Amidst the countless eyes, the gargantuan black disc of flames exuding a aura of samsara crashed with the terrifying energy released by the trio Gu You, Gu He, and Tianming Laoyao. “Swoosh!” As both sides collided, their fearsome might was akin to meteors clashing. However, much to everyone’s surprise, the anticipated earth-shattering explosion did not occur. The three enormous blasts of energy, spanning hundreds of feet, crumbled upon contact with the black flame disc under a cascade of bewildered gazes, rapidly dissipating into nothingness as if ice meeting a blaze.
Below the slowly spinning black disc, even the very fabric of space seemed on the brink of collapse and disintegration! “Crack.”
The huge attack swiftly dissipated, vanishing into an abyss in a few short moments, while the black flame disc remained suspended in the sky, rotating lazily…
“What fighting technique is this?” Staring at the obliteration of their formidable attack without even shaking the black disc, the trio of Gu You, Gu He, and Tianming Laoyao were overcome with shock and disbelief. Though they couldn’t defeat Xiao Yan’s one-star Dou Sheng power, it should not have ended in such a manner. The strange black flaming disc was indeed too terrifying. “A fighting technique derived from Ancestral Flames. This young man never fails to astonish…”
Pharmacist Elder watched the hovering black flame disc with a mix of fascination and dread. From the darkness at its center, he could sense a truly ominous force; anyone ensnared within would see their very soul eradicated. In a sense, this was true destruction.
“He’s too strong, retreat!” Gu You gazed at the distant Xiao Yan, standing aloft with his hands behind him, his gaze chillingly locked onto them. After the fierce exchange, they realized they were no match for Xiao Yan!
As the last word dropped, Gu You immediately turned and transformed into a streak of light dashing towards the exit of Star Territory, closely followed by Tianming Laoyao and the three Hall Sky Sovereigns.
Witnessing their flight, the remaining experts from the Nether River Alliance turned pale with fright and fled desperately like frightened strays, heading out of Star Territory.
“Swerve,”
Xiao Yan coldly eyed the fleeing figures. His icy voice slipped through the air. As he spoke, a jet-black beam shot forth from the gargantuan black disc, silently penetrating the void and encasing the escaping figures including Gu You in its grasp. “Aaaaahhhh!!!”
Those unlucky ones ensnared by the dark beams discovered in horror that their bodies began to disintegrate beneath the light, some desperate practitioners mustered up Dou Qi only to realize with mounting terror that even their Qi succumbed and vaporized into thin air under the beam’s relentless assault. Piercing screams pierced the heavens.
“Damn, what is this?”
Gu You and Tianming Laoyao found themselves shrouded in vast amounts of Dou Qi, glaring in anger at the surrounding black beams. Their abundant energy managed to temporarily fend off dissolution, yet, following the pace of their energy being decomposed, they too would dissolve just like the others soon enough.
“Flee quickly!”
The elderly Demon, Tianming, growled lowly with a hint of palpable fear; this was the first taste of death he had felt, not even his half-Saint tier was any guarantee.
Even before his reminder, sensing their own Qi dissipate swiftly beneath those beams, all three drastically altered their expressions, pushing forth their speeds aiming to dash beyond the rays.
“Can you escape so easily?”
Shaking his head faintly, Xiao Yan gripped a hand towards Gu You’s group. The very air froze instantly, turning into the toughest of prison walls, sealing them entirely within the bounds of that eerie light pillar—something Xiao Yan had oftentimes suffered at the hands of higher-ranked fighters. Reaching his present level, he could now revel in the thrill of imprisoning foes with simple movements.
*Bam* *bam* *bam*
Frustrated by the unyielding confinement, each frantic attempt against the solid air fell short due to their inferior strength compared to Xiao Yan. Moreover, their energies kept draining away under the continuous effect of the beam, their offense growing ever weaker… All throughout Star Boundary, all witnessed how helplessly these elite Nether-River forces were trapped under the merciless grip of Xiao Yan’s power, awaiting inevitable doom despite mad efforts to wriggle free—a sight that filled onlookers’ hearts with dread, though gratitude as they were on Xiao Yan’s side.
*Screeeechhh*
Not long past, save for a select few, everyone else was consumed wholly into non-existence, their souls dispersed by that deadly ray.
“Xiao Yan, spare me; Heaven-Demon Sect can be your subordinate force.”
Tianming Laoyao pleaded hysterically upon finding his Dou Qi wane, but Xiao Yan merely shook his head indifferently, replying quietly: “Not required, nor will there be any future for Heaven-Demon Sect. I said before—this is a fine burial ground.” Enraged beyond surrender, a reddened-eyed Tianming began swelling violently as blood jets erupted from pores, inflating like a balloon about to burst.
“That lunatic!” Startled, Gu You hastily retreated along with their allies.
With a tremendous *BOOM*, the elder detonated amidst stunned faces, triggering massive shocks rippling apart the frozen barrier.
Unmoved, Xiao Yan changed seals making the dark disc suck up and gobble down all destructive torrents, absorbing everything.
Just then, an incredibly dim light sneaked silently toward a Starfall Pavilion member. But mid-flight, the surroundings again froze with an aloof voice halting it.
Before it could enter, a focused dark spear separated, shining upon that fading radiance, causing it to emit shrill screams until finally vanishing into oblivion.
Seeing another Saint fall left everyone shaken. Meanwhile, two more forms, utilizing Tian Minglaoyaos’ self-detonation, shot like lightning from the dark beam, recognized as Gu You and Cai Lin.
“Stay here!”
Xiao Yan glided over ghostly, swinging palms that looked harmless, but rendered the two motionless.
Feeling despair, Gu You grabbed their companion and thrust him forward, retreating swiftly himself using momentum. Yet, before hitting, that body burst aflame, screaming till silence enveloped. Witnessing Xiao Yan’s might brought chills, regretting not eliminating the foe previously when having the chance. Now facing a grim reaper, he shivered. “Follow him,”
Remaining calm, Xiao Yan moved towards Gu You, hand striking out.
Cold spread over them right before another mighty arm—dry, aged, and ghastly as a specter reached from a warped dimension.
“A Spirit Race Sage finally appears!” Xiao Yan squinted.
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