"Long before Guangchen descended the mountain, I had already tried it. That was my last peak state."
Chenyinzi calmly stated the facts, showing his partners the future where he could no longer progress: "I failed. I am still far from it... ’Daoist Palace Pure Yang’ requires using one’s enlightenment of the Great Dao to construct a perfect Heaven and Earth Dao Court. I, as Pure Yang, represent Heaven’s Will, Earth, and Netherworld, overseeing all things and controlling the Milo Circulation."
"What cannot be done simply cannot be done. Without becoming a Divine Mandate or receiving the blessings of Heaven and Earth, forcibly trying to control everything with a narrow self and independent Dao, the end result is just like me now — my Lifebound is shattered, which is already a blessing in the midst of misfortune."
With a wave of his hand, Chenyinzi’s clothes were restored to their pristine state. He looked at the three in front of him who were silent, their expressions filled with regret and pity, and instead, he laughed freely: "I have already failed, there is no more chance. I cannot see myself clearly, I... am not as obsessed as you."
"Perhaps it is because my life has been too smooth and too perfect... whether it’s my disciples or grand-disciples, I may have been destined never to break through, not to take all fortunes."
"To pass away might not be a bad choice."
Just as the True Lords of Mingguang Peak made their move.
Surrounding the forests of Mingguang Peak, everyone sensed the fluctuation of energy at that moment.
"Did the ancestors make a move?"
Being the strongest, Mou Yunying was the first to discover it and even sensed his grandmaster’s aura: "Sure enough, someone wants to invade Mingguang Peak... this is a trap, but they have to jump in!"
If they didn’t jump, there would be no future opportunities. For those forces, a few deaths meant nothing; moreover, deceased persons themselves represent intelligence; knowing nothing is the truly unacceptable.
The other true disciples also noticed this. The scene everyone had anticipated did not slow their pace in eliminating demons; instead, their progress accelerated!
In less than a day, more than half of the demonized tree-men around Mingguang Peak had been eradicated.
In terms of numbers, Mi Xinghan led. He was a true master of Magic Martial, each gesture embodied both martial arts and powerful arts of magic. He excelled in borrowing from heaven and earth, and was particularly adept at ’Heavenly Flame,’ ’Moonfall,’ and ’Star Blade.’ Under his control, the sun, moon, and stars shone together, unleashing wide-range attacks like the ever-flowing Yangtze River, rendering all demonized tree-men (and ordinary trees) unable to escape.
Seeing Mi Xinghan’s serious performance, the other true disciples also began utilizing their most proficient techniques.
Shi Liang donned his armor, activated various breathing techniques, and elevated his power, defense, and Spiritual Fiend’s cycle speed to the extreme. Leading his team like an army of chariots, they destroyed all demonized tree-men with devastating force.
Although Luo Qinghui’s talismans were expensive, her use of them was incredibly refined: with just one ’Sharp Blade Talisman,’ she could achieve multiple effects. An ordinary Spirit Evil Magic Sword, under the talisman’s amplified effect, turned into an invincible Divine Weapon, easily slicing through all enemies.
Bai Luo’s speed was relatively slow, but he never intended to come first. He methodically set up arrays, ensuring the evil demons could not return.
Zuo Tiannan and Mou Yunying’s combat techniques needed no words: one was swift, the other strong.
The only unique one was Yue Yunhe: with a wave of his arm, he summoned hundreds of plant spirits. Under his command, a vast forest army drove away the demonized tree-men from their homes, looking less like a demon purge and more like a war campaign!
And what were An Jing and others doing?
As they advanced, the other true disciples were quite curious about An Jing’s actions, so they each used methods to observe An Jing’s direction.
—— They were still building fortifications!
This sight stunned everyone. In just half a day, An Jing and his team had set up nearly a hundred towers, countless detection arrays, and small early-warning devices. Those who understood knew it was An Jing’s emphasis on stability; those uninformed thought he was deforesting the area to turn it into a fortress zone!
Unbothered by the curious glances from others, An Jing remained indifferent.
This is our Mingguang Peak, an immovable fortress, how intriguing!
—— I know Heavenly Demon, you’re anxious, but don’t be. Let’s engage in a stalwart defense lasting more than three days and nights!
Despite demonized tree-men aiming at An Jing, trying every means to contact him, An Jing’s city-building skills were deeply rooted. As long as the fortress was laid successfully, those tree-men could never breach the layers of towers to reach An Jing.
Seeing this, even Mi Xinghan was taken aback for a moment — he thought this was An Jing’s combat trait and wondered how to counter it in their first magical combat.
Because, seeing that he couldn’t surpass Mi Xinghan at normal speed, Mou Yunying didn’t hesitate for an instant and directly threw out an Elixir Bottle.
In a flash, more than ten pill-shadow clones formed and rushed out like fierce tigers, swarming towards all the demonized tree-men in all directions!
—— As long as you are willing to spend money, an alchemy cultivator’s combat potential is limitless!
Mou Yunying instantly surpassed Mi Xinghan’s speed of exterminating the demonized tree-men. Upon seeing this, Mi Xinghan quickly continued his efforts, but ultimately could not withstand Mou Yunying’s money-burning method.
"Damn it, you refined those elixirs with my money!"
In the end, surpassed by Mou Yunying, he could only rage futilely: "This means I’m the winner too!"
"Then consider it your win, Mi."
Finally, in less than a day, the thousands of demonized tree-men around Mingguang Peak were completely eradicated. Though some remnants likely escaped, facing the increasingly fortified Mingguang Peak, their fate was undoubtedly death.
Mou Yunying alone eliminated over seven hundred demonized tree-men, and directly destroyed five Great Demon Spirits singlehandedly!
Such an achievement undeniably placed him in first.
"An, it seems I am the first to challenge you."
Returning to Mingguang Peak, atop the performance stage, Mou Yunying spiritedly issued a challenge to An Jing: "Is it now, or tomorrow?"
Studying his opponent, curious about Mou Yunying’s methods, An Jing nodded and made a gesture of invitation.
"Please, show me!" Mou Yunying’s eyes lit up as he stepped forward to begin the challenge.
Then, within ten breaths, he was knocked down twice.