Have you ever experienced a terror so profound that it gnaws at the very depths of your heart? A terror that sinks its claws into your bones, inflicting visible agony upon your trembling form.
The air itself quivered, as if every soul, cowering within the mortal shell that encased it, recoiled in collective dread. This was the plight of those who had not yet attained the lofty stages of cultivation, unlike the elders and formidable powers currently entangled in the affairs of Mount Fungwan.
For the disciples of the Xuan Sect, as well as the villagers and denizens of the mountain, their very existence teetered on the precipice of annihilation.
The sword, unleashed by the elder, pierced through the air with a swiftness that left them breathless. Whether observing from the base of the mountain, the slopes, or hidden crevices, they all bore witness to the terrifying might of true power.
And yet, in the midst of this cataclysmic clash, an elderly man materialized as if from thin air, halting before the impending sword.
On Mount Fungwan, there existed a mysterious strength, interwoven within the very fabric and space of the mountain. This force had endured and been fortified through countless generations, holding the space and area together. It could withstand unimaginable forces and prevent the space and ground from crumbling into oblivion.
But in this current collision of titanic forces, even this immeasurably powerful strength seemed to bear a fraction of the burden, bending ever so slightly under the weight of this clashing powers.
In that fleeting burst of multiple energies (the immortal aura, the roaring force under the mountain, the ancient terror, the force of the elder's power and sword), the very air surrounding the hurtling sword contorted, creating a mesmerizing display of bending, rippling, and trembling.
Yet, the old man remained steadfast and didn't, as much as, flinch. With a swiftness that surpassed the speed of sound, his hand moved, his index finger extended.
The collision between sword and finger unleashed a force so potent that the fabric of space itself seemed to strain, revealing hairline fractures. The sword, crushed and crumbling, disintegrated as if it were the a ground being torn asunder by a traveling earthquake.
Blinding flashes of light erupted, accompanied by a resounding roar that reverberated through the air. Had it not been for the protective spells woven into the very essence of Mount Fungwan, the disciples of this sacred place would have been torn to shreds by the sheer force unleashed.
Even with this magical shield, those who had not yet attained the True Spirit phase were pummeled by the shockwaves, their bodies bearing the marks of varying degrees of injury, regardless of their feeble attempts to conjure up feeble chi shields.
As the dazzling display of fireworks, crackling lightning, and blinding light gradually subsided, the man emerged, striding upon the air itself, each step akin to walking upon the tranquil surface of water.
He paused, a mere few steps away, his head tilting ever so slightly, as if looking over the origin of the earlier commotion, the very waterfall towards which the other elder had swung his sword.
A low grunt escaped his lips, and his gaze shifted forward, choosing not to investigate that place. Whether it was to avoid a confrontation with the formidable ancient power or whether it was because he considered it as a non-threat, or perhaps to preserve the enigma, his intentions remained shrouded in uncertainty.
The elders, recognizing his authority, swiftly bowed in reverence, their bodies bending in deference to his presence.
Yet, the ground beneath their feet continued to rumble, a tumultuous disturbance that hinted at something yearning to break free from the depths of the earth.
The force that emanated from this unseen entity surpassed the earlier collision in its sheer terror. It felt as if it were an all-consuming sun, that once unleashed, would annihilate everything in its path, leaving naught but desolation in its wake.
The aged elder, who had deftly intercepted the sword, closed his eyes and descended with the unstoppable force of a falling meteor. His right foot crashed upon the earth's surface, unleashing a ripple-like wave that swept across the land, unsettling the balance of all who stood witness.
Cracks spiderwebbed through the ground, emanating from the point of impact, as ethereal tendrils of luminous chi seeped from his body and seeped into the earth, traveling alongside the undulating ripples.
When his eyes fluttered open, a profound calm settled upon the scene, enveloping all with a stillness that followed in the wake of his intervention. The once-rumbling ground surrendered to silence, its restless energy quenched beneath his very feet.
"Grand Elder!" the elder who had launched the earlier sword exclaimed, her voice laced with reverence as she bent even lower than the rest.
"Grand Elder," the other elders echoed in unison, their voices harmonizing in a chorus of respect. They descended to the ground and gathered around him. "You have ended your cultivation retreat."
"Elder Tai, esteemed elders," he acknowledged, his tone carrying a serene composure. "I have indeed departed from my cultivation retreat. Circumstances of great importance necessitated my early emergence."
"Is the elder referring to the mysterious energies that manifested just moments ago?" Elder Tai asked
"Elder Tai, you don't need to worry about that," he assured, his voice laced with a hint of mystery. With that, he gracefully made his way toward the grand hall.