World's Strongest Martial Warrior

He not only activated the sect's protective mountain formation but also summoned over 80% of the sect's experts to return.    

In an instant, the entire Danilo Lujan Sect braced itself for conflict. A grave and foreboding atmosphere permeated every nook and cranny.    

Within the sect's forbidden zone stood an ancient, blood-red hall. It was encircled by innumerable runes that glowed with a mysterious light, creating a protective barrier around the structure.    

Before the hall, a group of the sect's highest-ranking members, led by Xue Qiansha, waited with stern expressions.    

A silence so profound enveloped the area that the drop of a pin would have seemed thunderous. The tension was palpable, as if a tempest loomed on the horizon.    

"Sect Master, is the celestial event of the heavenly dog consuming the moon truly upon us tonight?" inquired a quasi-grand completion cultivator, his gaze lifted to the heavens, his voice laden with concern.    

The senior members of the Danilo Lujan Sect were well-versed in their history. Each occurrence of the heavenly dog devouring the moon brought inexplicable changes to the ancient divine artifact they revered in the great hall, exacting a steep toll on the sect.    

With the sect's Yuan energy already severely depleted, the prospect of the heavenly dog consuming the moon boded ill.    

"Do you think I'm jesting?" Danilo Lujan cast a sharp look at the quasi-Great Vehicle cultivator and commanded, "Issue the order. Should Xue Qiansha arrive at the Danilo Lujan Sect with his entourage, instruct them to open the mountain protection formation and grant them entry. They are to be unimpeded."    

The quasi-grand completion cultivator's shock was evident. "Sect Master, are you certain this is wise?"    

As the celestial dog and the moon made their presence known, the Danilo Lujan Sect braced themselves for the imminent upheaval within the blood-red hall.    

Xue Qiansha, the betrayer of Danilo Lujan, was the primary instigator behind the recent severe damage to the sect's vital energy. Should Xue Qiansha choose this moment to return to the sect, his intentions would undoubtedly be nefarious. It would be unwise to simply allow him to rejoin the ranks of the Danilo Lujan Sect.    

"I have my own strategy. There's no need for further discussion. Follow my instructions!" Danilo Lujan commanded, dismissing the matter with a wave of his hand.    

His gaze remained fixed on the unfolding scene in the blood-red hall and the empty sky above. In silence, he observed the celestial dog consuming the sun. Nightfall crept in slowly.    

A luminous full moon ascended from the horizon, casting a serene silver glow over the tranquil night. Time seemed to stand still.    

Suddenly, the sky underwent a peculiar transformation. The once unblemished full moon became shrouded by an influx of dark clouds, causing the bright moonlight to fade.    

"The Heavenly Dog Moon Eater is upon us..." Danilo Lujan murmured, his pupils contracting at the sight of this change.    

In an instant, the dark clouds coalesced into a massive shadowy form. It resembled a black celestial dog that opened its jaws wide to engulf the full moon.    

"Everyone, the event of the celestial dog devouring the moon has begun. Our sect's records indicate that this event will last as long as an incense stick takes to burn. We must defend the main hall for the duration of this time. Not even a fly must be allowed to escape!" Danilo Lujan announced, his voice icy and authoritative.    

A powerful surge of blood-red energy erupted from him, enveloping the area in darkness and painting it with a sinister hue.    

Simultaneously, a mysterious energy began to pulse from within the walls of the vast, blood-colored hall.    

Moments later, an unfathomable force burst forth from within the crimson hall. It slammed against the protective barrier, warping the intricate symbols etched into its walls.    

"Everyone, attack together! Strengthen the barrier!" Danilo Lujan's face tensed as he issued the command in a grave tone.    

He had designed the formation of the blood-red palace specifically to contain the devils, harnessing the power of an ancient divine artifact to keep them at bay. Should the formation fail, the devil would likely shatter the artifact's seal and wreak havoc upon the world.    

Without a second thought, Danilo Lujan channeled his immense true essence into a beam of sanguine light, bolstering the formation encircling the palace.    

In unison, more than a dozen quasi-Great Perfection cultivators from the Danilo Lujan Sect unleashed their attacks.    

"Boom, boom, boom..."    

With the surge of True Yuan and magical energy, the formation around the hall began to regain its stability.    

But this reprieve was short-lived.    

As the hall continued to emit waves of terrifying energy, it became clear that even Danilo Lujan and his allies were reaching their limits. The complexions of several quasi-great flight cultivators from the sect grew ashen.    

"What kind of being is trapped within that ancient divine artifact? It's unimaginably powerful," Danilo Lujan thought, his heart pounding with shock and anger.    

At this rate, they were on the brink of collapse, with no hope of enduring even for the brief duration it takes an incense stick to burn.    

Taking a deep breath, Danilo Lujan's voice, laced with alarm and rage, echoed through the heavens. "Xue Yuntian, what are you waiting for? If you don't act now, we'll all be doomed once the sealed devil strikes."    

As his cry dissipated, a bizarre spatial ripple spread through the sky and earth.    

Suddenly, the figure of Blood Cloud Sky materialized before Danilo Lujan as if from nowhere.    

He looked up at the crimson hall, swiftly formed a blood seal with his hands, and launched his assault on the beleaguered structure.    

Xue Yuntian's presence had undergone a transformation as stark as night and day compared to just half a month prior. He had fully regained his strength, reaching the late stage of the Mahayana Realm, and now stood on equal footing with Danilo Lujan.    

The arrival of Blood Cloud Sky had once again brought stability to the situation.    

Witnessing this turn of events, Danilo Lujan allowed himself a moment of relief.    

The celestial event known as the Heavenly Dog Swallowing the Moon was fleeting, lasting no longer than the time it takes an incense stick to burn.    

Once this period passed, the essence of the moon reemerged. The ancient divine artifact was ready to subdue the devil anew.    

Together, Danilo Lujan and Blood Cloud Sky leaned on the protective array surrounding the blood-hued hall, confident they could withstand the onslaught for the duration of an incense stick's burn. It seemed manageable.    

However, Blood Cloud Sky, perceptive of Danilo Lujan's thoughts, cast a cautionary glance his way. "Don't let your guard down. If that devil were truly so simple to quell, why would you, Danilo Lujan, have paid such a steep price every time the heavenly dog devours the moon?"