His anger did not stem from the youngsters' petty squabbles.
Rather, it was because Humanism was about to suffer a defeat under his watch.
Especially since a Great Shaman of Wu Deity Mountain was sitting right in front of him.
However, although he was angry, there wasn't much he could do about it.
He wouldn't force Liu Junyi over something like this; though he was angry, he had his composure.
Liu Junyi had already made his stance clear: unless it was a life-or-death battle, he would not participate in any group attacks.
Moreover, he mentioned that there was still another Wu Deity Mountain Young Master who hadn't shown their hand yet. Even if he acted now, it was likely that the other party could stop him.
It seemed like adding him into the mix would ensure victory, but in reality, it would only result in a stalemate.
The Deputy Minister of the Honglu knew this was Liu Junyi's way of hinting at him, trying to persuade him to agree with Liu Junyi's decision not to act.
Because by doing so, it left room for maneuver.
Regardless of winning or losing, it wouldn't make things too awkward.
If they lost, then it could be said they showed gentlemanly conduct by not pursuing and yielding.
If they won, then it would be a victory with ease, even if they went easy on them.
If it was a draw, then everyone would be happy, and both sides would have something to say.
Of course, the Deputy Minister of the Honglu knew this definitely wasn't Liu Junyi's true intention.
His true intention was probably quite simple – he just didn't want to gang up on someone outnumbered. But to avoid offending him, a Third Rank official, he proactively provided an out and offered these benefits, hoping to convince him.
This approach allowed Liu Junyi to adhere to his principles without offending this Purple-Robed Duke, while also preserving face for everyone present and preventing the situation from deteriorating further.
These considerations flashed through the Deputy Minister of the Honglu's mind instantly.
He had to admit, Liu Junyi... was smart, and a very considerate one at that.
So, he stopped pressing and sat back down, continuing to watch the battle below.
At this point, let the younger generation handle their own affairs, and he would deal with the aftermath.
It was a pity they couldn't strike a blow against Wu Dao this time, instead getting slapped themselves.
Their opponent had played a clever game; the actions of these three Wu Deity Mountain Young Masters were surely instigated by this Great Shaman!
Thinking about this, the Deputy Minister of the Honglu settled down, taking a sip of tea.
Liu Junyi also relaxed, stopping his efforts.
Afterwards, he smiled and nodded politely at Zhong Minglou.
Zhong Minglou was blind and had his eyes covered with cloth, but at this moment, he responded as if he could see, returning the courtesy to Liu Junyi.
Liu Junyi felt a bit surprised.
He bowed out of politeness, not really expecting the other to see.
Was this person faking blindness?
Or perhaps he had other means of observation?
Liu Junyi speculated but didn't dwell on it.
Because the battle below had reached an exciting part.
Below, countless techniques were being blocked by that peculiar temporal light, causing those behind to move faster than those in front, piling up into a special 'wall'.
This wall was a marvel, various techniques stacked together without confusion, operating normally but at an incredibly slow pace, allowing anyone to spot the flaws easily.
Yan Ke swiftly picked, sorted, and cracked them one by one, sending the results and codes via formation plate to Bo Yue.
Upon receiving the cracking results, Bo Yue matched the codes with Li Qi's transmitted messages.
Li Qi, on the other side, didn't speak aloud since talking was too slow at this moment.
He directly entered text mentally, outputting hundreds of words per second, each word precise, rapidly refuting every 'reason' presented by the opponents.
Then, these rebuttals were numbered and sent to Bo Yue.
Yan Ke's cracking results combined with Li Qi's rebuttals, Bo Yue corrected, compared, and even modified contradictions between Li Qi and Yan Ke before packaging everything through the formation plate and sending it to each opponent.
Precision cooperation, each playing their role according to their own rhythm, handling all information.
Truly ingenious.
Liu Junyi had a clear self-awareness. Comparing himself, how long could he hold out facing such coordinated teamwork?
Yes, he didn't even consider winning, but rather started thinking about how long he could last.
After some thought, his answer was... probably no more than five minutes.
Of course, that was when facing all three simultaneously. In single combat, he should be stronger than any one of them.
But this was due to the power of his position.
As an Eighth Rank official, he was among the strongest forms of Humanism, capable of gathering collective strength while being personally outstanding.
Such Humanism cultivators could be said to surpass any same-rank cultivator from other paths, unless the difference in talent and combat prowess was too great, otherwise, Humanism would always be stronger.
This was the characteristic of Humanism, the foundation upon which many Humanism officials stood.
However, as the battle progressed, the Great Shaman became increasingly pleased, while the Deputy Minister of the Honglu's expression grew darker.
Because Li Qi's trio were coordinating for the first time, initially appearing evenly matched.
Their coordination was so seamless that everyone assumed they had trained together for a long time, believing these three Young Masters were accustomed to such tactics.
But in fact, this was their first time fighting this way.
What appeared as coordination was actually just 'genius coordination'. As intelligent people, they naturally knew what to do, thus previously forcing themselves clumsily.
But as the fight continued, they became more familiar with these tactics, efficiency increased, redundancy decreased, and over time, their combat effectiveness skyrocketed!
Yan Ke began expanding the range of the peculiar temporal light, enveloping Bo Yue and Li Qi, boosting their speed several times over.
Initially, they couldn't adapt to the peculiar temporal light, but after just a few minutes of joint combat, they learned how to handle two different time flows within it.
Li Qi started transmitting information observed through Dao Resonance to the others. Previously, this information transmission was detrimental to the other two, as only Li Qi could handle large amounts of data flooding his brain while maintaining clear thoughts. The others would become dazed and stuck in place.
Yet, after just a few minutes, they began adapting to low-intensity information overload, gradually accepting sensory rushes from Dao Resonance and reaping its benefits.
The advantage of Dao Resonance was near-perfect perception of surroundings.
With both Dao Resonance and peculiar temporal light, Bo Yue could process vastly more information!
All these factors combined, making the thousands of attackers feel despair.
No matter how many reasons they threw at Li Qi, he perfectly refuted them.
No matter how many techniques they used, Yan Ke effortlessly cracked them.
The combined force of thousands resembled a flood.
While the area occupied by the trio was akin to an abyss.
No matter how mighty the river, once it fell into the abyss, it wouldn't make a sound, having no effect whatsoever.
One needed to wait a moment to hear the echo.
That echo told you your technique was cracked, your reason refuted, here's the refutation, take it and examine it carefully.
At first, they could only endure.
Thus, the attackers tried ramping up their firepower, attempting to overwhelm the seemingly passive abyss.
But soon, after rapid coordination...
The abyss began to counterattack.
From the abyss came the counterattacks of their own earlier assaults.
The counterattack arrived!
The trio working together seemed like an unstoppable beast crawling out of the abyss!
The ground shook violently, shockwaves sweeping across, even affecting those further away.
Hundreds participating in the central battlefield had massive information poured into their minds, along with corresponding techniques attacking!
They experienced what they had done to Li Qi and the others.
Being assaulted by thousands of techniques while needing to refute hundreds of different reasons.
But the thousands of wise men's reasons flooded their minds, echoing in their heads.
Everyone stood dumbfounded, the fighting halted.
Under the overwhelming influx of ancient wisdom, unlike the Wu Deity Mountain Young Masters who quickly organized and resisted, these individuals turned blank and stupid, some even drooling, unable to think.
However, the techniques wouldn't wait for them.
The trio's combined techniques rolled forward like a steamroller. If hit, these hundreds wouldn't die but most would be severely injured, with some losing their cultivation levels.
But at this moment, Liu Junyi suddenly accelerated.
With a gentle breeze, his figure moved to block ahead.
Then, extending his hand.
Heart empty, devoid of external disturbances, calm and undisturbed by outside intentions, thus heart empty and calm.
Graceful and proficient, in harmony with the Dao.
Not ancient methods, but modern ones.
Heart empty and calm, transforming, leaving no trace.
Humble as a valley, even if faced with myriad blades, none could harm him.
A surge of righteous energy surrounded Liu Junyi, dissipating the trio's combined techniques without a trace.
Seemingly effortlessly, he defused techniques capable of seriously injuring hundreds of same-rank Eighth Grade cultivators.
Liu Junyi clasped his hands and said to the trio far away: "Three gentlemen, please cease. Things have gone far enough, ending here is perfect."
The trio exchanged glances from afar.
Unbelievably, how could an equal rank exist silently block their combined attack?
Bo Yue narrowed his eyes and asked: "What method? Dao Resonance?"
Li Qi expanded his True Knowledge, sensing around but detecting no signs of techniques or divine abilities, nodding: "Should be Dao Resonance, I sensed Righteous Energy."
As Eighth Grades, Li Qi knew no technique or divine ability could achieve this, so it must be Dao Resonance.
Yan Ke looked towards Liu Junyi: "Really impressive. Among us three, who can beat him in a one-on-one fight?"
Li Qi estimated and shook his head: "In a one-on-one, we can't win. He has his official position."
Bo Yue sneered: "Who would fight him one-on-one? I'm a Shaman, when I want him dead, he won't even see me."
The three of them each nodded.
Indeed.
They were Shamans and Diviners, and would only personally intervene under special circumstances; most of the time, they operated from behind the scenes.
Each of them withdrew their respective techniques, and the three reached an agreement.
Yan Ke stepped forward: "Since that's the case, let's cease the battle. However, may I ask for your name?"
"I am Liu Junyi. There's no need for formalities; you can call me by my name."
But before anyone could say more, the Great Shaman and the Purple-Robed Duke stood up in the hall.
"Let's end it here," they said in unison.
Regardless of what they might have thought internally, they now wore serious expressions, devoid of personal emotion.
"The victor has been decided. It appears this match is a draw," said the Great Shaman.
"In that case, let's set aside our disputes. This is a state banquet to welcome envoys, and we must not be negligent. Everyone, please sit down and commence the feast," said the Deputy Minister of the Honglu calmly.
As they spoke, a semi-transparent barrier rapidly swept across the entire hall.
In just a quick pass, all damage was repaired, disordered tables and chairs returned to their original positions, and injured individuals were restored and seated back in their places.
However... Li Qi's pupils contracted.
He realized through True Dao Resonance that this wasn't 'restoration'.
This was... refreshing!
It was like... resetting a scene in a game with just one click, where everything returns to its original state!
Seeing the barrier sweeping towards him, Li Qi broke out in cold sweat and desperately tried to escape!
Damn it, refreshing!
Who knows what would happen after being refreshed?!
Others didn't feel much, but he felt an intense, unbelievable sense of oppression!
Something was there, something!
True Dao Resonance sensed it!
However, as an Eighth Rank cultivator, even if he wanted to flee, it was too late. He was directly swept over by the refresh.
At that moment, Li Qi activated the Grand Invoker Spirit Energy within his body without hesitation!
The four strands of energy given to him by Zhu Fengdan—Sun, Moon, Stars, and Heaven—had already used one strand, and now he directly used another, trying to break free!
This time, he used Sun Energy.
All he felt was a dull thud.
Li Qi's vision went black, and his whole body felt almost shattered.
But, whatever it was merely paused slightly.
Li Qi gritted his teeth, exerting all his strength, and activated another strand of Grand Invoker Spirit Energy.
This time, it was Moon Energy.
With Sun and Moon Energies combined, the effect far exceeded the sum of the two.
The two strands of Grand Invoker Spirit Energy exploded violently, releasing profound ripples that forcibly tore open a ray of light for Li Qi in the darkness.
Li Qi sensed a glimmer of hope, something that could stop this refresh!
He leaped over, grabbed it, and finally saw light.
Then, he saw the entire world before his eyes.
Except...
He was sitting at the table, with fragrant dishes laid out in front of him.
Everything around had returned to how it was when they first sat down, tables restored, damages repaired, everyone seated again, memories intact but bodies seemingly reset.
Except for Li Qi.
Li Qi had consecutively used two strands of Grand Invoker Spirit Energy to break through the refresh, and it seemed he was the only one who hadn't been reset?
No, Yan Ke still bore injuries, so only Bo Yue was reset?
What exactly was that refresh?
Where did that overwhelming terror come from?