Instantly, layers of light waves surged out from the array flags, swirling and condensing into a massive spherical barrier that enveloped all the winged spirits within. Its defensive capabilities appeared formidable.
However, despite the protection of the spherical shield, the young winged spirits still turned pale as they watched the roaring tempest approach from behind.
Facing the infamous “Silver Tide,” their defensive formation, though impressive, would not hold for long.
This had been proven countless times by those who had perished in this calamity before them.
Once swallowed by the Silver Tide, none below the Deity Transformation stage could survive. Even those at the Deity Transformation stage could barely protect themselves, their survival dependent on sheer luck.
To rescue so many of them would require someone at the late Void Refinement stage or even the Body Integration stage.
Given how deep they had ventured into the sea, the chances of encountering a senior expert from their clan were slim.
The two leading winged spirits—a man and a woman, both at the late Nascent Soul stage—exchanged hurried words, their expressions grim, clearly at a loss.
As the hurricane closed in, now only twenty or thirty miles away, one of the winged spirits suddenly cried out in excitement, “Look! There’s someone in the Silver Tide!”
Hearing this, the others turned in shock to where their companion pointed.
Amid the churning silver waves, a flickering green light could indeed be seen, as if someone were maneuvering through the storm.
However, the chaotic spiritual energy of the Silver Tide made it impossible for them to discern who it was with their spiritual sense.
Yet, the green light remained steady, moving from one end of the Silver Tide to the other, utterly unfazed by the lightning and hail within the tempest.
This sight filled the winged spirits with hope.
The two Nascent Soul-stage winged spirits exchanged glances and let out a synchronized cry—one masculine and forceful, the other feminine and gentle. Their combined voices pierced through the thunderous roar of the Silver Tide, echoing across the sky.
The modulated tones of their cry were no accident; it was a distress signal unique to the winged spirit clans.
Unless the person in the Silver Tide was deaf, they would surely notice the desperate group.
Sure enough, the green light paused momentarily as the cry reached it.
Had anyone been close enough, they would have seen a figure within the light turn its head toward the source of the sound, seemingly surprised.
“Which branch of the winged spirits do you belong to, and why are you here?”
A stranger’s voice suddenly resonated within the spherical barrier, clear and unmistakable to all.
“We are disciples of the Five-Colored, White Jade, and Sky Peng clans,” the Nascent Soul-stage man replied hastily, overjoyed. “We came here for training but unexpectedly encountered the once-in-a-millennium Silver Tide. We beg for your mercy, Senior, and ask that you save us!”
The stranger fell silent after this response, leaving the winged spirits uneasy.
If the stranger deemed the rescue too risky, they would surely abandon them.
Yet, the green light remained in the distance, hesitating, offering a sliver of hope.
Meanwhile, the tempest, laden with lightning and hail, engulfed them.
Thunder and howling winds battered the spherical barrier, shaking it violently as if it might shatter at any moment.
The winged spirits panicked.
Under the orders of the two Nascent Soul leaders, they channeled all their spiritual power into the array flags, stabilizing the barrier.
But such exertion was unsustainable. Their only hope lay with the distant figure.
“Since there are Sky Peng clansmen among you, I cannot stand idly by. I will send you away from here.”
The stranger’s voice finally returned, calm and detached.
The winged spirits rejoiced, but before they could respond, a thunderous explosion erupted above them.
Thick arcs of lightning intertwined, forming a massive electric array over ten yards in diameter.
At its center appeared a green-robed man with crystalline wings.
With a cold glance downward, he formed a hand seal.
His wings flapped, and the thunderous array descended, shattering the barrier effortlessly.
The winged spirits were engulfed in blinding light, feeling the world spin before vanishing from the tempest.
Moments later, they reappeared miles away, safe from the Silver Tide.
Overjoyed at their miraculous escape, they cheered wildly.
“Thank you for saving us, Senior! Are you a Sky Peng elder?” the Nascent Soul-stage man asked, bowing deeply.
The others followed suit, paying their respects.
“Sky Peng? No. But I have ties to them, so I couldn’t leave you to die,” the green-robed man replied with a smile, revealing pearly teeth.
This was none other than Han Li, who had spent eighty years reaching the winged spirit territories.
With power rivaling late-stage Body Integration cultivators, he had faced no true dangers but numerous delays, especially while circumventing perilous zones.
“Regardless, we are eternally grateful. May we know your name so we may report your deed to our elders?” a five-colored-winged woman, a member of the Five-Colored clan, asked respectfully.
“No need for thanks. I’ve been secluded in the wilds and am unfamiliar with recent events. Tell me what has happened in the past few centuries,” Han Li said casually.
“Of course, Senior. The most significant event was the disappearance of the Earth Abyss’s demon kings, leading to our clans conquering it,” the woman replied.
“Earth Abyss conquered? That is indeed major. Elaborate,” Han Li said, masking his surprise.
“Yes, Senior. It began with the Saint’s trial centuries ago…” she narrated.
Soon after, Han Li departed in a streak of green light.
“Junior Sister Xuan, was it wise to share so much with him?” the Nascent Soul-stage man asked uneasily once Han Li was gone.
“What do you mean, Brother Mian?” she countered.
“He never gave his name and seemed unfamiliar. He may not be one of us,” the man said cautiously.
“Nonsense! He had spirit wings and wielded lightning—a Sky Peng trait. Why would an outsider save us or spare us?” others protested.
“True. Even if he were an outsider, I only shared common knowledge. Let’s leave before the Silver Tide catches us,” the woman said firmly.
Agreeing, the group hurried away, eager to escape further danger.
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