Zhou An's stillness was entirely due to Yang Kai.
Right now, Yang Kai's Divine Sense hovered above his head like an inverted blade, filling him with the terrifying illusion that the slightest movement would see him torn to shreds.
His face had gone pale, his heart gripped by deep-seated panic.
He could sense that Yang Kai's Divine Sense was formidable — comparable to the level of a third-stage Dao Source Realm cultivator, far surpassing his own. Fighting someone like this would yield him no advantage whatsoever.
And as he surveyed the battlefield, both Hua Gu and Xiong Ning seemed to be at a disadvantage.
He cursed inwardly, knowing they were in serious trouble this time.
He stole a glance at Yang Kai and found the latter wasn't paying him any attention. Zhou An's mind raced, and he forced a smile onto his face, cupping his fists: "My friend…"
Yang Kai turned to look at him and said flatly, "Any last words?"
The corner of Zhou An's mouth twitched, and he said sheepishly, "You've got the wrong idea, friend. I was just trying to tell you — I don't know these two at all. We met by chance and happened to travel together!"
Yang Kai stared at him coldly, unmoved.
The other two, upon hearing his words, turned deathly pale with shock.
Xiong Ning, while dodging Liu Yan's killing strikes, stared at Zhou An in disbelief: "Senior Brother Zhou, what are you saying?"
Hua Gu burned with fury, exasperated as he shouted: "Zhou An! At a time like this, you still want to stay out of it? Stop dawdling and fight!"
"That man is calling you Senior Brother…" Yang Kai glanced at Xiong Ning as he spoke.
Zhou An said earnestly, "There's something wrong with his head. Don't listen to his nonsense, friend." As he spoke, he put on an obsequious smile and addressed Yang Kai: "Friend, I truly had no intention of doing you any harm. I was dragged down here by that man and had no choice but to come investigate. My attack on your Artifact Spirit just now was a desperate measure — luckily, your Artifact Spirit sustained no damage, which is a stroke of good fortune in this unfortunate situation. I hope you, a magnanimous person, can overlook it!"
The moment these shameless words left his mouth, before Yang Kai could even respond, Hua Gu on the other side was already red-faced with rage. He nearly spat out a mouthful of blood, flying into a thunderous fury, veins bulging all over his body, his hair standing on end: "Shameless wretch! Have you no dignity left?"
"Shut your mouth!" Zhou An suddenly roared righteously in that direction. "From this day forward, I, Zhou, have absolutely no relation to the two of you!"
"Argh—!" Hua Gu was practically driven mad with rage, letting out an incoherent cry. In his moment of lost concentration, the Dharma Avatar finally spotted an opening. The Avatar stamped one foot on the ground and bellowed: "Draw a Circle, Form a Prison!"
A strange power surged forth from that massive body. The ground suddenly began to flow like liquid — and not only that, from the flowing soil, long arms sprang forth, whipping into the sky like lashing ropes.
Hua Gu, caught off guard, was directly ensnared by these tendrils.
"No!" Hua Gu cried out in alarm. He tried to break free, but an immense force pulled him from below. His body plunged uncontrollably into the earth until only his head remained above the surface.
Strangely enough, the very instant Hua Gu sank into the ground, the liquid-like earth returned to its original state. Not only that, it became as solid as iron and gold. No matter how Hua Gu struggled, he could not break free.
He was like a man who had fallen into a swamp — no way forward, no way back. He was completely immobilized.
The Dharma Avatar's massive form towered before him like a great mountain, blotting out every speck of light before his eyes…
"Oh? A new ability?" Yang Kai's eyes brightened, genuinely surprised.
He remembered that the Avatar had never used this kind of secret technique before. He wasn't sure whether the Avatar had comprehended it on its own, whether it was a natural talent of the Stone Avatar race, or whether it was the doing of the Devouring Battle Art.
On the other side, Zhou An's legs were already trembling.
Seeing that even a third-stage Dao Source Realm cultivator like Hua Gu had been defeated in such a short time, how could he dare stay a moment longer?
He hurriedly cupped his fists: "I've said all I have to say. I'll take my leave!"
With those words, he prepared to flee and save his own skin.
"Did I say you could leave?" Yang Kai flicked his hand, and a Moon Blade slashed down across his path.
Zhou An's steps faltered. He turned back with an ingratiating smile: "Then I wonder… does my friend have any further instructions?"
Though he wore an expression of fawning submission, a vigilant gleam still lingered deep in his eyes. Yang Kai had no doubt that if he made a move, Zhou An would counterattack in an instant.
A man who could so casually betray his own fellow disciples would probably never truly trust anyone.
"I wouldn't call it instructions," Yang Kai said coolly. "However… since you claim you're not one of them, shouldn't you do something to prove it?"
"Do something…" Zhou An's eyes flickered, but he quickly nodded: "I understand. Just watch, friend!"
With those words, he summoned his spear Artifact once more, channeling Source Energy into it as the power of the Grand Dao coiled around the shaft. He launched himself toward the battlefield where Liu Yan and Xiong Ning were locked in combat. As he thrust the spear forward, a halo of light erupted from its tip.
"Heavenly Unity Divine Spear!"
The shout tore from his throat, his eyes brimming with killing intent as he locked directly onto Xiong Ning!
Xiong Ning was horrified.
Under Liu Yan's assault, he had never held the upper hand. His mind had just been further shaken by Zhou An's despicable betrayal, and he was barely holding on. When Zhou An's spear came thrusting at him out of nowhere, he instantly smelled death on the wind.
After barely managing to block Liu Yan's strike, Xiong Ning cried out: "Senior Brother Zhou! Have you lost your mind?"
Zhou An gave a cold snort without a word. The spear in his hands suddenly paused, retracted, and then thrust forward again.