"Damn it."
While most onlookers were struck with astonishment, the Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master and others like him had their brows furrowed.
In their eyes, Lu Yingzhuo was their last hope.
Yet now, even their final hope seemed incapable of standing against Chu Feng.
It made him uneasy.
However, he had not fallen into complete despair. On the contrary, he still clung to a sliver of expectation.
Even though Lu Yingzhuo was in such a wretched state, the Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master still held onto a thread of hope.
"Look at the mess your Heavenly Gate Sect has made."
Suddenly, the Nine Star Heavenly Mountain Sect Master turned toward the Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master with a face full of fury.
"What does this have to do with me?" the Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master asked in a stern voice.
"If it weren't for you provoking those Mystic Cave Saints, would we be in this situation?"
"If it hadn't been for your sect antagonizing the Mystic Cave Saints, would they have snatched our treasures?"
the Nine Star Heavenly Mountain Sect Master demanded.
"You — you really are incredibly foolish, beyond all reason."
The Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master was genuinely infuriated by the Nine Star Heavenly Mountain Sect Master's words.
After all, when the Mystic Cave Saints had appeared at the Demon Slaying Emperor's tomb, they had seized what was supposed to be his Heavenly Gate Sect's inheritance.
His Heavenly Gate Sect had clearly been the victim. So how had it suddenly become their fault?
"Enough. Now is not the time for infighting."
"Since that elder is no match for the Mystic Cave Saints, then all we can do is watch the barrier's exit and not let that fellow escape," the Miao Clan's Heavenly Clan Master said.
"The outcome isn't decided yet," the Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master said.
"Oh? Does that mean the elder still has another trump card he hasn't used?"
Upon hearing the Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master say this, the others began to ask as well.
"Just watch carefully. You'll see for yourselves," the Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master said.
In truth, even he was not certain whether Lu Yingzhuo's next move would be enough to defeat Chu Feng.
He had never personally fought the Mystic Cave Saints, but he had heard plenty about them.
That one called Xiu Luo, in particular — back then, he had seized control of the formation, forcing even Tuoba Cheng'an and the others to flee.
And in the Heavenly Gate Sect's Sect Master's mind, the one currently inside the barrier world was very likely not one of the Mystic Cave Saints, but rather that very person called Xiu Luo.
So, even though he knew Lu Yingzhuo still had a trump card, he had no absolute confidence.
After all, he could not be sure whether that fellow called Xiu Luo had any other cards left to play.
But because he knew just how formidable that treasure on Lu Yingzhuo truly was, he still held a measure of expectation.
"Damnable."
Inside the barrier world, Lu Yingzhuo was being beaten by Chu Feng until he was tumbling across the ground, drenched in blood — the very picture of misery.
Even he himself knew that Chu Feng was toying with him, humiliating him outright.
Yet there was absolutely nothing he could do, because he truly was no match for Chu Feng.
It ate at him terribly, and more than anything, his pride had taken a devastating blow.
But he did not believe he was necessarily doomed.
Only, a flicker of hesitation had risen in his eyes.
He did not know whether he should use that trump card.
The main reason was that it could only be used once, and it was worth an incomprehensible fortune. Unless it was a moment of absolute necessity, it absolutely must not be used.
If he used that trump card and it failed to produce the desired effect, he would not be able to find peace within his own heart.
But in the end, the hesitation in his eyes vanished, replaced by a look of steely resolve.
He had made his decision.
Whoosh—
But in the very next instant, a talisman appeared in his hand.
It was a white talisman, and on that white talisman, black runes were inscribed.