His gaze revealed a resolute determination, as if he was already prepared to face the challenge.
At that moment, the sermon of the golden-robed cultivator suddenly entered its climax.
His voice grew even more impassioned, and the jade ruyi in his hand emitted an even brighter glow.
That light was like the sun, so piercing that it made people’s eyes unable to open.
At the same time, his golden robe billowed without wind, as if supported by some mysterious force.
“Now, I will guide you to draw in the profound qi of heaven and earth into your bodies, breaking through the bottleneck!”
The golden-robed cultivator shouted loudly, his voice like a thunderclap echoing in the air.
As his words fell, the surrounding cultivators all began to circulate their techniques, attempting to draw in the spiritual qi of heaven and earth into their bodies.
Their faces bore expressions of anticipation, as if they could see the hope of their own breakthrough.
However, they did not know that they were stepping one by one into the abyss of death.
On the Soul-Gathering Altar, runes flickered, emitting a eerie幽光, as if hiding countless untold secrets.
A group of cultivators sat cross-legged, their expressions focused yet tinged with fanaticism; they were all enveloped in a mysterious atmosphere, immersed in a strange state known as “listening to the Dao.”
The golden-robed cultivator muttered incantations, and the jade ruyi suddenly erupted with light, like a dazzling little sun, piercing so brightly that eyes could not stay open.
Chen Ping’s heart tightened, a sense of foreboding surging within him.
With his keen perception and rich experience, he instantly discerned the crisis hidden within.
Once this wave of guidance was complete, the soul threads of the cultivators present would be drawn away in large quantities all at once.
At that point, even if they could be saved, these cultivators’ intelligence would suffer severe damage, reducing them to existences like walking corpses.
“I cannot wait any longer!” Chen Ping thought to himself, his gaze turning resolute.
He abruptly opened his eyes; those eyes were like deep, cold pools, exuding endless calm and resolve.
Black and white flames suddenly surged around him, like a raging tide, instantly enveloping him and the Hu Mazi beside him in protection.
These black and white flames were formed from the unique technique Chen Ping cultivated, containing immense power; they could defend against external enemies and attack opponents.
At the same time, Chen Ping summoned the Dragon-Slaying Sword; the Dragon-Slaying Sword flickered with sharp sword qi.
With a loud shout, a fierce sword qi shot out like lightning, straight towards the groove in the centre of the high platform.
That groove appeared ordinary but was actually full of mysteries; it was the key point of the Soul-Gathering Array, continuously absorbing the soul threads of the cultivators.
“Stop!”
The golden-robed cultivator’s furious roar exploded like a thunderbolt, causing the entire Soul-Gathering Altar to hum and vibrate.
Though that sword qi was hastily blocked by him with the jade ruyi, the black runes below the high platform were shaken, cracking several fissures.
The soul threads that had been continuously drifting towards the groove instantly stagnated somewhat, as if gripped by an invisible giant hand at the throat.
The surrounding cultivators all awoke from the “listening to the Dao” state in shock; they blankly opened their eyes, looking at this sudden scene before them, their eyes full of confusion.
They did not understand why, at the critical moment of breakthrough, someone would suddenly strike and destroy it.
Upon seeing this, the golden-robed cultivator immediately shed his previous mild demeanour, his face twisting into a ferocious grimace in an instant.
His eyes bulged in rage as he pointed at Chen Ping, his voice full of incitement: “Fellow Daoists! This person must be a spy from the demon race! Seeing us draw in the profound qi of heaven and earth to help everyone break through, he strikes to destroy it; clearly, he does not want us to raise our cultivation!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the cultivators who had been in confusion instantly erupted.
Those who had just awakened from the hypnotic state already harboured dissatisfaction at the interruption of their “breakthrough opportunity.”
They had waited a long time for this breakthrough, expending countless efforts and blood, sweat, and tears; now it was all for naught, and one could imagine the anger in their hearts.
