The other disciples of the Medicine Pill Sect took out their defensive Artifacts to shield themselves the very instant Li Younan made his move. They had clearly coordinated beforehand—otherwise, their movements would never have been so perfectly synchronized.
This bizarre display from the Medicine Pill Sect disciples left every warrior who witnessed it dumbfounded, wondering why they looked as though they were facing some terrifying enemy.
Though they didn't understand the reason, everyone could sense that something was amiss. Li Younan had clearly kept certain things from them. There was likely more danger ahead—otherwise, why would they act this way?
Without needing anyone to warn them, all the warriors who had witnessed Li Younan and his companions' actions immediately followed suit and brought out their own defensive Artifacts.
On the Shadow Moon Hall side, Wei Guchang let out a cold snort. Surging Saint Yuan erupted from within his body, forming a layer of pitch-black light that enveloped the entire small hill. Within that barrier, crimson thunder-fire flickered.
Dong Xuan'er produced a token-like object and channeled her Saint Yuan into it. The token suddenly transformed into a streak of flowing light that danced around everyone's sides.
Dai Yuan once again summoned her Artifact known as the Rainbow-Dispersing Scarf. A mass of pink energy billowed out like a cloud, similarly enveloping the hill.
The only one who didn't act was Yang Kai. He seemed to remain immersed in his own comprehension, and he had no need to take any action—having Wei Guchang and the others guard him was enough.
The disciple from the Star Emperor Gate didn't receive such luxurious treatment. He had always been alone, occupying a hill by himself. Upon noticing the crowd's bizarre behavior, he immediately opened his eyes and gazed coldly at the red sun in the sky.
At that very moment, countless beams of red light burst from the red sun, shooting out in every direction.
Each beam packed tremendous power and moved at frightening speed. In the blink of an eye, they reached every person present, battering the warriors' protective barriers until they shook violently. The ceaseless clanging of metal filled the air.
Only then did everyone understand why the Medicine Pill Sect disciples had taken defensive measures in advance.
The cold warrior from the Star Emperor Gate saw this, and his expression turned solemn. He threw a single punch that seemed to stir the very laws of heaven and earth. Wherever the fist's wind touched, all the red light vanished into nothing.
This made Wei Guchang and the others, who had been secretly watching him, change their expressions.
Such a punch looked light as a passing breeze. But anyone could see the terrifying might of this Star Emperor Gate warrior.
The countless beams of red light came quickly and departed just as fast, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Because everyone had been prepared, aside from a handful of people whose defenses fell short and who were injured, everyone else was unscathed.
Seeing this, Li Younan couldn't help but show a hint of disappointment. He knew his earlier actions had been too conspicuous, which had put everyone on alert. Had that not been the case, the injured would certainly have been more than just those few.
But soon, Li Younan could only smile bitterly, because every warrior present was glaring at him angrily, clearly blaming him for not having explained things clearly. To try to use such a situation to scheme against others—his motives were truly sinister.
Li Younan didn't bother to argue. He had no obligation to inform others about the various omens that preceded the Red Candle Fruit's ripening. Revealing the spectacle of the Three Yangs Ascending had been purely for his own benefit—keeping certain intelligence secret was the most natural thing in the world.
He believed those people wouldn't be stupid enough to confront him over such a trivial matter.
Sure enough, everyone merely glared at him and said nothing more. In truth, no one had time to argue with him, because after those countless beams of red light shot out, the sole remaining red sun in the sky suddenly plummeted toward the valley at breakneck speed.
In just over a dozen breaths, the red sun plunged into some spot within the valley. It flashed once and vanished without a trace.
"Get ready!" Dai Yuan suddenly called out in a low voice, pointing ahead. The pink cloud condensed back into the Rainbow-Dispersing Scarf and was retracted into her hand, while her beautiful eyes locked onto the valley below.
"Should we wake Senior Brother Yang?" Dong Xuan'er bit her red lip gently, looking at Yang Kai with a troubled expression.
The Saint Yuan within Yang Kai's body had been churning without cease. They hadn't dared disturb him earlier, fearing they might interrupt his comprehension. But now the Red Candle Fruit was about to surface, and Dong Xuan'er wasn't sure whether she should alert Yang Kai so he wouldn't miss such a grand event.
Wei Guchang frowned slightly and shook his head. "No need. Brother Yang certainly knows what's happening outside. If he wants to join the scramble, he'll make his move. Let's not disturb him."
Dong Xuan'er nodded gently.
No sooner had Wei Guchang finished speaking than a series of cracking sounds erupted from below the valley, as though the earth itself were splitting apart. Everyone staggered, struggling to keep their footing, as clumps of soil rained down from the small hill beneath them.
An incredibly dense red energy seeped from the fissures below the valley, instantly flooding the entire space until it was so thick that no one could see what lay within.
But faintly, at the spot where the red sun had originally descended, something was slowly rising, emitting a deep crimson glow.