The series of sudden upheavals shocked Shen Luo as well. As he hurriedly considered his options, his expression abruptly changed.
Amid the chaos, two figures lunged straight for the Immortal Apricot on the table.
One was a man in blue robes, a participant in the assembly whom Shen Luo did not know. The other was Liu Qing.
With a thought, Shen Luo unleashed a brilliant glow of moonlight beneath his feet and executed the Slanting Moon Step, vanishing from his spot in a flash.
The blue-robed man's movements were extraordinarily uncanny. Blue light flickered around him, trailing a long, serpentine phantom behind him. He reached the offering table first, turned his hand over to produce a gleaming dagger, and stabbed it viciously into the golden barrier surrounding the Immortal Apricot.
With a loud bang, the golden barrier shook violently but did not break.
The blue-robed man snorted coldly and flicked his wrist. A layer of liquid-like black light appeared on the dagger, and he stabbed fiercely again.
Liu Qing also reached the table, a black dragon-headed saber appearing in her hand as she delivered a vicious slash.
A dragon-shaped streak of saber light emerged, striking the golden barrier at the same moment as the black dagger.
The golden barrier shuddered wildly. Unable to withstand the blows any longer, it burst with a bang, scattering into countless golden fireflies.
The gust from the shattered barrier swept the Immortal Apricot into the air, sending it toward Liu Qing.
A flicker of delight crossed Liu Qing's eyes. Her other hand grew hazy as she reached for the Immortal Apricot.
Just then, a dark yellow staff abruptly appeared overhead, striking down toward Liu Qing's left hand.
Before the staff even reached her, an immensely heavy force pressed Liu Qing's arm downward.
"You court death!"