"Roar~~~~~~"
After Qiu Canfeng made his move, the four colossal beasts immediately fell into a panic. Their strength was limited, and they had been focused on suppressing Chu Feng and Taikou, so the power that had been restraining Qiu Canfeng had been diverted.
This caused the force holding Qiu Canfeng down to grow weaker and weaker, which was exactly the opening he needed. He erupted forth and fought back against them head-on.
Seeing the situation deteriorating, the four colossal beasts tried desperately to recover, but by now Qiu Canfeng's power had fully unleashed, while theirs remained finite. If they focused on suppressing Qiu Canfeng, they would have to let Chu Feng and Taikou go. If they focused on suppressing Taikou, they would have to let Qiu Canfeng run free. Caught between enemies on all sides, they were powerless — the tide had already turned against them.
"Boom~~~~~~"
Finally, a piercing roar of thunder split the air. The entire world shuddered violently as wave after wave of savage ripples swept outward with terrifying speed, like rampaging beasts, swallowing everything in an instant.
And at the epicenter of those ripples, Chu Feng, Taikou, and Qiu Canfeng were all beaming with joy, involuntarily letting out long sighs of relief.
The four colossal beasts had been completely annihilated. No matter how fierce the ripples still raged, they posed no threat to the three of them whatsoever. The Four Symbols Binding Formation had been broken — and from the moment the formation was set to the moment it was shattered, far less than eight hours had passed.
"Congratulations, Master, on breaking free from your bonds and regaining your freedom." In that moment, Chu Feng was the first to bow respectfully to Qiu Canfeng, fulfilling his duty as a disciple.
"Chu Feng, get up quickly — don't bow to me. I'm truly ashamed. I took you as my disciple and never taught you a single thing, yet you came to rescue me. It should be me thanking you." Qiu Canfeng hurriedly helped Chu Feng to his feet, his face filled with gratitude.
"Master, please don't say such things. This is simply what a disciple should do," Chu Feng said.
"Haha, Chu Feng, having a disciple like you is truly my, Qiu Canfeng's, greatest fortune." Qiu Canfeng was absolutely delighted and thoroughly satisfied with such a Chu Feng.
Still buzzing with excitement, he glanced at Taikou and said, "Brother Taikou, thank you."
"We're on the same side now, so there's no need for polite words." Taikou waved his hand casually, but seeing Qiu Canfeng's earnest attitude, his own demeanor had grown considerably warmer.
"This feeling?" However, just at that moment, Chu Feng's expression suddenly changed. A complex swirl of emotions surged across his face.
"Chu Feng, what's wrong?" At the sight of this, both Taikou and Qiu Canfeng tensed up and asked urgently, for they could see a trace of unknown dread on Chu Feng's face.
"Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble~~~~~~~~~"
And then, a deep, resonant sound — like the overlapping roar of multiple thunders — began to rumble from the distance. With that earth-shaking boom, the ground that had just begun to settle trembled violently once more.
In that instant, Taikou and Qiu Canfeng both turned around, their gazes snapping toward the Imperial Gate. Qiu Canfeng swept his sleeve and released the full power of his fifth-rank Martial King cultivation, dissipating the ripples that were still spreading in every direction.
But once those ripples cleared, the uneasy expressions on all three of their faces changed yet again.
Because, just as they had feared, that sound was indeed coming from the Imperial Gate. Now, that resplendent, sacred Imperial Gate of golden light was slowly beginning to open.