Darkness and light intertwined, forming a vortex of shadow and radiance. This energy ravaged heaven and earth, as though it could obliterate everything in its path.
The battle between Yue Xian and the Hall Master of the Dark Hall had truly reached a level that bordered on world-ending destruction.
For the people of the Martial Sacred Continent, this was something they had never witnessed before.
By all logic, no one should have been able to approach the battlefield. And yet, billions upon billions of people were watching.
The Elf King, the Weapon Refining Immortal, Immortal Meow Meow — all of them were present. Even the Compass Immortal had come.
As for how they could observe the battle from such close proximity without suffering any harm — it was because they were inside the Gate of Illusion.
In truth, the meeting between the Hall Master of the Dark Hall and Yue Xian at this location was no coincidence. As inconceivable as it was, the Hall Master of the Dark Hall had truly found the Gate of Illusion through special means.
What was most terrifying was that the Hall Master of the Dark Hall had not only located the Gate of Illusion — he also possessed the means to break through it.
His clone harbored a unique and special power, one capable of shattering what should have been an indestructible barrier — a gate that should never have been discovered by anyone.
Fortunately, Yue Xian had arrived in time. Otherwise, the Gate of Illusion would likely have already been breached by the Hall Master of the Dark Hall, and the billions of lives sheltering within would have perished at his hands.
"Is that the legendary Yue Xian — the one who has been hiding inside the Moonlight Labyrinth this whole time? I never imagined she would be two such beautiful young women."
"Imbecile! That is Lord Yue Xian! Show some respect!"
"Yes, yes, of course..."
"Lord Yue Xian is incredibly powerful! As expected of a half-Ancestor realm expert. The Hall Master of the Dark Hall is doomed — we're all saved!"
Of the billions watching, almost none could actually perceive the details of the battle between Yue Xian and the Hall Master of the Dark Hall.
All they could do was watch the spectacle and try to discern from the heaven-destroying energy which side held the advantage.
And at present, it was indeed the Ancestor-level power wielded by Yue Xian that had gained the upper hand. The Ancestor-level power she commanded blazed with brilliant light, like a sword of justice slashing through the darkness, bringing light back to the people.
But the Elf King and others like him still wore furrowed brows, their deep eyes filled with unease.
And that uneasy gaze was not fixed on the clash above the heavens — not on Yue Xian's battle against the clone of the Hall Master of the Dark Hall.
Rather, it was fixed upon the main body of the Hall Master of the Dark Hall, which sat cross-legged upon the earth as though it had fallen into a deep slumber.
"So you've noticed it too," said the Heaven-reaching Immortal as he walked up beside the Elf King.
"The Hall Master of the Dark Hall came here with complete confidence. Something feels off, but I can't pinpoint what it is. You are a Dragon-patterned Spirit World Master — can you see anything?"
"Much as I hate to admit it, the Hall Master of the Dark Hall's mastery of barriers truly surpasses my own. I cannot see through him," the Heaven-reaching Immortal replied.
"How can that be?" The Elf King's frown deepened. After all, the Heaven-reaching Immortal was universally acknowledged as the strongest Spirit World Master on the Martial Sacred Continent. If even he had been surpassed, then the Hall Master of the Dark Hall was truly far too powerful.
"The very fact that I cannot see through him is proof that something is wrong," the Heaven-reaching Immortal said.
"What do you mean?" the Elf King asked.
"His clone does not harbor barriers — instead, it contains a special power, one that can breach my Gate of Illusion."
"I don't know where he obtained such power, but he clearly did."
"However... his main body is covered by a layer of barriers — a layer that I cannot see through."
"There would be no reason to shield his body with barriers for no reason, would there?" The Heaven-reaching Immortal did not state his conclusion directly. Instead, he posed the question back to the Elf King.
"He must be hiding some unspeakable secret," the Elf King said.
"Precisely. He is deliberately concealing something. Unfortunately, even though we can tell something is wrong, there is nothing we can do about it."