Upon the ice plains, the thunder roared, shaking the heavens and earth, while blades and swords intertwined into a net.
Qin Tian hovered mid-air, surrounded by purple lightning, resembling a thunder god descending to the world, as thick lightning columns crashed down, reducing swathes of magical beasts to ash.
His perception had already covered the whole area, and the few unfamiliar presences emerging quietly in the distance were detected by his keen insight.
"Be careful, thereâs someone nearby."
Qin Tianâs voice transmitted through Spiritual Energy, clearly entering the minds of Zhuge Yu and the other three.
The threeâs eyes sharpened, yet their offensive didnât slacken, the Heaven-piercing Halberd continued sweeping through thousands, the longsword remained swift and fierce, arrays still strangling in all directions, demons underfoot still falling continuously, but they secretly heightened their vigilance.
In just a few minutes, the originally dense magical beasts were slaughtered to extinction by the four, the icy ground littered with beast remnants, black blood frozen into ice, and the air filled with a strong stench and blood odor.
Battle concluded, Zhuge Yu raised his hand to take out a Jade Bottle, flicked his fingertip lightly, and the stopper automatically popped open, three lustrous green Elixirs flew out as if with spirituality, landing precisely in the hands of Qin Tian, Taishi Feng, and Huo Yuansheng.
Qin Tian took the Elixir and swallowed it directly, though the battle had hardly consumed him, he still played along showing a posture of adjusting his breath and recovering.
Amidst the fourâs recovery, from the skyline in the distance, six figures flew swiftly towards them like phantoms, reaching above the ice plains within a few breaths, steadily stopping opposite the four.
The four adjusted their stance, their gaze first falling on the leading figure.
Zhuge Yuâs pupils shrunk slightly, his gaze intense, he spoke deeply: "Shengongsi Hao Er."
Upon hearing the name, Taishi Feng and Huo Yuanshengâs faces instantly turned grave.
The Shengongsi family, one of the Empireâs Nine Great Holy Blood Clans, inheriting the Tenkai bloodline.
The Shengongsi family remains close with the Luoho Clan, while they are at odds with the Dongfang Family line, being allies of the Dongfang Family, naturally making Shengongsi family their foe.
Shengongsi Hao Er, as a direct lineage of the Shengongsi familyâs Holy Blood, a Tier Seven expert, his sudden appearance assuredly could not have been with benevolent intentions.
Qin Tianâs gaze landed on Shengongsi Hao Er, the fourth Holy Blood Clan bearer he had seen, differing from the Dongfang familyâs gentleness, Vladimir Clanâs sinister chill, and Luoho Clanâs bloodthirst, this Shengongsi family heir carried a unique pride and fierce aura.
He donned a carefully tailored black robe, embroidered with complex Japanese cloud patterns and Tenkai totems, exuding a sense of nobility stark against common black robes.
The five beside him wore similar loose robes or battle outfits, kimonos embroidered with respective family crests, clearly followers of Shengongsi Hao Er.
The six bore faint cold smiles, their eyes like those of venomous snakes, filled with unabashed greed and hostility, fixing tightly upon Qin Tian and his three companions, as if assessing future possessions.
"You must be Zhuge Yu." Shengongsi Hao Er spoke first, his tone arrogant beyond measure, "I think you should recognize me. Letâs skip the nonsense; hand over all treasures from the Ice God Treasure Vault, and I might spare you today."
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Yu remained composed, aware that Shengongsi Hao Er was a Tier Seven Three Stars Holy Blood expert, on paper capable of effortlessly crushing the four of them.
However, after the Ice God Treasure Vaultâs fortune, their threeâs power had surged, and Qin Tian had endlessly emerging trump cards, capable of even destroying high-tier seven Ice Qilin, potentially enabling a battle against Holy Blood.
Moreover, Qin Tian wielded the Power of Space, making a full retreat wholly feasible even if overpowered.
"Sorry, the Ice God Treasure Vault you speak of, weâve never heard of." Zhuge Yu slowly shook his head, his tone flat and unwavering.
"Heh." Shengongsi Hao Er mocked with a sneer, eyes full of ridicule, "Didnât expect the Zhuge Family, renowned for wisdom, to utter such self-deceptive nonsense. You think saying this will make me believe?"
He stepped forward, Tier Seven Holy Bloodâs pressure roared like mountains, causing the icy plainâs air to turn stagnant:
"Zhuge Yu, Iâm giving you one last chance. Wisely hand over the treasures, and Iâll let you leave. If you persist in such stubbornness, all four of you will lose your lives here today."
In his eyes, Zhuge Yu and his companions were merely a "rabble" lacking the Holy Bloodâs blessing, their highest cultivation not surpassing Tier Seven, not worth mentioning.
If not worried about the Zhuge familyâs tricky array, fearing theyâd ruin treasures in desperation, he wouldâve taken action directly, not wasting words.
Yet Zhuge Yuâs expression remained unchanged, calmly repeating, "We truly donât know anything about the Ice God Treasure Vault."
"Heh." Shengongsi Hao Erâs smile vanished entirely, eyes revealing killing intent, "Refusing to cry until you see your grave, if youâre seeking death, donât blame me for being ruthless."
With those words, his eyes flashed ruthlessly, waving his hand, he shouted coldly, "Attack!"
As his words fell, the five figures beside him shot forth like arrows, unleashing distinctly different energy waves, sweeping towards the ice plains to attack Zhuge Yu and the others.
Two on the left, wearing loose kimonos, began crafting seals simultaneously, chanting under their breath.
One among them flicked his fingers rapidly, unleashing several yellow talismans, which transformed into fiercely burning ghost fire upon landing, with dozens of blue-faced, sharp-toothed Ghost Spirits emerging within it, howling as they charged at the trio.