Rumble…
A booming sound tore through the sky, causing everyone to look up in alarm, their eyes filled with shock.
Above the Purgatory, a colossal dragon formed from lightning surged towards Lu Fan, its presence terrifying. Everywhere it passed, it left behind crackling energy, instilling fear in their hearts.
Within Lion Peak, the other assassins retreated, unable to even look directly, their eyes wide with fear. They had never encountered such a terrifying celestial power, and their hearts were filled with dread.
"Quick, leave this place! The final blow of the Nine Dragon Lightning Tribulation is too fearsome. Don't be caught by the residual energy, or you might lose your lives!" Jian Bei warned, his figure moving to another peak. Even he dared not get involved carelessly. Such immense lightning power would likely spell his doom if he tried to withstand it.
Peony leaped, a sense of despair settling in. He didn't wish for Lu Fan to meet his end, but it seemed unlikely he would survive. If even Jian Bei was retreating, it was easy to imagine the strength of this lightning.
The old village chief felt a profound tension. He had a feeling a miracle would occur and had been anticipating it, hoping Lu Fan could withstand the Nine Dragon Lightning Tribulation and be reborn.
Rumble…
Rumble…
Rumble…
A vast sea of lightning surged downwards. The entire Purgatory was instantly reduced to ruins, the very rubble crackling with intermingled lightning, a terrifying sight. Even the residual energy alone could have killed a saint.
As the smoke cleared, everyone looked towards the Purgatory, but they found no one. A wave of helplessness and a strange sadness washed over them.
They had believed the Assassin Dynasty was about to produce an unparalleled killer, only for him to perish in the lightning tribulation.
"Everyone is dead?"
Seeing the scene before him, Bai Mian Shu Sheng's lips curved into a smile. This was the outcome he most desired, and it had actually come to pass. With no one surviving this Purgatory trial, the sect leader would not be able to take in a new disciple, and his own position would be secure.
"Are they really dead?"
Peony gazed at the ruins, finding it hard to believe. Perhaps there was still hope. However, within the rubble, nothing was visible except for the ashes of numerous bodies.
"How could anyone survive such a powerful lightning tribulation!"
Gui Ying shook his head. "Even Master might not have been able to emerge alive. It's already a remarkable feat that he lasted until the final moment!"
Peony found it difficult to accept but had no choice. He truly didn't want Lu Fan to die, but fate had decreed it so. The more exceptional one was, the more jealous the heavenly dao became.
"In the end, he couldn't hold on!"
Jian Bei shook his head. "I originally intended to take him as my disciple, but now it seems there's no opportunity!" Su Dan Novel Network.
"Master, rest assured, even without a fourth disciple, we will handle things," Bai Mian Shu Sheng said with a smile. "Hundreds of Saint Assassins have died, and not a single one has survived. For Lion Peak, this is a significant loss, and we cannot afford a second such loss!"
"Are you saying my final disciple need not be chosen?"
Jian Bei narrowed his eyes. "When did you become the one in charge of Lion Peak?"
"This disciple wouldn't dare!"
Bai Mian Shu Sheng quickly clasped his fists, his face paling. He hadn't expected Jian Bei to say that, and it filled him with apprehension. He felt a pressure that made him inexplicably wary.
"It's best that you don't dare. I know you have your sights set on the position of Sect Leader, but don't overstep your bounds, or your end will be nothing but death!" Jian Bei's voice was cold.
"This disciple understands!"
Bai Mian Shu Sheng nodded slightly, a tremor running through him. Jian Bei had seen through everything, which was not a good sign and could potentially affect his chances of becoming the next Sect Leader.
"Senior Brother Bai Mian, Master doesn't mean anything else by it. Please don't overthink it," Gui Ying said with a faint smile. "We certainly won't compete with you for the Sect Leader position!"
"Junior Brother Gui Ying speaks jokingly. As the saying goes, the capable should take it. I don't really care about such matters," Bai Mian Shu Sheng shrugged.
"Truly saying one thing and meaning another!"
Peony shook his head, his words lacking any pretense.
Hearing this, Bai Mian Shu Sheng's face turned ashen, especially with Peony's blunt remark, which displeased him.
"Alright, alright, no matter what, you are all fellow disciples. Stop bickering here!"
Jian Bei waved his hand. "I am a bit tired. As for the matter of the final disciple, let's put it aside for now!"
He felt quite helpless. He had wanted to select a final disciple and had placed great importance on Lu Fan. Unfortunately, Lu Fan had perished in the lightning tribulation, leaving him with no choice. Otherwise, Lu Fan would have been his clear pick.
"There's still a faint aura within the Purgatory. Although it's weak, someone must still be alive!"
The old village chief's voice suddenly rang out, and he clasped his fists towards Jian Bei. "I implore the Sect Leader to open the Purgatory's barrier!"
Following his words, everyone looked towards the Purgatory and cast their divine senses. They did indeed detect a faint aura.
"What's going on? Why didn't we sense it earlier?" Peony asked in surprise. "Could that kid not be dead?"
"He must be!" Gui Ying exclaimed excitedly. "He's definitely still alive!"
Jian Bei also looked perplexed. He directly opened the barrier and stepped into the Purgatory. If Lu Fan was still alive, he would definitely take him as his final disciple and treat him as his own. Such an exceptionally talented individual would be a great fortune for the entire Assassin Dynasty.
Indeed, after a thorough search, they finally found a figure lying in a corner of the ruins. Although unconscious, everyone could see it was Lu Fan, and he still had a faint pulse.
"This kid is truly clever. He deliberately concealed his aura earlier and evaded the pursuit of the heavenly power!"
Jian Bei was overjoyed, finally realizing that such a peerless prodigy would never be easily spared by the heavens. Lu Fan's actions were quite astute.
"Quick, quickly take him back to recuperate!" Peony urged.
"Cough, cough… You've changed quite a bit. You weren't like this before," Gui Ying said softly. "Could it be you've genuinely taken a liking to him?"
"Don't spout nonsense. I simply believe he has exceptional talent, and in the future, he will become Master's final disciple, making him my junior brother. Naturally, I should treat him well, or wouldn't that be improper!"