There was once a powerful cultivator who invented an ability to kill enemies with gases. He vanquished the world and was famous. Eventually, he attained seven-star, established the Professional Airbender a.s.sociation and tried to develop it to greater heights!

An Airbender was different from a conventional Elementalist. Their focus was not on any particular element but… all forms of gases!

Their abilities involved attempting to control all gases!

Theoretically…

If they were to succeed, this a.s.sociation would become one of the most powerful a.s.sociations! Unfortunately, their progress on ability research was very slow and they were eventually eliminated…

Right now, this a.s.sociation was on the decline.

Although there were some newbies who joined the a.s.sociation once in a while, it had lost its previous glory.

"It is such a pity."

Even Lu Ming found it a pity.

Killing with gases…

In theory, it sounded very impressive.

It was a pity…

Any a.s.sociation that wanted to succeed had to progress, research, and refine its skills continuously. Otherwise, they would be eliminated as time went by!

"Do they still exist?"

Li Haoran was surprised.

Most of the a.s.sociations would disappear quietly from history.

"Of course."

The man read the a.s.sociation's information out loud. "This a.s.sociation is very smart. They know that researching techniques for a short period of time may not help them keep up with current standards. Therefore, they made use of their knowledge on gases, developed adaptations to use in daily life and established a few energy gas companies. They are leading quite a good life too."

Lu Ming was silent.

He felt as if something was stuck in his throat and he could not get it out.

New energy companies…

Sure enough, these guys knew how to survive well.

"However, they are ultimately ambitious. Now that they own a company and have earned some money, they will of course jump at opportunities. Although they are the weakest among the rest of the a.s.sociations, they have six-star cultivators too. Are you sure you want to challenge them?"

The staff member looked serious.

"I am sure!"

Lu Ming had made up his mind.

"Master…"

Li Haoran felt somewhat worried.

Challenge…

Will it really work?!

After all…

Master is too young!

Although Lu Ming had unrivaled talent, he needed time! Lu Ming might have to engage in combat with the higher-ups of the a.s.sociation and they were big shots who had cultivated for decades. How could he possibly beat them?!

"Don't worry. Leave it to me."

Lu Ming's gaze was calm and steady.

As a master, there were some things that he had to do.

…

The next day.

On a rooftop.

Under the watchful eyes of the Human Resources Department, Lu Ming and his group invited the cultivators from the Professional Airbender a.s.sociation. Each of them was clad in blue gray, grease-covered uniforms and holding a wrench in their hands.

???

Lu Ming looked dumbstruck. '

d.a.m.n. Aren't they cultivators?!

"Oh, sorry."

When they saw Lu Ming looking at them, those few guys instantly put away their wrenches with some embarra.s.sment. "A few customers were facing gas leakage problems earlier. We went over and did some repairs."

Lu Ming was speechless.

Alright.

If you say so.

The HR representative interrupted their conversation. "Is everyone ready?"

"Well…

"All of us are affiliated, small a.s.sociations. Let's get straight to the point."

The Airbenders said calmly, "Same rules. The disciples will compete, the masters will compete. The higher-ups will decide based on your performance."

"Okay," Lu Ming agreed.

"The disciples will go first then.

"Xiaobei, you'll do it."

After discussing for a while, the Airbenders sent a young man out.

That young man looked like he was in his early twenties. However, he had a strange and contemptuous look in his gaze when he looked at Lu Ming and his group.

"Old Zhao, long time no see."

That young man called Xiaobei had a knowing smile on his face.

"Do you know him?"

Lu Ming looked at Zhao Yunshan.

"Yes."

Zhao Yunshan took a deep breath. "He was one of my cla.s.smates. Liu Qiangbei."

"You're mistaken?"

Liu Qiangbei said with a teasing tone, "That should be ex-cla.s.smates. After all, I already graduated last year and you're still in school."

Zhao Yunshan was silent.

After a long while…

He raised his head and looked at Lu Ming. "Master, I'll fight in this round."

"Are you sure?"

Lu Ming asked.

"No."

Zhao Yunshan clenched both his fists.

He very much wanted to say 'yes' but…

He was not!

This was because he could sense that this former cla.s.smate was already a six-star! Although he chose to re-cultivate as an Airbender, he had already attained six-star!

On the other hand, he…. was still a four-star!

There was an enormous gap of two levels between them!

"Way to go."

Lu Ming did not say much. He only patted Zhao Yunshan's shoulders.

Hence…

The people surrounding them gradually moved away, leaving behind the Zhao Yunshan duo.

"Old Zhao, are you really going to fight with me?"

Liu Qiangbei's eyes were filled with sarcasm. "When we were in school, you were always arrogant. You had a group of lackeys with you. But, the outcome? You were eliminated.

"Unexpectedly, after two years, you created an a.s.sociation to have fun.

"Tsk tsk…"

Liu Qiangbei sighed. "I'm so disappointed in you."

Back then…

They were the two extremes in the cla.s.s.

He had humble origins but was extremely talented. Zhao Yunshan had ordinary talents but had an astounding family background. The both of them were representations of the strongest combat powers in the cla.s.s!

They had competed for many years!

Fortunately…

He had won in the end.

"Wealth can bring you convenience and resources but not talent!

"Especially in terms of cultivation, with the advancement in your abilities, the further you progress, the advantaged that wealth will bring will become lesser and lesser. Eventually, it will become a joke."

Liu Qiangbei said calmly, "I graduated last year and took one year to switch to another vocation. I'm already a six-star and have powerful abilities!

"But, you?"

Furrowing his brows slightly, his gaze swept across Zhao Yunshan. "You're still a four-star…

"True enough…

"Your talent…."

He shook his head.

A vocation switch was only suitable for talented people!

Zhao Yunshan had not graduated yet he had changed his vocation to Sword Card Master. Wasn't he courting death? One year had pa.s.sed and he had become weaker!

A gap of two levels was too huge. The Zhao Yunshan before his eyes was akin to an ant.

Zhao Yunshan merely listened quietly.

Buzz—

Xiao-Xiaohou was s.h.i.+ning in his hands.

He was well aware of his combat ability. He was a peak four-star and could unleash peak five-star powers. However, this was not enough for victory, especially for this guy!

Therefore, he had to become stronger.

"Let's end this."

Seeing that Zhao Yunshan did not even feel like rebuking him, he felt bored instantly. Hus opponent did not even dare to retort?

Shus.h.!.+

He lifted his hand.

Bang!

Terrifying forces landed suddenly!

An Airbender was powerful because they could manipulate ga.s.ses for attacks! A revolving aura condensed to the maximum surged out like a propelling screw!

The murderous intent was obvious!

"It's coming!"

Zhao Yunshan swept his gaze across him.

This power…

Six-star! He could not withstand it!

Nevertheless, interestingly, this aura was attacking with a uniform velocity…

Shus.h.!.+

The core ability of a Sword Card Master flashed across Zhao Yunshan's mind. Tai Chi Eight!

Uniform velocity…

Zhao Yunshan aimed at that beam of aura and cast his Original Card.

Bang!

Terrifying auras immediately surged into the Original Card.

A part of the aura suddenly disappeared…

Materialization!

A crystal clear Original Card materialized in Zhao Yunshan's hands. A part of the Airbender's six-star aura was sealed in the Original Card. He then flipped his hand and counterattacked without any hesitation!

Buzz—

The six-star aura surged into the Original Card again.

Continue to seal! Continue to materialize!

Hence…

Zhao Yunshan actually divided the spiral aura attack shot out by Liu Qiangbei into parts and then retaliated. He directed a blast at Liu Qiangbei.

"What is this?"

Liu Qiangbei's expression changed drastically.

Bang!

Bang!

Beams of familiar aura struck back at him and he was sent flying out on the spot.

Shus.h.!.+

There was total silence.

Even the Airbenders and staff members looked at this scene in disbelief. Zhao Yunshan almost destroyed Liu Qiangbei with his four-star ability?

This guy…

Pfft!

Liu Qiangbei spewed out blood and looked at Zhao Yunshan coldly.

"Very good.

"It seems that… It's time you take a look at the true professional ability of Airbender!"

Liu Qiangbei got up.

He waved his hands and then lifted a gas cylinder with his shoulders.

"Wait a minute."

Lu Ming was shocked. "Can this be used?"

"Of course."

Liu Qiangbei was proud. "Be it a compet.i.tion or challenge, we can use anything that has our energy aura! I acc.u.mulated gases in this cylinder overtime. Of course I can use it! This is the greatest advantage of an Airbender — Storage!"

The people from the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation were speechless.

"Are you sure?"

Lu Ming glanced at the HR representative.

"Yes."

The HR representative was very certain.

"Alright."

Lu Ming sighed. "Since that's the case, I don't have any more doubts."

"Of course."

Liu Qiangbei was very smug.

Bang!

Terrifying auras were condensing in the gas cylinder.

Undoubtedly, the powers from that gas cylinder would certainly be extremely terrifying. This was a six-star Airblender's trump card!

It was just that…

"Sigh."

Lu Ming sighed. "Of all things, you have to compete with the Sword Card Master on stockpile?"

Before Liu Qiangbei could come to his senses…

Click!

Zhao Yunshan pinched the pure six-star spirit body in his pants to maintain the energy in his body. He then opened his card bag coldly.

Shus.h.!.+

A ma.s.sive number of cards was suddenly thrown into the air. Afterward…

Bang!

A strange and mysterious radiance engulfed the entire place.

All the cards that he had created since he re-cultivated were released. The terrifying energy almost drowned Liu Qiangbei directly…

After a long while…

When the radiance disappeared, Liu Qiangbei was long at his last breath…

Shus.h.!.+

The whole world was silent.

The HR employee was speechless.

The Airbenders were speechless.

Gaping, they did not come to their senses for a long time. d.a.m.n it. It turned out that Sword Card Masters could also stock up on cards! If they had known that that was the case, they would not have competed with them on that!

If Zhao Yunshan was already like that…

"You guys…"

The Airbender glanced at Lu Ming.

"Oh, you're talking about that."

Lu Ming patted his card bag nonchalantly. There was a huge pile of cards inside. Xiaobai simply put down the school bag that she was carrying. It was extremely scary.

The Airbenders were shocked.

d.a.m.n it. What the h.e.l.l is this vocation?!

How are we going to compete with that?

"What should we do?"

The Airbenders glanced at one another and came to a decision. "Call the president."

"That doesn't seem too appropriate. Lu Ming is very young…"

"Are you going to take the blame if we lose?"

"Alright, I'll go and call the President."

After a long while…

Using taking Liu Qiangbei away for treatment as an excuse, they left temporarily. When they came back, a cultivator who was obviously much older was with them.

He was an old man.

White-haired and smiling, the aura surrounding him was terrifying. Even the HR employee wore a grave expression when he looked at this individual. His powers…

Peak six-star!

This was a powerful figure that was only second to a seven-star!

This was a big shot in the true sense!

Unexpectedly, the Airbender a.s.sociation actually sent their president!

"This is interesting."

The old man was nonchalant when he looked at Lu Ming. "Little friend, we'll take it that you won this round. Why don't we have some fun together in the next round?"

Bang!

He took a step forward.

Terrifying thoughts landed and the expressions of everyone in the surrounding changed drastically. One by one, they moved backwards.

This was the prowess and dominance of a peak six-star!

No one was able to block it!

However…

This terrifying thought melted down when it arrived before Lu Ming.

"Okay."

Lu Ming's expression was calm.

"You're actually alright?"

The smile in the old man's eyes intensified.

Not bad.

This is a good seedling.

Faced with his six-star mental strength, he could actually endure it. If he were to poach him to the Airbender a.s.sociation…

"Wait a minute."

Lu Ming suddenly spoke. "It's best that the rest of you leave."

"I don't think that's necessary."

The HR employee scratched his head.

The location of this challenge was the rooftop on the top floor of the Human Resources Department building. This place could withstand any attacks that were below seven-star!

What could happen?

Even this old man…

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

The old man smiled faintly.

How could there be any problem tackling Lu Ming?

"That won't do."

Lu Ming shook his head. "I'm afraid of injuring the others."

The HR employee was speechless.

Alright.

The president is a peak six-star and he's not even worried. Lu Ming, what are you worried about?

However, since Lu Ming had made this request, they had no choice. After discussion, they decided to leave behind only Lu Ming and the president of the Airbender a.s.sociation!

In the vicinity.

Two buildings were next to each other.

Lu Ming and the elder stood in the middle of a rooftop and the rest of the people were standing on the rooftop of the building beside them. They were less than a hundred meters apart and would not be impacted.

Shus.h.!.+

Faint energy drifted.

The atmosphere in the surroundings had already become tense.

It was almost time.

The employee turned on the loudspeaker as if he had done it many times. "Television, fridge, was.h.i.+ng machine…"

Shus.h.!.+

Everyone glanced over simultaneously.

"Sorry."

The HR representative instantly blushed. After pressing it a few times, it returned to manual mode. He then said, looking embarra.s.sed. "I forgot to switch it off after finis.h.i.+ng my part-time job."

Everyone was speechless.

"It's okay. Let's continue."

The staff member coughed and looked at the Lu Ming duo who was all ready. He then announced loudly, "The challenge begins!"

…

Shus.h.!.+

The old man waved his hand casually.

Bang!

The air trembled.

A cage made of gases that stretched from the sky to the earth suddenly appeared.

Seal the rooftop of the building!

Seal the surrounding land!

Imprison Lu Ming!

Swoos.h.!.+

Lu Ming tried to blast a beam of Sword Aura but the cage did not move an inch.

"Such powers…"

Everyone was shocked.

That president was that powerful?

It was really…

"Master!"

Li Haoran and the rest were worried.

d.a.m.n it!

How could this old man be that powerful?!

They believed that they might be able to compete with a borderline six-star if they were to go all out. However, dominated by this old man, they had no means to retaliate!

They felt somewhat upset.

In the end, their Master still had to face all of this!

Xiaobai was watching the match seriously.

Seeing that her master was trapped, she thought for a moment and then gingerly took out a pile of cards from her school bag. If something were to happen to Master, she would definitely take action.

Behind her.

Zhao Yunshan also looked on coldly.

He was holding a card that no one had seen before in his hands.

He could lose the challenge!

However…

Lu Ming had to be safe!

This was the belief held by everyone from the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation.

…

"You're too weak."

The old man wore a cold and aloof expression.

Lu Ming was ultimately a four-star!

It was impossible for him to crack his Universe Cage!

"And you needed everyone to evacuate?"

The old man found it ludicrous. "You should surrender."

Lu Ming merely cast a sullen glance at him.

After a long while…

There were sounds of sighs.

Lu Ming felt very helpless. "Why do big shots like you guys always like to peac.o.c.k? Have you ever thought of the embarra.s.sing situation of failing at your fronting?"

At this point in the conversation.

He waved his hands slightly.

Buzz—

A crystal clear radiance flickered.

Swoos.h.!.+

In his hands, a materialized card appeared. It was crystal clear and every line contained terrifying powers. This was the function of the Original Card in Lu Ming's hands!

"Oh?"

The old man narrowed his eyes. This card…

This card seemed extraordinary as Lu Ming was extremely arrogant. Therefore, he made some preparations…

Afterward…

Shus.h.!.+

Lu Ming waved his hands.

A frightening and dangerous aura suddenly landed. The elder looked beneath his feet and was shocked and terrified to discover that the building beneath his feet had… disappeared!

Everyone was dumbstruck.

Disappear?!

Can a building disappear?!

Buzz—

Faint lights and shadows condensed.

"h.e.l.lo."

Lu Ming was stepping on the Original Card and floating in the air.

"Oh no."

The old man's expression changed drastically.

Bang!

Bang!

He controlled the surrounding gases furiously and tried to suspend himself in the air. However, he could not hold on for too long. Eventually, he plummeted…

Bang!

A loud bang could be heard coming from the ground.

Half of the old man's body was stuck in the foundation of the building and there was a huge pit.

Lu Ming had won.

Shus.h.!.+

There was total silence.

Everyone was dumbstruck…

c.r.a.p…

W-what is this?!

"President, are you alright?"

"President, don't die!"

The Airbenders rushed to him in tears.

┭┮_┭┮

This was merely a challenge. Was there a need to be that vicious?!

In fact, Lu Ming was also baffled. He had prepared numerous combat strategies and the Mover Card was merely the first one. However, he did not expect that the old man would be defeated immediately!

This…

He did not expect this either?!

"Shouldn't Airbenders know how to control the air?"

Lu Ming was extremely taken aback.

The Airbenders turned silent.

Controlling the air was their ultimate goal!

If they could control the air, their a.s.sociation would not have gone downhill?!

The abilities that they were researching now could only manipulate and guide some of the gases. That was why their president could only suspend himself in the air for a while before falling down.

"President!"

"President…"

They were having a lot of difficulties trying to pull the old man out from the pit.

"I will do it."

Lu Ming sighed.

Both he and Xiao-Xiaojian were very experienced in digging people out. Therefore, the two of them collaborated and dug the president from the foundations in minutes…

"I-I'm alright."

The old man could still see little stars circling in front of him.

At the most critical moment, he activated a powerful peak six-star defense and bore the brunt of the blow. However, the impact…

He was dazed and dizzy all over due to the collision.

In the end…

The Airbenders held onto their president and left. The scene was extremely sorrowful and miserable.

"I keep having the feeling that I did something bad."

Lu Ming sighed.

Seriously…

Clearly, this was an open and honest combat. Why did he feel that guilty?

"Master, don't blame yourself."

Zhao Yunshan said in a low voice, "They were not powerful enough. It's normal for them to lose. I know you are kind but if we let them win, they will end up in a worse state if they encounter more vicious opponents in the future."

"That's right. Master didn't do anything wrong."

Xiaobai cheered her master on.

"Aye, perhaps I'm too kind."

Lu Ming sighed.

Sigh, he did not know why but he kept feeling somewhat guilty…

However…

The expression of the HR employee beside him turned increasingly ugly.

d.a.m.n!

Kind? What c.r.a.p!

Console him? c.r.a.p!

d.a.m.n it. You guys have won in the challenge with the Airbenders but did the Human Resources Department offend you?! Where is our building?! Where are our headquarters?!

…