Just as everyone was gradually running out of strength and the defensive line was about to be breached, three earthshaking roars came from the depths of the cavern. A vast, crushing pressure swept over them, making every disciple's heart sink and breath seize.
Three massive figures slowly emerged from the rat horde. They were the Rat Clan's three elders.
They were far larger than ordinary giant rats, each standing over two zhang tall, their dark-purple fur seeming to have been cast from steel.
Twisted bone spikes jutted from their heads, bloodthirsty red light flickered in their eyes, and dense black qi coiled around them. They were clearly at the peak of the Eternal Realm.
"Human cultivators, you dared trespass into our territory and slaughter our clansmen. Today, we will make you repay blood with blood!"
The Rat Clan elder on the left spoke in a hoarse, grating voice. Before its words had even faded, it lunged at the crowd, its enormous claw carrying a gale that tore through the air as it slammed toward an already wounded disciple.
The disciple's pupils contracted sharply. He wanted to dodge, but it was already too late. He could only watch helplessly as the sharp claw closed in.
"Insolence!"
Huang Jing gave a cold snort, and her figure vanished from the spot. When she reappeared, she was already standing before that disciple.
She raised her fair hand. It appeared slow, yet contained boundless strength as it struck directly toward the Rat Clan elder's claw.
With a deafening bang, the two powerful forces collided. Shockwaves swept outward, blasting surrounding Rat Monsters away in droves as the sounds of shattering bones rose one after another.
The Rat Clan elder let out a shrill scream. Its massive claw was smashed to pieces, and black blood gushed forth.