Xiao Qi's roar full of hatred and clarity was like ice water thrown into boiling oil, instantly stir up violent ripples in many cultivators' minds bewitched by demonic whispers. Quite a few people's red eyes faded somewhat, revealing momentary confusion and lingering fear, involuntarily restraining the spiritual power about to erupt.
The demon head's whispers abruptly stopped, seemingly finding it unexpected that this junior could break free so quickly from its carefully woven heart-confusing demonic net, feeling a trace of surprise and... displeasure.
After brief silence, that neither-male-nor-female voice again resounded. This time, with less instigation but more icy mockery and sharpness pointing directly to the essence.
"Oh? Able to see through my meager methods? I underestimated your 'purification' root constitution," the voice seemed to directly pierce through Xiao Qi's resistance, echoing in his and everyone's sea of consciousness. "Very well, since you're so 'clear,' I'll let you die understanding."
"The light before your eyes, this so-called 'core inheritance,' its true essence is not some technique or secret art, but... a strand of stripped, imprisoned 'Purification Essence'!"
The four words "Purification Essence" were like thunder exploding in everyone's hearts!
Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun abruptly looked toward Xiao Qi, then at that light source, instantly understanding much! No wonder Xiao Qi's spiritual power could repeatedly gain this place's restrictions' recognition! No wonder the Silver-Faced Envoy was so determined to have him! His power was of the same source as this core inheritance! Perhaps even... this inheritance was his family's lost power?!
Flaming Sun Sect and Mysterious Mechanism Holy Land people were also horrified. Purification Essence! This was a legendary supreme power in rumors enough to restrain all evil demons in the world, even touching the root of heaven and earth's laws! Its value far exceeded any specific technique inheritance!
The demon head's voice carried a playing-with-prey-like cruelty, continuing: "Now, the moment of choice has arrived, you ants."
"Choice one: Plunder!"
The voice suddenly rose, filled with temptation: "Step forward, break this damned restriction, claim this masterless Purification Essence for yourselves! Refine it, merge with it! Then, you will possess potential surpassing all beings. What sects, what righteous path, before absolute power, all is emptiness! You can establish your own order, become new rulers! Think about it—what delight that would be!"
Yan Feng's breathing instantly became heavy as an ox, his eyes exploding with frightening light. He stared dead at that light source, as if already seeing the future of himself controlling purification power and dominating all! The elders and disciples beside him also mostly showed greed, itching to act.
"Choice two: Protect."
The voice suddenly turned low, carrying undisguised mockery: "Or, like this pathetic kid, foolishly 'protect' it? Protect this strand of Essence that's no kin to you, might even restrain your own power? For that vague 'righteous path,' for these 'companions' who might stab you in the back at any moment? And then? Watch it continue imprisoned here, or... wait for others to snatch it away? Use your laughable lives to fill this bottomless abyss?"
This sharp contrast laid bare this cruel choice before every person.
The temptation of power versus the坚守 of righteousness.
Selfish plunder versus selfless protection.
The demon head remnant soul precisely seized humanity's most fundamental contradiction. It no longer needed excessive instigation—just throwing out this choice was enough to make the already fragile alliance completely disintegrate!
Almost the moment the voice fell, camps clearly divided!
Yan Feng leading the Flaming Sun Sect people almost without hesitation chose the former! They had always believed power was supreme. Facing this easily obtainable supreme power, how could they hold back?
"Flaming Sun Sect disciples hear my order! Follow me to break the restriction, seize the Essence!" Yan Feng roared madly, his whole body flames reaching the sky, actually temporarily resisting part of the pressure, first to charge toward the altar! Other Flaming Sun Sect disciples also shouted one after another, various fire techniques like they were free bombarding that seven-colored restriction. Though like ants shaking a tree, it showed their determination—Plunder!
Mysterious Mechanism Holy Land's side showed obvious division. Some disciples' eyes flickered, clearly also tempted by the "Purification Essence," their feet moving slightly. But Mu Xue suddenly gave a clear shout: "Steady your minds! The demon head confuses hearts—how can you lightly believe it! Such power is not for us to control. Forcefully taking it will bring backlash!"
Her words were like ice water, waking some fellow disciples. Mysterious Mechanism Holy Land had always emphasized pure dao hearts. Facing this choice, most disciples under Mu Xue's leadership chose to temporarily observe, or rather, they were more inclined to... protect this thing from falling into Flaming Sun Sect or the demon head's hands. But exactly how to "protect" remained unknown.
And Qingxu Temple's side had almost no hesitation!
"Protect Xiao Qi! Protect the inheritance! Never let the demon head's plot succeed!" Mu Qingfeng's voice was steady as a mountain, yet carrying undeniable decisiveness. His longsword横 across the sky, sword intent locking onto the charging Flaming Sun Sect people. No matter what, Xiao Qi was their fellow disciple. This inheritance seemed connected to his bloodline. Publicly or privately, they could never sit by watching the inheritance be taken, even less let the demon head get its wish!
Liu Yun said nothing, her sword point directly forward, showing her stance. Other Qingxu Temple disciples also gathered, forming battle formation, their eyes determined. Their choice was to Protect!
Hidden in the shadows, Shadow Snake Pavilion people—the Silver-Faced Envoy's lips beneath his mask curled into a cold smile. Fight, snatch! The fiercer the battle, the more opportunity he'd have! Whether that Purification Essence or Tang Xiao Qi this person, he wanted both!
Under the starry sky, camps were distinct. Flaming Sun Sect madly attacked restrictions, trying to plunder; Qingxu Temple vowed death to protect, yielding not an inch; Mysterious Mechanism Holy Land wavered, waiting for opportunity; Shadow Snake Pavilion lurked in darkness, eyeing like a tiger.
And Xiao Qi at this moment, after experiencing initial collapse and demonic whisper seduction, listening to the demon head's mockery-filled "protection or plunder" choice, looking at his father's painfully struggling phantom before him, then looking at that Purification Essence connected to his bloodline, of the same origin...
He wiped away blood and tears on his face. The grief in his eyes didn't disappear, but gradually was replaced by something deeper, more determined.
He recalled Xu Lan Mountain Manor's destruction, recalled his father's final gaze, recalled his master's teachings, recalled everyone who had given him warmth and protection all this way—Senior Brother, Third Senior Sister, Zhao Tiezhu, the rabbit spirit...
His dao had never been plunder.
His power was born to... protect!
He slowly stood up. Though under that vast pressure his back still somewhat bent, his head was raised. He ignored the Flaming Sun Sect madly attacking restrictions, ignored the wavering Mysterious Mechanism Holy Land, ignored the poisonous snakes in the shadows.
His gaze crossed space, firmly locking onto his father Xu Zhan's phantom on the altar's top, then turned to that pure Essence light.
He used all his strength. His voice wasn't loud, but clearly echoed in the silent starry sky—an answer to the demon head's question, and a declaration to his own dao heart:
"I choose... to protect!"