Making a Move, What Audacity
Zhang Jianchen and the other two felt a chill run down their spines, but remained outwardly calm, secretly raising their guard and quietly circulating their spiritual energy.
Just then,
"Now!"
Yan Tianjin's eyes flashed with cold light, and he let out a sharp shout.
He suddenly raised his hand and summoned his natal treasure.
A jet-black bead, surrounded by endless magical patterns, flew out from above his head, growing longer in the wind until it instantly transformed into the size of a millstone.
Nine ferocious phantom dragons coiled and roamed on the pearl's body, exuding a terrifying aura of destruction.
It is the only remaining Semi-Immortal Artifact of the demonic path, the Xuanchen World-Destruction Pearl.
"Break for me!"
Yan Tianjin poured all his demonic energy into the pearl without reservation.
The Xuanchen World-Destruction Pearl emitted a piercing shriek, carrying a world-destroying force as it slammed into Yuanchu and Dao Fruit in the center of the arena.
He chose an excellent time, precisely when the Dao Fruit had dissipated by more than half and the will was at its most scattered, and also when the Yuanchu Spirit was most exhausted and the defenses were weakest.
This strike was delivered with all his might.
The sole objective is to disrupt the Return to the Origin and seize the fruit amidst the chaos!
"How dare you Old Devil Yan!!"
Xuanjizi and Yunyouzi roared in anger and leaped forward to block.
However, they were too far apart, and Yan Tianjin's attack was too sudden, leaving no time to provide assistance.
"His Majesty!"
"Kill them!!"
"Take the fruit!"
"..."
The demon generals of the demonic path also reacted at the same time, roaring as they charged forward.
The demonic energy surged, Law Technique were unleashed in unison, hurtling towards the righteous faction.
An unexpected turn of events caused chaos throughout the venue.
The righteous disciples were both shocked and furious, and they all unleashed their Law Artifact to defend themselves.
"Protect the Dao Fruit!!"
"Stop the Devil Cultivator!!"
Shouts of battle instantly resounded throughout the main hall.
Just as the Xuanchen World-Destruction Pearl was about to strike Yuanchu Chu at the critical moment—
"Snort."
A cold snort rang out from the direction of the Ten Ancestral Vein True Spirit.
The one speaking was the most hot-tempered of the Southern Li Fire Essence True Spirit.
"How dare a mere demon act so presumptuously!"
Ten beams of light moved simultaneously.
No need for many words, the ten Ancestral Vein are of one mind.
Red, blue, yellow, white, black, purple, wind, darkness, star, and gray—the power of the ten colors of the earth veins instantly converged, condensing into a thick earth vein light shield in front of Yuanchu.
Bang!
The Xuanchen World-Destruction Pearl slammed heavily onto the light shield.
A deafening explosion rang out.
The shockwave swept in all directions, breaking the stone pillars of the palace inch by inch, and sending fragments of stone flying everywhere.
But the seemingly thin earth vein light shield remained completely still.
Moreover, a tremendous force rebounded from the light shield, flowing back to Yan Tianjin.
"Puff!"
Yan Tianjin shuddered, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and staggered back several steps.
The Xuanchen World-Destruction Pearl dimmed and flew back, several cracks appearing on its surface.
In a single move, Yan Tianjin defeat!
"This... how is this possible?!"
Yan Tianjin looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief.
The combined power of the ten Ancestral Vein is actually this strong?
That's not right!
Didn't the Dao Guardian say he would help him restrain the Ancestral Vein True Spirit?
Where are they?!
"Dao Guardian!!"
Yan Tianjin was both shocked and furious, and shouted angrily, "What are you waiting for?! Why aren't you making a move?!"
Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.
The righteous and demonic factions, who were engaged in a fierce battle, instinctively stopped.
Everyone was stunned.
Dao Guardian?
What did Yan Tianjin call the Dao Guardian for?
Could it be... that the Dao Guardian the Yan Tianjin?
Everyone turned to look at the Dao Guardian.
Several Dao Guardian slowly opened their eyes.
The elderly man with white hair at the head of the group had a furrowed brow, and his face, shrouded in a halo of light, was full of bewilderment and coldness.
He looked at Yan Tianjin, his voice calm yet authoritative:
Who are you calling?
Yan Tianjin was taken aback.
He looked at the Dao Guardian and saw that they all had calm expressions and clear eyes, showing no intention of helping.
The elderly man at the head of the group, in particular, had a scrutinizing and cold gaze; he showed absolutely no sign of cooperation.
"What's going on?" Yan Tianjin's heart skipped a beat. "Didn't you say..."
"What did you say?" The white-haired old man took a step forward, his Dao aura surging. "You said you'd help me interrupt the Return to the Origin? You said you'd help me seize the Dao Fruit?"
"Yan Tianjin, how dare you!"
"How dare they disrupt the Return to the Origin Ceremony and drag us, the Dao Guardian, into this mess! It's utterly unforgivable!!"
privately?
Yan Tianjin was completely dumbfounded.
What's the meaning?
Wasn't it the representative of the Dao Guardian who came to see him that night?
How did it become unauthorized?
"Impossible!" Yan Tianjin shouted angrily, "Three days ago, a Dao Guardian clearly came to me, saying he was willing to cooperate with me to stop Return to the Origin! He said he represented the Dao Guardian group!"
"Nonsense," the old man said coldly. "We act in accordance with the will of Heaven and Earth, and follow only the Dao Fruit to its Return to the Origin. How could we possibly collude with you demons?"
"But... but he was clearly wearing the robes of Dao Guardian, and he even exuded the aura of Dao Guardian!" Yan Tianjin, both anxious and furious. "He also said he would restrain the Ten Ancestral Vein!"
The old man fell silent.
He turned his head and glanced at his five companions beside him.
The other five Dao Guardian exchanged bewildered glances, their faces, bathed in the light, filled with confusion and doubt.
Clearly, they were unaware of it.
"Wrong..."
The old man muttered to himself, his Daoist aura rapidly circulating around him, as if he were investigating something.
A moment later, his expression changed slightly.
One person is missing.
What?
Everyone was taken aback.
Of the seven Dao Guardian, one is missing?
Li Yunjing's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately shouted, "Senior, one of the seven Dao Guardian has been sabotaged by the Immortal Realm Inspector! He's a traitor! He escaped in the chaos!"
"An Inspector of the Immortal Realm?" The white-haired old man suddenly looked at Li Yunjing. "How did you know?"
"My immortal Immortal Artifact has sensed the aura of the Immortal Realm," Li Yunjing declared loudly. "This traitor has likely already been bribed by the Immortal Venerable of the Upper Realm. He deliberately colluded with Yan Tianjin to sabotage the Return to the Origin Ceremony and prevent the Dao Realm from ascending!"
These words caused an uproar in the audience.
Immortal Realm Inspector?
Immortal Venerable of the Upper Realm?
Destruction Return to the Origin?
A barrage of information left everyone dizzy and disoriented.
The white-haired old man's face was extremely grim.
Among the Dao Guardian, there were traitors who colluded with evil spirits and sabotaged the Return to the Origin Ceremony.
This is a stain on the name of the Dao Guardian of the Way!
"Pass on the order," the old man's voice was icy cold, "Seal off the Burial Ground and conduct a full-scale manhunt for the traitor! He must be found alive or dead!"
"Yes, sir!"
The remaining five Dao Guardian responded in unison, and with a swift movement, they scattered to search for the culprits.
"Etc."
Li Yunjing quickly spoke up, "Senior, the Return to the Origin Ceremony cannot be interrupted. Now is the most crucial moment. If it stops, all previous efforts will be in vain. The rebels can be searched later, but the Return to the Origin cannot be stopped."
The old man paused, lost in thought.
Li Yunjing is right.
The Dao Fruit's will had already weakened halfway through the Return to the Origin. If it were forcibly stopped, the Dao Fruit would be severely damaged, or even shatter, resulting in even greater losses.
But rebellion still lurks in the shadows, watching with predatory intent.
If we continue to Return to the Origin, what if he comes out again to cause trouble...?
"Rest assured, senior." Li Yunjing seemed to see through his concerns and said in a deep voice, "The Five Aggregates Cauldron can strengthen the defenses. If the rebel dares to approach again, he will surely be detected. With the ten Ancestral Vein guarding the four directions and two Loose Immortal patrolling and keeping watch, the rebel cannot cause any trouble."
"The most urgent task is to first complete the Return to the Origin."
"Once the Return to the Origin is successful, the Dao Realm will be upgraded, and the Principle will be perfected. No matter how deeply a rebel is hidden, the Principle of heaven and earth will automatically expose them."