"???"
In the shadows, everyone watching this scene was suddenly filled with questions.
"What???"
"An illusion?"
"A Fourth Realm instantly counter-killing a Fifth Realm?"
Most of them thought this group of 'upstarts' wouldn't amount to much, especially after being struck by lightning.
But they also believed that even if they couldn't take down the Moon Grasping Sect, they would at least cause significant trouble. At the very least, they would suffer losses! After all, it was a Fifth Realm cultivator. But the outcome before their eyes was astonishing to everyone.
"What… this… she???"
Liu Xun's mouth was wide open.
That guy was actually this weak?!
He couldn't understand.
After all, you're a Fifth Realm cultivator, blessed with the power of laws! Even if struck by lightning and injured, you shouldn't be counter-killed by a Fourth Realm cultivator, right? And in an instant kill, even when you had the first move???
Incomprehensible!
Absolutely incomprehensible.
If Liu Xun had ever played "Fight the Landlord", he would have undoubtedly exclaimed: "You had four twos and two jokers in hand, and you still got beaten by a peasant in a Springtime reversal??? How bad are you!"
***
In the arena, the body of the Profound Path Realm cultivator lay shattered in pieces.
Wu Xingyun stood with her sword, unstained by blood.
But the blood light on the sword was overwhelmingly dense.
"There's something wrong with that sword!"
"It must be a secret technique."
"She paid a huge price, injuring herself to kill the enemy. She spit out essence blood; who knows how long it will take to recover. At this moment, she probably doesn't have much strength left."
There were some who were knowledgeable and saw through a few clues.
"However, this secret technique is truly astonishing. If all five elders of the Moon Grasping Sect knew this technique..."
For a moment, many people were stunned.
Those who came here could roughly be divided into two categories.
One category came for Xiao Ling'er and Fan Jianqiang. They mostly came from major forces, seeking 'prodigies'. A prodigy alchemist like this was highly prized in any faction.
Relatively speaking, they weren't in such a rush.
The other part consisted of scattered cultivators.
Some were minor family heads or small sects, and there were also some lone wolves.
They knew they had no chance of possessing a prodigy like Xiao Ling'er, nor did they even consider it. They simply wanted to get their hands on the Fifth Grade Profound Path Realm Pill and the alchemy furnace.
Of course, if they could loot the Moon Grasping Sect's treasury, that would be even better.
But at this moment...
These cultivators eyeing the Profound Path Realm Pill hesitated.
Though the Fifth Grade Profound Path Realm Pill was valuable, the Moon Grasping Sect didn't seem as weak and easy to take down as they had imagined.
If one elder could instantly counter-kill a First Stage Fifth Realm cultivator, what if the other four joined in, along with the sect's protective array and whatever remaining resources the Moon Grasping Sect had left...?
Could they succeed?
Most asked themselves this and felt uncertain.
They couldn't help but think of retreating.
No one left immediately though, after all, they could still observe.
Maybe they could fish in troubled waters?
***
"So it's this secret technique." Liang Danxia was secretly surprised. "She's too extreme."
"What secret technique?" Xiao Ling'er quickly asked.
"The Eight Characters Blood Kill Sword Technique consists of eight swords, each named after a single character, hence the name 'Eight Characters.' However, this technique can also be combined for execution, such as the 'Sky-breaking Flying Annihilation' you just witnessed, which is a fusion of four swords. This secret technique first harms oneself before harming others. Its attack power is indeed astonishing, but the price for using it is to draw upon one's own essence blood."
"It actually requires the consumption of one's essence blood? Doesn't this mean..."
"Correct, it would affect one's foundation. Perhaps this is why she has been unable to break through to the Profound Path Realm for so long. If she continues to use it excessively, she might even regress in her cultivation level."
"Second Elder..." Xiao Ling'er's heart tightened. "Teacher, is there any pill prescription that can restore the Second Elder?"
"..."
***
"Second Elder's might is invincible!"
Fan Jianqiang cheered.
However, the four elders were not happy.
Lin Fan's expression remained unchanged, yet, the fists clenched behind his back had unknowingly tightened.
"Power. Time. Still too weak." He quietly murmured, "Give me a bit more time..."
***
"Is there anyone else who wants to make a move?"
Wu Xingyun had not retreated.
She held her spirit sword, brimming with murderous intent, "Don't hide in the shadows. Could it be that you scoundrels are afraid of a mere woman like me in the fourth realm?"
Her persistent attack had everyone astonished once again.
Could it be that she still had strength left?!
Faced with such taunting and provocation, naturally, someone could no longer sit still.
Crash!
Heavy rain poured down.
But at some point, a figure quietly appeared not far in front of Wu Xingyun.
"Step back. This old man does not wish to bully the weak. With Xiao Ling'er's talent in alchemy, the current Moon Embracing Sect cannot keep her. Hand her over to me, and you may still form a good relationship."
He raised his hand slightly, palm facing up.
"Otherwise..."
As his words fell, he casually flipped his palm.
Boom!
A terrifying aura descended from the sky, as heavy as a celestial mountain, causing Wu Xingyun's entire body to tremble, almost forcing her to kneel under the immense pressure.
"The Moon Embracing Sect will be destroyed."
"Profound Path Realm, Third Stage." Under the immense pressure, Wu Xingyun's red lips parted, and she spat out words through gritted teeth.
"Your secret technique is indeed impressive, able to fight across realms, but I am no pushover. You have only one chance to choose." His words were directed at Wu Xingyun, but also meant for the entire Moon Embracing Sect.
Su Xinghai cupped his fists slightly towards Lin Fan, then with a swift movement, he disappeared from the Moon Grasping Palace.
***
A hand landed on Wu Xingyun's shoulder, and the immense burden, akin to a celestial mountain, immediately vanished.
Su Xinghai stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Wu Xingyun. His hair and beard were completely white, and at some point, a blood-red longsword had appeared in his hand.
"If you want to destroy my Moon Grasping Sect, I'm afraid you won't succeed."
The other person's pupils shrank instantly.
Su Xinghai was clearly only at the initial stage of the Profound Path Realm; he could see it clearly.
But that blood-red longsword made him feel pressured, though it was just pressure, nothing more.
However, he did not retreat but coldly said, "Did you take the Profound Path Realm Pill?"
He came for Xiao Ling'er, but if he could get an extra fifth-grade Profound Path Realm Pill, why not?
"That's right!" Su Xinghai responded loudly.
This was also meant for the others to hear.
Those cultivators who had come for the Profound Path Realm Pill felt unlucky upon hearing this and sensing that Su Xinghai had indeed just broken through to the Profound Path Realm.
Could Xiao Ling'er be an idiot!
Such a pill, and she didn't keep it for herself but gave it to this old guy???
They felt they had made a wasted trip!
At this moment, they were extremely depressed.
"Do you want to fight or leave?"
Facing Su Xinghai's pressing question, the opponent snorted coldly. "Courting death, do you think I don't have secret techniques too?!"
He took out his spiritual weapon and attacked.
The Grand Elder didn't waste any words and immediately spat blood before striking.
Boom!
The power of the laws clashed.
Thunder exploded.
But just as the two were about to engage in a direct confrontation, the cultivator at the third level of the Profound Path Realm suddenly paused for a moment.
When masters duel, victory or defeat can be decided in an instant.
And it was in that instant that he met his death!
All his possessions, including his storage bag, fell into Su Xinghai's hands.
"Something's wrong!"
At this moment, even Liu Xun saw the issue.
"This person should be an elder of Cloud Mist Valley, but why did he suddenly pause for a moment?"
"It's as if..."
"He suddenly froze there, allowing Su Xinghai to kill him?"
He saw it clearly and felt it distinctly.
If he hadn't paused for that moment, even if this elder of Cloud Mist Valley was at a disadvantage in their clash, he could have dragged the fight out, but he definitely shouldn't have been killed instantly!