The Thunder King Salon, knowing that the situation had taken a turn for the worse and that he might never get another chance if he hesitated, unleashed the lethal move he had prepared in advance. A dazzling pillar of light surrounded by electricity suddenly shot out from his palm.

The thunderous pillar, carrying the momentum of annihilation, instantly pierced through and directly struck the surroundings of the Five Elements Crystal, naturally including the crystal itself, as if intending to destroy it.

However, the most important reason for Thunder King Salon's decisive move was that he had already noticed the absence of Xiao Tian's figure in the arena. If he had fled, even a fool wouldn't believe it!

Based on this fact, and sensing the anomaly of the Five Elements Crystal, Thunder King Salon concluded that Xiao Tian must be secretly causing trouble. Although he couldn't see what method Xiao Tian used, it was certain that he hadn't escaped!

Such a seemingly careless judgment was something Thunder King Salon believed in without a doubt, because ever since he started relying on this intuitive judgment, he hadn't been wrong even once.

In fact, Thunder King Salon's judgment was correct. The Five Elements Crystal was currently being concealed by Xiao Tian using the Jade Pendant of Invisibility, held securely in his hands.

Just as he intended to leave quickly, he caught a glimpse of a blinding pillar of light rushing toward him, surrounded by lightning arcs and exuding a destructive aura.

Meeting the obstacle, Xiao Tian promptly released the Five Elements Crystal in his hand, and Thunder King Salon's pillar of light struck empty air.

Everyone hurriedly opened their eyes to see that the Five Elements Crystal still floated in mid-air above the lake, spinning without a hint of being affected.

Before they could be relieved by the crystal's safety or marvel at its magical properties, the crowd once again witnessed the same eerie scene; the floating crystal began to move spontaneously again.

"Hunter, how long are you going to keep pretending?!"

A loud rebuke echoed throughout the field, followed by the sudden appearance of a pure white figure in everyone's sight. The silver hair and white clothes were the most prominent symbols of Thunder King Salon.

Only after Thunder King Salon's appearance did everyone realize that the blinding pillar of light earlier was emitted by him.

It wasn't that no one had speculated this, for the lightning arcs on the pillar had already provided a clear hint to everyone.

However, just half a day ago, Thunder King Salon had fled with serious injuries, leading people to instinctively believe he wouldn't come at this moment, yet the reality turned out to be surprisingly different. Thunder King Salon had returned so swiftly.

What puzzled people even more was the accusation Thunder King Salon made before showing himself. According to him, the sudden movement of the crystal floating above the lake was actually caused by the Hunter's secretive manipulations?!

Knowing that using invisibility to silently take the Five Elements Crystal was no longer feasible, Xiao Tian had to relinquish the invisibility, revealing himself holding the crystal aloft.

This bizarre scene left everyone momentarily stunned where they stood, staring at Xiao Tian in shock. Although he remained calm on the surface as they focused on him, he couldn't help but smile wryly inside.

This kind of situation was not something he anticipated, but since there was no way to be clever about it, he could only rely on his strength in a head-on clash.

Suspended in mid-air, Xiao Tian didn't exert any True Qi. In truth, even if he used his body technique to the extreme, he couldn't hover for long. He was merely taking advantage of the crystal's floating power with it in his grasp.

Moreover, Xiao Tian also discovered that every time he moved while holding the Five Elements Crystal in mid-air, it required quite a bit of effort, comparable to someone trying to drag you from behind.

If not for this, he wouldn't have released the Five Elements Crystal when dodging Thunder King Salon's light attack.

"What are you all standing there for?! Are you just going to watch someone take the treasure?!" Thunder King Salon shouted, awakening the stunned audience.

"I can tell you all that this crystal has enormous potential. If its energy is channeled into your body, it can at least enhance your power comparable to the 'Washing Marrow' from mythical novels!"

Boom!

As soon as Thunder King Salon's words landed, the crowd's emotions erupted, their gaze on Xiao Tian, or more accurately, the Five Elements Crystal he held, becoming intensely fiery.

Upon hearing this serious nonsense, Ghost Face, knowing the facts, couldn't help but curse, "Bah! How can anyone believe this drivel?! Has everyone's mind gone soft?!"

"Are these supposed to be the top-ranked experts on the Dark List?" Even the Lei Tong brothers couldn't help but chime in.

Although that was the exchange, people more or less understood. Thunder King Salon's provocation was only part of it; the experts already had their own desires for the treasure.

Among them, only a handful really knew how to utilize it, and the rest just wanted to make a fortune with it and ensure a lavish lifestyle after retirement.

In short, everyone had compelling reasons not to let the treasure slip away.

Thunder King Salon was somewhat pleased that he easily incited the crowd, yet also slightly dissatisfied. Despite having so many people, no one dared to make the first move against Xiao Tian.

What was lacking was a leader to take initiative, but nobody stepped forward, leaving him a bit exasperated.

"Since everyone wants the treasure in my hand, then let's see who has the skills to take it!" After saying this, Xiao Tian swallowed his last remaining pill, and his momentum steadily increased.

Once his power accumulated sufficiently, Xiao Tian suddenly surged, clenching the Five Elements Crystal tightly, shooting straight out of the lake's range. The resistance that had been hindering him lessened as he accelerated.

Finally, someone couldn't hold back anymore and launched an attack on Xiao Tian first. A tall, thin man sent out a razor-sharp true energy attack before immediately chasing after him.

Noticing someone unable to resist, Xiao Tian simply stopped, turned around resolutely, and a cruel smile appeared.

For some reason, although Xiao Tian's strength hadn't changed much since the last confrontation, and perhaps even diminished a bit.

But upon seeing that smile, Thunder King Salon couldn't shake off a gnawing sense of unease, as if something ominous was about to happen.

The tall, thin man, seeing Xiao Tian stop, drew a treasured sword from his waist without delay, intending to capitalize on the opportunity.

With the first person leading, naturally, there was a second and a third. More people continuously charged toward him from behind the tall man.

Among them, although many harbored the mindset of taking advantage of chaos, their power was real and formidable. Together, even Thunder King Salon did not dare confront them head-on!

As more and more experts rushed toward him, Xiao Tian's smile only grew broader…