A mighty shout suddenly rang out in the empty heavens, shaking all ten directions.
In an instant, its roar tore through the air, and fierce winds rose, churning the spiritual currents for dozens of miles around!
The arrows hurtling toward Jin Shanxin snapped one after another, seemingly blocked by some tremendous power. They burst midway into glittering motes, then dissolved into wisps of vapor, not a single one reaching him.
"Master!"
Jin Shanxin had thought escape impossible, that he might die a wretched death today. Faced with this sudden reversal, he was both startled and delighted.
He hastily straightened his robes and bowed down upon the clouds, his bearing reverent.
Those of Huzhao witnessed this scene.
Their gazes flickered, their expressions varied.
Some True Persons of the Dao lineages and their disciples were naturally overjoyed.
The joy of surviving disaster nearly drove them to cheer.
Though delight likewise showed on the faces of the two True Persons, Fu Shen'an and Sun Pu, they exchanged a glance, and wistfulness and resentment crept into their expressions. They shook their heads in silence.
Under the Spirit Contract's restrictions, Yu Shitong and Tao Tian could only direct events from behind the scenes, not appear in person to intervene.
Yet now, to save his disciple Jin Shanxin's life, Tao Tian had disregarded the Spirit Contract's provisions and shattered the arrows from afar.
Though this had saved Jin Shanxin, it was also a deliberate breach of contract, meaning Huzhao had to withdraw and forfeit its right to compete with Jadechen.
And to think of their months of toil in this small frontier kingdom, of traveling across countless miles of mountains and rivers from an immortal spiritual haven like Qiu Abyss.
All to earn some Dao Merit to aid their future cultivation.
Yet now, not only would