When Zhan Ziji bowed, a great wind seemed to rise from nowhere atop the ritual platform, and the banners standing on either side began to flap furiously.
The tips of the three long incense sticks in the bronze burner on the offering table lit up in unison, casting off blazing sparks. The wisps of smoke curling upward suddenly swelled and shot straight into the heavens.
As the smoke entered the sky, it resembled three fine threads linking the heavens above with Nether City. At first, there was no movement. But after a moment, the void seemed to melt apart, revealing a vortex-like hollow of immeasurable depth, while an overwhelmingly vast aura descended.
Zhang Yu stood upon the platform, looking up at the firmament as his cloak and robes snapped loudly in the rising gale.
Xu Chengtong opened his mouth, unable to stop panic from rising in his heart. Yet when he saw that Zhang Yu remained composed and calm, he gritted his teeth and refused to retreat even half a step, standing firm where he was.
In truth, he knew that if a Profound Venerable truly made a move against them, there was nowhere they could flee. Rather than running, it was better to stay where they were. At least then, they would not die quite so disgracefully.
The swirling current overhead grew ever larger, and its sky-shaking might grew ever stronger. Thunder rumbled back and forth within it.
As though its might had accumulated to its peak, a bolt of lightning split down from the sky and struck Zhang Yu dead on. Dazzling light burst outward in an instant, making Xu Chengtong cry out miserably and stagger backward.
Several breaths after the light fell, an unprecedented explosion rang out. The vast Nether City shook from end to end, its