The moment Song Wen stepped out of the main hall, he noticed:
The protective sect formation barrier overhead had begun to flicker violently, countless runes upon it blinking in and out.
At the very center of the barrier's dome, the depression blasted out by the dark-blue pillar of light had already sunk hundreds of miles deep.
The barrier seemed to have reached its limit. Unable to bear the burden any longer, it emitted a dull roar, like the mournful cry of a giant beast before death.
Directly beneath the depression, Dan Ran stood at the formation's nexus, still doing his utmost to maintain the protective sect formation.
Yet the excitement and resolve had vanished from Dan Ran's face, replaced by profound helplessness.
He desperately mobilized the meager spiritual power remaining within him, as though making one final struggle.
Dan Ran turned his gaze toward Kong Dang nearby.
"Kong Dang, quickly... quickly replace me! I can't hold on..."
Elsewhere.
A figure was rapidly closing in on Dan Ran.
It was Ying Wu.
However, Ying Wu was one step too late.
Kong Dang also failed to replace Dan Ran in time.
Boom—
The thunderous blast shook heaven and earth.
The protective sect formation barrier suddenly shattered.
"Pfft!"
Dan Ran spat out blood and collapsed limply to the ground, his eyes filled with indescribable despair.
"Sect Master, why have you not returned?"
With the protective sect formation barrier of the Divine Blood Sect gone, the dark-blue pillar of light crashed down from above, striking directly at the formation's nexus below.
"No Thought, stop!" Youye's voice rang out, unable to conceal his delight. "The Divine Blood Sect is already in the palm of our hands. Every bit damaged is a loss to us."
The monk No Thought immediately ceased, no longer driving the formation.