Outside the Gu Yi Zhai, many creatures fled in fear. Even those who had lived in the Imperial Capital for a million years had never witnessed the combined might of Saint King Bu Heliang and Saint Xuan King Bu Xiangchu.
Within the distant pavilions, many beings held their breath, their gazes fixed on the plaza outside Gu Yi Zhai.
They had initially expected the Saint Ranking competition to be the focal point, but the decisive actions of the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty had completely upended the power structure of the West Hundred Cities.
The two Saint Kings, Saint King Bu Heliang and Saint Xuan King Bu Xiangchu, were simultaneously making a move against Zhang Zai, the Junior Tutor of the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty.
This was undoubtedly a battle of exceptional brilliance. Zhang Zai, a being from the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty, possessed the strength to fight beyond his realm. This was the first direct confrontation between the Yaoguang Divine Dynasty and the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty, and all onlookers watched with tense anticipation.
"Junior Tutor Zhang Zai of the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty, your Great Han Heavenly Dynasty is becoming increasingly presumptuous!" Bu Heliang said grimly.
"Saint King, why waste words with him? What strength can a mere civil official possess? Let's act swiftly and prevent any unforeseen changes!"
Saint Xuan King Bu Xiangchu’s icy gaze swept over.
"Heh heh heh, this old man is fortunate to receive the Emperor's grace, holding the esteemed position of Junior Tutor of the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty. Surrounded by scholarly texts daily, I have not been tainted by blood. However, today, this old man's scroll in hand shall not shy away from being stained with the blood of living beings!"
Zhang Zai shed his disguise, holding a green lamp in his palm, a cold smile gracing his lips.
"The beings of the Great Han are still as arrogant as ever. You are truly stifled to be confined to the West Hundred Cities."
Bu Heliang’s eyes glinted with killing intent.
"Humans shall never have a place in these West Hundred Cities. Although the Tian Yuan Sect has been destroyed, Yaoguang still stands. Today, this King shall sever your head!"
Bu Xiangchu’s divine power surged, his eyes turning dark.
"Make your move!"
"This old man also wishes to test the divine power of a Saint King, to see what it truly is."
Zhang Zai smiled faintly and was the first to ascend into the air, positioning himself at the same altitude as the two.
The moment Zhang Zai rose, the beings of Gu Yi Zhai immediately activated the grand formation, isolating the area. Unbeknownst to them, Gu Duo'er had appeared before the gates of Gu Yi Zhai, gazing at Zhang Zai in the void.
"Who is truly behind this Great Han Heavenly Dynasty?"
It wasn't just Gu Duo'er. In the nearby pavilions and halls, prodigies from various Dao Provinces, along with many elder figures, turned their attention to the plaza outside Gu Yi Zhai.
"Omph!"
"Rise!"
Bu Xiangchu’s hand grasped the void, a fierce claw that ripped open a spatial rift. Faint blue light surged between heaven and earth, and a grand formation materialized, completely isolating the void where the three stood.
After all, this was the Imperial Capital, and beings of the Saint King caliber, with a single utterance, could shatter the sky. It was wise to set up some restrictions.
At this moment, all creatures were observing the three figures in the void. Saint King Bu Heliang and Saint Xuan King Bu Xiangchu, these were the kings of the previous generation. In a million years, they had reached the Saint King realm. Especially after the demise of the former Yaoguang Divine Emperor, they had become the Four Kings of Yaoguang, governing the land.
Bu Heliang wielded a long sword, one that could cleave the horizon. His power was such that even Saint Kings within the West Hundred Cities had gained no advantage against him and dared not provoke him lightly.
Closely following was Saint Xuan King Bu Xiangchu, who wielded a Celestial Hammer. One strike from it could shatter a Saint. His reputation resonated far and wide, and he was the only one among the Four Kings of Yaoguang who had mastered the Grand Dao of Strength!
As for Zhang Zai, twenty years ago, he had gained renown across the land under the command of Su Hong, the Grand Elder of the Tian Gang Upper Sect. Though he had not acted frequently in the past two decades, his act of slaying the Grand Elder of the Tian Gang Upper Sect demonstrated a courage unmatched by many.
After dozens of breaths, Bu Heliang stood clad in dark armor that shimmered with a dim, cold light, his long sword in hand. The movements of his sword were terrifying, and its power immense.
In Bu Xiangchu’s palm rested a colossal Celestial Hammer. Its sheer force made the void ripple layer by layer. The cold glint in his eyes resembled two lightning bolts shot from hell, his killing intent as vast as the sea.
Opposite them, Zhang Zai stroked his beard, standing calmly in the void. A faint scholarly aura emanated from him. His eyes were clear and piercing, and the green lamp he held did not emit any divine light; he watched the two opposite him with remarkable composure.
"Boom!"
A flash of sword light flickered, followed by a thunderous roar. The hammer’s intent and the sword’s gleam collided directly. Zhang Zai's brow twitched. The void exploded. The initial probing attack between the three generated an explosive force that sent the blood and qi of distant creatures into turmoil, chilling them to the bone. The powerful battle intent directly enveloped one-third of the Imperial Capital.
"Crack!"
A spatial rift directly tore open the grand formation set by Bu Xiangchu. The formation cracked, and terrifying energy pursued downwards, pressing on the formation and causing dozens of spiderweb-like cracks to appear and hang in the void.
"Boom!"
Another explosion. In just a single probe, the formation collapsed. Countless cracks penetrated the void, and ethereal energy surged in, plunging the world into darkness.
This was merely a simple probe between the three. Even though the grand formation had isolated most of the divine power, the residual might was enough to cause the blood and qi of the surrounding creatures to churn. If it had manifested fully, they would have been instantly reduced to blood. The clashes between Saint Kings, even a mere glance, could cause creatures to vanish into thin air.
"Activate all the formations! Do not underestimate these three. If there isn't a bloody battle today, I fear they won't stop easily!"
Gazing at the distant firmament, Gu Duo'er cast a deep look at the composed Zhang Zai.
"Run quickly!!"
"This battle is beyond our capacity to bear!"
"Boom!"
Countless beings spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, scrambling in all directions in a panic. Even a sliver of power was difficult for them to endure. Yet, before they could escape far, a storm of spiritual energy swept in, and in an instant, blood mist rained down incessantly.
Even their hard bones vaporized along with the blood. Nothing remained. The Imperial Capital of the Yaoguang Divine Dynasty seemed to be experiencing a blood mist, a crimson fog that lingered stubbornly.
"Bu Xiangchu, it seems we both underestimated Zhang Zai. For a mere scholar to simultaneously block our attacks… he is not simple!"
"Is that so? This is only the beginning. This King will test him first…"
Just then, Bu Xiangchu moved. He dragged the massive Celestial Hammer, and his passage through the void made the heavens and earth roar, the divine sun dim. The Celestial Hammer struck the void, tearing apart countless spatial rifts.
"Heaven Shaking Art!"
Bu Xiangchu held nothing back, unleashing an offensive move from the outset. His entire body flickered with black light, especially the Celestial Hammer, which resembled a black abyss, radiating endless darkness.