The tiger's roar rolled over the gray-white flames and instantly reached Swen Guang, engulfing him like a tidal wave.
However, although the tiger's roar was shockingly powerful, it didn't cause much damage to Swen Guang.
Instead, it completely enraged him. He had previously unleashed his Innate Divine Technique, thinking he could kill Huo Hu right then and there. He never expected Huo Hu to be so ferocious.
Not only had he failed to kill him, but he had been counterattacked. He had completely lost face in front of everyone.
At that moment, Swen Guang was furious. He cast aside any thought of conserving his Spiritual Power for his later battle with Wei Tong. Right now, he just wanted to crush this annoying insect before him.
So, Swen Guang stared daggers at Huo Hu. Streams of gray-white flame erupted wantonly from the ring-shaped magical artifact behind him, like a flood bursting through a dam, surging toward Huo Hu with the intent to utterly obliterate him on the spot.
Faced with such a crisis, Huo Hu first glanced guiltily at the Blazing Flame Tiger beneath him, then his gaze hardened with resolve.
"Five Tigers Slapping the Door!"
A voice laced with madness instantly echoed across the battlefield. Everyone looked over, only to see Huo Hu's lifebound phantom manifest behind him. It first transformed into a giant, platinum-white tiger, roaring at the sky.
The platinum tiger had upturned eyes and a white forehead. Though it was a lifebound phantom, it was so vivid it looked alive, inspiring awe and fear in all who saw it. The sheer sharpness of its presence was enough to sting the eyes.
Then, Huo Hu threw out a Talisman with his left hand. As it unfurled, it formed a tiger made of flowing water.
With his right hand, he cast a Tiger Head Stealing Magical Artifact, which transformed into a wooden tiger that circled beside him.
Both tigers created by these items shimmered with Spiritual Light, and it was clear neither was an ordinary object.
The lifebound tiger phantom, the Tiger Spirit Talisman, the Magic Artifact Tiger Transformation, the Blazing Flame Tiger mount, and he, the Mad Tiger.
A man, a beast, a phantom, a talisman, and a magical artifact—five different forms that transformed into five Tiger Spirits of the five elements. They instantly merged into one, forming a single tiger phantom with the Five Elements Flowing within it.
The moment this tiger phantom appeared, it looked at Swen Guang, its eyes filled with a cold, merciless intent.
Seeing this, Swen Guang's heart pounded in his chest. He felt as if a cataclysmic disaster was about to befall him in the next moment—a feeling he had never experienced in his entire life.
No matter how absurd Swen Guang found it, or how much he refused to believe a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator could pose a threat to him, the reality was right before his eyes. He had no choice but to believe it.
'Not good.' Seeing the tiger phantom about to pounce, the Golden Core inside Swen Guang spun frantically. He scraped together every last wisp of Spiritual Qi without reserve, converting it all into a Protective Spiritual Light, hoping to block Huo Hu's attack.
However, it was too late. The tiger phantom lunged, and in the next instant, it crossed the vast distance, passed directly through the glow of Swen Guang's Lifebound Talent and his defensive light shield, and struck his physical body.
Half a breath later, accompanied by a deafening roar and explosion, a massive, fiery red mushroom cloud appeared out of thin air where Swen Guang had been.
The shockwave from the explosion spread in all directions. By the time it reached Fang Qingyuan, it was still almost too much for him to bear.
Fortunately, the She Family's Six Ding, Six Jia, and Six Xu Demon Suppression Array was active. After the terrifying shockwave arrived, it was broken down and converted by the Demon Suppression Array. The aftershock only managed to blow Yinbao back a short distance before dissipating.
However, even as the aftershocks of the explosion faded, the turmoil in everyone's hearts grew endlessly.
Swen Guang, a dignified Golden Core Cultivator who had dominated the White Mountain region for hundreds of years, hadn't managed to utter a single word. He was slain on the spot by a single move—Huo Hu's terrifying Five Tigers Slapping the Door!
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, if it hadn't just happened moments ago, how many people would believe such a feat if they were told of it?
Since ancient times, there had been occasional stories of Qi Refining Cultivators defeating Foundation Establishment Cultivators. But a Foundation Establishment defeating a Golden Core? That was utterly unheard of.
But today, Huo Hu had done it, even if the price he paid was astonishing.
After the aftershock passed, Huo Hu was seen completely covered in blood. Blood seeped from his seven orifices and every inch of his skin.
The Blazing Flame Tiger beneath him was silent, its life force completely extinguished. The Tiger Spirit Talisman and the Magic Artifact Tiger Transformation had both disintegrated into fine dust, scattering in the air.
And yet, despite his state, Huo Hu remained standing in mid-air, laughing maniacally without pause.
As for Swen Guang... he had been blown to smithereens, not even dust remained. Only a few of the treasures he carried had turned to scrap metal and fallen to the earth, a testament that their former owner had once existed in this world.
At this, the countless Cultivators and Spirit Beasts fell into a dead silence...
None could recover from the immense shock. Above all of Shandu Mountain, only Huo Hu's mad, unhinged laughter echoed. Such might, such terror!
"Huo Hu, you'll pay for my master's life!"
Just then, a voice filled with hatred rang out. At the same time, a flying sword shot straight toward Huo Hu.
It was Swen Guang's disciple, who, upon seeing his master's gruesome death, launched a sneak attack filled with hatred.
But Wei Tong was right there. How could he possibly let Huo Hu's life be endangered? With a light wave of the Celestial Measuring Ruler in his hand, a streak of green light flashed, forcing Swen Guang's disciple to retreat. Wei Tong then brought Huo Hu back to his side.
When Huo Hu reached Wei Tong's side, he offered him a blood-soaked grin, then, no longer forcing himself to stay conscious, he gratefully passed out.
Wei Tong carefully handed Huo Hu over to the sect members behind him to be cared for. Then, he pointed toward Shandu Mountain ahead and declared in a booming voice:
"Swen Guang is dead! Shandu is doomed! All Cultivators, hear my command! Follow me and break through this mountain! Any spoils within are yours for the taking!"
Hearing Wei Tong's words, the thousand-plus Cultivators from Celestial Gate Mountain erupted in cheers. Each one unleashed their signature techniques, striking at the Shandu Spirit Array together.
Meanwhile, Swen Guang's disciples, seeing the situation was dire, had already retreated into Shandu Mountain to make a last stand like cornered beasts.
On Yinbao's back, the She Family disciples were eager and restless, desperate to charge into Shandu Mountain and plunder it. However, the She Family Patriarch, She Xi Yu, wore a cautious expression and said to Fang Qingyuan:
"Fellow Daoist Fang, in a moment, please pilot the camel ray a bit more slowly."
She Xi Yu's words deeply resonated with Fang Qingyuan. He had no desire to experience a Battle Array in the first place. After what had just happened, he made up his mind never to accept a transport mission from the sect again.
He would rather go raise turtles in the Black River than be blasted by the aftershocks of a Golden Core's battle.
She Xi Yu was asking him to fall behind the other camel rays, and Fang Qingyuan couldn't be happier. So, while the other camel rays were up close, bombarding the Shandu Spirit Array, Fang Qingyuan piloted his camel ray to the very back, only launching a few techniques from a distance and secretly slacking off.
And Fang Qingyuan wasn't the only one. He looked around and saw several other camel rays doing the same thing, hanging back and putting on a show of attacking without any real effort.
The Wei Family Cultivator on Yinbao's back saw this and became furious. He said coldly:
"What do you think you're doing? How dare you slack off now! We're about to break the great array, yet you're hiding in the back! Don't you want the treasures of the Shandu Swen Family?"
Seeing the Wei Family Cultivator's displeasure, She Xi Yu quickly put on an apologetic smile and said:
"It's not that we aren't tempted, but the She Family's strength is limited. These are all the warriors our family has. We brought everyone this time, but I'm afraid we can't compete with the other families. Rather than embarrass ourselves trying, it's better to clear the way and do them a favor."
The Wei Family Cultivator heard She Xi Yu's explanation and sneered in derision:
"You're an old man, yet you're still so timid. No wonder your She Family is stuck in that poor backwater."
Though he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator being mocked by a mere Qi Refining Cultivator from the Wei Family, She Xi Yu's expression remained unchanged. He didn't care, but the She Family disciples behind him couldn't hold back and immediately started arguing with the Wei Family Cultivator.
But just then, a wave of cheers suddenly erupted. The Shandu Spirit Array had finally been shattered, unable to withstand the relentless bombardment from so many Cultivators.