The curses of the Cultivators, who had been furious at their companion for fleeing on his own, died away completely. They exchanged glances, fear flashing in their eyes.
Although they had been at a severe disadvantage just moments earlier, they had felt little more than frustration, with no real concern for their safety.
They had all believed that even if they could not defeat these mechanical Puppets, escaping through the air would be child's play!
Now, however, the fate of the fleeing man had jolted them out of that pleasant dream!
With so many protective Magic Arts on him, and even a defensive Magical Artifact in his hand, he had still failed to withstand the beam for even an instant. How could they not be terrified?
In fact, Cultivators like them, who had reached Foundation Establishment, were all the more afraid of dying!
They had finally gained lives longer than those of ordinary people, with the prospect of living longer still. How could they bear to throw all that away so easily?
But that terrifyingly thick beam had been far too powerful!
Had it struck their barrier instead of the fleeing Cultivator, none of them could honestly say they would have been able to withstand it.
The more these Cultivators thought about it, the more alarmed they became, and their desire to retreat grew.
Yet even if they wanted to withdraw now, their opponent was unlikely to let them go while he held such an overwhelming advantage. They were trapped between advancing and retreating.
Hidden several miles away, Naruto was also astonished by the power of that enormous beam. He began wondering whether he could evade it if he had to face it himself!
He looked up into the sky, where a white cloud hung conspicuously still. Without careful observation,