The city in sight lay beyond the canyon, but they had to cross the basin below. The clanging sound echoed through the yellow sand as the group followed Deng Shouchong's figure, making their arduous journey through the basin.
Xu Long was the last to appear in the basin. He found that the ground inside the canyon was getting lower and lower, and the "whooshing" sound of flowing water in his ears disappeared in an instant within the basin.
It was as if something, with overwhelming force, had abruptly cut off a turbulent river, causing its ceaseless flow to be halted in an instant.
The object completely disappeared into the basin before him. Only after entering the basin did Xu Long have time to observe it closely. He saw that the basin, which was deep in the ground, was surrounded by stone walls. The sides of the stone walls were very straight, as if they had been carved by a giant with a knife and axe. The surface of the stone walls showed a smooth texture.
This basin has existed for an unknown period of time, and the Geng Metal Qi within it has not yet dissipated. The yellow sand covering it is precisely because of the constant onslaught of this Geng Metal Qi that the basin has not been buried.
The city behind was able to preserve its main structure precisely because of the basin's obstruction. Xu Long suppressed his surprise. He had already entered the basin, and sword energy had condensed in the darkness beneath his feet.
A strong sense of alarm rose in his heart, and a glint flashed in his eyes. The World-Breaking Blade took the initiative to rush into the darkness. At this moment, everyone was busy with their own lives and no one paid any attention to Xu Long's actions.
Xu Long deliberately distanced himself from the others. A sharp sword light flashed behind him, and the clanging sound echoed throughout the basin. Before the light in Xu Long could dissipate, the Geng Metal Qi below was suddenly blocked.
Then a sharp and powerful aura burst forth from it, carrying one sword aura after another that shot towards Xu Long. The darkness was instantly illuminated, and the sword light rolled once below before quickly swirling back.
A series of whooshing sounds echoed through the basin, like a bellows being pulled. Xu Long sensed an extremely powerful aura emanating from the sword energy. The basin had existed in the yellow sand for an unknown period of time, yet the Geng Metal Qi within it had been preserved to this day.
With a flash of light in his eyes, the World-Breaking Blade had already returned. Xu Long casually made a move, and the sword light swirling in the air shot out again. The sword energy below continued to swirl in the air like golden snakes dancing wildly, coiling around the sword light as it was about to strike.
The sword light in the air suddenly became much sharper, and with the support of the Power of Oblivion, it even unleashed a round of sword light. The sword energy below seemed to be controlled by someone, rushing towards the sword light with all its might.
With a thought, Xu Long caused the sword light in the air to suddenly twist. The sword light emanating from the blade did not dissipate, but instead formed a dense sword net as it twisted rapidly.
The light in Xu Long shone brightly, instantly enveloping the sword energy attacking from below. "Clang clang clang" sounds rang out as the invisible sword energy was captured by the sword net, Geng Metal Qi in the air around Xu Long dissipated for a moment.
The sword energy, which was like a golden snake dancing wildly, seemed to have its vital point trapped. A dense sword net above its head enveloped it layer by layer, and the impenetrable sword light even cut through the air.
Xu Long's figure advanced a great distance in the basin before the sword light slowly swirled away, shattering the sword energy within the sword net and falling into the endless darkness below.
The Geng Metal Qi in the basin slowed down slightly, and Xu Long took advantage of this moment to quickly dart out. When the sword light returned, he was already in the center of the basin, while the others in front had already passed the center.
The energy the group stirred in the basin grew stronger, but the Geng Metal Qi below remained completely still. A sense of relief and joy at surviving a calamity flashed through everyone's hearts.
But at this moment, Xu Long felt an extremely ominous premonition. A strong sense of crisis exploded above his head, and the binding force in the basin froze everyone's advance.
Xu Long felt a chill run down his spine, and the hairs on his body stood on end instantly. The swirling sword light suddenly rose higher into the air.
A star was instantly lit up in the basin. This was Xu Long's subconscious reaction to the impending crisis. Then he suddenly focused his attention on Deng Shouchong at the forefront.
The instant the stars lit up, the Dharma banner above Deng Shouchong's head almost simultaneously unleashed a surge of immense energy; his assessment of the crisis was only a fraction of a second slower than Xu Long's.
The rotating banner rose into the air, its totems suddenly bursting forth, revealing a unique energy within it, and countless runes automatically arranged themselves on the banner.
Deng Shouchong's eyes were filled with solemnity. He felt an extremely strong threat above his head. When the Dharma Banner was raised, he had already used his divine sense to transmit a message to the people behind him, but everyone's reaction was a beat too slow.
Deng Shouchong felt a sense of foreboding, but out of the corner of his eye, he seemed to see a star shining in the basin. Before he could investigate, the threat above him had already arrived!
Xu Long felt a chill run down his spine. He realized he had been careless in the basin, focusing only on the sword energy below and completely unaware of the attack from above.
There was no time to investigate. As the stars lit up, he had already transformed into a streak of light, veering away from the center of the basin from the side, while simultaneously urging the stars upwards in his mind.
At this moment, they had no choice but to retreat while trapped in the basin, with rampant sword energy below. Therefore, they had no option but to bite the bullet and take the initiative to attack the threat coming from above.
After Xu Long forcibly broke free from the binding force, he had already deviated from the center of the basin. He couldn't help but look up at the sky, and then his face was filled with shock.
At this moment, a phantom sword aura was reflected in his eyes, descending from the sky. The energy on it carried a world-destroying power, and the sword aura within it possessed a sharpness that could pierce the heavens.
Despite the passage of time amidst the vast expanse of yellow sand, the imposing presence it retains still inspires awe and fear.
This is merely a phantom sword aura from tens of thousands of years ago, preserved to this day through a mirage in the yellow sand, still possessing such terrifying power.
What about that real attack tens of thousands of years ago? What kind of world-destroying power would it have possessed?
Xu Long was terrified. He was glad that he had sensed the danger earlier. The sword energy that was coming now carried the will of annihilation. Deng Shouchong's banner was already displaying its power. The people behind him finally reacted.
Waves of energy surged continuously. They knew this was a matter of life and death, and they could no longer hold back their magical Magic Power. Each of them pulled out their most powerful and secret techniques.
Energy surged within the basin. Everyone knew that retreat was not an option; they had to attack and shatter the massive sword energy within the energy. Otherwise, they would surely perish, as there was still condensed sword energy waiting below.
Deng Shouchong was extremely anxious at this moment. He could no longer care about anything else. The Dharma banner opened and closed wide above his head, and the runes on it gradually arranged neatly. Deng Shouchong stared at the runes on the Dharma banner, and then his lips parted slightly, as if he were reciting runes. His Magic Power surged wildly throughout his body.
After the silent chanting, the banner finally responded. The totem creatures within emerged from the precious light, and an ancient aura emanated from the totem, as if a deity had been awakened from its slumber. Meanwhile, a massive sword aura descended from above.
With a loud "boom," an explosion resounded overhead, leaving Deng Shouchong stunned. This was not the energy from his Dharma Banner!
How could this be...?
Then, out of the corner of his eye, the stars were already shining in the sky, Deng Shouchong was immediately surprised: someone actually reacted faster than me!
But there was no time to investigate. The totem creatures emerged from the precious light and headed towards the sword energy. Deng Shouchong had no choice but to focus his attention on the Dharma banner.
Xu Long's will summoned the stars, and under the immense sword energy, he launched an attack. The stars shone brightly, illuminating the yellow sand. In a surge of energy, Xu Long's will sensed the power of the sword energy—the power of the world's rules!
With the active attack from the stars, the sword energy above his head was suddenly blocked. Xu Long was surprised to find that the sound of rushing water in his ears returned. Xu Long was certain that this was not a hallucination, but what did the sound of rushing water have to do with the huge sword energy?
Before he could even think, another surge of power erupted from the surging energy. The magic banner of Deng Shouchong shone brightly, and a tall totem creature shattered under the sword energy.
A faint afterimage had already appeared within the illusory sword energy, indicating a trend of energy depletion. Behind the Dharma Banner, everyone simultaneously activated their Magic Power.
In an instant, wave after wave of power erupted from the basin, flashing round and round of light amidst the vast yellow sand.
Although the illusory sword energy was blocked by the energy of the crowd, its falling power was not diminished.
A fierce determination rose within the hearts of the people in the basin, and bursts of Power of Laws suddenly arose between heaven and earth!
Under the threat of death, the group of desperate men indeed unleashed a resolute spirit, and the great cultivators chose to utilize the Power of Laws within the basin.
Feeling the magical Magic Power surging wildly within their bodies, the group had no time to restrain themselves and all gathered strange phenomena around them, with Deng Shouchong to the side exuding an imposing aura.
The Dharma banner spun above his head, totems surrounded him, and precious light enveloped him, making Deng Shouchong's figure appear somewhat blurry within the light.
At this moment, strange phenomena occurred frequently around him, and Magic Power surged. The body of a mere cultivator almost reached the sky and the earth, and the Magic Power of a mere cultivator almost shook the heavens and the earth!
The world's rules within the basin were slightly frozen, and the Power of Laws was highlighted beside him. His majestic body ignored any restrictive force, and the glint in his eyes almost pierced through the threat above.
This is the aura of the Immortal Realm! Deng Shouchong is a powerful cultivator at the Lesser Immortal Realm!
While everyone was resisting the immense sword energy, they finally witnessed Deng Shouchong reveal his true abilities; this fellow was indeed hiding his true strength.
Previously, he had been secretive when dealing with Old Pavilion Master Huang, but now, under the threat of death, he finally revealed a different kind of aura.
The Lesser Immortal Realm!
This is the term used in the Land of Exile to refer to cultivators who have surpassed the Mahayana Stage but are below the Earth Immortal Realm.
Given the barrenness of the Land of Exile, it is theoretically impossible for a true Immortal Realm.
The Immortal Realm transcends the self and the laws; they are beings who can truly integrate into the rules of the world and communicate with it.
It requires not only a cultivator's understanding of the truth of the world, but also that the cultivator's body contain the energy of a world!
The world is so vast, with its stars, seas, mountains, rivers, and all things, including plants and trees—these are all things contained within it.
This is why Xu Long saw the tombstone of the Tomb of the Great Emperor and absorbed the world within the Haotian Mirror, which is why he dared to say that he had glimpsed the Great Dao of Immortality.
Little did they know that even in a world brimming with spiritual energy, few would dare claim to be aspiring to immortality, let alone in a barren and desolate Land of Exile.
In principle, this place does not have the conditions to give birth to a powerful Immortal Realm, but over countless years, there have always been people who, through their own efforts and endless time to comprehend the truths of the world, have reached the Mahayana Stage or above.
They were stuck below the Earth Immortal. Due to insufficient resources and excellent opportunities, even though they far surpassed the Mahayana Stage, they could not truly become Earth Immortal.
However, some exceptionally talented individuals in the Land of Exile have forged a new path: they choose to first consolidate their realm above the Mahayana Stage, without giving up on breaking through to the Earth Immortal.
He simply kept refining himself, allowing himself, at the Peak Mahayana Stage, to try to communicate with the rules of the world, so that the Land of Exile, which was not under the protection of the Heavenly Dao, could have a glimmer of hope.
This is what the Land of Exile usually refers to as: a cultivator at the Lesser Immortal Realm!
Below the Earth Immortal of the Land of Exile, he has no equal!
The inability to break through to the Earth Immortal in the Land of Exile does not mean that their combat strength is inferior to that of Earth Immortal; what they lack is merely an opportunity.
Having been stuck at the Lesser Immortal Realm for countless years, he has accumulated extremely profound experience. Although he seems different from the Earth Immortal Realm realm in other stable worlds, his ferocious combat power, honed in the barren land, is incomparable!
The combat power of a Grand Cultivator who grows up in the Land of Exile far surpasses that of a Grand Cultivator in the Stable World. The combat power of the Lesser Immortal Realm cultivator here is similar to that of White Eyebrows, so what kind of power must the Earth Immortal Realm cultivators above them possess?
At this moment, Deng Shouchong's figure seemed to be an invincible powerhouse below the Earth Immortal. He stood tall and firm under the enormous sword energy, almost single-handedly withstanding the crisis above his head after the Star Strike.
As the Magic Power surged within the basin, the surrounding sword energy was completely dispersed. Although the enormous sword energy above was no longer imposing, the sense of crisis remained.
Under the sword energy, everyone stood still, their bodies seemingly being forced to fall into the basin. Even though Xu Long had deviated from the center of the basin, he still felt a strong pressure. He knew that he had to make another move!
Although the sword energy above his head was terrifying, he could still escape if he fought to the death. However, Xu Long dared not imagine what would happen if he were crushed into the darkness of the basin by the sword energy.
At that time, they will be attacked from both sides, and the sword energy at the bottom combined with the sword energy above their heads will completely shred them!
The people in the Land of Exile had rich combat experience and naturally understood what Xu Long was thinking. At this moment, without Deng Shouchong's reminder, strange phenomena of heaven and earth surged frequently behind them.