At that moment, the six Sovereign Gods began attacking Lü Dandan, who sat cross-legged on the black altar, with renewed desperation. They knew that as time passed, her control over the Dark Heart would grow stronger and stronger. Once that happened, they would have no chance against her.
The six Sovereign Gods went berserk, unleashing their various secret arts and techniques, summoning numerous treasures, with two or three even casting out formation banner after formation banner. In short, they exhausted every last measure at their disposal.
Yet, no matter what means they used, they were all shattered with a single slap from the massive black hand suspended above Lü Dandan's head. The energy pressure released by that black hand grew increasingly terrifying, increasingly oppressive, possessing an aura that seemed capable of utterly crushing and obliterating everything.
Gradually, even Ye Yunfei began to feel immense pressure.
As time flowed on, the aura emanating from the black hand above Lü Dandan's head became more horrifying, while the attacks from the six Sovereign Gods appeared weaker and weaker.
After half an hour had passed, looks of despair began to surface on the faces of all six Sovereign Gods. They knew they could no longer contend with Lü Dandan.
Particularly the three Sovereign Gods from the Dark Faction. Their expressions were grim to the extreme. They were well aware that once Lü Dandan fully mastered the Dark Heart, she would certainly not spare them. At that point, they would likely no longer be her match, which meant it would soon be their turn to flee.
"Damnation!"
"How could it come to this? We planned meticulously for so long, thinking we would ultimately lead the Dark Faction, yet this little slut has stolen our achievement."
The three Dark Faction Sovereign Gods were so furious they were clenching their teeth in frustration, their hearts filled with overwhelming reluctance.
Meanwhile, Lü Dannan, still seated on the black altar, looked more and more at ease. From time to time, she cast an icy gaze at the six Sovereign Gods, a disdainful smile curling her lips.
"I think it's time we left," one of the Dark Faction Sovereign Gods sent a Sound Transmission to the other two. "That little slut will soon gain complete control over the Dark Heart. When that happens, we definitely won't escape."
All three Dark Faction Sovereign Gods glared at Lü Dandan on the altar with eyes that seemed to spit fire. How they wished they could charge forward and snatch the Dark Heart pulsating before her chest! Yet they knew it was impossible. Unwilling, but utterly helpless.
"Forget it. It is indeed time to leave. Once she fully controls the Dark Heart, this entire Sacred Temple will become her territory entirely. Leaving then might not even be an option."
Thus, the three Dark Faction Sovereign Gods began retreating stealthily.
"You three plan to leave? Just give up like that? This is the Dark Heart, your Dark Faction's paramount treasure!"
Noticing their intentions, one of the three Sovereign Gods from the Ziyang Sect immediately questioned them. All three Ziyang Sect members looked at the Dark Heart with naked greed in their eyes.
They had heard legends of the Dark Heart before—it was left behind by the previous Dark King of the Dark Faction. It was said that whoever controlled the Dark Heart could easily command the entire Dark Faction.
The Dark Faction was a deeply ancient and enigmatic organization. Now a low-profile faction, according to rumors, after the previous Dark King perished unexpectedly and the Dark Heart became ownerless, the Dark Faction had fractured and splintered, its overall strength a far cry from its former glory.
But if someone could regain control of the Dark Heart, they could rally the fractured Dark Faction anew. Then, this ancient force would undoubtedly become a powerful and fearsome entity once more.
For the sake of controlling the Dark Heart, these three Dark Faction Sovereign Gods had schemed for a very long time.
Ever since Lü Dandan, by chance, obtained the legacy of the previous Dark King, she became the ideal candidate to control the Dark Heart because her body carried the legacy and aura left by that predecessor. According to Dark Faction lore, the Dark King's legacy and aura were key to mastering the Dark Heart.
The three Dark Faction Sovereign Gods had launched their sudden assault, aiming to capture Lü Dandan, then use the legacy and aura she possessed to break into the Sacred Temple, draw out the Dark Heart, and finally seize it.
As Sovereign Gods, if they could capture Lü Dandan, they possessed methods to utilize her to help them control the Dark Heart. But they never expected that, with Ye Yunfei's help, Lü Dandan would outpace them, enter the Sacred Temple first, and gradually begin mastering the Dark Heart.
"It's too late for words now. That little slut has truly begun controlling the Dark Heart. Within this Sacred Temple, we cannot handle her."
"Because this temple contains energy left behind by the previous Dark King. Once she controls the Dark Heart, she can command the Dark King's energy."
"Although the Dark King only left a portion of his energy here, it's still beyond our power to oppose."
After hearing the Ziyang Sect Sovereign God's words, the three Dark Faction Sovereign Gods looked back once more at Lü Dandan seated on the altar. One of them sighed, shook his head, and spoke bitterly.
"Energy left by the previous Dark King?"
Hearing this, the faces of the three Ziyang Sect Sovereign Gods paled considerably. They had certainly heard of the previous Dark King's formidable reputation—a figure whose name once shook the entire Chaotic Void Sea.
One could say, if the previous Dark King of the Dark Faction stamped his foot, the whole Chaotic Void Sea would tremble repeatedly. Though they were Sovereign Gods, merely hearing that name evoked fear in their hearts.
"If the Dark King truly left energy within this temple, then we are definitely no match. We should leave at once."
The three Ziyang Sect Sovereign Gods exchanged looks. One of them spoke, his voice urgent. The mere title of 'Dark King' was enough to frighten them. Thus, these three Ziyang Sect Sovereign Gods also began withdrawing covertly.
And so, all six Sovereign Gods simultaneously started to gradually distance themselves from the black altar. Of course, they still launched attack after attack from afar, continuously blasting them toward Lü Dandan, but their assaults had no effect whatsoever.
Meanwhile, Lü Dandan, seated cross-legged on the black altar, began re-entering a state of deep meditation. Her entire person quieted down, her aura even becoming significantly more restrained.
"No good!"
"It looks like that little slut has truly begun fusing with that Dark Heart."
The three Dark Faction Sovereign Gods saw this and their expressions drastically changed.