At this moment, the might unleashed by the North God was beyond comprehension.
But it was a fact that the Talisman God projection had been completely startled away by the thunderous roar.
Atop a distant mountaintop, Yan Dongliu's eyes twitched wildly. His attention seemed still fixated on the Talisman God projection's previous earth-shattering attack, unaware that the powerful projection had been completely defeated.
Behind him, the dozens of people surrounding the massive altar, their faces pale with utter terror as the Talisman God projection receded into the cloud. Then, one by one, they convulsed and collapsed, their throats emitting low growls like those of dying beasts.
Only then did Yan Dongliu suddenly awaken, turning around and staring intently at the people writhing on the ground.
The corners of his mouth twitched fiercely as Yan Dongliu cast his gaze downward. The young man, who should have perished under the powerful attack of the Talisman God projection, was now hurtling towards the top of the hill at a speed that defied all logic.
Yan Dongliu suddenly felt his eyes swell, and everything he saw became blurry.
When the news of Yan Kang and Mo Zhonglong's deaths reached him, he hadn't believed it, briefly believing there was a hidden agenda, leading to such a result. However, he was a cautious man, so even if there was a 99% chance the enemy wasn't that powerful, he wouldn't take the risk, hence the arduous effort of summoning the Talisman God projection.
In the end, even the powerful Talisman God projection had fled in panic!
At this point, Yan Dongliu suddenly realized that something within him was ruthlessly shattering.
He waved his hand, signaling the surrounding Yan family warriors to retreat.
There was no point in them staying here now; they would die if they stayed.
"Master, aren't you leaving?"
The warrior leader didn't dare disobey Yan Dongliu, but he also knew the enemy was formidable. Even the incredibly powerful projection of the Talisman God couldn't harm him. Yan Dongliu's chances of victory seemed slim.
Yan Dongliu stood at the edge of the cliff, motionless. The strong wind swept past, his robe fluttering.
"You go ahead. I need to talk to him."
Yan Dongliu's voice remained calm, without any trace of emotion.
His gaze remained fixed on the young man soaring across the plain. As the distance between them rapidly closed, Yan Dongliu felt as if he saw the Grim Reaper approaching him.
The warriors behind him didn't move, and the warrior leader hesitated.
"Go! What are you still standing there for? Are my words no longer effective?"
Yan Dongliu suddenly turned and roared like an angry lion.
His eyes widened, radiating a sharp, piercing glare. Facing that glare, as sharp as a knife, the leader silently commanded his warriors, leading the dozen or so severely injured and weakened men slowly down the mountain.
Yan Dongliu turned again, only to be greeted by a crimson hue that threatened to burn the sky.
Amidst the crimson glare, the young man soared into the air, his massive wings a dazzling display.
"You're not dead after all."
Watching the young man slowly ascend, Yan Dongliu's expression returned to a calm.
He knew there was no way he could escape this time. The other party was an early Martial King, and so was he. While their realms were identical, the deaths of Mo Zhonglong and Yan Kang were a signal from the god of death.
Ming Qi, soaring in the air, gazed at Yan Dongliu and said, "A mere Yan Yian? Is it worth exterminating your entire clan for him?"
Yan Dongliu shuddered, then fell silent again.
"Clan extermination"—such simple words, yet they left him feeling completely breathless. Yes, Yan Yian was dead, and even Yan Kang was dead. He wondered how many members of the clan could stand against him.
Furthermore, he could see clear murderous intent in the eyes of the young man before him.
Using the lives of an entire clan to avenge Yan Yian's death—the two could never be equal.
A wave of powerless bitterness washed over him, and Yan Dongliu smiled. "This is our Yan family's choice, now that we've come to this."
Yan Dongliu didn't intend to continue. As the head of the family, even though he knew he was doomed, he had his reasons for choosing.
He stood there, his aura rapidly rising. The young man before him, expressionless, raised his flaming sword.
The hilltop was instantly enveloped by a massive air current.
A few days later, the Dongling Yan family announced their complete withdrawal from the ranks of the Seven Great Mansions of Xilan Prefecture, simultaneously sealing off the Dongling Mountains and isolating themselves from the outside world.
Ming Qi, who was at the Immovable Heavenly Pass, showed no sign of surprise upon hearing the news. If the Yan family's choice was the same as the Mo family's, he would not do anything for the time being.
Both the Yan and Mo families were, after all, among the seven major factions of Xilan Province. Although their choices differed, the results were similar, a result Ming Qi could accept.
Under Du Fei's leadership, the Immovable Heavenly Pass had begun operations, and daily operations were on track. To Ming Qi's surprise, amidst the tedious and complex accounting, a stream of profits was quietly flowing toward the Glazed Holy Land.
The reports sent out had all received their respective responses. Xiongfeng City had fully rendered its decision regarding the Yan and Mo families' siege of Qiankun Mountain, and both families had made corresponding compensation. Regarding the compensation, a dedicated team would later handle and verify the matter.
Ming Qi paid little attention to these matters. With the provocation from both families, he was already invincible.
This incident caused quite a stir throughout Xilan Province. While other major factions lamented the Yan and Mo families' impatience, they also immediately marked the Liuli Holy Land, which was rising like a comet, as a threat.
However, this matter was not yet completely over, as a new test for Xilan Province began.
The demon invasion.
This familiar term was familiar to all families, factions, and sects with a certain level of influence in the Central Land. This was not the first or second time.
More and more demon warriors appeared in various places, and the battle situation became increasingly urgent.
Du Fei had already disseminated the news to all regions through the appropriate channels. Now, it was likely that all families, factions, and sects were silently preparing, awaiting the order from the Chief Archon.
The alien races' covetousness of the Central Land has never ceased. Although the Central Land's highest echelons have yet to issue clear directives, everyone knows that war is inevitable. The once prosperous Central Land will once again face the baptism of blood and fire.
Ming Qi stayed at the Immovable Heavenly Gate for a few more days before returning to the Glazed Sacred Land. This time, Lao Wu accompanied him again.
According to intelligence from various sources, dozens of demonic teleportation arrays have appeared within Xilan Province alone, several of which are not far from Qiankun Mountain.
Without a powerful leader to guard it, Qiankun Mountain remains rife with danger.