From a distance, Shu Han observed the grand battle at the Funeral Furnace Slope with great interest.
Shangguan Ruotong was battling six advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators. Shu Han thought to himself, even if she is at the Core Formation stage, being suppressed in cultivation might make this too much for her.
From afar, the entire Burial Furnace Slope was engulfed by the violent storm. Within the tempest, thunder occasionally erupted, presenting a scene of utter destruction. Amidst streaks of lightning, one could discern six figures fiercely fighting against the central figure, Shangguan Ruotong. The emergence of magic treasure patterns and the overwhelming momentum seemed to intensify.
"Those two late-stage cultivators from the Golden Silkworm Association must have recognized Shangguan Ruotong's real identity. They're even fighting more desperately than the four from the Green Thunder Sect. Have they gone mad?"
Shangguan Ruolin, watching the group assault Shangguan Ruotong, did not have Shu Han's schadenfreude. She said, "Because they know my sister. They know that betrayal leads to a cruel end. They're fighting desperately, hoping that by killing her, they might find a chance to survive. However, it's unfortunate for them; dealing with a Core Formation cultivator isn't easy."
Shu Han nodded, "Even if she doesn't lose, draining her of her energy will suffice. Then it will be our turn to make a move." Soon after, his other avatar returned. He said to Shangguan Ruolin, "The formation is set. Whether we can achieve our aims in the Immaculate Realm depends on this."
"Understood."
Within the storm, the six circled around Shangguan Ruotong like flies. Every time she tried to gather her power to counterattack, she was disrupted by sudden thunder strikes. When she intended to deal with the thunder formation, she was harassed by the members of the Golden Silkworm Association. She was in a tight spot. The feeling of being powerful yet unable to exert it made Shangguan Ruotong's blood boil.
It seemed she needed to bring out her true power to deal with these adversaries. She spat out her Golden Core, and the densely packed sealing runes on it began to shine. Some of the runes gradually dissolved, releasing a terrifying power.
Luo Haoguang exclaimed in shock, "You dare unleash the power of the Golden Core? Aren't you afraid of the instability of space, and perishing in a spacetime storm?"
"Shut up! Who are you to advise me?"
Shangguan Ruotong tightly gripped her Golden Core. The space around her began to warp due to the partial release of the Golden Core's power. With a yell, she exclaimed, "Phoenix Dances to the Sky!"
In an instant, her fist clutching the Golden Core emanated numerous phoenix illusions. These illusions circled around Shangguan Ruotong, elevating her aura once more, and in a blink, shattered the thunder formation of the Green Thunder Sect.
From a distance, Shu Han couldn't help but exclaim, "Such combat power is outrageous, isn't it? Why hasn't the spacetime of the Immaculate Realm collapsed?"
Shangguan Ruolin replied, "No, she hasn't unleashed the full power of the Golden Core. This is a forbidden technique from the 'Sunrise Phoenix Art' cultivation method, similar to the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret. It can momentarily boost a cultivator's level, doubling their combat strength, at the very least."
"Doubling the combat strength?" Shu Han marveled. "Isn't that similar to the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret? You must know this technique too. Why haven't I seen you use it?"
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Shangguan Ruolin clarified, "No when you use the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret, your combat power doubles because you haven't cultivated this technique. If I were to use it, my cultivation level would increase by more than three times."
Shu Han understood, "No wonder you chose to cultivate this method. Its effects far surpass those of the 'Sunrise Phoenix Art'."
Shangguan Ruolin didn't respond but said, "Prepare yourself; it's about to end."
As expected, witnessing such overpowering force, the six present were petrified. They exchanged a brief glance and in the next second, they displayed their unique abilities, bolting in six different directions to escape this god of death.
However, the moment Shangguan Ruotong began her secret technique, they had already lost the chance to flee.
With a wave of her Phoenix Feather Falling Flower Needle, the four cultivators from the Green Thunder Sect who had been shielding themselves from a distance were instantly caught by a storm of silver needles. They quickly raised their green thunder shields to protect themselves.
However, before the shields could even form, the external magic power was cleanly obliterated, and their lifebound magic treasures were riddled with holes by the storm. In the end, the four were torn apart by the storm in sheer terror, staining the rain curtain red.
As for the two fleeing members from the Golden Silkworm Association, Shangguan Ruotong brought out the green flag she had used earlier. With two waves, the ensuing green storm dragged the two back.
Qu Wenyao and Song Zhengchu, seeing their escape thwarted, shuddered and knelt, desperately kowtowing to Shangguan Ruotong.
From her elevated position, Shangguan Ruotong looked down upon the two, holding complete authority over their fates. She coldly asked, "Why did you betray and attack me?"
Qu Wenyao quickly explained the situation of Shu Han and Shangguan Ruolin deceiving them on two occasions. She said shakily, "I thought it was that deceitful youngster using his old tricks again, so I made a move against you, senior. Please spare our lives, senior!"
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Ruotong's brow furrowed deeply, her face turning pale suddenly. Staggering momentarily in mid-air, she steadied her breathing and continued to ask, "After engaging me in combat, you should have recognized that I am the real one. Why did you persist in attacking?"
Qu Wenyao and Song Zhengchu exchanged glances, both eyes filled with despair.
Song Zhengchu stood up, suppressing his fear, and said, "It was my suggestion. I thought that since we had already acted against you and knowing your temperament, you would never spare us. We might as well go all out for a chance. It wasn't Wenyao's idea, if you wish to kill or punish, let me bear it all."
Qu Wenyao looked at Song Zhengchu, whose face was pale yet who spoke with such determination, somewhat taken aback.
Song Zhengchu gave her a grim smile, "We're doomed anyway. At least let me appear brave in front of you once!"
Shangguan Ruotong nodded, "Very well, you understand me indeed. Time to die."
With a wave of her green flag, a violent gust of wind surged forward. Song Zhengchu's flesh and blood instantaneously disintegrated with a scream, his bones pulverized by the wind.
Qu Wenyao, recalling Song Zhengchu's words to her, stood resolutely, "There's no need for the senior to act, I'll follow him." Saying this, she slapped her forehead, destroying her cultivation, and passed away.
"You're wise in your choice," Shangguan Ruotong said, her expression changing as she dealt with the duo. She began to ponder over their words.
Her sister impersonating her and instigating the Golden Silkworm Association? Does that mean the four cultivators from the Green Thunder Sect were also part of her plan? Since when did she resort to such despicable means?
Suddenly, Shangguan Ruotong seemed dazed, almost falling from the sky. She took heavy breaths as she landed on the Burial Furnace Slope. The backlash from the Phoenix Dances to the Sky Secret was starting. Her consciousness was blurry, her powers scattered. She quickly sat cross-legged and began to meditate, trying to counteract the backlash.
However, before she could recover, a sudden urge jolted her awake. From the other side of the Immaculate Mountain, Shangguan Ruolin and Gui Wuji were swiftly approaching.
Shangguan Ruotong opened her eyes and seeing Shangguan Ruolin, she offered a knowing smile.
"Sister, since when has the palace master of the Jade Sky Palace, who dominates a region, used such base methods? It's unlike you."
Shangguan Ruolin, looking at her pale sister, remarked, "It's enough. Stop this nonsense."
"Stop this nonsense?" Shangguan Ruotong's face turned livid, "All my efforts are seen as mere folly in your eyes? There's a limit to looking down on someone! Do you still think I'm the same immature person from eight hundred years ago?"