Xin Shiniang seemed startled by the killing intent between Hong Yuan's brows. Her expression changed, and her red sleeves rose.
As Astral Essence flowed, a short sword shot from her water sleeves in a streak of azure light. Swift as lightning, it skimmed past Hong Yuan's face, stirring his hair, before its fierce sword force erupted.
The sword light blazed dazzlingly, shredding the wind and rain filling the sky in an instant. Amid the mist, its radiance revealed a tall, slender gray figure.
It was a sinister-faced Gray-Robed Elder. He had appeared without a sound, his five fingers hooked like claws as he lunged straight for the center of Hong Yuan's back.
Gray-green true essence coiled around his fingertips. This was clearly a sneak attack by a Talisman Seeding True Person, but he held his power in reserve, his aura suppressed almost to nothing. Only upon touching his enemy's body would it explode like thunder and blast his target to pieces.
Just as the Gray-Robed Elder's attack was about to land on Hong Yuan, Xin Shiniang's sword shot toward him. Its light surged like a dragon, exposing him completely and enveloping him in its sword force.
The Gray-Robed Elder snorted coldly, curled his claw into a fist, and struck. His mighty true essence solidified like a mountain, carrying an overwhelming torrent of force.
Clang!
His fist force collided with the flying sword, and a tremendous metallic clash exploded. The downpour within ten miles halted under the shock wave, then the raindrops disintegrated into dust and scattered.
The temple's buildings and walls burst apart in a rolling succession of blasts, as though hundreds upon thousands of cannonballs had blown them away.
Caught at the heart of their clash, Hong Yuan also seemed unable to withstand the impact. His body was forced