The battle erupted in an instant!
Without the slightest hesitation or delay, after days of continuous wear on the Seven-Colored Danxia Grand Array—capped off by the bombardment of several powerful trump cards—the grand array finally fell, heralding the moment when the clash turned into brutal, close-quarters combat!
In contrast to the hurried charge of the Yan Alliance's vassals, the Luotian Association had clearly prepared well in advance.
They could have held out for three more days, but on Luo Chen's signal, they deactivated the grand array two days early.
This meant they had prepared ahead of time and already seized the initiative.
Watching the low-tier cultivators swarming up the mountain slopes from the base, Zhou Yuanli led the cultivators of the Law Enforcement Hall, taking charge of directing the Luotian Association's three thousand members.
One spiritual sense transmission after another issued from his lips.
"Qin Liangchen, prepare the first volley of talismans!"
"Understood!"
With an unreserved low roar, Qin Liangchen led the outer sect cultivators, readying the massive stockpile of talismans that had long been prepared.
In the next instant,
Fireballs, wind blades, ironwood spikes, boulders...
Low-tier talismans of every conceivable kind were unleashed as though they cost nothing, hurtling outward in a thunderous deluge.
In just a single clash, the hundred or so cultivators charging at the very front were struck with a devastating head-on blow.
"Feng Xia, prepare the second volley of talismans!"
"Understood!"
In the southeast corner, Feng Xia wore a fierce expression as she swept her wide sleeve. The cultivators of the Spirit Medicine Hall instantly activated another massive volley of prepared talismans.
The same scene played out once more.
Directing the front lines, Zhou Yuanli's ear twitched as Sima Huiniang's voice transmitted from the Luotian Main Hall.
"To the northwest, a large contingent of Qi Refinement cultivators has broken through the perimeter and is charging up."
Without a change in expression, Zhou Yuanli immediately waved the large banner in his hand.
Amid swirling winds and clouds, he leaped high into the air.
"Yuan Xiaoyue, entertain them with spells!"
A crisp, charming female voice replied from a distance.
"Yes!"
In the following moment, the numerous female cultivators of the Gold Hall unleashed a vast expanse of multicolored low-tier spells, raining down in a deafening barrage.
In an instant, wails of agony echoed across the field.
Even among the Qi Refinement cultivators with remarkable defense or blistering flight speed, none could endure or escape under such wide-area bombardment.
At the very first clash, the leaderless Qi Refinement cultivators of the Yan Alliance vassals suffered grievous casualties.
Naturally, this scene caught the eye of Zheng Xian in the distance.
His expression darkened, and he immediately ordered, "Send three people to kill that early Foundation Establishment cultivator directing the lines!"
The next instant, two Foundation Establishment True Cultivators of the Zheng family, led by Zheng Kejian, surged toward Zhou Yuanli.
Facing their approach, Zhou Yuanli remained composed, showing not the slightest panic.
Before the three could even draw near, three figures leaped out from behind him.
They were the Battle Hall's newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators: Gui Jiang, Su Xiaolin, and Li Yingzhang.
Facing the incoming trio, the scholarly Li Yingzhang held the Chilong Sword he had reclaimed.
Luo Chen had retrieved it from Yanleizi's storage bag.
Back then, Yanleizi had used earth fire baleful aura to seize his ancestral sword.
Clutching the Chilong Sword, Li Yingzhang looked serene, completely unfazed by the swirling chaos of battle.
"Leave the mid Foundation Establishment Zheng Kejian to me. You two handle the other two."
Su Xiaolin's expression shifted slightly. "But you're only at the second level of Foundation Establishment..."
Before he could finish, Li Yingzhang had already engaged Zheng Kejian.
At the first exchange, their flying swords tangled in fierce contention.
Though he had seemed doomed to a swift defeat, Li Yingzhang held his ground with sheer tenacity.
Su Xiaolin's eyes lit up. Elder Li's spiritual power was remarkably robust—to withstand an opponent two sub-realms higher was incredible. The only other person he had seen with spiritual power of that density at early Foundation Establishment was the Association Leader.
Yet his astonishment lasted only a fleeting breath; the battlefield left no room for complacency. He immediately turned to confront one of the Zheng family cultivators.
Behind them, Zhou Yuanli watched coldly.
From below his feet came Liu Qiang's urgent shout.
"A group of Qi Refinement cultivators has breached Danxia Peak!"
Zhou Yuanli waved his hand dismissively. "Focus on killing the enemy. Do not worry about that."
Liu Qiang raised an eyebrow. After forcing back his opponent, he glanced over his shoulder.
High upon the mountain slopes, vines writhed, stalks of grain transformed into flying swords, and large Luotian spiritual fruits detonated like cannon shells.
Slaughter and the flames of war stretched endlessly across Danxia.
"Even the Farming Hall has joined the fray?"
"Of course. Back then, Granny Yuan was exceptionally skilled at using spiritual plant arts in battle, once relying on the terrain to force back Elder Min."
"Hall Master Yuan Dongsheng, who inherited her true teachings, is only stronger now. With him leading the Farming Hall cultivators, these stragglers are nothing more than lambs to the slaughter!"
With his heart at ease, Liu Qiang once again drove his dharma weapon forward to assist the other Luotian Association members.
At this moment, looking down from above, the opposing combat strategies were plain to see.
The Yan Alliance vassals had brought a thousand Qi Refinement cultivators, all seasoned fighters in the mid-to-late Qi Refinement stages.
Yet they had no unified commander and merely surged forward in a chaotic charge.
The Luotian Association fielded three thousand Qi Refinement cultivators of uneven cultivation realms.
Under Zhou Yuanli's orchestration, however, the weaker members stayed behind, striking from afar with spells and talismans.
Even when enemies breached their perimeter, they used the terrain to evade.
At the forefront, the battle cultivators of the Battle Hall served as the vanguard, bearing the brunt of the pressure.
They were supported by vast numbers of outer sect cultivators, Spirit Beast Hall members, and a small contingent from the Merit Hall.
In the center were the intelligence operatives Su Xiaolin had once trained, along with the disciplinary squad under Zhou Yuanli's command.
Though not the strongest in brute force, this group was sharp and agile.
Wherever a breach appeared, they plugged the gap.
Wherever an advantage emerged, they pressed forward to expand their gains.
After sweeping through an area, they moved on to the next front like a rushing wind and blazing fire.
Arranged in three distinct layers, their ranks were methodical and disciplined.
Judging strictly by the Qi Refinement level of the battle, within just a few short minutes, the Luotian Association had seized absolute dominance!
Yet everyone knew.
The crux of this battle lay not with the Qi Refinement cultivators, but in the contest between Foundation Establishment True Cultivators.
Sima Huiniang's voice sounded in Zhou Yuanli's ear once more.
"Careful. The Zheng family couldn't take you down, so they mobilized Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Iron Sword Hall to come after you."
Shifting his gaze, Zhou Yuanli watched several True Cultivators flying in from the distance, a cold smirk touching his lips.
Since he had chosen to command from the very front, he had long cast aside all thoughts of life and death.
Besides, killing him would hardly be that simple.
"Qu Lingjun, are you ready?"
Deep beneath the earth.
The Alchemy Hall, once crowded with all manner of alchemy apparatus, now stood entirely vacant.
Inside were Alchemy Hall cultivators waiting in readiness, alongside Forging Hall cultivators worn out from days of maintaining the formations.
These people possessed specialized crafts, but they were unaccustomed to open battle.
Yet whether one could fight depended entirely on how one fought!
Hearing Zhou Yuanli's voice in his ear, Qu Lingjun spun around sharply.
"Everyone, activate the grand array left by Elder Min!"
Stationed in various positions, the Qi Refinement cultivators nodded in unison.
Systematically, they channeled their spiritual power to ignite array banner after array banner.
Outside!
Five Foundation Establishment True Cultivators clustered together, charging toward Zhou Yuanli.
They had received Zheng Xian's order to eliminate this man at all costs.
Otherwise, their Qi Refinement forces would suffer total defeat.
Even so, being dispatched as a group of five to eliminate a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator struck them as overkill.
"Isn't Zheng Xian being overly cautious?"
"We should have charged Danxia Peak with the main force to reap more spoils."
"Stop grumbling. Dispatch this Zhou Yuanli quickly, and we'll still have time to head up and claim our share."
"Fine. Don't hold back, everyone!"
Amid brief murmurs, the five drew closer and closer.
Midway through their flight, however, one of the cultivators with a formidable soul sense suddenly sensed that something was amiss.
He glanced down instinctively, then veered sharply to the side.
Among the group was another cultivator who, though slower to react, possessed exceptional speed and darted sideways in an instant.
The other three were not so fortunate.
Before they could even register what was happening—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Pillars of flame erupted straight from the earth toward the heavens.
Their overwhelming fury was unstoppable.
Like fiery dragons, they swallowed heaven and earth.
Wherever the fire dragons passed, all life vanished from where the cultivators had stood, leaving only an inferno of blazing sparks drifting through the sky.
The two survivors stared in horror.
"Channeling earth fire to attack!"
"Is the Luotian Association trying to destroy its own foundation?"
While they hesitated, Zheng Xian flew into a rage from afar.
"You two fools, what are you hesitating for? Go and kill that man at once!"
The two shuddered.
Casting a lingering, fearful glance at the earth below, they bolted straight toward Zhou Yuanli.
Within the Luotian Main Hall, Sima Huiniang watched through the Water Mirror Art, her expression grave.
If those two joined the fight, it would become five against four.
More critically, all four Luotian cultivators were merely in the early Foundation Establishment stage.
Among the five opponents, two were at mid Foundation Establishment.
Even if Li Yingzhang could pin one down, it was a precarious struggle that could not last.
Now, with one more enemy...
Scanning the battlefield, she gritted her teeth.
"Bian Zhen, go support Zhou Yuanli immediately!"
Within Danxia Peak,
A figure took a deep breath and surged into the sky, flying toward Zhou Yuanli's position.
In this manner, although they remained at an absolute disadvantage, it was at least a five-against-five matchup.
If the Alchemy Hall deep underground could channel earth fire one more time, it might lend Zhou Yuanli and his allies a helping hand.
However!
This area was no longer the focus of Sima Huiniang's attention.
Through the Water Mirror Art, she saw eight mid Foundation Establishment cultivators joining forces to storm Danxia Peak.
"Can Xu Huanzhen and the others hold them back?"
...
"Guests arrive today, yet they are not honored visitors, but malicious intruders."
A clear, resonant voice carried across Danxia.
Accompanying it came wave upon wave of piercing eagle screeches.
A Daoist flew out from behind Danxia, and beneath his feet flew thousands upon thousands of Plume-Stripping Eagles.
One among them bore a golden crown atop its head, having reached the Tier 2 level.
Wherever they passed, they blotted out the sky, shedding countless drifting feathers.
They moved like an overwhelming torrent!
"In that case, I, Xu, shall answer malice with malice!"
He stamped his foot, and the gold-crowned Plume-Stripping Eagle beneath him let out a sharp cry.
Instantly, the thousands of eagles hurled themselves recklessly toward the eight mid Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Confronted by this sight, an Iron Sword Hall cultivator among the eight turned pale.
"When did this Xu Huanzhen advance to late Foundation Establishment?"
"Don't fear! He is only one man—the eight of us are more than enough to kill him!"
Just as the eight braced themselves, continuously bombarding the flock of eagles with attacks,
A true deluge suddenly manifested from within the torrent of eagles!
Azure waves surged layer upon layer, sweeping across the sky.
Two graceful figures stood upon the crests, treading the waves.
Catching sight of the two women, the eight cultivators' eyes lit up.
"That's Murong Qinglian, the Merit Hall Master of the Luotian Association! She's Danchenzi's right hand—slaying her would be a tremendous merit!"
"I've seen the other one—she's Gold Hall Master Gu Caiyi! Rumor has it she shares an intimate bond with Danchenzi. If we can take her alive..."
In an instant, the eight charged toward the two women without hesitation.
Yet in the very next moment—
Chii!
A flash of watery light swept past.
Midair, a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator clutched his throat, retreating frantically in horror.
Yet that light gave him no quarter.
Not only that, but Murong Qinglian and Gu Caiyi continuously drove the massive waves beneath their feet, rolling over him in layer after crushing layer.
Three-Fold Wave of the Boundless Ocean!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Using implements to drive secret arts in an explosive strike, combined with the coordinated efforts of three water-attribute Foundation Establishment cultivators,
In a single instant,
The enemy crashed dead to the earth, his eyes wide in disbelief.
Only then did Duan Feng, longsword in hand, reveal himself before the crowd.
Standing in front of the two women, all three channeled the colossal waves together.
Furthermore, Xu Huanzhen whipped up ferocious gales, driving the sky-swallowing surges to even wilder heights.
Caught amidst the raging wind and waves, the remaining seven were furious, yet they held their nerve.
"One late Foundation Establishment and three early Foundation Establishment—and you dare bar our path?"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
Amid harsh shouts, dharma weapons and treasures were unleashed, radiating murderous intent.
Facing them, all three Luotian cultivators looked grim.
Without turning his head, Duan Feng said, "Gu Caiyi, you reached Foundation Establishment most recently. Prioritize preserving yourself."
Gu Caiyi's face was slightly pale, but her eyes were exceptionally resolute.
"Do not worry. I have my own means; there is no need to fret over me!"
As she spoke, a dim black radiance surfaced on her back, from which faint, alluring laughter seemed to drift.
...
"Everyone!"
Zheng Xian stepped forward, chanting softly.
"The Luotian Association has exhausted its means. It is time for us to strike as well."
Beside him, an unknown high-tier cultivator followed closely.
Songfengzi laughed heartily. "I wonder how long Wang Yuan and Chu Kui can hold back?"
As he spoke, he waved a hand, and two high-tier cultivators also hailing from the Medicine King Domain fell in step.
Tuoba Lingfei and Xiang Zhonghe exchanged a glance, tacitly flying around from the flank.
Xiahou Kun remained silent, glancing down at where the Xiahou clan was embroiled in slaughter, his face somewhat grim.
In the end, his gaze settled firmly upon Danxia Peak.
Gritting his teeth, he chose another direction and sped straight toward Danxia.
With that, all eight late Foundation Establishment cultivators mobilized in full force!
Zheng Xian's destination was none other than the battle circle where the mid Foundation Establishment cultivators were engaged.
"Capture Gu Caiyi to hold the Luotian Association hostage in exchange for the Core Formation secret art."
"Kill that Xu Huanzhen first!"
They quickly settled on their strategy.
Yet as fast as they were, someone acted even faster!
A towering, imposing figure stepped out from Danxia, a column of essence smoke above his head testifying to the terrifying vitality of his blood and qi.
His strides appeared agonizingly slow, yet each step bridged a span of nine zhang.
As he walked, his hands blurred in rapid motion.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The moment he appeared, his ten fingers flicked in rapid succession.
Strands of blood-colored force crashed directly into the cluster of mid-stage cultivators.
Within a single breath, two had perished.
Songfengzi's steps hitched, his pupils shrinking as words slipped out unbidden.
"Blood Demon Wang Yuan!"
Wang Yuan frowned. He detested that title.
It was not his.
It belonged to Xuanyu of Peach Mountain.
The world had misunderstood, crowning him with the moniker.
Since that was the case, he would carve out a name that was truly his own today!
"If you wish to set foot on Danxia, you must get past me first!"
Without even glancing back at Xu Huanzhen's battlefield, he stood alone, barring the way before the eight grand cultivators.
Zheng Xian's face twisted in contempt.
"You alone dare utter such wild boasts?"
Before his words could land, a heaven-splitting staff crashed down from the sky.
The eight turned pale, striking out together to parry the blow.
Boom!
After a deafening collision, a figure stood high in the sky, looking down on all eight.
"What if you add me?"
Zheng Xian raised his head, enunciating each word with venom.
"Tiankuizi!"
Chu Kui chuckled wickedly. "That's right, none other than yours truly! What of it?"
Zheng Xian sneered, "Do not think that exchanging a move with a Golden Core cultivator makes you invincible under the heavens among Foundation Establishment. Today, I will teach you what peak Foundation Establishment truly means!"
As he spoke, a surging wave of spiritual power erupted from his body.
The other seven followed suit, their magic treasures floating forth one after another.
"Leave Wang Yuan to us!"
Tuoba Lingfei glanced at the battle and immediately flew toward Wang Yuan.
Alongside him went Xiang Zhonghe, likewise at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment.
Seeing two grand cultivators charging straight for him, Wang Yuan took a deep breath, deciding to hold nothing back.
From the very start, he would unleash his full might!
As he inhaled, his physique expanded rapidly.
His feet rooted into the earth, his hands grew as broad as millstones, and his enormous eyes resembled lanterns.
Not only that.
As his body enlarged, pieces of archaic armor flew from the pipe at his waist, wrapping around his entire frame.
Upon his wrists, a pair of bracers settled into place, radiating malevolent baleful aura and striking an imposing figure.
In a mere instant, an ironclad giant stood tall before Danxia.
Seeing this, Tuoba Lingfei's expression flickered.
Xiang Zhonghe did not hesitate. "Send another person!"
Zheng Xian shot a meaningful glance, and the unknown grand cultivator who had been following him immediately rushed over.
Thus, it became a three-against-one encirclement.
Facing this setup, Wang Yuan's eyes burned with ferocity.
"Come! Come on!"
"Today, either you die, or I perish!"
As he roared, the blood and qi throughout his body shook violently, and blood-red pythons hissed forth, lunging straight toward Xiang Zhonghe.
Among the three, this one was the weakest and had the least will to fight!
Faced with his proactive strike, the three showed no fear.
Each summoned their magic treasures, attacking him from all angles.
In an instant, the battle reached a white-hot frenzy.
...
Zheng Xian glanced over; Wang Yuan was clearly falling into a disadvantage.
"All name and no substance. I truly doubt whether he was the Blood Demon roaming the Mount Thunder Accumulation battlefield at all."
With a dismissive sneer, he looked up at Chu Kui.
"I wonder if your title as the leader of Tianlan's rogue cultivators is just as hollow?"
As they spoke, five late Foundation Establishment cultivators fanned out in different directions, loosely encircling Chu Kui.
Confronted with such an overwhelming force,
Chu Kui wiped the smile from his face, silently retrieved a pill-like orb, and swallowed it.
Seeing the appearance of that orb, all five turned pale.
A Golden Core!
Once the Golden Core entered his belly, Chu Kui's expression instantly turned savage.
Though he was the one surrounded, he carried the aura of a single man encircling five.
"You bunch of bastards!"
"Today, your grandfather is going to beat you to death with his own hands!"
"Die!"
With a deafening roar, the Qitian Staff in his hands suddenly struck out toward one of them.
The terrifying might of that single strike was shocking to behold.
The cultivator immediately directed his flying sword to intercept.
Yet in a single breath, the long-refined flying sword let out a mournful wail and was batted backward.
"Pfft..."
Spitting blood, the man wailed shrilly, "What are you waiting for? Attack!"
Zheng Xian's brow furrowed, and a feather fan materialized in his hand as he swung it toward Chu Kui.
A billowing wave of flames washed forth, scorching everything in its path.
Chu Kui swung his staff back, shattering the flames.
Yet the blistering heat still caused glaring blisters to bubble across his palm.
Zheng Xian snorted coldly. The man wielded a fraction of a Golden Core's might, yet possessed none of a Golden Core master's defensive resilience.
Such a reckless brute could be cut down within a few rounds.
He released his spiritual sense, sweeping across a dozen li of Danxia.
After scanning the area, his brows knit together.
It was not because of any setback on the various battlefields.
On the contrary, apart from the Qi Refinement front, their side held the upper hand against both the early and mid Foundation Establishment cultivators.
In fact, True Cultivators of the Luotian Association had already begun to fall.
What troubled him was—where was Danchenzi?
Things had reached this point, yet Danchenzi still had not shown himself.
Had he truly died within the Soul Formation ruins?
That made no sense. When Chu Kui exchanged for the superior Core Formation secret art under the Luotian Association's name, he had also redeemed many other resources.
The merits required for those resources could never have been amassed by Chu Kui alone.
In other words, Luo Chen had definitely emerged alive from the ruins and handed his share of merits over to Chu Kui.
"Can you truly be this patient?"
Even as he muttered to himself,
He suddenly sensed a subtle irregularity.
Where was it coming from?
He instinctively glanced down.
The earth shook!
Fire dragons spewed forth!
Zheng Xian frowned. "This earth-fire-channeling technique again? Using it against early Foundation Establishment cultivators is one thing, but using it against me?"
Sneering, he slammed a palm downward.
He intended to use his overwhelming spiritual power to forcibly suppress the earth fire back into the ground, burning alive the Luotian Association cultivators hidden below.
Yet just as his overbearing spiritual power pressed down, a surge of spiritual power fully equal to his own erupted from within the earth fire.
"Something's wrong!"
Before his shock could register, a fiery red hand seized his arm with lightning speed.
Fingers hooked into a talon, clamping down hard!
Zheng Xian unleashed all his spiritual power, violently exhaling a blast of ferocious aura from his mouth.
Using the recoil, he threw himself backward in frantic retreat.
A fire dragon surged skyward!
A scarlet-robed figure stood atop the dragon, sword in his right hand, his left clutching a severed right arm torn off at the shoulder, with raw white bone laid bare.
It was as if a flame devil had burst out of the netherworld, striking cold terror into every heart.
The figure spared him a frigid glance, then paid him no further heed, riding the fire dragon straight toward the four besieging Chu Kui.
His speed was terrifying!
From his appearance to his strike, scarcely a breath had passed.
The others had not even had time to react.
By the time they did, the figure had already crossed through the body of a grand cultivator whom Chu Kui had just repelled.
Chii!
The Xuanhuo Sword slashed down.
Head and torso parted ways.
Confronting this kill, the man showed not the slightest joy.
While the others stared in wide-eyed, sheer horror, he twirled his longsword, and the fire dragon beneath his feet wheeled around as if guided by thought, darting straight toward Xiang Zhonghe.
Wang Yuan seized this opening to unleash a savage assault.
Caught in a pincer attack, Wang Yuan took a direct hit from a magic treasure to cooperate with the figure and obliterate their foe.
After executing that strike, the figure did not pause for an instant.
He merely uttered a low shout.
"Chu Kui!"
Their absolute rapport drew the perfect coordination from Chu Kui.
The Qitian Staff abruptly expanded, stretching hundreds of zhang to block the path of two grand cultivators with domineering force.
With both men cut off from retreat, the figure gripped his sword with both hands.
A blazing sun manifested abruptly, then erupted in dazzling brilliance before their terrified eyes.
Chu Kui's expression changed, and he threw himself backward frantically.
"You absolute madman!"
Under the detonation of the brilliant sun, the two grand cultivators fought desperately to resist.
The peak-grade defensive dharma weapon summoned by one was melted in an instant, plunging him bodily into a boundless sea of fire.
The other was Xiahou Kun.
In his terror, he yanked off his eyepatch.
A slitted eye like that of a serpent appeared in the socket that should have been blind.
A beam of ashen-white light shot forth, instantly petrifying and freezing the billowing explosive flames.
With this sliver of frozen respite, he finally found the opening to pull back.
The figure frowned slightly, clearly caught off guard that a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator possessed such a bizarre technique.
That was definitely not an eye that belonged to a human cultivator!
Yet the moment left no room for hesitation.
A grave threat rushed in from the flank.
"Xiahou Kun is yours."
Leaving only that brief remark, he turned, holding the Xuanhuo Sword in a reverse grip in his left hand while thrusting his right palm forward.
Directly ahead of him, a colossal green log hurtled forward in a thunderous charge.
The Tier 3 talisman—City-Breaker Ram!
In the distance, Zheng Xian clutched the stump where his arm had been brutally torn away, watching with horror.
Songfengzi, you bastard!
You claimed that talisman could only be used once in a short time.
How do you explain unleashing it again so quickly?
Little did he know that Songfengzi had already written off this reusable Tier 3 talisman, wagering it all on a single desperate strike.
"To think a mere mortal body dares resist a battering log capable of shattering mountains and breaching cities—die!"
Songfengzi's face contorted as he poured everything into directing the City-Breaker Ram.
In the next instant, colossal wood and bare palm collided.
A scene that terrified him unfolded.
The moment they met, they locked in a dead standstill!
Then, with a low growl, the figure actually charged forward at a dead sprint.
Relying solely on a bare palm!
Wherever he passed, the ram manifested from the giant log splintered inch by inch.
"Such ferocious savagery defies all reason!"
Songfengzi's courage shattered, and he fled frantically without looking back.
He was no ordinary rogue cultivator!
Beyond his primary wood-attribute cultivation technique, he possessed an atypical wind spirit root.
Had he not passed his prime years for cultivation, even Nascent Soul supreme sects would have looked upon him favorably.
Though he lacked an ideal wind-attribute technique,
When it came to escape capability, he considered himself matched by few within the Foundation Establishment realm.
Yet as fast as he ran, the figure behind him pursued even faster.
He heard only a distant cry of "Careful!"
Then he saw the tip of a blade pierce through his chest.
"How... is this... possible..."
In his disbelief, flames spewed from the blade, reducing him to ash in the blink of an eye.
The renowned rogue cultivator Songfengzi, who had once held sway over the Medicine King Domain, perished just like that.
And accompanying him to the netherworld were three other grand cultivators.
In addition, peak Foundation Establishment cultivator Zheng Xian was grievously wounded, and Xiahou Kun was likewise severely hurt.
All of this took time to tell,
Yet in truth, from the moment he emerged from the earth fire eruption to the instant he slaughtered several foes, only a few short breaths had elapsed.
In so brief a span, four were dead and two gravely injured, completely upending the battlefield!
Only at this moment
Did the tens of thousands of watching rogue cultivators finally see his face clearly.
*Hssss!*
"It's Danchenzi!"
"Luo Chen, the Master of the Luotian Association, has appeared!"
"What happened? Weren't there eight grand cultivators besieging Wang Yuan and Chu Kui just now? Where are they? Why are only four left?"
"Not four, three!"
Amid the clamor of the crowd, a burst of bloody light erupted.
The giant, towering several zhang tall, used the blood serpents manifested from his vitality to bind Tuoba Lingfei, then crushed him with his bare hands.
This gory spectacle cemented everyone's stereotype of Wang Yuan.
He truly was the Blood Demon!
Even so, the focal point of the onlookers' discussion remained Luo Chen, who had appeared out of nowhere to slaughter several grand cultivators in an instant.
"How can this be? Isn't he renowned for his supreme alchemy skills?"
"How can his combat prowess be so monstrous?"
"Did you forget his other Daoist title, Lord Fire Spirit?"
"But his realm... wait, when did Lord Fire Spirit step into late Foundation Establishment?"
While the crowd buzzed with astonishment,
Several figures stepped out from the onlookers and flew toward the raging battlefield.
"Luo Feng of the Luosha Workshop comes to assist the Luotian Association!"
"Chen Xiuli of the Tianyi Workshop comes to assist the Luotian Association!"
"Yue Chong of Shaohua Mountain..."
"Great Elder of the Lianyun Merchant Alliance..."
Figure after figure flew forth, each displaying formidable cultivation realms.
Some did not announce their names,
Yet with Luo Chen's discernment, he naturally recognized them.
Kang Dongyue, Xing Zonghan, Li Yixian, and even Qiu Liangyue of the Snow Lotus Workshop.
Facing their intervention, Luo Chen's expression remained utterly calm.
He did not care that they had stood by earlier, nor did he mind their opportunistic support now.
He knew only that matters were far from simple.
When the time came, caught between advance and retreat, these people would be thoroughly bound to the Luotian Association's war chariot.
And that moment had already arrived.
Not far away, Zheng Xian jerked his head upward and wailed shrilly,
"Elder!"
In the next instant, a furious voice thundered down from above.
"Useless trash!"
Along with that voice came an immense palm print crashing down.
The palm print was colossal, covering an area of a hundred zhang around Luo Chen.
It was entirely crimson, imbued with violent baleful aura.
An immense spiritual pressure permeated it,
Rumbling with deafening power wherever it descended.
It was as though a heavenly deity had descended to squash a bug.
Luo Chen's body shook violently, his eyes opening wide as a faint blood-red hue suffused his flesh.
Deep within his mind, ring after ring of black halos rippled outward, helping him disperse that spiritual pressure layer by layer.
Suddenly!
His body moved.
Disregarding everything, he charged straight toward Zheng Xian.
Even in the face of death, he was determined to drag someone down with him!
Such utter madness shook all who witnessed it!
Chapter 408