C1366 Release the Word!
C1366 Release the Word!
The Elemental Spirit Sect's grand protective shield quivered slightly under the impact. Bang! Bang! Bang! On the outskirts, several buildings were violently shaken, bursting apart from the force. Inside, the entire region seemed to sway, unsettling those with weaker cultivation bases who lost their footing and tumbled to the ground. A wave of panic swept through the crowd as fear permeated the Elemental Spirit Sect.
To the casual observer, the sect's grand protective array appeared to have withstood the blow unscathed—no damage, not even a crack. It had merely trembled for a moment, seemingly no cause for alarm. Yet, this was no small feat; the shield encompassed the vast expanse of the Elemental Spirit Sect. As one of the Six Great Overlords, the sect boasted over a hundred thousand members, including disciples, deacons, elders, and martial artists, not to mention the numerous servants and attendants, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. The area under the sect's care rivaled that of a large city.
To have such an impact on such a vast area, even with the majority of the force absorbed by the protective shield, one could only imagine the true might behind that punch. Without the sect's protective array, that black fist imprint would have obliterated nearly half of the Elemental Spirit Sect—a testament to the terrifying power of a peak Emperor Level contender.
The many Emperor Level leaders of the Elemental Spirit Sect turned ashen, their fear no longer concealable. They instinctively drew closer to Master Elemental Spirit, seeking refuge. Only the presence of the old ancestor, Elemental Spirit, himself a peak Emperor Level force, along with the grand protective array, could offer them a semblance of safety.
Master Elemental Spirit maintained a composed demeanor, providing a measure of reassurance to the anxious upper echelons. Little did they know, this calm was but a façade. As the patriarch of the sect, the grand protective array was indeed under his command.
Within the confines of the sect, he could leverage his own power to maximize the potential of the sect's protective array.
This very reason allowed him to acutely sense the formidable power behind that punch.
"At the peak of his Emperor Level strength in his prime, I, an elder, cannot compare!"
Elemental Spirit inwardly lamented.
He had to strategically dodge that punch.
Yet, the one who delivered it appeared unfazed, with a healthy glow and steady breathing, clearly ready to continue.
In a direct confrontation, he was almost certain he would be no match for his opponent.
Thankfully, they had the sect's protective array.
This array was among the most elite of the High-grade Emperor Level defenses.
And with him, a peak Emperor Level, at the helm, even two more of his caliber would be held at bay.
But still...
Elemental Spirit's gaze swept over Lin Xuan on the deck, his eyes clouded with concern.
He hadn't made his move yet.
Was he truly just on par with a peak Emperor Level?
Initially, despite the Elemental Spirit Sect's significant losses and lack of offensive capability, their defenses were solid.
Even if the Devil Cloud Sect launched a full-scale assault, they could hold their ground long enough to await reinforcements from the other major powers.
The Devil Cloud Sect wouldn't risk mobilizing their entire force, leaving their formidable protective array unguarded. Combined, the five great powers could dare to engage in battle and inflict substantial losses on the Devil Cloud Sect.
Yet, they hadn't anticipated facing a situation like today's.
These two had arrived too swiftly.
The other powers wouldn't be able to assist in time.
More daunting still was the one who hadn't yet acted—if he was as Elemental Spirit suspected.
Even with reinforcements, it might be futile.
Elemental Spirit's attention gradually moved from the Martial Puppet to Lin Xuan.
While the Martial Puppet was strong, it was still within manageable limits.
It posed no threat to them.
But this individual was a different story.
Since the Martial Puppet had failed to achieve anything, it was time for him to take action.
Elemental Spirit squinted, his demeanor grave.
Outside the shield.
The Martial Puppet gazed down at those below—once his equals and some who had surpassed him—now looking upon him with sheer terror.
They couldn't even muster the courage to meet his gaze, their hearts brimming with satisfaction. Yet, he was acutely aware of who was responsible for their current state. He restrained himself from acting too boldly.
Without delay, he turned to Lin Xuan and offered an apologetic bow.
"Young master, I have failed to penetrate this formidable shell."
"You may step back," Lin Xuan said, gesturing dismissively.
The Martial Puppet rose and withdrew to stand behind Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan had anticipated that the Martial Puppet would not succeed in breaching the protective barrier. It would have been surprising if it had. The test was merely to gauge the barrier's strength. Lin Xuan could already estimate its general tier; breaching it would be a trivial task for him. However, having once been sheltered by the Elemental Spirit Sect, he was reluctant to destroy it.
His vision of unifying the continent remained unchanged. Lin Xuan was the first to reach the Elemental Spirit Sect, intending to use it as a springboard to deter other powers. This would not only intimidate rivals but also potentially benefit the Elemental Spirit Sect.
To bring the Elemental Spirit Sect to heel, the protective barrier must be shattered. Only by dismantling their strongest defense could he compel the surrender of the Elemental Spirit Sect, one of the Six Great Overlords.
Yet, Lin Xuan preferred a less aggressive approach. A forceful destruction could annihilate many of the sect's warriors, which contradicted his purpose for coming. If such was his intent, he might as well have targeted the Devil Cloud Sect.
Lin Xuan's goal was to preserve the Elemental Spirit Sect while ensuring its capitulation. He had sent the Martial Puppet to test the barrier's might, to calibrate the force needed for his intervention. Now, with the results from the Puppet's attempt, Lin Xuan had a precise assessment.
There was no reason to procrastinate. His demeanor grew stern as he addressed the sect.
"This sect's protective array is commendable, yet it lacks a certain finesse," Lin Xuan declared. "Should you choose not to surrender after I dismantle this array, do not fault me for the consequences."
Lin Xuan uttered a few more sentences.
His icy voice pierced through the protective shield, resonating in the ears of everyone within the Elemental Spirit Sect.
It seemed as though he could shatter their grand protective array with a mere flick of his wrist.
Below, a wave of commotion swept through the crowd.
But it was swiftly quelled by the imposing presence of the Elemental Spirit.
Quietude was restored.
"If you can breach the grand protective array of the Elemental Spirit Sect unscathed, then my sect will concede and submit to your command," declared the patriarch after a moment of silence, his voice grave.
"Ancestor, this could end the lineage of our Elemental Spirit Sect!"
"Ancestor, please reconsider!"
"…"
The senior members of the Elemental Spirit Sect, standing behind him, had their faces cloud over with concern as they quickly interjected, urging him to reconsider.
Their deep-seated affection for the sect, cultivated over decades and even centuries, made the thought of its dissolution unbearable.
"I am well aware of these concerns," the patriarch responded, shaking his head, a look of anguish on his face.
"Yet, if we refuse and provoke our adversary, the repercussions could be dire."