Chapter 29: The Power of a Single Word!

Falling Cloud City.

This was the largest city within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, where the Sole Me Sect resided. The mountain range was saturated with spiritual energy, nestled between mountains and rivers, and was a land of great prosperity.

There were no mortals in Falling Cloud City, only cultivators. The daily flow of people was tremendous, with disciples from the nearby major sects frequently coming here in search of amusement.

Many shops and temporary market stalls, all run by cultivators, could be found here. They sold techniques and spiritual tools useless to themselves to other cultivators, making this a center of bustling trade.

The most powerful force in Falling Cloud City was the City Lord’s Manor. The City Lord himself was a Golden Core cultivator. Though not much in the eyes of a great sect like the Sole Me Sect, for smaller sects, he was a formidable figure, his strength equivalent to a sect master.

For decades, the city had remained stable and prosperous. All cultivators needed a place to interact and trade, so no one ever tried to damage it.

In front of the city gate, only a handful of guards stood watch, allowing the cultivators of every sect to pass freely.

The disciples of the nearby sects were easily identifiable by their distinctive attire. At a glance, one could tell which sect they belonged to, so no checks were necessary. There were few rules in Falling Cloud City.

When Wang Ran arrived, it was midday, and he saw many cultivators coming and going.

From time to time, outstanding talents from other sects would appear, drawing the attention and admiration of ordinary cultivators.

At that moment, a young man in blue, his face etched with arrogance, walked past, prompting many to whisper and point.

“Isn’t that Gao Han from the Flowing Cloud Sect?”

“I’ve heard he’s the top talent of the Flowing Cloud Sect, a six-star Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

“Six stars? No wonder he’s so haughty!”

“He’s the treasure of the Flowing Cloud Sect now, of course he’s proud.”

“I envy these prodigies.”

The Flowing Cloud Sect was a mid-tier sect. Though it couldn’t compare with a giant like the Sole Me Sect, it remained lofty and unattainable in the eyes of ordinary cultivators.

Wang Ran glanced at the young man in the crowd. He wasn’t particularly impressive; a six-star Daoist Foundation was enough to enter the ranks of prodigies in the Sole Me Sect, but would only be ranked in the middle—there were far too many stronger than he.

Wang Ran ignored him and prepared to move on, but just then, a streak of rainbow light flashed through the air nearby. Its speed was astonishing, gone in an instant, and when it vanished, a figure appeared.

The newcomer wore a familiar robe of purple and white, his face dark and cold. The moment he appeared, the entire scene fell silent for a heartbeat.

“That outfit… He’s an inner disciple prodigy from the Sole Me Sect!”

“I recognize him—he’s Beiming Lie!”

“Heavens, Beiming Lie? The one with an eight-star Daoist Foundation?”

The prodigies of the great sects truly were in another league compared to the likes of Flowing Cloud Sect.

Hearing the crowd’s discussions, Wang Ran was briefly taken aback—he hadn’t expected to see Beiming Lie here.

Ever since Beiming Lie had been sent to meditate on Beast Mountain by Elder Feng Yazi, Wang Ran had not seen him again.

He hadn’t expected to encounter him here today.

Beiming Lie’s appearance clearly shocked everyone. Even the proud prodigy Gao Han from the Flowing Cloud Sect now wore an expression of respect, not daring to be insolent.

The city guards hurriedly cupped their fists and bowed, making way for him.

The Sole Me Sect was a force Falling Cloud City could not afford to offend.

Beiming Lie walked forward with pride, but his expression changed slightly when he noticed a figure ahead who did not step aside for him.

The surrounding cultivators all turned to look, and then began to gloat.

“Who is this fool? Doesn’t he even recognize a prodigy of the Sole Me Sect?”

“He’s actually blocking Beiming Lie’s path! Isn’t he afraid he’ll lose his head by tomorrow?”

“Blind, truly blind.”

“Judging by his clothes, he’s not from any sect.”

“Could he be a rogue cultivator?”

“Heh, this is going to be good!”

The nearby cultivators crossed their arms, sneering in anticipation of a spectacle.

Beiming Lie frowned, displeased by this strangely dressed cultivator.

Before Beiming Lie spoke, a Sole Me Sect disciple who had accompanied him stepped forward.

“Hey, kid, this is Beiming Lie, prodigy of our Sole Me Sect. If you know what’s good for you, step aside!”

The strange cultivator’s lips curled with amusement. He turned and replied indifferently, “Oh? Beiming Lie? Is he supposed to be impressive?”

At these words, Beiming Lie’s eyes narrowed, his displeasure deepening.

His sycophant, seeing an opportunity to show off, immediately stepped forward, barking, “Are you blind? Don’t you even recognize Senior Brother Bei? You need a lesson today!”

With that, he lunged forward, throwing a punch at the strange cultivator’s face.

That strange cultivator was, of course, Wang Ran. Watching the approaching fist, a shadow crossed his brow. In the next instant, two fingers shot out and caught the disciple’s fist in mid-air, holding it fast.

The attacking disciple was unable to move his fist even an inch further. Sweat broke out on his face, while Wang Ran remained motionless, as if he were dealing with nothing more than a bothersome fly.

The scene fell utterly silent.

Beiming Lie’s pupils contracted. His lackey was also an inner disciple, with a fifth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivation. This punch was nothing to scoff at.

Yet, this stranger had caught it effortlessly between two fingers!

Wang Ran gave them no time to recover. His eyes flashed coldly as he spat out a single word, but it cracked like thunder.

“Scram!”

As the word fell, a wave of invisible force erupted from his body, so overwhelming it was as if an emperor had descended, a conqueror revealed. The entire area was instantly engulfed.

Many lower-level disciples felt their vision go dark, their minds buzzing, and fainted on the spot.

Even those above the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment felt their legs go weak, their bodies drenched in cold sweat.

As for the disciple standing before Wang Ran, he bore the brunt of the pressure. Though he did not faint, his strength left him entirely, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

Beiming Lie’s face froze. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead—he too was shaken by the force.

The silence was complete. Under Wang Ran’s domineering aura, everyone trembled.

Wang Ran snorted softly and walked away at an unhurried pace. No one dared to make a sound.

Only when his figure vanished from sight did the crowd begin to recover, gasping for breath.

“Who was that man? How could he be so powerful?”

“In that instant, I felt as if a wild beast was staring me down.”

“Even Senior Brother Gao Han from Flowing Cloud Sect’s legs were shaking!”

“Forget Gao Han, look at Beiming Lie from the Sole Me Sect. Wasn’t he too scared to utter a word?”

The crowd began to whisper, all deeply shaken by Wang Ran’s display.

Beiming Lie stood in a daze for a long time before swallowing hard.

“With just a word, he wielded such might. I can’t see through his cultivation at all—he must be at least a Golden Core cultivator,” Beiming Lie thought, his heart pounding. Then, his eyes lit up anew. “But the aura he used just now should be some kind of offensive technique. If I could master it, perhaps I could finally deal with Wang Ran…”

A rare gleam of excitement and even respect appeared in Beiming Lie’s eyes.