Just as the power from the formation Chu Feng had unleashed was about to reach Lü Jie.
The Spirit Beast Heaven-Devouring Formation beneath Lü Jie suddenly opened its eyes, and then its mouth gaped wide.
As the massive maw opened, the entire Spirit Beast Heaven-Devouring Formation underwent a transformation—like a dormant beast awakening from its slumber.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
In an instant, a tremendous suction force erupted from within its mouth.
The force was so powerful that it reversed the flow of wind and clouds.
Even the five cataclysmic forces of wind, thunder, water, fire, and earth were all drawn into the gaping maw of the Heaven-Devouring Formation.
At the same time, the body that had previously resembled stone began to change, undergoing transformations both on its skin and within its frame.
Inside that body, the five forces of wind, thunder, water, fire, and earth surged and roiled, changing even the color of its surface.
If the Heaven-Devouring Formation had previously resembled a statue, then at this moment it had become a living, breathing beast.
Upon seeing this, Chu Feng's gaze shifted.
But the onlookers showed little surprise.
This was precisely what made the Spirit Beast Heaven-Devouring Formation so formidable.
No matter what attack was launched, it would be devoured—unless the power was far beyond what the formation could handle, it was simply impossible to destroy it. Everything would only be consumed.
This was exactly why Lü Jie stood outside his formation without the slightest worry about being attacked.
As long as the Heaven-Devouring Formation was active, no attack could get close to him.
Yet Chu Feng did not cease. Instead, he continued to drive his offensive formation, ceaselessly unleashing the five forces of wind, thunder, water, fire, and earth in an ongoing assault on Lü Jie.
In fact, the power Chu Feng released now was even more formidable than before.
Moreover, Chu Feng harnessed the formation's power to launch a siege from every direction, surrounding Lü Jie on all sides.
But it was all useless. No matter the direction of attack, no matter how much the power was amplified, once it drew near Lü Jie, it was swallowed by the formation's suction, following the pull straight into the mouth of the Spirit Beast Heaven-Devouring Formation.
"Keep going. At this level, it's still far from enough."
"Try a little harder. Might as well use every last ounce of strength you have."
Seeing that Chu Feng showed no signs of stopping, Lü Jie burst into triumphant laughter.
"Chu Feng, cease your attacks. The power of the Spirit Beast Heaven-Devouring Formation is incredibly fearsome."
"It can not only devour your power, but also accumulate it within its formation."
"Your current assaults are all being stored inside it. Once the time is ripe, it will return every bit of power you've unleashed—right back at you."
"The harder you push your attacks now, the more dangerous it will be for you."
Suddenly, a covert voice transmission entered Chu Feng's ears.
It was the voice of Grandmaster Tang Chen.
Grandmaster Tang Chen had realized that Chu Feng still hadn't grasped just how dangerous the Spirit Beast Heaven-Devouring Formation truly was.
Fearing that Chu Feng would suffer a loss, he had sent this warning.
But Chu Feng seemed not to hear Grandmaster Tang Chen's words at all, continuing to stubbornly drive his offensive forward.
Under these circumstances, the Spirit Beast Heaven-Devouring Formation not only transformed its skin further, growing ever more powerful in aura, but its very size began to expand.
"Oh no, the Heaven-Devouring Formation is using Chu Feng's own attacks to accumulate power within itself! That force is far too great—if it's all released at once and directed at Chu Feng, he'll have absolutely no way to withstand it!"
Upon seeing this, everyone believed Chu Feng was in grave danger.
And Lü Jie was more smug than ever.
"Chu Feng, surrender now, and I'll spare your life."
Lü Jie said to Chu Feng.
He knew full well that the power now accumulated within the Spirit Beast Heaven-Devouring Formation was enough to take Chu Feng's life.
Of course, he also knew that in reality, he couldn't actually kill Chu Feng.
After all, there were plenty of powerful experts present. Setting aside Grandmaster Tang Chen, who seemed to have some rapport with Chu Feng, even the Ruyi Elder held Chu Feng in very high regard.
So he figured that even if the power within the Heaven-Devouring Formation could kill Chu Feng, it would be intercepted before it landed.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have wasted his breath talking to Chu Feng—he would have simply had him killed.
But Lü Jie was clever. Knowing he couldn't kill Chu Feng, it was far better to humiliate him.
And what if Chu Feng actually did surrender and beg for mercy?
Then from that day forward, no one would ever question Lü Jie's overwhelming power again.