The Qiankun Demon Suppressing Pagoda returned to his palm, its body still warm. A faint hum came from within, where the Eight Demon Statues had grown increasingly ferocious after absorbing an Earthly Supreme's demonic energy, yet remained firmly suppressed.
Within the deep pit, every trace of the Bone-Corroding Demon General had vanished completely. Not even a wisp of demonic energy remained. Only the charred ground, plowed by pure force, bore witness to the brief yet terrifying battle that had just taken place.
Lin Langtian turned around and withdrew the Profound Yellow Shield protecting the survivors.
The invisible force field dissipated, and sunlight once again fell upon them without obstruction. Yet it could not dispel the bone-deep shock and confusion on their faces.
More than twenty pairs of eyes stared blankly at the green-robed figure walking toward them, as though they were gazing upon a divine mountain that had descended from the heavens to hold up a sky on the verge of collapse.
Thud!
The Fifth Grade Supreme old man, who was the most severely injured and had previously stayed behind with his sword to cover their retreat, was the first to recover his senses.
Struggling to push away the disciple supporting him, he ignored the pain wracking his body and his nearly depleted origin energy. He fell heavily to his knees before Lin Langtian, pressing his forehead against the cold ground. His voice trembled beyond recognition from excitement, lingering fear, and boundless reverence.
"This junior is Zhao Xuanfeng, an Elder of the Flowing Cloud Sect of the Black Tortoise Continent. I thank you, Venerable, for saving my life! Your grace in giving us a new life shall never be forgotten by the Flowing Cloud Sect or the countless living beings of the Black Tortoise Continent!"
His kneeling seemed to awaken