Daoist Gao activated the spell and repeatedly unleashed the treasure, causing continuous bursts of thunder light to strike out from the copper seal.
He shouted, "Daoist Bao, I’ve already deployed the Thunder Splitting Seal, temporarily restraining this rogue. You must not hold back at this moment—quickly strike him down!"
Bao Dingheng knew that when dealing with a Power Dao Practitioner, the best method was to decapitate them in a single blow. However, seizing the right moment was exceedingly difficult. Yet, with their current numerical advantage, they held the upper hand. They could combine the power of everyone present to gradually wear down Zhang Yan’s sharpness before launching a killing strike.
Without much hesitation, he took a deep breath, retrieved the Octagonal Sword Plate, and placed it before him. He then pushed the White Tiger True Evil Mysterious Light within him to the limit, letting out a low growl while pointing a finger at the sword plate.
Activated by the spiritual mechanism, the magic artifact quivered violently as though struck by lightning, then shot out. As it spun, golden radiant light and evil Qi burst into the sky, forming hundreds of streaks of cold sword energy. These sharp, chilling Qi Swords swept through the air, tearing apart flying leaves and branches as they ferociously descended to slaughter.
Fang He, witnessing this, became invigorated and shouted, "Senior Brother, I’ll assist you!"
He shook his sleeves, releasing a pitch-black, angular sword plate. Then, following a sharp inhale, he drew spiritual energy from his Qi Sea, spraying three breaths onto the sword plate. The artifact immediately spun like a whirlwind, resembling a gyroscope as it emitted a humming sound and conjured countless fine blue sword lights.
With a swift upward point, torrents of sword Qi poured down like a rainstorm. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt
The two cultivators standing behind Daoist Gao were weaker in cultivation, yet discerning enough to spot the opportunity.
Realizing that this was the optimal moment to strike, the White Robed Daoist opened his eyes wide, raised his middle and index fingers together, and began reciting an incantation. Silver-like mystical light flowed from above his head, gathering drop by drop at his fingertips, forming an erratic white rainbow. Pointing forward, the rainbow instantly transformed into a streak that flew to attack Zhang Yan.
The last cultivator, a Loose Cultivator with disheveled hair, lacked both a Dharma Treasure and a trump card. Knowing this was the peak moment to maintain the offensive, he steeled himself, biting his tongue to spray a mouthful of Essence Blood onto his crane-beak-shaped magical artifact. Instantly, the artifact surged with spirit light, twisting erratically as though about to break free and fly.
However, using such a method left the cultivator pale-faced from excessive Essence depletion. Not bothering to hesitate further, he gasped for air, released his grip, and uttered, "Go!" before launching the magic artifact downward.
The four attackers struck from all directions simultaneously, sparing no effort.
In their minds, with Daoist Gao’s Thunder Protection Seal restraining Zhang Yan, even if they couldn’t kill Li Yuanba outright, their successive assaults would gradually exhaust him. Eventually, they believed, his stamina would falter, bringing about his inevitable defeat.
Though Power Dao Practitioners could operate their Mysterious Skill to recover injuries, they relied heavily on their Essence Qi. Once depleted too far, and with no strength to replenish it, they would become no stronger than a Qi Dao Practitioner—equally susceptible to ordinary methods of killing.
Yet these plans worked only in theory. Against Zhang Yan, conventional reasoning was entirely irrelevant.
Seeing lethal strikes converging from four sides, Zhang Yan’s gaze flashed with chilling light. With a commanding roar, he flicked his sleeve, summoning a fully golden Xuanhuang Great Hand from his top acupoint. Expanding rapidly to ten feet in size, it seemed like a giant hand supporting the heavens. It blocked upward, shattering the thunder light from Daoist Gao’s Thunder Protection Seal before sweeping through and deflecting incoming sword light and radiant rainbow strikes—all without missing a single blow.
The four cultivators were stunned, unable to fathom how Li Yuanba could unleash such a technique. Their momentum faltered momentarily.
Daoist Bao seemed to recall hearing of this technique somewhere before. Furrowing his brows in thought, he exclaimed inwardly, "Could this be Qingyu Sect’s ’Xuanhuang Dragon Capturing Hand’?"
The Xuanhuang Dragon Capturing Hand excelled in both offense and defense. Even when dispersed, the technique could replenish endlessly as long as Earth Essence Qi continued to flow into it.
Legend had it that during the battle over the Immortal Mansion in the outer sea, True Master Tao’s three disciples held off cultivators several times their number using this very technique. Though the skill was formerly obscure, its fame exploded across the East Splendor Continent’s cultivation circles after that war.
Bao Dingheng suddenly sensed trouble. Li Yuanba was no ordinary Power Dao Practitioner; he also wielded Qi Dao Practitioner techniques. Facing relentless attacks from multiple directions, he seemed utterly unfazed. Such a figure, in the Great Xuanmen Sect, would rank among its True Disciples. In a rising sect like Qingyu Sect, he’d likely be Tao Zhenhong’s own Direct Disciple. Currently residing in Taihao Sect’s Qingcun Mountain, it was inconceivable that he would lack life-saving measures.
Yet Li Yuanba hadn’t showcased any world-shattering techniques, suggesting he still held something back. This realization prompted Bao Dingheng to rein in his strength slightly, no longer charging reckless full-force attacks as before.
However, the other three cultivators, including Fang He, hadn’t grasped this insight yet. While their assault momentarily paused, Zhang Yan seized the opportunity to fully unleash the Xuanhuang Great Hand. Extending and grasping upward in a sweeping motion, it circled once.
Seeing its terrifying momentum, the five cultivators above didn’t dare confront it directly. Transforming into streams of light, they scrambled to retreat, fleeing quickly.
But the Loose Cultivator who had earlier used too much Essence Blood found his movements sluggish. His escape lagged by a fraction, and he couldn’t avoid the sweeping force of the Great Hand. Struck by the palm’s wind, he stumbled midair, tumbling onto the clouds.
Zhang Yan didn’t miss the opportunity. The Xuanhuang Great Hand slammed sideways, sending the cultivator plummeting and spitting blood. Swiftly, it grasped him in its palm.
The captured cultivator was overwhelmed with terror, desperate to plead for mercy. Yet before he could utter a sound, Zhang Yan’s mind commanded the Xuanhuang Great Hand to close its fingers. With a ruthless squeeze, a sickening crunch echoed, reducing the cultivator to a gruesome pulp of flesh and gore.
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)