An intensely dazzling light erupted in the sky, illuminating the entire stretch of coast as though day had suddenly arrived. Everyone present was enveloped in a radiance that seemed capable of melting away the accumulated haze.
Before anyone witnessing it could react, the ground began rumbling and shaking, as though a powerful earthquake had struck. A savage shock wave swept outward in every direction.
The blast swept through the distant believers of the New Light Sect, carrying billowing dust. Those closer to it were swept away at once, while some farther back were knocked to the ground and rolled helplessly.
The New Light Sect followers watching from the hill on the other side also lost their footing when the first wave hit. They staggered back several steps before they could stop.
Even then, the following gusts pressed their beards, hair, and outer robes tightly against their bodies. Small stones and grit rattled against them, forcing them to raise their hands to shield their heads and faces.
Meanwhile, wisps of blue spiritual fire appeared around Gui Zihan as he flew swiftly along the passage cut open by the departing light. Yet even though he spared no strength and pushed himself to the limit, he was still left far behind.
After pursuing it for some time, he finally arrived here, where a faint coastline seemed to appear ahead.
He was sweating slightly. Flying like this consumed far too much energy, and the distance had been unexpectedly long. Had he not taken plenty of medicine beforehand, he would never have made it this far.
Just then, a blinding light suddenly erupted, making him instinctively raise a hand to shield his face.
The light washed his entire body stark white. Sensing danger, his spiritual fire expanded outward and blocked the shock wave that followed.