Li Zhouwei quickly assessed the situation and secretly activated his ability to search the unseen, his brows gradually knitting together.

There was no other reason for it. As the seconds ticked by, streaks of light were already flashing across the horizon one after another. Clearly, the formations others had chosen at random could not compare to the sturdiness of the one before him. Most of them had likely already collected their treasures and moved on to the second or even third mountain peak.

He had claimed three mountain peaks with heavenly light, yet someone had already entered one of them. The man wore white robes and wielded thunder, appearing to be a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator from Thunder Island, seemingly searching for something without pause.

Farther away, another streak of white light shot through the sky like a falling star. It was already only a few kilometers away, and judging by its trajectory, its target was unmistakably the very [Palace of Sacred Offerings] beneath his feet!

"I can't afford to delay any longer! I may have sensed it ahead of time, but the other factions might possess even more secrets. They may already know which places in this grotto heaven hold the greatest rewards... That's why they've come straight here!"

Having made up his mind, he raised his gaze. A strand of golden light burst forth from the center of his eyebrows and shot into the sky. It first flew above the sixteen Profound Divine Wardens, transforming into ever-shifting heavenly light in preparation to suppress them. Only then did he step forward and place both hands upon the rim of the cauldron.

"Hah..."

The moment his hands touched it, his brows rose in surprise and his eyes narrowed slightly. Dense dark clouds abruptly gathered above the [Palace of Sacred Offerings], releasing brilliant purple-white lightning. His ability to search the unseen instantly sensed the aura within the sixteen Profound Divine Wardens surge to an entirely new level, so much so that even he faintly felt danger from them.

Something's wrong! I'm afraid I'll end up trapped between enemies on both sides!

A single phenomenon was enough to put him on guard. He withdrew his divine ability, and his figure dispersed into boundless heavenly light on the spot. The entire hall dimmed in an instant. Yet someone had already been drawn in by the phenomenon and hurried inside within a few breaths.

This man wore white robes, with slightly narrow eyes and a purple gourd hanging from his waist. Dark purple lightning, nearly black in color, coiled around him like dragons and tigers. His face brimmed with orthodox qi, carrying an imposing presence. He was none other than Thunder Island's Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, Miao Huanzun!

As soon as he entered the hall, he transformed into streaks of purple lightning and darted through the chamber, clearly anxious to the extreme. His eyes swept rapidly across the surroundings, filled with suspicion. When he spotted the green cauldron in the center of the hall, his eyes first lit up, but after noticing the disordered state of the surroundings, his heart secretly tightened in alarm.

There's definitely something wrong here. The formation has clearly been broken, yet not a single person is in sight!

The spirit item also lies right before them untouched. They must be after something even greater. Could they be hiding nearby... waiting for the right moment?

He sneered inwardly, showing little fear. Besides, the heavenly phenomenon was far too obvious. The surrounding cultivators had certainly already noticed it as well. Since he cultivated the Thunder Dao, there was no way he could allow such an opportunity to slip by. How could he possibly hesitate? Though countless thoughts flashed through his mind, both hands were already pressed against the cauldron as divine ability and mana surged forth together.

The green cauldron did not budge in the slightest. The dual augmentation of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator's divine ability and mana would make lifting an entire mountain effortless.

Yet the weight of this ritual cauldron far surpassed that of any ordinary peak. Who knew what it contained within? Its heaviness was such that even divine abilities could not easily raise it! Miao Huanzun had never cultivated a Body Divine Abilities, and this time he had truly underestimated it. Dense purple light instantly gathered around his hands as he exerted himself once more. Only then did the cauldron finally begin to rise!

Bang!

He lifted the cauldron from the ground as violent lightning surged upward, transforming into streams of purple-black radiance that shot into the sky. Before Miao Huanzun could even rejoice, white light suddenly flashed overhead. A chariot drawn by horned beasts swept across the heavens, revealing a man standing atop it!

The man wore silver-white robes with a tall crown and broad sashes, his feathered ceremonial attire radiating an air of supreme grandeur. Clouds supported his feet as he carried himself with the bearing of orthodox immortal nobility.

Halberd in hand, he swept forward with a booming laugh before coldly declaring, "Fellow Daoist, your greed is excessive!"

The thunder-wielding cultivator cursed inwardly, a terrible feeling instantly rising in his heart, Tuoba Ci?!

The Tuoba Family's prestige was immense. Over the past century, they had gradually emerged from the shadow cast by Great Liang's destruction, producing one genius after another. Each possessed formidable mana and mastery over spell arts.

The Miao Family certainly had some heritage of its own and had even produced a remarkable senior in the past, yet even powerful Dao lineages dared not offend the Tuoba Family lightly. Moreover, this was Tuoba Ci, a young master backed by such overwhelming influence.

Ordinarily, Miao Huanzun might have yielded. But the object in his hands absolutely could not be surrendered. Moreover, his cultivation had advanced greatly in recent years thanks to techniques and divine ability a junior of his family had obtained from Green Pine Temple. Confidence swelled within him, stirring his will to fight. His gaze darkened as he opened his mouth and spat out a bolt of purple-black lightning.

Boom! 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

But the halberd crashed downward with overwhelming force, sending waves of swirling black-yellow qi through the air and shattering the lightning. The young master reached directly for the green cauldron. Though a smile still lingered on his face, his eyes were icy cold and filled with an unmistakable warning. At the same time, endless radiance erupted from Miao Huanzun as he activated his divine ability.

"[Extreme Yang Exhalation]!"

A storm of rolling Profound Thunder instantly surged around his body. Tuoba Ci was briefly forced back and was just about to draw a spirit artifact when he suddenly froze, his expression changing drastically.

All sixteen statues throughout the mountain had simultaneously opened their eyes. Their movements were stiff and unnatural as they slowly turned their heads to glare furiously toward them!

The young master of the Tuoba Family paled in shock, Sixteen Profound Divine Wardens! They're actually still functioning!

He immediately withdrew his hand in alarm. Yet Miao Huanzun showed no joy either. A chilling cold suddenly crept up his spine as his Fate Divine Ability issued frantic warnings, making him feel as though blades were pressing against his back. The Daoist Master barely had time to turn his head before his pupils contracted violently.

The sixteen Profound Divine Wardens were already attacking!

What terrifying Profound Divine Wardens they were. Five stepped upon shimmering profound mists in the form of martial lords. Another five bore seven-colored auspicious clouds, clad in the armor of immortal generals and wielding golden weapons. Once their true forms emerged, each was as massive as a mountain peak. The remaining six appeared as civil officials with ordinary human proportions, some holding immortal banners while others carried treasure talismans...

The eyes of these majestic statues shone gold as they circulated mana and surveyed every direction. Their emotionless pupils were cold and merciless as every single one locked onto Miao Huanzun simultaneously!

What kind of monsters are these?!

His spiritual sense could barely extend outward. Only through his Fate Divine Ability did he realize these statues were the source of danger. The purple gourd at his waist shot upward as torrents of lightning poured from within like a cascading waterfall. Purple-black brilliance instantly swallowed the ten mountain-sized statues whole!

Boom!

However, the statues released radiant light in unison and neutralised the descending lightning one bolt after another. They strode directly through the thunderous torrent, their colossal forms overshadowing Miao Huanzun in an instant.

Though cold sweat covered his entire body, his reactions were astonishingly swift. The lightning escape art he had prepared erupted with purple light. Relying on lightning's unmatched speed and agility, he shot sideways through the air. He barely escaped the descending radiance, yet the force of it still left him on the verge of coughing up blood.

What?!