The March morning sunlight streamed in through the open doors and windows, bathing the spacious hall in brilliant warmth.
The gentle spring breeze passing through the hall carried the fresh breath of all things bursting into life.
The bamboo-and-wood retreat was simple yet spotless. Amid the spring light, it seemed especially leisurely and tranquil.
Yet inside the retreat, Nine Yin Dao Venerable and Changzhen, two sixth-rank Dao Venerables, were filled with dread and unease. They had no mind to admire the radiant spring light, much less enjoy any peace or leisure.
Changzhen and Nine Yin had witnessed Gao Xian cut down Beiming and Wanbao. They had also witnessed Gao Xian slay the seventh-rank Eastern Pole Heavenly Lord against all odds.
They both knew how powerful and terrifying Gao Xian was.
But only at this moment did they truly understand just how powerful and terrifying he was.
Gao Xian did not even need to activate any Divine Artifact secret art. The pressure contained in his gaze alone made their yang spirits tremble as if on the verge of collapse, and even their bodies shook beyond their control.
This was not fear in their hearts showing through. It was the loss of control over the dharma power within their bodies, triggering physical collapse.
Nine Yin and Changzhen both wanted to explain themselves, but Gao Xian had suppressed their divine senses so completely that they could not even open their mouths.
Zhi Zhen, standing nearby, was both astonished and moved. Two token-bearing envoys of the Nine Provinces had been utterly suppressed by Gao Xian, without the slightest strength to resist. The gulf between them was plain to see.
Xiao Jinse's feelings were even more complicated. She had always been deeply wary and guarded against Nine Yin Dao Venerable.
Especially after Xiao Lingqin had