Emperor.
Silence!
The entire imperial garden fell into dead silence. Shock covered everyone's faces. Who would have thought that the 15th Prince, a genius second only to the 7th Princess in the royal family, couldn't even withstand one move from Tuoba Hong before being defeated. How could Tuoba Hong's strength be so great?
"It seems you're no match either!"
Tuoba Hong laughed wildly, looking down at the 15th Prince with supreme arrogance.
"Something's wrong. This barbarian is clearly at the same 8th Martial Realm as the 15th Prince, yet he can drive spiritual energy outward. This is something only Innate Realm cultivators can do!"
"I think he must be hiding a treasure that boosts spiritual energy, which is why he's so fearless!"
The flames that flashed when Tuoba Hong attacked and the sleeve of the 15th Prince's arm burned to ashes finally made everyone realize something was amiss.