Initially, when the young Taoist saw the extraordinary means displayed by Zhang Xiaoman, besides intense shock, his first instinct after processing his thoughts was to look for his flaws, much like many of the older Taoists in the audience.
There was no helping it. Unlike the guests who knew nothing, those who had been deceiving customers for years inherently doubted and probed any tricks used by their peers.
Even though the abilities shown by the young man before him were indeed bewildering, it did not affect their habit of prioritizing its authenticity.
However, this notion vanished when Zhang Xiaoman conjured two armor-clad Star Guards out of thin air; such means were simply not achievable through mere trickery!
"This is impossible... How did he manage it... Could there truly be Transcendents in this world..."
At this moment, the young man stared fixedly at the two Star Guards, his face marked by utter shock, while muttering something continuously, completely oblivious to one of the Star Guards walking towards him.
A muffled sound echoed as the Star Guard punched the young Taoist in the face, sending him tumbling to the ground, losing two teeth in the process.
Of course, the so-called heavy punch was only how the young Taoist perceived it.
Conversely, to prevent the Star Guard from being too rough, Zhang Xiaoman had specifically commanded a milder attack.
Even so, the young Taoist was still in severe pain, his face now covered in blood.
The Star Guard did not care how miserable he looked; as long as Zhang Xiaoman did not call for a stop, he would continue the assault.
At that moment, the grand hall echoed with the young Taoist’s agonized screams.
"Stop it, stop it, someone could die from further beating!"
Master Liao finally snapped out of the initial shock and urgently pleaded with Zhang Xiaoman for mercy.
The other older Taoists who had been speaking on his behalf now quietly sat back down, sealing their lips, afraid they might receive the same treatment.
Zhang Xiaoman primarily wanted to teach the other party a lesson, and it was not his intention to beat someone to death or maim them, so he immediately commanded the Star Guard to stop and spared the man.
However, even so, the young Taoist was by then thoroughly battered.
One must know that the Star Guards were wearing combat gloves fitted with knuckles.
Combined with their inherent extraordinary strength, despite being deliberately subdued, this beating would leave the Taoist bedridden for months.
Near the hall, the security responsible for the venue wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, finally breathing a sigh of relief, as the terrifying assault had ceased.
They had never felt such pressure; not intervening seemed inappropriate since they were in charge of security, but to step in...
Joking aside, this was a real Transcendent, who would dare confront him!
"Ah! Ah! Ah... It hurts to death! Noble hero, please spare my life!"
On the stage, the young Taoist still lay there, continuously crying out.
Seeing that he was still full of energy, Zhang Xiaoman ignored him, merely tossing out a "Shut up." As soon as the other complied and kept quiet, Zhang then turned to look at the flustered Master Liao on the side.
At that moment, Master Liao suddenly started as if he had realized something, his expression turning to one of stark horror.
"You, you... You are... Half-immortal Pei!"
His voice trembled as if his mouth held a piece of ancient ice.
Upon hearing his words, the audience finally understood the direction the event was taking, and even those who were slow to react caught on with the help of explanations from their companions.
"Look! Look! What did I say earlier, that Half-immortal Pei was definitely a fake! Someone was impersonating him! Now he’s embarrassed! The real deal has shown up!"
"But, how can there really be Extraordinary Power in this world!? Aren’t all those things just scams? Do you think they could be high technology, like holographic projections or something?"
"Are you dumb? Can a holographic projection beat that guy until he’s searching for his teeth on the ground? If you don’t believe it, why don’t you go up and try?"
"No, no... I definitely still believe it, it’s just too fantastical, I’m a bit confused whether I’m dreaming right now or not..."
"Owwww... what are you doing!?"
"Uhh... I just wanted to check if this is a dream..."
"If you’re checking if it’s a dream, why are you pinching me! Pinch yourself!!"
On the stage, Master Liao was drenched in sweat. He had never expected to see that person here, and also while impersonating someone else.
He had made sure there was no sign of him among the participants when he arrived, so how could he suddenly appear now?
"You... I... I didn’t know you were coming... If there were any offense just now, please forgive me..."
Master Liao stuttered.
Normally, he wouldn’t be so distraught, but the scene of Star Guard beating up the young Taoist from close range had shocked him thoroughly, a big impact on someone who usually earned his living by talking.
"Oh? So if I hadn’t come, you would have impersonated me?"
Zhang Xiaoman squinted his eyes.
Master Liao shivered and hurriedly explained, "I didn’t mean that! Your Excellence... I admit my mistake, I won’t dare do it again!"
Seeing him in this state, most of Zhang Xiaoman’s anger dissipated.
It wasn’t that he felt gratified by his successful revenge, rather, he felt a deep sense of disgust rising from the depths of his heart.
Dealing with such a clownish character wasn’t worth the entanglement, even winning left a foul taste.
"Take your people and get out."
Zhang Xiaoman glanced at the guy; the latter didn’t dare to delay, promptly helping the still groaning young Taoist off the stage, then without returning to his seat, he left the hall straight away.
"This... you’re Xiao Man?"
Pei Laoliu came over hesitantly and asked in a low voice.
Zhang Xiaoman knew Master Liu had recognized him. No helping it, the Eternal Trace Veil could shield his appearance, but not his voice.
Moreover, he had just walked over from that corner table, everything was too obvious. It would have been really strange if Master Liu couldn’t recognize him.
Without hiding anymore, he quietly said to Pei Laoliu, "Master Liu, it’s me. I’ll explain everything when we get back..."