Devour

Cheng Bai's spiritual eyes were like lightning, already discerning the strength of both sides: "In terms of combat power, they are not even in the same league. Although the Bone Emperor's magic power has increased, its core essence has not broken free from its old ways. The Bone Lotus is not a weapon-type magic weapon that has been refined; strictly speaking, it is closer to an unpolished natural treasure. But why is this fellow so fearless?"

"Crash..."

Suddenly, the towering waves crashed down, the surging torrent closing in like two tomb doors, submerging the bone lotus at the bottom of the pool.

Looking down at the surging waves of the pool from the air, Wang Xiongwu said suspiciously, "The feel is so strange. Is it because I'm using this strange sword to practice swordsmanship that it feels awkward? Something's not right. Just now, most of my magic power seemed to have vanished into thin air, not because it was cleverly neutralized, but rather as if it was swallowed up by something. Or is there some other secret..."

Cheng Baijian frowned slightly, also noticing the subtle changes on the battlefield just now, and speculated: "The waves concealed some key points. The Bone Emperor was able to withstand this attack without showing any signs of weakness. A cultivator of the same level would probably have been seriously injured. This guy must have a backup plan, or rather, he is using Venerable Wang's power to activate the Bone Lotus!"

In the blink of an eye, the water surged violently and was suddenly overturned again, from which shot out a thick, grayish-white beam of light, accompanied by a thunderous roar, soaring straight into the sky and traversing countless miles!

Startled by the sudden turn of events, Wang Xiongwu involuntarily took a few steps back, but quickly regained his composure: "Using fireworks to scare people! Next, you're planning a surprise attack from the bottom of the pool, right?"

He masked his fleeting unease with a mocking laugh: "Heh, I'm not easily intimidated. I'm prepared. Bring it on if you dare!"

In the shadows, Xu Buwei exclaimed in astonishment, "This...is this really Protector Wang of the Jingtao Sect? When did he become so powerful? And his appearance...it's like he's a completely different person!"

Bei Tingjun asked with a hint of doubt, "Isn't that guy named Wang Xiongwu already the Holy Son of the Jingtao Sect?"

Upon hearing this for the first time, Xu Buwei hesitated and asked, "Is it true? Why hasn't the Jingtao Sect issued a sect announcement? According to past practice, once the Holy Son selection is successful, all major sects should be notified by talisman on the same day."

“Wang Hong was forced by circumstances that day, how could he sincerely acknowledge this so-called Holy Son?” Cheng Bai chuckled inwardly, but then felt strange. “Even if the Bone Emperor relies on the Bone Lotus, his strength is still far inferior to Venerable Wang’s. If he can’t come up with other powerful resources, he has no chance of survival.”

Suddenly, Cheng Bai looked up at the distant point where the sky and the pillar of light connected, his spiritual eyes focused on discerning the mystery, and he realized, "There's something fishy about this! That light is tearing through the spatial limitations, and its end is communicating with some unknown world."

The gray-white light stretched from the sky to the ground, piercing through the pitch-black night sky and leading straight to the unpredictable peak realm.

As night drew to a close, ripples of energy spread across the space atop the pillar of light. An immense pressure swept across the sky like waves, causing the asteroid belt hanging high in the deep heavens to tremble slightly.

Above the heavens, a series of ancient and heavy footsteps suddenly resounded, shaking the starry sky and striking the very soul. It was as if a giant thousands of miles tall, accompanied by rolling thunder, was crushing the void, stepping out of the vast sea of ​​stars, about to descend in a manner that would make all living beings tremble.

Cheng Bai's heart pounded wildly. He subconsciously activated the Six Paths Supreme Technique, his magical power flowing endlessly, trying to calm his inexplicable restlessness.

Within his dantian, the Jianmu tree, symbolizing vitality and origin, was tense as if facing a formidable enemy. Its branches moved erratically without wind, and its immortal light flickered rapidly, filled with unprecedented vigilance, and even a trace of fear that was difficult to dispel.

A primal tremor of being utterly crushed in terms of life level instantly permeated his entire body!

Cheng Bai composed himself and pondered, "This oppressive feeling, as if we are about to face a formidable enemy with whom we must fight to the death, could it be an attack by an ancient demon from beyond the heavens?"

Bei Tingjun was filled with shock and exclaimed, "Your Excellency, at the peak of that pillar of light, there may be a Celestial Immortal-level expert descending to earth. The power of all things is simply too strong! It's like... like a huge star pressing down on our heads, about to crush our sea of ​​consciousness."

Xu Buwei's forehead was covered in cold sweat, his body curled up slightly, and he said in a trembling voice, "I... my sword heart is in turmoil, and I almost... wanted to kneel down and beg for mercy."

The elemental barrier of the Golden Pagoda isolated the destructive energy, but its chilling pressure seeped in like invisible water, and even the residual force sent shivers down everyone's spines.

At this moment, the thousands of cultivators within the Taotie Academy were like candles flickering in the wind, teetering on the verge of collapse.

Most of the sword cultivators with low cultivation levels were affected by the pressure and had already knelt on the ground without realizing it. They were covered in cold sweat, their faces were as pale as paper, and they couldn't even utter a single word.

Even the most accomplished academicians and leaders of various sects, though able to stand with difficulty, were hunched over, as if carrying mountains on their backs, their faces filled with fear.

Even Wang Xiongwu, who was standing in mid-air, was horrified. He looked up at the top of the pillar of light and muttered to himself, "Coming down to the mortal world from beyond the nine heavens... pretending to be a celestial being from beyond the heavens, trying to scare people with mystique! What kind of evil spirit is this?"

The sound of footsteps treading on the heartbeats of all beings suddenly came to an abrupt end.

Within the gray-white pillar of light, a figure plummeted like a shooting star, instantly transforming from blurry to clear. As he neared the ground, his momentum abruptly decreased, his rapid descent becoming as graceful as a celestial being.

The overwhelming and terrifying pressure not only did not weaken, but spread like a tide, silencing hundreds of millions of living beings across the entire Donghua Continent.

In an instant, the figure hovered steadily in mid-air, at the same height as Wang Xiongwu, facing each other from afar.

The newcomer wore a gray-brown flying armor, with various intricate runes engraved on it, shimmering with iridescent light. Under the backdrop of the towering pillar of light, it appeared even more solemn and noble.

He was about the same size as Wang Xiongwu, and his youthful face wasn't particularly handsome; his brows conveyed a sense of weathered experience and indifference. His eyes were calm and deep, like an ancient abyss, seemingly able to see into the deepest secrets of the human heart, rendering pretense and explanation futile.

"I am Sword Prison." That calm yet dignified voice reached the ears of everyone present, penetrating their very souls. "After five thousand cycles of reincarnation, I have finally seen this land of deep-seated suffering once more."

Jian Yu glanced at Wang Xiongwu opposite him, a faint mockery playing on his lips. He spoke softly, yet his words were like thunder: "In this forgotten world, there is no one worthy of my serious sword strike."

The deep-seated sense of superiority of a high-level life form made Jianyu's arrogant demeanor even more superior than his opponent's.

His eyes flashed like blades, seemingly casually sweeping over Cheng Bai and the others.

"Sword Prison has arrived in the Five Continents so quickly!" A chilling coldness shot up from his spine, making his hair stand on end, and a strong warning came from the Jianmu tree within his body.

He hurriedly activated the Golden Pagoda's defenses to the maximum, secretly alarmed: "Sword Prison just glanced at me...it seems to be able to penetrate the barrier of immortal artifacts, its perception is so sharp! Did I overestimate myself by not hiding inside the pagoda beforehand?"

However, Jian Yu's gaze swept over the area only briefly, completely ignoring even the Golden Pagoda. Clearly, in his eyes, Wang Xiongwu was the unexpected variable, a major and troublesome problem.

With a casual wave of his hand, as if brushing away dust from armor, the guiding light pillars surrounding him rapidly contracted and disappeared into the bottom of the pool.

He stared at his opponent, slightly surprised, and said, "Your bone age is very strange. At first glance, your blood and energy are vigorous, like the rising sun, so one would think you are still young. But upon closer inspection, your spirit contains the vicissitudes of countless ages, even older than myself. Your demonic aura is mixed with a bit of human energy, neither human nor demon, yet both human and demon. How strange!"

After exchanging only a few words, Wang Xiongwu felt, for the first time in his life, a sense of unease that he felt as if he had been seen through from head to toe.

Cheng Bai felt a sense of awe towards this, and pondered, "Sword Prison has most likely cultivated precognitive techniques, such as the Eye of Wisdom, Double Pupils, and the Abyss of Insight. When dealing with such an opponent who can foresee events, we must be extremely cautious."

Wang Xiongwu's spirit flared, he straightened his back, and arrogantly snorted: "Where did this demonic cultivator or evil immortal come from, spouting nonsense? I am an invincible genius, sweeping across all races with ease! Whether it's Sword Prison or Cudgel Prison, if you dare to play tricks on me, I will make you flee in a sorry state."

"Invincible?" A mocking smile curved Jian Yu's lips as he enjoyed the thrill of being challenged. He chuckled, "A frog in a well dares to boast of the vastness of the sky? Killing you is a piece of cake!"

Wang Xiongwu was by no means stupid, nor was he inflexible. Before Jian Yu could finish speaking, he subtly moved his throat and preemptively unleashed "Annihilation of All Colors"!

In an instant, a dazzling yellow light, forged with destruction and annihilation, shot straight at Sword Prison's face like a spear of death tearing through the sky. Its intention was to catch him off guard and kill him!