The cracking sound was very subtle, almost negligible compared to the violent explosions generated by the collision between the two. Yet, inexplicably, all the cultivators present heard it clearly. More than just entering their ears, the faint sound of shattering seemed to strike directly at their souls. Unconsciously, the faces of the cultivators, including the six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators, turned somewhat pale.
They slightly raised their heads, looking at the giant shield condensed above them by their combined efforts. With their divine sense perception, they could clearly feel a crack gradually expanding within it. Following that, the crack spread like a spiderweb, tearing apart into four pieces. Then, the speed of the crack's expansion quickened. In just a moment, these cracks had completely covered the entire giant shield.
"It can't hold."
"Boom!"
Fragments of spiritual energy shattered everywhere. Following that, Li Qi's terrifying attack, now unimpeded, surged downwards with ferocity. During the previous defense, these cultivators had already consumed most of their spiritual energy. How could they possibly resist Li Qi's still formidable attack now?
The instant Li Qi's attack landed, "Pfft, pfft!" Cultivators were struck as if by a heavy blow, spewing out thick blood and completely losing their combat effectiveness. With a single strike, Li Qi had actually suppressed so many cultivators present.
As for the remaining six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators, their faces were extremely pale. Compared to others, they, being the most profound in cultivation, were undoubtedly better off. However, they too had completely lost their ability to fight under Li Qi's strike, with only indescribable terror remaining. A single attack had overwhelmed the many experts from their six major guilds, and they couldn't fully resist it. If Li Qi were to strike again, wouldn't that mean he could wipe them out directly?
At this moment, they seemed to understand why the Tian Qin Guild and the Yan Zhi Guild had been defeated so quickly. Furthermore, they had actually sent messages to the two guilds afterward but received no reply. This was because it was a battle between two different tiers, a comparison that was utterly impossible.
At this moment, above them, the guild leaders who were also injured on the scene had eyes filled with regret. They had underestimated the combat power of the Penguin Pharmacy Pavilion. They had originally thought that the eight guilds joining forces would be enough to deal with the Penguin Pharmacy Pavilion. But now, it seemed that even if their current six guilds, or all eight half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators from the eight guilds, acted together, the outcome would be no different. At most, they would have been able to resist for a longer period.
"We... seem to have gotten into big trouble." The pale-faced guild leaders were terrified.
And at this moment, while these guild leaders hadn't taken any action, the six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators had already reacted. They all looked at Li Qi with extreme fear. One of them forcefully mustered a breath and looked at Li Qi, his tone completely devoid of its former arrogance.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough, Your Excellency, we admit defeat. If you demand any compensation, our six major guilds can provide it. We beg Your Excellency to spare our lives."
Hearing this, Li Qi chuckled.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you."
Upon hearing Li Qi's words, the six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators felt a slight relief in their hearts. But the next moment, Li Qi raised his hand, and a suction force emanated from his palm. The six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators' faces changed slightly as they felt the suction force appearing around them. However, recalling Li Qi's terror, they dared not resist. After all, they were the ones on the chopping block, and any resistance would be meaningless.
After pulling the six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators before him, Li Qi said, "Don't resist." Then, he flicked his finger, and his divine sense also surged out simultaneously. Li Qi was now dividing his attention into six parts, simultaneously inscribing six identical and intricate restrictions.
Sensing the restrictions Li Qi was drawing, the six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators, who were knowledgeable, all changed color drastically.
"Your Excellency..."
But what greeted them were Li Qi's indifferent eyes. "If you wish to live, do not resist."
Instantly, the six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators became as silent as cicadas in winter. Under Li Qi's terrifying might, they truly did not dare to resist in any way. Finally, the six restrictions in Li Qi's hands were quickly completed and were individually imprinted into the divine senses of the six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators.
"Alright. You can leave now," Li Qi said indifferently. "Go back. I will come to find you again after some time."
These six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators looked ashen. They already knew what their fate was: they had completely become Li Qi's slaves, but there was nothing they could do. They hadn't expected the experts in the Penguin Pharmacy Pavilion to be so powerful; they had miscalculated. And the price was to permanently become someone's slave. Under Li Qi's command, these six half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivators, along with their subordinates, returned to their respective homes. Only the half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivator from the Tian Dan Guild, whose home was nearby, remained by Li Qi's side. Li Qi's gaze then fell upon him.
Feeling Li Qi's gaze, this half-step Grand Ascension stage cultivator from the Tian Dan Guild forced a smile. "My lord."
"Don't speak. Lead the way to your treasury."
Thus, Li Qi swaggered into the treasury of the Tian Dan Guild and swaggered out of it. However, when Li Qi departed, the treasury of the Tian Dan Guild, which stored countless resources and treasures, was almost completely emptied.
Next, Li Qi visited the treasuries of the remaining five guilds one by one. Thus, the treasuries of the eight top guilds in the Qing Rao Domain did not escape Li Qi's thorough visits.
Wandering aimlessly in the void, Li Qi lightly grabbed his palm, and a large stack of spatial rings appeared in his hand. Li Qi looked at the stack of spatial rings in his hand. These spatial rings contained various resources from the treasuries of the eight guilds. A single spatial ring was clearly not enough, so Li Qi used a handful of spatial rings to barely store them all.
However, there was no doubt about one thing: if even one of these spatial rings were to leak out, the immense resources contained within would likely incite a struggle among countless powerful figures. Even if some cultivators obtained these resources, with them, ordinary Tribulation Stage cultivators might be able to directly pile themselves up to the peak of the Tribulation Stage within a thousand years. This was enough to demonstrate the sheer immensity of the resources. After all, the cost required to forcefully pile up to the peak of the Tribulation Stage with resources was unimaginably vast.