Every building belonging to the Nangong Imperial Clan had been reinforced with special barriers — they radiated golden light and were practically indestructible.
Yet the moment the Asura Evil Spirit's foot came crashing down, the structures were obliterated instantly, reduced to nothing but dust.
"What in the world is going on? What is that thing? Explain yourself!" Nangong Beidou, patriarch of the Nangong Imperial Clan, stood atop the observation platform, staring coldly down at Nangong Rongsheng, who knelt trembling at his side.
"That's Chu Feng — that thing is Chu Feng transformed! He's not human — he's a monster! Nangong Huayi was killed with a single strike!"
Nangong Rongsheng's body was still shaking, even more violently than before. Having witnessed the Asura Evil Spirit's emergence and its one-hit annihilation of Nangong Huayi with his own eyes, the man was utterly terrified.
"That little brat has such power?"
Hearing this, Nangong Beidou's face turned ashen. He gazed at the colossal monster — its feet planted on the earth, its head piercing the clouds, formed entirely from dark energy. Thousands of Half-Emperors and twelve Martial Emperors were launching a combined assault on it, yet not one could slow its advance. A creeping sense of regret crept into his heart.
He regretted having moved against Chu Feng so hastily, which had provoked this catastrophic chaos. Today, the Nangong Imperial Clan might face a tribulation of existential proportions. If they could weather it, all would be well — but if they couldn't, tens of thousands of years of heritage could be wiped out in a single night.
"Patriarch… what should we do? What do we do now?" Nangong Rongsheng — a Martial Emperor, no less — was on the verge of tears. The depth of his shock was plain for all to see.
"How disgraceful. What do we do? We destroy him, naturally."
"Judging by the state you're in, you're in no condition to fight. Stop wailing and go escort the young lords out of the city." Nangong Beidou said.
"Yes, Patriarch." Nangong Rongsheng didn't hesitate. He shot to his feet and fled immediately. Being spared from having to face the Asura Evil Spirit was, for him, a stroke of tremendous luck.
Rumble—
Just then, an ear-splitting boom erupted. The Golden Dragon Formation — jointly constructed by the Nangong Imperial Clan's twelve Martial Emperors and thousands of Half-Emperors — had been shattered.
The twelve golden dragons disintegrated in an instant. Hundreds of Half-Emperors were drenched in their own blood on the spot, and two first-rank Martial Emperors were snatched up by the Asura Spirit and crushed in its grip like insects.
Two Martial Emperors of supreme power — erased just like that.
"Run!"
In an instant, Martial Emperors and Half-Emperors alike scrambled for their lives. They all understood that without the formation's support, they stood absolutely no chance against the Asura Evil Spirit. Remaining here was simply offering themselves up for slaughter.
Seeing this, a murderous glint flickered through Nangong Beidou's eyes. He flipped his palms, and a massive fire-red broadsword and a long blue spear materialized in his hands.
They were both half-emperor weapons — not ordinary ones, but peak-grade specimens. Wielded together, their combined might was fearsome indeed.
Whoosh—
Nangong Beidou moved, and his figure vanished. When he reappeared, he was already standing before the evil spirit, blocking its path.
Nangong Beidou was short in stature — compared to the heaven-defying Asura Evil Spirit, he looked like a speck of dust. Yet his aura was astonishingly powerful, on par with the spirit's own.
"Chu Feng? Doesn't look like him to me. But I don't care what you are — today, you take not one more step forward." Nangong Beidou said, his voice cold as ice.
"Patriarch Nangong, we're here to help!" At that moment, the White-Browed Immortal rushed over, leading a group of Snake-pattern Imperial-Robed Spirit World Masters.
"Brother White-Brow, fall back immediately — this monster is beyond your ability to handle," Nangong Beidou urged.
"Have no worry, Patriarch Nangong. I've observed it carefully. This creature is an evil spirit — and if I'm not mistaken, it hails from the Asura Spirit World. Otherwise, it couldn't possibly possess such overwhelming combat power," the White-Browed Immortal said.
"An evil spirit from the Asura Spirit World?" Nangong Beidou's brow furrowed deeply, shock written across his face.
He had never anticipated that the monster's origins would be this terrifying. Everyone had heard the legends of the Asura Spirit World — but to suddenly encounter a living one, and an evil spirit at that, was enough to stagger anyone.
"It is indeed an Asura evil spirit, or it couldn't be this powerful. But there's no need for concern — the thing evil spirits fear most is the Demon Subduing Mantra. Engage it in combat while we bind it with the mantra. Victory will be ours," the White-Browed Immortal declared.
"Very well. Let's do this," Nangong Beidou said.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—