It was no wonder Zhu Li and Long Tai were slow to react—what they had witnessed today was simply too staggering. Even they, cultivators of the Open Heaven realm, found their minds shaken and their thoughts in disarray.
An Emperor realm cultivator manifesting a Dharma Aspect—what an unprecedented feat. The existence of a seventh-grade Golden Crow True Fire had terrified them as well. Seeing Lu Xue's fate over there, they feared they would be the next unlucky ones.
The Sword Pavilion's sword formation being shattered had only added to their horror and dread. They were already regretting wading into these murky waters, but the Sword Pavilion had extended the invitation, and given that Lei Guang had indeed lost quite a few Disciples to Yang Kai's hand before this, they had no choice but to come.
It was only when Zhong Fan let out a furious shout that they finally snapped back to awareness. They exchanged a glance and both understood—today, if they didn't seize this opportunity to kill Yang Kai right here, Lei Guang might as well prepare to be slaughtered by him. With the strength he had just displayed, Lei Guang would have no way of resisting.
No more hesitation. Both of them roared in unison: "Lei Guang Disciples, heed my command—follow me and slay the enemy!"
With that order, the scattered and demoralized Lei Guang Disciples finally found their rallying point. During Yang Kai's battle with Sword Pavilion, they had been completely unable to intervene, reduced to mere spectators on the sidelines—truly embarrassing. Fortunately, this fight would finally give them a chance to contribute.
They surged toward Zhu Li and Long Tai, gathering behind their two leaders and charging toward Yang Kai in an overwhelming tide.
Inside the manor, Yue He and the others had their hearts in their throats. Although Yang Kai had put on an impressive display before, single-handedly dismantling Sword Pavilion's sword formation and nearly wiping out all of their forces, he had just endured a fierce battle. Now he could barely sustain even his Great Sun Dharma Aspect—he was clearly at the end of his rope. Lei Guang's foundation remained intact, with nearly two thousand people. Even if each one spat on him, they could drown him.
In such desperate straits, how could Yang Kai possibly cope?
Yet Yang Kai, standing at the center of the encirclement, wore a look of utter composure. He chewed on Spirit Pills with a crunchy snap, a savage grin on his face as he watched the figures hurtling toward him—like a supreme predator waiting for prey, ready to annihilate every enemy that dared approach.
Indeed, Yang Kai had nothing to fear. Lei Guang had the numbers, but he possessed the Space Laws. So long as they didn't seal off this stretch of heaven and earth, didn't bind his movement, then Zhu Li and Long Tai could do nothing to him.
His Golden Crow Forging the Sun divine ability was complete, and there was no longer any need to hide it. He was considering whether to unleash the Dragon Transformation Art and take on a half-dragon form for a proper fight, when suddenly an excited voice came from the distance: "Brother Yang, Brother Yang! It's done! Hahahaha!"
The voice had originated from within the Star City, but accompanied by that hearty laughter, a figure suddenly burst out from the city and hurtled straight toward Yang Kai.
In that moment of tense standoff, with a great battle about to erupt, this burst of laughter was jarringly out of place.
Everyone couldn't help but turn their heads toward the source of the sound. There, a plump, fair-skinned little fellow was flying out from the Star City, both hands raised high above his head. In his palms he held an ancient-looking gourd, his face brimming with the satisfied air of a job well done and an eager, spirited expression.
The Big Boss's eyelid couldn't help but twitch as he stared at the little fellow's silhouette. "How did he get out?"
Chen Tianfei was momentarily stunned, but once the implication sank in, his expression changed as well. He couldn't help but wonder the same thing—how had that fellow gotten out?
After all, the Star City's Guardian Grand Array had been active the entire time, isolating the interior from the outside. Anyone inside who wished to leave would require him to order the array to open a gap—just as it had been when Zhong Fan and the others entered before.
But the array was still running perfectly, and yet this little fellow had somehow slipped out of the Star City as if by magic, with the Guardian Grand Array not reacting in the slightest.
Could the residual shockwaves from Yang Kai's battle with Sword Pavilion have damaged the array? At that thought, Chen Tianfei immediately ordered someone to inspect the array's condition.
Yue He was equally startled. She stared at the little fellow's figure, belatedly realizing what had happened, and sent out her spiritual sense to probe. Sure enough, the sealed chamber had been opened—the fellow who should have been cultivating inside was long gone.
She sighed inwardly. As expected of an elite Disciple from a Cave Heaven—when he had left the manor and gone outside, she hadn't noticed a thing. Granted, most of her attention had been on Yang Kai, but for an Emperor realm cultivator to pull off something like this was still remarkable.
But… what was this fellow doing rushing out at a time like this? And what was that gourd?
Yue He focused her gaze and discovered that the gourd was no taller than a palm's width, ancient in appearance, clearly quite old. Its origins were unknown. Currently being hoisted high above Xu Zhen's head, it looked utterly comical.
At that moment, Yang Kai was completely surrounded by over two thousand Lei Guang Disciples. For Xu Zhen to reach Yang Kai, he would inevitably have to pass through the Lei Guang formation.
And Xu Zhen, seemingly oblivious as ever, only realized the situation after he had already blundered into the midst of the Lei Guang ranks. He let out a startled cry: "Oh my, oh my! Why are there so many people? What's everyone doing here?"
His question was innocent enough, but the Lei Guang Disciples' response was anything but gentle.
These people were already seething with frustration and murderous intent. Having this inexplicable stranger suddenly barge into their ranks left them with no goodwill to spare. Instantly, divine abilities and secret techniques rained down upon Xu Zhen without a shred of mercy.
But this fellow, despite looking clumsy and ridiculous in his movements, had absurdly good fortune. A step to the left, a step to the right, wobbling back and forth—he dodged every single attack, all while bawling at the top of his lungs: "What are you doing? Are you trying to kill someone? Don't hit me—I'm innocent!"
The louder he yelled, the fiercer the Lei Guang Disciples attacked. A sky-covering deluge of secret technique light bore down on him, yet not a single blow landed. Despite his portly appearance, this fellow moved with indescribable agility.
After several rounds of this, even the densest observer could tell something was off.
No one's luck could possibly be this good. With this many people attacking, not a single hit landing was simply impossible. This little fellow was clearly playing the pig to eat the tiger—and to move so freely through such a massive crowd spoke to extraordinary strength.
Zhu Li's face darkened with fury, and he bellowed: "Who goes there? State your name!"