Ming Zhitian narrowly dodged, a blade slashing across his face. He then retaliated with his sword! But the three were too cunning; they unleashed their divine arts, attacking and retreating like guerrillas, disappearing into the mist they used for cover.
"Qingtian Shenxiao!"
"Jinghong Yijian!"
"Mohua Qianshi!"
The three powerful divine arts missed their mark, only to be followed by sneak attacks from the trio!
Ming Zhitian was nearly killed!
Though they were merely Eyes of the Celestial Pupil, they were more than enough to deal with Ming Zhitian alone!
He then seemed to recall something...
Ming Zhitian used their own tactics against them, defeating their companions one by one. Ai Li Shen patted Mu Tong Shen's shoulder.
Mu Tong Shen looked perplexed. "Strange, Ai Li, where did he go? And why has the mist changed color? Did you do it?"
"That's right..."
Ai Li Shen's lips curled slightly. "Because... I am Qiong Chi!"
A strike to his waist!
"Splat!"
Ai Li Shen looked confused. "Mu Tong? Why are you here? Where is he? And have you seen Guo Hun?"
Mu Tong Shen shook his head. "What is that you see?"
Ai Li Shen followed his gaze, and suddenly! Mu Tong Shen attacked her! A sneak attack!
Ai Li Shen dodged instantly. "I knew long ago you weren't Mu Tong! Who are you?!"
Ming Zhitian appeared, a faint smile on his face. "It's me."
"How is that possible?!" Ai Li Shen's pupils dilated. "How could I possibly fall for an illusion? My eyes were constantly on you, never blinking!"
"Hmph," Ming Zhitian scoffed. "Precisely because of that, you walked right into my illusion."
"Splat!"
"What?!" Ai Li Shen slowly turned her head to look behind her, only to see another Ming Zhitian plunging a small knife into her lower back. Her pupil power immediately vanished.
The same happened with Guo Hun Shen. Ming Zhitian transformed into an injured Ai Li Shen, successfully deceiving him, approaching, and stabbing him!
The three broke free from the illusion and regrouped. But before they could react, Ming Zhitian unleashed a divine art, expelling them from the illusory realm!
"Dream Wake!"
On the back of the Fire Soul Beast...
The three lay limp and powerless...
Just as Ming Zhitian was about to finish them off, a furious roar echoed, "Stop! Do not harm my kin!"
"Bang!"
With a crash, the异瞳王 (Yi Tong Wang - King of Peculiar Pupils) descended from the sky, landing on the back of the Fire Soul Beast!
Ming Zhitian knew this was a phantom created by their Celestial Pupil eyes to intimidate enemies, but it seemed ineffective against him.
Ming Zhitian stepped on Mu Tong Shen's shoulder without mercy and looked up. "Who are you?"
He clearly did not regard Ming Zhitian with respect. The Yi Tong Wang suppressed his rage. "I am of the Yi Shen Tong (Peculiar Divine Pupil) clan, the Yi Tong Wang!"
Ming Zhitian nodded. "Convenient. I'll give you a choice. If you want me to spare your kin, fine. The condition is you go back to sleep, forever..."
No one, let alone a clan leader, would willingly accept such a fate.
The Yi Tong Wang was completely enraged. "Do you know? You're seeking death!"
"Am I?" Ming Zhitian said expressionlessly, and stomped, crushing Mu Tong Shen's head.
"Stop!" The Yi Tong Wang tried to intervene.
Ming Zhitian had already acted, shattering Ai Li Shen and Guo Hun Shen with a palm strike. He looked mockingly at the Yi Tong Wang. "I gave you a chance... it was you..."
"Scoundrel!"
The Yi Tong Wang unleashed terrifying, world-destroying power!
The pain of losing his kin one after another before his eyes caused him to fully awaken the Angelic Holy Soul Pupil, just like Ming Zhitian.
Ming Zhitian empathized. "Since we both know pain, let's have a battle of illusions to end this suffering!"
"This king will see you dead!" The Yi Tong Wang instantly transformed into a nine-winged, extremely dark heavenly puppet, as if devouring dragons and swallowing moons!