Roar...
A piercing dragon roar erupted, accompanied by a cacophony of crackling explosions, as a colossal figure over a hundred zhang tall materialized out of thin air, blocking the space before Li Wuyi.
Seizing the brief opening Li Wuyi had created, Yang Kai had already transformed into his hundred-zhang dragon form. Light flickered across the Azure Dragon Spear as he gripped the haft and swept it forward with devastating force. An overwhelming wave of spear intent blanketed a vast area, its terrifying killing intent and mysterious aura descending upon the Demon Race's formation.
The Half-Saints' expressions shifted. Abandoning their assault on Li Wuyi, they retreated in haste.
Previous experience was the best teacher. The Half-Saints all knew that Yang Kai had comprehended a power called Martial Dao True Meaning—a bizarre yet terrifyingly potent force. Once struck by it, one would be afflicted like a parasite clinging to bone, and even the Demon Saints required tremendous effort to purge it. In a straightforward fight, none of them feared a single Yang Kai. They could pay some price and slay him here if it came to life-or-death combat.
But now was the critical moment—the race to enter the Profound Heaven Temple and seize the Star Boundary's opportunities. Which Half-Saint would willingly sustain an injury at a time like this? And being injured by Yang Kai's power would almost certainly mean losing their qualification on the spot.
And so, despite the frustration etched across their faces, the Half-Saints fell back, unwilling to meet his attack head-on.
In the same instant both sides clashed, the Dragon Clan's two Elders and the three Demon Saints of the Demon Realm collided, and in the blink of an eye the sky darkened and the heavens themselves seemed to quake.
Zhu Yan and Fu Zhun had no desire to engage the Demon Saints here—the Profound Heaven Temple was far too close, and any disruption to it would be disastrous. Worse still, the aftershocks of their battle could easily wound the Pseudo-Emperors on their own side, which would be deeply embarrassing.
But the Demon Saints saw things differently. They appeared intent on breaking through the Dragon Clan Elders' defensive line to strike at the Pseudo-Emperors, eliminating potential competitors for the Grand Dao before the contest truly began. If they wanted to fight, the two Dragon Clan Elders had no choice but to meet them head-on.
And so, a great battle became unavoidable.
Terrifying shockwaves rippled outward, and every Half-Saint and Pseudo-Emperor wore expressions of shock.
Never before had they been so close to a battle of this magnitude. Feeling the power of the apex powerhouses from their respective factions, their shock was mingled with an intense yearning.
"What are you waiting for?!" Yang Kai gripped the hundred-zhang spear, his voice resonating like a dragon's roar. He and Li Wuyi stood together before the gates of the Profound Heaven Temple, holding back dozens of Half-Saints who dared not advance—their combined might too overwhelming to face directly.
His roar snapped the Pseudo-Emperors out of their daze. One after another, they streaked toward the Profound Heaven Temple.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—figures darted past Yang Kai and Li Wuyi. The first to charge through was Cang Mo. The fellow had sharp instincts and reacted faster than anyone else—perhaps he had already made up his mind beforehand. The rest offered brief nods to the two and plunged through the gateway, vanishing from sight.
Watching a group of Pseudo-Emperors disappear into the Profound Heaven Temple, the Demon Race's Half-Saints, led by Jia Long, wore expressions as dark as iron. Though none knew what conditions awaited inside, those who entered first could seize the initiative. If the Star Boundary's Pseudo-Emperors had already set traps, casualties might well follow.
But the threat of Yang Kai's Martial Dao True Meaning held them back. They were simply unwilling to step forward at a time like this.
In the moment they hesitated, every Pseudo-Emperor from the Star Boundary had already entered the Profound Heaven Temple.
"Go!" Li Wuyi barked.
The Dragon Clan's two Elders were currently entangled by the three Demon Saints, unable to break free. With only him and Yang Kai, there was no way they could withstand the charge of so many Half-Saints. Having managed to buy enough time for the Star Boundary's people to enter first was already the best possible outcome.
Yang Kai knew this too. He nodded, and his massive body twisted and shifted, transforming back into human form. He gave Li Wuyi a long, deep look, then spun around and charged into the hall.
Only after Yang Kai had entered the Profound Heaven Temple did Li Wuyi offer Jia Long a faint smile, gesture politely toward the entrance, and step aside.
Jia Long's face was ashen. He snorted coldly, too impatient to waste any more time, and led his group of Half-Saints surging forward. One by one, their figures vanished through the gates.
Moments later, Li Wuyi stood alone before the Profound Heaven Temple.
Gazing at the wide-open gates and feeling the profound, ancient aura seeping from within, Li Wuyi let out a quiet sigh. Surrendering this opportunity meant missing the pinnacle of the Martial Dao. But circumstances were as they were—even given another chance, he would make the same choice.
"Hm?" Just then, Li Wuyi frowned and turned his head. A streak of light was hurtling toward him from the distance, arriving in the blink of an eye to reveal a graceful, slender figure.
"Sheng Yuzhu?" Li Wuyi looked at the newcomer and smiled. He had never met Sheng Yuzhu in person, but Yang Kai had mentioned her before, so he recognized her immediately.
"Commander Li? Your reputation precedes you." Sheng Yuzhu's beautiful eyes swept over him, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Is the Commander going to stop me?"
Li Wuyi shook his head slowly. "You don't belong to the Star Boundary's armies, so I have no authority over you. Go in if you wish. But if you happen to run into Yang Kai in there, please look after him."
Sheng Yuzhu nodded. "I will. Before the final moment arrives, I won't make trouble for him. But I trust the Commander can understand—when the Grand Dao is at stake, everyone is an enemy."
"Naturally!" Li Wuyi agreed without hesitation.