"Grumble..."
"Rumble..."
Before Bai Zihe, there was a fountain-like existence.
Except, what gushed from this fountain was not warm spring water, but pitch-black gas—the dark and sinister energy.
Unending, dense as smoke.
Just looking at it sent shivers down one's spine.
"This, is the Eye of Dark Sinister Energy?"
Bai Zihe's heart tightened slightly.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have imagined that the dark and sinister energy could be so concentrated, it was truly astonishing.
"According to Eighth Senior Sister..."
Bai Zihe pondered for a moment, then summoned the Xuanyuan Sword.
To destroy an Eye of Dark Sinister Energy, one either needed great divine abilities, or to use immortal artifacts or divine artifacts as the core of a formation to suppress it.
Bai Zihe naturally would not choose suppression.
Because he had the Xuanyuan Sword, the power of Weak Water, and the power of Houtu!
These were excellent weapons for annihilating the Eye of Dark Sinister Energy.
Bai Zihe believed that with these at his disposal, destroying this formation core would be relatively easy.
"Hum..."
The next moment, Bai Zihe began to gather his strength.
A brilliant radiance instantly illuminated the pitch-black lakebed, a single ray of light dispelling the darkness and bringing boundless illumination.
"Splash..."
"Hum hum..."
"Puchi..."
With the appearance of this sword light, the dark and sinister energy, as if sensing the arrival of its nemesis, became instantly turbulent.
As if roaring.
As if challenging.
Then...
It transformed into myriad tendrils, all charging towards Bai Zihe, as if to devour him, to annihilate him.
"Heh..."
Seeing this, Bai Zihe let out a cold snort, and a thick, earth-yellow protective shield rose around him, precisely the Houtu's Protection!
However...
To Bai Zihe's great surprise.
The dark and sinister entities, upon seeing Houtu's Protection, continued to pounce forward without hesitation.
"Puchi..."
"Sizzle..."
"Chira..."
They struck the shield of Houtu's Protection, emitting crisp sounds, and were instantly annihilated, leaving only wisps of smoke to dissipate.
However.
Seeing how powerful Bai Zihe's protective shield was, these dark and sinister energies did not hesitate in the slightest, continuing their assault, seemingly heedless of death!
The next moment, Bai Zihe's expression changed drastically.
Because.
Under the onslaught of such a vast quantity of pure dark and sinister energy, his Houtu's Protection visibly dimmed and thinned.
It was as if, with just a few more attacks.
This shield of Houtu's Protection would vanish into thin air.
And by then, Bai Zihe would be their coveted prey, ready to be invaded or devoured at will.
"Not good!"
Bai Zihe immediately realized the gravity of the situation.
Yes.
After Houtu's Protection shattered, he could immediately form a second, a third... or even a tenth, a hundredth shield.
But human strength was finite.
Once he exhausted himself here, he would likely plummet into an endless abyss.
Because, no matter how powerful he was, his true essence was ultimately limited, while this dark and sinister energy seemed boundless.
How could he fight this?
"Swish..."
Without hesitation, Bai Zihe immediately calmed his mind and poured most of his true essence into the Xuanyuan Sword.
At this moment, the Xuanyuan Sword shone brilliantly, as if it were a sun in the water, illuminating the entire lakebed with unparalleled brightness.
But as Bai Zihe looked, his heart grew even more apprehensive.
Being in darkness, one did not know its limits.
But after the light, in the endless darkness, it was so insignificant, like a grain of sand entering the ocean...
This contrast, this disparity, also made Bai Zihe feel a sense of powerlessness.
"Hoo..."
In a flash, Bai Zihe shook his head and continued to gather his strength.
The only method he could effectively use against the Eye of Dark Sinister Energy was the move "Heaven Splitting Earth Shattering" performed with the Xuanyuan Sword.
And now...
This move was gradually taking shape.
As for the weakness after its execution, Bai Zihe had already made arrangements.
Upon completion, he would enter the Haotian Pagoda, and let the aftershocks of "Heaven Splitting Earth Shattering" send the Haotian Pagoda away.
"Splash..."
"Gurgle gurgle..."
As Bai Zihe continued to accumulate power, his aura grew stronger, and the dark and sinister energy, as if sensing a grave threat, became more active and agitated.
"Rumble..."
"Splash..."
"Bang..."
Correspondingly, the dark and sinister energy outside surged even more desperately, attempting to dismantle him before he could unleash his attack.
The sword energy grew more radiant.
The momentum grew more powerful.
"Heaven Splitting Earth Shattering!"
Feeling that the moment was right, Bai Zihe roared, pointing the Xuanyuan Sword at the Eye of Dark Sinister Energy and slashing down with lightning speed.
"Swoosh..."
A blindingly bright light erupted from the tip of the Xuanyuan Sword.
The moment it appeared, it vaporized all the dark and sinister energy within a ten-mile radius, and of course, countless lake waters were evaporated at this instant.
A vast vacuum zone appeared.
This was only the beginning.
The next moment.
The majestic sword energy, carrying supreme might, struck the Eye of Dark Sinister Energy, instantly shattering it into pieces.
At the same time.
It emitted an incomparably dazzling radiance.
Even Bai Zihe, a cultivator in the mid-stage of Tribulation Crossing, felt pain in his eyes at this moment, unable to help but shed tears.
It was too terrifying.
As expected of a move capable of splitting chaos.
"Hum..."
Simultaneously, with immense willpower, Bai Zihe entered the Haotian Pagoda, so as not to be killed by the powerful aftermath of his own attack.
From then on, only the endless shockwaves of the attack remained.
And the dissipating dark and sinister energy.
And Bai Zihe, hiding within the Haotian Pagoda.
The small pagoda, with great thoughtfulness, simulated the external situation, allowing Bai Zihe to easily witness the results of his move.
The shockwaves continued to reverberate.
Again and again, wave after wave.
With each impact, the Eye of Dark Sinister Energy was destroyed, and the dark and sinister energy that escaped was annihilated.
Until...
The powerful might finally destroyed the entire Eye of Dark Sinister Energy.
And the dark and sinister energy in this lake was purified by Bai Zihe's supreme power, leaving it clean and pristine.
"Hoo..."
Inside the Haotian Pagoda, Bai Zihe gasped for breath, his chest heaving.
Not bad.
The Eye of Dark Sinister Energy had finally been eliminated by him.
A vast wave of weakness washed over him, and Bai Zihe could no longer keep his eyes open, falling asleep directly—to maximize the power of this move, Bai Zihe had exerted all his strength.
At the same time.
Deep beneath the boundless sea, in the dilapidated wooden hut.
"Hmm?"
"Did you feel that? One of the Eyes of Dark Sinister Energy has disappeared."
"Felt it. And it wasn't sealed, but destroyed by immense power, utterly annihilated."
"I never thought there would be such a powerful junior."
"Perhaps... this is an opportunity left for us by the Great Dao, a chance for a complete reckoning."
The four elders nodded in agreement.