Li Minghai and Gu Jianxin's gazes collided in the void, sparks flying between them.
The former's brow furrowed slightly.
He was startled to discover that the aura radiating from Gu Jianxin appeared even denser and more refined than the last time he had encountered him.
The rumors were indeed true — barring any unforeseen circumstances, Young Alliance Master Gu Jianxin could attempt a breakthrough into the Void King Realm within the next three to five years!
If he succeeded and advanced to the Void King Realm, with his unique Taixu Sword Body and the combined support of his Left and Right Sword Attendants, there would likely be no one within the first layer of the Void King Realm capable of defeating him. He might even be able to put up a fight against someone at the second layer!
What a monster. No wonder Vice Alliance Master Wei Qianzong was so eager to eliminate Gu Jianxin — he had clearly recognized the terrifying pace of the young man's growth.
Fortunately, this opportunity was too precious to waste. Once Gu Jianxin and his entire group were killed today, the Sword Alliance would belong to the Vice Alliance Master's faction from now on. A genius who never grew up was never truly a genius!
"Li Minghai, I have only one question!" Gu Jianxin stood on the deck with his hands clasped behind his back. "How exactly did you know that I would pass through here?"
Li Minghai narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice cold. "The Young Alliance Master already has his answer in his heart. Why bother asking this old man?"
Gu Jianxin nodded gently. "It seems there really is someone by my side who can't be trusted. Very well — after this matter is settled, I will drag him out into the light."
"Young Alliance Master, don't trouble yourself with such concerns. You won't have a future!" Li Minghai spoke as he waved his hand and bellowed, "Kill them all! Don't let a single one escape!"
If even one person slipped away, they would face enormous trouble. This operation had been planned from the start with the intention of leaving no survivors.
The moment the order was given, the Return Void Stage martial artists at Li Minghai's side sprang into action, forming small groups of three to five and launching assaults on the warriors who had previously narrowly escaped death.
From within Gu Jianxin's warship, a large contingent of martial artists also surged forth, charging forward without hesitation to meet the attack.
In an instant, the star domain around the Meteorite Sea was filled with dazzling light of every color. The power of Artifacts and secret arts bloomed ceaselessly.
Though Li Minghai's forces numbered no more than thirty, every single one was a powerhouse at the second layer of the Return Void Stage or above, making their combat strength exceptionally formidable. Gu Jianxin's side, while numbering over two hundred, had cultivations that varied widely, and their peak fighting force was inferior to Li Minghai's.
More critically, having a Void King Realm expert like Li Minghai presiding over the battle placed an immense pressure on the opposition. The Return Void Stage martial artists on Gu Jianxin's side simply could not fight at their full potential.
The moment the two sides clashed, casualties began mounting — and they were all on Gu Jianxin's side. Not a single one of Li Minghai's fighters had fallen.
Before long, Li Minghai's forces pressed forward with overwhelming momentum, driving Gu Jianxin's people to the brink of despair.
The battle had already erupted, yet Li Minghai himself had not rushed into the fray. He watched Gu Jianxin and the two women at his side, a look of genuine seriousness gradually surfacing in his brow.
It seemed the young man and the two women before him were worthy opponents who demanded his full attention.
He remained still, and Gu Jianxin — the weaker party — naturally did not dare act rashly either. He could only watch as his subordinates fell one after another, his eyes splitting with rage.
After a long moment, Li Minghai spoke in a flat tone. "Young Alliance Master, will you take your own life, or shall this old man help you on your way?"
"You old dog, you think you've already got me cornered?" Gu Jianxin snarled coldly.
Li Minghai shook his head slowly. "Naturally, Li wouldn't dare make a move here without being thoroughly prepared. Young Alliance Master, you are a dragon among men, blessed with the Taixu Sword Body, and your Left and Right Sword Attendants have cultivated together since childhood — their minds linked as one. You are indeed extraordinarily difficult to deal with. However… you are still not at the Void King Realm. If you were, this old man would certainly be no match for you. Regrettably, Young Alliance Master, there is no escape for you today."
"We'll see about that!" Gu Jianxin let out a furious shout, and a snow-white longsword suddenly materialized in his hand. His body, wreathed in sword light, launched off the deck!
The sword light blazed like a rising sun, its radiance flooding the earth below, overwhelming in its magnificence.
At the same moment he moved, the two women who had been standing behind him acted in unison. Like Gu Jianxin, they drew their own longsword Artifacts, enveloping themselves in sword light as they followed close behind.
Unlike Gu Jianxin, however, the sword light of the two women manifested as a crescent moon and a cascade of stars. As their blades swept through the air, the effect was like moonlight pouring from the heavens and a sky full of glittering stars.
The three streams of sword light merged into one midway, radiating a pressure that transcended the Return Void Stage — as though it would cleave heaven and earth asunder — and, trailing a long luminous tail, descended directly upon Li Minghai!
Li Minghai's eyes blazed with light, seemingly shaken by the sheer power of Gu Jianxin's secret art. He barked aloud, "The Three Swords Shine as One secret art — it lives up to its reputation! With this single strike alone, Young Alliance Master, you could be invincible among Return Void Stage cultivators! However… your Left and Right Sword Attendants are a bit lacking in cultivation, and you yourself are not at the Void King Realm. Allow this old man to show you just how vast the gap truly is between the Void King Realm and the Return Void Stage!"
As he spoke, an invisible force surged outward from within Li Minghai's body.
Domain!
Li Minghai had been a Void King Realm powerhouse for a full five hundred years since his advancement. He could be considered one of the old guard of the Void King Realm. Though his Domain's power was not especially formidable owing to his stalled cultivation progress, it was still a Domain nonetheless!