Join forces

Chen Kong's display indeed intimidated the disciples of the Yuan Sword Sect. 

It wasn't because his power could already crush Lu Feng, but due to the special nature of his Earth Spirit Physique, which granted him a strong affinity with the earth. Not only could the earth continuously support him with strength, but it could also respond to his mental commands to some extent. 

While Lu Feng and his companions were filled with hesitation and low morale, the disciples of the Tiandao Sect gradually entered the tomb, mixed with some disciples from various smaller sects. 

Upon entering, they were greeted by the tense standoff between the Imperial Academy and Yuan Sword Sect disciples. 

Leading the Tiandao Sect was Situ Yu, also a practitioner of the Dominating Blade, with a heavenly bone structure. At 19, he had already reached the second rank of the grandmaster level. 

As the top of the Young Qilin Ranking, his strength was even greater than Lu Feng's. 

Situ Yu didn't witness Chen Kong erasing the marks on the ground but immediately noticed that the Imperial Academy's disciples seemed to have the upper hand. It was evident that in the clash of top-level strength, Lu Feng had gained no advantage over Chen Kong. 

"Lu Feng? Aren't you usually so arrogant? What happened?" Situ Yu mocked with a sneer. 

The Tiandao Sect and Yuan Sword Sect had always been at odds, and the rivalry between Lu Feng and Situ Yu was a well-known topic of conversation. 

However, Situ Yu consistently overshadowed Lu Feng, leading his generation in fame and skill. Some even predicted that Situ Yu would at least achieve the Martial Emperor level in the future. 

Lu Feng gritted his teeth and shot a cold glance at Situ Yu: "None of your business." 

Situ Yu ignored Lu Feng's words and wisely turned his attention to Chen Kong: "Brother Chen, it seems the second place on the Young Qilin Ranking is about to change." 

Chen Kong remained silent, his deep eyes scanning the Tiandao Sect disciples and carefully observing Situ Yu. 

He was secretly calculating his chances if he had to face both of them simultaneously. 

Seeing Chen Kong's silence, Situ Yu frowned but spoke calmly: "Brother Chen, my Tiandao Sect and the Yuan Sword Sect have always been at odds. I can assure you that we won't interfere with the matters between the Imperial Academy and the Yuan Sword Sect. How about a little cooperation?" 

Since Chen Kong had gained the upper hand over Lu Feng, it was clear his strength had reached the grandmaster realm. Despite being a second-rank grandmaster, Situ Yu didn't want to provoke Chen Kong unnecessarily. 

As he mentioned, the Yuan Sword Sect and the Tiandao Sect had a long-standing grudge. If a fight broke out, who knew if Lu Feng would take advantage of the situation? 

Situ Yu was confident in his ability to surpass both Chen Kong and Lu Feng individually, but dealing with both at the same time could be a daunting task. 

Chen Kong looked at him indifferently: "Sorry, but I must follow orders. Neither of you can enter today." 

This statement didn't provoke Situ Yu but instead enraged the Tiandao Sect's disciples. 

Those who practised swordsmanship were generally arrogant and domineering. Situ Yu was the pride of the Tiandao Sect and the top of his generation. 

How dare Chen Kong be so arrogant as to deny Situ Yu's face? Immediately, some Tiandao Sect disciples shouted angrily: "How dare you! Who do you think you are to say that in front of Brother Situ?" 

"Exactly! Step aside quickly. If we catch that Mo Qingkuang, we might even share some of the spoils from the tomb with you out of goodwill between our sects." 

"Enough!" Chen Kong's pitch-black eyes turned to the shouting disciples, and his cold gaze made them involuntarily fall silent. 

The intimidating look in Chen Kong's eyes sent a chill down their spines, causing them to instinctively step back. 

"Hahaha, Situ Yu. It seems your title of top on the Young Qilin Ranking isn't much use against Chen Kong," Lu Feng mocked, seeing the situation. 

In his view, Chen Kong was difficult to handle directly, and it wouldn't be worth the risk. If he could instigate a fight between Situ Yu and Chen Kong, he might be able to benefit from the chaos. 

Situ Yu's frown deepened. In the Tiandao Sect, his word was law. Given his reputation and status, even some of the sect's elders had to show him respect. 

Yet here was Chen Kong, showing him no respect at all. Did Chen Kong really think he was just another flashy but useless figure like Lu Feng? 

Situ Yu took a step forward, his aura erupting around him like a poised, unsheathed blade, radiating a sharp, aggressive energy. His eyes narrowed, and his tone took on a menacing edge: "Chen Kong, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." 

Facing Situ Yu, Chen Kong bore the brunt of his imposing aura but remained unfazed. 

He stood straight, like an immovable mountain, blocking the entrance: "I said, neither of you can enter!" 

"Arrogant!" Situ Yu's face darkened as he drew the long blade from his back, sending a ten-meter-long blade of energy slashing down toward Chen Kong. 

Although not at full power, Situ Yu intended to make Chen Kong suffer, to show him the vast difference in their strength. 

'Don't think that just because you gained some advantage over Lu Feng, you can challenge me, Situ Yu!' 

The blade energy, domineering and sharp, charged forward with unstoppable momentum. The Dominating Blade was the Tiandao Sect's most powerful technique for challenging higher-ranked opponents, and Situ Yu had been honing it for years. Even a typical third-rank grandmaster wouldn't dare to face it head-on. 

Yet Chen Kong remained unperturbed, throwing a punch in response. 

His fist, enveloped in a golden light, resembled a golden glove. 

He didn't dodge or evade, directly meeting Situ Yu's blade. 

When fist and blade met, there was no stalemate as one might expect, nor did the blade overpower the fist. 

Instead, the golden fist shattered Situ Yu's blade energy. 

Chen Kong stood where he was, unmoved, like a deeply rooted tree, completely unaffected. 

The difference in power was immediately clear! The entire crowd was astonished! 

Even Situ Yu, the top of the Young Qilin Ranking and a second-ranking grandmaster, couldn't gain any advantage over Chen Kong. 

Situ Yu's expression grew serious: "Chen Kong, you've hidden your strength well." 

Lu Feng was even more shocked. From this display alone, he could tell that Chen Kong's strength surpassed his own. 

Situ Yu's blade was no small feat. Even he wouldn't dare to take it head-on. 

Chen Kong had effortlessly shattered it with a single punch. How could he not be stunned? 

"Situ Yu, you and Lu Feng cannot enter. Anyone below the grandmaster realm, feel free." Chen Kong's tone was casual, as if he had just done something trivial. 

"Situ Yu, Chen Kong clearly looks down on the two of us, thinking he can block us both on his own. How about we give him what he wants? Whoever catches Mo Qingkuang first gets to keep him, agreed?" Lu Feng's face was grim as he proposed to Situ Yu. 

Situ Yu pondered for a moment and then agreed. Chen Kong's strength was indeed puzzling. He had already lost face in the previous exchange, and it seemed Chen Kong wouldn't allow him to enter. 

If he was truly blocked here by Chen Kong alone, he would lose all respect and dignity. 

'No matter how strong he is, we should team up and kill him first!' With this thought, Situ Yu made up his mind and nodded in agreement: "Alright!"