Chapter 98: The Hidden Power of Hun Tiandi
Above Tianji Tower Headquarters, Central Plains – Inside the Nine Dragons Ascension Array
After discerning the truth behind the Soul Clan's methods, Xiao Tiance couldn't help but marvel at their ruthlessness. "They really are relentless," he murmured to himself.
The bodies of the Four Demon Saints were devoid of sensation. Ever since the Soul Clan's secret techniques had been activated, they had endured unimaginable pain, far beyond what any ordinary being could withstand.
"Such cruelty. Ordinary people wouldn't last a fraction of this agony they'd end their lives before enduring even a tenth of it," Xiao Tiance remarked quietly.
Inside the array, Hun Tiandi managed to escape the relentless assault of the four dragons and regrouped with Void Swallowing Flame and the Four Demon Saints. Examining the state of the Demon Saints, his expression grew grim. "Void, do something! We can't let the Four Supreme Elders continue fighting like this. Even if we return, the price to restore their strength would be too steep."
Void Swallowing Flame frowned, worry flashing across his face. He had helped Hun Tiandi activate the secret technique and was fully aware of its cost. After some thought, he nodded and turned to the Demon Saints. "Forgive me for what I'm about to do."
"Please proceed, Lord Void," they replied in unison.
"Very well."
Void Swallowing Flame's body erupted with black flames, engulfing the four and drawing them into his form. As the process concluded, two of the Deathly Silence Gates remained behind, now held by Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame.
As soon as the gates were in their hands, their auras began to recover, returning to their initial peak state in moments.
"Oh? So that's how it works. Clever but I'm afraid you'll still be disappointed."
Xiao Tiance, watching from outside the array, caught on to their strategy. He smirked and began weaving intricate seals with his hands, pouring them into the Nine Dragons Ascension Array.
"Roar!"
Nine furious dragon cries echoed in unison. The colossal dragons, their eyes blazing with rage, seemed almost sentient.
Inside the array, Hun Tiandi gripped his Deathly Silence Gate tightly. He cast a sharp glance at Void Swallowing Flame and warned, "Void, don't let your guard down this time!"
"I understand!"
"Roar!"
The nine dragons unleashed their fury once more, their mouths spewing torrents of lightning, fire, and other elemental forces.
Hun Tiandi didn't panic. He waited until the attacks neared before swinging the Deathly Silence Gate.
"Deflect!"
"Boom!"
The gate absorbed and redirected the dragons' combined onslaught, scattering it harmlessly into the distance.
Meanwhile, Void Swallowing Flame acted swiftly, flashing toward the white dragon that had previously wounded him.
"Bang!"
Like striking water, Void Swallowing Flame shattered the white dragon's body into energy fragments. Yet, he didn't linger. He quickly retreated to Hun Tiandi's side and reported, "After their attacks, these dragons have a momentary lag in reaction time about one second. If we exploit this window, we can destroy them all."
"You're wrong!" Hun Tiandi interrupted.
Void Swallowing Flame froze as he followed Hun Tiandi's gaze. To his dismay, the white dragon he had just destroyed began reforming before their eyes.
"How... How is this possible? Are these dragons truly indestructible?" Void Swallowing Flame murmured, his face darkening.
"Move!"
Before he could process further, three dragon attacks hurtled toward them, followed by the dragons' immense bodies.
Hun Tiandi shoved Void Swallowing Flame aside and swung the Deathly Silence Gate, deflecting the incoming attacks and using its impenetrable strength to shield them both.
Despite their efforts, the battle grew increasingly intense. The two clashed with the dragons repeatedly, their movements blurring as their speed increased.
Outside the Array
Xiao Tiance watched the battle unfold, yawning from boredom. It had been ten minutes since Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame had begun wielding the Deathly Silence Gates.
Though Void Swallowing Flame had identified a brief vulnerability in the dragons' attacks, allowing them to shatter the dragons multiple times, the battle was dragging on too long.
For Xiao Tiance, the outcome was already clear. Unless the two attacked the array's core his position the Nine Dragons Ascension Array would remain intact.
More importantly, the array no longer relied on Xiao Tiance's own spiritual energy. Instead, it absorbed the energy from the attacks within, as well as the Dou Qi continuously draining from its trapped targets.
This self sustaining cycle ensured the array would only grow stronger over time.
Inside the array, Void Swallowing Flame gritted his teeth. "This can't go on. If we keep dragging this out, none of us will get out alive!"
Hun Tiandi's eyes flickered with resolve. After fending off the dragons' attacks with the Deathly Silence Gate, he flashed over to Void Swallowing Flame's side.
"Xiao Tiance," Hun Tiandi called out, his voice deep. "I must admit, you've surprised me. Even at my peak, I didn't expect to be pushed this far. Not even Xiao Xuan managed this."
"Oh?" Xiao Tiance smirked. "Should I feel honored, then?"
"Yes, you should," Hun Tiandi replied coldly. "Though we haven't fought directly, this array of yours is proof of your skill. But playtime is over. You think I can't destroy this so called Nine Dragons Ascension Array? Once my strength exceeds its limits, it will shatter like glass."
"Oh? You think so? Go ahead, try," Xiao Tiance taunted, his smile unwavering.
As the words left his lips, Xiao Tiance sensed Hun Tiandi's energy spike dramatically. The aura he now exuded surpassed even that of Xiao Xuan during his failed attempt to ascend to Dou Di.
"So you've reached this level as well... Truly impressive, Hun Tiandi," Xiao Tiance murmured.
Inside the array, Hun Tiandi extended his left hand. His Dou Qi surged, condensing into a crimson palm print. The attack looked unassuming but radiated an oppressive force.
"Crimson Annihilation Palm!"
The palm print streaked forward, obliterating the dragons in its path. When it collided with the array's barrier, the unthinkable happened.
"Crack!"
A fracture appeared.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The cracks spread rapidly across the array's surface.
The Nine Dragons Ascension Array was broken.
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