Chapter 474 (2)
Compared to the shock of other sects, the disciples of Guiyuan Sect erupted in cheers.
Earlier, when they had been verbally suppressed by the First Holy Lord, they were filled with apprehension, fearing that a single misstep from their Grand Elder would cause their sect to lose face and become the laughingstock of the world.
But to their astonishment, the Grand Elder had displayed such overwhelming prowess that he single-handedly forced the three Holy Lords to join forces—only to nearly suffer defeat.
With such an indomitable pillar supporting them, why should they fear ridicule from the world?
After today, the entire cultivation world would surely revere Guiyuan Sect!
Suddenly, a voice rang out amidst the cheers.
"That gray light… something is off!"
The white-haired Daoist Elder of Qingyang Temple trembled slightly as he fixed his gaze upon Meng Dian.
The gray light that Meng Dian had unleashed moments ago filled him with deep unease.
It was as if something unimaginably dreadful had been conjured."Hmph! Old fools, I didn't expect you to have some skill after all!"
Seeing that his gray light had been blocked by the combined efforts of the three Holy Lords, Meng Dian was momentarily surprised.
But he quickly masked his astonishment and sneered.
"Did you really think that blocking my attack meant you were safe?
That was merely a warm-up. If you continue to resist, don't blame me for destroying your three avatar projections, along with the very essence of your souls!"
As his voice fell, Meng Dian slowly rose into the air.
A dense gray aura surged forth from his body, gradually taking the shape of a ghastly gray claw in front of him.
The moment this ghostly claw solidified, its terrifying might swept across the battlefield.
Not only did the onlookers tremble in fear, barely able to stand under the oppressive force, but even Golden Core Realm cultivators shuddered, feeling an inexplicable terror rise from the depths of their souls.
Their spiritual intuition told them—this gray claw posed a fatal threat to their very existence!
"Netherworld Ghost Claw?!!"
The white-haired elder from Qingyang Temple could no longer maintain his composure.
He shot to his feet, staring fixedly at the ghost claw.
Because, at long last, he recognized its origin!
"This claw… it looks exactly like the one recorded in our sect's ancient manuscripts…"
The Golden Core cultivator from Yunshui Secret Realm trembled as he, too, fixed his eyes upon the gray ghost claw.
"I think… I have seen something similar in our Cold Water Palace's secret records as well," Han Lingshuang murmured with a thoughtful expression.
The three great secret realms, each possessing deep heritage and ancient tomes, were able to discern a faint trace of the technique's origins.
But to the others, it remained an enigma.
Even the Three Holy Lords themselves could not identify the origins of the Netherworld Ghost Claw.
However, they could feel its terrifying power.
The sheer aura emanating from the claw made them suspect that even if they had descended in their true bodies, they still might not be able to withstand it.
"Hahaha! Old fools, I'll ask you one last time! Will you bow before Guiyuan Sect and submit to my rule?"
Suspended in midair, Meng Dian exuded an overwhelming demonic aura, his presence like that of an evil deity.
"You practice such heretical arts, yet you still dream of becoming the leader of the righteous path? Have your evil techniques rotted your brain?" the Third Holy Lord mocked without fear.
"Hahahaha! Heretical arts? Righteous path?
Power is power! There is no distinction between good and evil!"
Meng Dian laughed wildly.
"Very well, since you refuse to submit, then die!
Once I eliminate you three, I doubt anyone else will dare challenge Guiyuan Sect!"
As he spoke, Meng Dian formed a hand seal, unleashing the full might of the Netherworld Ghost Claw.
The ghastly claw, now dozens of meters wide, descended like an apocalyptic catastrophe upon the Three Holy Lords.
As it fell, the gray aura surrounding the claw churned violently, transforming into countless wailing skeletons and malicious ghosts, twisting and writhing.
Even just witnessing this scene was enough to send a chill through one's soul.
A sense of doom overtook the battlefield.
Even the strongest Golden Core cultivators paled in horror.
They knew that the Three Holy Lords were in grave danger.
Even with their strength, it seemed impossible to resist this overwhelming deathly claw.
And with only avatar projections in place of their true bodies, their survival seemed even more uncertain.
As the Netherworld Ghost Claw was about to obliterate them…
A keen-eyed Golden Core cultivator suddenly noticed something bizarre.
Despite the impending doom, the Three Holy Lords showed no signs of panic.
Just as confusion clouded his mind, his gaze froze.
Because he saw it.
A figure had silently appeared in front of the Three Holy Lords.
A young man.
Standing with his hands behind his back, his expression calm.
Facing the terrifying ghostly claw, he merely spoke a single word.
"Freeze."
The moment that word was uttered, an unfathomable scene unfolded.
The Netherworld Ghost Claw, brimming with cataclysmic might, stopped in midair.
It was as if time itself had halted.
Not only did it cease descending, but even the churning gray aura and wailing ghosts were frozen in place—completely motionless.
What?!?
The entire battlefield was struck silent.
Everyone's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
The only ones who did not react with shock were the cultivators of Cold Water Palace.
Upon seeing the young man, their fear instantly melted away.
Because they knew.
With him here, they had nothing to worry about.
Han Lingshuang’s face was filled with joy.
"The Supreme One!"
No one was more shaken than Meng Dian.
Because no matter how he exerted his will, he found that he could no longer control the Netherworld Ghost Claw.
His connection to the technique remained.
But he could not move it.
It was as if he—a mere Golden Core cultivator—was trying to push an immovable mountain.
No matter how much force he exerted, it would not budge.
Even when he desperately activated his secret treasure, the result was the same.
It was unfathomable.
Then his gaze fell upon the young man standing before the Three Holy Lords.
Who is he?!
Meng Dian’s mind spun rapidly, trying to deduce his identity.
And then…
His eyes suddenly widened in horror.
Because he saw something that shook him to his very soul.
The Three Holy Lords—figures of unparalleled prestige—had bowed towards the young man.