The Chang Le Sect was filled with wails. The stench of blood permeated the entire sect, the ground stained crimson, and bodies lay strewn everywhere.
Hao Tianquan, witnessing the tragic scene, was consumed by rage. Blood flowed incessantly from his palms, revealing the bones within. His former might and dominance were replaced by a disheveled state.
Although Tang Junsheng had not sustained severe injuries, a hint of fatigue was evident on his face.
"Old Hao, the Divine Cult members have retreated. What do we do now?" Tang Junsheng asked, looking at Hao Tianquan beside him.
Hao Tianquan gazed at the wounded individuals whose cries continued to echo around them. Despite his anger, he felt helpless. "First, send the injured for treatment."
Cui Yiling, observing the devastation, sighed with deep emotion. "I never imagined the Divine Cult's influence was this vast."
"I, Hao Tianquan, will surely exact revenge for this!" Hao Tianquan's eyes glinted with killing intent.
In this battle, it wasn't just the other sects that suffered heavy losses; nearly half of the Chang Le Sect's disciples perished in this assault.
"Old Hao, I feel a strange, chilling aura around us."
Before Tang Junsheng could finish his sentence, a wave of energy struck from afar.
The three of them turned their attention to a distant mountain peak. A powerful energy wave pierced the clouds and was continuously expanding.
Tang Junsheng, observing the energy fluctuations atop the mountain, frowned deeply. "Such a potent energy surge surely signifies a major event."
Hao Tianquan addressed a disciple of his sect. "You quickly organize the treatment of the injured. I will go and see what has happened."
As soon as Hao Tianquan finished speaking, he stomped on the ground and dashed towards the mountain peak.
Tang Junsheng and Cui Yiling exchanged glances and also hurried towards the mountain.
In a secluded spot within the woods behind the mountain, Li Tiandao (Left Emissary of the Divine Cult) leaned against a large tree, gasping for breath. Blood trickled from his forehead as he cursed, "Damn it, truly worthy of being a Black List expert. He indeed has some skills. If I hadn't received the order to retreat, I would have been finished here."
Beside him, Huang Yueji (Right Emissary of the Divine Cult), though seemingly unharmed, had a terrifyingly grim expression, clearly suffering internal injuries. "That Cui Yiling, with her kind demeanor, delivers deadly blows with every strike."
As the two were conversing, two figures emerged from the nearby woods.
Li Tiandao and Huang Yueji looked towards the newcomers, seeing a young man and a monk.
Their eyes met. Upon seeing the two, Liang Jing's face immediately tensed. "Brother Wang, did we forget to check the almanac before leaving today?"
Wang Ming's characteristic sly smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression. "Benefactor Liang, I fear we might meet our end here today."
Liang Jing and Wang Ming had fought Xue Yao. Both were heavily injured, and it was only with great difficulty that they subdued Xue Yao. However, they hadn't expected Xue Yao to have a hidden move, and before they could react, he escaped.
Though frustrated, they could only descend the mountain. But after only a few steps, they encountered Li Tiandao and Huang Yueji.
Their luck was truly abysmal.
"Brother Wang, what do we do now?" Liang Jing drew his peach wood sword, preparing for battle.
"Amitabha, in such a situation, one naturally flees!" As Wang Ming finished speaking, he turned and ran, completely devoid of his usual arrogant demeanor.
Liang Jing paused for a moment before also sprinting away.
Wang Ming felt a pang of bitterness. He, the esteemed Holy Master of Wanfo Temple, was reduced to fleeing in fear.
It wasn't that he didn't want to fight; these two were simply on a different level from them.
Atop the mountain, Liu Feng, who had turned back, approached Shen Tianming.
Shen Tianming looked at him with some confusion. "Why have you returned? Aren't you supposed to be guarding your young master?"
Liu Feng shrugged helplessly. "I didn't want to, but my companion felt uneasy, so I had to agree to prevent the seal's release."
"So, you're here to stop the seal from being broken!" Shen Tianming's expression immediately turned serious.
Liu Feng nodded with resignation. "While I hate to admit it, that is indeed the case."
"If that's so, then let's begin." Shen Tianming narrowed his eyes, ready for combat.
Liu Feng suddenly exerted force, stomping on the ground. His body moved like lightning towards Shen Tianming, and he raised a palm, striking towards his chest.
Shen Tianming calmly raised his hand, meeting Liu Feng's palm head-on.
*Bang!*
Their palms collided. Neither moved an inch. Liu Feng smirked. "After all these years, your strength hasn't increased, but your confidence certainly has."
As Liu Feng spoke, he exerted sudden force, sending Shen Tianming staggering backward.
Shen Tianming stabilized himself, his expression growing slightly grim.
Although he had won his previous fight against Hao Tianquan, he had sustained considerable injuries. Otherwise, he might have been able to contend with Liu Feng.
Liu Feng looked at Shen Tianming, who had been pushed back. "Even in your prime, you might not have been able to defeat me. Now, severely weakened, how can you be my match? We've been old friends for centuries; don't make things difficult for yourself. Just stand still, and I'll only intervene this once."
As Liu Feng finished speaking, the formation suddenly erupted, spewing out Yin energy several times more potent than before.
Seeing this, Shen Tianming grinned. "Unfortunately, it's too late."
Sensing the dire situation, Liu Feng swung his fist towards the formation.
Just as Liu Feng's fist was about to strike the formation, a colossal hand emerged from within, seizing Liu Feng's incoming fist.