The moment the Dragon Empress withdrew, lightning appeared in the sky, poised to choose someone to strike.
The lightning shone purple and gold, dazzling and majestic.
A single glance made Qingxiao's face turn several shades paler. Gazing at that lightning, he felt, for a fleeting moment, as though he were once again standing before the Heavenly Venerable of old.
Before he could think further, a slender bolt suddenly fell.
Boom! Clang!
"Aaagh-"
Qingxiao hastily raised his cauldron to defend himself, but the lightning still struck him and sent him flying. The blast left his body like charred wood and his face like coal, his features barely distinguishable beneath the blackness.
"Retreat!"
Ignoring his injuries, he waved his hand along with the other Great Dao Venerables, swept up the surviving cultivators, and plunged into the Grotto-Heaven, swiftly concealing it deep within the Great Void.
Rumble~
The second bolt grazed their heels and exploded in the void.
... Inside the Grotto-Heaven, Qingxiao was still shaken. He murmured, "Fuli's Heaven's Will is actually this terrifying."
The manifestation of Heaven's Will had truly startled him. During the previous battle between Zhaohua and Fuli, he had caught a glimpse of Heaven's Will from afar. But back then, it had been nowhere near this fearsome.
"Master..."
Dao Venerable Yuhua spoke cautiously. "What should we do next..."
"For now, make sure we hold the Grotto-Heaven," Qingxiao interrupted him. "Heaven's Will has only just descended and still needs time to consolidate its foothold. All of you should restore your vitality as quickly as possible.
"The Grotto-Heavens are Zhaohua's true foundation. As long as the six great Grotto-Heavens remain secure, Heaven's Will cannot gain complete control over Zhaohua."
"But-"
Yuhua felt somewhat dispirited. They could hide inside the Grotto-Heaven, but the moment they went outside, Heaven's Will would seize