Chapter 114: Treading Upon the Grandmaster

Zhao Bing's face brimmed with hope. To him, becoming a direct disciple of a Grandmaster was the greatest fortune imaginable. He had sought a master before but never had such an opportunity—surely no one would refuse.

Yet Lu Ming laughed heartily. "A Grandmaster? How laughable. You think a Grandmaster is an invincible being, but to me, they are merely charlatans seeking fame and fortune."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shao and the others were dumbfounded.

"Are you out of your mind, speaking like that to a Grandmaster?" Wang Shao roared furiously.

Though he did not fully understand what being a Grandmaster entailed, he had heard Zhao Bing speak of them as the pinnacle of martial prowess in their field. Wang Shao himself was several ranks below a Grandmaster.

He knew a Grandmaster was formidable, and seeing their slim chance of survival dashed by this insolent fool, Wang Shao could no longer hold back and cursed vehemently.

Zhao Bing, too, looked at Lu Ming in disbelief. Such a golden opportunity—why would this man refuse?

"Sir, a Grandmaster is the pinnacle of martial arts, revered by all. You must accept quickly; don't ruin this chance and jeopardize both your life and ours!" Zhao Bing urged anxiously.

"Big brother, please accept! Yao Yao and I will be forever grateful," Lele chimed in, throwing a seductive glance at Lu Ming, her meaning unmistakable.

Lu Ming glanced back and shot Wang Shao a glare. Wang Shao's heart skipped a beat, suddenly remembering that not only were their lives in the hands of this group, but now they also rested with Lu Ming. He shrank back, stammering softly.

"I'm just speaking the truth."

At that moment, Yao Gang bellowed angrily.

"I see your potential and have taken a liking to you, sparing your lives. Yet, you repay me with such insolence? Then I shall show you what it truly means to be a Grandmaster."

With that, Yao Gang's body trembled fiercely. A three-meter radius around him was swept by swirling sandstorms, yellow dust billowing like a desert tempest. The crowd's clothes flapped wildly in the gusts.

Wang Shao and the others were stunned by the sudden spectacle, while Zhao Bing was deeply shaken.

"Is this the legendary aura of a Grandmaster’s domain?" Zhao Bing marveled silently.

Suddenly, from within Yao Gang’s domain, a massive earthen giant nearly three meters tall emerged, roaring as it charged toward Lu Ming.

The crowd gasped. Such a technique was terrifying beyond words.

Lu Ming watched the approaching earthen giant coldly, expressionless.

Yao Gang was merely a Grandmaster who wielded earth elemental power. To Lu Ming, there was nothing extraordinary about that.

Just as the giant raised its fists to strike, Lu Ming launched a powerful punch.

"Boom!"

The colossal earthen giant shattered into fragments under Lu Ming’s blow.

Seeing Lu Ming’s might, Wang Shao and the others grew fearful. They had never imagined he could stand against a Grandmaster. Fear mingled with a flicker of hope.

Lu Ming appeared reasonable; though he had offended Lu Ming, his fate would be less dire than theirs. Falling into these people's hands meant certain doom.

Yet more earthen giants emerged from Yao Gang’s domain, charging relentlessly at Lu Ming. A cold smile curled on Yao Gang’s lips.

His earth domain not only provided immense defense but also continuously spawned these terrifying earthen giants. Even for another Grandmaster, being overwhelmed by a dozen of these beasts would be troublesome.

In Yao Gang’s estimation, Lu Ming was at best a martial artist of innate realm, far from Grandmaster level. Three or five of these giants would be enough to pulverize him.

The giants roared thunderously as they stomped toward Lu Ming, the very ground trembling beneath their weight.

Wang Shao and his companions were ashen with terror. If even one giant broke through Lu Ming’s defense, they would have no burial place.

"Brother, you must hold on!" Wang Zeyan, no longer the brash youngster, addressed Lu Ming respectfully, his tone changed from mockery to reverence.

Now Lu Ming was their last hope. They realized they were all sacrifices.

If Lu Ming fell, their fate would mirror those who had plunged into the pool—devoured by unknown monsters without a trace left.

Lu Ming laughed uproariously, then charged forward with a single leap.

"Trash," he shouted, smashing a giant into pieces with one punch.

His fists moved like a storm, clearing a path through the giants. None could withstand his blows.

In moments, he shattered a dozen giants and stood before Yao Gang.

Yao Gang’s face was one of disbelief.

His earthen giants were like bulldozers, overwhelmingly powerful. How could they be so easily destroyed before this man?

Before he could react, Lu Ming had already leapt into his domain.

Yao Gang’s expression turned grim, a hint of pleasure flashing in his eyes.

"You’re courting death. Don’t blame others," he snarled.

Lu Ming’s body was wreathed in flames of power as he broke into Yao Gang’s earth domain. Sand swirled violently like blades, battering him.

At the same time, Yao Gang’s figure grew, towering to five meters, clad in a layer of earthen armor.

His domain expanded to about five meters radius.

With a ferocious grin, Yao Gang clenched his fists and brought them down hard on Lu Ming.

Within his domain, his strength and elemental power were greatly amplified, granting him immense might and immunity to any attack below Grandmaster level. His power had grown immeasurably.

Wang Zeyan and the others held their breath, their faces drawn with anxiety.

Lu Ming was their last hope and must not be defeated. But Yao Gang’s sudden transformation into a towering war god crushed their confidence.

Lu Ming sneered, his right fist glowing with golden light as he met Yao Gang’s strike.

"Bang!" The impact sent Yao Gang flying backward.

Without pause, Lu Ming vaulted upward, delivering a fierce kick to Yao Gang’s abdomen.

"Crash!"

Yao Gang crashed to the ground, creating a large crater.

His domain vanished, his form returned to normal, blood streaming from his mouth as he lay stunned.

Lu Ming stood nearby, hands behind his back.

"Who exactly are you?" Yao Gang asked in terror.

He refused to believe this young man was an obscure nobody. At Yao Gang’s level, he must be a Grandmaster of great renown—someone unknown was impossible.

Lu Ming snorted coldly. "You’re not worthy to know my name."

He then raised his foot and crushed Yao Gang’s chest with brutal force.

Yao Gang screamed, blood gushing forth. His eyes filled with disbelief, his neck twisted, and he died.

Lu Ming’s voice was icy. "Helping the wicked, I’ll make sure you die with regret."

He then turned his gaze toward Miao E.

Wang Zeyan and the others almost had their eyeballs pop out. Lu Ming’s ferocity far exceeded their expectations; they doubted their own eyes.

In moments, the once invincible Grandmaster Yao Gang lay dead by Lu Ming’s hand. How could this be?

Zhao Bing was utterly shocked.

Yao Gang was a Grandmaster—a figure revered as invincible!

He couldn’t imagine a Grandmaster being trampled to death like an insect.

Was this man human or god? How could there be someone capable of humiliating and killing a Grandmaster so utterly? Wasn’t the Grandmaster supposed to be unbeatable?

For the first time, Zhao Bing questioned this ironclad law.

Meanwhile, Miao E stared at Lu Ming, equally stunned.

Yao Gang had been a renowned Grandmaster, yet this youth dispatched him so decisively—it was unbelievable.

Lu Ming slowly approached Miao E, saying, "You only grasp the shallowest skin of cultivation, yet dare to call yourself a True Being. How laughable."