A moment later, a tall and burly silhouette could be seen walking towards the secluded cave, emerging from the depths of the woods.

The figure was imposing, each stride exuding an aura of overwhelming strength.

As he approached the entrance, the sound of his vigorous steps echoed through the cavern, each thud reverberating like a drumbeat announcing his arrival.

The air grew dense with his presence, filling the cave with a palpable sense of power.

The man entered the cave, his formidable presence instantly dominating the space.

He looked to be in his late thirties to early forties, standing well over 7 feet and broad-shouldered, his muscular frame emphasized by sleeveless martial robes that hung loosely around him.

His rugged features bespoke years of harsh training and countless battles—sharp jawline, a stubbled chin, and piercing eyes that exuded both intensity and a combative mind honed through experience.

Despite his imposing stature and burly physique, the man's demeanor was straightforward and brash, reflecting his confidence earned from years of hard-fought victories and defeats throughout his life.

His eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of two figures standing before him.

That's because he had only expected to find Tianfeng.

His gaze first settled on Tianfeng, recognizing him almost immediately. He had witnessed one of Tianfeng's battles and knew his distinct aura.

The recognition brought a flicker of interest to his eyes, but his expression quickly turned wary.

When his eyes shifted to Zhuge Minghui, Kang Joon-Ho felt a flicker of confusion.

At first, he thought that Zhuge was an expected variable when dealing with Tianfeng, but the young man before him seemed to radiate only the prowess of a Master Realm martial artist.

This perceived lack of overwhelming power gave Kang Joon-Ho a sense of confidence.

"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice steady but laced with a hint of curiosity. His eyes remained fixed on Zhuge Minghui, not bothering to hide his scrutiny.

"Who am I, you ask?" Zhuge sarcastically scoffed, irritation evident in his voice and demeanor. "I think it is we who should inquire about your identity," he continued, showing no sign of deference.

His eyes, despite his martial realm several major realms lower than Kang Joon-Ho's, filled with an unsettling calmness.

The burly man's eyes narrowed slightly, but he did not let it bother him.

Before he could even respond to Zhuge's inquiry, Zhuge indifferently spoke.

"This is Zhao Tianfeng," he gestured towards his disciple, "and I am Zhuge Minghui. We are merely friends and travelers, exploring the world and seeking enlightenment."

Tianfeng, hearing Zhuge's words, had a tacit understanding and didn't dare claim that they were actually disciple and master.

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Zhuge paused for a moment, observing the other party's reaction with interest, then continued, "And who might you be? A man of such stature and strength must surely have a name that resonates in Jianghu."

The burly man regarded Zhuge Minghui with a measured gaze because his deductions are accurate.

"I am Kang Joon-Ho," he began, his voice steady.

"Known as the Titan of Strength, and one of the nine Overlords." He emphasized his title, subtly asserting his position without overtly challenging Zhuge Minghui.

The two young men raised their eyebrows slightly at the same time.

Although Zhuge and Tianfeng has no idea what or who are the nine Overlords, the title more or less can tell what it means.

His eyes then turned back to Tianfeng, a faint smile crossing his lips. "Tianfeng," he said, his tone respectful yet filled with a hint of paternal pride.

"When I saw your battle against the two factions a few days ago, your overwhelming physical strength reminds me of my young self, dominating the battlefield with sheer power."

"I have come here today because I see potential in you, a potential that could surpass even mine. I wish for you to consider becoming my disciple." He straightforwardly imparted, his gaze deep into Tianfeng.

Tianfeng's brows furrowed slightly as he "processed" Kang Joon-Ho's proposition.

Well, he isn't really processing the latter's proposition since Tianfeng is already a disciple of Zhuge Minghui, but he needed to do it for show.

After a moment, he glanced at Zhuge Minghui before addressing Kang Joon-Ho.

"If I agree to become your disciple, can my friend also join us?" Tianfeng asked, indicating Zhuge with his glance earlier.

Kang Joon-Ho's eyes shifted back to Zhuge Minghui, and after a brief pause and slight hesitation, he replied, "Yes, you can take your friend with you when we become master and disciple."

The weight of such an offer was significant, especially coming from a seemingly esteemed figure like Kang, allegedly known as the Titan of Strength.

"How can you prove yourself to be someone eligible to instruct me?" Tianfeng asked calmly, his voice steady yet filled with determination.

He chose to ask because he doesn't know whether Kang Joon-Ho is speaking the truth about himself or not.

At least in this way, they'll be able to verify if Kang Joon-Ho is a fraud or really one of the so-called nine Overlords.

Kang Joon-Ho's expression remained composed, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

"Simple," he replied, his voice carrying the weight of certainty. "We shall settle this with a duel."

"If you can defeat me in hand-to-hand combat, I will kneel before you as your slave. However, if I defeat you easily, it will prove that I have what it takes to become your master," He concisely explained.

Tianfeng nodded slowly, accepting the challenge without hesitation.

Under Zhuge Minghui's tutelage, he had honed his skills and refined his techniques. He was ready to push his limits, regardless of Kang's overwhelming aura.

"Very well," Tianfeng agreed, his voice steady despite the intensity of the situation. "I accept your challenge."

Kang's lips curved into a confident smile as he stepped forward, the air around him thick with anticipation.

"One more thing," he added, his voice now carrying a hint of challenge. "If I can incapacitate you in three moves, you must acknowledge me as your master without hesitation."

Tianfeng nodded again, acknowledging the additional condition. He knew the risk involved but remained resolute.

Tianfeng had always sought to test his limits, to grow stronger and more formidable.

This opportunity, despite its unconventional terms and Kang Joon-Ho's claims, resonated deeply with his martial spirit.

His master was still there, so even if he was incapacitated and he declined Kang's offer, his master can effortlessly discard the man.

As the two martial artists faced each other, the tension in the cavern intensified. Kang Joon-Ho's martial realm pressure surged, emanating an aura of the Transcendent Realm in the intermediate stage.

Those who reached the Transcendent Realm were the apex of martial achievement within the confines of the physical world.

Their power was unmatched, their bodies honed to perfection through centuries of relentless cultivation and battle.

However, what truly set them apart was the mastery they achieved over their qi, elevating their prowess far beyond anything seen in the lower realms.

But for those in the Transcendent Realm, this ability reached an entirely new level.

Their qi became an overwhelming force, capable of enhancing their strikes to unimaginable levels of power and precision.

A single unrestrained punch or slash from a Transcendent Realm expert, infused with their qi, could unleash a force measured in millions to tens of millions of pounds, capable of reducing mountains to rubble or creating craters in the earth with ease.

The speed of a Transcendent Realm expert was nothing short of astonishing. While Supreme Realm martial artists could move at around a quarter of the speed of light, those in the Transcendent Realm could achieve speeds that more or less rivaled light itself.

In combat, they were nearly impossible to track, their movements so fast that they seemed to vanish and reappear in an instant.

To their enemies, fighting a Transcendent Realm expert was like battling a force of nature—swift, unstoppable, and utterly devastating.

Their mastery over qi also allowed them to perform feats that defied conventional understanding. They could move objects of significant size and weight with just a thought, wielding their qi as if it were a physical hand.

The larger the object or the more complex the manipulation, the more qi it required, but a Transcendent Realm expert had cultivated their internal energy to such an extent that they could perform these feats with a bit of an effort.

For Kuang Ba, now a Transcendent Realm expert, his physical strength, speed, and qi manipulation placed him among the strongest beings in the world.

His strikes could crush anything in their path, his speed left enemies helpless before him, and his qi gave him the ability to control the battlefield in ways that seemed almost magical.

Tianfeng felt a pang of astonishment at the sheer power before him, but he steadied himself. He had accepted the challenge willingly, and he would give his utmost.

Zhuge backed down as well just to give the two men more space.

"I don't want to make you helpless, so I'm giving you the chance to move first," with arrogance and confidence in his tone, Kang Joon-Ho urged Tianfeng.

Tianfeng nodded, and without further preamble, he moved. In a blur of motion, he closed the distance between them with extreme speed.