The Profound Earth Martial Sovereign crashed heavily onto the shattered stones atop Five Extremes Mountain. The ochre protective aura around him cracked like broken porcelain, while the Sky-Turning Seal in his palm, condensed from a lifetime of cultivation, split with spiderweb-like fissures.
Coughing blood, he raised his head and stared at Hua Qiang, who stood opposite him with his hands behind his back, disbelief filling his eyes.
His most prized earth-element technique, Earth Vein Prison, had actually been reverse-driven by the other side using the same earth-attributed energy, trapping him within the rock strata and ultimately crushing his bones and forcing blood back up his throat.
This dramatic scene nearly made the four old men, including the Blazing Sun Martial Sovereign, break character.
The Blazing Sun Martial Sovereign's hand, which had been stroking his crimson beard, abruptly paused, and the corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably by a fraction.
The knuckles of the Frozen River Martial Sovereign's hand around the Ice Crystal Scepter turned faintly white, his chest constantly heaving as he forcibly suppressed his laughter.
The Fire Departure Martial Sovereign simply turned his face away, but his shoulders still trembled without stop.
Only the Sword Sovereign maintained some semblance of composure, though the astonishment in his eyes could not be hidden.
Yet this teasing mood vanished in an instant.
Seeing the Profound Earth Martial Sovereign struggle to his feet, the Blazing Sun Martial Sovereign stepped forward first. Flames a yard high suddenly surged around him, and the scorching heat roasted the mountaintop ground until it sizzled.
"Little friend Hua Qiang, take my Heaven-Burning Blazing Sun!"
With a loud shout, he thrust both palms forward. Two fireballs, condensed like amber and carrying the might to burn all things to ashes, hurtled straight at Hua Qiang's face.
Hua Qiang could not