In the sky, the leaders of the Four Great Sects each released their powerful auras and pressures. Mighty Dou Qi surged outward from their bodies, soaring straight into the sky and transforming into four pillars of Dou Qi qi that disappeared into the heavens, their momentum as imposing as a rainbow.
The combined auras of the four individuals in this void grew even stronger, pressing down fiercely on Han Dong and Xiao Yan.
Although it wasn't a fatal attack, the sheer power and pressure it exuded was enough to send shivers down one's spine.
"Snort!"
Seeing this, Han Dong snorted coldly. With a thought, the powerful Spiritual Strength between his brows burst forth from his body, like a long spear, with a vast aura, forcefully resisting the pressure from the four people.
"Do the four sect leaders really intend to start a war with my Alchemist Alliance?"
Despite managing to withstand the overwhelming pressure from four High-Level Dou Di on his own, Han Dong's expression was far from pleasant. To fight four opponents single-handedly was simply too much of a stretch.
" President Han, our Four Great Sects have only made concessions because of your and the Alchemist Alliance's influence. We only hope to obtain the Heavenly Severing Steps to open the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb. This doesn't seem too difficult, does it? As long as Xiao Yan is willing to hand over the Heavenly Severing Steps, our Four Great Sects will leave immediately. But if he doesn't, and we're forced to return in such a humiliating manner, how are we supposed to explain this to our sects?"
"Hmph, explain? As sect leaders, do you really need to explain yourselves to the sect?"
Han Dong sneered. What Chen Zhen said was utter nonsense. As the sect leader, why would he need to report to the sect about anything he did?
"Since that's the case, President Han, then we have no choice but to offend you. No matter what, Xiao Yan must hand over the Heavenly Severing Steps today!"
Immediately afterward, Chen Zhen shouted, his gaze quickly meeting the three people beside him for a moment, then he nodded heavily, his body trembled, and the Dou Qi qi in his body surged outward even more fiercely.
Instantly, the aura emanating from the four people became even more terrifying. In just a few breaths, Han Dong's soul pressure was quickly suppressed by the combined power of the four.
The combined aura and pressure from the four High-Level Dou Di experts was something Han Dong alone could not easily resist.
"Buzz!"
At that moment, Xiao Yan, who had been silent all along, suddenly made a move.
A beam of pale white flame shot straight up from Xiao Yan's body, its astonishing aura sweeping outwards. At the same time, a huge, somewhat illusory figure rapidly rose up behind Xiao Yan. The powerful force, combined with Han Dong's soul pressure, instantly pushed back the combined aura of the four of them.
Immediately afterward, just as the four people's expressions changed slightly, another powerful soul pressure erupted from Xiao Yan's body, heading straight for them. With a loud bang, the aura and pressure that the four High-Level Dou Di experts had jointly condensed were forcefully broken by Xiao Yan and Han Dong.
"What!"
In the sky, a look of shock appeared on the faces of all five people, including Han Dong. They looked at Xiao Yan with shocked eyes, their emotions beyond words.
With the strength of Five-Star Dou Di, combined with Han Dong's soul pressure, he actually managed to block the aura and pressure of these four people. I'm afraid no one in the world could do such a thing!
Just as they were in shock, Xiao Yan looked at them with a cold expression, flicked his wrist, and a scroll appeared in Xiao Yan hand as a burst of light flashed in his palm.
"Four sect leaders, the Heavenly Severing Steps is now in my hands. If you are capable, come forward and take it."
Xiao Yan gripped the scroll tightly in his hand, raising it above his head. His icy gaze swept over the four people around him, and the words he uttered immediately brought them back to their senses. Their four pairs of eyes, filled with fiery passion, instantly fixed on the scroll held high in Xiao Yan's hand.
" Heavenly Severing Steps!"
" Xiao Yan, hand over the Heavenly Severing Steps at once!"
"If you want to live, hand over the Heavenly Severing Steps right now!"
In the sky, four people stared intently at the scroll in Xiao Yan's hand with gleaming eyes. They had waited for this day for far too long. Finally, the Heavenly Severing Steps had finally appeared before their eyes!
Once the Heavenly Severing Steps are obtained, not only will they be able to open the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb, but they will also be able to greatly enhance their combat power with the help of the Heavenly Severing Steps ' wonders. They might even be able to leap to the top of the Four Great Sects and crush the other three major sects. How could they remain calm in this situation?
With this in mind, the four of them couldn't wait to step forward and snatch the Heavenly Severing Steps from Xiao Yan's hands.
But the next moment, Xiao Yan's expression suddenly turned cold. At the same time, he gripped the scroll even tighter, his gaze sweeping coldly over the four people before he shouted:
"If you dare to step forward again, I will destroy the Heavenly Severing Steps immediately!"
As he spoke, Xiao Yan's arm trembled, and the scroll in his hand shook a few times. The four people around him were shocked and hurriedly retreated, while constantly urging Xiao Yan not to destroy the Heavenly Severing Steps.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan sneered inwardly. He had only meant to scare them, yet they reacted so strongly. It seemed they were truly interested in the Heavenly Severing Steps!
Indeed, such incredible movement and Dou Technique would surely unsettle anyone, let alone them.
" Xiao Yan, as long as you hand over the Heavenly Severing Steps, we can discuss everything. If you hand over the Heavenly Severing Steps, we can forget about everything that happened before!"
"Oh..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan gave a mocking sneer. They said they wouldn't mention it, but how could Xiao Yan let them off so easily? After all these years, their relationship had become irreconcilable. To say that they would wipe the slate clean and never mention it again was just too cynical.
"The four sect leaders need not go to such lengths. I will absolutely not hand over the Heavenly Severing Steps."
The four men's gazes froze, and their killing intent surged once more.
"But..."
"I can give you a choice."
Xiao Yan ignored their murderous gazes and continued:
"One year from now, I will arrive at the entrance to the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb. If you are all present then, I can join forces with you to open the entrance. Otherwise, you can choose to take nothing with you today and receive nothing a year from now."
"Are you threatening us?!"
"Didn't you just try to threaten us too?"
Xiao Yan retorted with a cold laugh.
Immediately, the four dared not make any further moves. Seeing the Heavenly Severing Steps so close yet unable to obtain it, the four were furious.
The four remained silent for a long time, and after some discussion, they finally nodded helplessly.
"Alright, we'll do as you say. We'll meet again a year from now outside the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb."
Seeing the four nod, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Han Dong beside him. The two exchanged a smile and then turned to leave.
"Etc."
But then, impatient voices came again.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan and Chen Zhen turned around again with grim expressions. Xiao Yan's icy gaze fell directly on Chen Zhen, who was already thoroughly disgusted by his voice.
"We can promise you we'll meet outside the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb a year from now, but can you guarantee you'll actually come?"
What do you want?
Xiao Yan's face was gloomy, and he spoke in a very impatient tone.
"Swear Lightning Punishment Oath."
Upon hearing this, the three people beside him also turned their gazes to Xiao Yan. Chen Zhen's concerns were not without reason, and only if Xiao Yan made the Lightning Punishment Oath could they truly believe his words.
"Hehe, alright, it's only polite to reciprocate. How about we make Lightning Punishment Oath together?"
Finally, Xiao Yan grinned, a sly smile playing on his lips. Hearing this, the four people opposite him frowned slightly, but ultimately let out a deep breath and said:
"Good."