The surrounding canyons began to collapse, huge stones turning into dust.
Jiang Li's spiritual power was rapidly drained from his body. The surrounding spiritual energy formed a hurricane, surging towards Jiang Li's fingertips.
Immediately after, Jiang Li's face turned incredibly pale.
His vitality was absorbed by his fingertips, and his body began to weaken rapidly.
The Phoenix Nirvana Sutra within Jiang Li's body was already circulating at its limit, yet it still couldn't resist the absorption of the Great Desolate Sky-Severing Finger.
Jiang Li's aura grew increasingly violent, space began to shatter, and the surrounding canyons crumbled.
A terrifying aura intertwined with the entire canyon.
The black-clothed figures opposite finally began to panic.
This power was also absorbing their vitality; a devouring force surged uncontrollably from Jiang Li.
"Stop, we won't capture you anymore, stop..."
The black-clothed figures opposite cried out in alarm.
But it was no use.
Jiang Li's power had already been condensed. The terrifying aura caused space to emit a low boom.
"Three fingers seize creation, shatter for me!" Jiang Li roared.
Immediately after, a stream of light, like a black hole, surged towards the many black-clothed figures.
Jiang Li's blood and qi were absorbed too much, leaving him utterly weak. This third finger was too draining; it wasn't something the current Jiang Li could use carelessly.
After all, Jiang Li's current cultivation was only at the Spiritual River realm, making the third move of the Great Desolate Sky-Severing Finger extremely difficult.
If not for the dual enhancement of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Body and the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, Jiang Li would have been drained dry the moment he initiated it.
"Rumble!!!"
As the stream of light was unleashed, the air it cut through continuously emitted sonic booms.
The surrounding canyons had completely shattered, and countless fragments of rock had turned into dust...
The black-clothed figures in the distance, under the onslaught of the stream of light, began to collapse, flesh and blood splattering everywhere.
Painful groans and screams echoed, the sounds akin to being in hell.
Looking at the canyon, which had almost completely crumbled into ruins, Jiang Li let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"Little lady, you're lucky. We don't have to die..." Jiang Li whispered weakly, his breath shallow, before fainting.
The two bodies leaned against each other, clinging tightly...
...
Jiang Li opened his eyes again.
He found himself in a warm space.
Strange energy seemed to be nourishing Jiang Li's body.
On one side stood an old man with a white beard, wearing a green daoist robe. Jiang Li subconsciously activated the Life Script system.
[Name]: Li Xuan
[Realm]: Saint King Realm Eighth Heaven.
[Physique]: Profound Spirit King Body.
[Destiny]: Regional Hegemon (Blue), Astonishing Talent (Blue), Incredible Fortune (Blue), Grandmaster of Formations (Blue).
[Affection]: 30
[Life Script]: Supporting character in "Immortal Demonic Venerable." Former elder of the Tai Qing Sacred Land. Due to certain special reasons, he came to Qing Yang Sect as the Grand Elder. His formation talent is astonishing, truly a Grandmaster of Formations.
[Recent Turning Point]: None
Li Xuan, could he be Li Qin's grandfather... It should be...
However, her grandfather was an unparalleled expert at the Eighth Heaven of the Saint King realm. No wonder everyone in Qing Yang Sect feared Li Qin so much.
A Saint King realm cultivator, who could afford to offend such a person...
Saint realm cultivators were already the peak experts of the Ancient Desolate Continent, let alone kings among saints.
The current Saint Kings were all unparalleled prodigies from decades or even centuries ago.
An elder of the Tai Qing Sacred Land...
Jiang Li recalled that Li Qin's life script indicated she would become a Saintess of the Tai Qing Sacred Land. It seemed like another hidden plot yet to be revealed.
"Senior, did you save me? Where is Li Qin? Is she alright?" Wang Hao took a deep breath and then asked.
He only remembered losing consciousness after killing those black-clothed figures.
He had woken up here.
Li Xuan said faintly, "Are you that worried about my granddaughter?"
"Senior, are you Li Qin's grandfather?" Jiang Li then asked. Although he already knew through the Life Script system, he had to ask to avoid revealing his system.
Li Xuan nodded with a complex expression.
Jiang Li took a deep breath. He hadn't expected this encounter. However, with her grandfather appearing, Li Qin should be safe.
"Jiang Li, you did very well. My granddaughter has good taste!" Li Xuan said, as if recalling something.
Jiang Li shook his head and chuckled bitterly, "Senior, I almost died there. How can you say it was good!"
Li Xuan remained noncommittal and then said, "Ancient Desolate Sacred Body, Exotic Fire, Sword Pellet, Heaven-tier Spiritual Treasure, Saint-tier Divine Ability. I never thought these things would all be concentrated on a mere fellow at the second heaven of the Spiritual River realm!"
As Li Xuan spoke, Jiang Li's eyelids twitched wildly. Were Saint King experts this powerful? They could see through it with a single glance?
Jiang Li was filled with doubts, even a sense of horror. If these top experts were all so formidable, wouldn't he be taken away for research the moment he acquired more fortuitous encounters?
"Senior, this junior is merely lucky. How did you know?" Jiang Li answered honestly.
Li Xuan smiled, seemingly understanding Jiang Li's inner thoughts.
"I saw it with my own eyes!" Li Xuan continued.
Jiang Li's pupils contracted. He then incredulously asked, "Were those assassins arranged by you, senior?"
Li Xuan's words made Jiang Li feel somewhat exasperated. This fellow was too ruthless; he almost sacrificed his own granddaughter just to toy with him.
Jiang Li clearly felt Li Qin's condition at the time; her injuries were genuine, without a hint of pretense.
Li Xuan shook his head and said faintly, "That was just an illusion..."
*Hmph, how could I let my granddaughter participate in such a charade?* Li Xuan thought coldly.
However, this little fellow was indeed loyal and righteous. Even under such circumstances, he still brought Little Qin to the very end.
Moreover, he managed to annihilate all opponents at the last moment, demonstrating both strength and character.
He possessed such terrifying divine abilities, yet he didn't use them arbitrarily, but waited for the opportune moment to eliminate the enemies completely.
Li Xuan hadn't expected Jiang Li to annihilate all his opponents. He had initially intended to merely test Jiang Li slightly, but Jiang Li ended up clearing the entire stage.
So that's how it is. Jiang Li's doubts were instantly cleared.
No wonder he hadn't seen their life scripts at that moment. It turned out to be all an illusion...
And those fellows had hinted for him to leave several times. It seemed to be this Li Xuan's test.
If he had truly left, he might not have had the chance to meet him here.
But it wasn't entirely unexpected. When he met Li Qin at Qing Yang Sect, Jiang Li had anticipated some kind of test.
He just hadn't expected it to be an illusion.
...