The scene of devastation left the members of the Lingzhen Sect speechless. Their eyes were wide, bloodshot, a mixture of rage and fear clouding their vision.
Meanwhile, Xu Qingsong erupted in thunderous laughter, tears almost streaming from his eyes. He taunted Wu Tian, "Aren't you supposed to be so powerful? How did you end up like this?"
"People like you are just asking for death. Did you really think you were so capable?"
"In the end, you still have to fall before me! Hahahaha..."
Xu Qingsong's laughter was piercingly sharp, but Wu Tian remained silent, looking at him. His current condition was dire. To withstand the previous attack, he had nearly exhausted all his spiritual energy. Launching another offensive seemed impossible. Despite his cautious approach to the enemy, he had underestimated the power of the Guardian Array. While it might not trap a ninth-level spirit cultivator, it was certainly a formidable challenge for an eighth-level one. For Wu Tian, who was only at the sixth level of spiritual energy, the situation was dire, bordering on or already completely out of control. He couldn't think of any suitable solution, his mind a chaotic mess with no coherent thoughts.
This predicament naturally made Gong Chunling even more anxious. Fearing for Wu Tian's safety, she quickly pleaded, "Xu Qingsong, don't harm Wu Tian!"
"If you hurt Wu Tian, I will absolutely not give you the position of Sect Master!"
Upon hearing Gong Chunling's words, Xu Qingsong showed no hesitation. Instead, he grinned menacingly and said, "What's this? Are you threatening me?"
"Are you out of your mind? At this point, what gives you the right to threaten me?"
"Do you really think I need your permission to become the Sect Master? You're thinking too highly of yourself!"
"I'm telling you, this guy must die here today!"
"I already warned him, but he didn't listen to me. Since that's the case, you can't blame me, can you?"
Hearing Xu Qingsong's heartless words, Gong Chunling's face filled with despair. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way. What could be done now? Could anyone stop Xu Qingsong?
Xu Qingsong harbored deep hatred for Wu Tian, and this was a crucial moment for his power grab. He needed to make an example of Wu Tian to solidify his position, or he feared he wouldn't be able to hold onto it in the future. Thus, he sneered, "You don't need to say anything more. The current situation is that I have won. None of you are qualified to negotiate with me. Everything must be according to my will!"
With that, Xu Qingsong turned his gaze back to Wu Tian and continued with a smile, "Kid, don't blame me for killing you. This isn't my fault; it's all your own doing."
"Who told you to be so blind and pick a fight with me?"
"If you have any last words, say them quickly. My patience is limited, and I don't have time to wait for you!"
Wu Tian simply watched Xu Qingsong, offering no reply. Wu Tian's calm gaze ignited a deep fury within Xu Qingsong. He had wanted to see Wu Tian beg for mercy, but Wu Tian's stubbornness was unbearable. He lost any desire to wait. "It seems you have nothing to say. Fine, I'll send you on your way now!"
With that, Xu Qingsong tightly grasped the array's core, and a blinding radiance emanated from it. Immediately, a concentrated beam of powerful light began to form directly above Wu Tian!
"Xu Qingsong! Don't do anything foolish!" Gong Chunling shouted again.
But Xu Qingsong was no longer listening. He controlled the array's core, continuously gathering energy. Suddenly, he roared, and the ball of light that had gathered above Wu Tian transformed into a pillar of light that struck downwards!
At that moment, everyone's pupils dilated. Wu Tian looked up at the pillar of light, his gaze becoming hazy. Was this... the end? He whispered in his heart, the physical and mental exhaustion causing him to instinctively close his eyes.
But just then, a figure emerged from the darkness! It was Su Qiannai! Su Qiannai looked at him with a mocking expression and sneered, "So this is all you're capable of. You've truly disappointed me!"
"A good-for-nothing like you will never defeat me, nor will you ever learn the secrets you seek."
"Die here. It makes no difference to me; you should have died long ago!"
A raging inferno ignited within Wu Tian's heart. At that moment, Wu Tian's eyes snapped open, filled with an uncontrollable fury!
"I cannot die here! I absolutely cannot die here!" he roared, his voice sounding like the roar of a dragon!
Hearing this sound, everyone's hearts trembled, and they even felt an urge to kneel before Wu Tian! But how could this be? Wu Tian was clearly a dying man, yet why was such a powerful aura erupting from him!
And then, something even more incredible happened. A golden dragon pattern appeared on Wu Tian's forehead, and the pillar of light that was attacking him vanished into nothingness!
"How can this be!" Seeing this, Xu Qingsong was terrified! This was inexplicable. Why, why did Wu Tian possess such immense power!
Wu Tian's gaze suddenly locked onto Xu Qingsong. Xu Qingsong felt as if his heart were being gripped by a pair of hands, ready to be crushed with the slightest pressure!
"Activate! Activate!" Xu Qingsong desperately clutched the array's core, trying to reactivate the Guardian Array's attack. But the core did not reactivate; instead, it began to tremble with a humming sound! It looked as if it were cowering before Wu Tian!
Simultaneously, the entire Guardian Array ceased to function. The light shield that had enveloped the mountaintop vanished completely! No one knew what had happened. They stared at Wu Tian with expressions of shock, as if looking at a monster!
Seeing that the array's core had lost its function, Xu Qingsong roared in panic, "Attack! Hurry and attack! Kill him!"
Those behind Xu Qingsong heard his command, but their faces were filled with terror, and not a single one dared to step forward. Wu Tian remained silent. He took a step forward, slowly walking towards Xu Qingsong. His steps were slow and heavy, like... a dragon ascending the throne!