A giant palm descended as if from the edge of heaven, this palm was golden bronze in color, its veins clearly visible, and it pressed down on Ning Beichen with roaring flames.
"It's the Nine Heavens Divine Palm!"
Those present were shocked and filled with dread at the sight of this colossal palm.
The strength of this Elder of the Zhou family was indeed nearing that of an Ancestor. With this single palm strike, it was believed that very few in this world could withstand it, perhaps only the sect masters of the great sects and the patriarchs of the prominent families.
"A divine palm it is, but alas, you lack the Tathagata—Break!"
Ning Beichen unleashed his Great Collapse Fist towards the palm above him.
The unadorned fist collided with the palm, and the Elder's expression instantly turned grim. He frowned and stomped his foot, attempting to force the palm downwards.
But no matter how hard he tried, the palm refused to descend.
At this moment, Ning Beichen's fist suddenly unleashed a terrifying crushing force, like a stone dropped into calm water, shattering the palm directly.
One move!
Yet Ning Beichen remained completely unharmed. Instead, he had shattered the Elder's Nine Heavens Divine Palm. In other words, he had lost this round, and lost utterly.
Everyone present was dumbfounded.
Wang Le'er, who had been as steady as an old dog, suddenly sprang up as if her feet were fitted with springs.
It wasn't just Wang Le'er who was shocked; the members of other families and various sects were equally astonished.
"You... what did you mean just now when you said I lacked the Tathagata?"
The Elder, more shocked than anyone, asked with a grim expression, for he seemed to have heard Ning Beichen say something when he unleashed his Nine Heavens Divine Palm.
"You lack the Tathagata. This palm strike should be the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm."
Ning Beichen said with a faint smile.
"Tathagata? What is Tathagata?"
The Elder looked completely bewildered, which surprised Ning Beichen somewhat.
Was Tathagata so famous, yet no one in this world knew of it?
"That which comes from nowhere, and goes nowhere, hence is called Tathagata."
Ning Beichen stated.
"Comes from nowhere..."
"And goes nowhere..."
"Hence is called Tathagata!"
The Elder repeated these words, feeling an incredibly profound sensation within his heart, as if he had grasped something elusive, making his heart tingle.
"Do you know of Tathagata?"
The Elder couldn't help but ask.
"Of course, I know of Tathagata."
Ning Beichen replied without hesitation. Anyone from his world would have answered the same way to this question.
"May I... witness the Tathagata?"
The Elder eagerly asked, as if his pursuit of the Tathagata overshadowed the matters of the Zhou family.
Ning Beichen's expression turned somewhat strange. The Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm was something he had only seen in comics and movies from his own world. What did he know of the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm?
However, at such a moment, Ning Beichen naturally could not admit he didn't know. Instead, he said with an air of profound mystery.
"If you wish to know the Tathagata, exchange it with the Nine Heavens Divine Palm, and I can demonstrate it for you."
Ning Beichen told him.
"Agreed, I will impart the Nine Heavens Divine Palm to you."
The Elder agreed without a second thought, which immediately sent the Zhou family patriarch into a panic. This Ning Beichen was their enemy!
How could the Elder impart the Nine Heavens Divine Palm to him?
Wasn't this aiding the enemy?
"Elder..."
So he quickly spoke, trying to persuade the Elder to change his mind.
However, before he could utter another word, he was stopped by the Elder, leaving the Zhou family patriarch immensely frustrated.
Although he was the patriarch, he couldn't command the Elder.
The Nine Heavens Divine Palm was not overly complex, but without peak cultivation, it could not be unleashed. This was why the Elder felt confident in imparting it to Ning Beichen.
Little did he know how much he underestimated Ning Beichen. Although he taught through telepathic transmission, after he explained it once, Ning Beichen had essentially grasped the method of using the Nine Heavens Divine Palm.
Ning Beichen performed a mental calculation of the technique, combining it with the scenes he had witnessed in comics and movies, then said to the Elder.
"Very well, since you keep your promise, I will demonstrate it for you once. Watch closely."
"Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm!"
Ning Beichen executed the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm according to his mental demonstration. Originally, Ning Beichen thought his demonstration wouldn't have much effect, merely adding some showmanship.
Unexpectedly, whether by luck or design, as Ning Beichen unleashed the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm, he sensed something different, as if some mysterious power was being released by him.
A rumbling sound echoed, the entire earth trembled, and everyone wore expressions of terror, looking up at the sky. They saw a colossal, golden figure appearing in the air.
This figure sat cross-legged on a shimmering golden lotus throne, in a lotus posture. Wearing a Five Buddha Crown and adorned with necklaces and jewels, it appeared magnificent and noble.
One palm was placed on its chest, while the other had its thumb and ring finger touching. The surrounding air was unbearably hot, as if flames were descending from the heavens to incinerate everything.
A vast, boundless pressure descended, causing those below to tremble.
The Tathagata Buddha on the golden lotus throne opened its eyes, looking down upon the mortal world. It seemed to have witnessed something that angered it, and a palm strike descended from the edge of the heavens.
This palm pierced through the atmosphere, carrying roaring celestial fire, as if intending to annihilate everything in the world. The cultivators below were thrown into panic, desperately trying to flee.
However, Ning Beichen ultimately did not let the palm land. If it had truly struck, the city of the Zhou family would likely have been reduced to ruins.
Furthermore, even if Ning Beichen had wanted to let the palm land, he couldn't, as the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm he demonstrated had nearly exhausted all his strength.
"This... this is the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm!"
The Elder stared at the disappearing spectacle in the sky, his face filled with excitement.
Compared to Ning Beichen's Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm, his Nine Heavens Divine Palm was like a mere trifle; there was no comparison between the two.
"Indeed, this is the true Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm."
Ning Beichen was not worried about the Elder learning the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm, because he himself could barely use it, let alone the Elder.
To truly unleash the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm would likely drain Ning Beichen of all his strength. This was a one-time deal; currently, it lacked practical combat application, but it was quite formidable for intimidation.
"Thank you for the enlightenment. I concede defeat in this battle."
The Elder of the Zhou family kept his word, stating it was just one move.
In fact, even without this one move, seeing the Nine Heavens Tathagata Divine Palm Ning Beichen had displayed, he knew he had lost and had no intention of reneging. He was an Elder of the Zhou family, but that did not mean he had to risk his life for the Zhou family.
This might sound selfish, but at his level of cultivation, he no longer cared about such worldly matters.