That being didn’t seem to be speaking lightly.
As it spoke, an overwhelming, suffocating pressure descended from the heavens.
The teleportation array they had used to enter this place was also sealed.
The situation was now perilous.
“Great One, I know your cultivation is immensely powerful, far beyond ours.”
“Coming here uninvited was indeed presumptuous of us.”
“But I believe someone of your stature must be reasonable. Surely you wouldn’t kill us just for arriving unannounced?”
“Moreover, we are from the Xianhai Fish Clan, and this is our Young Master.”
“If possible, I hope you would give the Xianhai Fish Clan some face.”
“We truly came here with no ill intentions, only to ask about certain matters.”
Lady Gusu spoke solemnly.
Though she appeared calm, her heart was in turmoil.
She knew this being could easily kill them.
They were now in the tiger’s den.
Thus, she had to invoke the Xianhai Fish Clan for protection.
At the same time, she dared not act arrogantly and instead appealed to reason.
From all signs, this being was likely a demonic entity from ancient times.
Such beings were capable of anything.
Facing such an existence, one could only take a soft approach, not a hard one.
“Jejeje…”
However, Lady Gusu’s words were met with a mocking laugh from that being.
“Today’s martial cultivators are mere ants. I care not whether you’re from the Fish Clan or the Shrimp Clan.”
“If I had invited you, you could have turned rivers and seas upside down, and I wouldn’t mind.”
“But entering my domain without permission means only one path: death.”
As it finished speaking, winds surged, clouds roiled, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. A vast killing intent, like the dark clouds blanketing the sky, enveloped the entire void.
That oppressive force caused fear to surface in Xianhai Shaoyu’s eyes.
As for Xianhai Xiner, she was so terrified she closed her eyes.
Against such an existence, she knew escape was futile. If this being was determined to kill them, only death awaited.
“Senior, please wait.”
At this critical moment, Xianhai Shaoyu spoke calmly.
Not only did he speak, but he stepped forward, placing himself in front of Xianhai Xiner and Lady Gusu, shielding them.
“Any last words?”
The terrifying being asked.
“No last words. Entering this place was my decision alone.”
“It has nothing to do with them. Will you let them go?”
Xianhai Shaoyu said.
“You’re quite loyal.”
“But unfortunately, I said you all must die, so you all must die.”
The terrifying being declared.
“Senior, you’ve been hidden here for many years.”
“You know little of the current era.”
“But don’t underestimate today’s martial cultivators.”
“If you insist on killing us over such a trivial matter, I fear you’ll regret it.”
As Xianhai Shaoyu spoke, he suddenly unfastened his robe, revealing a glow.
At his chest was a red gem, crafted as if from blood, with something writhing inside, like a living entity.
At first glance, it seemed a treasure, but upon closer inspection, it was utterly eerie.
The red gem was embedded in Xianhai Shaoyu’s heart, pulsing with it, as if fused with his heart.
Around the strange gem were intricate, mysterious patterns, from which the glow emanated.
But those patterns were clearly black.
“Young Master…”
Seeing the glow, Lady Gusu’s expression grew complex.
As a member of the Xianhai Fish Clan, she knew what was on Xianhai Shaoyu’s chest.
It was a protective formation.
It would only activate when Xianhai Shaoyu’s life was in danger.
Xianhai Shaoyu, always headstrong, liked to venture the vast martial world alone. Even when accompanied, he forbade those stronger than him from following.
But as the most talented genius of the Xianhai Fish Clan and the future heir to its throne, the clan couldn’t let him wander without protection.
After persuasion, this protective formation was placed on him.
It would trigger when Xianhai Shaoyu faced mortal danger.
Its destructive power was immense.
But because the formation was linked to his soul, if it activated, his body would also suffer damage.
Buzz—
Buzz—
At that moment, Xianhai Xiner and Lady Gusu felt a jolt in their minds.
They sensed Xianhai Shaoyu’s aura flowing into them.
They understood then that he was truly prepared to fight to the death.
When his aura entered their bodies, the protective formation, upon activation, would recognize them and spare them from its attack.
“A protective formation.”
“Are you threatening me?”
The terrifying being’s voice grew displeased. Clearly, a being of its caliber could see how formidable Xianhai Shaoyu’s protective formation was.
“It’s not a threat. This formation is simply on me.”
“If you wish to kill me, you must break it first.”
Xianhai Shaoyu said.
“If that’s the case, I’ll break it first, then kill you.”
Suddenly, rolling dark clouds descended from the sky, accompanied by overwhelming killing intent.
The terrifying being, despite recognizing the danger of the protective formation, showed no fear and chose to eliminate Xianhai Shaoyu.
At this moment, not only Xianhai Xiner but even Lady Gusu closed their eyes in fear.
Against such an existence, they could not control the situation.
They could only entrust everything to the protective formation on Xianhai Shaoyu.
They hoped it could destroy the ancient demonic entity in the void.
Though its activation would gravely injure Xianhai Shaoyu, there was no other way.
Buzz—
But suddenly, Xianhai Shaoyu, Xianhai Xiner, and Lady Gusu found their surroundings frozen.
Not only were the three of them immobilized, but everything around them was as well, as if time itself had stopped flowing.
At the same time, an invisible barrier appeared around them.
Though invisible, it shielded the three of them.
No matter how the descending dark clouds swirled around, wailing and raging wildly, they couldn’t penetrate the barrier or harm Xianhai Shaoyu and his companions in the slightest.
Seeing this, the terrifying giant eyes in the void shifted.
Those eyes, capable of piercing the heavens, turned to the far reaches of this world.
“Since you’re here, show yourself!”
The terrifying being’s voice thundered like lightning.
Whoosh—
As its words fell, the distant horizon churned.
An invisible force swept in from afar.
It was an aura of majesty.
