Chapter 1372: Chapter 1373: 100% Barehanded Blade Catch
Li Xiaobai roared angrily, and with a flick of his hand, a golden staff appeared in his palm. He swung it powerfully toward the heavens, the pitch-black sword light tearing through the sky as it slashed directly at the squad of bronze-armored cultivators. Waiting for both sides to finish forming ranks before charging at each other was idiotic behavior; if a fight was to happen, it should be during the enemy’s incomplete descent to the lower realm—eliminate as many as possible beforehand.
On normal days, he simply used an ordinary longsword. For one, at his level, he was invincible in his realm, so it didn’t matter what weapon he used. Secondly, ordinary longswords were cheap and could be replaced easily when broken. Valuable items, however, he loathed to part with. But today was different. Since he was going into battle, he had to be in his best state. He directly replaced the longsword with the Sea-Calming Divine Needle to unleash his sword light; this substitution provided a noticeable enhancement.
Now equipped with Saint Realm defensive power, his sword intent equated to a full-force strike of a Saint Realm expert, capable of killing any Saint Realm powerhouse. Yet, even so, when facing this squad of bronze-armored cultivators, it proved insufficient. The sword light managed only to sever an arm of the leading bronze-armored cultivator before being shattered by the combined efforts of several others in the squad.
These bronze-armored cultivators moved with swift precision, like cold-blooded killing machines. Marching in unison, they raised their spears in perfect synchronization, performing a standard thrusting motion. The ancient and oppressive aura of time surged forward once more, and the black sword light dissipated in the blink of an eye, vanishing without a trace.
Li Xiaobai was stunned in his heart. Despite his Saint Realm defensive power, he had merely severed an arm. This revealed that the bronze-armored cultivators before him were at the Saint Realm’s peak. Each strike they delivered was the equivalent of a Saint Realm expert’s full-force blow, comparable to his own strength. This explained how they so easily neutralized his offensive.
“Kill!”
With a fierce smash, the small mallet in his hand struck the large drum, producing a resounding *dong dong dong* that echoed outward. The soundwaves spread, and a primal, wild aura rippled out layer by layer, enveloping all the Sword Sect cultivators.
This great drum was a feature of the golden war chariot, and its pounding had an invigorating effect capable of boosting morale. It had been used once in the past and drove all who heard it into a frenzy, temporarily stimulating the potential within cultivators’ bodies. The only caveat was that overexposure could lead to weakness.
In the void above, a thousand Godzilla-level Saint Realm beasts howled toward the heavens. Spurred by the drumbeats, their ferocious auras surged wildly. The Red Lotus Karma Fire accompanied by the roars of thunder dragons stormed relentlessly toward the position of the bronze-armored cultivators.
From within the rift, more and more bronze-armored cultivators poured into the realm, their numbers steadily increasing. Confronted with the scorching flames of the Red Lotus Karma Fire and the onslaught of thunder dragons, they remained unfazed. Their bronze armor radiated a faint glow, blocking these powerful forces from affecting their bodies.
With their bronze spears thrusting horizontally, they instantly pierced at the frenzied Godzilla-level Saint Realm beasts.
[Attribute Points + five billion…]
[Attribute Points + six billion…]
[…]
The Attribute Points surged explosively, and the numbers on the System panel grew exponentially. However, Li Xiaobai’s heart sank. High above the sky, countless Godzilla beasts had already perished. The seemingly worn-down bronze spears of the enemy carried a mysterious penetrative power, as if endowed with the ability to pierce through everything.
With just a few stabs, the bodies of Saint Realm Godzillas were punctured, and with a twist of the spear tip, they were torn asunder.
“Senior, can you tell what kind of power these bronze-armored cultivators are wielding? Their stiff movements and lack of emotion… could it be that they’re controlled like puppets?”
Li Xiaobai turned to ask Yan Zuzi, who stood beside him.
They had sent the Godzillas as the first wave to probe the strength of the bronze-armored cultivators. Only after gauging their depth would the powerful figures of the Central Origin Realm take action. From Li Xiaobai’s perspective, the Saint Realm elders present showed no concern in their expressions as they observed the bronze-armored cultivators. Clearly, they were confident in their own ability to handle the situation, even in solo combat.
“Not so. These bronze-armored cultivators are independent sentient beings, though they are clearly not human. The power they wield likely originates from the Immortal Gods Realm and is different in nature from the Immortal Spirit Qi of the Central Origin Realm. In terms of power hierarchy, they actually surpass us by a margin,” Yan Zuzi replied slowly.
Their cultivation level had been suppressed to the Saint Realm, but their strength and battle experience outclassed typical Saint Realm cultivators, making them formidable opponents.
“The Godzillas are no match for them. If they scatter and retreat, the beings of the Central Origin Realm will face a massacre. If there’s a way to encircle these Immortal Vanguard Troops and contain them first, there might still be a chance to grind them down over time,” Yitilou suggested. Based on his preliminary observations of the bronze cultivators’ power, he didn’t feel completely hopeless. Seizing the opportunity to eliminate these bronze-armored cultivators before the true Immortals and Gods crossed over could secure a sliver of hope.
“If that’s the case, then as the Peak Master, I won’t hold back any longer.”
Li Xiaobai nodded, raising the Sea-Calming Divine Needle high above his head before slashing it forward abruptly.
*Hundred Percent Barehanded Blade Catch—activated!*
In an instant, all the cultivators of the Central Origin Realm saw the bronze-armored cultivators above the sky suddenly freeze mid-action. Their bodies swayed, and within the blink of an eye, they broke through the void and appeared directly in front of Li Xiaobai. Before Yitilou and Yan Zuzi could react, there came the continuous sound of *crack crack crack.*
These bronze-armored cultivators, clad in heavy armor, dropped to their knees on the spot. Their bronze spears clattered to the ground, and they raised their hands high above their heads in utter submission, bowing reverently toward Li Xiaobai.
The terrifying aura in the void dispersed instantaneously. From the rift among the clouds, more bronze-armored cultivators continued to pour through. However, as soon as they emerged, they, too, promptly dashed toward Li Xiaobai, discarded their spears, knelt down, and prostrated themselves in homage.
Their internal power had been entirely suppressed. They could neither muster their cultivation nor lift a single limb. Witnessing this shocking scene, the disciples and cultivators of the Central Origin Realm were so stunned their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Moments ago, they had braced themselves for a heroic death. Now, Li Xiaobai had eliminated the threat in a single move!
This swarm of terrifying beings—so overwhelming just moments earlier—was subdued by a single strike!
“Sword Imprisonment! Demon’s Wicked Sword! Sect Master Li is incredible!”
The cultivators behind him were more exhilarated than ever, their spirits soaring higher than when the drum had first been struck. Sect Master Li hadn’t lied to them; their leader truly had a way to counter the Immortal Gods Realm!
“What are you all waiting for?! Strike while they’re down! Move!”
Li Xiaobai addressed the major figures around him, who were still staring dumbfounded, with an indifferent tone.
No matter what realm or cultivation level these beings originally possessed, having suppressed their power to the Saint Realm meant they could not resist the power of the *Hundred Percent Barehanded Blade Catch.* All were subdued in a single move, making them ripe for slaughter. Now, their Central Origin Realm faced only the true Immortals and Gods who had yet to arrive.
“O-Oh! Understood!”
“Young Master Li is incredible!”
The Saint Realm elders were so shell-shocked that they couldn’t form a coherent sentence. They could only exclaim their amazement in disbelief.