Zhao Honglie stretched out a massive black hand toward the crowd.
The people from the Governor Mansion and the two sects and three schools fled immediately upon noticing something was wrong. By now, they had managed to put some distance between themselves and Zhao Honglie. However, those who had merely come to spectate were left trailing behind.
Demonic Qi coiled around Zhao Honglieās enormous hand, exuding a chilling aura.
"Get lost!"
As the black hand reached for them, terror painted the faces of the onlookers. They desperately drew their weapons and slashed at Zhao Honglieās hand.
Black light glistened on Zhao Honglieās hand, making it appear as hard as steel. The flurry of blades and swords landed on it with clanging sounds but failed to leave even a scratch.
Seeing the panic and desperation on their faces filled Zhao Honglie with immense satisfaction. He couldnāt help but erupt into loud laughter.
"Haha! The best way to vanquish fear is to confront it directly! Come now, embrace evolution with me!"
With a single grasp, Zhao Honglie captured five or six people. His hand resembled a massive vice, holding them tightly. No matter how much they struggled, it was all in vain.
After capturing them, Zhao Honglie opened his mouth wide, revealing countless thin tentacles that sprang forth.
The tentacles stretched to lengths of one or two meters, writhing in the air. The surrounding Demonic Qi surged, sending waves of terror through all who saw it.
Zhao Honglie tossed the captured people into the mass of tentacles. Their bloodcurdling screams filled the air, followed by gruesome chewing sounds.
The remaining spectators turned deathly pale at the horrifying scene.
As martial artists, most of them had blood on their hands to some extent. However, they had never witnessed anything so savage. Devouring living humansāit was utterly grotesque.
The thought of being eaten alive sent the others into a frenzy as they scattered and fled.
A few breaths later, the agonized screams ceased, as did the chewing sounds. The red glow that faintly pulsed within the tentacles in Zhao Honglieās mouth gradually faded. His expression was one of utmost enjoyment and satisfaction.
"Ah, fresh blood and flesh, what a delicacy! Haha..."
After devouring several people, Zhao Honglieās Demonic Qi grew even more intense, and the air of violence around him grew heavier.
At the edge of the black barrier, Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao launched a joint assault. But their attacks only caused faint ripples on its surfaceābeyond that, the barrier remained perfectly intact.
Seeing this, Lin Tianhao and the others furrowed their brows, their expressions grim.
"Brother Gu, this array is far too sturdy. With our strength, breaking it seems impossible. Our only option now might be to kill himāthat might give us a sliver of hope!"
Lin Tianhao turned around, his gaze falling on Zhao Honglie. Determination to face death gleamed in his eyes.
Gu Sheng looked at the increasingly powerful Zhao Honglie, his expression dark. "Thereās no other way!"
Although they didnāt know exactly how strong Zhao Honglie had become, one thing was certain: the more people he consumed, the stronger he would become.
With no way to break through the array Zhao Honglie had set up in advance, their only chance was to strike him down while his strength hadnāt grown beyond control. If they could kill him now, the crisis would resolve itself.
The laws of the Crimson Cloud Secret Realm were peculiar; only those below the Marrow Refining Realm were allowed to remain inside.
Since Zhao Honglie had yet to be expelled by these laws, it was clear that his cultivation was still within the Golden Bone Realm.
As long as his cultivation hadnāt surpassed its limits, there would always be a ceiling to his combat strength.
Realizing the barrier could not be broken, the people from the Governor Mansion and the three sects began converging toward Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao.
Among them, Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao were the strongest fighters, and after witnessing Zhao Honglieās terrifying power, no one dared to face him alone. The leaders from the Governor Mansion and the three sects gathered around them, their faces tense and somber.
"Brother Lin, since Sister Shu isnāt here, youāre the strongest among us. That manās power is unfathomable, so weāre willing to follow your leadership. Please guide us to survival!"
Lu Yun spoke up, setting aside the usual pride of the Governor Mansion in this desperate moment.
Seeing Lu Yun and the others rally around him, Lin Tianhao secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Though Lu Shu wasnāt present, the combined strength of Lu Yun, Linghu Qingwan, and others was still a formidable force.
If these people continued to let grudges divide them, theyād remain scattered like loose sand. The inevitable outcome would be Zhao Honglie picking them off one by one, devouring them all.
Lin Tianhao swept his stern gaze across the group. "All of you should understand that this battle is no longer about profitāitās about survival. I hope none of you will hold back in the upcoming fight. Otherwise, none of us will make it out alive!"
Lu Yun and Linghu Qingwan were the first to nod in agreement. "Understood!"
Once the leaders of the Governor Mansion and the three sects agreed, they turned to instruct their fellow disciples.
"Letās fight together for survival! Kill!"
Lin Tianhao unleashed his full aura and charged forward with his spear, leading the charge against Zhao Honglie.
While the others surged forward, Gu Sheng quietly pulled Lin Miaomiao, Huang Miaoyin, and Dyson aside.
Dyson looked puzzled. "Brother Gu, why are you holding us back?"
At that moment, everyone from the Governor Mansion and the two sects and three schools was rushing to attack Zhao Honglie. Only their small group had chosen to remain behind, which made them stand out like a sore thumb.
Gu Sheng shook his head. "Zhao Honglieās power is unfathomable. To him, an ordinary Golden Bone Realm fighter is no different from a small chick, let alone the three of you who are merely in the Silver Bone Realm. With your cultivation level, charging forward is no different from committing suicide."