As Su Xi and the others watched the battle between Lin Qing and Wu Tian, they knew they couldn't just stand by.
If the outcome was decided between those two, they would be finished.
However, even with all their efforts, they couldn't find a way out. They were still immobilized, unable to move.
Su Xi’s mind raced as she observed the scene. She knew Lin Qing was formidable, but not to this extent. If they were in trouble now, how could they possibly break free from their restraints?
As her thoughts churned, Su Xi suddenly felt as though she had grasped something.
She quickly seized onto this peculiar sensation and began to retract her magical energy.
The moment she reined in her power, becoming a mere mortal, the feeling of restraint vanished.
"It really works?"
Su Xi was overjoyed by the change in her body.
The others, seeing Su Xi regain her mobility, became instantly excited. If Su Xi could move again, surely they could too. They were trapped here, but if they could find a way to regain their abilities, they would possess sufficient power.
"How did you get free?" Old Gui asked Su Xi, his voice laced with urgency. Without the ability to act, they were like meat on a chopping block, and regaining their freedom was paramount.
Su Xi didn't hide anything, explaining her method. Old Gui and Li Ping, upon hearing her words, immediately followed her advice and suppressed their own magical energy, becoming ordinary people.
The instant they did, the feeling of restraint vanished for them as well.
With their mobility restored, killing intent flickered across Old Gui and Li Ping’s faces. They wouldn't let this slide. They channeled their magical energy and charged towards Wu Tian. For them, this insignificant character had nearly led to their demise. They wouldn't let that resentment fester.
However, Su Xi, instead of attacking Wu Tian, turned her gaze towards a specific direction beside her. She found it peculiar. Although Wu Tian was their opponent, she could clearly sense someone else watching them. Without hesitation, she acted.
"Azure Lotus Sword Formation!"
Su Xi made no attempt to conceal her power, her strength growing with each passing moment. As her power surged, countless flying swords shot out into the depths of the yellow sand.
The others watched Su Xi's actions, bewildered. Why wasn't she attacking? What was she doing by unleashing her power here?
As they pondered her actions, Wu Tian's face suddenly contorted in surprise. How could Su Xi have discovered him?
"Boom!"
With a deafening roar, the depths of the yellow sand erupted into a colossal black hole.
"Come out!"
Su Xi's gaze, sharp as a sword, pierced the darkness ahead. Her earlier suspicion was now confirmed; they were being watched from this very spot. The watcher was within this black hole.
"Hahaha."
A triumphant laugh echoed from the black hole, followed by the emergence of a figure charging towards Su Xi. He had hoped to witness a good show, only to be discovered. Su Xi, though not overwhelmingly powerful, possessed remarkable vigilance.
Before her stood a stooped old man, appearing like an ordinary elder on the brink of death. Yet, this old man exuded no aura of frailty, but rather a kingly presence. Within this regal aura, Su Xi sensed an indescribable danger.
"He's strong."
Su Xi quickly assessed the old man's power, daring not to make a rash move.
Tian Feng looked at Su Xi, a smile gracing his lips. "Your identity must be extraordinary. Who are you?" He was eager to learn Su Xi's origins and thus decided to spare her life for the moment. However, if her answer didn't satisfy him, he wouldn't hesitate.
Su Xi met Tian Feng's gaze but didn't answer, instead asking, "Why did you bring us here?" She had suspected their arrival wasn't a coincidence, and seeing Tian Feng confirmed her suspicions. They were brought here because of him.
Tian Feng chuckled at Su Xi's question. "Indeed. I brought you here because I need you to do something for me."
Su Xi’s lips twitched. What was he thinking? Luring them to this place and nearly killing them, and now he expected them to do his bidding? Impossible.
Sensing Su Xi's displeasure, Tian Feng smiled. "If you refuse to help me, none of you will survive." Tian Feng's words were not idle threats but a declaration of his true capabilities.
Su Xi didn't believe him. Why would he say such things without reason?
Tian Feng understood her skepticism and chuckled lightly. "Since you don't believe me, allow me to demonstrate." With that, Tian Feng raised his hand and gently exerted force towards the group.
As he applied pressure, immense power erupted from him. The combatants, who were mid-fight, were suddenly hit by a colossal force, rendering them immobile.
"Ah!"
Old Gui let out a pained cry as his body was crushed. Fragments of his body scattered across the ground. However, despite being utterly destroyed, Old Gui's inherent life force, driven by his own power, surged and reassembled his form.
Seeing this, Tian Feng smiled. "Do you believe me now?" If Su Xi still doubted him, he couldn't be blamed. Even with Old Gui's unique constitution, his ability to revive was limited and couldn't sustain ultimate power.
Witnessing this, Su Xi dared not argue further. She knew Tian Feng was incredibly powerful and capable of dealing with them.
"What do you want?" Su Xi asked, choosing to yield. As long as Tian Feng didn't demand anything too difficult, it would be their best outcome. With their combined strength, accomplishing certain tasks wouldn't be impossible.
"Excellent," Tian Feng said, clapping his hands in delight. "You've made a wise decision."
Su Xi didn't let her guard down, saying, "Let's dispense with the pleasantries. Tell us what we need to do."
Tian Feng nodded, pleased. "I'm glad you think so." He disliked delays and evasion. Fortunately, Su Xi's compliance met his expectations.
Having settled this, Tian Feng slowly spoke. "I want you to retrieve something from the earth's core for me." Despite his immense power, he was confined to this desolate place. Now that an opportunity had arisen, he was determined not to remain. Only by retrieving an energy stone from the earth's core could he break free. However, due to the core's inherent power, he couldn't approach it. Even getting close to the entrance would result in him being repelled. Therefore, he needed others to retrieve the stone for him. He had approached many before, but they had all failed. Seeing Su Xi's capabilities, he had conceived this new plan.
Upon hearing Tian Feng's request, Su Xi frowned. "Retrieving an energy stone from the earth's core won't be simple, will it?" If it were easy, Wu Tian could have done it. Tian Feng choosing them surely meant the task was incredibly difficult.
Tian Feng looked at Su Xi, neither confirming nor denying. "At this point, do you really have a choice?"
Su Xi looked at Tian Feng and finally nodded. Indeed, they had no right to refuse. In the face of such power, they were destined to be the weak.
Hearing Su Xi's acquiescence, Tian Feng produced a book and tossed it to her. "This contains detailed records. Take a look. If you have any questions, come to me. You will depart in three days." This matter had been in his planning for centuries, and he was well aware that the earth's core energy would wane in three days, making the task easier.
Su Xi didn't waste words and began to read the book. For her, the more she understood, the greater her potential strength. The earth's core was an extremely dangerous place, and they couldn't afford any mishaps.
Wu Tian, seeing Tian Feng entrust such a critical task to them, immediately spoke up. "Master, they cannot accomplish this."
Tian Feng's gaze darkened. "I have made my decision. Are you questioning me?"
Hearing Tian Feng's reprimand, Wu Tian dared not speak and simply nodded obediently.
Su Xi paid no mind to this exchange and gathered everyone. They were about to venture into a perilous place, and certain matters needed to be clarified.
Old Gui looked at Su Xi. "Are you truly going to the earth's core?" He had once ventured into the core of another planet and had nearly been melted by its immense power. Even after all these years, he couldn't forget that suffocating sensation. For Su Xi to now venture there meant facing a danger beyond the comprehension of ordinary individuals.