They could hardly be blamed for reacting that way.
Though the entire battle had lasted only a brief moment, Li Yun had used the Heaven-Devouring Jar's power to pull out the Nine-Ring Monk's Staff, which had all but signaled a complete loss of control.
At that moment, Liaokong and Huiwu had already contemplated the worst: unleashing a forbidden technique and perishing together with the enemy.
They had never expected Gu Yuanqing to suppress the demonic fiend so effortlessly the moment he acted.
Had they known, why would they have fought desperately beforehand, expending their reserves and burning through their lifespans?
Ling Yi was the first to recover. He put away the Nine Heavens Immortal Sword and said with a complicated expression, "Daoist brother, your divine ability leaves me... in awe." Li Yanshen also withdrew the Celestial Pivot Seal and bowed deeply to Gu Yuanqing. "The Nine Domains Divine Continent will remember this tremendous kindness in the depths of our hearts."
The projection of the Forgetfulness Heavenly Book above Zhou Luochen's head vanished, and he returned the ancient mirror to his Storage Ring. Cupping his hands, he said, "Thank you, Senior. Only today have I realized how shallow we were—frogs at the bottom of a well. We must have made a laughingstock of ourselves before you, Daoist brother."
Zen Master Liaokong pressed his palms together. Behind him, the projection of the Buddhist realm formed by the Immaculate Pure Land Painting slowly receded. He said to Gu Yuanqing, "I am ashamed. Thinking back on what I said earlier, I truly..."
The others also felt their faces grow warm. Only now did they understand why Gu Yuanqing had proposed dealing with the demonic fiend as soon as he arrived. At the time, they had wanted to play it safe, fearing that Gu Yuanqing