"Die?"
Bai Zihe grinned, his eyes flashing with icy cold light.
Especially when…
He swept his gaze across the corpses littering the ground, his killing intent surged, almost solidifying into substance: "You are not all dead yet, why should I die?"
"Boom!"
As his words fell, a powerful aura erupted skyward.
At this moment.
A world-ending gale suddenly swept across the vast lava mountain range.
The surrounding temperature also rose considerably, as if the air itself was boiling, bringing an immense sense of oppression.
"Pfft…"
"Pfft, pfft…"
Even some of the experts behind Liu Wen, under the pressure of Bai Zihe's released aura, spat out blood.
Even Liu Wen.
Felt an extremely powerful pressure.
This kind of pressure…
Was unlike anything Bai Zihe had ever shown him before; it was the kind of pressure he had only felt from his own master!
"Swish!"
"Swish, swish!"
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Liu Wen and the other experts immediately rose, facing Bai Zihe with a vigilant stance.
This was beyond their expectations.
Bai Zihe had fallen into the lava from a ten-thousand-zhang cliff, yet not only had he survived, he had returned unharmed and become so powerful.
It was simply incredible.
Astonishing.
Meanwhile, inside the light cocoon, Zhuge Sheng and the others were filled with both surprise and joy.
Bai Zihe was not dead!
And he had become even more powerful!
Their perseverance had not been in vain!
"Your Majesty the Son of Heaven…"
Everyone looked at Zhuge Sheng, inquiring: "Should we go out and help the Young Lord?"
"It's not that easy…"
Before Zhuge Sheng could answer, Elder Liu sighed softly, and the other two elders also wore bitter expressions.
The crowd, not understanding, turned their gazes to him.
Elder Liu forced a bitter smile: "Under normal circumstances, once the entire formation is in place, it is within our control."
"Whether we are inside or outside the formation…"
"We can easily resolve it."
"We just need to release all the accumulated energy of the formation."
"But now…"
Elder Liu shook his head, his expression becoming extremely solemn: "The power of the Imperial City Guardian's sword strike just now was too immense."
"After the formation absorbed its power, it has become unbreakable."
"So…"
"Even if an expert far surpassing Liu Wen were to attack from the outside now, they might not be able to break through, and we would be safe."
"However, we are inside the formation."
"When we dismantle the formation, this power will be released all at once…"
Elder Liu shook his head, his face darkening.
The expressions of the other two elders were similar to his.
Everyone else also moved, their faces changing in unison.
This meant.
If they wanted to get out now, they had to dismantle the formation.
And when the formation was dismantled, the world-destroying energy contained within Liu Wen's recent sword strike would erupt in a short span of time.
They would be the first to bear the brunt…
This.
Was truly bad news.
Outside.
Bai Zihe, facing Liu Wen and his numerous powerful subordinates, showed no fear.
"You…"
Bai Zihe's cold eyes were peerless, and he said indifferently: "With so many people's blood on your hands, tell me, how do you wish to die?"
Bai Zihe spoke with extreme casualness.
As if Liu Wen's life was no longer his to control.
This was the confidence that came from strength!
This time, upon entering the secret realm, Bai Zihe had first been "disciplined" by the shadowy figure, and then had obtained a mysterious scroll to comprehend the Dao, greatly increasing his strength.
Dealing with a mere Liu Wen…
Would be a piece of cake.
"Die?"
Liu Wen's pupils contracted slightly, but his voice was chillingly cold: "Many have wanted to kill me, but they have all returned to dust…"
As his words fell.
He spread his hands, his entire body exuding a surging aura.
"Swish!"
"Swish, swish!"
"Swish, swish, swish!"
At the same time, countless strands of energy were drawn by him.
In the sky, streaks of powerful sword energy suddenly appeared, dense like fine hairs, like bee stings, like slender threads…
Tens of thousands, covering the sky and obscuring the sun.
This had transformed the area into a world of swords.
Above was sword, below was sword.
Swords…
Were everywhere, going everywhere!
"Hiss…"
"The Guardian's moves are enough to easily kill Bai Zihe!"
"Bai Zihe is doomed!"
"Bai Zihe, this time next year will be your death anniversary!"
"Kill him!"
Everyone was beaming with joy.
The fear they had felt earlier due to Bai Zihe's aura had vanished without a trace; no one was afraid anymore.
"Bai Zihe!"
Liu Wen held swords in both palms, his eyes shooting out terrifying beams of light, reflecting Bai Zihe's figure: "You were lucky to escape with your life…"
"You should have fled immediately instead of returning to court death!"
"Since you are so set on dying…"
"Then I shall grant your wish!"
As his words fell.
He pointed with his right hand, and the countless sword energies immediately became restless.
"Whoosh!"
"Swoosh…"
"Whoosh—"
Tens of thousands of sword energies immediately whistled towards Bai Zihe.
Their force was like thunder.
Their speed was like lightning.
Filled with boundless killing intent!
In an instant, they densely gathered before Bai Zihe.
"A petty trick, daring to show off before an expert?"
Bai Zihe suddenly smiled.
The next moment.
He also extended a finger.
"Pop…"
He gently tapped the void with his finger, producing a crisp sound.
This tap was as if it had landed on water, and ripples instantly spread outwards in the void.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh, whoosh!"
"Swish, swish!"
The speed was so extreme it was almost comparable to light.
Under the sweep of these ripples, the boundless sword energies instantly vanished into nothingness, as if they had never existed.
Everything…
Returned to calm.
The rain of swords, the boundless killing intent, were all dissolved and scattered like smoke.
"This…"
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
"How could this be, Bai Zihe wasn't this strong just now!"
"It's fake, it must be fake!"
The experts behind Liu Wen were all utterly terrified.
Some rubbed their eyes, others pinched their thighs.
This was because…
Bai Zihe's move just now was too astonishing, exceeding their understanding and making it impossible for them to comprehend or accept.
Even Liu Wen.
His expression changed dramatically at this moment.
He stared intently at Bai Zihe, and uttered a few words.
"One finger solidifies the void, you…"
Liu Wen's voice was extremely dry, clearly showing his extreme shock: "Bai Zihe, you have actually reached the Soul Transformation realm and comprehended the Dao essence of the Soul Transformation realm!"
Yes.
When Bai Zihe had tapped with his finger, he hadn't gathered much of his own true essence.
He had merely used his understanding of heaven and earth to shatter the energy condensed by Liu Wen through Dao essence.
This was the crushing power of Dao essence!
Just like…
The way Bai Zihe had been crushed by the shadowy figure back then.
Except this time, the roles were reversed, and Bai Zihe was crushing Liu Wen!
"You…"
Bai Zihe grinned and walked forward slowly: "You can be on your way!"