Chapter 790: Lies Won't Hurt, But the Truth Cuts Deep
The Grand Turtle Steward was a level-180 Spirit Water Archmage.
He was also one of the Merman Emperor's most trusted aides.
There was no way he'd just stand by and watch the Merman Emperor die.
The Grand Turtle Steward wasn't stupid.
After observing the brief clash between Ling Zhan and the Merman Emperor, he instantly realized that his master had been forcefully suppressed by some strange and powerful method from the non-specialist.
As a result, the Merman Emperor had not been able to activate any skills, secret realm talents, or equipment effects.
He had only managed to use two innate talents so far.
More importantly...
Everyone present could clearly sense that the Merman Emperor's attributes had taken a drastic plunge.
Otherwise, with his 20 billion strength attribute, just a single punch without any skill activation would have been enough to obliterate the non-specialist.
Once he realized this, the Grand Turtle Steward could no longer sit idly by.
Without hesitation, he launched an attack on Ling Zhan.
A level-180 Spirit Water Archmage wasn't someone to be underestimated.
Even Ling Zhan couldn't afford to be careless when facing an opponent like this.
Of course...
The primary issue was that the Grand Turtle Steward's attack speed was significantly faster than Ling Zhan's punches.
Ideally, Ling Zhan wanted to trade injuries for a kill—he was even willing to take the steward's deadly attack head-on if it meant killing the Merman Emperor.
Unfortunately...
Without any access to skills, secret realm talents, or equipment effects, Ling Zhan's punching speed couldn't match the old turtle's spellcasting speed.
Besides...
Swish, swish, swish!!
To be safe, the Grand Turtle Steward didn't just launch one attack—he unleashed dozens of spirit water beams from all directions, converging on Ling Zhan.
Ling Zhan had no choice but to activate his Space Domination talent.
He forcefully opened a spatial gate and teleported away from his original position.
"All deep-sea soldiers, protect His Majesty!"
The Grand Turtle Steward roared his command.
Crash!!
The stunned soldiers snapped back to their senses and quickly rushed forward, surrounding the Merman Emperor.
One by one, the deep-sea realm's Saint Spirit Sages began casting healing spells on the Merman Emperor.
Gradually, the Merman Emperor recovered from his severe injuries.
But his face was as dark as a stormy abyss, filled with utter humiliation.
Damn it!!
Damn it all!!
He had never imagined that a peak-level powerhouse like him would be humiliated like this in front of everyone by a level-150 non-specialist!
His pride was in shambles!
Not only had he been beaten mercilessly, but he had also nearly lost his life.
If it weren't for the Grand Turtle Steward's intervention, he would have died for sure!
"Your Majesty, we can't dispel the negative status on you!"
At this moment...
A level-180 Saint Spirit Sage spoke softly.
Her face was filled with shock.
Even those with purification and dispel abilities were helpless against the suppression affecting the Merman Emperor.
The priority level of this debuff was unbelievably high!
Not even a level-180 Saint Spirit Sage could remove it!
What kind of terrifying power was this!?
No wonder the once-mighty Merman Emperor had been reduced to such a sorry state!
More importantly...
The Merman Emperor's four core attributes had all dropped to 10 million points each.
Seriously...
His expression turned even grimmer.
Meanwhile, the one responsible for all of this had reappeared before everyone after using spatial teleportation.
Ling Zhan spoke with a calm voice, "This is the so-called 'supreme powerhouse'? The great Merman Emperor, a peak-level War God of the Sacred Continent, calling for backup midway through a fight?"
One sentence.
Uproar!!
The entire deep-sea clan erupted in anger!
The Merman Emperor trembled with fury!
Especially when he saw the mocking gazes from the other professionals around him—his face burned as if on fire.
Indeed!
A level-190 peak War God.
Fighting a level-150 non-specialist junior.
Not only had he lost, but he had nearly been killed.
Everyone present wasn't stupid.
Without the Grand Turtle Steward's intervention, the Merman Emperor would have already died.
In his weakened state, he couldn't have withstood Ling Zhan's final punch.
Lies wouldn't hurt, but the truth cut like a sharp blade.
Before the fight, if someone had claimed the Merman Emperor couldn't defeat a non-specialist, he would have scoffed and ignored them.
But now, faced with the naked truth, the blade of reality didn't just cut—it wounded his pride!
"Hmph! You're quite the sharp-tongued brat!"
"You rely on underhanded tactics and still dare to boast?"
The Grand Turtle Steward, though enraged, had a thick enough skin to retort.
He even accused Ling Zhan of using dirty tricks to gain the upper hand.
"Boo!!"
But...
His accusations were met with loud boos from the land-based professionals.
"You old turtle, barking again?"
"What dirty tricks? Name one law that prohibits such tactics in a life-or-death battle!"
"Let's be honest, you deep-sea folks just can't handle losing. Admit it! Your clan has been disgusting everyone for ages!"
"Exactly! And this is supposed to be a level-190 peak War God? If you hadn't interfered, your emperor would've been dead by now!"
"Haha! A level-190 War God throwing a tantrum because he lost! How enlightening!"
"..."
The land-based professionals were firmly on Ling Zhan's side.
Whether it was due to racial or personal interests, they fully supported him.
None of them would ever suck up to the deep-sea clan.
Of course...
Before witnessing Ling Zhan beat down the Merman Emperor, they wouldn't have dared speak out.
They were afraid of death, after all.
But now...
Seeing the once-mighty emperor being beaten senseless, their fear had vanished, much like the Merman Emperor's attributes.
With newfound courage, they voiced their cutting remarks.
Faced with the crowd's mockery, all based on cold, hard facts, even the thick-skinned Grand Turtle Steward was left speechless.
"Ambrose, I won't repeat myself."
"Your son strips down and crawls out of Blue Sea City on his hands and knees!"
"Or, your entire deep-sea clan dies here!"
"You have five seconds to decide!"
"If you think I'm bluffing, feel free to test me!"
At this moment...
Ling Zhan's patience had run out. His cold eyes locked onto the Merman Emperor.
His tone was calm, but his aura was overwhelmingly domineering.