"Everyone, be prepared!"
All forces perked up.
They had been waiting for this moment!
In fact, most of them were apprehensive, not of the Moon Grasping Sect, but of other 'rivals,' so they were reluctant to make the first move. However, waiting any longer wasn't a solution either. They came from different factions, or were simply driven by their own greed. But no matter what, someone had to make the first move.
Liu Xun hid in the shadows, watching those figures rapidly approaching the Moon Grasping Sect, eager to act. However, flanking him were two family elders staring intently, leaving him no choice but to sigh in frustration.
"Are we just going to watch?"
"In all these years, the patriarch has never made a mistake." The elder on the left nodded, a look of absolute certainty on his face. "We just need to follow the patriarch's arrangements."
"Young master, you will inherit the entire Liu family in the future. Though you are still young, you need to observe and learn."
The elder on the right analyzed, "In situations like this, many factions are wary of each other and unwilling to be the first to act. Why do you think these people are willing to go first?"
Liu Xun frowned slightly, "Naturally, because their strength is formidable. With enough strength, there is nothing to fear."
"That's one reason."
"There's another possibility," the elder on the right rolled his eyes, "Their strength is too weak to even sense the other hidden forces."
"Moreover, they are too reckless, even foolish. After all, even if they can't sense them, they should be able to guess."
"So..."
"What do you think their outcome will be, young master?"
"Outcome?"
"These people may be weak, but they have a first-stage Profound Path Realm cultivator leading them. Subduing the Moon Grasping Sect should be easy, right?"
"I disagree. They will all die."
Seeing Liu Xun's disbelief.
Both elders were helpless.
Like their patriarch, they were worried sick, but there was nothing they could do. This young master... he just couldn't understand!
Headache!
Frustration!
Pain!
***
Closer, getting closer.
Led by the Profound Path Realm cultivator, the others were all at least seventh-stage Cave Heaven Realm. Their speed was incredibly fast. In just a few breaths, they had approached the Moon Grasping Sect.
But at that moment, suddenly...
Boom!!!
Several bolts of lightning burst from the sky.
On this stormy night, it should have been a common occurrence, but these bolts of lightning seemed to have eyes, striking directly at those people!!!
They were enormous!
Even the thinnest bolt was as thick as a barrel, with astonishing power.
"Not good!"
"Watch out!!!"
The few people were shocked and immediately took action!
Some used secret methods to resist, some dodged with agility, and some threw numerous magical treasures to block.
However, it was all in vain!
All defenses were shattered, no matter how fast, they could not outrun the rolling thunder.
Boom, boom, boom!!!
Accompanied by loud explosions and dazzling light, even in the dark rainy night, the forest ignited in raging flames, black smoke billowing.
All those hidden in the shadows were astonished.
"What???"
"How unlucky are they?"
"Struck by lightning?"
"Could it be that they committed too many evil deeds before, staining themselves with karma, and thus became intolerable to heaven and earth?"
Triggering heavenly lightning isn't unheard of, but at this moment, they couldn't discern the cause. No matter how they looked at it, it seemed entirely natural, not man-made.
One could only speculate that these people might have done something so heinous that even the heavens couldn't stand it, hence the lightning strike.
"There's still one person alive!"
The lightning dissipated.
Not everyone had been struck dead.
The Profound Path Realm cultivator was still alive, but he wasn't in good shape either. His whole body was scorched black, his hair singed, and when he opened his mouth, a wisp of black smoke spewed out. Though the heavenly lightning was formidable, it wasn't a 'lightning tribulation'. Killing a Profound Path Realm cultivator wasn't that simple, but it did injure him, and not lightly.
"Damn it."
He immediately took out a pill and swallowed it, continuing his charge towards the Moon Grasping Sect.
***
"They're coming."
Inside the Moon Grasping Palace, Lin Fan and the others gathered, the thunderous roar of the lightning like a signal. And now, the unreserved aura of the Profound Path Realm cultivator couldn't escape their notice.
"A wounded first-stage Profound Path Realm cultivator."
Great Elder Su Xinghai had already emerged from seclusion. He frowned slightly, about to take action, but was stopped by the Second Elder.
"Let me handle it."
"If the Great Elder acts on the first wave, what will we do after that?"
Wu Xingyun stepped forward, surprising Xiao Ling'er, Fan Jianqiang, and the others.
That was a Profound Path Realm cultivator!
Although injured, the gap between him and a Cave Heaven Realm cultivator was still difficult to bridge. They didn't understand why Wu Xingyun was taking action now.
"Be careful!" At that moment, Su Xinghai nodded slightly.
Lin Fan and the other three elders had no objections.
This puzzled them even more.
Wu Xingyun merely smiled, "Alright."
Then, she transformed into a stream of light, swiftly descending the mountain.
"Teacher." Xiao Ling'er was puzzled, "Why did the Second Elder..."
Liang Danxia pondered, "Her talent isn't bad; she should have entered the Profound Path Realm long ago. She must have been injured before, damaging her foundation. Even so, a battle between a Cave Heaven Realm and a Profound Path Realm cultivator is still quite difficult. Crossing stages to fight has always been a hallmark of prodigies. She must be ready to risk her life. For the sect, they are willing to sacrifice themselves. If such a sect could thrive..."
She felt deeply emotional.
Reflecting on her own experiences, she was almost overwhelmed.
On the side, Fan Jianqiang stretched his neck and muttered nervously, "What should we do? What should we do? The Second Elder is being too impulsive. How can she..."
Lin Fan rolled his eyes at him and ignored him.
Everyone's attention was also focused on Wu Xingyun.
***
The two opponents rushed towards each other at great speed.
Before the Profound Path Realm cultivator could enter the Moon Grasping Sect's territory, he was intercepted.
"Hmm? A mere fourth realm dares to stop me? Get out of my way!"
The Profound Path Realm cultivator was already extremely angry from being struck by lightning for no reason. Now, seeing Wu Xingyun blocking his path, he didn't hesitate and launched a full-force attack, intending to kill her.
"Don't misunderstand." Wu Xingyun's blood-colored spirit sword flashed with a cold light in her hand. "I didn't come here to stop you. But to… Kill you!"
The Profound Path Realm cultivator didn't respond, but his anger surged even more! Although he was only at the first level of the Profound Path Realm, he was still in the fifth realm! As long as he obtained that Profound Path Realm Pill, he could break through to the second level of the Profound Path Realm and increase his power again!
Even if the pill was taken by an elder of the Moon Grasping Sect, he could still exchange the alchemy furnace for a decent Profound Path Realm Pill.
As for Xiao Ling'er and Fan Jianqiang?
He knew well enough that even if he captured them, he couldn't take them away and might provoke a deadly disaster.
But how dare a Cave Heaven Realm cultivator like you...
Boom!
At this moment, he exploded with power, suddenly reaching out, gathering his innate power, the power of the laws, transforming into a giant hand several miles long, and striking down at Wu Xingyun!
The power of the laws—this was the might of a fifth realm cultivator.
No matter how strong the fourth realm was, it was just physical strength and the augmentation of the world's energy. But the fifth realm involved understanding and utilizing the power of the laws. Even a casual strike had the power of the laws, greatly increasing its combat strength!
However, faced with this almost certain lethal strike, Wu Xingyun remained unfazed.
Poof!
The beauty raised her sword and, before striking, spat a mouthful of vital blood onto the blood-colored spirit sword.
"Shattering Void!"
Slash!
At that moment, both person and sword became one.
In the incredulous eyes of everyone, Wu Xingyun broke through the opponent's attack and then, even more forcefully, counterattacked and killed him!!!