"Let's combine our strength for a final, desperate strike!"
Elder Black Beard said solemnly to the remaining elders.
The Desperate Strike was a mandatory skill for all sect elders.
This technique could fuse the unique ultimate skills of various sects, unleashing tens of times their power!
The sole cost was the lifespan of the caster, with severe cases resulting in death on the spot or becoming crippled.
The person who developed this ultimate skill did so to counter the hypothetical enemy, the Demon Lord.
Such a life-sacrificing combat technique was meant for overcoming the strong with the weak, sacrificing oneself for the peace of the world.
They had initially thought this move would never have to be used, but the day had truly arrived.
Moreover, the Demon Lord's strength far exceeded the imagination of all the sect elders. A casual strike could eliminate several elders; his power was truly unfathomable.
Under these circumstances, it was impossible for them to retreat safely.
Rather than being killed by the Demon Lord, they preferred to unleash all the energy they had cultivated throughout their lives before dying. Even if it could inflict some damage on the opponent, it would mean they had done their best.
Upon hearing Elder Black Beard's words, the other elders exchanged glances, their faces filled with resolve.
Almost simultaneously, they began to circulate their energy, slowly gathering all the power within their bodies into a single point.
These shining energy points gradually converged, forming an intensely bright energy nexus that illuminated the surroundings in a stark white light.
"Desperate Strike!"
The elders shouted this phrase almost in unison.
At the same time, the energy point instantly shot up into the sky, then plummeted down with immense force.
However, Zhang Chen, looking at this potent energy sphere, showed no reaction whatsoever.
This was because he could see that the energy sphere was not directed at him, but was falling directly towards the head of Elder Gufeng, who stood behind the other elders.
"What's going on? Did it miss?"
"Impossible. Could it be that the Demon Lord is capable of deflecting our attack? What a pity!"
"Pff... I... did my best..."
Several elders watched with despair as the energy ball hovered above Elder Gufeng's head, collapsing onto the ground.
Having unleashed that final strike had consumed their life's cultivation. Three elders had their energy drained instantly, their withered bodies turning into desiccated corpses.
The remaining elders were also in a state of near exhaustion, their breaths shallow.
"Elder Gufeng, push the energy ball forward and destroy the Demon Lord. It's all up to you! Cough cough..."
Elder Black Beard lay on the ground, propping himself up with his elbows, speaking with difficulty.
"Strange... after unleashing such a strike, why have we suffered such great depletion, yet Elder Gufeng remains unharmed?"
An elder beside him asked with surprise.
As soon as this question was uttered, all the elders were startled.
Previously, everyone had been focused on Zhang Chen and hadn't paid attention to Elder Gufeng.
Only now did they realize that he hadn't attacked at all. He hadn't moved during the Desperate Strike; he had merely stood still in the back.
Just as everyone was in bewilderment, the energy ball slowly merged into Elder Gufeng's body.
Boom!
A surge of magnificent energy erupted from Elder Gufeng's body. His robes fluttered without wind, his white hair and beard instantly turned black, and the wrinkles on his face vanished. Not only had his strength increased by several levels, but his appearance had also become much younger.
"It's you?! You developed the Desperate Strike?"
"No wonder people say you've lived for over a hundred years... So you've absorbed others' energy more than once to revert to youth..."
"We've all been deceived by you!"
Elder Black Beard suddenly understood.
No wonder the Huangtian Sect had been so eager to encourage sect elders to study this ultimate skill. It turned out this move wasn't meant to kill the Demon Lord but to separate one's internal energy and deliver it all to the developer.
Elder Gufeng?!
"That's right. Otherwise, why would this ultimate skill be so easily obtained by you all, when the ultimate skills of the world are fought for desperately by various sects?"
"However, I haven't entirely deceived you. After all, with this energy, I can better help you eliminate the demons!"
"I will inscribe your names on the Merit Monument after the great battle, and find the best storytellers to compile your deeds."
"May you rest in peace!"
Then, Elder Gufeng waved his hand gently.
Amidst screams of agony, the elders present had their bodies ignite, gradually turning into ashes that scattered with the wind.
"How was it? My imitation of your skill, not bad, right?"
Elder Gufeng said to Zhang Chen.
Previously, he had lacked confidence when facing Zhang Chen, but after absorbing the energy of these elders, his self-assurance had inflated instantly.
"Far from it. At least when I unleash a skill, they don't have time to scream!"
Zhang Chen said with a cold smile, looking at the righteous individual who now resembled a demon.
"Ha, this is merely a difference in personal preference. I prefer to hear the screams of pain from those people; it makes me feel powerful!"
"So... when you die later, I will also listen carefully to your pleasant wails!"
Elder Gufeng finished speaking, his form blurring as he instantly appeared before Zhang Chen, launching a swift punch.
Bang!
Zhang Chen easily blocked it with his left hand.
This strike carried immense power, and Zhang Chen could clearly feel that the opponent's strength was on an entirely different level compared to the previous elders.
"Oh? Not bad! Not many can block a punch from me in this state. You are one of them!"
Elder Gufeng kept his eyes closed and then rained down punches like a torrent.
Zhang Chen calmly dissolved each attack.
The two separated again.
At this moment, Gufeng was slightly panting, while Zhang Chen remained unfazed, as if the previous combat hadn't even qualified as a warm-up.
"I've patiently received all your attacks, and it seems... there's nothing special about them."
"Now, you try this punch. In my current state... there are probably plenty of people who can block this punch!"
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
He wasn't joking; it was the truth, as he had sealed away most of his power.
In his current state, there were plenty of people in the apocalypse who could block his attacks.
Whoosh!
As soon as Zhang Chen finished speaking, he had already appeared before Gufeng.
A fierce pressure scraped against Gufeng's skin, causing his beard and hair to fly wildly.
Gufeng knew this attack was extraordinary and quickly raised his hands, gathering all his energy to defend.
Boom!
Zhang Chen's fist struck Gufeng's clasped hands, and a powerful shockwave exploded, snapping the surrounding trees in half and blowing the banners on the city walls into the sky.
Gufeng was sent flying hundreds of meters, his back smashing into the city wall.
After a while, Gufeng slowly emerged from the city wall, his eyes opening.
"Kid, you have successfully angered me!"