Chapter 774 - 409: A Distinctive Way

Elder Tian lost!!

Not only was the defeat swift, it was brutal. Yang An had even torn off one of his arms.

None of the spectators in Emei Mansion had ever seen the famous Elder Tian in such a sorry state, looking as if he were on the verge of losing his mind.

Everyone was so stunned they could only stare blankly. At that moment, no one would have even noticed the arrival of the Mansion Master and the Supreme Elder.

But it wasn’t just the spectators; the Mansion Master and the Supreme Elder were also staring in utter shock.

The outcome of a battle that everyone had considered a foregone conclusion had defied all expectations.

The entire fight, from start to finish, hadn’t even lasted the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The two had come down from the Golden Summit, expecting that Tian Fulai might fly into a rage and harm innocent bystanders. Instead, this was the scene that greeted them.

They exchanged a glance and, in a flash, entered the arena together.

But Yang An had already sensed their approach and preemptively put some distance between himself and Tian Fulai.

"Stop!"

The Mansion Master shouted first, though it was unclear whether he was telling Yang An to stop or Tian Fulai.

The two of them rushed between Yang An and Tian Fulai, forcibly halting any further action—though in truth, they only had to restrain Tian Fulai.

At that moment, Tian Fulai’s face was completely transformed, twisted into a contorted mask. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared fixedly at Yang An.

The pain from his severed arm made him look like a madman on the verge of a rampage.

But with the arrival of the Mansion Master and the Supreme Elder, his expression quickly settled, leaving only the agony.

Yang An noticed something. At the wound where he had severed the man’s arm, flesh was beginning to knit and squirm. But in the blink of an eye, the regeneration vanished without a trace. And along with it, that familiar foul aura!

Tian Fulai clutched his wound, his expression turbulent as he looked at Yang An.

"Fighting amongst ourselves is forbidden within the mansion. You are to stop once a point has been made."

The Supreme Elder looked at them both with a stern, imposing expression, issuing a warning.

"I meant no offense."

Yang An casually tossed the severed arm he was holding back to Tian Fulai. There were plenty of ways for Cultivators to reattach a limb without side effects, especially for someone of Tian Fulai’s caliber.

Then, he couldn’t resist adding:

"But I won this challenge."

A delighted grin spread across his face.

The entire arena fell silent.

Tian Fulai caught his severed arm, his eyes betraying an unmistakable killing intent that bored past the Mansion Master and the Supreme Elder to land squarely on Yang An.

"Alright! That’s enough! This ends now!"

The Mansion Master’s voice boomed across the arena. It seemed to be a warning for Tian Fulai, but it was directed at Yang An as well.

"If there are no other challengers, then it is indeed over."

Yang An chimed in. The Mansion Master shot him a look but didn’t argue.

’Even Tian Fulai had lost to Yang An. Unless he or the Supreme Elder personally intervened, no one else could possibly defeat him. Even for me, taking down Yang An would likely be no easy task.’

’This young man’s power had surpassed their estimations time and time again, catching them completely off guard.’

The crowd of onlookers remained silent. They had just witnessed Tian Fulai’s defeat with their own eyes; none of them were foolish enough to volunteer to challenge Yang An next.

’Yang An was very pleased with this outcome. He’d even made an unexpected discovery during the challenge.’

"From now on, you are one of the Elders of our Emei Mansion."

The Mansion Master acknowledged Yang An’s new status, but he deliberately avoided mentioning that Yang An had defeated Tian Fulai to claim his position.

He would simply create an additional Elder position. It was a trivial matter, and for Emei Mansion, it was actually a positive development.

The only problem was that with Emei’s Seventy-Two Peaks and its thirty-six Elders, the count had now become thirty-seven. Someone would have to make way.

Ultimately, the Mansion Master’s gaze landed on a newly promoted Elder on the high platform.

"Celestial Maiden Peak, currently under Elder Wei, will now serve as Elder Yang’s Dao field."

’Among the Elders, Meng Jianglai had been soundly defeated by Yang An, but he was Tian Fulai’s brother. Forcing either Tian Fulai or Meng Jianglai to concede would undoubtedly cause trouble with the pair of them.’

’Therefore, the situation required a delicate touch. Having a newly promoted Elder concede was the most fitting solution.’

At this, the aforementioned Elder Wei was furious but dared not voice it, turning his head away under the mocking gazes of the others.

However, this move earned Yang An’s displeasure.

’He had no grievance or enmity with the other Elders. The Mansion Master’s move would only create unnecessary trouble for him. While it wasn’t a significant problem, he had no desire to waste time on such meaningless matters.’

Therefore, as soon as the Mansion Master announced his decision, Yang An rejected it outright.

"I don’t accept!"

Those three words once again left everyone present stunned.

’What does he think he’s doing? He defeated Elder Tian, and now he dares to defy the Mansion Master? He’s completely lawless!’

Yang An, however, turned his gaze to Tian Fulai.

"According to the rules of the challenge, I am to take the position of the one I defeated. By that same token, I am also to take over their Dao field. This is both reasonable and in accordance with the rules.

Elder Wei and I never fought. How could I take what is his?"

"This..."

With Yang An’s words, his intention to take Tian Fulai’s Dao field was made clear. For a moment, the Mansion Master was at a loss.

The others silently cursed Yang An for pushing his luck, but in a surprising turn, Elder Wei looked over at Yang An with an expression of astonishment.

Just as the Mansion Master was struggling with the decision, another voice rang out.