C1387 Intimidating
C1387 Intimidating
The residual force bore down on him relentlessly. His defenses were futile. The next moment, Wei Zhengzhen was sent hurtling backward, as if he were mere refuse. He finally came to a halt when he crashed into the protective shield of the light yellow Emperor Level Flying Ship, leaving it spider-webbed with cracks before he slumped to the ground.
The others, merely jostled by the shockwave, stumbled backward but sustained no serious harm. They watched the scene unfold with a mix of astonishment and horror. None could have imagined that the Grand Elder of the East Saint Sect, a peak Emperor Level force, would be so easily toppled.
Was this the same Grand Elder Wei Zhengzhen, the near-invincible presence of the Dongyuan Continent?
After spitting out a few mouthfuls of blood, Wei Zhengzhen managed to rise to his feet. He felt his Vitality shaken but not critically wounded. A pronounced palm print swelled on his right cheek—a testament to the fact that the previous attack was merely a slap. Yet, even that slap was more than he could bear. The memory of his helplessness filled him with a growing sense of dread and fear.
Initially, Wei Zhengzhen hadn't taken Lin Xuan very seriously, despite the whispers he'd heard from Zhou Yu Xin and the undercover agents within the Elemental Spirit Sect. He suspected that Lin Xuan's power stemmed from some unique trick rather than genuine strength. After all, since the Middle Ages, the highest level documented was the peak of Emperor Level.
His presence here was a strategic choice, influenced by the Sect Seniors' consensus that it was better to have more strength than needed, just in case. Upon encountering Lin Xuan, Wei Zhengzhen's habitual arrogance surfaced, showing no hint of respect. He had the credentials, after all, having bested many at his level and standing as one of the Dongyuan Continent's top Emperor Level figures.
But this time, his arrogance had led to a grave miscalculation. Lin Xuan was every bit as formidable as the rumors had suggested.
He was sent flying with a slap, unable to muster any resistance.
Clearly, Lin Xuan hadn't tapped into his full power; otherwise, it wouldn't have been just a slap.
"Senior, your strike was well-deserved. The fault is mine; please grant me your forgiveness!"
Wei Zhengzhen shed his previous arrogance, reverting to a humility he hadn't shown in years, and spoke with deep respect.
The pride he once valued so highly now seemed insignificant.
When faced with the threat to his life, everything else paled in comparison.
The rest of the East Saint Sect's seniors, witnessing this, were also struck with fear and trembling.
For an Emperor Level Martial Cultivator, such a distance posed no challenge to their sight.
The leaders aboard the other three powers' Flying Ships saw the scene with crystal clarity.
Wei Zhengzhen, the strongest among them, had been effortlessly sent flying by Lin Xuan's slap, utterly defenseless.
They were profoundly shaken.
Despite prior confirmations, seeing it firsthand still delivered a staggering blow of shock and dread.
If even Wei Zhengzhen could not withstand Lin Xuan, none of them dared claim they could best him, let alone stand against Lin Xuan.
They quickly came to a resolution.
First, they deactivated the protective shield of their Emperor Level Flying Ships.
Though the shield offered a semblance of safety, it was virtually useless against Lin Xuan.
Worse, it might give Lin Xuan the impression they intended to resist, which could prove perilous.
Retreat was the wiser option.
Then, bowing deeply, they said with utmost respect,
"Purple Mountain of the Purple Cauldron Sect, along with our disciples, humbly greets the Senior. Should you have any commands, we shall spare no effort to fulfill them!"
"Cang Shuiyue of the Canglan Sect, with our disciples, humbly greets the Senior..."
"Yang Kaiyu of the Thunder Yang Pavilion..."
Their voices echoed far and wide.
It was evident that Lin Xuan's slap had struck fear into their hearts.
They all voluntarily submitted.
Lin Xuan surveyed the crowd and gave a slight nod.
Indeed, making an example had its intended effect.
"Though death may be avoided, punishment cannot be escaped. When the Devil Cloud Sect's protective grand array is breached, you, leading the East Saint Sect, will be the first to charge in."
Your mission is to at least eliminate a peak Emperor Level member of the Devil Cloud Sect, or three level 9 Emperor Level combatants. Don't tell me you're incapable of even this?"
Lin Xuan withdrew his gaze, his voice dropping coldly.
"Yes, Senior. I will certainly fulfill the mission!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhengzhen's body trembled slightly, and he hastily assured.
The sect-protecting grand array of the Devil Cloud Sect was their ultimate defense and assurance. It was evidently more formidable than the defenses of the other five major powers, such as the East Saint Sect. It was a mystery how they had acquired it.
Aside from the grand array, the inherent strength of the Devil Cloud Sect wasn't significantly greater than that of the five major powers.
Without this potent protective formation, during the previous Demon Aura Encirclement, the five forces might have had the opportunity to inflict severe damage on, or even annihilate, the Devil Cloud Sect.
Should the sect-protecting grand array of the Devil Cloud Sect be breached, it would undoubtedly trigger widespread panic and a mass exodus.
There's truth to the adage that desperate soldiers will prevail.
In matters of life and death, people are often capable of surpassing their normal limits.
At such a time, the dangers of sending in a contingent of East Saint Sect warriors are readily apparent.
The likelihood of substantial casualties and numerous deaths was high.
Yet, these thoughts merely flickered through Wei Zhengzhen's mind before he dismissed them.
His own life was at stake.
In his view, nothing was more important than securing Lin Xuan's forgiveness and preserving his life.
He was prepared to sacrifice the entire elite force of the East Saint Sect if necessary.
Wei Zhengzhen agreed without hesitation.
Whether Lin Xuan could penetrate the Devil Cloud Sect's protective formation was no longer his concern.
He couldn't afford to think that far ahead.
That would be a bridge to cross when he came to it.
Lin Xuan, seeing Wei Zhengzhen's understanding, lost the inclination to pursue the matter further.
His presence here was primarily to subdue the teams from the four major forces.
Indeed, upon his arrival, he had immediately seen through the protective barrier of the Devil Cloud Sect.
They had six peak Emperor Level members, with double digits in the late period of the Emperor Level.
The number of Early Period and Middle stage Emperor Level cultivators was even greater.
The Devil Cloud Sect's power was indeed deeply concealed, significantly surpassing the other five major forces in strength.
Yet, when measured against the titans of the Central Essence Continent, it fell somewhat short.
Take Jade Dragon Mountain, for instance, which could effortlessly decimate the entire Devil Cloud Sect with just one of its branches.
On the Dongyuan Continent, Lin Xuan, who had encountered far greater challenges and even battled Half-level Emperor adversaries, found the Devil Cloud Sect somewhat unimpressive.
Lin Xuan was sure that he alone could wipe out the entire Devil Cloud Sect.
However, this would be somewhat bothersome.
The Devil Cloud Sect's domain was too expansive, and its numbers too great.
Chapter 12 – The Devil Cloud Sect