Swoosh!
Xie Changkong vanished from his original spot like a floating light, instantly traversing the sky to appear before Xiao Zuyuan, raising a fist to strike.
"You..."
Xiao Zuyuan was shocked.
He hadn't expected Xie Changkong's speed to be so fast.
Next, a vast tide of fist-force carrying a destructive aura surged towards him, threatening to drown him.
Boom!
A massive azure palm materialized in front of Xiao Zuyuan, blocking Xie Changkong's fist.
This was the Xiao Clan's supreme skill, the Heaven-Sea Divine Palm.
Crack!
The azure palm was shattered by the single punch.
Xie Changkong quickly retreated in fright.
Boom! Boom!
As Xie Changkong moved, the other six Guardian Elders also began to act.
In each elder's hand appeared a violet longsword.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
The violet longswords were like blazing purple beams of light, illuminating this stretch of heaven and earth.
The other six Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm masters hurriedly met their attacks.
A great battle thus began.
Terrifying combat energy rippled outwards, vast and mighty.
Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders were extraordinarily valiant, taking the initiative to attack and forcing the seven opponents to retreat repeatedly.
"Pity. Dean Xie and the six elders are all injured.
They will fall soon."
After watching a few exchanges, Ye Yunfei knew the situation wasn't good.
Originally, Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders possessed formidable combat prowess.
But due to their injuries, their fighting power had been greatly diminished.
Their current ferocity was only due to their strong fighting spirit, a temporary display of valor.
It wouldn't last.
Sure enough.
"Haha, Xie Changkong, you are indeed injured!"
Soon, Xiao Zuyuan burst into laughter.
At this moment, although Xiao Zuyuan was forced to retreat step by step by Xie Changkong, he realized Xie Changkong's combat power wasn't as terrifying as imagined.
Keep in mind, Xie Changkong was a Grotto-Heaven Sixth Level master.
Within the Grotto-Heaven Realm, each level was its own world.
A higher level should possess absolute, crushing superiority.
Normally, a Grotto-Heaven Sixth Level master defeating a Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm opponent should be effortless.
"Exactly!
Xie Changkong really is injured!"
The other six Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm masters also sighed in collective relief.
Xie Changkong was Hudao Academy's mightiest figure.
He was also one of the Central Continent's most elite masters.
With Xie Changkong present, no one dared to provoke Hudao Academy lightly.
But once Xie Changkong was injured, the situation was different!
The reason these seven Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm masters dared to swagger into Hudao Academy and stir up trouble was precisely because they had received news that Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders were all injured.
Now, they had confirmed the news was true!
Consequently, the courage of these seven Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm masters swelled instantly.
"Xie Changkong, today, if you don't hand over the Hudao Stele and that little bastard Ye Yunfei, prepare for Hudao Academy's destruction!"
Xiao Zuyuan laughed loudly.
"Today, let's wipe out Hudao Academy.
From now on, the Central Continent will have one less top-tier power!"
Lian Yankong of the Tianyan Sect roared with wild laughter.
He cultivated fire-attribute techniques and martial skills; every move and stance was ablaze with fierce flames and roiling heatwaves.
"If you want the Hudao Stele, you'll have to step over our corpses first!"
A Guardian Elder roared angrily, the violet longsword in his hand resembling a river of purple, forcing Lian Yankong to retreat repeatedly.
"Then we shall step over your corpses."
Shen Tiance of the Shenfeng Sect sneered coldly.
Even as he spoke, the battle raged on fiercely.
"Xie Changkong, let's see how long you can keep up this desperate resistance!"
At this point, Xiao Zuyuan, forced back relentlessly by Xie Changkong's fierce onslaught, couldn't help but roar.
He hadn't expected Xie Changkong's strength to remain so formidable even while injured.
"Vermin, die!"
Xie Changkong shouted solemnly, abruptly executing a profound footwork technique. He took a step left, then a step right, charging forward—each step causing the heaven and earth to tremble.
Boom! Boom!
Xie Changkong's footsteps were like a Deity pounding a war drum.
Every step he landed made Xiao Zuyuan's body shudder, as if a mysterious force struck Xiao Zuyuan's heart.
"Divine Tread Nine Steps!"
Xiao Zuyuan recalled a legendary, terrifying technique, his face instantly turning pale with fear as he retreated at extreme speed.
But it was too late.
Xie Changkong had taken nine consecutive steps, arriving right before him, his aura reaching its most blazing peak state as he threw a punch.
Argh!
Xiao Zuyuan was struck by the punch, his body instantly sent flying. He vomited blood repeatedly, injured in an instant.
"Hmm, this footwork technique is quite good.
Each step accumulates momentum; by the final step, the force reaches its strongest state, defeating the enemy in one blow.
A pity this aggravates Dean Xie's injuries."
Ye Yunfei inwardly shook his head as he watched.
Sure enough.
Cough!
After sending Xiao Zuyuan flying with the punch, Xie Changkong also coughed up a mouthful of essential blood. His aura instantly withered, his face turning pale as paper.
He was already severely injured, his eight meridians damaged, his martial foundation harmed. Forced to fight in this state, his injuries had worsened.
Almost simultaneously, the injuries within the six Guardian Elders also began to flare up.
One by one, blood seeped from the corners of their mouths, their combat power continuously declining.
The tide of battle reversed in an instant.
Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders began to be forced back step by step.
Boom! Boom!
Suddenly, Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders each produced a Hong-grade treasure, simultaneously activating them.
Six Hong-grade treasures, all high-grade Hong artifacts at that!
This was part of Hudao Academy's hidden strength.
"Haha, Xie Changkong, did you think only your Hudao Academy has Hong-grade treasures?!"
The seven Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm masters each also produced a Hong-grade treasure to defend themselves, all high-grade as well!
"Haha, Xie Changkong, today, your Hudao Academy is finished!"
The seven Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm masters all broke into wild laughter.
"All retreat to the Inner Academy!"
Xie Changkong suddenly sent a Sound Transmission to every member of Hudao Academy, including the students.
For within the Inner Academy, there was an ancient defensive formation that could be used to resist enemies.
Immediately, including Ye Yunfei, everyone at Hudao Academy received Xie Changkong's Soul Power Sound Transmission.
However, among Hudao Academy's students were quite a few descendants from the Central Continent's top-tier forces.
These students immediately relayed Xie Changkong's order to the seven Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm masters.
"Haha, Xie Changkong, you're finally scared!
Everyone, be careful! Xie Changkong wants to flee back to the Inner Academy. Let's cut them off!"
The seven Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm masters all moved their figures, deliberately blocking the path of retreat towards the Inner Academy.
This situation was extremely unfavorable for Hudao Academy.
"Dean Shangguan, does Hudao Academy have any great protective formations or other means to repel enemies?"
Ye Yunfei asked with a frown.
Hudao Academy, being one of the Central Continent's top-tier powers, and a legacy left by the continent's once mightiest master, the Guardian Sage, should possess some hidden strength, no matter how limited.
It couldn't possibly be wiped out just like this by seven Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realms, could it?
"Legend has it that Founder Guardian left a Clone within the academy.
But over all these years, it has never appeared.
Even we high-ranking members don't know whether this legend is true or false.
Even if it is true, no one knows under what circumstances Founder Guardian's Clone would appear."
Dean Shangguan replied.
"Oh?
A Clone?
That is indeed possible.
If Guardian Sage truly left a Clone behind, then the most likely place would be..."
A thought stirred in Ye Yunfei's heart, and his gaze immediately turned towards Hudao Plaza.
For the founder of a sect to leave a Clone to protect their legacy—such things were far from rare in Ye Yunfei's experience.
"Dean Shangguan, let's go to Hudao Plaza!"
Ye Yunfei said.