"Seal the space!"
Just as the massive palm was about to fall, the sky above the center of Purple Sky City suddenly cracked. Two identical figures appeared, both creating spatial barriers. Yin-yang energy intertwined, attempting to block the approaching palm.
"Two peak Dou Ancestor experts."
A man's laughter echoed from the sky. "Hehe, you must be the two guardian elders of Jia Nan Academy, Elder Qian Bai and the Second Elder.
"Indeed, you can roam the Black-Corner Region, but in front of this grand hall, it won't be enough unless Mang Tian Chi comes personally."
"Break!"
As the man's voice fell, the massive blood-red palm exploded with a thunderous roar, turning into blood mist that rapidly spread, as if about to engulf the entire Purple Sky City.
"Today, everyone in Purple Sky City will die. Along with the many Soul Envoys and Protectors of my Hall of Souls who are closest to here."
The hall master of this Hall of Souls branch was named Chi Lian, and his subordinates respectfully called him Elder Chi Lian.
Originally, he had been in seclusion, planning to break through to four-star Dou Venerable. If successful, he would have a chance to return to the western region of Central Plains.
The vice hall master had informed him that during this period, more than half of the branch's members had been reduced. After investigation, it was discovered that the attacker was Yun Yun, the Vice City Lord of Purple Sky City.
Chi Lian had never heard of Purple Sky City or Yun Yun, but as the vice hall master recounted recent events, he quickly realized that Purple Sky City posed an enormous threat. He then emerged from seclusion, intending to destroy it himself and capture Xiao Ting.
His surname was Xiao, and he displayed extremely talented behavior. Moreover, he seemed to know the whereabouts of the alchemist Yao Chen. Capturing him and bringing him back to the hall master would be a great achievement.
"Chi Lian Furnace!"
A deep red aura flowed violently. A sharp sound appeared on the spatial barrier created by the two elders and disappeared at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"A Dou Venerable is worthy of the name."
Elder Qian Bai and the Second Elder formed hand seals with serious expressions and each took out a jade pendant.
When these jade pendants combined, they could transform into the technique left by Mang Tian Chi and reach an extremely noble Dou Venerable level.
"You two don't need to act. I'm in Purple Sky City."
Seeing Elder Qian Bai and the Second Elder about to use their trump cards, Huo Zhi immediately raised her voice to warn them.
She couldn't let the two elders take the credit for owing Xiao Ting a favor.
"A Dou Venerable!"
A strange expression flashed in Elder Qian Bai's eyes.
They truly hadn't expected that Xiao Ting actually had a Dou Venerable backing him. Recognizing Xiao Ting's talent, building a good relationship, and even using the Dou Venerable-level technique left by Mang Tian Chi as a trump card was more than worthwhile.
"Then please…"
Elder Qian Bai and the Second Elder responded and prepared to depart.
Huo Zhi mobilized her inner Battle Qi, raised her hand to manifest the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, and prepared to attack.
But in the next moment, she was shocked to see the Red Lotus Karmic Flame flash for an instant and then return to her body on its own.
"What does this mean?"
Huo Zhi blinked in surprise and doubt.
In the next moment, the Red Lotus Karmic Flame sent back information.
Simply put, the boss wants to come out, but he doesn't want his younger brother to steal the spotlight.
But where did the Red Lotus Flame come from? Could it be…
A guess flashed through Huo Zhi's mind.
At that moment, dozens of spatial rifts appeared above Purple Sky City. Purple flame flashed like lightning and struck the blood-red mist directly.
In an instant, the blood-red mist disappeared like a tide, as if it had encountered its natural enemy.
Purple thunder rolled through the dark clouds in the sky, washing away the blood-red stains.
Thunder-like power condensed, containing terrifying energy, making everyone feel as if a massive sword was hanging over their heads.
"What… what's happening?"
"That blood mist seemed to devour life force, but why did it suddenly disappear?"
"Life in Purple Sky City is too exciting. The enemies invading are getting stronger and stronger."
"Last time, when that old demon made a move, there wasn't this kind of commotion. This time, was it a high-level Dou Ancestor who acted?"
"Think, use your head. The ones who acted are from the Hall of Souls. The two seniors who protected Purple Sky City are Elder Qian Bai and the Second Elder, the guardian elders of Jia Nan Academy, who possess peak Dou Ancestor power. Clearly, the one who acted was a Dou Venerable."
"Shhh, among Dou Venerable experts, there are only a handful even in Central Plains, right?"
"As far as I know, Dou Venerable and Dou Ancestor experts are rare, but not that rare. It's just that the places they often visit or explore are inaccessible to ordinary people."
"Indeed, besides Dou Ancestor and Dou Venerable elites who openly oppress despicable villains, there must be many powerful figures hidden behind the scenes, like the thousands of elders of Jia Nan Academy."
"I just want to know what's happening right now!"
"…"
The last sentence was also the source of everyone's curiosity.
What exactly was happening right now!?
"Dou Venerable!?"
Elder Chi Lian narrowed his eyes and asked. "Friend, I come from the Hall of Souls.
I came to capture Xiao Ting and Yun Yun from Purple Sky City. It wasn't easy for a Dou Venerable to cultivate. Why do I need your help?"
"Heh!"
A crisp laugh echoed from the sky. "You want to capture me and my Dao partner, yet you don't want me to act? Why don't I just commit suicide?"
Everyone: ?
Why did this sound a bit dizzying, with too much information?
Elder Chi Lian was the first to react and shouted in disbelief. "Xiao Ting!?"
His subordinates hadn't said that Xiao Ting had only broken through to Dou Ancestor half a year ago? Why was he a Dou Venerable now!?
"Correct, but no prize!"
A voice that chilled one to the bone echoed in Elder Chi Lian's ears.
"When!?"
Elder Chi Lian instinctively mobilized his inner Battle Qi, forming a blood-red palm and launching a strike.
Space shattered into fragments, and terrifying energy spread outward.
"Bang!"
A hand wrapped in purple flame lightly struck and collided with Elder Chi Lian's old blood-red palm.
"Rumble!"
An immense amount of Battle Qi swirled between the palms of Xiao Ting and Elder Chi Lian. The shockwave from the collision of terrifying power instantly spread outward. Spatial rifts appeared in the sky above Purple Sky City, spreading for several miles, and spatial turbulence became visible.
Shhh!
Countless people gasped.
Was this what a battle between Dou Venerable experts looked like?
Such close-range combat from circle to loop could shatter space within several miles.
If they condensed and unleashed powerful battle techniques, they could even destroy an entire town.
In contrast to Dou Kings, Dou Emperors, and Dou Ancestors who charge into towns and clear them out over time, these beings directly erase towns and their inhabitants from the map.
But the most terrifying thing was…
The City Lord of Purple Sky City, Xiao Ting, had broken through to Dou Venerable!?
How could the most talented disciple of Jia Nan Academy possibly advance from Dou Ancestor to Dou Venerable so quickly?
"A three-star Dou Venerable. Your power is passable."
A smile appeared in Xiao Ting's eyes. "If I kill you and give you to Yun Er, she would be very happy and would strengthen Cai Lin's power a little."
Elder Chi Lian: "…"
"Sorry, I can't hold back my urge to resist."
A purple flame appeared in Xiao Ting's eyes.
In the next instant, his body instantly expanded to ten zhang.
He couldn't become larger, but when facing human cultivators above half-Saint, there was no need to become even larger.
"Bang!"
…