Above the void, Xiao Yan calmly released his hand. The lean old man beneath his hand, who had lost all life force, lost all control of his body and, with the force of gravity, plummeted down like a shooting star.
The gaunt old man died, and only then did the others around him come to their senses in a panic. But when they looked closely, they saw a figure standing behind each of them.
"Master Xuan... Elder Xuan!"
" Gu Li!"
" Chi Lin!"
The group exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with undisguised terror, and in their hearts, a storm of fear was brewing.
They couldn't understand how Xiao Yan and his group knew they had attacked Qin Zhong on the outermost edge of the Ge Thunder Mountain Range.
Although the soul perception of the people present was extremely terrifying, they were focused on Mu Han and the others. In addition, with the presence of the Dou Di's pressure from Ge Thunder Mountain, they had no time to spread their Spiritual Strength out to investigate the surrounding battle.
The people present were even less likely to believe that someone had informed them. One of the main reasons they dared to move Qin Zhong here was that no one ever passed by in the vicinity. Since no one had seen it, and Xiao Yan hadn't investigated, how did he know?
" Elder Gu, thank you very much."
Seeing the horrified expressions of these Five-Star Half-Emperor, Xiao Yan ignored them and silently thanked Gu You in his heart.
"Haha, no need to thank me, old man. I was just in a moment of leisure, and this little fellow seems quite good, so I thought of saving him. I just asked you to do it on my behalf, haha."
Gu You responded to Xiao Yan's gratitude with a laugh. Xiao Yan chuckled; indeed, compared to him, Gu You inside him was much more relaxed. However, it was precisely because of this that he was able to save Qin Zhong's life.
Xiao Yan chuckled to himself, then said nothing more. He raised his eyes, the gentleness from a moment ago gone.
Xiao Yan's icy gaze slowly swept over the remaining four people in the arena. When the four Half-Emperor met Xiao Yan's gaze, they couldn't help but shiver.
Although Xiao Yan's apparent strength only appears to be at the Peak Three-Star Half-Emperor, everyone knows that his true strength is far greater than that.
The four men, their bodies trembling, struggled to turn their gazes and glanced at Gu Li and his group behind them. They then exchanged bewildered glances, a chill running down their spines. They had no chance of winning against these men; if Gu Li and his group made a move, they would suffer the same fate as the Blood Snake.
The four men's gazes involuntarily fell on Qin Zhong. He was the weakest person present, and if they could control him, they believed that Xiao Yan and the others would be forced to back down.
"Whoosh..."
Among the four, the only one without a direct confrontation, Five-Star Half-Emperor, suddenly moved like lightning, grabbing at Qin Zhong in an instant.
Meanwhile, the other three quickly turned around, trying to hold back the people behind them.
Encouraging the monk to slightly furrow his brow, the aura of Eight-Star Half-Emperor instantly emanated outwards, a terrifying aura like Mount Tai pressing down on the three of them.
At this moment, the remaining Half-Emperor powerhouse arrived in front of Qin Zhong, a cruel smile on his lips, and the old man's claw-like hand viciously clawed towards Qin Zhong's neck.
Qin Zhong's expression also changed drastically. The old man's speed far surpassed his own. Although he wanted to dodge, the difference in strength between the two was too great. Qin Zhong was already firmly locked on by the latter, and it was impossible for him to dodge.
"Damn it! How despicable!"
Just as the claw-like hand was about to strike him, Qin Zhong prepared to fight to the death, but at that moment, a howling wind swept through the heavens and earth...
A cold wind blew by, sending a chill down the old man's neck. Before he could react, a cold, emotionless voice echoed in his ear.
"You think you can outrun me? You're not worthy..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Heavenly Flames burst forth from Xiao Yan's palm, and the old man's body beneath his palm quickly turned into a burning ember, then turned into specks of ashes and completely disappeared from this world.
The other three were also terrified when they saw Xiao Yan's move; they never expected that Xiao Yan's methods would be so terrifying.
Looking at the old man before him, whose face was flushed and filled with terror, Elder Xuan couldn't help but smile with pity, and said:
"Be thankful, thankful that you encountered us, not him. His terror is beyond even our imagination..."
As soon as the words fell, the auras of the three Eight-Star Half-Emperor in the arena suddenly surged, and terrifying power poured out instantly, causing the figures in front of them to fall down.
"Brother Qin, are you alright?"
Qin Zhong shook his head with a wry smile, frowned at Xiao Yan, and sighed with worry:
"I'm fine, but Yan Xiao, you... you're facing Nine-Star Half-Emperor this time!"
Xiao Yan smiled, patted Qin Zhong's shoulder lightly, and said calmly:
"Don't worry, Brother Qin, everything will be fine. Although Mu Han is Nine-Star Half-Emperor, and I certainly can't beat him, I'm quite confident in my ability to escape."
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Qin Zhong couldn't help but recall Xiao Yan's terrifying speed. Judging from that close call just now, Xiao Yan's speed was probably even more terrifying than before.
"Well..."
Although he felt slightly relieved, Qin Zhong still couldn't help but sigh helplessly and said:
"What a pity, what a pity that my strength is insufficient. After cultivating for so many years, I am still only Three-Star Half-Emperor, unable to help you like these others. In this great battle, I..."
Qin Zhong wanted to express his good intentions, but he could only shake his head helplessly. Unfortunately, his strength was limited. Although he wanted to help, he was ultimately powerless to do so. Just as the Blood Snake had said, with his current strength, even if he went, he would only add trouble and burden.
Seeing the helpless expression on Qin Zhong's face, Xiao Yan smiled faintly, glanced at the Elder Xuan who had approached, and then smiled at Xiao Yan Qin Zhong again:
"Brother Qin, there's no need for that. If you really want to help me, then I can only wish you success in breaking through to the Four-Star Half-Emperor during your trip to Lightning Pool. Then, I'll have another favor to ask of you, Brother Qin, hehe..."
Qin Zhong raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt creeping into his heart. But when he saw the certainty on Xiao Yan's face, a smile immediately spread across Qin Zhong's face, and he nodded emphatically, saying:
"Brother Yan Xiao, rest assured, I, Qin Zhong, have been preparing for this day for a long time. As long as I can enter the Lightning Pool, I will definitely be able to break through to the Four-Star Half-Emperor!"
"Haha, then I wish Brother Qin all the best!"
Xiao Yan and the other two, including Gu Li, bowed and smiled at Qin Zhong. Then, without lingering any longer, they moved and sped back towards Ge Thunder Mountain.
When the group returned to the Ge Thunder Mountain, a large number of Half-Emperor had already gathered there. At this time, more than a dozen battle circles were already engaged in fierce fighting near Ge Thunder Mountain, with the people still vying for the Lightning Invitation.
As the opening time of the Void Lightning Pool drew closer, the battle in the arena intensified. The sounds of explosive Dou Technique resounded like thunderclaps across the sky, causing the cultivators at the foot of Ge Thunder Mountain to feel a sense of dread.
When everyone saw Xiao Yan and his companions return, bringing back a badly injured Qin Zhong, they immediately understood why Xiao Yan had left. They couldn't help but admire Xiao Yan's loyalty and righteousness, and at the same time, they felt a pang of envy for Qin Zhong.
Xiao Yan kept an eye on the increasing number of Half-Emperor around him. At the same time, he also saw that Mu Han and his group had stood up and were standing still, waiting for the Void Lightning Pool to open.
Xiao Yan stared at Mu Han, whose face was slightly pale, but he seemed to be alright. This made Xiao Yan feel a pang of regret, as he had been hoping that something would happen to this Nine-Star Half-Emperor.
Noticing Xiao Yan's gaze, Mu Han turned his head away, a disdainful sneer on his face, before turning back and ignoring him.
Xiao Yan smiled indifferently, looking up at the increasingly dense black thunderclouds above the mountaintop.
"Rumble..."
At a certain moment, a thunderous sound, eagerly awaited by everyone, finally resounded from the churning thunderclouds. Immediately afterward, the churning thunderclouds above the mountaintop intensified, and after a long while, under everyone's watchful eyes, a crack, as if parting the clouds to reveal the sun, slowly widened within the thunderclouds, casting a silvery glow.
Void Lightning Pool, open!