Actually, even without the reminders from Northern Martial Zen and Prince Wan Yan, their disciples had already covered their ears. The sound of the long howl was not only deafening, but it also gave a feeling of blood boiling excitement, as if the blood in the whole body was ignited by the sound, making one's heart throb uncontrollably. And such a heartbeat speed is indeed harmful; those with heart disease might just have an attack merely by listening to this sound.

However, the effect of covering the ears wasn't very significant. Even though everyone around had covered their ears, the long howling sound was still like ocean waves, surging wave after wave. A few with weaker strength tried desperately to cover their ears, yet they were still so shaken by the sound that sweat dripped down their heads, and their hearts nearly jumped to their throats.

"I can't take it anymore!"

Suddenly, a man shouted, released his ears, and ran to the side to frantically bang his head against a tree, laughing hysterically, driven to collapse by the sound.

This man was a disciple of Northern Martial Zen. Seeing him in such a state, Northern Martial Zen's face changed dramatically. He leaped forward, pressed onto the man's shoulder, and slapped the back of his head, causing him to faint on the ground, thereby escaping the current situation. Otherwise, he might have killed himself by banging against the tree.

Yet, just as Northern Martial Zen saved this man, someone else nearby went mad and dashed out to bang against a tree. This time it was one of Prince Wan Yan's people. Prince Wan Yan, imitating Northern Martial Zen, rushed over and knocked this person unconscious to change the situation. But as soon as this person fainted, someone else nearby collapsed and rushed out, forcing Prince Wan Yan and Northern Martial Zen to continuously knock out their people to prevent them from injuring themselves to death.

Ye Qing too had his eardrums buzzing from the long howling sound, but strangely, he didn't feel his blood boiling. Every time the sound surged, an indescribable internal breath surged within him, quickly calming his whole body's blood. And this surge of internal breath, due to the sound of the long howl, increased in speed within him, eventually surging throughout his body, putting him in a state of high excitement.

This excitement was different from the near-collapse of Northern Martial Zen and Prince Wan Yan's people. His excitement was the agitation of internal breath stirred by the sound of the long howl. The internal breath continued to move within his body, wave after wave impacting his meridians, as if opening them wide. However, his meridians remained closed, preventing the internal breath from bursting through, conveying a strong sense of suppression to his throat. With several agitations, Ye Qing involuntarily opened his mouth and let out a long howl towards the sky.

The sudden appearance of Ye Qing's long howl was rather abrupt, as Prince Wan Yan and Northern Martial Zen had just knocked out all their subordinates, and suddenly, Ye Qing's voice erupted. Coupled with the earlier long howl, it was like thunder from two parts of the sky clashing. The earlier long howl resembled summer thunder, with wave after wave surging endlessly. Yet Ye Qing's long howl, amidst the thunderous long howl, remained utterly unmasked, wave after wave loudly reaching everyone's ears at the scene.

Upon hearing Ye Qing's long howl, the faces of Prince Wan Yan and Northern Martial Zen both changed. They exchanged a glance, astonished that Ye Qing could emit such a long howl. It must be known that such a long howl isn't something anyone can produce just by having a loud voice. It's achieved with a powerful inner strength as the foundation. The earlier long howl suggested that an absolute peak master had arrived, and even Prince Wan Yan and Northern Martial Zen considered themselves less than the newcomer.

However, how did Ye Qing also produce such a long howl here? Moreover, this long howl was in no way inferior to the earlier one. How could this be? Could it be that Ye Qing's inner strength was already comparable to this master? This is simply impossible!

After a moment of astonishment, the two suddenly felt the blood within them vaguely start to stir as well. Both were shocked; a long howl of a peak master could be handled easily by them. But now, with Ye Qing also emitting a long howl that was in no way inferior, they were struggling. It was like being shaken by two peak masters using inner strength simultaneously, and their strength simply couldn't withstand it.

The two dared not slack for a moment, hurriedly sitting cross-legged, silently circulating their inner strength to regulate their breath, lest they be swept away by the sound. Meanwhile, Li Bing'en had long sat cross-legged, but now seemed to be struggling as well, sweating profusely, clearly almost unable to handle it.

Ye Qing's internal breath surged wave after wave against his meridians, yet the meridians were closed and couldn't be broken through, so the surging force constantly rose and transformed into a long howl. And he himself couldn't control it at all, not even knowing that the long howl he emitted had such a shocking power, entirely due to his inner strength passively changing.

This continued for about two minutes. When Li Bing'en was nearly unable to withstand it, the long howl from that side suddenly stopped. However, Ye Qing did not stop, continuing to howl for nearly another ten seconds before halting. Nonetheless, with one less peak master's sound, Li Bing'en barely managed to endure.

Prince Wan Yan and Northern Martial Zen were both startled and flustered by the sound of the long howls. Finally, when both sounds stopped, they breathed a sigh of relief. When they opened their eyes to look, they realized that somehow another person had appeared at the scene, standing not far from Ye Qing.

Seeing the newcomer, both faces changed simultaneously, for they recognized the person and also knew their identity.

"Helian Tiehua!" They both exclaimed in unison, no wonder the earlier long howl was so terrifying; it turned out to be emitted by Helian Tiehua.

Helian Tiehua didn't even glance at the two of them, but instead stared directly at Ye Qing, who had just ceased his loud shout, with evident surprise in his eyes.

Helian Tiehua had seen Ye Qing before and naturally knew how skilled Ye Qing was. When Ye Qing let out the long cry earlier, Helian Tiehua wondered which expert had arrived, so he gave it some thought. However, when he arrived here, he was astonished to find that his opponent was Ye Qing, which surprised him greatly.

To be aware, that voice confrontation earlier was essentially a contest of Inner Strength. And Ye Qing's voice was not at all weaker than his; how could this be possible? Ye Qing was still so young, how could he possess such strong Inner Strength? You must know that Helian Tiehua had trained for decades to achieve his current feats.

Prince Wan Yan and Northern Martial Zen were equally surprised; they knew that Ye Qing's power couldn't possibly reach such heights. Yet now, Ye Qing had let out such a sound, both clear to their ears and eyes—what exactly was going on?

The two of them wanted to ask for clarity, but now, with Helian Tiehua standing before them, they felt immense pressure and didn't dare make any rash moves.

General of Meng District Helian Tiehua, who dominates the world and is unstoppable, universally acknowledged!

The strength of Prince Wan Yan and Northern Martial Zen was considerable, but standing before Helian Tiehua, they lost all their fighting spirit. With another of the Five Uniques, perhaps they wouldn't have felt such timidity. However, with Helian Tiehua in their presence, they couldn't endure such pressure.

Under heavens, how many people can face Helian Tiehua without trembling?

Ye Qing also saw Helian Tiehua, and at this moment, he heaved a long sigh of relief. Although he met Helian Tiehua only once, he was very clear about Helian Tiehua's character. The Great General dominates the world, and he is courageous and bold. Even though Ao Wuchang from the Hong Alliance had enmity with Ye Qing, Helian Tiehua would absolutely not strike against Ye Qing. Because Helian Tiehua esteems his identity more than Ao Wuchang, unless it's a deep-seated vendetta, he wouldn't act rashly against a junior.

Northern Martial Zen and Prince Wan Yan dared not speak, nor did Helian Tiehua, causing the atmosphere to grow somewhat silent. With Helian Tiehua staring at him, Ye Qing felt the pressure and awkwardly said: "So it's General Helian!"

Ye Qing spoke these words, prompting Helian Tiehua to withdraw his gaze, nod slowly, and reply: "You are Ye Qing!"

Helian Tiehua also glanced at Northern Martial Zen and Prince Wan Yan, a hint of coldness flashing across his face, as he said in a cold tone: "Northern Martial Zen, Wan Yan Zong!"

Wan Yan Zong was indeed Prince Wan Yan's name; usually, if someone called him by his name, he'd be furious. But hearing this from Helian Tiehua, he had no temper at all. Why? Because his strength was far lesser than Helian Tiehua, and Helian Tiehua certainly had the privilege to address him directly.

Northern Martial Zen, somewhat crafty, smiled and said: "So General Helian is here too. Had I known, I would have gone to the Meng District, come along with General Helian, and have company on the journey."

Seeing Northern Martial Zen like this, Prince Wan Yan was unwilling to be left behind, quickly smiling: "I wonder which Peak Master had such prowess, and it turns out General Helian himself came. Not met for years, General Helian's strength far exceeds before!"

The two had been somewhat valiant earlier, yet before Helian Tiehua, they instantly behaved like sycophants, trying to establish rapport with Helian Tiehua one after another. However, Helian Tiehua showed no expression for their flattery.

Helian Tiehua looked at Ye Qing and Li Bing'en, then at Northern Martial Zen and Prince Wan Yan, and said: "Against two juniors, not only do you both strike personally, but you bring so many disciples here. Isn't that overdoing it?"

Northern Martial Zen and Prince Wan Yan felt a wave of embarrassment. As elders, it was already inappropriate for them to confront Ye Qing and Li Bing'en, the juniors. Bringing so many people to bully them, being reproached, left them with no room to argue.