Huo Yuanzhen cried out in alarm. His reaction was even swifter; his burly frame retreated at a startling speed, rapidly widening the distance from the incoming sword qi.
At the same time, one powerful move after another from the other cultivators came crashing down.
The attacks came in every variety imaginable. Though their power could not compare to the saber light Huo Yuanzhen had unleashed, each possessed considerable might.
Yet as the offensive descended, all of it was swallowed by the ceaseless sword intent.
Not only did it fail to affect the Protective Gang Qi before them in the slightest, it instead triggered an even fiercer backlash of sword qi.
"Everyone, be careful! This Protective Gang Qi grows stronger when faced with strength. Without a Magical Treasure like Fellow Daoist Xuanjing's that can borrow force to strike back, it cannot be forcibly broken!"
Not far from Huo Yuanzhen, Song Chunqiu of Bai Sui Academy gripped a brush-shaped Magical Treasure. As he retreated rapidly, he shouted a warning to the crowd at the top of his lungs.
As he spoke, True Yuan flooded into his arm and brush Magical Treasure. He splashed ink through the air, swiftly sketching one vigorous character after another, which transformed into layers of defensive barriers.
Before him, sword intent brimming with killing intent likewise brought frost, wind, and snow in relentless pursuit.
Even as Song Chunqiu warned them, quite a few sharp-eyed, quick-reacting cultivators immediately retreated as well.
Yet among the crowd, there was no shortage of cultivators who reacted too slowly.
In little more than a dozen breaths, Huo Yuanzhen, Song Chunqiu, and the others had retreated a thousand zhang away, only then shaking off the icy assault of the sword qi and frost-laden wind and snow.
Once they steadied themselves and looked back again—