Outside the Sea God Temple, a large mass of seawater had gathered. Yet, strangely, the temple was as if isolated by some force, with the seawater unable to surge in.
"Interesting."
Zhang Liang stepped inside, Guan Xishun dragging the black iron cage, also following.
As the two were about to enter the main hall, a loud, aged voice stopped them, "Those who have committed too much bloodshed shall halt. Those who cross the boundary shall die."
Zhang Liang focused his gaze and saw an elder, seventy or eighty years old, leaning on a cane, his face filled with authority, standing before the main hall. His silver beard fluttered in the wind, his robes rustled, and though he appeared incredibly aged, his mere presence exuded an aura.
An elder who could contain his killing intent was certainly not someone to be trifled with!
However, who was Zhang Liang? He was someone who had already transcended the human realm and stepped into the divine. He, Zhang Liang, crossed the boundary delineated by the elder without a second thought.
"Didn't you say those who cross the boundary die? I'd like to see what power you old geezers possess!"
"Do you truly believe you are invincible after absorbing the Water Element's Origin Ability Core?" the elder's tone was indifferent.
This manner of speaking was just like his old man, instantly enraging Zhang Liang. "I despise people worse than me lecturing me the most. I'll give you a chance. Hand over that thing, and I'll spare your life!"
The elder's sleeves fluttered, his tone still indifferent, "No comment."
"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! You're seeking death!"
As Zhang Liang channeled his energy, a wave tens of meters high directly crashed against the protective barrier of the Sea God Temple, instantly erupting with heart-palpitating impact, akin to a thunderous storm.
However, despite Zhang Liang's efforts, he still couldn't break through the temple's protection.
"Boy, you have already committed so much bloodshed, yet you do not reflect. You still wish to obtain the Sea God's weapon. Is this not excessively childish?"
The elder stood his ground, yet he exuded a presence as imposing as Mount Tai.
"Old man, don't think you can't hurt me just because there's no seawater!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the elder's eyes instantly welled up with blood tears. Following that, blood gushed from his nose, mouth, and ears as if a dam had burst, flowing like a spring!
This strike was too bizarre. The elder knelt down on one knee, supporting himself with one hand. With every step Zhang Liang took, the elder tried to muster the strength of his entire being to rise.
"Stop wasting your time. Don't you know that blood is also considered a part of the Water Element? With your meager abilities, if it weren't for the Sea God's weapon, you would have long been crushed by my pressure." Zhang Liang walked up to the elder, grabbed his hair, and directly apprehended him. "When you're old, you should know when to concede. Don't be foolishly loyal; look forward. Now, do you see clearly? I am the true god!"
Zhang Liang threw the elder down the steps. Ren Yuanhao arrived on the wind and happened to catch the elder.
"Senior!"
Ren Yuanhao injected his true qi into the elder's body. The elder's brow twitched, and he tightly grasped Ren Yuanhao's hand.
"Boy, you possess such powerful Water Attribute true qi within you. You, you can surely guard that item. Don't waste your true qi, stop that scoundrel~"
The elder released Ren Yuanhao's hand and stared intently at Zhang Liang, who was walking towards the main hall.
Guan Xishun had already reached Zhang Liang, dragging the cage further into the hall.
"You two, stop!"
Ren Yuanhao discovered that there seemed to be some kind of restriction here, so powerful that even he found it unbelievable. Even his Wind Element abilities could not be used normally.
"Who do you think you are? A savior?"
Zhang Liang stopped. The moment he raised his hand, Ren Yuanhao felt the blood within his body surge violently. A sweet sensation flooded his throat, and he actually spat out a mouthful of blood!
"Boy, the Sea God's weapon in this Sea God Temple is sealed by an extremely powerful restriction, capable of suppressing even the five elemental abilities. You must be careful. Due to the Water Element's natural affinity, his abilities have retained at least 20% of their power. You, however, haven't even reached 10%. Human blood is also considered within the scope of the Water Element. Therefore, you must be cautious. When abilities are not equal, you might be able to use your body's powerful true qi to fight!"
Ren Yuanhao immediately circulated the Earth Attribute true qi within his body, instantly suppressing Zhang Liang's abilities. His heart suddenly became clear!
—So, there's a similarity between the Five Elements and the Five Elements, meaning the generative and overcoming cycles of the Five Elements can be partially applied?
With this thought, Ren Yuanhao immediately circulated his Fire Attribute true qi madly. The Fire Attribute true qi, in turn, stimulated the Earth Attribute true qi. Not only did his true qi grow exponentially, but the Earth Attribute true qi also gradually began to suppress the other two strains of true qi!
This was the result he wanted. He then drew out his ferocious sword, Fen Chuan, and his aura immediately surged! Zhang Liang's ability had been instantly neutralized.
"You truly live up to being my nemesis, figuring out a way to suppress abilities so quickly. But it doesn't matter, you'll soon witness a grand performance!"
As soon as Zhang Liang finished speaking, he sprinted into the depths of the hall. Without the envelopment of water, his speed naturally decreased. After running just a few steps, Ren Yuanhao was already behind him, his devastating sword intent descending upon him!
"Ren Yuanhao, if you dare to stab me now, I will have that brat immediately behead Shen Lan Ni. Let's see who's faster, you or his mechanical arm!"
Ren Yuanhao hesitated, fearing to act. He immediately looked towards Guan Xishun. He saw that Guan Xishun had already brought Shen Lan Ni out of the cage and tied her to a wooden pillar in the center of the main hall. Behind her was a massive, nearly faded painting!
And precisely by seizing Ren Yuanhao's momentary distraction, Zhang Liang exerted his strength, stomping his foot heavily, and standing alongside Guan Xishun.
"What exactly do you want to do?"
Ren Yuanhao, holding his sword, glared furiously.
"Do you not understand the meaning of the painting, or are you pretending not to understand? Do you need me to translate it for you?"
Zhang Liang pointed at the immense scroll behind him, unable to conceal his frenzied laughter. Pacing, he pointed to the far left of the painting. "Look, isn't there a small altar in the painting? A spear is inverted on the altar, and those thread-like things on the ground are blood, aren't they? After absorbing that blood, the spear will be completely unsealed, unleashing its sealed wrath upon everyone!"
"You, you want to use Shen Lan Ni as a sacrifice!"
Ren Yuanhao's face turned pale as he finally realized their intentions.
"Of course. These two women were supposed to perish in the sea that year, sacrificed to the spear in the painting. However, their fates were strangely altered. And today, this woman will return to that path, embracing her destiny!"
Zhang Liang's cold laugh grew sharper, his expression more agitated. "What do you think? Isn't fate quite interesting? It brought together people like us, who were originally worlds apart, to become sworn enemies!"