Central Continent Star, Thousand Wood Temple.
Above the winding mountain range, the heavy barrier formation shone brilliantly. Emerald mystical light blazed around Shen Xiaozhu, while the Spirit Talisman before her frantically drew in the mountain forest's Wood Spirit Qi to power the barrier formation.
Her face was slightly pale, and fine Wood Spirit runes emerged across her skin, illuminating the spirit veins within her body. With only Third Realm cultivation, forcibly presiding over this grand formation that covered the entire Thousand Wood Temple mountain range had already pushed her to her limit.
Even so, she could barely protect this small area centered on Thousand Wood Temple. Her gaze passed through the swaying curtain of barrier light toward the mountain foot, and her eyes reflected an apocalyptic scene—one she had once witnessed when True Monarch Lieyang descended upon Central Province.
Zhonghui City at the mountain foot, once prosperous, was nearly half destroyed. The districts close to Thousand Wood Temple remained largely intact under the lingering protection of the barrier, while panicked Mortals crowded the streets, looking up at the changed sky. Prayers and cries rang without end.
Yet the more distant districts had already become fields of broken walls and ruins. After the terrifying cold swept through, all things froze, then were crushed by an invisible force into wreckage mixed with ice crystals and dust. Many who had failed to flee into the barrier's protection remained frozen in the poses of their flight, turned into ice sculptures before shattering in the subsequent tremors.
"Master, use the transfer formation to go to grand-disciple's dojo first. I can handle things here!"
Yun Liang's voice rang beside Shen Xiaozhu's ear.
Just as Shen Xiaozhu was about to answer, the terrifying pressure from the depths of the universe suddenly vanished. She gazed at the azure