World's Strongest Martial Warrior

"Don't push me, He Chenyi! I'll fight you to the end!" Ning Gaoyang declared, wiping the blood from his mouth, his face contorted with a wild resolve.    

As he braced himself for a final stand against He Chenyi, a streak of light shot across the sky, landing abruptly beside Ning Gaoyang and his companions. The unexpected arrival halted the combatants in their tracks, leaving them momentarily dumbfounded.    

"Miss... Miss Qing'er?" Two level nine members of the Luo Shui Merchant Union, both True Immortals, stared in surprise at Peter Parker and Luo Qing'er, who had appeared out of nowhere.    

It was clear they hadn't anticipated Peter Parker and Luo Qing'er's timely intervention. Upon discovering the mysterious gorge, they had promptly informed Luo Qing'er, but they never imagined that the Long River Immortal City's response would be so merciless, intent on annihilating them all.    

Had they known the consequences, they would have refrained from summoning Luo Qing'er at all costs.    

Peter Parker was undeniably gifted, his combat prowess on par with a typical Ninth Stage True Immortal. Yet, facing He Chenyi, Long River Immortal City's top prodigy, even Peter Parker's talents might not suffice. The odds were stacked against them.    

Disappointment flickered in Ning Gaoyang and his group's eyes upon witnessing the scene. If only the Lu Family's Lu Hongyu and others had been the ones to arrive, they might have stood a chance against Long River Immortal City's forces.    

Among the many who had ventured into the Great Luo Secret Realm, Luo Qing'er and Ning Gaoyang from the Luo Water Merchant Union were considered the least formidable. Far from being assets in the conflict, they risked becoming liabilities.    

"People of the Luo Water Merchant Union?" He Chenyi's gaze lingered on Peter Parker and Luo Qing'er with a hint of scorn. "Your Luo Water Merchant Union is one of the three great Golden Immortals of Heavenly Water Immortal City. How dare you send such underwhelming representatives to the Great Luo Secret Realm?"    

Peter Parker gave He Chenyi a cool, indifferent look, the corner of his mouth quirking up ever so slightly. "I'm curious, would you do me the honor of leaving with your companions from Long River Immortal City?"    

"What did you say?"    

He Chenyi regarded Peter with a look that suggested he thought the latter was an utter fool, as though he'd just heard the most hilarious joke ever. With a sneer of contempt, he retorted, "Kid, even if Lu Hongyu from your Heavenly Water Immortal City were here... You still wouldn't have the standing to talk to me like that. Who do you think you are, making such brazen claims in my presence?"    

Behind Peter, Ning Gaoyang and the other Ning Family disciples were at a loss for words. Of the forty True Immortals who had entered the Great Luo Secret Realm, He Chenyi was undeniably one of the most formidable, both in talent and strength. He was nearly unbeatable.    

The only person in their Sky Water Immortal City who might hold a candle to He Chenyi was Lu Hongyu of the Lu Family. They were baffled as to where this upstart found the audacity to address He Chenyi in such a manner.    

"It seems we're at an impasse," Peter stated, his face devoid of emotion. "In that case, I'll have to insist that you and your party take your leave."    

"You're asking for trouble!"    

A glint of icy menace flashed in He Chenyi's eyes. He surged through the void, his fist charged with the immense power of a True Immortal, and hurled it at Peter Parker.    

Peter didn't budge an inch. He clenched his own fist, meeting He Chenyi's blow with one of equal force.    

"This kid really has a death wish," was the thought shared by onlookers from both Long River Immortal City and the Ning Family disciples, including Ning Gaoyang. They couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy at the sight.    

He Chenyi's prowess placed him among the elite in the entire Cang Yun Province. Within the ranks of the True Immortals, aside from the supreme talents of the Great Luo, there were few who could stand toe-to-toe with him.    

Yet here was this young man, a mere seventh-grade Heaven Immortal, daring to challenge He Chenyi directly. It was tantamount to knocking on death's door.    

Bang!    

Before the eyes of all those gathered, their fists met with a thunderous impact in midair.    

In the very next moment...    

A scene unfolded that left the crowd in utter disbelief.    

He Chenyi's body shook ever so slightly. Then, with a forceful stamp on the ground, he was pushed back seven or eight steps.    

In stark contrast, the Rank Seven True Immortal from the Luo Shui Merchant Union hadn't budged an inch.    

"How... How is this possible?"    

The onlookers' eyes went wide with shock, as if they had just witnessed a specter. They simply couldn't trust what they were seeing.    

He Chenyi, the celebrated prodigy of the He Clan from Long River Immortal City, who had reached the pinnacle of the Ninth Stage True Immortal Realm, had been bested by a single blow from an obscure Seventh Stage True Immortal!    

Ning Gaoyang of the Ning Clan was particularly astounded, his eyes nearly bulging from their sockets.    

Having once crossed fists with He Chenyi, he knew all too well the extent of his adversary's might.    

In realms such as Heavenly Water Immortal City and Long River Immortal City, He Chenyi was deemed an unbeatable force among those of equal cultivation.    

Yet here stood a Rank Seven True Immortal from the Luo Water Merchant Union, who had not only withstood He Chenyi's formidable punch but had also emerged with the upper hand!    

The notion was simply beyond comprehension!    

Consider this:    

With He Chenyi's exceptional talent and prowess, not even the elite prodigies from the prominent Luo factions of Cang Yun State could have managed to make him retreat with a single punch when he was at the seventh-grade True Immortal level.    

"You... just who are you?"    

He Chenyi regained his footing and fixed his gaze on Peter Parker, his eyes betraying a mix of disbelief and astonishment.    

As a prodigy groomed by the Lu Family of Long River Immortal City, He Chenyi's talent and strength had always been held in high esteem across the city. Few, if any, in his cultivation tier could match him.    

It was inconceivable to He Chenyi that he would ever be forced back by a youngster two grades his junior!    

Even though he hadn't unleashed his full power with that earlier punch, not even a ninth-grade True Immortal genius like Ning Gaoyang would have found it easy to parry.    

And yet, this young upstart was merely a seventh-grade True Immortal. How could he possess such formidable strength?    

Peter Parker brushed the dust from his clothing and spoke calmly, "Peter Parker of the Luo Water Merchant Union. Would you be so kind as to gather your people from Long River Immortal City and depart?"    

He Chenyi's face darkened immediately.    

Despite being merely a Rank Seven True Immortal, this kid's combat prowess surpassed even that of a Rank Nine True Immortal prodigy like Ning Gaoyang.    

Taking him on would likely require a significant effort.    

With the legacy of the Great Luo Immortal Venerable within reach, He Chenyi certainly didn't want to squander his energy on Peter Parker.    

"Peter Parker, I must concede that your strength is indeed impressive," he said coolly, "but you're not in a position to force me to back down."    

He Chenyi regarded Peter Parker with a detached gaze. "Let's venture into this enigmatic canyon together. As for the army, let's agree that everyone relies on their own skills, shall we?"