Tang Ruishi, along with countless elders, unleashed their boundless spiritual energy into the Xuan Yin Pagoda, activating the artifact's formidable power.
The Xuan Yin Pagoda erupted with world-shattering radiance, surging towards Zhou Yan.
Divine artifacts were supreme treasures, capable of eradicating any powerhouse not yet reaching the divine realm. Unless faced with an identical treasure, none could withstand their might.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Yan scoffed. Though the divine artifact was powerful, he was eager to test his current strength against it.
A mighty fist materialized from the void, like an earth-shattering strike from an ancient sage traversing distant eons.
With its emergence, the heavens and earth trembled. All existence seemed to be pressed down by an invisible force, compelled to bow in reverence.
This was a truly astonishing strike, one that instilled fear in countless hearts.
The Xuan Yin Hall powerhouses below, already prostrate under the overwhelming pressure emanating from the divine artifact and Zhou Yan, couldn't even stand. Such was the terror of this aura.
"Boom!"
The colossal impact sent the very fabric of space into tremors, unleashing devastating fluctuations. Many strong individuals covered their ears, but a greater number of Xuan Yin Sect disciples, their cultivation too weak, were obliterated into dust by the clashing energies.
"Boom!"
A mountain peak, unable to withstand the sheer force of the collision, crumbled into powder. Such was the power of a divine artifact, and such was Zhou Yan's terrifying prowess.
The entire Xuan Yin Hall seemed to suffer a cataclysmic assault. Waves of destructive energy collapsed mountains, fractured the earth, and reduced defensive structures to rubble.
Innumerable disciples' bodies were struck by the immense power, turning into bloody mist.
It was too overwhelming; few could resist. The entire Xuan Yin Hall endured a devastating blow.
"How is this possible! How can you possibly withstand the attack of a divine artifact!"
The people of Xuan Yin Hall, no longer concerned with the fate of their sect, stared at Zhou Yan, who stood before them unscathed, having even managed to directly counter their summoned divine artifact. They were shocked, bewildered, and disbelieving.
Zhou Yan found himself utterly unfazed. It was merely an attack from a divine artifact, hardly a major concern.
"A mere divine artifact, what is there to be afraid of? With your limited vision, this is all you can manage!"
Zhou Yan sneered contemptuously at them and conjured another formidable fist.
This eternal, indestructible fist, radiating terrifying fluctuations like a celestial river, hurtled towards the Xuan Yin Pagoda.
"Boom!"
Another terrifying shockwave ripped through the surroundings. Countless Xuan Yin Hall disciples were once again annihilated, vanishing into nothingness.
The numerous mountain peaks beneath the Xuan Yin Hall could not bear the destructive force and collapsed, their once picturesque mountain paths crumbling into ruin.
The entire Xuan Yin Hall was subjected to an even more brutal impact from this dreadful shockwave. Buildings that had previously remained intact now saw their protective formation patterns buckle under the strain, dissolving into dust.
Half of the Xuan Yin Hall's architecture was destroyed in that instant.
Tang Ruishi's face contorted with dismay. Even if they won this battle, the Xuan Yin Hall would likely be in ruins. More importantly, they had no confidence in victory at this point.
"Swish, swish, swish!!!"
Several streaks of light shot from the depths of the Xuan Yin Hall, arriving behind Tang Ruishi and the others. Their auras were immense, on the cusp of ascension, and with their lifespans nearing their end, they had finally emerged from seclusion.
"Greetings, esteemed ancestors," Tang Ruishi and the others said hastily.
"Who is this person? Such a terrifying aura," the ancestors observed Zhou Yan, filled with disbelief.
"This individual intends to destroy our Xuan Yin Hall and seize our sect's divine artifact! Of our million disciples, only these few remain; the rest were annihilated by this villain!"
Tang Ruishi shifted all blame onto Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan paid it no mind, as the destruction was indeed his doing.
"So the old fellows have finally appeared. I thought you would only show yourselves when the Xuan Yin Hall was completely demolished by me."
Zhou Yan looked at them without any trace of emotion, even a hint of mockery in his gaze.
"Such arrogance, young whelp! Even if it costs me this very cultivation, I will vanquish you forever!"
One of the Xuan Yin Hall ancestors, enraged, unleashed his supreme spiritual energy and summoned a pseudo-divine artifact, releasing unparalleled destructive waves towards Zhou Yan.
"Whoosh!"
Zhou Yan regarded the treasure with disdain, forming a massive palm to seize it.
"Crack!"
"Hand it over!" Zhou Yan employed his technique, snatching the artifact into his palm and severing its connection with the Xuan Yin Hall ancestor.
"Pfft!"
The Xuan Yin Hall ancestor spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, staring at Zhou Yan in utter disbelief, and roared, "You... you dare to steal this old ancestor's pseudo-divine artifact."
"A mere pseudo-divine artifact, what is it worth?" Zhou Yan, right before their eyes, stored it into his spatial ring, then looked at them and said, "Bring out all your treasures and attack me!"
"Insolence!" The ancestor was furious and lunged forward to fight Zhou Yan to the death, but was intercepted by Tang Ruishi and the others.
"Ancestor, I forgot to remind you earlier, this opponent can directly contend with divine artifacts!"
Tang Ruishi restrained the ancestor, speaking before he could act. Who knew the impulsive ancestor would attack first?
"You... why didn't you say so earlier!" The ancestor was nearly enraged to death. If he could withstand a divine artifact, what was his pseudo-divine artifact worth?
"I didn't have the chance!" Tang Ruishi replied.
"Enough. Let us jointly channel the power of the divine artifact to utterly eliminate this child! I refuse to believe that with the combined strength of so many of us, we cannot deal with him by activating the divine artifact!"
The remaining two ancestors quickly gave the order, actively releasing their potent spiritual energy, causing the divine artifact to shine even more brilliantly.
Zhou Yan laughed heartily. All the powerhouses of the Xuan Yin Hall had now gathered before him. It was time to sweep them all up in one fell swoop.
"It's just a divine artifact, as if I don't have one."
Zhou Yan produced his divine artifact, the **Zhen Shen Ding** (镇神鼎). Vast, divine energy emanated from it, its power significantly surpassing that of the Xuan Yin Pagoda.
"What!"
"How is this possible!"
"No way, he actually has a divine artifact too!"
The people of the Xuan Yin Hall were utterly shocked to see Zhou Yan also produce a divine artifact.
Divine artifacts were no trifle matter; they were exceedingly precious. The world could barely find a few.
On the Nine Heavens Continent, there were only three in total, each serving as the supreme treasure of its respective sect. It was precisely due to possessing these divine artifacts that their sects could dominate all and become supreme powers.