But at this very moment, Wang Tengfei’s expression suddenly changed.
He suddenly realized his spiritual power was no longer sufficient. He also realized more acutely that his spiritual energy was insufficient, as it was constantly dissipating from the wound on his right hand. Previously, enraged by the appearance of the wooden sword and then confused by the two swords, he hadn’t noticed. Now, when he wanted to use this talisman, he couldn’t gather enough spiritual energy. Even swallowing a spirit pill wouldn’t be enough to replenish what had been consumed in time.
“Even if this talisman isn’t fully completed, its power is still enough to kill a sixth-level Qi Condensation cultivator. Killing you will be as easy as turning my hand!”
Wang Tengfei, without hesitation, flung the talisman upwards. The talisman, like a golden sun, amidst a resounding boom, flew straight towards Meng Hao.
A sense of life-or-death crisis emerged in Meng Hao’s mind. Before this boundary between life and death, Meng Hao’s eyes revealed a sharp glint. At this moment, he was in mid-air, and involuntarily thought of the dream he had that day when he swallowed the Yinglong demon core. In that dream, the body of the ancient Yinglong appeared above a silver lake, and in that instant, it powerfully manifested before Meng Hao.
“King of the Sky!”
A sudden inspiration struck Meng Hao. He closed his eyes. In the instant the talisman, now a golden sun, drew near, the demon core in his dantian swirled, and in that moment, burst forth with boundless spiritual power, filling Meng Hao’s entire body, causing him to raise both hands and vigorously wave his sleeves.
The surroundings were thrown into disarray. The flying swords, having lost their connection, now vibrated and flew straight towards Meng Hao in an instant.
At the same time, from Meng Hao’s bag of holding, all the flying swords and various magical treasures of every shape and form flew out. They gathered with the other flying swords, transforming into nearly a hundred streaks of precious light, and flew forth in a flash.
That was not Meng Hao’s spiritual power, but the power of the demon core in his dantian!
For some unknown reason, this demon core had been activated, and in a flash, it erupted, causing nearly a hundred flying swords to hum. As if guided by some power, they instantly converged, forming an ancient Yinglong!
However, this dragon’s form was indistinct; outsiders couldn’t discern it. Even Wang Tengfei, having lost his drop of ancestral blood, didn’t notice it at this moment. Only Meng Hao perceived its divine essence, especially the two wooden swords, which had become the sharp fangs of this Yinglong formed from magical treasures. It let out a silent roar, exuding waves of sky-shattering might, and struck directly at the talisman.
The nascent might of the Yinglong, now manifest, formed from nearly a hundred magical treasures, aimed at the talisman in this instant.
The two immediately collided, a resounding explosion echoing throughout the Reliance Sect, causing the surrounding Outer Sect disciples to feel their ears ring and heads ache, and they all retreated simultaneously. Those with weaker cultivation were shaken to the point of dizziness and blurred vision.
Whether it was the Yinglong or the talisman, even in their nascent forms, their scale had already surpassed the sixth level of Qi Condensation. Especially this collision between the two; even a seventh-level Qi Condensation cultivator would likely be terrified, and only an eighth-level Qi Condensation cultivator could contend with it.
The rumbling explosions echoed ceaselessly. The talisman, transformed into a golden sun, quickly dimmed, while the Yinglong formed from nearly a hundred magical treasures also began to disintegrate, shattering layer by layer.
One, ten, then a hundred swords. Countless flying swords shattered into fragments, and various magical treasures of every shape and form also crumbled into dust.
Until the sun, transformed by that talisman, became utterly dim, the talisman slowly flew towards the high platform. The hazy form of the Yinglong, created by nearly a hundred magical artifacts, completely collapsed, but the two swords that formed the Yinglong's teeth fiercely shot forward, aiming straight for the pale-faced Wang Tengfei.
Wang Tengfei's face was drained of all color. He watched as these two swords were about to pierce his chest, penetrate his heart, when just then, a soft sigh drifted from the East Peak.
—Enough. Don't take things to extremes.
Following the sigh, a gentle force appeared before Wang Tengfei. While blocking the swords, it enveloped Wang Tengfei's body and rapidly pulled him back, retreating from the high platform and propelling him straight towards the plaza.
Wang Tengfei spat out fresh blood, his eyes hollow, and within that hollowness was a look of dazed disbelief.
I've lost?
At the same time, He Luohua appeared on the high platform. The moment he appeared, Grand Elder Ouyang immediately clasped his hands and bowed deeply.
—Greetings, Sect Leader!
The surrounding outer sect disciples were all shaken. They hastily clasped their hands and bowed in unison.
Meng Hao's face was also pale. The spiritual energy in his body was depleted. If not for the Yinglong demon core in his body suddenly releasing spiritual power at the very end, Meng Hao would have found it difficult to persevere.
At this moment, there were no magical artifacts left in his storage bag. This battle had been extremely grueling for him.
Although he was unresigned to Wang Tengfei's survival, he understood that with the Sect Leader having intervened, he wouldn't be able to kill Wang Tengfei today.
At this, he remained silent, flying down from the high platform. Using his resolute will to keep himself from falling, he then took a few steps to pick up Wang Tengfei's talisman, and without hesitation, tucked it into his inner garments. Only then did he raise his head to look at He Luohua.
—This battle, Meng Hao is the victor. From this moment forth, he is the third inner sect disciple of my Reliance Sect.
He Luohua smiled and nodded at Meng Hao.
These words spread in all directions. Everyone fell silent. At this moment, their minds reeled, their thoughts filled with every scene from Meng Hao's battle with Wang Tengfei just now.
Wang Tengfei's face was blank. Hearing these words, he let out a tragic laugh, then looked up at Meng Hao on the high platform, and then at the surrounding crowd, who seemed to have forgotten him. He was utterly unresigned.
He laughed tragically again, then spat out another mouthful of fresh blood. He collapsed, falling unconscious.
Almost the instant he fell, Meng Hao bit down hard on his tongue, clasped his hands and bowed to He Luohua, then immediately sat down cross-legged.
Grand Elder Ouyang looked at Meng Hao, not hiding his admiration. He then patted his storage bag, took out a medicinal pill, and flicked it towards Meng Hao.
Meng Hao raised his hand to catch it, and immediately put it into his mouth.
Even though he was utterly exhausted at this moment, dizzy and lightheaded, he still persevered, circulating his energy to recover.
The fatty's face was beaming, utterly delighted, his heart filled with excitement, as if Meng Hao becoming an inner sect disciple meant he himself had also become one.
Among the crowd, Shangguan Xiu remained silent. After a long while, he lowered his head, turned, and walked away.
As he left, his face was grim, but there was nothing he could do.
Meng Hao had already become an inner sect disciple. Even if he was an elder, he had no right to question anything. After all, only inner sect disciples were considered true disciples of the Reliance Sect.