74 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

"It seems that no matter what, you're not willing to settle this peacefully..." Swen Guang, with no way out, completely tore off the facade as his rage made him resemble a frenzied tiger. "Wei Tong! You old fossil. I have no grudge with you. Even if you seize my Shandu land, how long do you think you can enjoy it? Come, let's settle this today. Do you dare?" "Why wouldn't I dare!" Wei Laozu retorted without backing down, leaping forward. The confrontation between the two Golden Core cultivators seemed imminent. The cultivators on the giant beasts were extremely excited, as witnessing such a rare battle was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for lower-level cultivators. "There's no need to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut!" Suddenly, a young cultivator stepped forward from the crowd, offering a bow to Wei Laozu. "Senior Wei, with your esteemed status, there's no need to handle this personally. Please take a seat and watch as Huo Hu exterminates this beast." The young cultivator, having reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, had a rugged appearance with bulging muscles. He was wearing the classic mottled skirt of a Beast Master sect disciple, accompanied by a second-rank fierce tiger enveloped in flames. Together, man and beast stood amidst the clouds with an intimidating aura that soared skyward. "Excellent!" Swen Guang was infuriated to the point of laughter for being underestimated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. "I'll use you as my sacrificial flag first then!" A hint of mockery flashed past Wei Laozu's mouth. "Since the worthy nephew from the Huo family wishes to strike, I will assist from the sidelines." He placed great confidence in Hu Hu's strength, looking at Swen Guang as if he was already a dead man. "I heard your Shandu sect boasts Five Tigers among its Foundation Establishment cultivators. Today, I'll kill you first, then flay those others to see who's the real tiger." Huo Hu showed no fear while facing the higher-level cultivator. As soon as he finished his words, he slapped his tiger and charged in, opting for a close-combat approach. "Such audacity!" Although the opponent was only in the late Foundation Establishment stage, the Beast Master sect's techniques were peculiar, allowing coordinated attacks with spiritual beasts, making them not to be underestimated. Swen Guang dared not be complacent. He raised his hand, casting a tangible light shield for defense. Then, with a roar, his life-bound shadow emerged behind him—a ring-like magical artifact flashing blinding white light, unleashing terrifying spiritual power in all directions. The spirit beasts in the military formation were forced into submission by the spiritual pressure, retreating regardless of the beast-controlling cultivators' demands. What terrifying spiritual pressure! Even while embedded within the palace formation of the Silverback Ray, Qi Xiu felt a dread emanating from deep within his spirit. Outside the palace, the cultivators fared worse, many toppling over in defeat. Those with slightly higher cultivation quickly sat down to meditate and resist, while lower-level cultivators like Huang He and Pan Rong bled all over, suffering internal injuries. Closest to Swen Guang, Huo Hu was entirely soaked in blood after enduring the light's wash over him and his tiger. On the brink of collapse, he roared, "Five Tigers Break the Gate!" His life-bound shadow materialized into a massive flaming tiger. In his left hand, he cast a talisman, while his right manifested a tiger-head weapon, both extraordinary items. With the unity of man and tiger, the tiger's momentum surged. The life-bound tiger's shadow, spirit tiger talisman, weapon-tiger transformation—together, these five forms transformed into five sky-scorching tigers. Instantly accelerating, they sliced through Swen Guang's innate light and defensive shield like tofu. Like meteors of descending fire, they simultaneously struck Swen Guang, producing a tremendous explosion and fire mushroom cloud. The shockwaves scattered all directions, throwing nearby cultivators and spirit beasts into disarray. "What the—!" The burly Foundation Establishment cultivator's face changed color. "Where's Swen Guang!? I can't sense his presence anymore!" Swen Guang, unable even to utter a word, fell at the hands of Huo Hu’s terrifying technique. Known as the formidable Golden Core for centuries, he failed to withstand even a single move from a late-stage Foundation Establishment Beast Master, perishing instantaneously. As the fire cloud dissipated, Huo Hu stood bloody and triumphant, laughing maniacally, with the spirit tiger beside him lifeless. As for Swen Guang... he had been obliterated, not a scrap remaining. Only a few of his personal treasures, now mere scrap metal, fell to the earth as a testament to his once existence. Countless cultivators and spirit beasts were left in stunned silence, unable to recover from the immense shock. Over the entire Shandu plateau, only Huo Hu's wild laughter echoed, terrifyingly potent and awe-inspiring. "Five Tigers Break the Gate! Such a move!" Qi Xiu's innate talent for inner clarity activated, bringing him to his senses sooner than others. If defeating a late Foundation Establishment while being at the second level of Qi Refinement was a miracle for Gu Ji, then Huo Hu's feat of slaying a Golden Core cultivator was nothing short of mythic! "Master! We avenge you!" Just then, five Foundation Establishment cultivators burst from the mountain formation, crying out as they lunged toward where Huo Hu stood. Swen Tai was among them. Wei Laozu wouldn't allow their success. With a swift motion, he retrieved the now incapacitated Huo Hu. With Swen Guang deceased, the Shandu Sect was doomed. Swen Tai and his companions, failing to exact revenge, could only retreat into their mountain defense formation, preparing for a last-stand fight. "Everyone, listen up!" Wei Laozu, entrusting Huo Hu to his disciples for care, lifted his hand high, commanding the attention of thousands of cultivators present. "Attack the mountain gate, begin immediately! Strike with all your might. Once the gate breaks, anything of the Shandu sect is yours for the taking!" With the order from a Golden Core elder, who could object? And with the promise of great rewards, the cultivators quickly shook off their shock, launching a barrage of magical tools and spells upon the protective light shield. It began to tremble violently, teetering on the brink of collapse. Qi Xiu emerged from the palace to join Zhang Shishi and others, positioning themselves beside the Silverback Ray, alongside the gusts of black wind from He Feng's banner and icy spikes from He Yu, contributing their meager strength. "Don't hold back! Once the barrier breaks, there will be plenty of benefits for everyone!" Zhao Liangde encouraged as he cast spells, casting a sidelong glance at the burly Foundation Establishment cultivator, who was putting on a show, making half-hearted efforts. "Heh…" The bulky cultivator offered a sheepish grin, increasing his attack frequency but still putting only partial effort into it. Other cultivators, observing his behavior, quickly caught on, no longer attacking with full force, saving their energy for when they would storm the mountain and seize treasures. With the principle of not punishing the masses, Zhao Liangde was frustrated but helpless. However, with thousands assaulting, they didn't lack the firepower needed. Shandu Sect's foundation was not deep. Its protective formation was weaker than the Ten Directions Wind and Fire Primordial Return Formation of Chu Qin Mountain in its day. It couldn't withstand such an assault for long. Despite the continuous activation by the so-called Shandu Five Tigers Foundation Establishment cultivators and the river-like flow of high-level spirit stones, within half an incense stick's time, the formation was left riddled with breaches, ready to crumble any moment. Some brave cultivators were already dashing to the edge of the shield, eagerly poised. Those on Zhao Liangde's Silverback Ray were just as anxious, watching the barrier's dimming glow, ready to rush in for a windfall once it broke. The resistance from Shandu sect cultivators was almost negligible in front of their massive lineup, with danger greatly reduced, hardly worth consideration. Suddenly, a transmission beast flew to the Silverback Ray's prow. A Beast Master sect cultivator shouted from above, "Instruction from Wei Laozu! Zhao Liangde's unit is to reposition to the southeast of Shandu Sect, guard the border, and intercept fleeing cultivators!" "What!" The burly cultivator protested, jumping up, "Why kick us out right before the main event?" The messenger cultivator dismissively glanced at him, replying, "Any opinions, take them up with our elder yourself!" Those words left the bulky cultivator speechless, lacking the courage to act foolishly like he had with Zhao Liangde before a Golden Core elder. Zhao Liangde's expression was grim, unable to fathom why this dirty job fell on them, but he couldn't defy his teacher’s command. He ordered the Silverback Ray to head southeast. Just as their group’s view was about to lose sight of Shandu Mountain, the protective barrier let out a final wail. The shield shattered like a bubble, letting a swarm of spirit beasts and cultivators flood in, hungry for the spoils of a bloody feast.