The aftershocks of four Heavenly Lord-level attacks were still surging, churning the waters of the Netherworld Trench into thousand-zhang waves.
Several cracks had already opened in Chen Changqing's Invincible Sword Domain, and its dark-gold barrier teetered on the brink of collapse. His five avatars held the four Heavenly Lords at bay, but cracks of varying severity had appeared across their arms, shoulders, and chests. Specks of light spilled constantly from the fissures.
"This brat won't last much longer!" The Ji Clan's Heavenly Lord drove back the Haotian Hammer avatar with a punch, a vicious grin curling his lips. "Push harder! Shatter his sword domain!"
The three independent Heavenly Lords intensified their assault in unison.
Magical power surged in like a tide. Shattered fragments of space filled the void, like broken mirrors whirling through the sky.
Chen Changqing's breathing grew rapid.
His True Essence was draining at a frightening rate. The five avatars already consumed enormous amounts, and maintaining the Invincible Sword Domain on top of that was depleting the reserves in his nine Purple Mansions at a rate visible to the naked eye.
How much True Essence do I have left?
He swiftly calculated in his mind.
Thirty percent.
Enough.
Chen Changqing fixed his gaze on the independent Heavenly Lord closest to him. The man wore a brown robe and wielded a short bronze halberd. His cultivation was at the early Heavenly Lord stage. Of the seven Heavenly Lords, he was the weakest.
And the best opening.
"Return."
With a thought from Chen Changqing, all five avatars withdrew at once, returning to within ten zhang of him.
The four Heavenly Lords' attacks struck empty air, leaving them momentarily stunned.
That opening lasted only half a breath.
Chen Changqing moved.
All five avatars unleashed their full strength in the same instant.