In mid-July, on Cishan in the boundless Azure Sea.
Within a Spirit Peak Blessed Land standing more than a hundred li outside the Market District, dozens of wounded people lay sprawled on the ground, their eyes filled with grief and outrage as they watched four mysterious figures who had suddenly barged in stride toward the Mountain Gate.
All four wore veiled hats and black clothing, their auras concealed within a cloudlike Misty Chaos Aura that obscured their identities and origins.
"Stop! Who exactly are you? Do you know this place belongs to Grand Artisan Li of the Creation Sect?"
As members of a Grand Artisan Household, the disciples of Cishan had their own pride. Some still stepped forward heedless of their safety to bar the intruders' way.
"Stubborn fools!" One intruder casually swept his sleeve, and an invisible force surged like a giant wolf, sending the disciple who had spoken flying.
"Don't stir up unnecessary trouble." Another intruder pressed down on his arm, then stepped forward and addressed the other saber-wielding guards. "Li Shengyuan is precisely the man we're looking for. If you know what's good for you, summon him back at once."
"If he refuses to return, a few injuries won't be the end of it. Not a single soul on Cishan will escape."
As he spoke, chilling murderous intent showed through. He suddenly pointed a finger, and an invisible blast of force exploded against a small hill dozens of zhang away, instantly collapsing its rocky face.
Amid the rumbling, an immense mass of rock and earth poured down, scattering across the ground.
But suddenly, all the scattered rubble and soil vanished, as though swallowed by the void.
At the sight, everyone fell silent as cicadas in winter, frozen where they stood.
"V-Void power!"
"No wonder they're so powerful.