Please be my partner.

What truly matters are the legendary powerhouses who have reached the second step, and even the great beings on the other side of the third step.

"Boom!~"

After the loud impact, the two separated briefly.

The howling wind and snow obscured Hao Lianyun's figure somewhat. He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was extremely solemn. He had not expected that the newly risen Wudang Sect's Mei Lun could fight him to such an extent. His disdain and anger had long been frozen by the icy aura, leaving only calmness.

Mellen clenched his fist, then relaxed it, feeling the numbness gradually dissipate. He couldn't help but laugh, "That felt great! But the warm-up is over, now it's time to get serious!"

As Mellen swung his fists, he stirred up a howling wind and let out a shrill roar.

"Sing!~"

The wind and snow outside, drawn by the intent of Mellen's fist, subtly transformed into a dragon shape, coiling and rising.

"Roar!~"

Gradually, the dragon's form changed, growing a wolf's head and claws, and its power increased rapidly with each move.

Hao Lianyun suddenly shouted, "Frost chills the ten directions!"

A chilling aura, a mixture of spirit and matter, suddenly exploded outwards, even causing the wind and snow in the sky to pause for a moment, as if the entire space had been frozen by Hao Lianyun's move.

As Mellen was delivering a strike in mid-air, he too was frozen in mid-air. Even the dragon-wolf summoned by his fist was frozen in place, like a lifelike ice sculpture.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Hao Lianyun arrived in front of Mellen, using the wind and snow as a blade, pointing it directly at Mellen's heart.

Just as the sword was about to pierce Mellen, Mellen's stagnant spirit suddenly trembled, forming a substantial impact that crashed into Hao Lianyun's sea of ​​consciousness. Hao Lianyun was immediately pulled into the depths of hell, with layers of illusions appearing before her eyes. Her mind and body became disconnected, and even though she used the Frost Intent to freeze her heart, she could not control herself for a short time.

"Roar!~"

A beastly roar pierced the sky, dispersing the wind and snow in the area.

Once the snowstorm subsided, everyone could see the situation clearly.

There stood Mellen with his hands behind his back, his clothes neat and tidy, without the slightest dishevelment, while Hao Lianyun lay on the thick snow, a glaring crimson stain spreading, her life hanging in the balance.

Just then, the sky suddenly darkened, and there seemed to be some kind of profound power gathering, as if the sky and earth would collapse at any moment.

But then, a soft sound, like the cry of a sword or the melody of a zither, came from afar, instantly dispelling the darkness.

Looking towards the direction of the snow-capped mountains, Mellen's gaze was calm and indifferent. He muttered to himself, "Exterior view? No, this should be a further integration of interior and exterior views, resulting in the celestial power."

"A Celestial Shaman? Peak Martial Saint?"

Then, Mellen bowed slightly in the direction from which the soft sound came. The one who helped him block the Heavenly Shaman was not the Supreme Elder of the Wudang Sect, but the Supreme Elder of the Pure Land Sect, which is also one of the five sects of the Upper Realm.

Although the five factions of the Upper Realm are in competition with each other in this world, this competition is limited to the five factions themselves. When dealing with external forces, the five factions can still reach a consensus, let alone the mere natives of the Lower Realm.

Moreover, the five disciples from the five sects who guard this world are basically from the same generation and have a relationship with each other.

Knowing this, before coming to the Great Snow Mountain to take on the challenge, Mellen paid a visit to the Pure Land Sect, hoping that the Supreme Elder of the Pure Land Sect could stand up for him if he encountered 'force majeure'.

With the matter settled, Mellen had no intention of lingering under the shaman's nose any longer, and turned to leave quickly, transforming into a series of afterimages.

Only after Melen left did the other disciples of the Tianshan Sect dare to approach the holy son who was rescuing them.

On a distant snow-capped peak stood three girls who looked to be only in their early twenties. The one in the lead silently watched Mellen until he disappeared from sight.

The two girls behind them exchanged a glance. One of them rubbed her face, which was red from the cold, and said, "Senior Sister Nangong, everyone's gone. Let's go too."

Nangong Jingrong gave a soft "hmm" and withdrew her gaze.

Half a day later, in the huge carriage, Murren closed his eyes and meditated, his breathing fluctuating.

Three months of training and several battles with martial saint-level experts have allowed Mellen's strength to improve rapidly.

At the same time, the increase in his reputation also made him vaguely sense another level of blessing. This was not faith, but something more mysterious and profound. However, this blessing was still quite weak at the moment, as if there was an inexplicable barrier, and it was somewhat incomprehensible. Therefore, after studying it briefly, Mellen stopped paying attention to it. He believed that when his trials in this world were over, he would get the answer he wanted after going to the Wudang Sect in the Upper Realm.

After a brief period of preparation, the mysteries within Mellen began to unfold one by one…

Thirty-two!

Thirty-three!

Thirty-four!

Thirty-five!

After a brief pause, the thirty-sixth divine treasure burst open, completing the first level of the Wudang Holy Body.

At that moment, Mellen felt as if a layer of separation between himself and the world had vanished out of thin air, and the connection had become even closer.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth flowed slowly, converging towards Mellen.

At this moment, the immortal power that had been sealed off began to loosen slightly, and [Heavenly Heart Returns to Me] broke free and merged into Mellen's current martial arts.

Under the principle of "Heaven's Heart Belongs to Me," reflecting Heaven's heart with one's own, the vast landscape is reflected in Meron's soul.

In that instant, the inner landscape was formed.

Mellen slowly opened his eyes, which shone with a gentle light, as if the phantoms of mountains, grasslands, rivers, lakes and seas were swaying within them.

If Mellen wanted to, it wouldn't be impossible for him to take this opportunity to complete an exterior shoot, but he moved too quickly with interior shots, lacking sufficient time and refinement. He doesn't plan to continue improving in this area in the short term.

Cai Die'er and Jiang Ling's eyes sparkled. Although they couldn't figure out the specific reason, they understood that their master had become somewhat different.

Mellen looked at the two women. Cai Die'er was fine, but Jiang Ling had undergone a complete transformation in the past three months. Because of the good food and martial arts training, her development had become normal and she had grown taller. More importantly, the broadening of her horizons and Cai Die'er's teachings on etiquette over the past three months had completely changed her temperament, and she had truly transformed from an ugly duckling into a swan.

If Jiang Ling were to return to Xiaojiang Village now, even the neighbors who watched her grow up might not recognize her.

Mellen said to the coachman outside, "Let's speed up, don't delay the prince's birthday banquet."

Because Mellen had been training, even though the carriage had excellent shock absorption, the driver deliberately slowed down to avoid any bumps.

With only a few days left until King Jing's birthday banquet, it was natural to hurry over.

Upon hearing Mellen's command, the coachman immediately cracked his whip, which, as a signal, caused the carriages in front and behind to accelerate as well.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door of the carriage where Mellen was, and after he answered, Shi Xiaoxia respectfully walked in.

Shi Xiaoxia sighed inwardly. In the past three months, she had followed Mei Lun around and witnessed Mei Lun's growth firsthand. All she could say was... terrifying!

Shi Xiaoxia's purpose in coming was simple: besides greeting her, she wanted to discuss the upcoming itinerary.

Of course, while it was called a discussion, the route had already been planned by Fengling Pavilion. They were just asking to see if Mellen had any other opinions.

Mellen naturally agreed with a smile.

Shangjing, the capital of Dayu, is as magnificent and prosperous as an exquisite painting.

The city wall is thirty zhang high, exceeding ninety meters!

Looking left and right, there was no end in sight. It was made of basalt blocks, which is a testament to the extraordinary martial arts of the current world. If such a spectacle were to be built in a world without extraordinary martial arts, even if hundreds of thousands of people worked themselves to death, it might not be possible to complete it.

Such a magnificent city wall is difficult to cross even for martial arts masters.

Moreover, the beacon towers on the city walls stretch out like a long dragon winding between the majestic mountains. Once lit, the armies from the three surrounding garrison cities can arrive in just one day at full speed.

The towering gate, adorned with dragon and phoenix designs, exudes an air of solemnity.

Squads of armored soldiers patrolled in formation, their steps firm and resounding. Each soldier possessed considerable martial arts skills and was also adept at battle formations. Just ten of them, clad in armor and armed with weapons, could defeat even the most skilled martial artists. If there were powerful bows and crossbows behind them, even the strongest martial artists would only meet their demise.

Inside the city, the palaces are magnificent and resplendent, their glazed tiles shimmering in the sunlight, reflecting a dazzling light.

Shops lined both sides of the street, displaying a dazzling array of goods, from spices and silk to porcelain, all showcasing the prosperity of the capital.

Mellen and his companions traveled in a carriage belonging to the Wind Chime Pavilion, and Shi Xiaoxia even carried a plaque from the Prince Jing's Mansion, so they naturally had a smooth journey.

The closer they got to the city center, the more prosperous the surroundings became. When they arrived at the inner city, even though Shi Xiaoxia showed the plaque of the Prince Jing's Mansion, they were still subjected to strict questioning.

Upon hearing the name Mellen, the guards clearly turned their heads, recognizing him. After all, Mellen's reputation had skyrocketed recently, especially after his defeat of Hao Lianyun, the Holy Son of the Tianshan Sect, a rising star among the younger generation, which had made his name known throughout the world.

However, the fact that Mei Lun was a martial saint with a name, background, and origin actually made the guards relax. Especially after they learned that he was invited by Prince Jing, they let him pass with smiles on their faces.

If the outer city of Shangjing gave Melen a feeling of prosperity, then the inner city was somewhat strict and restrictive. Those who could live here were either high-ranking officials in the court or relatives of the emperor. Apart from them, there were only their families and servants.

It's fair to say that anyone you encounter here who walks with an arrogant air might be someone who can reach the highest levels of society.

Mellen and his group took a side road, but not far away there was a wide main road leading straight to the Dayu Imperial Palace, with neatly trimmed flowers and trees on both sides, their fragrance filling the air—this was the exclusive domain of the royal family.

Soon, Mellen and his party arrived at their destination... the Prince Jing's Mansion.

At this time, the Prince Jing's mansion was quite lively. It was heavily guarded outside, and those coming and going were all high-ranking officials and nobles or martial arts masters. Of course, although both types of people came to attend the Prince Jing's birthday banquet, they entered through different entrances because they had different tokens. Obviously, nobles and martial artists were separated.

Mellen looked around at the walls of the Prince Jing's mansion and roughly calculated that the entire mansion was no less than the size of a small town.

Then, Mellen met the Grand Steward, who had been waiting for a long time and was now smiling as he approached.

Clearly, given his status as the Martial Saint of Mellen, he was treated with great courtesy even within the Jing Prince's residence.

Chapter 642 Suppression with a Flick of the Finger

The head steward stepped forward with a smile and greeted him respectfully, "Young Master Mei, I have heard about your recent deeds. You have truly displayed great prowess. It is a pity that I am too busy with my affairs to attend to you."

Mellen laughed and said, "Grand Steward, you are too kind. I am just a newcomer who has not yet made any progress in martial arts and is slowly exploring the path. I am very grateful for the support of the Grand Steward, otherwise I would not have been able to achieve such results."

The head steward waved his hands repeatedly and said with a wry smile, "Young Master Mei, in this Prince Jing's mansion, I am not worthy of the title of head steward. If you do not mind, please call me by my name."

Mellen said, "In that case, I'll call you Brother Sheep."

The Grand Steward's real name was Gongsun Yang, a fact that Mei Lun already knew. It was said that King Jing personally bestowed this surname upon him, which was the highest honor for a loyal servant. This honor was earned by the Grand Steward through generations of service to King Jing's lineage.

The head steward repeatedly said that it was absolutely necessary, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

Martial Saints are inherently extraordinary, especially geniuses like Mellen who have already shown their talent, making them even more significant.

It can be said that the mere fact that Mei Lun was called "Brother Yang" was enough to elevate the status of Grand Steward Gongsun Yang in Prince Jing's mansion and even in Prince Jing's heart.

Furthermore, as Mellen's power grows stronger in the future, Gongsun Yang, as the first person from the Prince Jing's household to establish a friendly relationship with him, will become increasingly important.

After exchanging pleasantries and compliments, Mei Lun entered the Prince Jing's residence under the guidance of Gongsun Yang. As a martial saint, he naturally did not need to wait in line like other martial artists.

The entire Prince Jing's Mansion is like a huge garden, and it would be no exaggeration to say that there is a beautiful view at every step. Moreover, the various flower gardens cover spring, summer, autumn and winter. Just maintaining these flowers and plants requires a huge amount of manpower and resources.

Finally, Mellen and his group were arranged to stay in a garden called "Water and Sky". Gongsun Yang said apologetically that Prince Jing had originally intended to greet them personally, but unfortunately he had some important matters to attend to and could only miss the meeting. Prince Jing would definitely meet them before the birthday banquet began.

Mellen naturally exchanged a few polite words.

After a few days of peaceful stay in the Prince Jing's mansion, during his leisure time, he would go to the outer city of Shangjing with the help of the mansion's servants to stroll around and savor the prosperity of the city. He did not miss the Shangjing Wind Chime Pavilion and the legendary Jiaofangsi.

Of course, these two areas did not disappoint Mellen; they were not only more moisturized, but also significantly of higher quality.

The day before King Jing's birthday banquet, Gongsun Yang invited Mei Lun to the inner garden. When Mei Lun arrived, he found that he was not alone. There were three people who had arrived in advance, and judging from their aura, they were all powerful people above the Martial Saint level.

After a short while, a dashing young man arrived, and the five people present were all the martial arts guests who had come to the Prince Jing's birthday banquet.

Thor's Fist Zhuo Shaoxue.

Dragon Might Sword flies alone.

Xu Wenzhang of the Tiger Guild.

Sima Xian of Huoshan Village.

The first two belong to the carefree wanderers and do not have much background or power. Although the latter two have the support of power, the Tiger Gang and the Volcano Manor can only be considered second-rate. They were lucky to have cultivated a Martial Saint in this generation. They are far inferior to first-rate forces like the Wudang Sect, which has passed down the Martial Saint lineage from generation to generation.

This gap is reflected in all aspects, including fundamental training methods, secret techniques, moves, artistic conception, and martial arts understanding.

Upon arriving, Sima Xian immediately looked at Melun with a provocative glint in his eyes, seemingly eager to say something. However, perhaps mindful that it was Prince Jing who had invited him, he held back for the time being.

Mellen naturally noticed it, but ignored it.

After several days of investigation, he discovered that the capital was indeed a den of dragons and tigers. In the Jingwang Mansion alone, in addition to the five people present, there were three Martial Saints. Furthermore, there were more than a dozen powerful auras lurking in the inner and outer cities of the capital.

Although most of these martial saints did not pose much of a threat to Mellen, he had to pay attention to the strongest of them, especially since these auras were concentrated in the palace.

The group sat upright, quietly drinking tea.

They didn't have to wait long before a series of footsteps sounded, and before the person even arrived, a hearty laugh preceded them: "Hahahaha! I'm so sorry to have troubled you all to wait for me!"

Prince Jing stood tall and imposing, his brocade robe accentuating his extraordinary majesty. His gaze was deep and unfathomable, like the dark ocean, often carrying a hint of sharpness that seemed to see into people's hearts. He wore a warm smile that made everyone who saw him feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

The group rose and greeted King Jing, who sat down in the main seat and smiled in response.

The rest of the conversation was entirely under Jing Wang's control. He knew all five of them well, including their personalities, preferences, and past deeds. He could always find something that resonated with them and, in just a short while, make them feel like they had known each other for a long time and considered each other kindred spirits.

However, only they themselves know how much of it is true and how much is false, after all, the Martial Saint is not so easily influenced.

But overall, King Jing must have had good intentions to do this, which naturally pleased them all.

Throughout the entire casual conversation, King Jing did not show any intention to recruit him; it was just a simple chat.

After all, a martial saint isn't so cheap, and it might not be a good thing for Prince Jing to openly possess too much power.

Of course, their attendance at Prince Jing's birthday banquet already indicated a certain inclination, a fact that both sides tacitly acknowledged.